If you were in Jeep Management, what changes would you make to the Gladiator?

[RShip]

Bring back a diesel and offer the Extreme Recon package in all trims.

I gotta say I was surprised they did away with the diesel. I had one and was very impressed with the torque and overall engine performance.

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[RShip]

A bare bones, offroad capable work truck. With a substantial price decrease to reflect it.

I think that's a good idea. I would add a V8 to the work truck version too.

 

[RShip]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

"Give the people what they want."

 

[MoparToYou]

How do you like the 392 off road? I hated mine off road on the pavement it was awesome. Sold mine and bought another diesel

I have grown to really like the 392 off road, to the point that it has become my favorite Jeep powertrain for off road use. I've never had a diesel Jeep, but I like the 392 better than the 2.0 or 3.6, which are better than the 3.8 was. The 4.0 was good offroad but fell on its face on the highway. The 4.2 was nothing to brag about. And so on ...

You have to learn to drive a 392 though, because it is different than other Jeeps. I've done the Rubicon, the tougher trails in Moab, and a lot of other trails, and I figured out that in the most difficult and technical terrain that I can just put it in 4 LO and let it idle through most terrain. If I want to go faster, I use the paddle shifter to shift up, and if I want to go slower, I use the paddle shifter to slow down. A 392 makes 75% of its peak torque when it is idling, so about 350 ft. lbs at idle. The 3.6 in a Gladiator makes 150 ft lbs at idle. If I get into a place where I need more than a touch of the throttle, I drive with both feet, one on gas and one on the brake, and it is very easy to control.

Now they just need to put a 392 XR package in a Gladiator, with 4.56 gears and 35s as standard equipment. If they do, our Gladiator Mojave gets traded in the first day it is available.

 

[RShip]

I'm reading some great ideas here. If there's one thing Jeep owners do, it's think outside the box. But at the same time, some of you are thinking more along the lines of simplicity and going back to the older versions of engines and accoutrements. Nothing wrong with either in my opinion. Sometimes change is good, other times it's unnecessary. I like the idea of a V8 for the Gladiator, a work truck version and 35's stock. Definitely need a diesel option again. I would like to see built to order rigs too, with your choice of lift options, tire size and gearing from the factory so you don't have to wait to do it all after you get the truck home.

 

[Koolcarguy]

I have grown to really like the 392 off road, to the point that it has become my favorite Jeep powertrain for off road use. I've never had a diesel Jeep, but I like the 392 better than the 2.0 or 3.6, which are better than the 3.8 was. The 4.0 was good offroad but fell on its face on the highway. The 4.2 was nothing to brag about. And so on ...

You have to learn to drive a 392 though, because it is different than other Jeeps. I've done the Rubicon, the tougher trails in Moab, and a lot of other trails, and I figured out that in the most difficult and technical terrain that I can just put it in 4 LO and let it idle through most terrain. If I want to go faster, I use the paddle shifter to shift up, and if I want to go slower, I use the paddle shifter to slow down. A 392 makes 75% of its peak torque when it is idling, so about 350 ft. lbs at idle. The 3.6 in a Gladiator makes 150 ft lbs at idle. If I get into a place where I need more than a touch of the throttle, I drive with both feet, one on gas and one on the brake, and it is very easy to control.

Now they just need to put a 392 XR package in a Gladiator, with 4.56 gears and 35s as standard equipment. If they do, our Gladiator Mojave gets traded in the first day it is available.

I've owned 30+ Jeeps have 7 at the moment. I've had 401 Cj's and 304 Cj a couple with small blocks over the years my 392 was awesome just didn't care for the extra weight in the front and trying to manage the power. The diesel is in my opinion the very best option for off road Jeep has ever had excellent fuel mileage all the torque I've ever needed with 37's . Plus if I really wanted to go fast I'd drive one of my Challenger's or street rods. The 392 is a super cool Jeep just not for me off road.

 

[BillyP]

Affordable Gladiators…the prices are too high. For the prices asked a 5.7 should be standard, which will never happen. Make the 3.6 a cheap option for new buyers that will be happy with it. That is my biggest complaint, the underpowered 3.6. Gladiators weigh 4.8k-5.8k pounds stock…too heavy for the 3.6 in my opinion.
Once again, affordable:
Factory option for Dana 60’s
Factory option for a 5.7 or a 392, buyers choice.
Factory option for 35’s.
A diesel that has more hp and torque than a 5.7 hemi.
The diesel should’ve been a major upgrade over the 3.6, not less horsepower than the 3.6. Torque is obviously better, but it is still lacking compared to what it should’ve been. The 3.0 should’ve had at least 300 hp. Think about the HD trucks, diesels vs gas motors, more hp and a lot more torque than the gas V8’s. Should be the same for Jeeps.
Okay, I’ve ranted enough.

