V6 versus 2.0L V4 updates?

[TheBirdie72]

Ok I’m just gonna say this…

2.0 turbo has been out there pushing around the JL since 2018. That’s five years of thousands upon thousands of people like us beating the crap out of it day in and day out. Some more than others, yes. But whatever.

Bottom line is the 2.0 has proven itself at this point as a reliable, good engine. No, it hasn’t been in Jeeps since the god damn gilded age like the “penta-6” has, true. But still, 5 years with very few issues has to count for something, especially since other autos have had success with it, too. And there are plenty of people who have put well over 100k on it at this point, and they are still putzing around with it.

So could people just stop asking if this “new” engine is any good? It ain’t new anymore folks. Let’s talk more about the in-line 6 banger that they will hopefully be dropping into the Wrangler soon! ? Now that engine paired with the 8AT is a combo I would be looking to test drive in a Wrangler tomorrow if it was available.

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[jessedacri]

Most of the people everywhere online that like the 2.0 usually have only 20k or so on them. I'm wondering about down the road....

JLs have been out 6 years so there's plenty of high mileage examples out there - and so far the majority of what it seems like pops up most frequently on high mileage JLs is 3.6 ticking / head issues over 100k and 3.6 oil leaks due to the plastic oil filter housing and oil cooler design (and conveniently it sits deep in the V requiring a lot of stuff to come out). I'm personally dealing with having the oil cooler housing replaced as we speak on my 2019 3.6 at 45,000 miles. It's leaking pretty steadily now.

I don't know if I can point to any specific 2.0 high mileage issues that I have seen yet, and I'm on here and the FB groups frequently. Have not seen any that stick out as much as the ticking and oil leaks on the 3.6.

I'd say it's a safe time to get a new 2.0. Wouldn't hesitate if it were my buy. I prefer the 3.6 as an engine, I think it sounds and feels better to drive in a Wrangler but nowadays I'd be happy with either motor and would be eager to try the 2.0 after dealing with this oil situation.

 

[EuroSVT]

I have 2 JL's with the 3.6 and dig the engine. I've also spent a week driving the 2.0 and have to admit it's a fun engine. I'd never be ok with the sewing macine noise that the 4 makes or the required auto trans. Shame that jeep didn't put a more ballsy turbo 4 in the JL, something along the lines of the Mazda 2.3 MZR.

 

[jaardappel]

^^
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I don't know about comparing a 270HP/295lb-ft torque engine to a leaky Mazda 2.3 MZR's 164HP/154lb-ft engine. That seems like a fun comparison LOL.

Love my 2.0. Transmission is pretty awesome. Off-road crawling is powerful. Two thumbs-up here.

 

[Strommen95]

 

[EuroSVT]

^^
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I don't know about comparing a 270HP/295lb-ft torque engine to a leaky Mazda 2.3 MZR's 164HP/154lb-ft engine. That seems like a fun comparison LOL.

Love my 2.0. Transmission is pretty awesome. Off-road crawling is powerful. Two thumbs-up here.

I left out the T on 2.3 MZR. The one in my Mazdaspeed 3 never leaked anything and Dynoed at 301 / 310

 

[Gunfighter]

3.6 great motor

https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=167

Here this reviewer talks some about the 3.6L in a Jeep

 

[Tncdrew]

Should I just get the Jeep that best fits my criteria and say to heck with the engine?

Yes!
You know that old saying about "Opinions are like...." ?
But seriously, they're both great engines in a Wrangler, and I'm certain you'd be happy with either choice.
Let the fun Jeeping begin!

 

[IdahoJOAT]

I'll(yet again) give my $0.02 here.

In 2020 we were going to get a Bikini Pearl JLU. At that time I thought the wife would want a better road rig, so I was going to order her a Sahara. The 3.6 is NA and tried and true. My wife said, "If we're going to order one, and spend all that money, let's test drive this turbo and see what it's about. Make sure."

The next day we test drove a JLUR with the 2.0T. Then we drove it home.

The difference was night and day. NIGHT AND DAY. Yes it sounds like a sewing machine. It's funny someone else said that in this thread because that's exactly how I describe it. No it does not take premium fuel. Yes there were water pump leaking issues that took less than a day under warranty to get fixed. Yes Superchips made multiple stock passes with 310 ft-lbs.

Then we went to Michigan in July of 2021 for 10 days and I scored a red JLU with the 3.6L. Granted this was w/o e-torque.

What a dog. Sorry 3.6 lovers. It's a dog compared to the 2.0T. This was no more evident than on the free way at 65 mph and if I needed to get to 67 mph to just get around the grandma in front of me and be courteous to the left lane drivers, it would have to downshift. Then there was the obvious struggle to jump off the line compared to our 2.0T. You could just FEEL it. I could tell I had way more foot in the throttle. My wife could feel and hear the difference.

