This is a great forum - Need expert advice

[Geoff Massa]

This is my second post. The first post I made had so much good advice I now know what path I need to take for my purchase. After weighing my camping gear needs and having my wife and son along I come up with a $1,400 payload witch includes and camper shell, extra water and gas. That puts me with the max tow package.

The 2023 Gladiator models that have the max tow package are the Sport, Sport S and Freedom. As can be predicted, all the options I want are not all in any one of these packages. So here is my question. Can I buy the following items after market and still be quality items.
a) LED head lights - I know these will not be as good as the factory, but can I get some good LED's that will last?
b) Winch capable metal front bumper

The rest of the differences are just electronics and I do not need the latest tech.

The last question I have is what is the reliability consensus on the diesel engine vs the 3.6? Not trying to start a conflict, just want your opinion. If I go with the diesel it has the same payload as the max tow package.

Thanks,

Geoff

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[Randonexplosion]

I have the crappy halogen headlights and have been looking at full housing LED upgrades. The factory LEDs seem to be expensive and hard to come by. I've been looking at the Oculus at about $650 for the pair. Ive heard that they arent as good as the Mopar ones but I guess Ill find out when I compare them to my wife's Mojave.

There are a lot of aftermarket front bumper options to mount a winch. I have the non-steel front bumper on my Rubicon and have been looking for a used take-off.

As far as the diesel goes, I love mine. Ive put 7,000 miles on it in 5 months and it has been great. 37s on the factory 3.73 gears is fine and it pulls maxed out payload just fine. My rating is only 952 and ive had it over that multiple times through the mountains. I havent had the derating issues that others have had but I haven't hauled heavy trailers for any more than a few miles.

 

[Geoff Massa]

I just noticed that the diesel has only a 1200 pound payload. Is that correct? if so that puts me with only the max towing package.

Geoff

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is my second post. The first post I made had so much good advice I now know what path I need to take for my purchase. After weighing my camping gear needs and having my wife and son along I come up with a $1,400 payload witch includes and camper shell, extra water and gas. That puts me with the max tow package.

The 2023 Gladiator models that have the max tow package are the Sport, Sport S and Freedom. As can be predicted, all the options I want are not all in any one of these packages. So here is my question. Can I buy the following items after market and still be quality items.
a) LED head lights - I know these will not be as good as the factory, but can I get some good LED's that will last?
b) Winch capable metal front bumper

The rest of the differences are just electronics and I do not need the latest tech.

The last question I have is what is the reliability consensus on the diesel engine vs the 3.6? Not trying to start a conflict, just want your opinion. If I go with the diesel it has the same payload as the max tow package.

Thanks,

Geoff

Options you add such as steel bumpers and winch will drop your payload number.
For example, if the truck you buy has a payload of 1500 pounds and you add 200 pounds of accessories, now you have a 1300 pound payload.
The payload number you see on the marketing stuff and web sites is the MAX it can have with the BASE version of that model. Any options from the factory reduce the payload.
What a truck comes with for payload will be on a door jamb sticker. Don't count on the payload numbers you see on the internet.
Unless you buy a base version and add ZERO options, the payload will not be that number.

Anyone who has a diesel will respond that diesel is king and gas sucks and anyone with the gas 3.6 has no clue.
Anyone who has a gas JT will say they don't understand the fuss over the diesel.
So, you have to decide for yourself.
There are pros and cons of each.
I didn't want the extra up-front costs, and increased maintenance costs and have no need or desire for diesel. I'm not against them, just that for me it's a big "why? Why would _I_ want one"?
If you want one, if you can afford it, and if it can haul and tow the numbers you need, go for it.


max tow is gas only. Can't get max tow with diesel and diesel has lower payload.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I just noticed that the diesel has only a 1200 pound payload. Is that correct? if so that puts me with only the max towing package.

Geoff

Yes, the diesel is heavy, that reduces payload.

 

[Randonexplosion]

Even sticking with the gasser I dont think any gladiator is going to be able to handle your payload. Did you factor in the vehicle occupants?

 

[Randonexplosion]

Mine is one of the lower ones that ive seen posted.

 

[XJFanatic]

You can definitely add both of those items. I went with the sealight LEDs and they are awesome.

 

[kevman65]

OP, there IS a way around your problem. You just need to think outside the box a touch.

They make trailers, overlanding, trekking, however you may know them. You can take weight out of your bed and put it in such trailer. With trailer and goods and sundries in it at around 4500 pounds you are good to go.

Yes, all the options I listed are expensive, BUT, relatively cheap and easy to build yourself.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

OP, there IS a way around your problem. You just need to think outside the box a touch.

They make trailers, overlanding, trekking, however you may know them. You can take weight out of your bed and put it in such trailer. With trailer and goods and sundries in it at around 4500 pounds you are good to go.

Yes, all the options I listed are expensive, BUT, relatively cheap and easy to build yourself.

I would still love to go this route as well... You could even make it water tight, or just park in a covered spot, and keep it loaded and ready to go out camping... M416 style trailer

 

[sharpsicle]

First, you can add both the LED and the bumper desires at any time pretty easily. You can retrofit OEM replacements if you want, or go aftermarket. The options are endless.

Second, remember that the payload and tow capacity for the diesel is going to be less than that of the gas. These things have nothing to do with how powerful the engine is, it's all about weight and heat dissipation. Unfortunately the diesels, as torquey as they are, have heat issues.

Third, overall speaking the gas is going to be more reliable than the diesel. There are tons of threads on the diesels where they have problems and are taking forever to get fixed. Part of this is because of parts, part of this because of the unnecessary complication of modern diesels, and part of this is that only certain shops are really going to touch a diesel. There's also the issues of derating due to heat and constant bottoming out that you might experience.

If your gas truck has problems, especially when you're on the road, it's going to be easier to find a shop that can work on it. You can't really say that for diesels in general. And, generally speaking, when the gas engines have problems they are less debilitating than when the diesel engine has problems.

None of this to say that the diesel isn't a fun or fine engine, but if you're really focused on reliability, it's hard to recommend it over the 3.6.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Even sticking with the gasser I dont think any gladiator is going to be able to handle your payload. Did you factor in the vehicle occupants?

This makes it look like it......... but it's not clear -

After weighing my camping gear needs and having my wife and son along I come up with a $1,400 payload witch includes and camper shell, extra water and gas

but maybe he's just saying his camping gear needs plus those of his wife and son.

Mine is one of the lower ones that ive seen posted.

I've got you beat and I can't figure this one out - it's the same damned bloody truck, just 2 years newer and yet is 100 pounds LESS payload than my 2020 was. HUH?
Maybe it's the aux switches?
Thank god I didn't get a diesel! I'd be under 900.
My wife's 2021 Grand Cherokee has me beat by over 200 pounds! And it's a station wagon!

 

[XJFanatic]

This is why I insisted on finding a max tow. I knew I would be eating up payload capacity with mods.

 

[rr11]

Aftermarket LEDs and bumpers are a simple fix, they will reduce your payload because the weight is added to your truck. I have a 2020 Sport S. I have swapped the headlights for LED, installed a Fishbone off-road midwith bumper and a Warn 10K winch Rubicon wheels and tires. My door sticker shows 1355. With all I have added I count on 1000 lb capacity. I would have to run it over some scales to know for sure.

 

[Geoff Massa]

Hi,

The 1,400 pound payload includes 3 passengers.

Geoff

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