about to place 2020 JL order need advice on engine choice

[hizdudeness]

Greetings all!

Yes I know this is kind of beating a dead horse. I'm sorry in advance for asking but I value the input if I can get it. Either way I'm not a member of the v6/2.0 is better group. I'm looking at what is better for me.

I'm about to place the an order for a 2020 JL Rubicon 2 door. I was dead set on v6 due to my experience and my fathers experience with one each. Now that the Rubicon no longer has the 2.0 with BSG it has come on the table for me. I went to my local dealer today to test drive a 2.0 and out of 36 Wranglers on the lot 0 had the 2.0. I spoke to the sales and service dept regarding this and sales stated that people where I live just don't want the complexity of the 2.0. The sales person states they have only sold 2 2.0 models and they were both orders. I have a lot of turbo experience dating as far back to the nissan 300zx, an rx7 tt , numerous turbo Subarus and my wifes escape turbo, so the turbo doesn't scare me. The hybrid did.That is just me though. The guys in service said it screams, but didnt have much input on reliability as they haven't had many in for service.

I drive 60 miles one way 3 times a week to my hospital and this will be my replacement DD. The wife cant drive a manual, well I mean wont drive a manual, so either way its an auto for me. I live in the mountains, literally as I live on top of a mountain. My daily drive is through the mountains for about 20 miles and then flat/hilly the rest. I usually only keep a vehicle ~3 years, but I really dig the JL so maybe longer.

Does anybody have experience driving both the JL 3.6 and 2.0 auto in mountains or at altitude? I range from ~2000'-~4000' in my area. My local trail that is Beasley Knob. Its pretty difficult and i doubt in stock form I would clear the toughest parts as most guys use their winches from time to time on built Jeeps. Off road will probably represent a low percentage of my total miles driven, but I want this thing to do well and be reliable while doing it.

2.0 owners- Have you had any issues with heat in off road rock crawling conditions? Is the fan noise/ less desirable exhaust noise such an issue that you would consider them as a no go if you did it again? My wife drivers a Ford Escape turbo and it does quite well up here. I know first hand that the jk 3.6 feels kinda sluggish here compared to when I lived in FL. Thanks for reading the wall of text.

Pros better gas mileage and more usable power
Cons I can find are possible lower resale value, fan noise, less desirable exhaust tone and unknown reliability

I have always tuned/built my vehicles and value performance highly

I will likely drive to a big city before I order to test drive a 2.0 at least, but I wanted input from other owners as I think I have driven the sales dept crazy enough as is.

TLDR 2.0 or 3.6 auto for the mountains, long daily drive, will use on tough off road trails?

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[Carlton]

As you have stated the 2.0 no longer has the BSG. The new version has not been released yet so it is a guessing game. Nobody knows how it will be.

I have had the 3.6 in 5 Wranglers and a Grand Cherokee. No complaints.

 

[four low]

The turbo will be better at altitude, I love mine, BSG and all. It's a proven design, Global Engine, oil changes, spark plugs easy to access. Fun and fast, the 8 speed auto is great pairing, plus you can shift manually if you like.I use non Ethanol 91 octane, and get in the high 20s consistently, that's stock Sport 2 Dr.. Try it, you'll like it !

 

[rubicali]

My friend just got a JLUR. In the second week of ownership, there is already a mechanical recall . Even though it's for a steering issue for many Wranglers regardless of trim and engine, avoiding complexity is probably a good idea esp. if you want to do any offroading in remote areas. I'm also trying to decide between 2.0L eTorque vs. good old 3.6L. I want to take the Wrangler offroading, so I'm more and more leaning toward 3.6L now.

 

[melman8r]

Direct Injection is reason enough for me not to get the 2.0 Turbo.

 

[SecondTJ]

As you have stated the 2.0 no longer has the BSG. The new version has not been released yet so it is a guessing game. Nobody knows how it will be.

The 2.0 turbo without BSG debuted in the 2019 Cherokee. So it has been out a year already, but completely different transmission.

 

[HealthRebel]

I was on the fence when I started looking months ago. Driven each one about 5-6 times. I had the 3.6L in a 2012 Rubicon, but pretty sure the engine today has a few mods. I had no problems with the engine. I hear the turbo is better at higher altitudes, but others with the 3.6L who drive it in the mountains state they have no issues.

For me it is a matter of wanting to keep this JL longer than most of my other vehicles. I have owned about 30 vehicles in 45 years, so I have traded a lot in the past. In the end, the 3.6L V6 is what I will order tomorrow. Less complicated, especially outside of warranty. My current car, Mini Cooper S and the vehicle before that, a BMW 3 series, both have/had the 2.0L turbo. Very fast, but very refined. I would not put the 2.0L turbo engine from FCA in the same league. The 3.6L V6 feels and sounds better, smoother and more refined to me. Just my personal opinion. Besides, I am sure there are quite a few mods that can be done on the 3.6 L V6 to bump up the hp and torque to blow the 2.0 turbo out of the water.

