There is no perfect engine

[2nd 392]

I am not going to argue this. The v6 sounds so much better, hands down. Sound is less important to me than mpg nowadays.

I can only imagine how amazing the v8 sounds.

Music to the ears, the first thing I do after I start it is turn the radio off. Also, why do we now have to turn the radio off instead of turning it on when we want to listen as it should be?

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[aldo98229]

Some of the 392s I've owned over the years.

 

[JeepViking13]

Slow by comparison, sucked gas by comparison to everything but the 392, the torque in low range at low rpm was great and it was bullet proof, but definitely under powered especially if you lifted, added armor, ran big tires, etc. We've done all of that to our JLUR and the 2.0t doesn't seem to care. Still get 16-18mpg and that's with the cruise control set at 85mph. Pulls grades even fully loaded at altitude like the 4.0l never could. I think people's memory of the 4.0L make it out to be far better than it ever was. 190hp and 235ftlbs just isn't impressive. I'll take my 270hp and 295ftlbs with an indifference to altitude that an NA motor just can't achieve (1% loss per 1,000' elevation vs 3% loss for an NA motor) any day.

And with a simple high quality tune you can get about 340hp and 390tq from the 2.0T something you'll never be able to achieve with the 3.6 That's what I love about turbo 4 engines.

That's why if I go 2 door for my 2022 order I'm going with the 2.0T.

I know Jeeps are not for drag racing but with the 392 hitting the drag strip pulling high 12s it makes me wonder what the 2 door 2.0T with a quality tune would do being its 1,000 pounds lighter? I bet it would do pretty good.

 

[DanW]

I'll be ordering a 2022 JLUR this month but I'm not excited about any of the engine options. The 3.6 w/ess has the crappy motorcycle battery that seems to fail far too early, plus it's manual only which I don't want on a DD/wheeler. The 3.6 etorque has a complex secondary battery system that I'm weary of. The 2.0 sounds weird and I don't like turbo throttle feel, plus premium fuel. The 3.0 diesel I actually like but my commute makes me a bad candidate for it plus the high maintenance cost and complexity are a turn off. The 392 is awesome no question, but it's not a practical DD and I'm not spending $75k on a wrangler. The 4xE is interesting but not on a vehicle that is designed to get you away from electrical outlets.

I guess the problem is simply just having choice. I kind of wish it were the old days of having the 3.6 and that's it. I'll likely be getting the XR package so I'll have the 3.6 etorque and I'm sure it will be great. It seems ridiculous to not be able to choose a clear winner, but maybe there isn't.

You can get the ESS V6/auto with the Xtreme Rubicon package and I also think you can now get it across the board, last I saw.

I wouldn't get too fussy about the little battery. I've not had a problem with it. I use a Tazer JL to keep ESS disabled, so that little battery never loses a charge. You can also do a simple bypass of it. I didn't do that, though. I did swap out both batteries at the 3.5 year mark because I see MANY OEM batteries fail at 3 years, ESS, or not. My cousin's 2018 JK with the simple battery and no ESS failed at exactly 3 years with only 30k on it.

I swapped out the big battery with an Odyssey pure lead AGM and the little battery with a small AGM. Not only will the big battery potentially last a decade, but it is also vastly superior for winching. (I did winch quite a bit with the OEM and it did fine.)

For me, the 3.6 ESS has been the perfect engine, especially with the Tazer JL neutering the ESS. Of course, I think it is the perfect engine with the manual, but those autos are danged nice, too.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Music to the ears, the first thing I do after I start it is turn the radio off. Also, why do we now have to turn the radio off instead of turning it on when we want to listen as it should be?

The radio stays set where you left it, turn it off before you shut off the engine?

 

[Geos7812]

I'll be surprised if they sell the 392 for more than a couple of years. It will probably hold its value better than any other Wrangler in the history of Wranglers lol.

