3.6 vs 2.0

[Headbarcode]

Engines have little to do with towing capacity. It's all in the chassis and suspension specs that dictate that.

I believe the reason for the 2.0 not being offered in the jt is because of its higher towing capacity. Around 7500lbs vs 3500 in the 4 door JL. The engine tune/boost programming to pull 3500lbs would relax once it's just maintaining speed, but the same tune/boost would be constantly loaded and never relax when pulling twice the weight. Egt's would run on the higher end, stay there, and the engine compartment would be like an oven. I'm betting the 2.0 could do it, but longevity would be an issue that the FCA wants to avoid. 2.0 sales to date probably aren't urging them to r&d some strategies to make a jt specific version of it.

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[aldo98229]

Engines have little to do with towing capacity. It's all in the chassis and suspension specs that dictate that.

I believe the reason for the 2.0 not being offered in the jt is because of its higher towing capacity. Around 7500lbs vs 3500 in the 4 door JL. The engine tune/boost programming to pull 3500lbs would relax once it's just maintaining speed, but the same tune/boost would be constantly loaded and never relax when pulling twice the weight. Egt's would run on the higher end, stay there, and the engine compartment would be like an oven. I'm betting the 2.0 could do it, but longevity would be an issue that the FCA wants to avoid. 2.0 sales to date probably aren't urging them to r&d some strategies to make a jt specific version of it.

Also, by running boosted much longer, in addition to impacting long-term durability, it would likely also nullify the very same fuel savings the turbo is supposed to deliver.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I've read somewhere it's due to the suspension set up on the Wrangler. At almost 450 ftlb of torque the diesel can tow more than 3500.

They did say that. The little 2.0 doesn’t do too bad in the torque area and the Gladiator should be just fine so I guess they cannot design or just did not design a sufficient enough cooling system for the 2.0 considering it’s BTU output? I guess that’s a question for the engineers who were involved.

 

[SecondTJ]

Ford Ranger has a small 2.3 turbo with a 7,500 lbs towing capacity.

It has to the the “Jeep” design language that is hard to engineer high capacity cooling for

 

[rallydefault]

I have the 3.6 and my sister has the 2.0. No issues from either of us so far, and honestly I don't get much of a different feel when driving hers.

 

[aldo98229]

Ford Ranger has a small 2.3 turbo with a 7,500 lbs towing capacity.

It has to the the “Jeep” design language that is hard to engineer high capacity cooling for

Or it could be that Ford had nothing else to fit into Ranger, so it had to make the 2.3L work.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Every time I read “I don’t see any turbo lag” it does not translate to what I experience. So no more turbos for me!

FYI: Turbo Lag ≠ Boost Threshold. The 2.0 doesn't have much lag, but the boost threshold does come on strong.

Someone asked and there is a reason the 2.0 isn’t an option on the JT. Had to do with cooling and the 3.6 being better suited for towing.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/25252...ator-wont-get-the-hybrid-four-cylinder-engine

Jeep official response on why no 2.0 was “the 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing” https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2020-jeep-gladiator-no-turbo-engine-heres-why/

I keep seeing this statement about "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing". As far as I can tell, Jeep has made no official comment about the 2.0 in the Gladiator. Both of those links point to an assumption made by thedrive.com, not Jeep.

 

[ODDs]

Drove both and bought the 3.6. The 2.0 does have more torque down low but felt like it falls off up top.

Just curious why the 2.0 isn’t available in the Gladiator if it’s so good?

One reason I speculate is that the V6 is shorter than the I-4, leaving more room for the deeper radiator and fan that the gladiator requires for towing.

 

[viper88]

Yes this often debated, lots of different opinions.

