Ecodiesel Eco-nomics & Issues

[Wrangler man]

I think about this when I consider altering the faux hood vents on the Rubicon hood to be functional heat extractors. The hood on my Hellcat Challenger had functional heat extractors in nearly the exact same positioning and the only downside to having those there were a couple of water spots for me to clean up when polishing the engine bay.

I think I'll probably alter the hood vents to make them functional as heat extractors as one of the initial measures to combat the overheating, if I find that I'm getting into that danger-range fairly often. I think the voiced concerns that it will damage the engine or electronics by getting wet is largely blown out of proportion. Sure there is some additional risk, but I think it is minor for the potential upside. Just a theory I'll likely test out one day. Maybe there is a way to trim the inner plastic in a way that routes the water stream away from any electrical connections on the top of the motor or something.

It's already been done and it's not entirely effective. The engineered functional hood for the diesel once again is found in the European models different than the fake Rubicon Hood. It's not the final solution just an affordable partial solution. Think about it it would be cheaper for FCA to put the same hood on all the Diesels but our big brother here in the states always has their opinion on what's best. And that's not for the consumer, that's for their narrative. Don't be mad at Jeep or FCA. Look to your own country, that is constantly deciding what's best for you or what you need. We're in a day and age when it's no longer what works or what is best. It's what you will accept and what is given. Vote right and demand more or roll over and say Baah.

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[Deleted member 59498]

Why do you hate Rubicons Wrangler Man? They are not that much more especially with 2022 model with all the things FCA made standard. My first order was a WIllys 2022 diesel and then I was informed of a good dealer and bought a Rubicon for 2k more. What is 2k more on a 50K Jeep?

Rubicon regardless of what you do with it is a better trim. It is better just that simple.

Actually since I got my order in before the price increase and it was built before the Willys it is increase in value to buy Rubicon.

 

[Ratbert]

Definitely interested in picking your brain on the AEV kit, as it is one that I'm considering. I'll send you a link to my other post soon.

I went all-in on AEV for my JLURD (still on order). It gets built by Jeep, then shipped directly to AEV where they add 37s, 2.5" lift, hot stamped boron steel bumpers, Warn winch, 4.56:1 gears, etc. All covered by a three year warranty.

If you go the turnkey AEV route then you don't waste money on stronger tailgate hinges, XR, or steel bumpers.

It's not cheap, but they're an impressive company that's been doing this since the 90s. And Jeeps built directly by them have extremely high resale values.

 

[Ratbert]

This is my problem. I can't find a 3.0 to test drive anywhere in CO. I really need to give it a spin before I place an order.

Take a quick trip to Vegas. Lots of Wranglers on the lot at Jeep Only. That's the only time that I've driven a JLURD and I was really impressed with the power. Note, however, that it was an AEV with 37s and 4.56 gears.

 

[Astro Jeep]

I went all-in on AEV for my JLURD (still on order). It gets built by Jeep, then shipped directly to AEV where they add 37s, 2.5" lift, hot stamped boron steel bumpers, Warn winch, 4.56:1 gears, etc. All covered by a three year warranty.

If you go the turnkey AEV route then you don't waste money on stronger tailgate hinges, XR, or steel bumpers.

It's not cheap, but they're an impressive company that's been doing this since the 90s. And Jeeps built directly by them have extremely high resale values.

They are definitely a great company, I really like the rear bumper a lot. My concern is airflow to the diesel with the front bumper bull bar which is why I didn't consider buying a bumper from them. That is a huge bar, and hanging their lights off of it seems like it would be even more restrictive. It may work perfect with airflow, but it just looks like it would reduce it. It is sweet though.

 

[john adams]

They are definitely a great company, I really like the rear bumper a lot. My concern is airflow to the diesel with the front bumper bull bar which is why I didn't consider buying a bumper from them. That is a huge bar, and hanging their lights off of it seems like it would be even more restrictive. It may work perfect with airflow, but it just looks like it would reduce it. It is sweet though.

Do you worry at all about a winch? I have a winch and no bar. A little restriction

 

[Astro Jeep]

Do you worry at all about a winch? I have a winch and no bar. A little restriction

I have only been looking at bumpers with a recessed winch plate to keep it as minimal as possible. I keep going back to the MOPAR steel front bumper for that reason. I am going to drive my Jeep stock for about 6 months until I make up my mind. In the mean time it will be light off roading and camping.

 

[john adams]

I have only been looking at bumpers with a recessed winch plate to keep it as minimal as possible. I keep going back to the MOPAR steel front bumper for that reason. I am going to drive my Jeep stock for about 6 months until I make up my mind. In the mean time it will be light off roading and camping.

I have the MOPAR steel for this reason. Going to drive it through the summer and watch the temps. I don't think I'll have any overheating issues (northeast, no towing) and if I don't, I'll add a bar. Need that to clear the ladies away from my Rubicon when I park in front of Nordstrom's.

Am I right Wrangler Man?

 

[Wrangler man]

I have the MOPAR steel for this reason. Going to drive it through the summer and watch the temps. I don't think I'll have any overheating issues (northeast, no towing) and if I don't, I'll add a bar. Need that to clear the ladies away from my Rubicon when I park in front of Nordstrom's.

