Swapping out 3.6 for the turbo 4 ?

[Mr Miami]

I have 2 of the 3.6's in my Jeeps (JTR and JKU) and was just wondering if the "tick tick" ever develops, is a swap to the 4 cylinder turbo feasible? Maybe I have missed it, but I haven't seen this topic mentioned.

Since the 4 seems to be very reliable (so far) and people seem to like it, could that be a reasonable option? Both engines put out close to the same amount of HP and supposedly the 4 puts out more torque at lower RPMs. Ford uses a 2.3 turbo in its Ranger (I did drive one to please my wife before I bought the JTR) and it seemed very responsive and supposedly tows 7,600 lbs. or so, similar to the Gladiator Max Tow.

I'm not the mechanic here but looking at it from the outside, it seems like a viable option. I know virtually nothing about changes to the mounting brackets, hardware and potential computer changes, but it does use the same transmission as the 3.6 so isn't that a big plus?

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[Wheelin98TJ]

Too much work for not enough benefit.

 

[Stan H]

I have 2 of the 3.6's in my Jeeps (JTR and JKU) and was just wondering if the "tick tick" ever develops, is a swap to the 4 cylinder turbo feasible? Maybe I have missed it, but I haven't seen this topic mentioned.

Since the 4 seems to be very reliable (so far) and people seem to like it, could that be a reasonable option? Both engines put out close to the same amount of HP and supposedly the 4 puts out more torque at lower RPMs. Ford uses a 2.3 turbo in its Ranger (I did drive one to please my wife before I bought the JTR) and it seemed very responsive and supposedly tows 7,600 lbs. or so, similar to the Gladiator Max Tow.

I'm not the mechanic here but looking at it from the outside, it seems like a viable option. I know virtually nothing about changes to the mounting brackets, hardware and potential computer changes, but it does use the same transmission as the 3.6 so isn't that a big plus?

Nah, not a viable option.

 

[Hootbro]

Jeep had 2.0 JT test mules before launch and ran into problems with cooling and towing.

Juice was not worth the squeeze.

 

[LowOnCash]

You'll be going backwards - The all around best engine is the V6. There's nothing like cubes for pulling. The eight's pretty much for show unless your pulling heavy. It's the same reason you don't see small block engines in big trucks. The slower they turn, the longer they last.

Besides you got one to show and one to go!

Mike

 

[Zachanadandy]

The 2.0T is not cheap. Then you'd have to add the 2nd cooling system for the intercooler. Replacing a blown 3.6L with a long block is easy. Retain all your accessories, ecu, etc. If you're spending swap money just do the 5.7L. It would likely last longer than a new 3.6L or 2.0t with more power and less cost.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Jeep had 2.0 JT test mules before launch and ran into problems with cooling and towing.

Juice was not worth the squeeze.

That was my thought. Note that the 2.0 uses a higher capacity fan just to keep it cool without towing or any heavy load.
It would be a fun rig, but don't tow with it.

As far as small engines in trucks - I owned two Ford grain trucks with their 6 cylinder (I6) and maybe low on HP for long hauls, but for hauling grain to the coop and short runs, even driving loaded through a rough field, they were more than fine.
In those cases, it wasn't "cubes" - it was torque

(both had 2 speed axles)

 

[Mr Miami]

The 2.0T is not cheap. Then you'd have to add the 2nd cooling system for the intercooler. Replacing a blown 3.6L with a long block is easy. Retain all your accessories, ecu, etc. If you're spending swap money just do the 5.7L. It would likely last longer than a new 3.6L or 2.0t with more power and less cost.

I understand there is a cost with whatever cooling system changes or other things that would be needed but you mentioned, "The 2.0T is not cheap." Cheap is a relative term these days but it is about the same price as the 3.6 in the Wrangler. The 3.6 with a 6 speed manual is standard. If you want the 2.0T you pay $2,500 more but that includes (requires) the 8 speed automatic. The automatic has a list price of $2,500 so using their numbers, the engine cost is the same and you are paying $2,500 for the automatic.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I understand there is a cost with whatever cooling system changes or other things that would be needed but you mentioned, "The 2.0T is not cheap." Cheap is a relative term these days but it is about the same price as the 3.6 in the Wrangler. The 3.6 with a 6 speed manual is standard. If you want the 2.0T you pay $2,500 more but that includes (requires) the 8 speed automatic. The automatic has a list price of $2,500 so using their numbers, the engine cost is the same and you are paying $2,500 for the automatic.

Looking at what Jeep charges per powertrain when discussing a swap/replacement is useless. My buddy got quoted $17k to replace his blown 2.0t as finding used ones is impossible. That price didn't include all the swapping and new parts you'd need as that was a direct long block replacement. Could it be done? Sure. Will it cost at least the $30k a 5.7L swap does? Yep.

 

[Mr Miami]

Looking at what Jeep charges per powertrain when discussing a swap/replacement is useless. My buddy got quoted $17k to replace his blown 2.0t as finding used ones is impossible. That price didn't include all the swapping and new parts you'd need as that was a direct long block replacement. Could it be done? Sure. Will it cost at least the $30k a 5.7L swap does? Yep.

