Thoughts after Two Months of Ownership

[aujeepgirl23]

Hey Everyone - it’s been two months since I brought home my Gladiator. I traded in my 2020 Punk’n JLUR with about 85,000 miles on it. I had added 2.5 inch lift and 35’s with Fuel wheels. I got a really nice deal on a leftover 2024 Willy’s in Firecracker Red. Below are some thoughts and questions if anyone cares to read on…

- I love the Firecracker Red, but man…still missing that Punk’n.
- My Wrangler was the 2.0 engine…I definitely DO NOT miss the sound of that engine lol. I’m enjoying the “quieter” (no whine/rattle) of the V6. I do miss the “punch” of the 2.0 though…this V6 is not as responsive.
- I would like to put a 3 inch lift and at least 35s, however, I’m concerned about the 3.73. If I’m already feeling a lag, how much more will it be with heavier tires?
- I’m not sure why it’s so hard to determine my tow capacity. I think I’ve confirmed my trim is only 4000 pounds. I know it’s not a tow vehicle, but was def hoping to have more of an increase over the Wrangler.
- The longer wheelbase improved the road manners.
- I didn’t realize that this one didn’t have the blind side monitoring or rear alert. I didn’t think I would miss it as I always double check mirrors, etc. but wish i had that extra check as i’m getting used to the longer vehicle.
- It seems to idle pretty rough - vibrating. Not sure if this is normal or not. The RMP doesn’t jump up or anything, but the engine makes some different noises. Again, I’m used to the 2.0 engine, so it may just be in my head.
- I’m enjoying the 87 gas…saves a little bit at the pump.
- Speaking of that, I’m getting really low MPG…like 14. I’m in FL so it’s flat, but mainly city driving. Maybe my lead foot leads to that as i’m still trying to get the acceleration i had with the 2.0. I have 3500 miles…is the engine still in a break in period?
- There’s much more I want to do with it, but mainly keeping it simple upgrades while I continue to get used to it. I haven’t used the bed for much and I think the biggest decision is … which will I get the most use out of? the truck bed or the wrangler cargo area.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Any suggestions or tips for a first time Gladiator owner are much appreciated.

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[Jaxmax]

Welcome, 4,000 pounds sounds low, do you have a manual transmission? Most Gladiators with auto transmission and the tow package are at about 6,000 pounds , Rubicon is about 7,000 and the sport with Max Tow option and small wheels is about 7,600. Looks like a Willys edtion by the tires and hood decal. My mileage was very low until about 4500-5000 miles then it went up a lot, I have a Mojave with lower gearing and bigger wider factory tires and get 17-18 around town and 20 highway. I also love Punkin, but it was not an option on the Glady when I ordered one.....Jack

 

[legacy_etu]

Punk’n is beautiful. That’s what I wanted.

My mpg increased at around 6k miles. That said I see now 17-18 around town and 19 freeway. Less in winter on that lousy winter fuel. I also have the Mojave so not directly comparable to you since I have 4.10 gears and larger tires. I’ve never driven the 2.0 but I did drive a Willys and a Mojave and I definitely felt the 4.10 gears made it feel punchier/ more responsive than the Willys with the 3.73’s.

A rough idle is definitely not the norm. For the V6. Mine idles so smooth that I often can’t even tell if it’s running without looking at the tach. Might want to keep an eye on that.

 

[ShastaJT6]

When I bought mine, I specifically wanted the orange, but they werent making Gladdys in that color

Youll definitely need to regear for the 35s, Ive been running 4.56s for a while now (with heavy 12.5 wheels and 35s + 3.5" lift) and have been pretty happy with it. For light towing it handles well, but if youll be pulling something like an RV or going to 37s later, you probably want to go for 4.88. That topic has been beat into the ground and lots of threads with good info.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

- I’m not sure why it’s so hard to determine my tow capacity. I think I’ve confirmed my trim is only 4000 pounds. I know it’s not a tow vehicle, but was def hoping to have more of an increase over the Wrangler.

