Talk me off the ledge…

[Jefe1018]

I had to take something to a buddy in southern Utah this morning, on the way back, I recorded a clip of the biggest climb leaving Mesquite, I’ve seen 260 oil temps doing the same climb, just as unloaded as today when it’s 110+. With a camper of any kind… I’d be crawling or on the side of the road at 15.
I love this truck, but I think I’ve out grown it.

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[ALT2870]

You're asking too much with 37's going down the interstate at 80 with those gears in that temp period, full stop. (Pun intended.) I would rather step down to 33's or maybe 35's then dump more money into another vehicle especially at current interest rates or trade ins. If you aren't using the Gladiator for offroading, then it's a fair consideration. But ya, to circle back to the original point it's just a bad setup. Not trying to rub it but hasn't been mentioned enough I think.

 

[Jefe1018]

You're asking too much with 37's going down the interstate at 80 with those gears in that temp period, full stop. (Pun intended.) I would rather step down to 33's or maybe 35's then dump more money into another vehicle especially at current interest rates or trade ins. If you aren't using the Gladiator for offroading, then it's a fair consideration. But ya, to circle back to the original point it's just a bad setup. Not trying to rub it but hasn't been mentioned enough I think.

I believe that this is a beyond under engineered cooling solution for the diesel, there probably wasn’t much else they could do without redesigning the entire front end. It’s not a lack of power, torque or efficiency.. it’s heat dissipation. Is it still a brick on big wheels? Yep.. but I’ve had vehicles that cost a between 1/3 and 1/10 of the $59k msrp on the JT go up this exact hill at 80+.. without issue.

The gearing point I understand.. but just doesn’t make much sense to me though, the 8 speed puts the truck in the appropriate RPM range regardless of the rear end. These aren’t the 4 speeds counting OD of old.

For example, a 37 on 3.73’s is a 3.33 ratio… know what Ram offered in their 1500? A 3.29. I haven’t seen any complaints from those folks.

I’m not a gear expert by any means, so feel free to educate/correct me.

The JT is what it is, but they really could have built something even more special with the diesel. I just don’t want to dump money into engineering my own cooling system.

 

[Charles 236]

It seems like you want to get the RAM. So, okay, get the RAM. While it is possible to upgrade the cooling system of the JT diesel, it will still never be equivalent to a full size 2500 for towing.

 

[yoda13]

Speed limits of 75 and people cruising 10 over make going 60 harder.

Luckily the JT was happy at 55-60, even if I am being aggressively overtaken.

These particular tires were N rated, up to 85mph.



Wouldn’t surprise me if tire size matters, but for a fact ambient temperatures do with our platform, I towed a give or take similar sized boat to and from Houston in the winter one year… not a single issue... even with. 37’s.

Sadly, our cooling systems are limited and that’s maybe not okay, just is what it is.



Gas motors don’t tend to run as hot as the diesel in this platform. I kept in manual, 5th and 6th gears and temps were still high.



I’ve actually never experienced a full derate because I always watch temps, keeping the speed low helps a lot.



Since I’ve been into off-roading, towing, camping, hunting I’ve only had two other vehicles: a 2007 Jeep Commander Hemi QD-II and a 2011 Nissan Xterra X. Both of those, I could just jump in, hook up the boat and go. Makes me kind of sad that if I need to do that and bring back a car or truck or in this case, an empty trailer, I can’t even drive the speed limit on a modest day, at least by this desert’s standard, in a truck with more torque and being 5-8x more than what I paid for the other two.

Not so much a stain on the JT rep as much as a limitation.

JT serves my purpose 90% of the way. That final 10% makes me wonder if I can stop with the kool aid now.

It is illegal to go lower than 65 on a highway near me. It’s posted as minimum speed, but I don’t have any issue maintaining that speed with the gladiator and any kind of trailer I’ve put on it(23 ft. Camper and a car hauler). It was well over 100 degrees last time too. What I did notice at 65-70 versus 60-65 is significant loss of mpg.

 

[Jefe1018]

It seems like you want to get the RAM. So, okay, get the RAM. While it is possible to upgrade the cooling system of the JT diesel, it will still never be equivalent to a full size 2500 for towing.

I think the idea has grown on me quite a bit in the last few weeks. It has nothing to do with the JT and everything to do with what I need and expect from a truck. If someone calls and asks for help, I don’t want to make them wait for the weather to be nicer for the sun to go down.

I don’t expect the JT to tow like an HD, but I also don’t want to have to modify a new truck to allow for adequate cooling. I don’t mind modifying suspensions, wheels, tires, bumpers, etc. but don’t like to mess with the motor.. not only does that potentially affect reliability, but there is a 100k mile / 5 year warranty here you risk voiding parts of when you do things like run a different tune, add non-OEM oil lines with aux coolers, etc.

