9outof10mms
Enginerding, good coffee, and factual opinions.
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
My dad had a 76 or a 77 brand new. Need to find some pictures of it.The 2 new ones are play toys. When i want to go in the woods I take the TJ. I grew up on CJs and would really love to have a nice one of those but they suck on the road! I’d really like to have a 74-75 Cherokee with the 360 in it!
I recently sold my 2018 Tacoma TRD OR because the engine and trans drive like complete doo-doo. I had a Gladiator as a rental last year, it drove great but I had to get used to the seating position. If you drive like a grandma and don’t care one bit about performance, the Tacoma is awesome; I really hate that Toyota ruined the drivability of the Tacoma.Test drove a Gladiator yesterday. I actually kinda liked it. They certainly have fixed their steering issue. Need to drive a Taco next. Thinking either Willys Gladiator or TDR Off Road Tacoma.
Gladiator needs more cupholders and a smaller key fob. Those were my 2 complaints. So not bad.
I recently sold my 2018 Tacoma TRD OR because the engine and trans drive like complete doo-doo. I had a Gladiator as a rental last year, it drove great but I had to get used to the seating position. If you drive like a grandma and don’t care one bit about performance, the Tacoma is awesome; I really hate that Toyota ruined the drivability of the Tacoma.
If you like boring, not just boring reliability, but boring complete lack of performance and drivability, it’s awesome. I trust it’ll last forever unlike a Jeep. I know it sounds odd that I’m saying it’s awesome but also crapping on it, but the engine and trans combo is so terrible that I sold my truck. The trans is programmed to stay between 1200-1800rpm, but the engine doesn’t make power until over 3500rpm. It’ll also hunt for gears while cruising on the highway.So your saying I should skip the Tacoma test drive and just buy the Jeep? I have heard the Tacoma tranny isn’t great. But I do like boring reliability.
Well, Pard I've now had 3 Gladiators...a Sport...an Overland..and now..the MOJAVE.@BatteryOaksBilly your timing of buying a new Gladiator and selling it (if you stick to your typicall ownership schedule) will likely jive with my window being in the market for one. I've got to wait til the wife’s new Grand Cherokee is paid off in about 3 years.
Well, Pard I've now had 3 Gladiators...a Sport...an Overland..and now..the MOJAVE.
This last one is truly an unbelievable vehicle. Speed bumps at 55..big fun. Curbs at 30..barely a thump. The suspension is amazing. I was recently shown a clip with one running across a cut down forest road with the needle pegged at 100 mph.
One of our guys said...it would take an idiot about one hour and a couple of grand to completely render it useless with some monster tires. This is a "package" like none other. Motot Trend says it's worth every dollar charged over the Rubicon package. I had a 2017 Hard Rock Rubicon and believe me..this thing is far better in every respect. The 285 HP engine still gets 20 mpg with the 8 speed trans.
I'e unfortunately given up on the Gladiator due to size. I sat in one at the car show last year and have looked at nearly every one I see in the parking lot--they can't fit my 6 foot-whatever frame as well as a full-size pickup. I really hate that because most trucks nowadays look imbed (i.e. like each other) with little to not differences. The Gladiator stands apart, but I need my room.
I’ve been eyeing one recently, just hate how much the cost runs up with the rubicon. I won’t use the lockers much, but I just can’t bring myself to get a sport. I currently drive a 2020 Silverado trail boss which is awesome. Lots of room, so going mid size with 2 kids kind of sucks. The small bed sucks but would still be able to haul small amounts of lumber.
I got one recently. 2020 with a manual trans. Doing about 22 mpg.
I like the 3.6. Naysayers be damned. When they came out I replaced a ton of phasers, actuators, chains, and heads. These new ones are gtg. People claiming the 4.0 was better are wearing rose tinted glasses.
It has more torque available at all rpms and the curve is FLAT. What they notice is the weight difference from a 4.0 powered Jeep to these new ones.
I installed a tazer in place of the SGM. I can actuate lockers in any tcase range, kill auto start/stop, kill seat belt chimes, activate any mopar add ons I wish to install, adjust for tire size......the list goes on.
Love it.
Going to put in the B&m shifter combo if I see a good Black Friday sale. Looks so good!
Please don't expect to save any money over a full size 4 wheel drive truck. The Gladiator is Not what you are looking for.I’m just trying to save myself a few $ if I don’t need the V8 or size.
I’ve been eyeing one recently, just hate how much the cost runs up with the rubicon. I won’t use the lockers much, but I just can’t bring myself to get a sport. I currently drive a 2020 Silverado trail boss which is awesome. Lots of room, so going mid size with 2 kids kind of sucks. The small bed sucks but would still be able to haul small amounts of lumber.
Been looking at wranglers and the new bronco hard.. I really want one and want to get back into off-roading but with a family, might be hard to give up the full size truck
Please don't expect to save any money over a full size 4 wheel drive truck. The Gladiator is Not what you are looking for.
Have you considered a 4Runner @CZfool68 ? They still have the 4.0L V6 (as opposed to the 3.5L the Tacoma’s have) or are you set on having a truck bed?
Find a sport S with max tow package. Comes with rubicon width axles, a rear locker, and 4.10 gears.
Electro lockers really aren’t necessary. The brake lock diff function of traction control system will take you 99% of places lockers will. You’ll just be lacking the extra low range tcase.
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From what I could tell that is an option for me too. Maybe a Willys. I may play like an amateur off road, but won’t likely ever need the Rubicon’s abilities. P,us aren’t Jeeps like AR’s? I can buy one and piss away as much money as I want customizing it?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@BatteryOaksBilly does your Jeep guy make deals with out of State Former/Reformed Yankees? 😬