OP
9outof10mms
Enginerding, good coffee, and factual opinions.
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
Supporting Member
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She’s taunting me. I can’t even get a regular color one, yet I see this abomination three times today!!!!
Jeep Gladiator
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My dad had a 76 or a 77 brand new. Need to find some pictures of it.
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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.
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.
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.
two fingers
Well-Known Member
I'm making a car payment to myself to save up money. (Been doing it for a few years already.)
Now that the rumors are confirmed regarding the 392 V8 model coming out, I'm going to let somebody take a two or three year hit on one and then buy one. Even if I have to fly somewhere to buy and drive it back, I'll own one one day.
Now that the rumors are confirmed regarding the 392 V8 model coming out, I'm going to let somebody take a two or three year hit on one and then buy one. Even if I have to fly somewhere to buy and drive it back, I'll own one one day.
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.
I now drive a 15 Jeep Wrangler with 35’s and stock gears and it drives better than the Tacoma did. Neither are fast by any means, but the Jeep wins drivability.
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.
Cool. I’ll not be running 100 MPH over logs so a lesser model will probably do me fine. Want a little 4WD worthiness for mountain trips though.
OP
9outof10mms
Enginerding, good coffee, and factual opinions.
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
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.
Fortunately I am just an average 5’11” guy so the space is fine. But I could see where a full sized truck would be better. I’m just trying to save myself a few $ if I don’t need the V8 or size.
HannibalMontana
Well-Known Member
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!
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jmccracken1214
Well-Known Member
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!
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.
HannibalMontana
Well-Known Member
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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The Jeep Gladiator and the world famous Wizard!!!! A pair of fellow sophisticates.
The Full size trucks I was looking at where $55-$60k. I can get a Gladiator how I’d like it under $50k. I am not going Mohave or Rubicon most likely. I am a simple man.
I’d like a little truck bed. My wife has a Pilot so we already have the SUV if we need it.
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?
@BatteryOaksBilly does your Jeep guy make deals with out of State Former/Reformed Yankees? 😬
HannibalMontana
Well-Known Member
Yes and no. Getting the heavy duty axles with low gears makes going to a 35” tire not a big deal. The 3.73 axle will drive shitty on a 35.
I like mechanical lockers, would have bought a max tow if any were available but no such luck.
You can get a sport and do anything you want, but re gearing is a pretty big cost and you gotta find someone that you trust to do it. I used to work for dealerships and independent shops and I don’t know anyone I’d trust to set up a ring and pinion. I’d just do it myself.
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YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!