Need advice from veteran Gladiator owners - thanks for your help

[XJFanatic]

The main drawback with this plan is that you cannot get the 4:1 transfer case later. So, if you are going to do Jeep Badge of Honor trails with Rocks, you will miss the 4:1 transfer case.
Since, you are already planning to add Lockers later, for me, since I am doing Badge of Honor trails, I would buy the Rubicon. Also, the auto disconnect sway bar is beyond convenient on the Rubicon....
If you are just going to do normal trails and Desert, then, you will be satisfied with the Max tow Transfer case.
Good Luck on your decison.
In the end, it depends the type of trails you plan on doing.

Yes you can add 4:1 later, it’s not a hard swap and they will start popping up on eBay and Jeep used parts houses as time goes by. 4:1 t-case wasn’t even common until 2003 when it was introduced in the TJ Rubicon. People have been wheeling rocks and these BoH trails longe before that point. While 4:1 would be nice to have at times it is far from a necessity.

They way I look at the build is two fold, cost is pretty much a wash in the end. Now having all the rubi stuff factory is convenient and covered by the warranty. So if I wanted something plug and play I would go that route. But it leaves all that crap controlled by a computer…

If I wanted to figure out what I needed and put money into something more valuable for my use I wouldn’t go Rubi. Nothing really wrong with the factory lockers but there are stronger options that allow larger shafts. Sway bar disconnect, great but to be able to tool around in 2wd I need to defeat the computer, same as locker. I can get apex lynx and be just about the same level of ease.

I like to hold on to my vehicles for a long time, so I chose to avoid having those items controlled by the vehicle.

OP your original plan sounds like what my thought process was when I picked up my JT.

Sponsored

 

[John_81583]

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post. I posted this on another website before I found this site which specializes in Gladiators. I would really apricate your input.

I am trying to save money on a Gladiator purchase so I can properly outfit the Jeep for Overlanding/Camping.

I am thinking about buying a Gladiator Sport with the Max Tow Package in lieu of the Rubicon because you get the most heavy duty Dana 44 axles front and back and 4.10 gears. This saves about 16K over the Rubicon

If I add front and back air lockers, a manual sway bar disconnect, 33” KO 2 tires and steel front bumper ready for a winch I believe it will cost about $7,000. So, I am ahead about $9K and can use the rest of the funds to outfit this vehicle with other overlanding equipment.

Does this make sense to you? Am I missing something? Is the Sport with Max Tow Package suspension system going to be a problem off roading?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Geoff

depending on how good the deal is, I'd just go overland, which I did. lol

 

[Gvsukids]

If you get the Rubi, the one option I think is really worthwhile is the Auxiliary switch group. So glad I have it! I wish mine had come with the outlet in the bed. I've since added a USB charge station back there but that would have been a nice option to start with.

Different packages. Auxiliary switch doesn't provide the rear bed outlet. The trail management system does.

 

[HooliganActual]

Different packages. Auxiliary switch doesn't provide the rear bed outlet. The trail management system does.

Roger that. That was not well stated. Mine came with the Aux Switch package but not the Trail Mgmt option. Wish it had come with the the Trail Mgmt System.

 

[BA33]

Would a Mojave be a good option here? It's definitely made for desert running, but I honestly don't know if setting one up for overlanding would negate the Mojave benefits. Or, to put it into a different perspective, is a Rubicon a better desert runner than a Mojave is a rock crawler?

 

[shokker70]

When people ask these types of questions, I sincerely believe we forget that a stock Gladiator will do the things an go the places 95% of us do and go. A stock Gladiator will do 90% of what a Rubicon can do. If you're not crawling rocks and don't expect to... save the extra $6K, period.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

When people ask these types of questions, I sincerely believe we forget that a stock Gladiator will do the things an go the places 95% of us do and go. A stock Gladiator will do 90% of what a Rubicon can do. If you're not crawling rocks and don't expect to... save the extra $6K, period.

I don’t disagree, but if the seller is intent to add Rubicon features to a Sport then it tends to mitigate the value of the Sport package.

 

[JTBurns]

I've had my Sport S non max tow with open diffs for almost 2 and a half years and 35K miles. This is my first Jeep and I'm by no means a hard core wheeler. I've added a few takeoff Rubicon parts with the wild peak m/ts, springs and shocks. I've been to two off road parks in PA, earned 3 BOH badges (albeit maybe the 3 easiest), had to move through about a football field worth of ocean on the beach once, and have done some other general green trails and beach running. I toy with the idea of adding a locker or maybe just a winch after it's paid off, but we'll see.

My point is there's nothing wrong with going with the Rubicon if you want/need the features out of the gate, but a Jeep without all those extra features is more capable than many realize or want to give them credit for. Either way you'll fantasize about spending another 20k on whatever you buy. Enjoy!

 

[shokker70]

I don’t disagree, but if the seller is intent to add Rubicon features to a Sport then it tends to mitigate the value of the Sport package.

The point being that he doesn't need to. Reading what he has stated is the intended use, absolutely not necessary.

 

[ZoMojave]

I did a search 300 miles from my location (WA area). There are zero base Rubicons at $49k. They all have some options added. The lowest price is $53.7k.

You would definitely need to order one to keep a cap on the end price. We all know just how easy it is to let that MSRP creep up! ?

 

[Alans17]

I’m glad I went with the Max Tow over the Rubicon because I doubt I’ll ever get lockers. If I thought I’d want lockers, though, I’d just get the Rubicon and call it a day. If I didn’t think I’d need two lockers, I’d get the Mojave and call it a day.

 

[willhonkforparts]

Regardless of what model you buy, GET THE FACTORY LEDS HEADLIGHTS. I've had trucklites, grotes, and a couple different Amazon knockoffs in JK and I can tell you the factory LED packages is absolutely worth the money.

 

[XJFanatic]

One thing to consider as well to the OP. The Brake lock differential is very effective. It is not a complete replacement for a locker. But it flat out works.
Demonstration in the video. I was coming out of a creek climbing a ledge that my bumper was hitting. That’s with my JLU Sport. No regear, no 4:1, no locker. As stated our stock sport Jeeps are plenty capable especially for an overland build.

 

[Alans17]

Regardless of what model you buy, GET THE FACTORY LEDS HEADLIGHTS. I've had trucklites, grotes, and a couple different Amazon knockoffs in JK and I can tell you the factory LED packages is absolutely worth the money.

They should be standard. It's ridiculous that they aren't.

 

[JD101]

It's a better value to start with a Rubicon first, than try to piece one together after the fact . Plus your warranty is intact also . Not saying what the op is trying to do is a bad idea . But if you want a 4:1 case , lockers at both ends and high line fenders ( oe or aftermarket ) start with a rubi if you can afford it . If not go the sport max tow and build on it as funds allow. Just my .02 from my own experiences .

Sponsored