Rubicons would have lockers front and rear, d44s. normally would have a 4:1 low range. Then the Esway disconnect. tend to have a bit larger tires stock, bit taller. that makes it a Rubicon.

research issues they might have would be prudent. Diesels tend to have more cost to operate. Considering its a jeep not heavy haul truck. not sure if that is worth the cost, more so today with how much smog they added to them. Fuel is going up and here diesel is like 5.50 a gallon now in AZ. But gas is 4.50+.

 

The Diesels have had their share of problems. Along with finding a Dealer that has Techs trained to work on them, And when they do, good luck in getting parts. They are no longer being offered in the new wranglers. I would not purchase one, but that is your call...............

 

I believe this reply warrants a bit more clarification. The Eco Diesel came out in 2020, and yes like anything else when introducing a new automobile line, there are issues to address. As the model year moved forward, now at the final year of production (2023) they have worked out things, the nationwide HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) is nothing to be worried about, it is just like any other recall, the manufacturer has to replace something that is either defective is some fashion or dangerous. MANY Jeeps are still waiting for the part, as the recall was EVERY diesel, so this is nothing but a supply and demand thing. You can drive and drive and drive while waiting for your call from your shop. Normal wait time was 6+ months at the beginning, now it is down to less than 12 weeks, and getting better daily. It is a true fact that not every single Morpar shop in America has a trained Diesel mechanic, however, they are abundant if you just put in the time to find them. I agree, it is not like a gas engine mechanic. which are at every dealer, but you gotta give up something to own a diesel, AND, they are not in the shop all the time like so many rumors state. Asfar as telling owners "good luck finding parts" that is not a true statement, the engine manufacture VM Motori is a BIG and very successful company, (owned by Mopar) and supplies diesel parts all over the world, (based in France). Your dealer will be able to get ANY parts (for the engine) indefinitely! Yes they cost more to maintain, like ANY diesel, and fuel last week was 3.29 a gallon for diesel (FYI). There are thousands of EcoDiesel owners, including myself , that waited forever for the Wrangler diesel, and I love mine!!! Like any post, about anything, there will always be some problems with anything you buy in life if you search the internet enough...

SWADRVR
2023 White Rubicon
EcoDiesel

 

I see some mixed reports on the VM Motori engines but, those generally come from people with no experience with them.

The motor and transmission both are in limited use in Ram 1500 pickups and some of the Jeeps but, as noted have fallen out of favor for various reasons.

With diesel hitting $1 or more premium over gas, the fuel economy advantage is generally lost due to higher fuel costs. Add the ~$5K upcharge for a diesel as well, and you can buy a lot of extra gasoline.

The torque curve of the diesel is what really appeals to me. And yes, if you have to get into the emission system or fuel injection, maintenance can be pretty spendy. Oil changes I do on my own diesels are not much more expensive than similar gas engines so, I don't factor that or the cost of DEF in because it is really a minor additional expense.

Reliability and durability are the two main issues of interest beyond general usage differences.

I have been lead to believe the diesel Wranglers have Dana 44's with 3.73 gears. What I don't know about are lockers, whether they are included from the factory or if they would have to be added after the fact. So, assuming those two issues are included in the diesel Wrangler, all I would be missing from a Rubicon would be the sway bar. Am I overlooking anything else?

TIA,
Sid

 

It sounds like you have already made your decision. Good Luck to you!!!!!!!!!

 

2021 JLURD owner here... picked mine up this past April with 10,500 miles on the odometer. Added another 4,000 since
Run the VIN for recalls...
There is a recall for high pressure fuel pump ("HPFP") that could fail prematurely. October makes it a year and still no replacement parts.

If you get the diesel I'll be happy to answer questions.

John D

 

A buddy of mine just called his shop in Oregon, asked about the HPFP recall, and they got the part and had it done (wait time 11 weeks, replacement time 2.2hrs)

 

Some more research suggests oil leaks are a reasonably frequent issue for a meaningful percentage of vehicles. Upon further reflection, the lack of factory parts availability for a vehicle 1~3 years old is shocking.

Turns out, a local guy has a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel that has been down for approaching a year due to a transmission problem and no parts.

All this with complicated emissions related fueling issues leading to catastrophic fuel system failures is cause for concern as well.

While the attraction of a Diesel Wrangler is strong, it seems it is significantly limited by complicated emissions related issues and a poorly diagnosed oil leak issue. The last thing I want is a ~$40K vehicle I can't drive because the transmission can't be service by the factory.

This brings back strong memories of the Chevrolet 350 Diesel debacle that single-handedly setback diesel passenger vehicle sales in the USA for a decade or more. My VW Passat was a simply awesome vehicle with awesome MPG (~55MPG) until the CHEAT was found out and the vehicles were banished from public roads in the USA and Europe. Yep, the emissions cheat from VW claimed my AWESOME VW Passat diesel. 😭

I was burned a bit by VW abandoning the USA market while I owned my Diesel Rabbit and later a Diesel Jetta. Both were really awesome vehicles overall but, VW abandoned the market here for a decade or so. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PUSH FOR EV WRANGLERS IS GOING DOWN THE SAME PATH FROM JEEP 'CORPORATE'. Thanks Biden and Green Extremists for killing a good possible alternative at the corporate level.

 

My dealer's service dept. told me not to buy one if I was not going to drive it 100 miles per day, this keeps the engine temputures up and this is way diesels need to run properly day in and day out. Biggest problem for me is not driving it that way, I wanted one for towing our travel trailer and that would only happen once every 30/60 days. Dealer service dept. says the biggest problems with the 3.0 diesels in all the vehicles that have the 3.0 diesels, is not being driven like a diesel should be used, soccer moms are the worst and they come in all the time for engine running problems. I buy from a country dealer who knows diesels and there main sales is work trucks and they know diesels backwards and forward.