Here's the Willys specs - (she has a 2024, no manual, it's automatic)
Payload starts at 950 - mods and accessories and FACTORY OPTIONS will drop that under 900 pounds.
Towing is a flat 6,000 - however, larger tires and other mods will also impact that (larger tires mean less braking ability, you just lose some of that towing ability with lifts and mods)

 

[Metalhead]

Congrats I bought my gladiator sport s 2 months ago also. Traded 2012 wrangler for it. I think the gladiator really gets up and goes better than my wrangler. The 8 speed automatic really wakes up the V6 in my opinion. Though I do have the max tow package with 4:10 gears so that may have something to do with it. I'm only seeing 14mpg but I only have 1170 miles on it. I used to own trucks but went to jeeps a few years ago. Never realized how much I missed having a truck now that I have one again. This by far has been my most favorite vehicle. What other truck can you open the roof up and let the sun shine in.

 

[rhaney02]

Hey Everyone - it’s been two months since I brought home my Gladiator. I traded in my 2020 Punk’n JLUR with about 85,000 miles on it. I had added 2.5 inch lift and 35’s with Fuel wheels. I got a really nice deal on a leftover 2024 Willy’s in Firecracker Red. Below are some thoughts and questions if anyone cares to read on…

- I love the Firecracker Red, but man…still missing that Punk’n.
- My Wrangler was the 2.0 engine…I definitely DO NOT miss the sound of that engine lol. I’m enjoying the “quieter” (no whine/rattle) of the V6. I do miss the “punch” of the 2.0 though…this V6 is not as responsive.
- I would like to put a 3 inch lift and at least 35s, however, I’m concerned about the 3.73. If I’m already feeling a lag, how much more will it be with heavier tires?
- I’m not sure why it’s so hard to determine my tow capacity. I think I’ve confirmed my trim is only 4000 pounds. I know it’s not a tow vehicle, but was def hoping to have more of an increase over the Wrangler.
- The longer wheelbase improved the road manners.
- I didn’t realize that this one didn’t have the blind side monitoring or rear alert. I didn’t think I would miss it as I always double check mirrors, etc. but wish i had that extra check as i’m getting used to the longer vehicle.
- It seems to idle pretty rough - vibrating. Not sure if this is normal or not. The RMP doesn’t jump up or anything, but the engine makes some different noises. Again, I’m used to the 2.0 engine, so it may just be in my head.
- I’m enjoying the 87 gas…saves a little bit at the pump.
- Speaking of that, I’m getting really low MPG…like 14. I’m in FL so it’s flat, but mainly city driving. Maybe my lead foot leads to that as i’m still trying to get the acceleration i had with the 2.0. I have 3500 miles…is the engine still in a break in period?
- There’s much more I want to do with it, but mainly keeping it simple upgrades while I continue to get used to it. I haven’t used the bed for much and I think the biggest decision is … which will I get the most use out of? the truck bed or the wrangler cargo area.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Any suggestions or tips for a first time Gladiator owner are much appreciated.

Seems a little odd to me with the rough idling and not so good gas mileage. With my '23 Willys, I got 22 MPG when driving it home and right at 24 on a trip a couple weeks later. I also have not noticed any rough idling in any of the three 3.6l Jeeps I've owned, although my 2016 JKU had crappier gas mileage than the others from the start, it was still better than what you're getting.

I will say the newer PUG engines have a little more pronounced "growl" to them under acceleration than the earlier generation 3.6's that I've owned, but very quiet at idle. It might be worth your time to have your dealer check everything out.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Seems a little odd to me with the rough idling and not so good gas mileage. With my '23 Willys, I got 22 MPG when driving it home and right at 24 on a trip a couple weeks later. I also have not noticed any rough idling in any of the three 3.6l Jeeps I've owned, although my 2016 JKU had crappier gas mileage than the others from the start, it was still better than what you're getting.

