Regrets?

[aldo98229]

The JL 3.6 and 2.0 use a ZF sourced 8-speed automatic.

Yes. All of FCA’s 8-speed automatics are ZF sourced. My understanding is, depending on the specific vehicle, some are built in N.A., some in Europe.

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[entropy]

Keep it. The gladiator is not a great pickup and not a great Jeep. The JLU is just right, specially on 35s. You got plenty of trunk space, and can carry some tall items by simply removing the top. Buy or rent a cheap trailer to haul stuff when you need to. I've done this with my 2 door.

And do not regret the auto transmission. It is an amazing transmission and far superior than the manual. I've also been driving manuals forever, but a Jeep is better with a high-end auto.

 

[Zandcwhite]

The 3.6 e-torque is the nicest for me. It Has that high torque that gets you going @ 60 mph and keeps going. You know there's a 6 cylinders under the hood.

High torque, it’s literally the lowest torque option available in a JL? We had the tazer off while the Jeep was in the shop, and I forgot to set the tire size when a remarried it. I drove from 100’ elevation, up over donner pass at about 8k’ to Reno With the cruise control set at 81mph. The whole time I’m thinking man everyone is driving slow. On the way back down into Sacramento that night we went through a construction zone with the digital radar trailer on the side of the road, it was blinking our speed at 92mph! I pull up Google maps to check my speed using gps. Cruise set at 81mph was actually 92 as the Jeep thought we had stock 33’s instead of 37’s. Obviously the 2.0t didn’t struggle a bit pulling our heavy JLUR with 4” lift, 37’s, armor, winch, tools, recovery gear, and 500lbs worth of passengers up and over 8k’ of mountain as I didn’t even realize the speedometer was off. The 13mpg should have been a give away as we normally average 16-17 at 80mph.

 

[Rachel Ruby]

Keep it. The gladiator is not a great pickup and not a great Jeep. The JLU is just right, specially on 35s. You got plenty of trunk space, and can carry some tall items by simply removing the top. Buy or rent a cheap trailer to haul stuff when you need to. I've done this with my 2 door.

And do not regret the auto transmission. It is an amazing transmission and far superior than the manual. I've also been driving manuals forever, but a Jeep is better with a high-end auto.

Thank you so much everybody that has replied keeps saying how great the new transmission is now, which now has me beginning to rethink my whole original post

 

[entropy]

That’s not how hybrids work. You do realize none of the early hybrids were plug in right? Do you think they got an initial charge from the factory and then just lugged around the batteries and electric motor after that ran out? My company car is a c-maxx and I never plug it in, and yet every time I get in it it rolls out in electric only mode. Every time I step on it the electric assist is there. Maybe it’s magic, but my money is on the regenerative braking system keeping a charge in the batteries. On plug in hybrids, like the 4xe, the all electric mode has a limited range and you’ll quickly deplete the batteries beyond being able to run in electric only mode even if you plug it in. There is always enough power retained by the system that the electric assist works when the skinny pedal calls for it. There’s a long, winding, downhill stretch on my drive home that typically adds 5 miles of pure EV range just from the regenerative braking.

The first hybrids had a flywheel that would generate electricity while braking (reg. braking), and as you said, no plug in.

A cool thing I learned back in the day. Regenerative braking is also possible with an internal combustion engine by transforming the kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy by compressing air. We tested this with a bicycle as an engineering project, storing the compressed air in a high-pressure tank and using it to aid pedaling. It was fun, didn't work that well cause we were dealing with leaks and that but it was fun lol. I wonder if there are any ICE that use this technology, maybe those with turbochargers?

 

[Austin23]

Have no regrets. Too much time to 2nd guess yourself is never a good thing. Go with your first instinct and enjoy your new ride!

 

[Hennessey17]

I'd regret the color more than the choice in transmission. Having driven manuals for years, the automatic works so well it won't get old... afraid the pink would...

There are so many black, white, and silver/grey (I've owned all three) on the road these days, I smile when I see a non-grey scale vehicle.

I do like your silver, but I'd rather rock a pink Wrangler.

 

[Carolina Jeeper]

100% happy with my 8 speed automatic. I haven't done any tough trails but I do drive in deep loose sand at the coast. It's a pretty good workout for the drivetrain. I've never had and overheating issues after miles of driving in four wheel drive high or low and even shifting through gears manually.

The manual mode is so easy to use and doesn't struggle at all in my experiences. I think you'll be happier with an automatic transmission than you realize.

 

[Rachel Ruby]

100% happy with my 8 speed automatic. I haven't done any tough trails but I do drive in deep loose sand at the coast. It's a pretty good workout for the drivetrain. I've never had and overheating issues after miles of driving in four wheel drive high or low and even shifting through hears manually.

The manual mode is so easy to use and doesn't struggle at all in my experiences. I think you'll be happier with an automatic transmission than you realize.

Okay thank you for your comment on this

 

[Heimkehr]

I don’t understand why everyone getting a new Jeep wouldn’t get a 4xe. I can’t imagine someone who actually drives one wouldn’t fall in love with the speed and power.

