Trade my JLU for a JT?

[ChrisNLA]

Keep your Wrangler unless you plan to use the truck like a truck (haul dirty junk in the bed) or exceed what a Wrangler can tow, or plan to buy a $4,000 bed cap to double the capacity of the bed. A Gladiator with a flat bed cover probably holds barely more than a Wrangler if you consider you can stack to the ceiling in the Wrangler.

We go on trips with three kiddos sometimes, and we just transport everything in weatherproof cases and stack them well above the bed rails and I throw a cargo net over the top and secure it all.

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[Sandman 4x4]

I hear you on that one! It’s not about the difficulty of parking or the size of a vehicle for me. It’s about the availability of the parking spaces. Such is the struggle of the city. Not complaining, just acknowledging that it comes with the territory and has an affect on which vehicles I pick while living here. Adapting to the environment.

I just had a new neighbor move in one of the condos on my block and he has a long bed F150 crew cab jacked up with big wheels. It’s a nice rig! But after living here for a month and getting a couple tickets (our block requires parking permits) I don’t see him driving that truck here anymore. Didn’t get a chance to talk to him about it but I’m sure he either sold it or has it parked at a relative’s house.

Oh yea going back to the trailer driving days, way before cell phones. Just imagine how it was to find a pay ph to park near?

 

[Mr Miami]

Hi everyone! I'm a member of the JL Forums and have been lurking here for some time. I'm no stranger to Jeeps, have had a TJ, JKs, JKUs, and JLUs at various trim levels. I even explored outside of the brand but found the Toyotas and Hondas I drove, while reliable, lifeless and boring.

I currently drive a 22 JLU Willys with the XR package and Sky One Touch top. I've been very happy with my current ride and bought it with the intent of building it up for family trips, and tackling some beginner-intermediate trails in parks like Rausch Creek and Anthracite. Living in the Northeast, I opted for having a limited slip rear end and having the beefier components from the XR package were a plus. But after this summer, I found I've been wanting more space - having a family quickly fills up the JLU cargo area. I was going to buy a Gobi rack and throw things up there in a cargo box while traveling.

I've always had my eyes on a JT but opted to not get it b/c I live in the city and parking can be a PIA at times. One day I'll be in the burbs but don't know if I can be patient enough to hold out on a JT til then hahaha. Parking is not impossible for a truck, but will definitely be harder during certain times of the day/ night. Lately I've really been getting the itch to trade my JLU in and get a JT but still have reservations... here's why:

- Parking..

- Figure I should wait for the new generation of the Gladiator to come out.. might have a V8 in it lol or get the last year of the JT generation with all the kinks worked out.

- I really like the upgrades I got form the XR package (wide track Dana 44s, 4.56 gears, cast iron knuckles, etc.) and am unsure of which JTs match this. I believe the Rubicon, Mojave, High Altitude, and diesel have the upgraded axles and knuckles but will "only" have 4.10 gearing?

I know that I am the only one who can make this decision but your insights would be greatly appreciated.

Not to upset the apple cart but the V8 Gladiator won't be easier to park. That is unless maybe you want to pull into a parking space next to a very small car and you have 37' or larger tires.

 

[SaiintNick]

Keep your Wrangler unless you plan to use the truck like a truck (haul dirty junk in the bed) or exceed what a Wrangler can tow, or plan to buy a $4,000 bed cap to double the capacity of the bed. A Gladiator with a flat bed cover probably holds barely more than a Wrangler if you consider you can stack to the ceiling in the Wrangler.

We go on trips with three kiddos sometimes, and we just transport everything in weatherproof cases and stack them well above the bed rails and I throw a cargo net over the top and secure it all.

I will probably get a topper at some point, but what I like about the Gladiator over the Wrangler is I can store stuff in the bed and not ever hear a peep from it. No rattles or other noises I keep all my soccer gear in the back and it used to annoy me inside the Wrangler.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I will probably get a topper at some point, but what I like about the Gladiator over the Wrangler is I can store stuff in the bed and not ever hear a peep from it. No rattles or other noises I keep all my soccer gear in the back and it used to annoy me inside the Wrangler.

I do feel this. I carry quite a bit of tools in my truck, and thankfully most of it is in the bed and not inside rattling.

 

[Spirits]

So I guess its safe to say that most people pref

I also have had CJ's, TJ's, JKU's and now a 2025 Mojave and I love it. Go test drive a Mojave.

Same. 1950 Willys, 1975 CJ, 92 YJ, 2020 JLU and 2023 Mojave. Drive the Mojave.

I never had a JK or JKU.

 

[Alchemist03]

Not to upset the apple cart but the V8 Gladiator won't be easier to park. That is unless maybe you want to pull into a parking space next to a very small car and you have 37' or larger tires.

very valid point! My hope is that if I do elect to hold out, I’ll be out of the city and in a house in the burbs. Well it’s not an if, there’s no option. My little guy will be school age in 2 years so that’s THE timeline. Figured if I do see a good deal on the Rubi or Mojave and I don’t lose any value on my JLU, it would be a good lateral move… I want to say that the depreciation rates are nearly the same on the JL and JT?

 

[DirkG]

Keep your Wrangler unless you plan to use the truck like a truck (haul dirty junk in the bed) or exceed what a Wrangler can tow, or plan to buy a $4,000 bed cap to double the capacity of the bed. A Gladiator with a flat bed cover probably holds barely more than a Wrangler if you consider you can stack to the ceiling in the Wrangler.

We go on trips with three kiddos sometimes, and we just transport everything in weatherproof cases and stack them well above the bed rails and I throw a cargo net over the top and secure it all.

I think you're making the case for the Gladiator considering I believe the OP also has kiddos. If you want to "see" what my kids look like, you don't need portraits, this is what they look like...

 

[Spirits]

That’s awesome. This is was about 15 yrs ago and we were in a conventional tent.

I was always more concerned about mtn lion when I lived in CO. I’ve seen a lot of black bear in my travels and had similar experiences. They’re typically very easy to scare off. Just don’t count on it, because they can easily kill humans.

Black bears are super docile...until they aren't. And remember fellas, a fed bear is a dead bear. Don't feed bears in the wild. Your actions could get a human killed and have a high chance to get the bear killed.

 

[Alchemist03]

I think you're making the case for the Gladiator considering I believe the OP also has kiddos. If you want to "see" what my kids look like, you don't need portraits, this is what they look like...

That’s exactly what I needed to see hahaha! In my head it’s kitted out with overlanding and recover gear but your picture is the reality of our trips. Not to say that we won’t be going on trails or camping but we’re more beach people. So I can almost see myself getting a bed topper and/ or a rack.

Chances are high that I’d be going to the off-roading parks without the family until the kiddo is older.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I think you're making the case for the Gladiator considering I believe the OP also has kiddos. If you want to "see" what my kids look like, you don't need portraits, this is what they look like...

Our last trip looked the same except I wasn't dragging a pile of bikes with me. Brought their scooters lol.

Like I said - he isnt gaining much over the Wrangler unless he spends a bunch of money on a cap to secure things or is fine stacking it haphazardly in the bed like I do (and you too lol).

If that's suitable, go get the truck.

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