Bought a Gladiator diesel...

Kelbo

Active member
I’ve wanted a Brute/Gladiator since AEV began building TJ brute trucks. When the 3.0 Gladiator diesel was announced, I was set on one. Picked up one last week, and have driven 700 miles since. I love it.

I wanted a more vanilla version, as I don’t care for some of the rubicon attributes, so I bought a sport model, with the HD package (Dana 44s, tow pkg), and the 3.0 diesel/auto. Put a set of 34”x10.50/17 bfg ko2s on the factory wheels before I picked it up. 26.5mpg highway/city over the initial 700 miles. It’s a great truck. This is my daily driver, with my 110 in the garage.

Thinking about selling my 110 now... I kid.
 

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rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
I've been thinking about that engine in the Ram 1500. My biggest issue with the engine is that dealers in the Boston area rarely sell them. That means the service department has little or no experience with this diesel engine. I think FCA has finally fixed whatever was causing earlier generations of the engine to fail suddenly.
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
Was a huge fan of my 3.0 CRD. The emissions updates after the lawsuit crushed performance. I think maybe that is Gen4 engine, and have heard great things. Good luck with it, excellent choice.
 

broncoduecer

Technical Excellence Contributor
That’s great mpg. My 2017 ram1500 eco diesel is pretty consistent at 23mpg around SLC. I can see 28mpg if it’s 65mph highway driving and obviously it goes down fro there to usually 25mpg interstates at 75mph. I have the 3.92 gears so that stings it a bit. Tows really well though. I’m interested in the greendiesel tune for some more mpg and the engine brake.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
I've been thinking about that engine in the Ram 1500. My biggest issue with the engine is that dealers in the Boston area rarely sell them. That means the service department has little or no experience with this diesel engine. I think FCA has finally fixed whatever was causing earlier generations of the engine to fail suddenly.

It probably has more to do with the diesel particulate filter (assuming it has one). Our dealership in LA stopped ordering diesel Range Rovers because so many would be bought back under lemon law. A modern diesel with a DPF is not suitable for urban driving (and definitely not extensive off road driving).
 

Kelbo

Active member
It probably has more to do with the diesel particulate filter (assuming it has one). Our dealership in LA stopped ordering diesel Range Rovers because so many would be bought back under lemon law. A modern diesel with a DPF is not suitable for urban driving (and definitely not extensive off road driving).

Please explain, as I’m interested in this.

My gladiator is my daily, which I’ll put a good bit of highway miles on, visiting clients.
 

haru182

Active member
You gotta get that thing tuned by green diesel engineering. Completely changed my grand cherokee and now I couldn't imagine living without it. Rephrase ....I'd sell the truck without it.
 

lithium1330

Technical Excellence Contributor
Callsign: KM6FDG
Please explain, as I’m interested in this.

My gladiator is my daily, which I’ll put a good bit of highway miles on, visiting clients.

This may explains it... https://www.uti.edu/blog/diesel/diesel-particulate-filters
"Oftentimes, blocked diesel particulate filters are caused by short journeys at low speeds. Vehicles operating at low speeds on short journeys are unable to meet the requirements for the filter to clean itself."
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
It probably has more to do with the diesel particulate filter (assuming it has one). Our dealership in LA stopped ordering diesel Range Rovers because so many would be bought back under lemon law. A modern diesel with a DPF is not suitable for urban driving (and definitely not extensive off road driving).
Spot on. There is no doubt in my mind that diesels with all the emissions stuff really need to be driven hard and kept hot to remain healthy.
 

LR Max

Well-known member
It probably has more to do with the diesel particulate filter (assuming it has one). Our dealership in LA stopped ordering diesel Range Rovers because so many would be bought back under lemon law. A modern diesel with a DPF is not suitable for urban driving (and definitely not extensive off road driving).

The previous generation engine (dunno, like mid 2010s up until recently??) the valve train would fail at 30k and the crank would snap around 70-80k. So the previous generations did have LEGIT problems, not just DPF issues. As my friend who worked at the jeep dealer said, "they are great cars to lease". These issues should be fixed on the newer generations I would hope.

Glad to see the diesel option. The Gladiator I drove with the V6 gasser was underpowered. And that was with stock small tires.

But if those problems have been fixed, then keep good clean diesel in it and run it hot. It'll be good. I'm keen on a D5 with a diesel, considering how much highway my LR3 currently does. Between mainly highway driving, having a GAP tool to reset any DEF issues, and replacing filters every year, should be a good car.
 

LR Max

Well-known member
Whats the GAP tool & what does it do with DEF?

GAP tool is a interface tool for newer rovers. Sometimes newer diesels throw DEF codes and it can be crippling. Having the tool to diagnose and clear those codes saves a lot of time and money. Especially if the code causes a de-rate and shut down. Those are fun.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
The DEF codes throw up as the DPF gets clogged by soot. Diesels go into a DPF regeneration cycle that burns off the soot, but you must allow the cycle to complete before shutting down. I know larger diesel trucks have manual DPF regeneration capability.
I was talking with one person last week whose F350 diesel went into limp mode. He had no idea it needed DEF fluid. I guess not everyone knows that stuff yet.
 

DBrands

Member
I’ve wanted a Brute/Gladiator since AEV began building TJ brute trucks. When the 3.0 Gladiator diesel was announced, I was set on one. Picked up one last week, and have driven 700 miles since. I love it.

I wanted a more vanilla version, as I don’t care for some of the rubicon attributes, so I bought a sport model, with the HD package (Dana 44s, tow pkg), and the 3.0 diesel/auto. Put a set of 34”x10.50/17 bfg ko2s on the factory wheels before I picked it up. 26.5mpg highway/city over the initial 700 miles. It’s a great truck. This is my daily driver, with my 110 in the garage.

Thinking about selling my 110 now... I kid.
Congrats! I watch the odd JEEP youtube channel to see people's experiences with the engine off-roading.

We put about 40,000 km on our Ram 1500 3.0 every year. Its a 2016 and still running sweet at 180,000 km. The truck has had a trailer attached for over 40,000km (according to the truck), so nearly 25% of the time its hauling 4-7k lbs.

I replaced the 3-way coolant valve that went faulty. It's had the DEF tank replaced under warranty due to a faulty pump, and the EGR cooler replaced due to a recall (ours wasn't causing any issues). The only check engine lights not to do with emissions problems, were when driving in -25C for extended periods without the winter cover on the grill. The truck wasn't happy with the ice cold intake air. The cover now goes on once average temps dip below freezing.

Mileage empty is 27mpg. Mileage towing 7k lbs is 17mpg.

So, for what it's worth, I've had good experiences with the engine (minus the emissions stuff...).
 
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