Purchasing Used Gladiator, WANT DIESEL

[jpfeif34]

Hello All,

Finally, about to the point where I am going to replace my 2014 JKUR, she's got 235,000 miles and it's time to do something. I know that I'm replacing it with a used Gladiator Rubicon, just not sure what engine yet, going to purchase an extended warranty as well. Wanted a new one but can't justify the price. I've had the 3.6l in my JKUR and have put 145,000 miles on it since I purchased. Have driven a gladiator with the 3.6l and 8 speed transmission and it does miles better than the one in my JKUR with a 5-speed. What I really want is the diesel though. I've driven a diesel JLUR and loved the engine, everything about it from just a 25-mile drive. Obviously, I've heard the nightmares that the diesel's can be. Just have 3 questions for the diesel drivers.

-What is your overall experience with the EcoDiesel's?
-Would you get the diesel again if you had to do it again?
-How has maintenance/replacements parts gone for the diesel engine since it is no longer being produced?

Thanks for all the answers!

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[aFatBird]

I'm probably going to trade in my diesel soon.

I really loved how the diesel feels and performs. At least until I started getting alot of derating issues when doing long drives or climbs. Derating has happened to me only when its been 80°f outside orbhigher. Had a total of 6 derates in the just over 3 years I've had it. This is with my typical highway speeds of 65-75 mph but have also had a derate on a really long climb at 40 mph.

I would try to get a diesel again if I left Cali since it would be easier for me to delete it as I believe my derating issues are egr related.

Maintenance cost is significantly more than a 3.6 as oil and any single filter just cost more than the equivalent gasser one.

I just killed the alternator on my ecodiesel and the dealership is taking nearly a week just to get the alternator delivered to them to complete the repair.

You'll still probably be able to get parts and maintenance items for the engine since it's a more popular engine in Europe, it'll just have to be imported.

Tldr I really want to love it since I really do love the performance of it but my ecodiesel specifically has been giving me derating issues on long trips and hill climbs especially when its warm outside. That is just my experience from going from basically my dream car to a so close but so far from perfect car.

Pictures for the memories

 

[Free2roam]

Love my Ecodiesel!
Would absolutely buy it again.
Maintenance is maintenance so what if it costs more.
I wouldn't buy the 3.6 or a Gladiator if that engine was the only option.
Glad they made a diesel!

 

[Gvsukids]

What is your overall experience with the EcoDiesel's?

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...500-000-mile-club-ecodiesel-only.83596/unread

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ng-a-diesel-gladiator-what-to-look-for.85363/

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I put 445,000 miles on my Ram Ecodiesel.

No way on Gods green earth I'd buy another.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

- It's awesome
- Would absolutely get the diesel again
- No issues with maintenance or parts. They put that engine in dozens of vehicles over ~15 years, there won't be any issues with parts for the useable lifetime of a gladiator. Plus it's not like they invented all new parts for it, it's built with parts other engines use.

 

[Rusty PW]

Love my little Italian farm tractor. If I had to. I would buy another one. I just hit 60,000 miles. Never had a derate. Knock on wood. I've been cross country 6 times. Climbed over the mountain passes in Colorado in 100F days. Have done trails in Moab, and Rausch Creek. Do all of my own maintenance. So that cuts down the cost of oil changes.

 

[rharr]

they only derate when you are in the boost pulling a hill at 75/80 mph. She has the power to pass on hills but will generate a lot of heat when spooled up so you need to pay attention and control your foot.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

-What is your overall experience with the EcoDiesel's?

I love mine. I had the recall fuel pump done, run high quality oil with an additive to the diesel to try to replicate the fuel in the region the engine was designed, and have had no problems. Absolutely love the torque.

-Would you get the diesel again if you had to do it again?

I wouldn't buy any modern JL/JT with anything but the EcoD or the Hemi. The others are overpriced and underpowered. There's no Hemi for the JT, so...

-How has maintenance/replacements parts gone for the diesel engine since it is no longer being produced?

It's an international engine and was in the Ram stateside for a lot longer than the Jeep, although earlier gens. I wouldn't be too worried about parts for now. That said, as a TJ owner that has watched the OEM parts dry up, I've got a shelf I'm slowing filling with JT and EcoD specific parts. You could also get european diesels in a lot of the older Jeeps like the CJ/XJ/MJ etc. Nobody ever talks about those. There's a reason.

I've done a lot to make it breathe better and run for as long as possible. Depending on where you live and how you feel about it, it's the best way to ensure long term longevity. There are ethical and legal hurdles that you must decide for yourself. Had I left it stock would I still love it? Yeah, probably. I was happy with it when it was stock. But it's a pretty great beast opened up with a tune and accompanying parts. And my worry about it breaking down is nil and the oil analysis results don't lie. There are still legal, safe ways to make it more reliable without entering any grey areas as well. And the diesel gets a proper german-made ZF 8HP75 trans behind it, which is a world-class proven reliable trans. I feel this isn't considered enough for the massive positive it is.