None of this is a knock on the JT platform itself, I’ve grown to ask a bit more from it than it can handle. I’m sure if I were in a gasser I would be upset about the lack of useable power with my set up.

It is illegal to go lower than 65 on a highway near me. It’s posted as minimum speed, but I don’t have any issue maintaining that speed with the gladiator and any kind of trailer I’ve put on it(23 ft. Camper and a car hauler). It was well over 100 degrees last time too. What I did notice at 65-70 versus 60-65 is significant loss of mpg.

Are you in a diesel?

 

[yoda13]

I think the idea has grown on me quite a bit in the last few weeks. It has nothing to do with the JT and everything to do with what I need and expect from a truck. If someone calls and asks for help, I don’t want to make them wait for the weather to be nicer for the sun to go down.

I don’t expect the JT to tow like an HD, but I also don’t want to have to modify a new truck to allow for adequate cooling. I don’t mind modifying suspensions, wheels, tires, bumpers, etc. but don’t like to mess with the motor.. not only does that potentially affect reliability, but there is a 100k mile / 5 year warranty here you risk voiding parts of when you do things like run a different tune, add non-OEM oil lines with aux coolers, etc.

None of this is a knock on the JT platform itself, I’ve grown to ask a bit more from it than it can handle. I’m sure if I were in a gasser I would be upset about the lack of useable power with my set up.



Are you in a diesel?

No, and I know you are. I meant to put in there that I have the gasser, but I forgot…

 

[Jefe1018]

No, and I know you are. I meant to put in there that I have the gasser, but I forgot…

Ha, no worries.

I’ve kind of been sleepless on this one honestly. I’ve built my Jeep piece by piece with love and affection.. but she just don’t do what I need at this point.

 

[Charles 236]

Ha, no worries.

I’ve kind of been sleepless on this one honestly. I’ve built my Jeep piece by piece with love and affection.. but she just don’t do what I need at this point.

I know the feeling. Over the past 40 plus vehicles, I have gotten into the habit of modding them to suit my wants and needs at the time. In EVERY case, I have found that my wants and needs changed enough for the to buy a different vehicle. I no longer get "attached" to any vehicle, after I sold Charger #4, it has been easy to move on to something different.

 

[Jefe1018]

I know the feeling. Over the past 40 plus vehicles, I have gotten into the habit of modding them to suit my wants and needs at the time. In EVERY case, I have found that my wants and needs changed enough for the to buy a different vehicle. I no longer get "attached" to any vehicle, after I sold Charger #4, it has been easy to move on to something different.

It’s not easy for me quite yet. I mean the Moroney has my name on it.. I’m also not replacing it with a new order truck either.

I’m thinking a “throw away” XJ alongside a 1500/2500 HD is on the horizon.

 

[Jefe1018]

Well… I jumped.

Scored a deal on a tradesman power wagon, 2024 model year with every option ticked that you can for a tradesman. CPO, < 5,000 miles and a killer deal. Only thing I’m missing over my JTR is keyless entry (the door handle gran and go function) and annoyingly enough no steering wheel volume control, but wireless CarPlay is nice in UConnect5.

JT was amazing, but I’ve grown on from it. It’s like a Lego set and taking mods off for its drive up to a farm where it can flex to it’s heart content was well.. an oddly similar feeling to that of at 21 digging a whole to put down the mutt who waited on me from elementary through college and into marriage.

MPG isn’t as bad as advertised, averaging 12mpg in the past week with very few rides on the highway. Being a 3/4 ton has advantages, even helped a buddy move already, rode the freeway with all his furniture in tow and not once did I even think to look at the oil temp gauge. I’m also oddly looking forward to something that won’t have a vendor throwing goodies at me every other month that has me crawling underneath running wiring… I hope?

Anyways, I’ll be around to check on y’all, not that you’ll care all that much. But it’s been fun. This forum has helped me find mods, fixes and hacks. You’re an okay bunch.

TLDR;

 

[Rusty PW]

A lot of good people here. It's not as busy as it once was.

https://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/index.php?sid=cfad6fb2d7f9c4b9b2ac77b3ca3f991f

Check out this thread. He is the electrical guru.

https://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/viewforum.php?f=47

 

[Jefe1018]

A lot of good people here. It's not as busy as it once was.

https://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/index.php?sid=cfad6fb2d7f9c4b9b2ac77b3ca3f991f

Check out this thread. He is the electrical guru.

https://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/viewforum.php?f=47

I don’t do Facebook or instagram or twitter or whatever else. I have this forum, there are a few Ram forums out there. Some for all 5th gens, others for all years, some for HD only. They’re just not as alive as this one. I’m going to miss this place but not all the money it makes me spend.

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