Need help. Engine choices. 4cyl turbo?

[Da Capt]

Hey everyone. Those who have the 4cyl turbo and have had the V6 pentastar do you regret the 4banger? I want a AT cuz dealing with crazy city traffic ,but I can’t have the V6 in sport. Only option is 4banger or V6 in rubi too rich for my blood. Real world pros and cons from actual 4cyl owners what would yr advice be? I’ve had 4 Jeeps with pentastar and know what issues I have to deal with at certain points of the engines life. Etc…
I know a lot of people first time jeep owners love the 4cyl just confused any help would be great thanks

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[Reinen]

The 2.0l Turbo is zippier than the 3.6 V6. That's the one you want for city traffic. It's also proving to be a very reliable engine. Don't let the number of cylinders fool you. It isn't the 4cyl of old. Not even close.

You also want the Auto trans. This is from a long time manual driver.

 

[Da Capt]

Thanks Reinen appreciate the help, I was gonna get the MT cuz it’s only option for the 6cyl never drove MT I was gonna learn, but friends who do said I’m nuts to have MT for city driving. That’s why I asked about the 4cyl not hung up on number of cylinders just the reliability of the 4banger. I’ve had many pentastar 6cyl I know what needs fixing around 75-100K miles.

 

[ForgottenTaco]

I’m waiting for the guy to post the gif of someone beating the horse ?

 

[Da Capt]

With all due respect I Never understood that. What’s the problem? if something is asked again. Big deal? If it Don’t apply let it fly. Isn’t a forum supposed to be about speaking and helping others about Jeeps? I did look at other threads and some are 35 pages long majority of wise asses going back n forth bickering kind of like this lol.

 

[ForgottenTaco]

I don’t see any problem with it. A lot of stuff starts to get buried over time and not easy to be found. I just think it’s funny when someone posts the horse gif each time. Lol

 

[CBIRD]

I have the 2.0 with steel bumpers, whinch, heavy door side steps and after market wheels with 37x13.5 tires… and I live 6000 feet above sea level and the engine has plenty of power, shifts well (auto trans) and has great pick up.

 

[Da Capt]

I don’t see any problem with it. A lot of stuff starts to get buried over time and not easy to be found. I just think it’s funny when someone posts the horse gif each time. Lol

Thanks buddy., Lmao I agree. It wasn’t directed at you. If it seemed that way that wasn’t my intention at all. I was just saying in general terms. If he would have posted the beat a dead horse gif I’d laugh my ass off and keep scrolling. Reading so many different things I get dizzy after a while lol

 

[oldcjguy]

The 3.6 is a good motor, so is the 2.0. Don't let all the talk about complexity and DI scare you. Anyone who thinks a modern 3.6 is anything but complex is kidding themselves. It's 2023 and ALL engines need to meet very strict epa standards. They also make more power, get better mileage, and run cleaner than engines twice the size did back in the 80s and 90s when they really were simple. That goes for both the 3.6 and the 2.0. Go look at the horsepower ratings for the old CJs even the ones with a 304 V8 LOL.

The 2.0 is a great little engine. There is little to no turbo lag (something that modern complexity fixed) and it just goes. The 2.0 hurricane has been around for longer than it's been in the wrangler and has a good reputation.

I'm a long time manual driver. I love them. That being said I drive the AT. These new 8 speeds are incredible. The computers in them are really amazing. Smooth as butter shifts, always seem to be in the right gear and can skip multiple gears to upshift and downshift as needed. If you have any doubts about driving an automatic go test drive one. The only reason to drive a manual these days is personal preference. There is no benefit over an auto anymore. They are both faster, stronger and more reliable.

You can't go wrong with either engine, but the turbo engine has some advantages. I won't bash the 3.6 because it's more than adequate for a jeep and it's a great engine. I've driven both and I got the 2.T with etorque for me (I had a choice for etorque vs non-etorque in 2020). I'm happy with my decision.

 

[Da Capt]

The 3.6 is a good motor, so is the 2.0. Don't let all the talk about complexity and DI scare you. Anyone who thinks a modern 3.6 is anything but complex is kidding themselves. It's 2023 and ALL engines need to meet very strict epa standards. They also make more power, get better mileage, and run cleaner than engines twice the size did back in the 80s and 90s when they really were simple. That goes for both the 3.6 and the 2.0. Go look at the horsepower ratings for the old CJs even the ones with a 304 V8 LOL.

The 2.0 is a great little engine. There is little to no turbo lag (something that modern complexity fixed) and it just goes. The 2.0 hurricane has been around for longer than it's been in the wrangler and has a good reputation.