My suggestion any time anybody asks me is this: it's an enthusiast power train. If you're not an enthusiast, it's probably not for you. It needs keeping an eye on, it need maintenance. The basic maintenance costs significantly more if you use quality consumables. You can but really shouldn't go cheap on consumables. You're best off following good practices like letting the EGTs drop before shutting it off which means hanging around in a parking lot for 10 minutes sometimes when you have something better to do, not to mention coming up with some way of monitoring those metrics to begin with. There are a lot of little things you can do to make it more reliable but they're things you'll have to do yourself if you chose to. If you want something you don't really need to pay any attention to, get the pentastar. It just sucks to drive.

I'm nothing but thrilled with mine. 18+ mpg at 75 mph with a rack, RTT, 4" lift, 40s, and stock gears. 4.88s go in soon. Across the country multiple times, been above 14k' feet, no derates. I tow my TJ with it too, but only to the local off road parks. I haven't towed high altitude.

 

[jpfeif34]

I put 445,000 miles on my Ram Ecodiesel.

No way on Gods green earth I'd buy another.

There were that many problems and you kept it that long?

 

[jpfeif34]

I love mine. I had the recall fuel pump done, run high quality oil with an additive to the diesel to try to replicate the fuel in the region the engine was designed, and have had no problems. Absolutely love the torque.



I wouldn't buy any modern JL/JT with anything but the EcoD or the Hemi. The others are overpriced and underpowered. There's no Hemi for the JT, so...



It's an international engine and was in the Ram stateside for a lot longer than the Jeep, although earlier gens. I wouldn't be too worried about parts for now. That said, as a TJ owner that has watched the OEM parts dry up, I've got a shelf I'm slowing filling with JT and EcoD specific parts. You could also get european diesels in a lot of the older Jeeps like the CJ/XJ/MJ etc. Nobody ever talks about those. There's a reason.

I've done a lot to make it breathe better and run for as long as possible. Depending on where you live and how you feel about it, it's the best way to ensure long term longevity. There are ethical and legal hurdles that you must decide for yourself. Had I left it stock would I still love it? Yeah, probably. I was happy with it when it was stock. But it's a pretty great beast opened up with a tune and accompanying parts. And my worry about it breaking down is nil and the oil analysis results don't lie. There are still legal, safe ways to make it more reliable without entering any grey areas as well. And the diesel gets a proper german-made ZF 8HP75 trans behind it, which is a world-class proven reliable trans. I feel this isn't considered enough for the massive positive it is.

My suggestion any time anybody asks me is this: it's an enthusiast power train. If you're not an enthusiast, it's probably not for you. It needs keeping an eye on, it need maintenance. The basic maintenance costs significantly more if you use quality consumables. You can but really shouldn't go cheap on consumables. You're best off following good practices like letting the EGTs drop before shutting it off which means hanging around in a parking lot for 10 minutes sometimes when you have something better to do, not to mention coming up with some way of monitoring those metrics to begin with. There are a lot of little things you can do to make it more reliable but they're things you'll have to do yourself if you chose to. If you want something you don't really need to pay any attention to, get the pentastar. It just sucks to drive.

I'm nothing but thrilled with mine. 18+ mpg at 75 mph with a rack, RTT, 4" lift, 40s, and stock gears. 4.88s go in soon. Across the country multiple times, been above 14k' feet, no derates. I tow my TJ with it too, but only to the local off road parks. I haven't towed high altitude.

View attachment 431320

What are specific things that you've done for breathing and long-term running? How do you monitor those metrics? Did you tune and delete? How much was the cost if so?

This is why I want a diesel. For your last paragraph specifically. I plan on doing 2.5" lift, 37's, and a bed cap as soon as I purchase the gladiator. So, my numbers would be even better than yours, and yours are impressive.

Also, I think your gladiator is one of the best-looking rigs, that I've seen on this forum. Beautiful rig!!

Thanks for all the info.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

What are specific things that you've done for breathing and long-term running? How do you monitor those metrics? Did you tune and delete? How much was the cost if so?

This is why I want a diesel. For your last paragraph specifically. I plan on doing 2.5" lift, 37's, and a bed cap as soon as I purchase the gladiator. So, my numbers would be even better than yours, and yours are impressive.

Also, I think your gladiator is one of the best-looking rigs, that I've seen on this forum. Beautiful rig!!

Thanks for all the info.

Thanks for the compliment. I've done some work on a coworker's JT as well and he runs a 2.5 Clayton with 37s and the GDE tune with a tonneau cover and I saw 21 mpg on his dash when he dropped it off for some new steering last week! Stock gears and daily commute in stop and go traffic.

PM sent

 

[Jrgunn5150]

There were that many problems and you kept it that long?

The only problems I had were having a deleted truck serviced and sold.

I wouldn't buy a diesel I didn't delete, and the way things are now, I wouldn't delete another diesel.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

The only problems I had were having a deleted truck serviced and sold.

I wouldn't buy a diesel I didn't delete, and the way things are now, I wouldn't delete another diesel.

Absolutely keep all the parts and only do modification with reversibility in mind. And do it yourself. If you're relying on somebody else to do the work then you're already in over your head.

You're assuming all responsibility for your vehicle when you do questionable mods to it. This really should go without saying.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Absolutely keep all the parts and only do modification with reversibility in mind. And do it yourself. If you're relying on somebody else to do the work then you're already in over your head.

You're assuming all responsibility for your vehicle when you do questionable mods to it. This really should go without saying.

Sounds like you have it all figured out then lol.

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