2024 Willys 2Dr - aka Rubicon-lite

[The Last Cowboy]

Where do I see the specs on the 2024 - that the auto has 4:1 while the 6speed does not? Or are you going by the 2023 configurator?

The 4.1 low transfer case is not in the Willys. That’s still a Rubicon exclusive feature.

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[Reinen]

What's a better motor? the Turbo 4 or the 6?

At sea level NJ it's pretty much a toss up in regard to performance and power. However at altitude (3000'+) the 2.0 turbo is hands down the more powerful engine. The higher you go the bigger the difference. I wheel at 4000-11000 ft elevation and the 2.0t is barely effected by it while the 3.6 will show how thin the air is up there.

The 2.0t is a more spirited engine with more punch, the 3.6 is more steady power. The 2.0t does have the turbo lag to get used to but it is very predictable and usable once you get the hang of finessing the accelerator like you would the clutch.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

At sea level NJ it's pretty much a toss up in regard to performance and power. However at altitude (3000'+) the 2.0 turbo is hands down the more powerful engine. The higher you go the bigger the difference. I wheel at 4000-11000 ft elevation and the 2.0t is barely effected by it while the 3.6 will show how thin the air is up there.

The 2.0t is a more spirited engine with more punch, the 3.6 is more steady power. The 2.0t does have the turbo lag to get used to but it is very predictable and usable once you get the hang of finessing the accelerator like you would the clutch.

Good point, one is not better than the other, they just have different characteristics. In other words, the Wrangler does not have an engine you would want to avoid, like in the old YJs and TJs with the wheazy, undepowered 2.4 four cylinder.

 

[nooBoffroader]

In other words, the Wrangler does not have an engine you would want to avoid, like in the old YJs and TJs with the wheazy, undepowered 2.4 four cylinder.

Hey - Cmon now - I had the 4 banger on my '97. Regretted not paying the $1800 upcharge to the 6 every time I had to downshift on small NJ hills. However, the MSRP was like $15-6K - so it was a 10% upcharge

Now I see the Turbo 4 has 1MPG better, so THAT is likely gonna sway my decision

 

[nooBoffroader]

At sea level NJ it's pretty much a toss up in regard to performance and power. However at altitude (3000'+) the 2.0 turbo is hands down the more powerful engine. The higher you go the bigger the difference. I wheel at 4000-11000 ft elevation and the 2.0t is barely effected by it while the 3.6 will show how thin the air is up there.

The 2.0t is a more spirited engine with more punch, the 3.6 is more steady power. The 2.0t does have the turbo lag to get used to but it is very predictable and usable once you get the hang of finessing the accelerator like you would the clutch.

I do have ambitions to move to COS area in 5 yrs - so there's that - I am just a forward looking guy, I guess. This is also likely going to be my last jeep - they have gotten too silly in the luxe department

 

[Reinen]

Hey - Cmon now - I had the 4 banger on my '97. Regretted not paying the $1800 upcharge to the 6 every time I had to downshift on small NJ hills. However, the MSRP was like $15-6K - so it was a 10% upcharge

Now I see the Turbo 4 has 1MPG better, so THAT is likely gonna sway my decision

I had that 4 banger on my '90 too. It sucked. But I was a broke ass kid who wanted a Jeep, you take what you can get. I was just thrilled to have a Jeep period.

The JL 4 cyl is night & day different from that engine.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The JL 4 cyl is night & day different from that engine.

No comparison whatsoever. And it's the best choice for those who are regularly above 5k ft in elevation.

 

[nooBoffroader]

I had that 4 banger on my '90 too. It sucked. But I was a broke ass kid who wanted a Jeep, you take what you can get. I was just thrilled to have a Jeep period.

The JL 4 cyl is night & day different from that engine.

I had to wait till round headlights came back in '97 - while walking uphill....

 

[Reinen]

Good point, one is not better than the other, they just have different characteristics. In other words, the Wrangler does not have an engine you would want to avoid, like in the old YJs and TJs with the wheazy, undepowered 2.4 four cylinder.

Exactly. The engines are on par with each other, each with their own benefits. Which one is better is very situational.

At high elevation very few people get the 3.6. The turbo lag is a very small price to pay for being able to accelerate up hills as opposed to downshifting and hopefully maintaining your speed up the hill. But at sea level the "punchiness" of the 2.0t can be a turn off to some people because they don't experience the benefits.

 

[nooBoffroader]

Exactly. The engines are on par with each other, each with their own benefits. Which one is better is very situational.

At high elevation very few people get the 3.6. The turbo lag is a very small price to pay for being able to accelerate up hills as opposed to downshifting and hopefully maintaining your speed up the hill. But at sea level the "punchiness" of the 2.0t can be a turn off to some people because they don't experience the benefits.

The high elevation is 5+ years away - but I get the turbo pros/cons - was collecting due diligence on if either was a "lemon" engine - like the 4cyl I had on my TJ - glad to hear its not - I am now leaning auto-2.0L. Its sacrilege to have a Jeep with Auto - but I think I can suffer it

 

[Reinen]

The high elevation is 5+ years away - but I get the turbo pros/cons - was collecting due diligence on if either was a "lemon" engine - like the 4cyl I had on my TJ - glad to hear its not - I am now leaning auto-2.0L. Its sacrilege to have a Jeep with Auto - but I think I can suffer it

Hold off on throwing that sacrilege word around until after you've driven it for a while. I went shopping 100% intent on a 6cyl manual JL like it was a no-brainer. I was wrong. The 2.0l Auto is really good. It's like a super tough go anywhere sportscar.

It's not sacrilege, it's evolution!

 

[nooBoffroader]

Hold off on throwing that sacrilege word around until after you've driven it for a while. I went shopping 100% intent on a 6cyl manual JL like it was a no-brainer. I was wrong. The 2.0l Auto is really good. It's like a super tough go anywhere sportscar.

It's not sacrilege, it's evolution!

evolution is optional for boomers

 

[Reinen]

evolution is optional for boomers

Evolution is beyond mandatory for Gen X.
If we have to destroy the world to get it started, so be it.

 

[Zissou]

The new Willys is awesome; the upgrades they made to it make it seem like they're positioning it to be what the Rubicon used to be (and move the Rubicon to be more up market).

My gf and I both have the 6 speed manuals with the V6 in our Jeeps; my Gladiator Mojave and her Wrangler Sport S 2 door. This engine & trans combo is amazing in her 2 door, but leaves a lot to be desired in my heavy Gladiator (which is why I'm trading it in for a Wrangler).

Personally I bet I would have been so hot to trade in my Gladiator if I had gotten the automatic. I drove my friend's dad's auto Rubicon Gladiator V6 and I gotta admit it's better haha

I love manuals and recalls / them exploding aside I think it's decent.
But the automatic is very good.

If I were handing out advice I'd say get that Willys in a V6 with the automatic.

 

[nooBoffroader]

If I were handing out advice I'd say get that Willys in a V6 with the automatic.

as of now, seems V6-Manual, Turbo4-auto. can't color outside the lines

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