If it costs that much to do an engine sway ($30k or thereabouts) then yes, putting a 2.0T in would not make sense. As I originally mentioned, I am not a mechanic and changing the fluids, a thermostat here and there and installing some off-road stuff like the winch is about as far as I care to go.

From what you are telling me, if one of my 3.6's eventually die (or on life-support), then don't waste my money but buy a new vehicle. I have 8k miles on my '24 and only 48k on my '16 so hopefully I have a long way to go on what I have.

 

[Stan H]

If it costs that much to do an engine sway ($30k or thereabouts) then yes, putting a 2.0T in would not make sense. As I originally mentioned, I am not a mechanic and changing the fluids, a thermostat here and there and installing some off-road stuff like the winch is about as far as I care to go.

From what you are telling me, if one of my 3.6's eventually die (or on life-support), then don't waste my money but buy a new vehicle. I have 8k miles on my '24 and only 48k on my '16 so hopefully I have a long way to go on what I have.

You will never reach the worn out stage

 

[Zachanadandy]

If it costs that much to do an engine sway ($30k or thereabouts) then yes, putting a 2.0T in would not make sense. As I originally mentioned, I am not a mechanic and changing the fluids, a thermostat here and there and installing some off-road stuff like the winch is about as far as I care to go.

From what you are telling me, if one of my 3.6's eventually die (or on life-support), then don't waste my money but buy a new vehicle. I have 8k miles on my '24 and only 48k on my '16 so hopefully I have a long way to go on what I have.

If you catch the tick early it can be a simple as a cam replacement for <$1k.

 

[Mr Miami]

If you catch the tick early it can be a simple as a cam replacement for <$1k.

Thanks for the info. I will keep that in mind if I ever hear anything that is not normal.

 

[LowOnCash]

Hello All - The Pentastar V6 engine used in a Jeep environment for both commuting and off road use, offers number of advantages over the smaller 2.0L I4 turbo engine.

The naturally aspirated 3.6 L engine offers a wider power band, which is also smoother throughout its range compared to the 2.0L I4 turbo engine. For off-road use, running at different rpm’s for different terrains, the 3.6 L offers a much brooder choice of rpm and “smooth torque” with an absence of lag.

Since the 2.0L relies on its turbo to make additional power, correct rpm is crucial for turbo performance. For this reason, the 2.0 L engines operates on a more narrow power band compared to the naturally aspirated 3.6 L engine which can operate smoothly at any rpm. To help flatten lag, the 2.0L is equipped with a Garrett twin scroll housing design (cyl 1&4 / 2&3) as well as a small turbine / compressor wheel, which allows faster spooling and the ability to develop peak torque quicker at lower rpm. (295 peak@3000)

The 3.6 engine offers more longevity than the 2.0L turbo engine for a number of reasons. Component stress on the pistons, rods, crank and their bearing is shared by 6 cylinders, where on the 2.0L engine, the same or even higher loads are shared by only 4 cylinders increasing stress. Therefore, each 2.0L cylinder operates at higher loads and has to work harder than a 3.6 L engine to produce the same power output.

On each of my back to back 2.0L & 3.6L test drives, I found the throttle on the 2.0 L engine to be a bit non-linear in operation compared to a 3.6 L engine. While the 2.0L throttle does react fairly quickly, it was not followed up with the same response until the turbo engages. Another negative is all “4 cylinder engines” regardless of brand, have a raspy sound like they're coming apart under hard acceleration, while in contrast the V6 roars almost like a V8.

While I haven’t performed any 0-60 comparison tests with my salesman riding shot-gun, a number of Youtube videos show both engines getting similar 0-60 results. While Jeep specs the 2.0L with additional torque over the V6, unless you’re pulling a stacker trailer at gross, the 2.0 L turbo’s minimal torque advantage is pretty much a “nothing burger” for most Jeep owners.

Regardless of performance differences, both the 2.0L or 3.6L provide more than satisfactory performance with only minor differences in power or dependability. To the 2.0L advantage, she does offer slightly better mileage. Regardless, thanks to a Jeeps poor aerodynamics, combined with their merciless and worthless “Stop & Start” feature, good mileage is not in the cards.

Getting back to the original topic, converting a 3.6 Jeep to a 2.0L, would be a waste of time and money. You can get a new Mopar long block for $5-6k with a 3 yr /100k mile warranty, or a re-
man for around $3+k. Bottom line, there would be no real advantage switching from a 3.6L to 2.0L since both engines have similar power. Myself, I feel the 3.6L is a more suitable engine for Jeep since it has a more consistent output of torque. Finally, no matter how you twist it, the smaller 2.0 L “Turbo” engine has more components that can fail and has to work harder with more stress on each cylinder to make the same power as a 3.6L.

Ride Safe - Mike

 

[ShadowsPapa]

2.0 vs. 3.6 power and torque

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...firmed-by-jeep-ceo.98357/page-41#post-1619166

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