Still, I can't help but think, 470hp, 470lb-ft torque, 4 second 0-60? TOP HEAVY WRANGLER WITH CRAPPY STEERING, SUSPENSION, AND BRAKES?! What could possibly go wrong?! hehehe.

Seriously though, in 20 years it'll probably be nearly impossible to find a stock 392 wrangler, so I bet it will hold its value really well. Plus the V8 sounds pretty sweet! And torque! I bet it's a nice quiet cruiser.

But I'm a dumbass and don't trust myself with a wrangler with that much HP lol.

Precisely why I am co side ring the 392. Wrangler does incredibly well on resale anyway, once it’s gone, It’s gone.

 

[HungryHound]

I'll be ordering a 2022 JLUR this month but I'm not excited about any of the engine options. The 3.6 w/ess has the crappy motorcycle battery that seems to fail far too early, plus it's manual only which I don't want on a DD/wheeler. The 3.6 etorque has a complex secondary battery system that I'm weary of. The 2.0 sounds weird and I don't like turbo throttle feel, plus premium fuel. The 3.0 diesel I actually like but my commute makes me a bad candidate for it plus the high maintenance cost and complexity are a turn off. The 392 is awesome no question, but it's not a practical DD and I'm not spending $75k on a wrangler. The 4xE is interesting but not on a vehicle that is designed to get you away from electrical outlets.

I guess the problem is simply just having choice. I kind of wish it were the old days of having the 3.6 and that's it. I'll likely be getting the XR package so I'll have the 3.6 etorque and I'm sure it will be great. It seems ridiculous to not be able to choose a clear winner, but maybe there isn't.

The 4.0 L-6 was the perfect Jeep engine but somebody decided sharing parts with the minivan was a good idea.

 

[Zandcwhite]

The 4.0 L-6 was the perfect Jeep engine but somebody decided sharing parts with the minivan was a good idea.

If you only did slow speed off roading, never had to merge on the freeway, and were good with ~100hp to the wheels the 4.0L was great. Lifted, big tires, up a steep grade? I hope you like cruising 45mph in the right lane. We've owned over a dozen Jeeps and aside from the 4.7l v8 in the wj, this 2.0t is the only one that will not only maintain speed, but actually accelerate up steep mountain grades even loaded down with camping gear and tools. I'll stick with modern minivan parts over outdated tractor engines every day of the week.

 

[IdahoJOAT]

Slow by comparison, sucked gas by comparison to everything but the 392, the torque in low range at low rpm was great and it was bullet proof, but definitely under powered especially if you lifted, added armor, ran big tires, etc. We've done all of that to our JLUR and the 2.0t doesn't seem to care. Still get 16-18mpg and that's with the cruise control set at 85mph. Pulls grades even fully loaded at altitude like the 4.0l never could. I think people's memory of the 4.0L make it out to be far better than it ever was. 190hp and 235ftlbs just isn't impressive. I'll take my 270hp and 295ftlbs with an indifference to altitude that an NA motor just can't achieve (1% loss per 1,000' elevation vs 3% loss for an NA motor) any day.

310 ft-lbs.

Superchips did multiple dyno passes at stock in order to get their tune.

 

[IdahoJOAT]

Same experience with a muffler delete. Way less annoying then my previous 3.6L paired with a flowmaster outlaw exhaust.

Gave up my manual for more torque in the power band despite the 2.0T sounding like a sewing machine. Very happy with the muffler delete.

That's exactly what I call it, lol that's awesome.

 

[IdahoJOAT]

I'll be surprised if they sell the 392 for more than a couple of years. It will probably hold its value better than any other Wrangler in the history of Wranglers lol.

Still, I can't help but think, 470hp, 470lb-ft torque, 4 second 0-60? TOP HEAVY WRANGLER WITH CRAPPY STEERING, SUSPENSION, AND BRAKES?! What could possibly go wrong?! hehehe.

Seriously though, in 20 years it'll probably be nearly impossible to find a stock 392 wrangler, so I bet it will hold its value really well. Plus the V8 sounds pretty sweet! And torque! I bet it's a nice quiet cruiser.