When analyzing what the 4xe is encumbered with (higher buy-in cost, heavier weight, complex electrics, Superfund cleanup after an accident, a comically low 20 mile e-range), it can be difficult to imagine why that model is alleged to be as desirable as is suggested.

Driving is more than just one's right foot. This is doubly true when considering the Wrangler's mission brief.

 

[aldo98229]

I don’t understand why everyone getting a new Jeep wouldn’t get a 4xe. I can’t imagine someone who actually drives one wouldn’t fall in love with the speed and power.

I test drove a 4Xe, but the salesperson wasn’t well versed on the whole thing.

He starts the Jeep and gives me the driver seat. We leave the dealer lot and come to an intersection. He tells me to floor it; clearly he wants me to be impressed. I floor it, but the vehicle hesitates trying to figure out what I am trying to do; it sputters for a second or two, then takes off screaming; the poor 2.0T sounding like it is about to explode.

I am not impressed one bit; I drive the rest of the way like an 80-year old granny.

When I tell my story on here, a few 4Xe lovers jump all over me that I did it all wrong; I didn’t have it in the right “mode,” I shouldn’t have pressed the throttle so quickly, I should have gotten a better salesman, blah blah blah. They insist that I “... go back and give it another try!” Sorry, I ain’t going back.

I don’t doubt people love their 4Xe. But as the saying goes “you only have one chance to make a first impression.” In my case, my first impression was absolutely terrible.

Also, if you go camping and sleep in the Jeep, the big hump on the floor of 4Xe makes that a bit difficult.

 

[utahcamera]

Of course I have ordered a 2022 Jeep Wrangler rubicon with the extreme recon package in Tuscadero on October the 15th, it is currently built and waiting on shipping. I am beginning to rethink my order because I just happened to look at my local dealers website I didn’t know a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is around the same price of extreme recon package is . I have always liked the Gladiator Rubicons as well the best of both worlds a Jeep with the truck bed and with the capabilities of a Jeep. We sold a older ford ranger truck with the manual transmission and miss having the truck . The other thing is I am beginning to rethink the automatic transmission, because I have been driving manual transmissions from the age of 17, I am now in my fifties, this will be my first automatic Jeep in my life because I wanted the extreme recon package but unfortunately at the time I ordered it it is only available with the automatic. I know with the new automatics there is no dipstick to check the transmission fluid that worries me, plus you have the added cost of changing the automatic transmission fluid as well and automatic transmissions are more expensive to repair than a manual. Don’t have to worry with the manual about overheating the transmission. I have never been off road with a automatic Jeep and to be honest I am a bit apprehensive with using it all my experience has been with a manual off road. I am thinking of keeping the extreme recon package when it comes in for a few months to see if I like it and if I miss driving the manual. If I like it I will keep it but if not I think I will order myself a Gladiator Rubicon with the manual transmission with the options that I want and trade my Rubicon with the extreme recon package in against it when the Gladiator comes in that way I should be good money wise as hopefully the extreme recon package should still hold its value . So what do you think I should do, any advice greatly appreciated

My first child was born in 1964, and I also grew up driving and racing stick shift vehicles. I can therefore understand your apprehension regarding an automatic.

The Gladiator could be your only valid regret, and only you can answer that question.

If you really will be doing off-roading or driving in traffic, the automatic is the ONLY option. You get the torque multiplication of the automatic with no burnt-up manual clutches and better application of power to the wheels, and your left leg won't be twice as large as your right leg.

 

[nsfw_andy]

I've driven stick for the past 12 years and this JL is my first automatic I've bought. I've wheeled the piss out of my 5spd TJ and sold it for this automatic JL.

I must say I was iffy at first, especially since when doing steep inclined obstacles, I was worried it would roll back and possibly stall out the transmission versus in a manual you can just push the clutch in. However, to my surprise, this automatic trans is a beast even just leaving it in D, makes it so much easier to have control with slow speed crawling (no feathering the clutch anymore, worrying about stalling when you're in a tricky situation, or the general "jerkiness" of a stickshift when you're in a tricky spot an just want to inch forward a hair). Especially with a diesel, I just barely give it any gas in 4LO and it just keeps on chugging along.

I dont think I will go back to a stickshift for an off road vehicle anymore unless it was a dedicated rock crawling buggy that's geared super slow so you dont stall so easily.

 

[Hennessey17]

I don’t understand why everyone getting a new Jeep wouldn’t get a 4xe. I can’t imagine someone who actually drives one wouldn’t fall in love with the speed and power.

It's $15k more than the Wrangler I bought... and the Wrangler I bought was twice as much as I've ever spent on any other vehicle.

I love Porsches and I've driven them... doesn't mean I can buy them.

 

[Rachel Ruby]

My first child was born in 1964, and I also grew up driving and racing stick shift vehicles. I can therefore understand your apprehension regarding an automatic.

The Gladiator could be your only valid regret, and only you can answer that question.

If you really will be doing off-roading or driving in traffic, the automatic is the ONLY option. You get the torque multiplication of the automatic with no burnt-up manual clutches and better application of power to the wheels, and your left leg won't be twice as large as your right leg.

Okay thank you for your insight on this

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