 

[Chris A]

Get rid of the 3.6, make a inline straight 6 torque monster. Offer both Manuel and auto in the transmission. Lower the seat and add a bit more tilt. Change price entering around 30,000 and ^ and it would be golden

Lower the seat? This one of the things I prefer on the Jeep and hate on the Taco.

 

[smlobx]

W O W!

I have been watching TK’s Garage for about a year now and he seems to have some legit inside sources and several of the things he has said about Stelantis did in fact come true.

So he is saying that in ‘26 Jeep will offer the 5.7 hemi in the Gladiator as an “affordable” option!!

Sign me up!

 

[Greg_L]

For those of you wishing for an inline engine over a V for "better torque"....that's complete nonsense.

 

[Koolcarguy]

Affordable Gladiators…the prices are too high. For the prices asked a 5.7 should be standard, which will never happen. Make the 3.6 a cheap option for new buyers that will be happy with it. That is my biggest complaint, the underpowered 3.6. Gladiators weigh 4.8k-5.8k pounds stock…too heavy for the 3.6 in my opinion.
Once again, affordable:
Factory option for Dana 60’s
Factory option for a 5.7 or a 392, buyers choice.
Factory option for 35’s.
A diesel that has more hp and torque than a 5.7 hemi.
The diesel should’ve been a major upgrade over the 3.6, not less horsepower than the 3.6. Torque is obviously better, but it is still lacking compared to what it should’ve been. The 3.0 should’ve had at least 300 hp. Think about the HD trucks, diesels vs gas motors, more hp and a lot more torque than the gas V8’s. Should be the same for Jeeps.
Okay, I’ve ranted enough.

Have you had an opportunity to drive the 3.0 diesel? As a guy that's had both several of each there's no comparison the 3.0 is a monster compared to the 3.6 in my opinion it has no lack for power like the 3.6 I do think a gear option in the diesel goes along way 4.10 would be an improvement for sure

 

[MoparToYou]

I've owned 30+ Jeeps have 7 at the moment. I've had 401 Cj's and 304 Cj a couple with small blocks over the years my 392 was awesome just didn't care for the extra weight in the front and trying to manage the power. The diesel is in my opinion the very best option for off road Jeep has ever had excellent fuel mileage all the torque I've ever needed with 37's . Plus if I really wanted to go fast I'd drive one of my Challenger's or street rods. The 392 is a super cool Jeep just not for me off road.

It sounds like our Jeep ownership has been similar over the years, both in number and type of Jeeps. We also own a Challenger. It doesn't get driven much, it is a 2019 and just turned over 7,000 miles. Just yesterday my wife and I did a 120-mile drive to do some shopping in a bigger town, and I said, "let's take the Challenger". Boy does that drive nice on the highway, it was a great trip.

You live in Colorado; I live in southwest Utah. I'll bet we would have lots to talk about. Meet up in Moab for some wheeling someday? I'll be there next weekend for a Trail of the Month ride with the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, plus another couple of trails for Presidents Day weekend. Everyone knows Presidents Day is the first trip to Moab each year.

 

[gravely]

Lower the seat? This one of the things I prefer on the Jeep and hate on the Taco.

Well if they made it more adjustable to accommodate little of everyone I guess would work

 

[BlackRuby23]

For me, a refined Pentastar v6 offering somewhere in the vicinity of 325 hp, with 25 mpg+ on the highway, is much preferable to a thirsty v8. Between my vehicles, motorcycles and tractor, I spend a lot on fuel. Efficiency, especially in light of spiking fuel prices where I live out west, is more attractive than melting the tires off the rim in some bold display of power.

 

[Mad Mac]

For those of you wishing for an inline engine over a V for "better torque"....that's complete nonsense.

Search Labs | AI Overview

Generally, an inline engine, particularly an inline-six, is often considered to produce better torque at lower RPMs compared to a V engine due to its inherent design advantages like smoother power delivery and better balance, making it a preferred choice when prioritizing torque production.

Key points about inline engines and torque:

• Balanced design:
  Inline engines, especially inline-sixes, have a naturally balanced design which minimizes vibrations and contributes to smooth power delivery, leading to better torque production.
  
  
• Firing order:
  The consistent firing order in an inline engine provides a more even torque curve, while a V engine can experience slight torque fluctuations due to its angled cylinder arrangement.
  
  
• Crankshaft length:
  Inline engines usually have a longer crankshaft compared to V engines, which can contribute to better torque delivery.

However, it's important to note that:

• Engine specifics matter:
  While inline engines generally have a torque advantage, the specific design and engineering of both the inline and V engine will significantly impact the final torque output.
• Modern technology:
  With advanced engine technology, the gap between inline and V engines in terms of torque can be minimized.

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