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Thread: Taking the Jeep Diesel Plunge for the First Time

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    10-30-01
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    30,650

    Taking the Jeep Diesel Plunge for the First Time

    I've just got to have one of those new Jeep Wrangler Diesels they're coming out with.

    The engine is a "3rd generation" 3.0 liter diesel in the Unlimited JL Wranglers. Unfortunately, it only comes with an 8-speed auto, out of the 1500 Ram truck - but at least we know it's strong. Jeep is also using only the 44 axles front and rear so the extra torque of the Diesel causes no harm. The result is 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The best part is, max torque is at a low 1400 RPM, excellent for running trails. The way I see it, the new Jeep will have the fuel efficiency of a 4-cylinder with the torque of a V-8. And, now you can spec out 33" tires in the build - way cool. The fuel tank on the Jeep Unlimited is 21.5 gallons and the DEF tank is 5 gallons (good for approx. 10,000 miles). I'm expecting 25 average MPG on the road. By comparison, my Colorado 2.8 Duramax Diesel gets 30 MPG.

    I ordered a Sahara model today with full body/trim mono paint (billet silver), leather seating, heated seats and steering wheel, hard-top, the multi-speaker stereo with base kicker, inner top lining, remote start, etc. Total price $56,000 - the most I've ever paid for a Jeep. And, I think this may be the last Jeep I'll own - yes, I'm old. It should arrive here in 4 to 6 weeks after being built in Toledo, Ohio. With the extended range of the diesel, it'll be the first Jeep I've owned that can do the Pony Express Trail from Fairfield to Wendover on one tank of fuel. In the past, I've had to lug Jerry cans of fuel with me - which was a PITA.

    Wish me luck, my friends. I'll keep you posted.

    Hunter
    I don't care if it hurts. I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul. - Creep by Radiohead

  2. #2
    Join Date
    10-21-01
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    San Antonio, Tx.
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    Photos of the Jeep and on the trip are required here...
    ...............
    “You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution


  3. #3
    Join Date
    11-22-03
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    Quote Originally Posted by wacojoe View Post
    Photos of the Jeep and on the trip are required here...
    Yep, order plenty of digital film now...I'm guessing the engine is a V-6 so it's likely the VM Motori product (formerly Detroit Diesel)...I'll be interested in a comparison of it vs. the Cummins...Keep us updated......Ben
    The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    10-22-01
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    Wow---it never occurred to me that section of the Pony Express trail would be beyond the range of any modern vehicle

    That said---what a great ride to break it in

    We will have to see who wins the delivery time. All I have to date is a confirmation from Ford that mine is a clean order---still no VIN
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis

  5. #5
    Join Date
    10-30-01
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Grubb View Post
    All I have to date is a confirmation from Ford that mine is a clean order---still no VIN...
    Sounds good, Dave. Please share with us what the vehicle is.

    Yes, Ben. The engine is a V-6 of VM Motori origin. As far as I know, it's generally considered O.K. I'm not seeing horror stories about it on the web, so I think it's alright. Other than rearranging some of the components, like the alternator and intakes, it's still pretty much as it appears in the Ram trucks. Yet, it's considered the 3rd generation of this engine by reviewers. I read in some of the reviews of it that it's about 17 lbs lighter than the truck version. Yet, it still weighs about 100 lbs more than the Jeeps regular gas fed engine. Thus, it's got different spring rates and capacities in the suspension than a regular Wrangler.

    Thanks,
    Hunter
    I don't care if it hurts. I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul. - Creep by Radiohead

  6. #6
    Join Date
    10-21-01
    Location
    San Antonio, Tx.
    Posts
    18,387
    100lbs. is a lot less added weight than I guessed.

    It’s been a while since my diesel days, and I guess you diesel guys know not to expect any cash break on fuel costs though. Dave’s alert in another thread of new rules on marine diesel fuel will just add to that, it seems.
    ...............
    “You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution


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