Is Jeep going to have to build a super Gladiator?

[cafecito]

It doesn’t really need much to be perfect, in my opinion. Hemi, factory 35’s, and 4.88 gearing and I don’t think there would be anything to complain about.

My two cents…they went with shit engine options. Really hard to process why they didn’t just go with the 5.7L Hemi. Other than that would have been too obvious/made too much sense.

This. All of the shit they change to accommodate a "max tow package" on the 3.6L, and you have to ask... why not just use the most common engine from the Ram 1500s? You already borrowed parts from it for the Gladiator anyway. It's such an obvious choice that would have made so many owners (myself included) so much more content with their purchases.

I'm going to be trading mine in sometime in the coming months, and the two big reasons:
1. It's not impossible, but it's way harder than it needs to be to get stuff in and out of the back seat. It's already cramped back there, but the cutaway that they kept from the Wrangler takes up so much ingress real estate that even with the seats out, it's a pain to get larger objects (like dogs) in and out). I opened up the back of a Ram 1500 recently and my heart sank when I realized what "actual trucks" had in terms of space.
2. The engine.

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[Dryfly24]

This. All of the shit they change to accommodate a "max tow package" on the 3.6L, and you have to ask... why not just use the most common engine from the Ram 1500s? You already borrowed parts from it for the Gladiator anyway. It's such an obvious choice that would have made so many owners (myself included) so much more content with their purchases.

I'm going to be trading mine in sometime in the coming months, and the two big reasons:
1. It's not impossible, but it's way harder than it needs to be to get stuff in and out of the back seat. It's already cramped back there, but the cutaway that they kept from the Wrangler takes up so much ingress real estate that even with the seats out, it's a pain to get larger objects (like dogs) in and out). I opened up the back of a Ram 1500 recently and my heart sank when I realized what "actual trucks" had in terms of space.
2. The engine.

I get what you’re saying and that’s fine, but I think people are losing sight of the purpose for these trucks in the first place And that is: These trucks are not Rams or any other regular, average, everyday commonplace pickup truck. They are unique and purpose built in between’ers. Yes. I made the word up.

If you want a regular pickup, you can find one pretty easily. In fact you’re spoiled for choice. However if you want something like a Wrangler but with Pickup like properties - which was exactly what I wanted - you only have one option and that’s the JT. Of course it’s going to have to make compromises. I knew that going in and I’m fine with that. Especially since those compromises aren’t really that big a deal to me.

The things this truck does do better than other common pickups are worth far more to me than the compromises people are complaining about.

Edited to add, could they have done it better? Of course. There are always improvements to be made in the natural course of development in any design. But for what they were intended to be, I’d say these things are pretty damn good right out of the gate. . .

 

[dcmdon]

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2024-chevrolet-colorado-zr2-bison-first-look-review/?lid=x12dfbtcp9fp&eml=organic:eml:brz2&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=emaileditorial

Is Jeep going to have to build a super Gladiator, or are the Mojave and Rubicon already there?

At the end of the day, a Mojave or Rubicon will probably out perform all of these stock, but they don’t have the sexy engine numbers or tires stock that non-enthuasists will look to

I think an XR package on the JT would go a long way to address this competition, but until Stellantis stops trying to satisfy WEF EV requirements, it's going to be a loser on the engine front. Maybe the Hurricane will save us

I've got XR wheels/tires on an otherwise stock Mojave. I get compliments on it almost daily.

 

[BAT]

This. All of the shit they change to accommodate a "max tow package" on the 3.6L, and you have to ask... why not just use the most common engine from the Ram 1500s? You already borrowed parts from it for the Gladiator anyway. It's such an obvious choice that would have made so many owners (myself included) so much more content with their purchases.

I'm going to be trading mine in sometime in the coming months, and the two big reasons:
1. It's not impossible, but it's way harder than it needs to be to get stuff in and out of the back seat. It's already cramped back there, but the cutaway that they kept from the Wrangler takes up so much ingress real estate that even with the seats out, it's a pain to get larger objects (like dogs) in and out). I opened up the back of a Ram 1500 recently and my heart sank when I realized what "actual trucks" had in terms of space.
2. The engine.

