JLU to JL?

[bthomp]

I’ve had 3.6 pentastars (3), a 392 Rubi and two 2.0 turbo 4 cycl hurricanes. I have one 3.6 and one 2.0 now. Compared to all of the above, the 2.0 hits the sweet spot for me in terms of performance and reliability. You can really get some cruising speed out of the 2.0 however on a long trip I recently took, my mileage would typically dip to around 14 MPG. But with normal everyday driving it hangs around 17-18. In retrospect I didn’t really get bad mileage with the 392, around 15 MPG in town and when cruising with the cylinder shut off it would be better plus the muscle car performance is nice, but the 2.0 gets up and goes (0-60 in 6 secs). Plus when I drove my 392, all of the muscle car enthusiasts on the road wanted to race me. Just my $.02 worth.

Very helpful - Thanks!

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[Skeethree]

I’ve had 3.6 pentastars (3), a 392 Rubi and two 2.0 turbo 4 cycl hurricanes. I have one 3.6 and one 2.0 now. Compared to all of the above, the 2.0 hits the sweet spot for me in terms of performance and reliability. You can really get some cruising speed out of the 2.0 however on a long trip I recently took, my mileage would typically dip to around 14 MPG. But with normal everyday driving it hangs around 17-18. In retrospect I didn’t really get bad mileage with the 392, around 15 MPG in town and when cruising with the cylinder shut off it would be better plus the muscle car performance is nice, but the 2.0 gets up and goes (0-60 in 6 secs). Plus when I drove my 392, all of the muscle car enthusiasts on the road wanted to race me. Just my $.02 worth.

I have never gotten anywhere near as bad as 18 mpg from our 2.0 2 door. Cruising at 45 mph it easily hits 30 mpg, worst tank so far 22 mpg with lots of short trips. Only 2200 miles on the Jeep so far.

 

[yokramer]

I have never gotten anywhere near as bad as 18 mpg from our 2.0 2 door. Cruising at 45 mph it easily hits 30 mpg, worst tank so far 22 mpg with lots of short trips. Only 2200 miles on the Jeep so far.

Once you hit 70 the mpg tanks, and if you have a heavy foot as well. I went from getting 17ish in NC stop light to stop light and 70+ highway, to now when I keep it around 70 20+ in the summer if Im easy on the throttle all because I have a commute that is just backroads and lesser used highway

 

[Heimkehr]

I'm looking at a couple MY26 here locally and most have 4.56 gearing. Unfortunately my favorite one has 35's and only 4.11... Likely 'fine', but who wants 'fine'? Would lack some punch off the line and be a noticeable drawback when crawling.

Perceptions are subjective, of course. That said, even with a 3.45 axle, when in the right gear and when I press the accelerator the right way, the 2.0T gets my JLU down the road with admirable alacrity. I am using a throttle controller to fine tune the response rate , but that only improves the experience. The drivetrain isn't lacking for "punch." I'd wager that a 4.1 axle would add even a little more flourish.

 

[Ramboy]

I have never gotten anywhere near as bad as 18 mpg from our 2.0 2 door. Cruising at 45 mph it easily hits 30 mpg, worst tank so far 22 mpg with lots of short trips. Only 2200 miles on the Jeep so far.

I agree with Yokcramer; lead footing makes all of the difference. The more you spool up the turbo the worse the mileage. On my first 2.0 (2018 JLU Rubi) it was better out of the gate than my new 2025 (same specs). However, I only have 1500 miles on the new one so the jury is still out. My road trip (1500 miles one way), with my 2018 2.0, I spent a lot of time on I-80 and I-84 ‘cruising’ at 85 MPH and up (if you don’t get out of the way on those expressways they cruise right past you). My mileage on the trip dipped to 14 MPG when spooling a lot but ‘cruising’ at 45 MPH probably doesn’t work the turbo too hard. Plus, I didn’t use a lot of top tier gas along the way either. I think my new rig needs more breaking in. Plus I’ve always used amsoil yearly for oil changes. Using the very best oil you can find (amsoil is the best, I’ve used for years), is the best way to maintain good turbo health as turbos are really tough on oil especially the smaller high spooling turbos that the 2.0 uses.

 

[3TV]

I have never gotten anywhere near as bad as 18 mpg from our 2.0 2 door. Cruising at 45 mph it easily hits 30 mpg, worst tank so far 22 mpg with lots of short trips. Only 2200 miles on the Jeep so far.

Who in the world cruises at 45 mph? The speed limit here is 80 mph, so cruising speed is 85 to 90 mph.

 

[Skeethree]

Who in the world cruises at 45 mph? The speed limit here is 80 mph, so cruising speed is 85 to 90 mph.
[/QUOTE
Winding back roads of VT are not conducive to 80 mph driving, and the only 4 lane near us is posted 55 mph, and in NJ no speed limit is higher than 65. The 2 door lives in VT.

 

[Westymike]

I’ve owned 4, 2-door rigs (3 Jeeps and an FJ40) and I prefer increased maneuverability over cargo space any day. I do still have a 4-runner if I need more space though. My JL 2-door is set up as an Overlander and I could literally live out of it if need be. When I don’t have big trips planned, it gets stripped down to “day-trip” mode and my RTT goes on my little jeep trailer.
I also prefer 2-doors because they are “different” and you don’t see them on every corner. I get quite a few comments on the build and love it.

if you’re curious how I load it out for overland, here’s my walk-around video.



here’s “day trip mode”

 

[yokramer]

I’ve owned 4, 2-door rigs (3 Jeeps and an FJ40) and I prefer increased maneuverability over cargo space any day. I do still have a 4-runner if I need more space though. My JL 2-door is set up as an Overlander and I could literally live out of it if need be. When I don’t have big trips planned, it gets stripped down to “day-trip” mode and my RTT goes on my little jeep trailer.
I also prefer 2-doors because they are “different” and you don’t see them on every corner. I get quite a few comments on the build and love it.

if you’re curious how I load it out for overland, here’s my walk-around video.



here’s “day trip mode”

The jealous looks from bus owners when we make a u-turn on the trail in one go feeds my soul.

 

[bthomp]

I’ve owned 4, 2-door rigs (3 Jeeps and an FJ40) and I prefer increased maneuverability over cargo space any day. I do still have a 4-runner if I need more space though. My JL 2-door is set up as an Overlander and I could literally live out of it if need be. When I don’t have big trips planned, it gets stripped down to “day-trip” mode and my RTT goes on my little jeep trailer.
I also prefer 2-doors because they are “different” and you don’t see them on every corner. I get quite a few comments on the build and love it.

if you’re curious how I load it out for overland, here’s my walk-around video.



here’s “day trip mode”

I really appreciate the points and the video. I am getting a 2DR JL - - - the search begins.

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