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Which engine for Colorado passes?

OnlyOne

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After owning both engines in the JLUR and my JLR at altitude there is no comparison. Both with 37s. The V6 struggles to maintain speed on the passes and revs itself out to the max. Once you lose momentum, it takes a bit to get it back. The Turbo on the other hand makes it effortless. Barely downshifts and the boost makes it feel light.

Back in the flatlands you won’t notice the difference, other than the V6 high revving , flat torque curve VS the sometimes laggy boost of the 4 banger. The 4 does seem more spirited, but you can’t beat either engine to be honest. The 8 speed definitely makes up for a lot of the V6 deficiencies in altitude.
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Jgeiken

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Towed this through I-70. No issues. 3.6L
Also did Imogene and most of the other passes in the San Juan’s and was never left wanting/needing power.

5C894CEC-5511-4051-831F-B42F1B8D7856.jpeg
 

DaltonGang

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I went to the top of Pikes Peak, with 5 adults total, and loaded with luggage. Zero issues, and no issues with power. The 3.6 with 8 speed auto does a great job.
 

jayteal

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Only an issue if you have a 3.6 with a M/T like me and that engine was/is a dog when climbing passes in CO. Lots of downshifting to maintain speed but that's the tradeoff I suppose when driving a M/T. Go with the Turbo as others mentioned and you'll be happy.
 

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03RMK800

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Can' t relate to complaints about the V6. For me, it runs 70-80 up either side of Floyd Hill, up Georgetown hill and the eastbound tunnel approach from Silverthorne, without pushing the top of the RPM range. No power/rpm issues off road. Must be the automatic transmission.
 

Windshieldfarmer

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No question - a turbo is vastly superior at altitude. My 2.0 is plenty ample- able to easily run up Eisenhower tunnel at 80mph coming out of Dillon. Try that with the v6....won’t happen.
 

GeoTracker

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3.6 with a 6MT, no problems with passes in CO, even towing a Smittybilt Scout. Just drop a gear as needed. Profile photo is at Red Cone, engine was just fine. That said a turbo will work better with elevation. Less loss thanks to forced induction.
 

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txj2go

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No question - a turbo is vastly superior at altitude. My 2.0 is plenty ample- able to easily run up Eisenhower tunnel at 80mph coming out of Dillon. Try that with the v6....won’t happen.
You're probably right but now I may have to try it just for grins.

I've not had any problems in colorado above 12,000' but I have the automatic and did not have a heavy load. Having a big load makes a difference, towing especially makes a difference. But it may not be a good idea with a turbo to run hard for extended periods with heavy load, something's likely to overheat.
 

Rodeoflyer

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Have to keep the manual trans/3.6 in its hp/tq range dependent upon tires/gearing. I can rev it out to 5000 rpm and that's its sweet spot. It will run all DAY at 5k-5500 rpm. It will do everything the 2.0 does.

Higher HP and a mere 30tq difference.
 

bruno747

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Granted mine was a 2017 jk rubicon recon but I hated my two door going up the ike gauntlet. Above about 9000 feet 5th and 6th gears were just worthless accessories. Going to aspen there were places that the Jeep wouldn't even maintain speed in 5th on a realtiveley flat surface. Always sounded like that engine was gonna have to grow a rod just to keep up and that was with stock size tires.

If that engine wasn't screaming, you were riding with the semi trailers.

So me personally if I was to do another Jeep, either it would be a two door with a hemi conversion, or the 4 door diesel or 392.
 

Rodeoflyer

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well.. you were passing the divide..
 

Windshieldfarmer

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Have to keep the manual trans/3.6 in its hp/tq range dependent upon tires/gearing. I can rev it out to 5000 rpm and that's its sweet spot. It will run all DAY at 5k-5500 rpm. It will do everything the 2.0 does.

Higher HP and a mere 30tq difference.
At sea level...yes. At 12,000 feet...absolutely not. Physics works in favor of the turbo at high altitude.
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