 

[rubicali]

Direct Injection is reason enough for me not to get the 2.0 Turbo.

Thanks for this info. Is Direct Injection less reliable due to carbon build-up? And is the 3.6L engine port-injection?

 

[melman8r]

Thanks for this info. Is Direct Injection less reliable due to carbon build-up? And is the 3.6L engine port-injection?

Yes and I do believe the 3.6 is port injection. I asked at the local dealer and they couldn't answer. SMH... My Tacoma V6 is both port and direct which is the best of both worlds, I doubt the Jeep is that, Toyota and VW/Audi have been playing in the DI arena for over a decade. They are the car manufacturers with the most experience, i own a VW GTI as my daily driver now, it's horrible, I'm on my 4th intake and it will always be an issue. The new VWs are dual injection now.

 

[2Wheel-Lee]

Though many say that the 3.6 is proven, note that there were many changes to the 3.6 with the launch of the JL. It now has higher compression among many other changes. So with significant changes like that, it's an unproven engine, too.

The direct injection carbon issues that only some other manufacturers have experienced have long been known. Those who were later to the DI table have likely most all found some ways around the issues (for proprietary and intellectual property reasons, they can't/won't tell you how, though).

I'm in the same boat, ready to order my JL. I was gung-ho on the diesel, but remembered all the newer technology required to make those work with emissions. No thanks.

Then I was set on the 3.6 - no hybrid for me! Now with the 2020 2.0 without BSG, there's now a solid option. I'd bet that the days of the 3.6 are coming to an end in the not so distant future as the 2.0 evolves to offer better power, torque, fuel economy, while reducing emissions.

 

[HealthRebel]

Though many say that the 3.6 is proven, note that there were many changes to the 3.6 with the launch of the JL. It now has higher compression among many other changes. So with significant changes like that, it's an unproven engine, too.

The direct injection carbon issues that only some other manufacturers have experienced have long been known. Those who were later to the DI table have likely most all found some ways around the issues (for proprietary and intellectual property reasons, they can't/won't tell you how, though).

I'm in the same boat, ready to order my JL. I was gung-ho on the diesel, but remembered all the newer technology required to make those work with emissions. No thanks.

Then I was set on the 3.6 - no hybrid for me! Now with the 2020 2.0 without BSG, there's now a solid option. I'd bet that the days of the 3.6 are coming to an end in the not so distant future as the 2.0 evolves to offer better power, torque, fuel economy, while reducing emissions.

I wonder how the 2.0 turbo is going to perform without the BSG? The generator was designed to help deliver a fair amount of torque under 1500 rpm. With that now absent in the Rubicon and Sport offerings, I’m guessing it will feel like a big disappointment compared to having the BSG. But, who knows, right?

I wish FCA would publish the specs on the 2.0 turbo without BSG.

 

[cbrenthus]

I wonder how the 2.0 turbo is going to perform without the BSG? The generator was designed to help deliver a fair amount of torque under 1500 rpm. With that now absent in the Rubicon and Sport offerings, I’m guessing it will feel like a big disappointment compared to having the BSG. But, who knows, right?

I wish FCA would publish the specs on the 2.0 turbo without BSG.

I agree - I think the 2.0 without BSG is going to be disappointing, especially the low end torque. Also keep in mind that it will most likely still require premium, which negates the slight fuel mileage increase. If I was ordering now, I'd still get the V6 even though I love the look and sound of the turbo

 

[HealthRebel]

I agree - I think the 2.0 without BSG is going to be disappointing, especially the low end torque. Also keep in mind that it will most likely still require premium, which negates the slight fuel mileage increase. If I was ordering now, I'd still get the V6 even though I love the look and sound of the turbo

Although premium fuel is not required, only recommended, without premium fuel the turbo will probably not deliver the same performance or fuel mileage when compared to using it. So, like you stated, any increased mileage will be negated with the increased costs.

 

[Billyraff]

I have the 3.6 with ESS, Yes it is port injected. Just installed an AFE momentum GT intake, one of the best sounding combinations of any engine i've ever driven. Getting 21 mpg combined city/highway. Love it.

 

[melman8r]

I have the 3.6 with ESS, Yes it is port injected. Just installed an AFE momentum GT intake, one of the best sounding combinations of any engine i've ever driven. Getting 21 mpg combined city/highway. Love it.

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