routesixtysixer

Interesting combo, especially with the ZF 8-speed...

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/j...america-by-20/

msgZ28

Very nice. I hope we can get more disels here in the US.

Shockwave

My dream vehicle for a while has been the 2008 GC 3.0 CRD, simply because of the engine capabilities.

Now they're finally bringing it back.

Maybe I'll have to look into new vehicles...

Shockwave

My next question is this:

Will they drop it into the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and if sooooo:

What will it's tow rating be?

I'd seriously cash in my chips for a Jeep that tows 7500 and gets 25+ mpg.

ImportedRoomate

Here's what happened when asked about the smaller yet still very capable 2.8 CRD in the Wrangler:

In Europe the tow rating for the CRD Wrangler is only 4400 lbs though. Not sure I would want to tow much more with such a short wheelbase.

Red89GTA

Friend of mine has this combo, very nice truck. Can hear the turbo too

MustangEater82

It would be awesome...

Shockwave

Hence why I was asking about the unlimited (longer, four door). The tow rating in it currently is 5k. I'm thinking a strong diesel will bump that up well.

ImportedRoomate

Sorry, I was looking at the wrong spec (curb weight of the unlimited). Both the regular and unlimited CRD Wranglers are rated at 2200lbs towing. Obviously very conservative for whatever reason.

Shockwave

Well, for starters, my memory didn't serve me correctly before. The current gas-powered Wrangler Unlimited is rated to tow 3500 with the towing equipment package.

To spec the diesel at a sub-2500 tow rating makes absolutely no sense. The gas engine is rated at 172 hp / 165 tq.

Threxx

The engine isn't always the 'weakest link' in a vehicle's tow rating.

Transmission, frame, brakes, and other towing related features...

But yeah... why they would equip a diesel in a way less suited for towing than the gas engine definitely does make very little sense.

Those ratings are pretty horrible overall though for a BOF 'rough and tough real SUV'. I think most of the cute-ute "unibody cars that we lifted and called an SUV" vehicles are in the 3000 to 6000 range these days.

Shockwave

I get that, Kyle. But unless you're suggesting that the tranny mated to the diesel is going to be weak-sauce, I doubt they're going to change the other components of the Unlimited in a way that would reduce its towing capacity.

Heck, I think I'd even be happy if the Unlimited got to a 6k tow rating. I think that'd be enough to complete my airstream dream.

Shockwave

As an interesting aside, in England the Wrangler is ONLY offered with a diesel engine:

http://www.jeep.co.uk/wrangler/specs

197 bhp, 339 tq

On that same specifications page, the Jeep Wrangler can tow 6200 lbs.

It could literally be made here as-is and seriously have a lot of potential buyers, myself included. And did I mention those are the ratings on the two-door Sahara?!

Threxx

Where are you seeing 6200 pounds? The spec page you linked to indicates 1000 kg (~2200 pounds) for a trailer with brakes or 450 kg (~1000 pounds) for a trailer without brakes. That's for both the 2-door and 4-door diesel Wranglers.

Also ImportedRoomate... where are you getting the 2200 pound tow rating spec for the diesel Wrangler Unlimited? Is this in some other country? Tow ratings are more legal department than they are anything... and since laws vary by country....

For example it appears the UK rates their Wranglers more conservatively than we do here.

Shockwave

What th--I have no idea how I came up with that. Maybe my fingers slipped when I was throwing it into the online conversion tool.

Well, this takes some wind out of my sails...I guess I can still hold my breath and hope that:

• A diesel Wrangler Unlimited gets put out
• The combination of it's improved torque, power band, and longer frame will get towing capacity in the 5500-6000 range

A guy can dream, right?