All of those things were known and well documented many times way before you bought your gladiator yet you still bought it over a Ram 1500 which sounds like what you wanted is a full-size truck. I put my dog and dog crate in and out of the back seat all the time. I load my back seat up with more kayak/camping gear than most people would ever put back there and sure while I wish it was the back seat area like my old Ram 1500 it can still hold a bunch of stuff.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Out perform? How? On 33s? With a 2012 engine? No trail dig? No underbody cameras? The features on these new trucks make gladiators look like 1990s era tech. Absolutely nothing special to them technology wise. I say that like a father who wants his kids to simply be better, and call a spade a spade. Right now, Jeep is far and away the back of the pack, sharing space with the Nissan Frontier for relevance.

Of course, stand by for "BuT CaN IT TakE tHe DoOrs OfF?" crowd that's content with Jeep bringing up the rear.

They make money off of them And plenty of it the way they are, why improve. Less is better as far as I'm concerned and that's good enough for most people who buy them or they just simple wouldn't buy them. You can get a well equiped Rubicon with everything you need tech wise pretty much and yeah, the doors and top do come off. If people didn't buy them they would probably rethink their strategy but as it stands, it's a money maker.

 

[cafecito]

All of those things were known and well documented many times way before you bought your gladiator yet you still bought it over a Ram 1500 which sounds like what you wanted is a full-size truck. I put my dog and dog crate in and out of the back seat all the time. I load my back seat up with more kayak/camping gear than most people would ever put back there and sure while I wish it was the back seat area like my old Ram 1500 it can still hold a bunch of stuff.

1. You don't know when or why I bought my Gladiator. Nor do you know how my life has changed since buying it.
2. Good for you. We have two dogs, and they barely fit in the backseat together.
3. More to your point - how the hell was I supposed to know that the 3.6L would be such a dog in the Gladiator without owning one? I watched every YouTube review I could get my hands on. Virtually none of them said anything about lacking for power. A 2 minute test drive at the dealer doesn't tell you a goddamn thing.

If you like your Gladiator, great. Honestly, great. But trying to paint me or any other dissatisfied Gladiator owner as being even partially to blame for their dissatisfaction is especially stupid considering how new these vehicles are.

Next time you go to a restaurant you don't like, remind to inform you that there are negative reviews online that you could have paid attention to. See how not helpful that is?

 

[HappyGladiator]

I removed the 60% side of the rear seat and put some carpet down on the floor. Now my 120 pound Bernese has plenty of room to sleep even on long trips. The 40% side is still there for a 3rd person.
In 2003 I bought a diesel Ram 2500 with the 5.9,,,, well the 3.0 turbo diesel has the same HP and torque. I wish I would have gotten the diesel for the power and MPG.

 

[BAT]

1. You don't know when or why I bought my Gladiator. Nor do you know how my life has changed since buying it.
2. Good for you. We have two dogs, and they barely fit in the backseat together.
3. More to your point - how the hell was I supposed to know that the 3.6L would be such a dog in the Gladiator without owning one? I watched every YouTube review I could get my hands on. Virtually none of them said anything about lacking for power. A 2 minute test drive at the dealer doesn't tell you a goddamn thing.

If you like your Gladiator, great. Honestly, great. But trying to paint me or any other dissatisfied Gladiator owner as being even partially to blame for their dissatisfaction is especially stupid considering how new these vehicles are.

Next time you go to a restaurant you don't like, remind to inform you that there are negative reviews online that you could have paid attention to. See how not helpful that is?

Whoop de do you put two dogs. I put two people and a dog and sometimes 3 people in the back of mine. No one has had any complaints. 3.6 is fine for 95% of owners. Lacking for power for what towing ? Sure it lacks it somewhat but that was know from the start with these trucks. Most people seem to want better gas mileage over power. Sorry to say but it ain't the truck its you.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

This. All of the shit they change to accommodate a "max tow package" on the 3.6L, and you have to ask... why not just use the most common engine from the Ram 1500s? You already borrowed parts from it for the Gladiator anyway. It's such an obvious choice that would have made so many owners (myself included) so much more content with their purchases.

I'm going to be trading mine in sometime in the coming months, and the two big reasons:
1. It's not impossible, but it's way harder than it needs to be to get stuff in and out of the back seat. It's already cramped back there, but the cutaway that they kept from the Wrangler takes up so much ingress real estate that even with the seats out, it's a pain to get larger objects (like dogs) in and out). I opened up the back of a Ram 1500 recently and my heart sank when I realized what "actual trucks" had in terms of space.
2. The engine.

