Shopping for a used Rubicon, possibly high-ish miles

[jimjam300]

Looking to upgrade from my old pickup which I only use for yard work, hauling, off roading, and camping. I initially wanted a Power Wagon but they are just too massive and don't get any better fuel economy than my current truck. It will be nice to drive a more modern and more capable truck for recreation that I can take out more often.

With that being said, I will probably not be driving it more than 4K miles a year, so I'm not looking to spend a ton of money and mileage isn't a huge concern but it is a consideration. I can work on vehicles so intact warranty is not a big deal to me. The specs I'm looking for are of course Rubicon, rag top, auto transmission.

I've been reading about common issues like early 2020s steering box failures, oil coolers leaking, aux battery issues (which obv will be an issue with how little I will be driving it), and locker failures. The only one that has my wallet concerned is the locker failure. Just wondering if there are any years or specific mileage windows that are more problematic than others, and things to look out for on, say, 80k mile Gladiators. Trying my best not to make this a "umm duh is the truck reliable?" post, I drive a beat 2nd gen Ram for heaven's sake.

I appreciate any advice you can give me

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[Gvsukids]

Just wondering if there are any years or specific mileage windows that are more problematic than others, and things to look out for on, say, 80k mile Gladiators.

Luck of the draw.

 

[Hootbro]

Luck of the draw.

What he said.

There is no Magic 8 Ball to predict reliability of any used vehicle. Buying cheap can be expensive. To me, a minimum starting point would be a used CPO to get the 7/100K warranty.

Just about every year has had it's niggle problems but IMHO, anything 2022 and up would be a better choice buying used.

 

[Brad.Clarkston]

Second the 2022+ recommendation most of the bigger issues are behind them at that point and the remaining gotchas are ether small or high mileage/hard use things.

 

[Stan H]

What he said.

There is no Magic 8 Ball to predict reliability of any used vehicle. Buying cheap can be expensive. To me, a minimum starting point would be a used CPO to get the 7/100K warranty.

Just about every year has had it's niggle problems but IMHO, anything 2022 and up would be a better choice buying used.

2022 and up I have to disagree , I got a 21 with 139k .. but I do agree with the CPO 7/100k . Go online start searching. Sometimes they sale em in here.

 

[Hootbro]

2022 and up I have to disagree , I got a 21 with 139k ..

It was a holistic statement of opinion in the broader macro sense of higher balance of probability and not inevitability. I had a 2021 WILLYs also with no issue but still stand by my statement that risk is lower with 2022 and up. That is what th OP is trying to weigh on his decision.

 

[Gvsukids]

2022 and up I have to disagree , I got a 21 with 139k .. but I do agree with the CPO 7/100k . Go online start searching. Sometimes they sale em in here.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...rchase-the-good-the-bad-and-the-insane.76869/

 

[Zachanadandy]

The locker failures have mostly been the poorly made sensor. Easily bypassed if it becomes a problem via the zautomotive harness. Personally I wouldn't own a Rubicon without a tazer either for everything from tire size adjustments to using the lockers wherever you want to sway bar disconnect at any speed.

 

[jimjam300]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...rchase-the-good-the-bad-and-the-insane.76869/

Going down this rabbit hole has led me to believe that getting a warranty through my insurance (AAA) is the best option for me, especially if I will be modifying the suspension.

 

[KevinC]

80,000 miles on a four year old Gladiator is 20K a year. If you find a 22+ JT with that mileage I would be comfortable if everything checked out on the test drive. Most issues seem to come up below the 80K mark. For the right price, I wouldn't have an issue buying higher mileage.

I bought a 2015 Grand Cherokee with 145,000 miles on the 3.6L. I'm comfortable with it.

 

[Gvsukids]

Going down this rabbit hole has led me to believe that getting a warranty through my insurance (AAA) is the best option for me, especially if I will be modifying the suspension.

I have the CNA extended warranty and it's paid for itself.

 

[Stan H]

Warranty?? I dont know this word what is that ?

 

[Gvsukids]

Warranty?? I dont know this word what is that ?

I wish we didn't have to. We haven't had to use it with my wife's vehicle, but definitely I've gotten a lot of use out of the Jeep.

 

[Stan H]

I wish we didn't have to. We haven't had to use it with my wife's vehicle, but definitely I've gotten a lot of use out of the Jeep.

Huh, Mine went way long way over what any warranty would have ever covered .
I really don't understand what dictates the difference in some going for many miles and some failing early.. just weird

 

[swtrailboss]

What dictates it is the quality of the part installed ( Italy or china) on that particular day but more so was your truck assembled on a day where beer thirty was up and coming and it was time to get outta there!

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