New to wrangler: choose 2.0 or 3.6 for reliability and smooth operation?

[YBABRAT]

Even with the updates, your point in bold is correct overall point. There is nothing "advanced" in a 3.6L that has not been around for decades at this point. In addition, none of it either improves performance or makes it more reliable--in fact, in most cases their "improvements" have made it less reliable--from the massive use of plastics to the inability to build a durable valvetrain, to the disaster of an oil cooler/filter housing design...




Funny, I have a smaller engine in my Ford that has more power and better mileage than the 3.6L in my Wrangler ever did. With good technology and decent design, the old adage of "there is no substitute for cubic inches" is no longer applicable.

I assume by TDI, you actually mean GDI and while early designs with GDI created issues like carbon build-up on the valves, this is far less problematic with the modern designs. Some engines use both MPI and GDI in combination to achive that.

TDI still has the problem. It's all because of direct injection. As for advanced the 2.0 turbo sounds just as bad as the Iron Duke... maybe the Iron Duke was a head of its time, at least for industrial sound.

As for oiling issues.... most are from over torque of filter.

Plastics can be good and is proof the updates are an advancement whether you like it or not.

All ICE engines are based on 1900s engines. As for Ford... get a Bronco or put 2.0 vs 3.6 comparison to rest.

Fuel milage is going to be different when comparing apples to oranges. IMO an 22.5MPG average, out of a 3.6L with 4.10 gears and 33s, with lousy aerodynamics is awesome.

Younger crowd think turbos are the best... I've ran down a few Subaru STI goung up hill to give them a wake up. Yes the road is normally a 9MPG run, while maintaining speed of 65MPH.

I have yet to add NOS boost... just haven't seen the need yet. Even with a burst of run downs I can still break 22MPG on my trip keeping up with traffic.

You make this v6 a dinosaur.... proving it's still capable. And why would a company still make them.... only one thing people want them as much as enjoy them.

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[2nd 392]

Even with the updates, your point in bold is correct overall point. There is nothing "advanced" in a 3.6L that has not been around for decades at this point. In addition, none of it either improves performance or makes it more reliable--in fact, in most cases their "improvements" have made it less reliable--from the massive use of plastics to the inability to build a durable valvetrain, to the disaster of an oil cooler/filter housing design...




Funny, I have a smaller engine in my Ford that has more power and better mileage than the 3.6L in my Wrangler ever did. With good technology and decent design, the old adage of "there is no substitute for cubic inches" is no longer applicable.

I assume by TDI, you actually mean GDI and while early designs with GDI created issues like carbon build-up on the valves, this is far less problematic with the modern designs. Some engines use both MPI and GDI in combination to achive that.

The 3.6L V6 has 260 lb ft to power a 5,220 lb JLU. A whopping 1 lb ft for for every 20 lbs.
The 134 cu in flathead 4 in a 2,450 lb MB over 80 years ago had 105 lb ft, 1 lb ft for every 23 lbs.

and why I went 30 years without a Jeep (other than Dad’s 3A) pathetic drivetrain options until the diesel, then the V8….. both short lived, one history, the other shortly.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Now try to replace an injector on the 2.0.

Nope. I’ll bring that right over. lol

 

[mmcbeat]

I’ve owned two 3.6 Wranglers, a 2019 and my current 2024. I might have a very slight preference to the 3.6 but not much. I don’t order vehicles, I like to look them over and take a test drive before purchasing. If I were going to buy a new Wrangler tomorrow, I would go with whichever I could get the best deal on.

Something to ponder, right now Jeep is charging $2,000 or so more for an automatic transmission mated to a 3.6 than they do for a 2.0. Go figure?

 

[Kyanche]

Funny, I have a smaller engine in my Ford that has more power and better mileage than the 3.6L in my Wrangler ever did. With good technology and decent design, the old adage of "there is no substitute for cubic inches" is no longer applicable.

Ford? The 2.7 and 3.5 ecoboost are both known to be troublesome aren't they?

I'm not sure any american V6 engine has been good for long term reliability since the 3800 V6. It's a damn shame you can't buy something and get 300-500k miles out of it easily.

The vibe I'm getting with the JL wrangler is you'll be lucky if you get 100k miles out of these engines. And that's if you don't get fed up with body corrosion or electrical issues first.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Let’s see if I can jinx myself. 100,220 mile on our ’21 3.6 eTorque. lol Oil cooler and plugs at the same time about 1k miles ago. Otherwise, regular maintenance.

Started with Mobil 1 Extended Perforce 0w-20, wife kinda neglected it and drove the wheels off. I started running Valvoline Extended Protection 5w-30 about 20k miles ago. Just switched to Mobil 1 5w-40 after researching a couple of months. HTHS of 3.8 per Euro specs which has shown to help flat tappet cams before the API SP came along. Now latest iteration of Mobil 1 Euro 5w-40 at the local Walmart is API SP rated as well so basically two layers of defense. Also have a magnetic neodymium drain plug to keep an eye on larger particles. Completely normal so far the past three oil changes. No ticks ever but trying my best at prevention. No difference in cold startup noise time, no noticeable mpg loss/drag. Live in Indiana, easy to average 22mpg on my commute, mostly highway but for 15 mins of some stop and go. Otherwise, looks like I could manage about 23.

