Should I lift the Gladiator or not?

[Summitsearcher]

Read my mind. I too debated this conundrum and decided to stay where I am with just a light spacer lift to compensate for bumper and winch. I may still Add 3/4” to the rear but that would be it. I too am retired and getting in and out would be a challenge anything higher than stock. It tows great, mileage is fine and capabilities match my uses. I tapped out on mods long ago and if I was 20-30 years younger I’d be broke as a joke. Man’s gotta eat!

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[XJADDICTION]

I have had many Jeeps and have lifted every one of them to install bigger tires. Some of these Jeeps were dedicated for off road, not a daily driver. Others were daily drivers.
I have owned a 2020 Max Tow packaged JT since October of 2019. I drove it in stock form until the stock small 245 tires became worn out, around 40,000 miles.

I always thought I would stay with the JT stock. I would get 22+ MPG out of the gasser 3.6L even with the 4:10 gears that came with the Max Tow from the factory. I did take it off road in sand and some twisty trails with the street tires and it did really well, surprisingly well. The only thing for me was that I wanted an Overlander for trips out west as well as here in TN and Michigan. I started with a Rubicon Express basic lift and 37” BFG AT KO 2 tires in stock Wrangler Rubicon Wheels with 2” added back spacers. Roof rack and James Baroud XXL roof top tent, a tazer mini to recalibrate transmission shifts and speedometer was added. My MPG dropped on interstate trips with cruise control to 17 MPG loaded for overland travel.

after about 45,000 miles and my trip out west with 500+ lbs in the bed and towing up to 7000lbs, the rear springs sagged and were constantly on the rubber rear bump stops. This gave the JT a bounce ride!

So I completely changed the suspension to the Overland 3.5” kit with everything including Falcon reservoir shocks, and steering stabilizer. I have a winch bumper and a 10,000 lbs capacity Smitty Built winch, I still kept the 37” BFG AT KO’s with stock 4:19 gearing on the JT and loaded for trips with same gear as previous trips I get around 14.5MPG traveling 75mph. The ride is fantastic and the JT has the proper rake with the rear higher than the front. I use mine as a truck towing and hauling so I wanted the extra rear height to become level with 7000lbs towing loads which I still occasionally do. The RTT always stays on the Jeep. When not carrying full overland load and my wife (110lbs) I get around 15MPG… I get the same mileage with my wife shotgun BTW?.

So, I would do this same lift and set up I have now. The BFG AT KO2’s I love, also had them on many other rigs and they are quiet and help with MPG IMOP, and I have 94,000 miles on the JT with half tread depth after heavy loads running 30lbs of pressure and 54,000 miles on them. Off road the BFG AT KO 2’s are great in everything I do, except the occasional TN Clay mud, but that is why I have a winch. The ride is excellent with theFalcon Adjustable shocks and heavy duty steering. The cost was not inexpensive though and IMOP well worth the money.
The JT is my daily driver even though O have a Mustang 5.0, as I don’t run that car much. Just joy rides with the wife in the weekends (2013 with only 30,000 miles on it).

All of that said if you are doing street driving and don’t mind the stock look, stay with what you have for about 7 MPG more per gallon and less cost. IMOP if you buy a lift, plan on spending another $7000.00 to get it right. My JT rides better than stock form.

the only thing I would add to the stock Jeep would be smaller BFG KO2s, and a simple work style bed rack and bed cover. The rack lets you cart longer loads without needing a trailer.

that’s my opinion for your style of driving.

 

[JTDay]

Unless you're an absolute penny pincher (are you really though if you own a gladiator??), The gas mileage concern is practically null and void as these things get crap gas mileage stock.

I drive 20,000 miles a year. If I get 20mpg, I'll spend $3300 on gas at $3.30/gal. If I get 18mpg by adding a lift, I'll spend $3666. 3 hundred bucks over the course of a year which for me is pretty negligible. The gas mileage argument trying not to lose 1 precious mpg is mostly just positive self-talk imo.

So LIFT IT BRO! I'm going the 2" frankenlift route. It should cost about 3 grand.. that's shocks,
springs, control arms, bumps, brake lines, track bars, end links, big steering. Should be a good DD setup that articulates the way I want.

Also, welcome back to the dark side Phil ?

 

[Phil_R]

Also, welcome back to the dark side Phil ?

Hi Josh!
I wasn't sure if anyone would remember that I had a white 21 Gladiator Rubicon before. Then switching to the 22 Ford Ranger Tremor and getting back about 10 grand on trade to help support my need to take care of my one dog's knee surgery's. Damn that was expensive to help her walk. This new black Sport S is a great Jeep and as much as I would like to lift it and after reading all these replies, I may just leave it stock, for now anyway and do a small level with a spacer lift later. Yes, the $$$ saved on gas mileage does make a difference when not working anymore and being retired. Plus, the wife is going to retire soon and wants to travel. Dammit...LOL!!! Now if the economy gets better and I go back to work, then you never know what may happen. Pics below and thanks for the welcome back

 

[chorky]

I wouldn’t do anything to it if I’m not gonna trail or go rock climbing with it, because it’s a chain effect thing. U lift it, it cause some effect “perceived negatives” then you start correcting the new “problem” then it becomes an endless money pit. I learn this on my Subaru, fix every damn thing that’s likely to happen from what I read on forum. In the end I wished I had kept it stock and it would have rode much better.

If done correctly that's not always the case. It also depends on your use. When my JTR was bone stock, and it was just a 'normal' vehicle it worked...ok. But as soon as I put a canopy on it, the stock suspension was not great. Added a fridge, even worse, and by the time I had a tent on it was pretty bad. With the components and direction I personally chose, for me it is significantly better than had I left it stock. So it really depends on individual uses - and also being absolutely honest with yourself on what the actual use will be.

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