TJ owner thinking about moving on to a JT - input wanted.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Been a Jeep enthusiast for years. Bought a built an 04 TJ 16 years ago and drive it often still. I do fewer trips to Moab and not as much rough crawling these days. Still do an Elk hunt every year and some camping which takes me off road and over some mediocre obstacles but probably no more trips up Escalator on Hells Revenge.

While I love the TJ and still enjoy her Im starting to get an itch for a new toy. Intrigued by the Gladiator. Would love to get some input from current owners - especially anyone that has or has had a TJ, 2 door JK etc.. How is it off road in comparison?

The JT would fit more gear and people much more comfortably. I assume the ride and power would be a major upgrade and Id be able to pull my 21' bass boat with it unlike with my TJ. Leaning towards the diesel for this reason. Any thoughts on the diesel vs the 3.6L V6 gas motor?

These gladiators swallow up tires like no other rig it seems. 35s on my TJ are about right. 38s on my extra cab Ram which is obviously a lot bigger are also about right. I don't think the JTs look right on anything much smaller than 37s. Its my understanding that 37s will work on the stock 44s ok if im careful. And that with the diesel I might not even need to re-gear. Any thoughts on that?

Trying to decide also on another build or buying built. I enjoyed my last build but I have less time (and more money) these days then I did 16 years ago. More than I want to spend but Im looking at one of these builds.
https://tveauto.com/2023-jeep-gladi...ifted,bumpers,nav-carrollton-tx-75006/7199513

Would greatly appreciate any and all input.

Here is my current ol gal

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[Gvsukids]

Been a Jeep enthusiast for years. Bought a built an 04 TJ 16 years ago and drive it often still. I do fewer trips to Moab and not as much rough crawling these days. Still do an Elk hunt every year and some camping which takes me off road and over some mediocre obstacles but probably no more trips up Escalator on Hells Revenge.

While I love the TJ and still enjoy her Im starting to get an itch for a new toy. Intrigued by the Gladiator. Would love to get some input from current owners - especially anyone that has or has had a TJ, 2 door JK etc.. How is it off road in comparison?

The JT would fit more gear and people much more comfortably. I assume the ride and power would be a major upgrade and Id be able to pull my 21' bass boat with it unlike with my TJ. Leaning towards the diesel for this reason. Any thoughts on the diesel vs the 3.6L V6 gas motor?

These gladiators swallow up tires like no other rig it seems. 35s on my TJ are about right. 38s on my extra cab Ram which is obviously a lot bigger are also about right. I don't think the JTs look right on anything much smaller than 37s. Its my understanding that 37s will work on the stock 44s ok if im careful. And that with the diesel I might not even need to re-gear. Any thoughts on that?

Trying to decide also on another build or buying built. I enjoyed my last build but I have less time (and more money) these days then I did 16 years ago. More than I want to spend but Im looking at one of these builds.
https://tveauto.com/2023-jeep-gladi...ifted,bumpers,nav-carrollton-tx-75006/7199513

Would greatly appreciate any and all input.

Here is my current ol gal

Gladiator with longer wheelbase will turtle more. Longer wheelbase is better for traveling and for towing.
Many threads detailing gas versus diesel.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I remember your name and Jeep from JF.

 

[Andy29847]

I loved my TJ. I love the Gladiator more! The extra room is part of the new love. My TJ was low miles and in fabulous shape. I towed it all over the country so I could wheel it in exotic places. It never let me down. However, it was noisy inside, always smelled like a machine, and not much fun on the highway. The new Jeeps are worlds ahead of the old ones regarding comfort and performance. The negative is the complexity of the systems on the new Jeeps. Cruising the forums will find endless discussions about the dual battery stop/start system. Not to mention that the 3.6 engine has a reputation for valve train issues. FWIW, my 2020 Gladiator has been trouble free since I bought it.

 

[MrClortho]

Its hard to compare because the Gladiator is so much more of everything but each has its place. More comfort, room, size, towing, so they are almost apples to oranges. I still have the old TJ, but not much longer. My TJ has a long arm kit, 35's and gobs of mods but after a year with the JT have decided to sell the TJ and put the money into the JT. The TJ is a beast and I am not afraid of dents and scratches, but it is no picnic to drive more than maybe an hour. Over time, I realized the TJ sits and the JT gets driven.