Am I right Wrangler Man?

lol... that's right Lady Killer.
Staying directly on the topic of cooing and possibly blocking or obstructing airflow because of a winch or push bar, Etc. On my 2020 EcoDiesel one the first ones to land here in SoCal before the pandemic shut down the production line in Ohio. The honeycomb grill insert on the front of my 2020 JLUAD has the original small diamond shaped openings. Mine was built in Feb 2020. I pay attention to the close detail like many others here on this site and noticed sometime towards the latter part of 2020 the EcoDiesel Wrangler grill changed to match the larger diamond shape grill found on the Gladiator models. As far as the Gladiators I heard this was different than the JL because of the towing capacity and cooling needs. This was before the EcoDiesel was available in the Gladiator. Now as I look around all Ecodiesel's JL and Gladiators of course, come with the larger diamond shape grill insert. I upgraded to the Mopar steel bumper with the Warn Winch. I have not had any overheating issues, while climbing the steep grades it does push up over 240 degrees oil temps. I don't notice any cooling difference when having the oem plastic Mall bumper. If you use common sense and logic I think the engineers over at FCA still opted not to give us the final fix of the vented functional hood found on the European ecodiesel's rather too quick easy fix gave us the Gladiator grill insert hoping to suffice the additional cooling needs on the EcoDiesels. And used to really bother me and thought about spending the money to change my grill insert to match that of the later models which I could easily do but so far I don't see the added benefits in doing so. But to be one hundred percent accurate one would have to run the same test same ambient temperatures perhaps on a steep grade on a summer day with both grill inserts to know any true advantage. One of the aftermarket good manufacturers have chimed in before on their functionable vented Hood if I was to throw more money at this cooling issue that's exactly where I would be going. I think it's more about getting the heat out of the engine bay rather than getting the air into the engine bay so to sum it up airflow coming in and any obstructions maybe minimal as compared to venting trapped hot air. I wish the engineer at FCA would just chimed in on this and put this to rest once and for all. If it's on the European models it's on there for a reason if it wasn't effective it's my opinion they would not run the production of a special hood unless they felt the need to do so. It goes right back to the grill on the Gladiator versus the JL. Then the FCA Engineers changed it all up when they went with the Mojave hood on the Gladiator. Was that for styling chick magnet mods or true functionable needs. In that case I think it's both. Last and final factual thought that may be helpful to those of you going in the same direction. When I did put the oem steel bumper and winch on. The ever so common Wrangler rake was there. It was only three quarters of an inch, but I noticed the stance right away. I had the 2.5 MetalCloak Game Changer. Because I wheel my rig often I'm not a fan of the hockey puck or spacers, although this can be effective I wanted the better solution I added their 3.5 " Metalcloak springs to the front only and it fit perfectly and sits dead nut even front to back and looks awesome.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

I ordered the Arcus bumper right away so I won’t have to live with the embarrassment of having a mall rated bumper on my Rubicon. I’ll also make sure to wait for night time to drive it back from the dealer.

 

[TOTL Innovations]

Then the FCA Engineers changed it all up when they went with the Mojave hood on the Gladiator. Was that for styling chick magnet mods or true functionable needs. In that case I think it's both.

The Mojave hood is non functional.

 

[treillw]

I ordered the Arcus bumper right away so I won’t have to live with the embarrassment of having a mall rated bumper on my Rubicon. I’ll also make sure to wait for night time to drive it back from the dealer.

Don't you worry about a deer taking out the 25% of your front end that is not protected by a bumper with those stubby bumpers?

I guess the bumper will only serve to take out their legs and the deer body will plow into the front end regardless (or vice versa). This makes me like the bumpers with the high "air blocking" tubes.

Wonder how a cattle guard would look on the front of a Jeep?? ?

 

[treillw]

Apparently this is the method of choice for city crowd control.... ?‍

 

[treillw]

Is there any place to get a discount on an AEV lift and wheels?

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

Don't you worry about a deer taking out the 25% of your front end that is not protected by a bumper with those stubby bumpers?

I guess the bumper will only serve to take out their legs and the deer body will plow into the front end regardless (or vice versa). This makes me like the bumpers with the high "air blocking" tubes.

Wonder how a cattle guard would look on the front of a Jeep?? ?

When/if you hit a deer, speed up don't slow down. I also plan on a lift and chopping the fenders, that animal is hitting tire if anything. ? I ordered the Arcus with the round bull bar, if I don't think it is good enough I have a cousin who does phenomenal welding I could pay to make me a new bull bar. Or I could always get a grumper.

Funny story, I had a 2007.5 chevy vortecmax, about 7 inches of lift with 35s, and a RanchHand bumper (greatest bumper I've ever owned). It was a monster of a truck. One of our PCS moves across country, I swear it was animal suicide day. My wife thought I was hunting them down until she stayed awake and saw me go clear across the highway to avoid hitting them and they'd smash straight into my tires or bumper. It was one of the most bizarre things ever on a road trip. I believe I hit about 8 different animals across 5 states and the only issue I had was bending out the headlight hoop, power washing off the blood, and touch-up paint in a corner.

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