New JL Diesel Review From Delivery Road Trip

[Plongson]

Some of you may recall my search recently for an orange JL diesel and finding one half way across the country.

Nearly 2 weeks ago, I secured a deal on a rig that met my requirements exactly. My wife and I, who are always looking for an adventure took a shuttle to Las Vegas and flew to Little Rock Arkansas to take delivery on the new Jeep. With the Ohio plant down this was our best option without waiting until whenever for a special order.

It was an interesting trip with this Covid thing going on but using good sense and keeping social distance we had a great trip. Hotels and restaurants are doing their BEST to sanitize. There were NO crowds and no traffic.

As for the Jeep diesel...HOLY CRAP!! This little rig is FRIGG"N AMAZING! It's got gobs of torque everywhere you want it. It will run 80 with the big dogs and everything in between. We ran 2900 miles and got about 27 mpg overall but had crazy long runs getting around 30 when you keep it about 70mph. For me, the diesel is where it's at...We also got more compliments on this rig than I ever imagined...maybe because it's ORANGE!! lol

We ran through Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas (Galveston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso) New Mexico, Arizona and back to Utah. Drove on the Texas coast for MILES...

The Advance safety package is worth every penny as is all the other options we added. Everything worked perfect. The only slightly goofy thing is the Off Road Pages where the gauge page acts up occasionally.

It's already due for the first oil change and I've just had it a week...lol

Anyway, I'm giving it +10 and two thumbs up so far. Let's just hope it's as good for the long haul!

We got a ton of pictures, you get the idea...

Sponsored

 

[Notorious]

Congratulations on the new Wrangler! Nice review. I’ve owned two Diesel vehicles in the past and can only say that everyone needs to own at least one in their lifetime. Have fun out there.

 

[WreckEm711]

Great Jeep, love diesels.

I give that road trip two thumbs up! Some of my favorite places with great memories in that list. If you're ever back in Galveston check out Shrimp N Stuff. Little local hole in the wall, fantastic fried shrimp, catfish, tartar sauce, cheap beer.

 

[Notorious]

If you're ever back in Galveston check out Shrimp N Stuff. Little local hole in the wall, fantastic fried shrimp, catfish, tartar sauce....

Is it still around? Bubba gumps shrimp is delicious too.

 

[WreckEm711]

Is it still around? Bubba gumps shrimp is delicious too.

It was when I was down there for work in the fall, but didn't think about whether or not the shutdown might have killed them, I sure hope not!

 

[dieseljlu]

Love that you love it! I've had my diesel for about two weeks now and am just itching for a long road trip so I can see numbers above 21 MPG (mostly city/ short highway combined). The torque is great, specially for merging onto the interstate.

 

[rcliff1]

Got almost 6k on mine, loved every minute of driving it. No issue pulling snd launching my 23 ft boat. I'm usually around 23mpg, haven't seen more than 24 as per the dash reading.

 

[Fusilli Jerry]

Some of you may recall my search recently for an orange JL diesel and finding one half way across the country.

Nearly 2 weeks ago, I secured a deal on a rig that met my requirements exactly. My wife and I, who are always looking for an adventure took a shuttle to Las Vegas and flew to Little Rock Arkansas to take delivery on the new Jeep. With the Ohio plant down this was our best option without waiting until whenever for a special order.

It was an interesting trip with this Covid thing going on but using good sense and keeping social distance we had a great trip. Hotels and restaurants are doing their BEST to sanitize. There were NO crowds and no traffic.

As for the Jeep diesel...HOLY CRAP!! This little rig is FRIGG"N AMAZING! It's got gobs of torque everywhere you want it. It will run 80 with the big dogs and everything in between. We ran 2900 miles and got about 27 mpg overall but had crazy long runs getting around 30 when you keep it about 70mph. For me, the diesel is where it's at...We also got more compliments on this rig than I ever imagined...maybe because it's ORANGE!! lol

We ran through Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas (Galveston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso) New Mexico, Arizona and back to Utah. Drove on the Texas coast for MILES...

The Advance safety package is worth every penny as is all the other options we added. Everything worked perfect. The only slightly goofy thing is the Off Road Pages where the gauge page acts up occasionally.

It's already due for the first oil change and I've just had it a week...lol

Anyway, I'm giving it +10 and two thumbs up so far. Let's just hope it's as good for the long haul!

We got a ton of pictures, you get the idea...

I really love the color match. I wanted that so bad but "settled" for the standard black top with my gray Rubicon. Turns out I made a lucky decision because I live off a long dirt/gravel road, and my back fenders are like cheese graters now because of the rocks bouncing off them every time I come and go.

 

[Plongson]

I really love the color match. I wanted that so bad but "settled" for the standard black top with my gray Rubicon. Turns out I made a lucky decision because I live off a long dirt/gravel road, and my back fenders are like cheese graters now because of the rocks bouncing off them every time I come and go.

I'm with you man. I live on a mile of dirt / gravel and I'm dealing with the slinging rocks. In the winter, it's either snow or mud, and in the summer it just flat-out Dusty and rocks. I just replace the stock wheels with the Mopar beadlock style, and with the added offset, the wheels stick out ever-so-slightly. They look awesome, but I am not too thrilled with how it's going to sling mud and rocks. Guess I will just have to live with it and time will tell how bad it will be.
Sure would be nice if someone made a very small fender flare to stick out and protect the body from this added offset.

 

[Fusilli Jerry]

I'm with you man. I live on a mile of dirt / gravel and I'm dealing with the slinging rocks. In the winter, it's either snow or mud, and in the summer it just flat-out Dusty and rocks. I just replace the stock wheels with the Mopar beadlock style, and with the added offset, the wheels stick out ever-so-slightly. They look awesome, but I am not too thrilled with how it's going to sling mud and rocks. Guess I will just have to live with it and time will tell how bad it will be.
Sure would be nice if someone made a very small fender flare to stick out and protect the body from this added offset.

It's KINDA unavoidable, but you may want to try this:

3M Scotchgard Clear Paint Protection Bulk Film Roll 6-by-48-inches 3M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VG88MQ/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_D2u0EbQKCQ516 via @amazon

I used it on my door hinges to stop chipping from the same gravel. It's still on there, over a year now. You would have to put it on the front half of the rear fenders in a few sections though, so seams will be a little visible.

It shouldn't damage the paint, as that's what it's designed for, but I can't guarantee it.
I can guarantee that rocks WILL hit rear fenders and damage it anyway.

Jeep thing.

 

[m3lover1]

Congrats! Dang I kind of wish I waited for the diesel now....nah I'm too impatient for that!

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

Congratulations on your new Jeep (and you got the best color ). It sounds like a fun adventure.

 

[D90John]

That is a great looking rig! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.....so far. I don’t know if you will be towing anything but I have a 1600lb trailer I tow and get. 23-25mpg with the diesel. I will watch for your orange Jeep on the west coast as I am an Oregon boy. Cheers,

Sponsored