Then when we had 39K and Tuscadero was out for order, I went with the 4xe not because I'm a tree-hugger, but because at that late in the game it was the only way to get that Hurricane 2.0T.

The cherry on top is the VAST majority, not all, of people saying the 3.6 is better either have a vested interest(YouTubers) or have never driven both.

 

[Hennessey17]

My JLU with the 2.0 replaced a VW Tiguan that also had a direct injection, turbo charged, 2.0 L 4 cyl... VW, Audi, and even Porsche use variations of it throughout their most of their lineup... I enjoyed the engine, but it's easy to find articles about very well known problems. I prefer VAG to FCA/Stellantis... I searched hard for problems with the FCA 2.0, and I couldn't find them. Again, I bought the Jeep *despite* it being a Chrysler product, not *because* it is... and I've come to the conclusion that it's reliable.

 

[Gunfighter]

I'll(yet again) give my $0.02 here.

In 2020 we were going to get a Bikini Pearl JLU. At that time I thought the wife would want a better road rig, so I was going to order her a Sahara. The 3.6 is NA and tried and true. My wife said, "If we're going to order one, and spend all that money, let's test drive this turbo and see what it's about. Make sure."

The next day we test drove a JLUR with the 2.0T. Then we drove it home.

The difference was night and day. NIGHT AND DAY. Yes it sounds like a sewing machine. It's funny someone else said that in this thread because that's exactly how I describe it. No it does not take premium fuel. Yes there were water pump leaking issues that took less than a day under warranty to get fixed. Yes Superchips made multiple stock passes with 310 ft-lbs.

Then we went to Michigan in July of 2021 for 10 days and I scored a red JLU with the 3.6L. Granted this was w/o e-torque.

What a dog. Sorry 3.6 lovers. It's a dog compared to the 2.0T. This was no more evident than on the free way at 65 mph and if I needed to get to 67 mph to just get around the grandma in front of me and be courteous to the left lane drivers, it would have to downshift. Then there was the obvious struggle to jump off the line compared to our 2.0T. You could just FEEL it. I could tell I had way more foot in the throttle. My wife could feel and hear the difference.

Then when we had 39K and Tuscadero was out for order, I went with the 4xe not because I'm a tree-hugger, but because at that late in the game it was the only way to get that Hurricane 2.0T.

The cherry on top is the VAST majority, not all, of people saying the 3.6 is better either have a vested interest(YouTubers) or have never driven both.

Wrong. I have driven both the 2.0 and 3.6 - numerous times via rental vehicles (Jeeps included) over a couple years before making the choice for the 3.6. Saying "What a dog. Sorry 3.6 lovers. It's a dog compared to the 2.0T." is hilarious. It's not a "dog" at all. Now compared to the 392, it is...and so is yours. Yes, the 2.0 has more 'pep' but that's about the only plus if you are into drag racing. The downside is the 2.0 at RPM sounds rattly. That and the fact the little engine seems like it's overworking itself. For me, the 3.6 seemed natural/at home in the Jeep and has a smoother powerband. I also liked the fact that it was offered in the Gladiator, whereas the 2.0 is not, which says something too. I am not dogging the 2.0, different strokes for different folks...but your comments are laughably overboard and so I had to...give my $0.02 ?

 

[Gunfighter]

Yes!
You know that old saying about "Opinions are like...." ?
But seriously, they're both great engines in a Wrangler, and I'm certain you'd be happy with either choice.
Let the fun Jeeping begin!

Through all the banter, BS...and opinions... - this ^ is the best post.... ?

 

[NAZJeeper]

Ok, well much thanks to y'all! This is what I needed to hear! I will shift my search parameters back to include the 2.0L and maybe even to prefer it.......NOTE: I have yet to drive one, so I bet that will make a huge difference. I won't care about the sewing machine noise, but I will sure enjoy the extra pep since I live at 5000 ft, and I'll enjoy the extra MPG because I do a road trip every month.
Thanks again to a great forum!

 

[Hennessey17]

Ok, well much thanks to y'all! This is what I needed to hear! I will shift my search parameters back to include the 2.0L and maybe even to prefer it.......NOTE: I have yet to drive one, so I bet that will make a huge difference. I won't care about the sewing machine noise, but I will sure enjoy the extra pep since I live at 5000 ft, and I'll enjoy the extra MPG because I do a road trip every month.
Thanks again to a great forum!

If you live in the mountains, the turbo might actually be the better option... but totally agree that you should drive both as you will be the one driving it, hopefully for a long time.

 

[NAZJeeper]

If you live in the mountains, the turbo might actually be the better option... but totally agree that you should drive both as you will be the one driving it, hopefully for a long time.

Well not exactly in the mountains, but Prescott AZ area which is like a big plateau sitting at a mile high. I will certainly drive a 2.0....I currently have a 2015 3.6 that I will be trading in, so I know what that feels like - pretty gutless.....

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