I never intended for the JT to be much more than a mildly leveled utility Jeep/truck but after a few wheeling trips, I fell in love with it despite its size. It is so sure footed and so much less drama off-road, but I am not getting any younger. Take a Wrangler and add gobs more functionality and utility, but subtract breakover and such but again was surprised and how well the JT wheels. I drove the JT 1,400 miles in two days, wheeled for 5 days and drove it back...no way in heck would I do that in the TJ. I wheeled, hunted and cut a bed's worth of firewood for camp and whiskey that night, which wound not have happened in the TJ either.

The TJ is seeping out of every orifice and needs some wrench time and money, but I found myself procrastinating and taking the JT everywhere. Last week I resolved it was time to turn the JT into a much more serious rig at the expense of the TJ. I knew once the Clayton lift and 37's went on, I just would not use the TJ much at all anymore other than the occasional drive down memory lane with two hands gripped tightly on the wheel.

I'll miss it, but I don't think as much as I expected to.

 

[Idaho-Jeep]

Its hard to compare because the Gladiator is so much more of everything but each has its place.....

Thanks for the response... Makes a lot of sense to me and I think I would end up coming to the same conclusion if I were to keep the TJ and get a JT. If I was wheeling as hard as I used to or going to Moab every year it would be different. While I still enjoy driving the TJ especially with the top and doors off in the summer I would enjoy the advantages the JT has more than Id miss any the TJ had.

 

[Oilburner]

I'm on my 3rd Ecodiesel in 3 different Jeeps so I guess I like them. The Gladiator is the Jeep I always wanted.
I still have my '06 LJ Rubicon, have no plans to ever sell it.

 

[PlayfulBird]

Keep the TJ and buy the JT anyways

 

[Idaho-Jeep]

Keep the TJ and buy the JT anyways

Ha... I like the way you think... and yes that would be an ideal plan. My issue is space. Id have to get rid of one of my other toys... At the moment it would be a C7 Z06 Corvette and I don't think I can get rid of that for a TJ even if its one I built. Ive considered gifting it to one of my sons just to keep it around but they would probably just tear it up or kill themselves on the highway with it.

 

[PlayfulBird]

they would probably just tear it up or kill themselves on the highway with it

suspect so. I tried getting one of the youngones to drive stick with no abs and rear wheel drive, ... nightmare even on dry roads...

I am in the same boat, the JT is premium, but space is premiumer.... Germany, near the city... no space. A garage (won't even fit the JT will cost me about 400$)
However it makes me look at the JT as the vehicle that needs to do it all and I wish we had a trail rig.
Can't argue with keeping the corvette, dream vehicle for sure... luckily my 150lbs dog kinda told me that that (and EU fuel costs) isn't in the cards right now anyway

 

[Blade1668]

Same here as "Oilburner" not selling my 05 LJ. or my XJ's and MJ. To many memories with most of mine.

Damn, I might have a Jeep addiction.

 

[rr11]

That's a beautiful TJ. I have had two TJs, still have a 05. Would still have the first one if my wife hadn't totaled it out. The JT is longer wheel base so some people worry about rear overhang. My TJ has a 4" lift. My JT is stock height and rides on Rubicon take off rims and tires. I live in Fl so I don't rock crawl, for running on the beach and hunting I have no issues. The JT is a much better daily driver and highway machine. I pull a 22' bay boat approx. 4000 pounds with out issues. Granted my longest trip towing was to Key West 600 miles no hills to speak of. I have 67000 miles over 3 years with no issues. That said I will keep my TJ, my wife loves it.

 

[Fastwake]

Keep the TJ and buy the JT anyways

Lol. That’s what I did. I have a TJ with 52 K miles and in mint condition and bought a new Gladiator. If I had to sell one it would be the TJ. Then I bought a new Bronco Sport. If I was forced to sell anything I would keep the 2 jeeps and sell the Bronco. I am fortunate enough to have a 4 car garage

 

[rharr]

The JT is huge compared to TJ so be warned. I am coming off a XJ which seemed tiny compared to JT when driving around town.

It's about the same size as a 2005 suburban

 

[InvertedLogic]

I also had a TJ and loved that thing, but I had to get real with myself about what my needs were and what I actually wanted to do. The JT is enormous compared to the TJ. If you find yourself in super tight wooded areas all the time, or if rock crawling is your thing, you'll quickly find the length and breakover angle pretty annoying. Personally, I find that out west the trails are so wide, and the areas are so open that the JT can fit about anywhere. I don't really rock crawl anymore, so the JT is just the camping rig/base camp for hiking and MTB. MTB gives me my offroad fix and I get a killer workout along the way. I really like the extra space and the truck bed is super handy for doing house stuff or hauling random gear.

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