Best engine for intended purpose

[rickinAZ]

The JL has had an amazing five different engines offered during its tenure. [More if you count eTorque]

Which is the best for off-roading? Ironically, it seems like the two top contenders have been both discontinued.

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[DarthAWM]

The 3.6 in my JT really surprised me, its done everything I've asked of it without complaint. Especially after the fudds complained about losing the 4.0 straight six.

 

[Ratbert]

• EcoDiesel for incredible low-end torque.
• 392 if fuel consumption isn't a concern.
• 2.0L if engine sound is irrelevant.
• 3.6L just works.
• As far as I can tell the 4xe doesn't really have an off road advantage.

My wife apparently wants to trade in her AMG GLC43 with a 2-door, so I'll be trying to make that decision myself. Fewer options for a 2-door, of course.

 

[Philly_]

The one you already have!

From a simplicity standpoint, probably the 3.6L without eTorque. Although, I have the 2.0T without eTorque and have been extremely impressed with how quickly the turbo spools, the resulting low end torque, and how much control I have while climbing obstacles. It was something that worried me quite a bit about having a turbo engine.

All around, I would take the diesel if I could get it in a two door. So much torque...

 

[Mike_Hawk]

My main issue with the diesel is it doesn't like short commutes or cold weather... I live 12 minutes from work and in the Midwest, both unfortunately, are not ideal to run the diesel long term.

If the diesel didn't have it's Achillies tendon clipped with the DEF system, this would be a non-question.

 

[Ratbert]

My main issue with the diesel is it doesn't like short commutes or cold weather... I live 12 minutes from work and in the Midwest, both unfortunately, are not ideal to run the diesel long term.

If the diesel didn't have it's Achillies tendon clipped with the DEF system, this would be a non-question.

OP asked:

Which is the best for off-roading?

For short commutes and ignoring off-roading it'd be the 4xe. Assuming, of course, your cold weather doesn't hinder the battery significantly.

 

[2nd 392]

• EcoDiesel for incredible low-end torque.
• 392 if fuel consumption isn't a concern.
• 2.0L if engine sound is irrelevant.
• 3.6L just works.
• As far as I can tell the 4xe doesn't really have an off road advantage.

My wife apparently wants to trade in her AMG GLC43 with a 2-door, so I'll be trying to make that decision myself. Fewer options for a 2-door, of course.

Likely not until the JM, but if and when the T-6 with more hp/torque/complexity becomes available, thoughts ? Would you wait if it gets an officially confirmed availability announcement ?

 

[Powelligator]

The 3.6 in my JT really surprised me, its done everything I've asked of it without complaint. Especially after the fudds complained about losing the 4.0 straight six.

To be sure, the 3.6 Pentastar did not replace the 4.0 inline six. The 4.0 crowd was complaining bitterly about the 3.5 minivan engine in the early JK.

 

[DarthAWM]

To be sure, the 3.6 Pentastar did not replace the 4.0 inline six. The 4.0 crowd was complaining bitterly about the 3.5 minivan engine in the early JK.

I know it wasn't directly but some of those stuck in the past are still complaining

 

[Ratbert]

Likely not until the JM, but if and when the T-6 with more hp/torque/complexity becomes available, thoughts ? Would you wait if it gets an officially confirmed availability announcement ?

Probably not. She happened to mention this morning that she was going to trade the Mercedes in on a 2-door Wrangler. Completely out of the blue. I'm thinking she was only half-joking.

 

[AcesandEights]

The 3.6L is one of the most reliable and generates decent power at low RPM. It is the best engine.

 

[rickinAZ]

To be sure, the 3.6 Pentastar did not replace the 4.0 inline six. The 4.0 crowd was complaining bitterly about the 3.5 minivan engine in the early JK.

I ordered a 2012 Pentastar before they hit the dealer's floors. When it arrived, compared to my old JK minivan engine, the Pentastar felt like an absolute rocketship. It felt like it had an extra two cylinders.

 

[Powelligator]

• 3.6L just works.

My wife apparently wants to trade in her AMG GLC43 with a 2-door, so I'll be trying to make that decision myself. Fewer options for a 2-door, of course.

She is making the right choice, clearly a keeper.

 

[Tank the Jeep]

My main issue with the diesel is it doesn't like short commutes or cold weather... I live 12 minutes from work and in the Midwest, both unfortunately, are not ideal to run the diesel long term.

If the diesel didn't have it's Achillies tendon clipped with the DEF system, this would be a non-question.

I drive my diesel Rubi anywhere/ everywhere. Short trips long trips it don’t matter. This diesel Jeep has 43xxx care free miles. My last diesel Jeep (GC) got traded for this one at 90xxx care free miles. Don’t worry too much about short trips. Even def is not that big of a deal. I don’t put def frequently. I. In the South so I don’t worry about cold. But I bet companies there have big truck and equipment that runs diesel. Diesel is usually more expensive than gasoline but I get great mileage out of it.

 

[azjl#3]

3.6 all around best. It’s still made

etorque ruined mine though, start stop is stupid unless living in a city.

love the Deisel, but the company executed poorly. 392, come on, fit another 5 gallons of gas would ya.

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