E-torque does not affect gas octane, it’s an electric motor with a battery pack. FCA changed the premium requirement to “recommended”

Beyond turbo vs n/a; one of the biggest differences is port (3.6) vs direct (2.0) injection. Also no manual on 2.0

The most obvious differences to me are the very different driving characteristics between the 2 engines. The V6 is smoother, quieter at lower rpms, power delivery is more liner. The turbo feels more responsive and more agile due to the flatter torque curve. The added torque is VERY noticeable. The extra torque is also a benefit for anyone considering larger wheels and tires. Engine noise is less noticeable with Rubicon and Sahara models with the 8.4" Infotainment with Alpine because it includes the Electronic Noise Canceling. The Electronic Noise Canceling makes for a quieter cabin overall.

 

[SouthCo]

FYI: Turbo Lag ≠ Boost Threshold. The 2.0 doesn't have much lag, but the boost threshold does come on strong.


I keep seeing this statement about "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing". As far as I can tell, Jeep has made no official comment about the 2.0 in the Gladiator. Both of those links point to an assumption made by thedrive.com, not Jeep.

I'm not knocking the 2.0. I said OP should drive both. I also commented on why no 2.0 in Gladiator because of another post but it's not really relevant for OP.

But if you read the 4th paragraph, the statement you quoted comes from a Jeep spokesman...

"The Drive reached out to Jeep with that very question, and a spokesman told us it comes down to towing and temperature management. "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing," they said. While no knocks were mentioned against the smaller four-cylinder, it's easy to conclude that it simply wasn't created for the hauling capacity Jeep expects from the Gladiator."

Honestly I'll never tow with mine as I have a truck for towing duties....

 

[AnnDee4444]

One reason I speculate is that the V6 is shorter than the I-4, leaving more room for the deeper radiator and fan that the gladiator requires for towing.

Interesting. The shroud depth could also play into this. Also the intercooler is directly in front of the radiator, which probably also is detrimental to cooling.

I'm not knocking the 2.0. I said OP should drive both. I also commented on why no 2.0 in Gladiator because of another post but it's not really relevant for OP.

But if you read the 4th paragraph, the statement you quoted comes from a Jeep spokesman...

"The Drive reached out to Jeep with that very question, and a spokesman told us it comes down to towing and temperature management. "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing," they said. While no knocks were mentioned against the smaller four-cylinder, it's easy to conclude that it simply wasn't created for the hauling capacity Jeep expects from the Gladiator."

This is my point exactly. Jeep said absolutely nothing about the 2.0 in that statement.
Blue = Jeep
Red = The Drive's speculation

"The Drive reached out to Jeep with that very question, and a spokesman told us it comes down to towing and temperature management. "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing," they said. While no knocks were mentioned against the smaller four-cylinder, it's easy to conclude that it simply wasn't created for the hauling capacity Jeep expects from the Gladiator."​

 

[SouthCo]

Interesting. The shroud depth could also play into this. Also the intercooler is directly in front of the radiator, which probably also is detrimental to cooling.

This is my point exactly. Jeep said absolutely nothing about the 2.0 in that statement.
Blue = Jeep
Red = The Drive's speculation

"The Drive reached out to Jeep with that very question, and a spokesman told us it comes down to towing and temperature management. "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing," they said. While no knocks were mentioned against the smaller four-cylinder, it's easy to conclude that it simply wasn't created for the hauling capacity Jeep expects from the Gladiator."​

 

[mmcbeat]

I went with the V6 and am very pleased. When I bought mine in July all local dealers were really pushing the turbo 4. The turbo is a $1000 option and any Jeep with the turbo was priced the same as the V6 with exact options except the engine.

I didn’t go with the turbo because of the 48 volt electrical system and the premium fuel requirement.

 

[Snayte]

Or it could be that Ford had nothing else to fit into Ranger, so it had to make the 2.3L work.

Or Ford stretches the truth about tow ratings.

 

[Odyssey USA]

The 2.0t will be in near constant boost while towing. It'll heat soak quick and probably end up putting out less power than the v6.
That's what you don't see in the dyno, off throttle/out of boost the 2.0 is going to be significantly less than the v6.

I could see that in sub 35mph heavy towing load situations in stop and go before the cooling system gets any aid from the radiator passing through the air for long enough to help.

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