My last truck was a ‘16 Ram 1500. To me…at the end of the day…the Gladiator is a Jeep that can do a lot of truck stuff well, but there were definitely trade-offs to keep the Jeep function and aesthetic. The only thing I would have been happy incorporating from the Ram into the 1500 is the engine and transmission. Everything else about it (i.e. The size of it)…if I wanted a ”1/2 ton” class truck…that‘s what I’d be driving.

I enjoyed my Ram and interior wise…it was one of the most comfortable vehicles that I’ve ever owned (i.e. I comfortably did a 15 hour road trip in one day), but it was huge. More of everything truck, which is great. At the end of the day…folks have to decide what works best for them. For a LOT of folks, a Ram is just going to make more sense. Especially as an only vehicle.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I don’t think Jeep has to build a “super gladiator”. They produce the only solid axle vehicle that you can easily/cheaply put 37s on. However, they are usually competitive in the off-road segment. Fords producing the bronco raptor on 37s and coilovers and the ranger raptor. Then Toyotas new trd is going to have much more power and feel quicker, albeit hybrid and Chevy with the new Colorado engines. I’d be very surprised if Jeep doesn’t utilize the hurricane motor in the future. It’s efficient and can produce a lot of power.

I’d love to see a hurricane option on 37s with 60s from the factory. I don’t really want more tech that will break. If Jeep could paint and/or insulate the roof that would be huge. I get it, they come off but it looks cheap in a 60k vehicle.

The 3.6 is fine on a stock setup. But many people do heavy modifications. Once you have a heavier rig with steel bumpers, sliders, winch, skids, loaded with gear on 37s-40s it drives like a dog. I understand that isn’t the manufacturers intended use but tons of people are doing that. Another example would be a Jeep on 35s towing an overland trailer. Yes, it can do it but not easily.

I have complaints about the vehicle but everything is a trade off and overall it’s fantastic for my intended use.

 

[Orange01z28]

My last truck was a ‘16 Ram 1500. To me…at the end of the day…the Gladiator is a Jeep that can do a lot of truck stuff well, but there were definitely trade-offs to keep the Jeep function and aesthetic. The only thing I would have been happy incorporating from the Ram into the 1500 is the engine and transmission. Everything else about it (i.e. The size of it)…if I wanted a ”1/2 ton” class truck…that‘s what I’d be driving.

I enjoyed my Ram and interior wise…it was one of the most comfortable vehicles that I’ve ever owned (i.e. I comfortably did a 15 hour road trip in one day), but it was huge. More of everything truck, which is great. At the end of the day…folks have to decide what works best for them. For a LOT of folks, a Ram is just going to make more sense. Especially as an only vehicle.

This is true, but Jeeps aren't supposed to make sense. That's what makes them Jeeps

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

This is true, but Jeeps aren't supposed to make sense. That's what makes them Jeeps

Exactly.

 

[SpeedNeed]

Factoid: In Q1 2023 sales of the Wrangler 4xe exceeded sales of the Gladiator.

Jeep sales as a whole were down 20% in Q1. If we see similar for Q2, my crystal ball predicts:

(a) A significant set of incentives in Q3/Q4 to move some metal off of lots, and pushing used values down with them. Big picture it’s not a good time to buy.

(b) An “industry standard“ response to declining unit sales is to equip new models for for more profit per unit sold. Every new feature or option carries a profit margin, so more features and options will be packaged and pushed into the new vehicles. MSRP’s will rise.

I have no idea how quickly they could pivot to offer a “Super Gladiator”. But I’m saying - if ever, now is when they would want to do it.

If I were Stellantis, I’d roll it out. I’d offer the 392 Gladiator but only as a package with the wider wheels, steel bumper, factory lift, electric seats, premium leather, all option packages as standard, unique color and decals, a duck-holding dashboard and anything else I could find laying around. A $100k extravaganza.

To be clear, I’m not saying it’s what’s we WANT, I’m suggesting it’s what we’ll GET.

 

[saintpauljeff]

Everyone really thinks the rear seating room in the Gladiator is too small? I sat in the previous gen Ranger & Colorado and could barely fit my legs (i'm 5'11") so I couldn't ever imagine being a passenger in those things. Maybe the current gen are longer...

 

[Beowulf]

It would be super easy to build the Mojavicon XR package with a 392, or the 4XE engine. I would pull the trigger immediately.

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