 

Read my post #8, I don't think a diesel would be a good fit for what you want a Jeep for.

 

I grew up with a GM 350 Diesel, both vintages of GM 6.2L, 2 old school VW's (Rabbit and Jetta diesels), a Ford 1-ton repower with a straight 6 Perkins, and a newer VW Passat that was lost in the emission cheating scandal.

If you are a Soccer Mom, a VW or Mercedes sedan is really the only diesel options that make sense to me. Short runs and no cool offs when hot cause all sorts of problems like bad Turbos and rust or condensation in various engine areas.

Right now, I'm looking at a 2007 Rubicon with the 3.8L "minivan" motor and a 6-speed manual. At ~$25K less, I have some "headroom" to do some motor work like a possible 3.6L Pentastar upgrade if it's burning oil and/or knocking.

 

I own a Porsche restoration and repair shop. Any car not driven much is not good diesel or not.
I have 2021 and I mainly bought for the fact the diesel has about 27ft lbs less torque than the 392. It is a beast and I love the power! get 22 mpg in the city but I wasn’t looking at cost and yes diesel is all over the map on cost. It’s a negative
Emissions are a concern but it has a 100,00 mile warranty and I bought the extended warranty.
I change the oil based on time since mine is not driven much it is not cheap to change oil but I will do it myself after my free ones expire. One last thing I did get the recall on pump and luckily it’s not failed since I am waiting also.. that makes no sense. Just my two cents

 

I own a Porsche restoration and repair shop. Any car not driven much is not good diesel or not.
I have 2021 and I mainly bought for the fact the diesel has about 27ft lbs less torque than the 392. It is a beast and I love the power! get 22 mpg in the city but I wasn’t looking at cost and yes diesel is all over the map on cost. It’s a negative
Emissions are a concern but it has a 100,00 mile warranty and I bought the extended warranty.
I change the oil based on time since mine is not driven much it is not cheap to change oil but I will do it myself after my free ones expire. One last thing I did get the recall on pump and luckily it’s not failed since I am waiting also.. that makes no sense. Just my two cents

What’s this 100K mile warranty you speak of? If true, I’d imagine that’s only on the drivetrain.

How much did you pay for the extended warranty and how many years/miles does it cover?

In my cursory review, my understanding is that the emissions system is not covered under the extended warranty, especially the DPF. Warranty on those components is only during the first 3yrs/36K miles. I’d love to be wrong.

 

A 4bt Cummings would be just right for a wrangler

 

Had my 21’ eco diesel for a year. Has 32k miles on it, I have put close to 10k on it. No issues. I have taken it off-road and mostly use for around town driving. I like the acceleration and pep compared to the standard engine. The fuel efficiency is great too, get close to 28-30 on the hwy and that is with 33’s and a level kit. Get 450+ mile range. We got a Buc-ees nearby and can put DEF in at the pump.

 

Have had our 21' and have put over 50k on it so far. Absolutely love it. 2 disclaimers from me would be 1. Fuel pump recall and 2. DEF.

 

welcome

 

2021 JLUR Ecodiesel owner… Apart from what everyone else has mentioned with the recalls and DEF. My experience is cost of ownership is higher than the gas counterpart.

Even with performing all the maintenance yourself you’re going to find yourself spending a little more than usual sourcing the things you need. Especially when you start racking up the miles.

With that said, I really enjoy my Ecodiesel. I drive a lot of highway miles and offroad frequently exploring the terrain of NM. I also tow a teardrop and can clock 23 MPGs, no lift w/35X12.5 K02s. The torque just makes it a pleasure to drive.

 

2021 JLUR Ecodiesel owner… Apart from what everyone else has mentioned with the recalls and DEF. My experience is cost of ownership is higher than the gas counterpart.

Even with performing all the maintenance yourself you’re going to find yourself spending a little more than usual sourcing the things you need. Especially when you start racking up the miles.

With that said, I really enjoy my Ecodiesel. I drive a lot of highway miles and offroad frequently exploring the terrain of NM. I also tow a teardrop and can clock 23 MPGs, no lift w/35X12.5 K02s. The torque just makes it a pleasure to drive.

welcome

 

Have had my 2021 Wllys with Ecodiesel for over 4 months and drive it everyday.
Traded in my 2L turbo Wrangler and there is no comparison, just love the diesel!

 

Looking to buy one right now. Been driving a 04 WJ for a decade and can’t keep up with all the repairs. How do you like your wrangler diesel?

 

Have you found one to buy yet ?

 

Diesels best years were before all this smog stuff. Like the wifes 7.3TD excursion is at now 270,000 miles and still tows the jeep on a trailer 1400 miles and does our longer drives out of town. 2003 was the last year of these. Parts a ton of aftermarket and OEM parts still abound. Trans is common as sand. But they take near 3.5 gallons of oil. filters cost more than gas BUT. these are known to go 500k+ as well. these year stuff was much more simple and more mechanical.

If you buy a 3.8 and think a 3.6 is a easy sway better look MUCH harder at this . 3.6 is not reliable, 3.8s were simple. these 3.6s eat cams roller rockers and host of other issues at low miles, head gaskets leaks. I would not bother with a 3.6 and just go V8 or rebuild the 3.8 will be the lowest cost. Any sway will cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ even if you do it all and its not simple to get these systems to talk in Canbus code.

 

some have used 4bt cummins in there wranglers.fit well and plenty of power You can buy a old big box truck fairly cheap and take the 4bt out for your wrangler then sell the aluminum box for recycle at the local yard