Lot's been happening in my world.

So I finally traded my 2007 Jeep Compass in for something a bit newer. I got a 5th generation 2020 RAM 1500 4x4 with the EcoDiesel. It's got the 3rd engine with the 8HP75 2nd gen transmission. I purchased it at a legitimate local CDJR dealer, and got an extended warranty on it. Only had 27k miles on it.

I took it in and got it KROWN rust protected, got a nice Trifecta 2.0 tonneau cover. I also got OEM take-off wheels to put a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on them for winter time goodness.

Overall, I'm very happy with the truck and the engine and transmission work flawlessly. I love the low end torque and the shift patterns compared to the gas models. Exactly what I was hankering for.

Oh and don't worry, the 2007 manual F150 isn't going anywhere. I am keeping that truck forever as with my 2000 Dodge Dakota.

 

I like it! Beautiful truck! I think the latest gen of that engine takes the exhaust gas for recirc after the particulate filter and that should solve one of the past issues with that engine. If I drove a lot I would buy one too. But, I drive my truck just on short trips and not many miles which is not the right service for a diesel.
By the way, how many miles were on the odometer of that Compass when you traded it?

 

Good luck with the new truck. Looks sharp!

 

That 2007 Jeep Compass had 412,677 on it when I traded it. It was turning into a basket-case of problems. Electrical (both grounding/fusebox/connectors) from salt ingress, e-brakes, rear knuckles, and a bunch of other nonsense I didn't feel like polishing the turd. Oh, and lets not forget the rust... it was literally disintegrating on my shop floor when I'd work on it. More so when I'd get my air hammer on it...

Yes, VM Motori did a lot of changes on the Generation 3 diesel engine and the rerouting of the EGR was one of them. From what I can tell from reading and talking to several folks on other forums, the Generation 3 is a solid engine compared to the other miniature diesel engines out there. That is what sold me on it. Along with the solid reliability of a ZF8 transmission.

I did a bunch of test drives of both the F-Series Super Duty PSD and the RAM Heavy Duty with the Cummins. Nice trucks, but I really fell in love with this truck due to the mechanics. I just felt like it was a better choice than the Powerstroke or the Cummins. Along with a better ride (but that's comparing apples to oranges).

I'm very annoyed that they are axing the Eco Diesel this year. All that engineering and technology down the drain. Same regards to the miniature PSD for the F150. It's funny that I just read that GM is refining their miniature Duramax this year, which I find is odd. I guess GM is staying in the niche market of mini-diesels?

MPG-wise I've been getting 24 city and 28 highway. 26 gallons of fuel lasts so long in this truck. I am thoroughly impressed by the entire truck, hopefully I get many years of quality service out of this truck.

 

I'm amazed you got that many miles out of a Compass. Even good ones are turds.

 

Congratulations! I hope you have good luck with it. The ZF 8 speed is a phenomenal transmission

The owner of my company had a new 2013 EcoDiesel loaded Grand Cherokee, it was in the shop a bit with engine light issues, and then towards the end in the past year or so before he finally sold it, he started having more and more issues. He really enjoyed it overall with the fuel mileage, but it just got to troublesome at the end. He replaced it with a hemi Grand Cherokee loaded.

His son who who runs the business now, had a 2016 EcoDiesel Laramie limited that he bought CPO, and got very good fuel mileage. Same deal though, once they did that reflash he started having problems and it started going into the shop a lot. He finally dumped it as it was affecting his ability to make appointments and site visits. It was so unpredictable towards 2021 and kept having emissions related problems. Really a shame, but the fuel mileage was very impressive. He said after the reflash it definitely felt down on power and the fuel mileage had slipped a bit.

I wish those engines didn't have a lot of the baggage they do now. Because the fuel mileage is just so darn impressive as is the torque for daily driving and light towing.

 

If it wasn't for my mechanical diagnostic expertise and patience, the vehicle would've been scrapped a long time ago. Goes to show when someone has determination and more so patience, anything is possible.

No "normal" person could be able to keep a Jeep Compass, let alone a 2007 (first year debuted) on the road for so long in the upper northeast.

I wouldn't have bought it if it had the Gen 1 or Gen 2 engine. Way too many issues being reported unless they swapped it for a Gen 3 engine. Although it is nice not having that "traditional" diesel odor, it is nice having that clean exhaust after-treatment smell.

Plus I got a place to work on it, and I have access to the full diagnostic and service manuals.

 

My daughter and her husband had a Compass that gave them reliable service for over 120k miles before they got rid of it. Those 2.4L engines are very durable from what I'm been hearing and reading.

 

Yes, the 2.4l i4 World Engine is one heck of an engine. Only engine parts I had to replace was the alternator and the accessory belt pulleys. Not even the water pump at 400k miles. Never consumed any oil either, always got out what I put into it.

Only pitfalls to that M/Y Compass I had was the suspension (especially up front!) and the CVT if you had one. Mine was manual (Syracuse, NY built Magna Drivetrain) and I replaced the clutch and flywheel at 290k. Otherwise it was a decent vehicle IF and only IF you had the ways and means to keep up on it. It also never left me stranded.

At the end of the day, like I do with everything else, I'll update everyone.

But I can't wait for the nicer weather to start driving my F150 again.

 

sorry for your changes, LoL

 

Swap in a stick! Delete! Tune! Roll coal!

Adrianspeeder

 

I wish it was a standard shift... lol

I just can't wait till the "revised" CP4 gets installed on it from the recall, likely later on this year.

Though my Youtube feed haunted me with this the other day:

At least FCA/Stellantis is holding Bosch accountable for fixing the CP4.

But the chances of it happening to me is 5-7%. harharhar...

 

Late to the party apparently. But congrats!!

 

Even later to the party!!

Nice truck Manual...I've seen some Ram trucks towing mid sized travel trailers with the Eco Diesel. What's the payload and towing specs if you don't mind. Congrats on the purchase!!

 

@PawPaw It's more than my manual F150!

In all seriousness, it is 1,800 lbs payload, and 9,710 lbs towing.

Best mileage I've gotten so far was 32.6 mpg and average around 29 mpg. Hand calculated. EVIC is off by 1 mpg higher. This is the first vehicle where the window sticker actually lives up to the mpg specs!

It's an absolute pleasure to drive, and it fits me perfectly. I'm glad I went with it over a heavy duty diesel truck like a 2500 or a F250.

Even better is the dealer service experience. I brought it in to for a look over prior to winter, and they topped up the DEF tank, washer fluid, and rotated the tires for me for the very low price of FREE.

Not to mention all of the compliments I get and people asking me about the truck since it's diesel. It's pretty quiet, but everyone knows it's a diesel. I also can't believe how clean these new diesels burn. No soot, barely any odors, and short regenerations.

Now that it's getting cold out again, I'm amazed as to how fast the truck starts when cold. Not even close to the old days of diesel trucks. I also like the PTC heater, as I get near instant heat out of the vents.

So yes, am I happy even several months later? Absolutely. I get excited to drive it, and it's an addicting vehicle to drive.

I really, really wish Ford and Stellantis would continue making diesel half tons instead of focusing on the EV garbage. GM is doing it right making that mini-Duramax. Been seeing a ton of them out on the road. I suggest anyone reading this to try the 2023 EcoDiesel or a 2023 mini-Duramax.

I still believe diesel and even gas engines have a lot of potential using bio diesel/renewable diesel and ethanol if our lawmakers actually put their nose to the grindstone. But I want to leave politics out of this.