2.0 or 3.6 ??????

[Deleted User 38384]

I’m trying to decide which engine to choose when ordering a 24 Ribicon X. I do very little off-roading and love going fast. I’m hooked on jeeps so buying a “muscle car” isn’t what I want. I have a 22 4Xe but the benefit of 22 miles on the battery doesn’t fit our long distance driving habits and the scarcity of charging stations when traveling usually leaves us using the ICE most of the time anyway. Crappy mileage on the 392 and big price tag is a turnoff for that model. Any suggestions?

Get a used EcoDiesel, and then have someone unlock the PCM and remove the factory placed governor. You'll be going 140 in no time and still getting 18 MPG!!!

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[AFD]

I test drove three Pentastars -- one manual, two autos -- to give that engine a fair chance. No deal. It needed too much right foot just to get down the road. Possibly that was a consequence of tuning it for emissions, vis-a-vis its average MPG.

That was a big complaint I originally had with my v6 Pentastar, that it required too much throttle and winding up the RPMs to shit and get when needed, but either I've gotten used to it a bit or the ECU has finally adapted to my pedal input and driving style, because it's not nearly as bad as it was a few thousand miles ago.

And while "controversial" here for whatever reason, after seeing both a factory technician and a well-regarded tuner here recommend at least 89 to 91 octane with the newer higher compression Pentastars, it does seem a little peppier in the midrange when needed on Top Tier 89. Think more than anything, the v6 just needs a "sport" button to raise all the shift points and hold higher RPMs longer. The ZF8 auto-trans just seems to want to keep the RPMs as low as possible every chance it gets.

I'm sure a less conservative factory tune would add a fair bit of power and help quite a bit as well, but that would likely add 3 extra cow farts of emissions per driver per day and tank their CAFE numbers by 1/2 an MPG ?

 

[njones61]

This is an interesting topic. I am waiting to order a 2024 Rubicon X. Was originally planning to order a 3.6L, but I have decided to go with the 2.0T. I have driven both engines and I did a test drive of teh 392. I would LOVE to get the 392, but my wife vetoed that idea - partly due to the red seats. The 2.0T seems zippier and ultimately that became the deciding factor for me. I have owned a number of turbo vehicles over the years and I like them. The Wrangler 2.0T didn't seem to have any noticeable lag. It was a bit louder but the sound didn't bother me. If it ends up being an issue, there are some aftermarket mufflers you can get that sound great on video. For example:

https://afepower.com/afe-power-49-4...3-409-stainless-steel-cat-back-exhaust-system

Ultimately, the performance was the deciding issue for me. I recently sold a Porsche Macan S (twin turbo V6 - really fun car) and I am selling my 2007 Rubicon (fun but totally gutless) to make way for the new Jeep.

As others have noted, you currently cannot order a 2.0T on the Rubicon X but it seems to be a temporary production line issue. I am sure it will return soon. You can select the engine on the official build your own site when you select the Rubi X.

 

[desertdude59]

I had a rental 1500 for two weeks, it wasn't until day two I noticed it had the little 6 in it. Impressive really.

Im giving the witchcraftery another few years of maturity before I try out a jeep with turbo or big batteries. I'd stick with the 3.6. BTW, my rental was because my 1500, with the 48 volt battery was one of the first to use the start run function of ess back in 20. It ran fine, it was broken by a dude who backed into me about 5 times, because he couldn't believe he couldn't go backwards in his prius into a hemi...

Yeah the 2.0T seems to push the 35s pretty well. It has no lag. I've been happy with it so far. It has an oil seep that the dealer is gonna look at next week. That's my only complaint so far. Those damn Priuses are always doing something crazy. ?

 

[OhioJeeper]

Our family has 2-3.6's and 5-2.0's.
If I bought another, I'd lean towards the 2.0

Frankly, power output is similar, the 2.0t seems to get noticeably better range.

 

[yarmo]

Get a used EcoDiesel, and then have someone unlock the PCM and remove the factory placed governor. You'll be going 140 in no time and still getting 18 MPG!!!