Got an upper oil pan seepage to doctor up though.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Ford? The 2.7 and 3.5 ecoboost are both known to be troublesome aren't they?

I'm not sure any american V6 engine has been good for long term reliability since the 3800 V6. It's a damn shame you can't buy something and get 300-500k miles out of it easily.

The vibe I'm getting with the JL wrangler is you'll be lucky if you get 100k miles out of these engines. And that's if you don't get fed up with body corrosion or electrical issues first.

Apparently you need luck to get past 34453 miles where my luck ran out. Now at 2000 miles on a 2024 new engine. Luck is holding up so far.





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[Kyanche]

Apparently you need luck to get past 34453 miles where my luck ran out. Now at 2000 miles on a 2024 new engine. Luck is holding up so far.

My 2020 has about 10,600 miles on it. I did opt for the lowest mileage 8 year maxcare warranty! At this rate... this thing's gonna last me a long time. XD

 

[Willys41]

Let’s see if I can jinx myself. 100,220 mile on our ’21 3.6 eTorque. lol Oil cooler and plugs at the same time about 1k miles ago. Otherwise, regular maintenance.

Started with Mobil 1 Extended Perforce 0w-20, wife kinda neglected it and drove the wheels off. I started running Valvoline Extended Protection 5w-30 about 20k miles ago. Just switched to Mobil 1 5w-40 after researching a couple of months. HTHS of 3.8 per Euro specs which has shown to help flat tappet cams before the API SP came along. Now latest iteration of Mobil 1 Euro 5w-40 at the local Walmart is API SP rated as well so basically two layers of defense. Also have a magnetic neodymium drain plug to keep an eye on larger particles. Completely normal so far the past three oil changes. No ticks ever but trying my best at prevention. No difference in cold startup noise time, no noticeable mpg loss/drag. Live in Indiana, easy to average 22mpg on my commute, mostly highway but for 15 mins of some stop and go. Otherwise, looks like I could manage about 23.

Got an upper oil pan seepage to doctor up though.

In my new Willys 3.6 I started with 5w30 and at 15k switched to 5w40.
On my wife's Rubicon 3.6 switched at 50k
Also using the RPM Extreme JL fan controller in both keeping my oil and coolant temps down by 25 degrees. Before the RPM Extreme JL fan controller I would see 235+ degrees.
Last trip wheeling between 3000 to 6000ft in the mountains on and off road at 85 degrees my coolant temp never went over 205 and oil 215 on some extreme climes.
Like you, I have magnetic drain plug to give any indication of a problem.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Aquastream]

Who says the 3.6 is more reliable and smoother

 

[CarbonSteel]

The 3.6L V6 has 260 lb ft to power a 5,220 lb JLU. A whopping 1 lb ft for for every 20 lbs.
The 134 cu in flathead 4 in a 2,450 lb MB over 80 years ago had 105 lb ft, 1 lb ft for every 23 lbs.

and why I went 30 years without a Jeep (other than Dad’s 3A) pathetic drivetrain options until the diesel, then the V8….. both short lived, one history, the other shortly.

My 3.6L made it about 75K miles before going Tango Uniform via cracked head or block. The cheapest POS anything I have ever owned made it past that--I have nothing good to say about the 3.6L.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Ford? The 2.7 and 3.5 ecoboost are both known to be troublesome aren't they?

I'm not sure any american V6 engine has been good for long term reliability since the 3800 V6. It's a damn shame you can't buy something and get 300-500k miles out of it easily.

The vibe I'm getting with the JL wrangler is you'll be lucky if you get 100k miles out of these engines. And that's if you don't get fed up with body corrosion or electrical issues first.

LOL - and Jeep is not? I managed 75K out of my 3.6L...complete POS. Time will tell with the Ford, but thus far it has been fine. One thing is for sure, it will run circles around any 3.6L Jeep and get better MPG while doing it.

Edited because I left out the bolded part.

 

[Willys41]

My 3.6L made it about 75K miles before going Tango Uniform via cracked head or block. The cheapest POS anything I have ever owned made it past that--i have nothing good to say about the 3.6L.

Be it 2.0 or 3.6 I am not aware of any other trucks that run as hot as 235+
My 2020 f250 6.2 gas only hits 212 pulling my 9300lb trailer and jeep.
I may be wrong but I think the high coolant and oil temps are partly to blame for some of these failures

 

[darnett]

I have the 2.0 because I found a low mileage creampuff 2020 for a good price. I saw someone say that they had poor gas mileage but honestly I get over 20mpg mixed driving and it runs great, very responsive and fun to drive. yeah it sounds like a sewing machine but only on startup. once it warms up then it just sounds like everything else out there. It did take me a minute to get used to it and was the reason I walked away from another purchase when I didn't know any better. Runs and drives great, plenty of power on the trails and yes the 392 is awesome but the 392's. cost three times what I paid. if you have the money, sure, buy the 392.

I am a diesel fan boy but just didn't find the right deal and it is hard to justify the cost/weight for something that is a third vehicle I drag behind my motorhome. YMMV.

I just say buy something you can afford and enjoy it

Cheers

 

[mcaltitude]

LOL - and Jeep is not? I managed 75K out of my 3.6L...complete POS. Time will tell with the Ford, but this far it has been fine. One thing is for sure, it will run circles around any Jeep and get better MPG while doing it.

Why do you still post on this forum if you've switched to a Bronco? Genuine curiosity.

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