I am moving to Europe. I am selling my 2012 3.6 and looking to buy a 2014 2.8 CRDiesel Sahara. From the looks of it the European model, other than the diesel engine, is identical to the US model including a 3.21 ratio in the Dana 30 & 44 axels. My 3.6 chipped with cold air intake and borla exhaust is underpowered with the 33" tires on it, which is the lightest combination I have found in the market(32lb rim + 48lb tire). I basically do not have 6th gear. The diesel has 400 ftlb in torque compared to the 260 in 3.6V. Also the diesel likes lower rpms and the chipped version can increase the power significantly. So I am thinking I may be able to get away with the same 33" tires on the 2.8 CRD.

Does anybody here have experience with a 2.8 Diesel running 33" tires(305/55R20) and the stock Sahara ratio of 3.21?

 

Why not just try to find a rubi?
And good luck with your move!

Sent from my iPhone using JK-Forum

 

Thank you. Because the Sahara I have found is $27k new. Even if I have to regear, I will never find a Rubi for less than $40k.

 

You're problem is gears. 3.21's are useless. If you want with a deeper gear, such as the factory 3.73 or 4.10, you may like that a substantial amount more

 

Saharas can come with 3.73s btw (unsure if you know so I thought I'd throw it out there). As far as the CRD I have no experience, being life longer southern US dweller. But best of luck and tell us about your experiences with the CRD If you get it!

 

Yes. I know that they can come with 3.73, but not this one. I hope to try it soon. Are you from the Miami area? If yes, I would love to get a recommendation on a garage, where I can modify this CRD before it gets shipped.

 

I do, I have a diesel Sahara on 33's and 3.21 gears. Been running it for over 3 years. It's sweet!

If you're buying new the Rubicon in petrol which is a special order is around the same price as the Rubicon, 'cos the engine has to come from Italy, shipped to the US and then back to the UK in the Jeep.

Paul

 

Thank you, Paul.

I decided to go with the gasoline/petrol 3.6V6. I can convert to run on LNG with little to none lost in power for $1000. I have the engine modified with chip, cold air intake and performance exhaust and the LNG conversion will work with that. LNG is 3 times cheaper than diesel, making the gasoline engine a no-brainer. The 2.8 CRD is rated 11-13 L/100km, my 3.6 gasoline runs 15 L/100 in the worse case.

 

The problem with your current setup and lack of power is the gearing. 3.21 shouldn't even be an option. With 33's, you really need at least 4.10's to have any power. I would plan this out with your next build, and I'm sure you will be a lot happier with your next JK.

 

A couple of comments on 2.8 diesel and 33s and lpg in EU. Most diesel Sahara in EU will be 3.21 gearing. No problem with 33s to nearly 34 with manual 6 speed. The auto suffers a bit more. Diesel remap makes a significant difference and you regain and more than you loose moving to 33s. Mpg is also impacted by the weight of the tyres you fit. Lpg is an option but bear in mind some off road facilities do not allow lpg, nor does some long tunnels including channel tunnel. Insurance and resell of lpg vehicles are also not as straight forward as with stock. Lpg usually requires a number of re-schedule to work properly and know of a number that where unable to reset ecu mapping to stock after removing it. And lastly despite claims most lpg units see a drop of c10% output you live with or regain with further performance mods. availibilty of lpg to fill up locally can vary, just outside London and 1:10 fuel stations here have it.
I have a 2.8 remapped diesel (max torque from 1600 rpm) and no complaints on 33.5s
Pros and cons like most things