Sahara Custom Build - No more 3.6 Engine?

[travisg]

I've previously did a custom build for a Sahara on the Jeep website and included a 3.6 engine. But, today I went to do another build and now the only engine available is a 2.0 engine.

Honestly, I'm not sure what the difference is between 2.0 and 3.6 but I did test drive a Sahara with a 3.6 and it seemed to have more power than the one I drove with a 2.0.

Does anyone know why Sahara's can't be custom-ordered with a 3.6 engine now? I'm a little confused.

Thanks!

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[rivercrossing]

I don't trust anything the website says.

But randomly over this year there has been engine limits where one is hard to get. First the jeep wanted to force most wranglers to get the 2.0 but that swapped to the v6 as all the 2.0 were being used for the plug in hybrid and you could only get the v6.

The website updates lag behind so check with your dealer to see what they can order.

The website still lists colors you can't order. So don't trust it to be up to date.

 

[MOOG5050]

No idea but surprising. The 2.0 felt better against the 3.6 in all my test drives. I bought one with a 2.0 and love it.

 

[Jtphoto]

All the Gladiators have the 3.6 with only a couple diesels in the mix. So I would say it’s likely a production limitation. The 3.6 is still a very popular engine. One has to wonder if the 2.0LT is so good and strong, why was it never put in the Gladiators or RAM1500 to replace the base 3.6L.

 

[Zombie crawler]

All the Gladiators have the 3.6 with only a couple diesels in the mix. So I would say it’s likely a production limitation. The 3.6 is still a very popular engine. One has to wonder if the 2.0LT is so good and strong, why was it never put in the Gladiators or RAM1500 to replace the base 3.6L.

I wonder the same thing but never hear anyone complaining about the power in the 2.0, I’ve heard complaints about it sounding like a little ricer car engine ect but not about the power or reliability.

 

[Stetson]

It’s not just the engine. All kinds of things come and go as far as being on hold. Like someone said above you just need to go to the dealer and order what you want. If he can’t pick a certain option/feature, the dealer may have some intel on why that is.

for a while the one touch roof was unavailable and then it was the XR package and then they came back and it was manual transmission.

just go and try to order what you want and see what the dealer says.

You might even be able to score a super deal from one on the lot. Be open to that as well!

 

[rcadden]

nearly 3 years and 51K+ miles with the 2.0L here (coming from ~15 years on a 4.6L Chevy V8) and absolutely no complaints with power, either on the road or the trail. Super fun engine to drive.

But yes, on start, especially a cold start, it sounds like a vintage sewing machine trying to eat a bucket of paper clips. Goes away after a bit and doesn't seem to have any performance impact.

 

[Ratbert]

The jeep.com builder is notorious for being wrong. Contact one of the dealers in the spreadsheet in my sig. They will have significantly more accurate details than the site.

 

[jellis4148]

All the Gladiators have the 3.6 with only a couple diesels in the mix. So I would say it’s likely a production limitation. The 3.6 is still a very popular engine. One has to wonder if the 2.0LT is so good and strong, why was it never put in the Gladiators or RAM1500 to replace the base 3.6L.

They tried to put the 2.0 in the Gladiator. After a few dozen melted from the heat generated they did the 3.6 and still had to let more air in. The 3.6 is now the standard engine in the 25 entry level Rams. They may be saving it for them.

 

[Jtphoto]

They tried to put the 2.0 in the Gladiator. After a few dozen melted from the heat generated they did the 3.6 and still had to let more air in. The 3.6 is now the standard engine in the 25 entry level Rams. They may be saving it for them.

Interesting, I never heard that before. A loaded Wrangler is just as heavy as a light Gladiator. We are only talking a couple hundred pounds at best. Front ends for both are exactly the same and air flow would be the same other then they did open up the grille which now the 24 Wrangler has as well. The only time you would see a difference is when the Gladiator is spec’d to tow 7k.

 

[gdeyarmond]

I wonder the same thing but never hear anyone complaining about the power in the 2.0, I’ve heard complaints about it sounding like a little ricer car engine ect but not about the power or reliability.

Perception is reality.

 

[Bleda2002]

Interesting, I never heard that before. A loaded Wrangler is just as heavy as a light Gladiator. We are only talking a couple hundred pounds at best. Front ends for both are exactly the same and air flow would be the same other then they did open up the grille which now the 24 Wrangler has as well. The only time you would see a difference is when the Gladiator is spec’d to tow 7k.

You just answered the question. It was the towing portion of the gladiator that doomed the 2.0 due to heat load. The 3.6 is a bit weaker in torque but has a lower thermal load so they were able to eek out a respectable tow rating on the davis dam test which is done at 100 degrees ambient and basically floored. Melting is an exaggeration, but the 2.0s derated which is considered a fail by the SAE.

 

[The Breeze]

Just purchased a 2022 with the 2.0, so far the engine is great. Lots of power and the Turbo makes this thing move when you punch it. The salesman made a comment that they had heard rumor that the 3.6 is going away, didn’t think much of it but now reading this maybe?

 

[Old Jeeper]

I've previously did a custom build for a Sahara on the Jeep website and included a 3.6 engine. But, today I went to do another build and now the only engine available is a 2.0 engine.

Honestly, I'm not sure what the difference is between 2.0 and 3.6 but I did test drive a Sahara with a 3.6 and it seemed to have more power than the one I drove with a 2.0.

Does anyone know why Sahara's can't be custom-ordered with a 3.6 engine now? I'm a little confused.

Thanks!

It's a shame that Jeep does not let you order this: Engine Delete. The car I was ordering had 2 engine options. One was a heavy engine, and it came with a lot of HD suspension items and performance items. The other was a Hi Perf V8. So the dealer told me to order the BIG Engine and then Engine Delete, and they keep all the good stuff in the drive line and suspension, and I would get the lightweight Hi Perf engine in its place. WOW, what a good move that was. That car was handled like a rocket ship on wheels.

 

[rcadden]

You just answered the question. It was the towing portion of the gladiator that doomed the 2.0 due to heat load. The 3.6 is a bit weaker in torque but has a lower thermal load so they were able to eek out a respectable tow rating on the davis dam test which is done at 100 degrees ambient and basically floored. Melting is an exaggeration, but the 2.0s derated which is considered a fail by the SAE.

I believe this. I got the tow package mainly for the HD alternator and pre-wired AUX buttons. I did rent a camper that was right at the 3500lb limit, just for a weekend test.

It was ... not fun. Braking, especially, was pretty scary, and I dropped down to around 8 MPG.

It'd be fine for a teardrop or similar, but I wouldn't want to do any serious towing with a Jeep.

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