But I'm a dumbass and don't trust myself with a wrangler with that much HP lol.

If you like torque... the 4xe has 470 ft-lbs too.

 

[IdahoJOAT]

I should have never posted this thread. I was content with the 3.6 etorque but now I'm looking at the 2.0 again. Orders need to open up so I can get mine in and be done with it. I've been building wranglers on their website daily for 6 months.

I'm TELLING you man. Once you drive the 2.0T you'll enjoy it more.

Plus it doesn't require premium. I've put 89 in ours for 18 months now, 36K miles, just to be safe. But the manual says 87 is fine. For "optimum performance" use 91.

If you make a trip to Boise-ish let me know, we can take Kailani for a spin and you can feel it.

 

[JeepVT]

no love for the diesel, huh. Not sure what about your commute makes it a bad choice, but I drive about 2000ft to work and supplement with longer drives to burn off anything else. Gratned I am at 8k miles, but I'm not experiencing any issues and plenty other folks are doing the same.

I am lifted 3.5" and have 37" mud terrain tires and I am averaging 23-24mpg. Power to pass on highway and get up hills is AWESOME. its super quick off the line compared to my 3.6 JK and I don't think the turbo lag is that big a deal. I'm not racing and I wait for a break in traffic to make my move, but there are fixes for the lag from Banks.

I don't think you're going to get your $4500 back from the higher mileage than the 3.6 or 2.0 but that is not the point. If I was on a highway road-trip an keeping my speed at 70mph, I am going to get about 400+mi to the tank

It is also awesome off-road

 

[Odyssey USA]

I hate the 2.0T...seems gutless compared to the 3.6 and sounds terrible!!! 2.0T is OK under full throttle but that's it IMHO.

I own both. No F’n way. I’ll take the power and economy of my lifted, locked, 4.56 geared, 35 tired, Rubicon fendered ‘19 Sahara eTorque 2.0 every day and twice on Sunday over our stock eTorque 3.6 ‘21 Rubicon.

It may not sound as good as a V6 but the low end power in the Sahara is even obvious to my wife, who doesn’t usually care, but made that comment out of the blue. Then we went to the mountains…and it reinforced that truth.

Last, it’s a V6. Nothing sounds good like a V8 or Vtwin motorcycle like a Harley or Ducati. A V6 can possibly sound a bit better is all.

 

[Herson]

I have owned both a 2020 JLUR in 3.6 auto non eTorque and a 2021 JLUR with the 2.0T auto non eTorque. Both with 33” tires and then both with 35” tires.

What you really lack with the 2.0T vs the 3.6 is a confident sounding engine. Otherwise the 2.0T is a heck of a lot more fun to drive and a bit better on MPG. You can be heavier on the throttle and still get equal or better MPG compared to moderate throttling with the 3.6.

Off road, other than the weak sound of the 2.0T, they are equally good. The 2.0T does become noticeably peppier at higher altitudes then the 3.6 if that matters to you.

My .02

no love for the diesel, huh. Not sure what about your commute makes it a bad choice, but I drive about 2000ft to work and supplement with longer drives to burn off anything else. Gratned I am at 8k miles, but I'm not experiencing any issues and plenty other folks are doing the same.

I am lifted 3.5" and have 37" mud terrain tires and I am averaging 23-24mpg. Power to pass on highway and get up hills is AWESOME. its super quick off the line compared to my 3.6 JK and I don't think the turbo lag is that big a deal. I'm not racing and I wait for a break in traffic to make my move, but there are fixes for the lag from Banks.

I don't think you're going to get your $4500 back from the higher mileage than the 3.6 or 2.0 but that is not the point. If I was on a highway road-trip an keeping my speed at 70mph, I am going to get about 400+mi to the tank

It is also awesome off-road

Great engine but the price tag, plus oil and filter change prices and DEF deter me from this setup.

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