Jeep Gladiator Dark Sky Announced

[JTGuy]

So if all my solid Mods are worth almost nothing , what will some factory stickers be worth in a month.

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[Gvsukids]

Not quite getting the name. What is dark sky about it?

https://emmetcounty.org/experiences/headlands/index.php

https://darkskymichigan.org/

 

[Badunit]

The majority of the midsize pickup market doesn't want a noisy brick with mediocre handling and minimal creature comforts. They want a family vehicle that can haul things home from Home Depot and Best Buy.

They could definitely work on the road handling. The problem is not entirely solid axle vs IFS or recirculating ball steering vs rack and pinion. The suspension either has a geometry problem and/or is unbalanced/mistuned and the factory steering gear (even the steel one) is crap. I've been throwing money at my JT to get it to handle and steer properly, or at least acceptably. Mopar long control arms, toe-in close to 0 degrees, Bilstein shocks, stiffer rear coils, Falcon steering stabilizer, and, most recently, a PSC steering gear. I'm not sure I'm done yet but it is so much more enjoyable to drive now. The PSC gear in particular made a big difference. It has no play in it, no dead spot. It is an excellent (but pricy) upgrade that makes a world of difference.

On the positive side for the JT, when I was looking in 2023, it was the only small truck I found with an adult-sized (or teen-sized) backseat area, with headroom and legroom. All others were suitable only for young kids or short kids with no legs. None but the JT had adult-sized (or teen-sized) headroom.

 

[Uparms]

The only way they are going to boost sales is to go IFS and non removable roof/doors. The majority of the midsize pickup market doesn't want a noisy brick with mediocre handling and minimal creature comforts. They want a family vehicle that can haul things home from Home Depot and Best Buy.

Jeep was always going to run out of customers for the Gladiator, it's a niche vehicle.

Wow, i hope your not referring to the JT. My Sport JT even with the AEV 2.5 RT and 35s is tight and quiet and has more creature comforts then almost any vehicle I have owned ( or that I wanted to build it with). Love my JT!

 

[MikeNH]

... Bronco's are currently the only vehicle that come with 35's factory installed.

F-150 Raptor
The Bison ZR2 Colorado/Canyon
The Rubicon on the Wrangler has a 35 option
I believe the F-250 Tremor

I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting/unaware of.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The suspension either has a geometry problem and/or is unbalanced/mistuned and the factory steering gear (even the steel one) is crap.

On my third and I can't say there are any handling issues at all. In fact, I've written about 3 years ago about how well these handle at high speeds moving in and out of traffic, passing anything in our way in a race against a fast moving storm.
I never felt it handled any worse - in fact, I'd say under the driving conditions I was forcing it through, it did better than any truck I have ever owned. IFS or not.
It's responsive and does what I want. So much so, the JTs have been my daily drivers since my first one. About the only thing that did better was maybe my WJ but then look at the lower center of gravity with the WJ vs the JT or JL.

My son and his wife both agree that my Gladiators have far better back seat room than my beast Silverado had (and he's over 6')

I've never thought my JTs handled poorly other than when the 2020 had a steering gear that literally got worse over time and even the service advisor said "yeah, these should not do that".

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Other than a bigger engine (which a small very vocal segment wants and Jeep will never deliver)

There, that's closer to reality.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So if all my solid Mods are worth almost nothing , what will some factory stickers be worth in a month.

Mods are very different - can't compare at all. Factory options or features count. It's why those ADD when you configure on KBB and other sites.
Apples and rocks, not even oranges.

 

[ecidiego]

Please put the Mojave wheel on this one Jeep ..


lol

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

 

[Figmo]

There, that's closer to reality.

Maybe. I don't know the numbers.

But I do know it's night and day difference between my Bronco and the Gladiator. Sometimes I forget what I'm driving and stomp on the go pedal and think, "what's wrong with this thing?". Then I remember, "oh yeah, I'm in the Gladiator".

I just really wish it had more acceleration.

(and I've got stock 33's on my Rubi while 37's under the Broncro)

Don't get me wrong. I like 'em both. I can't haul a couch or tow a car hauler trailer with the Bronco. But that twin turbo in the Bronco really makes it a joy drive and I do miss that when driving the Gladiator.

 

[Sweetums]

The one thing that it would need is selectable red/white interior lights. That's your "dark sky" gimmick so you can stargaze without ruining your night vision with white interior lights.

 

[JeepDaddyJT]

best post ever !!!!


i think i'd take the the HO Hurricane over the hemi imho

 

[Gvsukids]

But that twin turbo in the Bronco really makes it a joy drive and I do miss that when driving the Gladiator.

This is what makes the Bronco Sport Badlands with the 2.0 so much fun.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Maybe. I don't know the numbers.

But I do know it's night and day difference between my Bronco and the Gladiator. Sometimes I forget what I'm driving and stomp on the go pedal and think, "what's wrong with this thing?". Then I remember, "oh yeah, I'm in the Gladiator".

I just really wish it had more acceleration.

(and I've got stock 33's on my Rubi while 37's under the Broncro)

Don't get me wrong. I like 'em both. I can't haul a couch or tow a car hauler trailer with the Bronco. But that twin turbo in the Bronco really makes it a joy drive and I do miss that when driving the Gladiator.

Some of that is the throttle mapping, not lack of power.

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