I'm a long time manual driver. I love them. That being said I drive the AT. These new 8 speeds are incredible. The computers in them are really amazing. Smooth as butter shifts, always seem to be in the right gear and can skip multiple gears to upshift and downshift as needed. If you have any doubts about driving an automatic go test drive one. The only reason to drive a manual these days is personal preference. There is no benefit over an auto anymore. They are both faster, stronger and more reliable.

You can't go wrong with either engine, but the turbo engine has some advantages. I won't bash the 3.6 because it's more than adequate for a jeep and it's a great engine. I've driven both and I got the 2.T with etorque for me (I had a choice for etorque vs non-etorque in 2020). I'm happy with my decision.

Much appreciated Oldcjguy. I would be happy with the 3.6 I’ve had a few. Just not a available for me at this time other then rubi. I was gonna settle for MT for the 3.6 but eventually with City traffic I’d go batshit crazy. At the very least I have a 3 year safety net with the warranty if needed thanks for yr help and knowledge

 

[Riotfunk]

If you’re DD mostly the 4cyl. should be fine. If you’re Planning on wheeling constantly I’d go the V6.

 

[openingshok]

I've had a '21 Willys 3.6 with MT. That transmission was absolute trash. I've driven MT for every. My dad had a '21 gladiator sport with MT and it was marginally better with the lower gear ratio but still not great. I traded the Willys in for a '23 Rubi ER AT and it was a dream. 1900 miles in I was hit head on and it was totaled. I just picked up my new '24 rubi with 2.0 AT and once again it is a dream. Only 240 miles in but there is no turbo lag line I've experienced on my super duty. It just goes.
Take your pick: 2.0 or 3.6. The mileage savings on the 2.0 will mitigate the added cost of premium fuel. I would avoid the MT like the plague. Hope this helps.

 

[Da Capt]

If you’re DD mostly the 4cyl. should be fine. If you’re Planning on wheeling constantly I’d go the V6.

Thanks appreciate the feed back It will be a daily driver to drive around the beach with top down. ,For every jeep I had … I had dreams of wheeling and doing crazy stuff. However the reality is it’s a dream I did begginer or camp trails at best. lol.

 

[Da Capt]

I've had a '21 Willys 3.6 with MT. That transmission was absolute trash. I've driven MT for every. My dad had a '21 gladiator sport with MT and it was marginally better with the lower gear ratio but still not great. I traded the Willys in for a '23 Rubi ER AT and it was a dream. 1900 miles in I was hit head on and it was totaled. I just picked up my new '24 rubi with 2.0 AT and once again it is a dream. Only 240 miles in but there is no turbo lag line I've experienced on my super duty. It just goes.
Take your pick: 2.0 or 3.6. The mileage savings on the 2.0 will mitigate the added cost of premium fuel. I would avoid the MT like the plague. Hope this helps.

Dam! Sorry to hear of the accident hope yr better. Thanks and I appreciate the real world info. The mpg or gas saving or cost isn’t an issue. I’m was so close to order a MT but there was a restriction on it till end of august maybe it was divine intervention. ?‍ good luck a drive safe

 

[73TAWM]

First time Jeep owner, second 4 banger turbo engine. I have a 4 cyl turbo in our 2019 Kia optima and it made a believer out of me, that sumb!tch is fast!
I did a lot of research before I purchased my 21 Rubicon and was planning on getting an older model 6 cyl because I wanted to be able to pull a trailer or bass boat but I also have an older model Chevy Silverado (99) for pulling. As soon as I looked at a JL it was all over. On the way to KC to pick up a 2019 Jl manual, a four hour trip with an hour to go they called and said they couldn't sell it to me. Turned out it was bogus info but thankfully it caused me to detour and I ran across a brand new 21 in sarge green with the 2.0 for another 5 grand (4 after I got them down). I am in love with the thing! Before the add on mod weight I was getting 22 mpg, now with the added steel bumpers, winch, 37s, lift, I am at about 18-19. Not great but it's a Jeep and I am happy with it. The 2.0 has been fantastic, a little too fast for a Jeep but I like being able to go if I need to. Most of my buddies were all "you better watch that turbo and change the oil more often than it says" causing me a little concern but after 2 years I am happy with it. I don't plan on pulling anything with it or dragging something to the mountains but if I do it'll be one of those little overlanding campers. I am thinking that if I trade up to a newer year or one with a Sky Touch roof that I'll go with the 6 cyl but that will be just for the pulling extra weight. Might not be a thing to be worried about but it's on my mind. If you're not pulling anything, should be safe with the 2.0.

Why in the hell did I go on and on about all that? Just to show the v6 and v8 guys that I really don't know anything. Just dropping my opinion. Anybody can mess up an engine and as long as man is putting them together, they are bound to screw something up once in a while. If you buy the 2.0 and hate it, you'll have no problem selling it.

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