I will say the newer PUG engines have a little more pronounced "growl" to them under acceleration than the earlier generation 3.6's that I've owned, but very quiet at idle. It might be worth your time to have your dealer check everything out.

Yeah, well said. I have yet to have a 3.6 that was rough at idle, or even a bit uneven. They are usually very smooth at idle, and pretty quiet just sitting there.

And on the mpg - all of our Jeeps have gained with use. My last two JTs gained a fair amount after about 7,000 miles.

 

[Badunit]

Mine is so smooth and quiet at idle that I've walked away when it was still running. That 3-beep warning has come in handy a couple of times (though 99% of the time it is just annoying).

I felt like the engine perked up a little at around 5K miles. Might have been my imagination. Fuel mileage didn't change. I average about 17.5 (city+highway).

For me, the extra cargo space of a Wrangler would be more useful than the bed of my Gladiator much of the time. But when I am hauling trash or fuel cans or a motorcycle or kayaks or lumber or any number of other dirty, smelly, leaky, or oversized things, there is no contest. Gladiator all the way.

 

[Gvsukids]

4.11

4.10 gears.

 

[Janster]

I bought mine March 2024 (MojaveX- stock). I have about 7,000 miles on it. It’s hard for me to have a full tank of gas that we’re not towing the boat. My current tank (no towing/half tank) average is about 17mpg right now. When towing the boat (3,500lbs) on weekends… average is more like 15mpg. Seems these things get better mileage going 40-45 down some back country roads then they do going 65-70 on the highway. My 2016 Canyon was the same way.

Right now….I’m finding the gas pedal (and/or throttle) is a bit laggy. It seems more noticeable now than last year (has it gotten worse?). I’ve read about a calibration (and tried it) but I don’t know if that actually did anything. I honestly hate the ’Adaptive Learning’……

 

[legacy_etu]

4.10 gears.

Oops, thanks. I must've fat fingered it.

 

[Charles 236]

I definitely need the three beeps when leaving it running with the door closed. Otherwise I would probably leave it running, not hearing the engine. I have left other Pentastar powered vehicles running because of not hearing them.

Fuel mileage is good enough to suit me, about 17.5 to 18 mpg in normal driving, with road trip mileage at 20-22 mpg driving aroung 50-55 mph (I hesitate to say highway, I mostly travel on two lane country roads when I take the JT on a road trip.) Mine is an Overland with 3.73 gears and Rubicon takeoff Wildpeak M/T tires, I gave up a little mileage with the switch of tires.

I have always liked the Wranglers, but would never have bought one because it would be a bit limited in usefulness to me. Adding the truck bed to the Wrangler to produce the Gladiator finally created a Jeep that was utilitarian enough for me to justify buying. I use the bed more than I thought I would, and it is still a Jeep, with most of the good qualities of a Wrangler left in. The size is perfect for my use, I did not want a full size pickup.

 

[JonMN]

I'm a year in on my first Jeep and really like it. The fun aspects of a Jeep with a truck bed for things I don't want inside. Super in the snow. Ride and handling are better than I expected. No big problems, just an occasional click from the HVAC as it adjusts something behind the dash (unfortunately, it's not the easy to change driver's side blend actuator).

Actually, this is the first "fun" vehicle that I have had that is rugged instead of fragile--with my previous "fun" car I used to have my wife get out to tell me how close I was to the curb if angle parking--now I can drive over the curb!!

I have the Mojave with 4.10. In mixed around town I can get about 17 MPH. But on the highway, hitting 70+, I am closer to 15. Even lower in winter.

 

[tysongladiator]

- There is no way to determine what "your" lag will be. The way a person's vehicle operates depends on lift, tire/rim setup, gears, etc. So, that's a question that really can only be answered while you're building your vehicle.

- There is no such thing as it's not a tow vehicle. Any vehicle is a tow vehicle as long as you stay within your towing capacity.

- I think most of how you feel may just be in your head. You had a Jeep with the 2.0 for 85K. You were used to it. The 2.0 and 3.6 are completely different and I think you just have to get used to it.

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