Random, but Hemi JT's vs Muscle

[MF Comics]

Humor me, since I tried to ask my friend who went from a S550 GT vert to a Hardtop JT this question and since he hasn't taken his freedom panels off his truck yet, he was team Mustang (asked if he had the $$$, hemi his truck or get another Mustang)

So to those who are thinking about it, or gonna, but also had Muscle, would you rather just get another muscle car or do a Hemi JT instead and why.

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[Jclayc]

My JT is in the shop with a rear main seal leak at 5900 miles. My loaner while in there is 2023 JL with a 392. In the week I've had it, I've been pulling a trailer with a zero turn and my first impression was the JT needs a V8, can't pull a trailer with a Mustang.

 

[MF Comics]

My JT is in the shop with a rear main seal leak at 5900 miles. My loaner while in there is 2023 JL with a 392. In the week I've had it, I've been pulling a trailer with a zero turn and my first impression was the JT needs a V8, can't pull a trailer with a Mustang.

Still, you wouldn't wanna hear that V8 rumble and roar with the top and doors off, wouldn't want the extra power to play around with on and off road?

I don't tow, so I didn't factor that in

 

[Jclayc]

Honestly, if I had deep pockets, would ditch the minivan motor and go with an L86 instead of a semi-Hemi, the JT needs a V8 even without having to tow all the time.

 

[MF Comics]

Honestly, if I had deep pockets, would ditch the minivan motor and go with an L86 instead of a semi-Hemi, the JT needs a V8 even without having to tow all the time.

Its that or a diesel in my future

ill admit, idea came thinking I either wanna Mustang or another pickup, then figure find a used one and then engine swap it

 

[Chief_jeep]

I'd much rather spend the money on a fast car than put a hemi in a JT. Yes, it'd be fun to have a hemi but it still wouldn't be fast compared to a lot of modern vehicles and it isn't a fun dynamic driving vehicle on the road. It'd be a great time in the sand dunes and fast, open trails but that's about it. Additionally, 10mpg on the small fuel tank would probably annoy me.

 

[Hootbro]

Honestly, for the cost I would just get a dedicated muscle car vehicle.

Only way I would entertain doing a full Hemi swap is going all out with lift and axles added. It would have to be on a Gladiator body/frame shell I bought for a song that either was clapped out for high mileage or a blown out drivetrain.

 

[Duece McCracken]

I have a S550 Bullitt, I would like more power in my JT. I don't want to make the gladiator unreliable, or spend 25k to increase power and bulletproof it.

A built 3.6, magnuson, upgraded clutch may scratch that itch. Boost though will be more octane reliant, which makes cross country a smidge more of a hassle.

Going Hemi would be awesome, if I could do it with more of a budget. So Im going to hold off as long as I can, lmfao

Ugh, this modding addiction is impossible to kick. Lol

 

[Nunya]

My other vehicle is 2021 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. While it's no 392 Hemi. It does have good power and fills my itch for power. The car I traded for the Gladiator was 2018 Challenger Scat Pack. I drove that car last year twice. So my need for speed has definitely changed over the years.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

Former Mustang GT and Camaro SS owner here. If money were no object (by normal people standards)…i’d do a 5.7L HEMI swap. Good bit more HP and TQ, runs on 87 octane, good fuel economy, great sound, and could reasonably expect to be able to run that without having to upgrade everything that articulates or rotates under the vehicle.

Sure, more power would be great, but I’d have no interest in more than what the 5.7L HEMI has unless I had “fuck you” money (i.e. Won a lottery) and could afford to just ship a second JT to a shop and have them go through it with an endless timeline and budget.

I’ve got no use for a two wheel drive go-cart anymore. As much as I can see the appeal, I doubt I’ll ever own another two door muscle-ish car.

 

[MarylandMojave]

I have a S550 Bullitt, I would like more power in my JT. I don't want to make the gladiator unreliable, or spend 25k to increase power and bulletproof it.

A built 3.6, magnuson, upgraded clutch may scratch that itch. Boost though will be more octane reliant, which makes cross country a smidge more of a hassle.

Going Hemi would be awesome, if I could do it with more of a budget. So Im going to hold off as long as I can, lmfao

Ugh, this modding addiction is impossible to kick. Lol

I thought the Magnuson would scratch that itch, it doesn’t. Ended up doing the 392 swap after all and the S/C was a waste of money. I’m not the only one that went that route either. Do 392 or keep stock.

 

[Chief_jeep]

Former Mustang GT and Camaro SS owner here. If money were no object (by normal people standards)…i’d do a 5.7L HEMI swap. Good bit more HP and TQ, runs on 87 octane, good fuel economy, great sound, and could reasonably expect to be able to run that without having to upgrade everything that articulates or rotates under the vehicle.

Sure, more power would be great, but I’d have no interest in more than what the 5.7L HEMI has unless I had “fuck you” money (i.e. Won a lottery) and could afford to just ship a second JT to a shop and have them go through it with an endless timeline and budget.

I’ve got no use for a two wheel drive go-cart anymore. As much as I can see the appeal, I doubt I’ll ever own another two door muscle-ish car.

I agree with the two-wheel drive go-cart part. I've been considering a second vehicle for a few months so I stop putting so many miles on my JT and can keep it as my off-road/overland vehicle for the foreseeable future. Something fun to drive is appealing and a big power rwd muscle car would be great in the summer but it'd sit in the garage all winter. It'd have to be AWD and somewhat practical as a daily. ie decent mpg, comfortable, etc.

 

[slowstang305]

A V8 Gladiator does not fulfill the adrenaline desire of owning a sports car. A dedicated sports car would be my choice.

 

[Sandevino]

My desire to go fast was abandoned a long time ago. There's nowhere to LEGALLY go fast in North Texas aside from a drag strip and straight line speed is pointless.

My other vehicle is a 2023 Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan with a mildly tuned BMW 3.0 turbo laying down 650 hp. It's fun on the freeway, gets adequate fuel mileage and gives me the smiles per mile I want with without having to cram myself into a small sports car.

 

[MarylandMojave]

A V8 Gladiator does not fulfill the adrenaline desire of owning a sports car. A dedicated sports car would be my choice.

I’d say my V8 Gladiator is more fun than my R8, you’d be surprised.

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