Can't believe you're the first one to mention this!

In all seriousness yeah you should get a used 3.0 and tune it. 392 power with 27 mpg average is unbeatable ?‍

 

[njones61]

Our family has 2-3.6's and 5-2.0's.
If I bought another, I'd lean towards the 2.0

Frankly, power output is similar, the 2.0t seems to get noticeably better range.

Wait, what? 7 jeeps?

Damn...

 

[OhioJeeper]

I do basic maintenance on family vehicles. It's easier for me if they are all basically the same. Had a mixed bag of years and models. So I bought six 21's and called it a day. Have a '20. Told kids they are on their own moving forward.

I was "given" a Vega when I grew up. What a piece of crap. It got me to school.

 

[AFD]

Wait, what? 7 jeeps?

Damn...

Could be 3.6L and 2.0T engines from other Chrysler, Dodge/Ram, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa, Maserati vehicles.

But 7 Jeeps isn't crazy or anything. On one side of my family we had a Wrangler, Compass, 2 Patriots and 3 Cherokees at one time. Now there's 2 different Wranglers, the same Compass, the same 2 Patriots and a different Cherokee from the same group (Edit; actually I think my aunt got rid of her last Cherokee for an early model Liberty. No more XJs ?).

 

[njones61]

I do basic maintenance on family vehicles. It's easier for me if they are all basically the same. Had a mixed bag of years and models. So I bought six 21's and called it a day. Have a '20. Told kids they are on their own moving forward.

I was "given" a Vega when I grew up. What a piece of crap. It got me to school.

Can you be my daddy?

 

[OhioJeeper]

So they're '21 wranglers and a gladiator, only issue was a steering stabilizer on one of them being replaced twice from the dealer. Have been good vehicles. Prices have gone up quite a bit since March '21

 

[tk1700]

"I was "given" a Vega when I grew up. What a piece of crap. It got me to school."

I had a 71 Vega. Made many trips between NM and MI in the late 70s. It was always needing something done to it. I rebuilt the engine twice. The head and all accessories could be removed and I'd climb into the engine compartment and lift the block out. I'd rest it on the fender while I climbed out and then carry it to the garage. MI did a number on it with rust but it may be the only Vega to go over 100k miles. That car taught me a lot about turning wrenches!

 

[njones61]

I do basic maintenance on family vehicles. It's easier for me if they are all basically the same. Had a mixed bag of years and models. So I bought six 21's and called it a day. Have a '20. Told kids they are on their own moving forward.

I was "given" a Vega when I grew up. What a piece of crap. It got me to school.

My dad had a concrete company so I always had a job growing up. When I was 17 I bought a Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. Then I blew the engine and I found and bought a replacement engine for $250 from a totaled car and my buddy and I swapped them out. Worked great. My kids didn't even know how to change oil at that age. Different time.

 

[Wabujitsu]

Neither of those motors are fast and at the end of the day none are breaking 100mph. That said fast is a relative term. Either 2.0 or 3.6 is fine and you already said you weren't doing the 392 which would have been the only motor remotely 'fast' in a Wrangler as it goes to 60mph in 4 seconds where the other two engines are probably looking at a 6 as the first digit unless they are two door, bare bones on factory passenger style tires.

Ryan, I actually broke 100 MPH in my first JLU, a Sport with the 2.0T. It was accidental, as I had just bought the Jeep. I was passing on the interstate, looked down, and I was clocking 105 MPH. I thought I was doing 80-ish ?

 

[STW]

"I was "given" a Vega when I grew up. What a piece of crap. It got me to school."

I had a 71 Vega. Made many trips between NM and MI in the late 70s. It was always needing something done to it. I rebuilt the engine twice. The head and all accessories could be removed and I'd climb into the engine compartment and lift the block out. I'd rest it on the fender while I climbed out and then carry it to the garage. MI did a number on it with rust but it may be the only Vega to go over 100k miles. That car taught me a lot about turning wrenches!

The Vega's single virtue: it wasn't a Pinto.

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