2026 Gladiator JT is getting a 35's option and other stuff

[ChrisNLA]

I still don't know why everyone's in love with the idea of over paying for 35s from the dealer. They fit in rubicon, mojave, and willys models bone stock (may fit on sports but I don't own 1 so can't say and you can pick whatever tires you want... for far less.

I'd probably not buy 35s alone from the factory.

But if the Sport had an XR type package where I was able to get 4.56's, 35s, and a modest boost in height from the OEM and I didn't have to do anything? I'm lazy like that and have other concerns in my life. I'd buy it.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I guess it depends on your definition of freeway speed. With 4.56s and 35s that poor 4.0L would have been screaming 3500rpms at 80mph with no overdrive. That was the biggest problem with the 3 speed. You either geared it low enough to wheel it and it sucked on the freeway or you geared it high enough for the freeway and it sucked off road.

Here you are comparing your current freeway speeds - and assuming it's been that way forever and everywhere else.

20-25 years ago, the speed limits in CA were 70. And the political and law-enforcement climate was different. Other states had a lot lower limits until just the past couple of decades or so as well.
Example - Oregon was only 65 20-25 years ago - it's only recently that it's changed, and it's still only 70 in many places. You'll find some doing 75-80 but honestly, the interstate speeds in the center of the country are normally 70-75.
So let's toss that 80 out because we're talking older vehicles in the past.

On the other hand - 3500 RPM isn't - or wasn't, "screaming" a few decades ago. It's pretty normal. I run my 4.0 2500-3000 pretty regularly. When in a hurry, it will be doing 3,000-3,500 RPM
I don't consider it screaming.
The executives and engineers behind the 4.0 stated "back then" that it was designed from the ground up to be a heavier duty engine aimed mostly at Jeeps, 4x4s and light trucks. It ain't going to blow apart at those RPMs.

 

[Zachanadandy]

With the XR package that gets you 35's on the Wrangler, it's more than just tires. You get lower gears, wider wheels, wider fender flares, different suspension (presumably just shocks/springs), and a few other accessories, all for $4,495. Can you get tires, wheels, spacer lift, and re-gear aftermarket for this much?

The added fender lip extensions are ugly and useless, worth about $2 in my opinion. The shocks are longer but somehow have the same short stroke of the standard rubicon shocks and are just as under damped. Went in the trash within 1500 miles. Same compressed length bilstein 5100s added 50% more wheel travel for $400 and better damped. The 1/2" wider wheels don't offer much advantage at all as they are still technically too narrow for most manufacturers 12.50" wide tires per their recommendations (run 12.50s on both the stock Mojave and stock JLUR xr wheels). The stock springs are also way too soft on the JL so those went in the trash too. You can absolutely regear for far less than $4500, but the 4.56s felt too low on 35s anyway (perfect for 37s though). The gears and tire carrier are the only benefits of the package in my opinion. I'd rather see them offer 4.88s for $995 (should be free as I guarantee Dana doesn't charge them extra when they but the built axle from them) like they do in the JL than the 35" tire package especially if they are still the crap KO2s that came on the JLUR.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I'd probably not buy 35s alone from the factory.

But if the Sport had an XR type package where I was able to get 4.56's, 35s, and a modest boost in height from the OEM and I didn't have to do anything? I'm lazy like that and have other concerns in my life. I'd buy it.

If it's like the JL it won't be offered on the sports anyway. Rubicon and Willys only, possibly mojave, but then it would need longer shocks and those 2.5s aren't cheap.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Here you are comparing your current freeway speeds - and assuming it's been that way forever and everywhere else.

20-25 years ago, the speed limits in CA were 70. And the political and law-enforcement climate was different. Other states had a lot lower limits until just the past couple of decades or so as well.
Example - Oregon was only 65 20-25 years ago - it's only recently that it's changed, and it's still only 70 in many places. You'll find some doing 75-80 but honestly, the interstate speeds in the center of the country are normally 70-75.
So let's toss that 80 out because we're talking older vehicles in the past.

On the other hand - 3500 RPM isn't - or wasn't, "screaming" a few decades ago. It's pretty normal. I run my 4.0 2500-3000 pretty regularly. When in a hurry, it will be doing 3,000-3,500 RPM
I don't consider it screaming.
The executives and engineers behind the 4.0 stated "back then" that it was designed from the ground up to be a heavier duty engine aimed mostly at Jeeps, 4x4s and light trucks. It ain't going to blow apart at those RPMs.

It started with someone looking for the 4.0L option in the JT, so why would I toss out how I drive the JT every day? The cruise is set at 85mph on the regular. Even the TJ back in the day was expected to roll 75+ on every trip. No 3500 rpms isn't screaming in short bursts, but I'm not sure the 4.0L in the Jeep would have had is reputation for reliability if it was treated to that for hours at a time on trips around the west. Hell if I'm in a hurry out in the desert it is not uncommon to bump it up to 90. Don't think the 4.0L would push the Jeep at those speeds into a headwind with it's <200hp at any rpm.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hell of in in a hurry out in the desert is not uncommon to bump it up to 90. Don't think the 4.0L would push the Jeep at those speeds into a headwind with it's <200hp at any rpm.

LOL - no, not bone stock 4.0 for sure and the weight and flat front of the Jeep..............
But it will take my 3,300 pound car to those levels. It's been there. But then by the time I hit 70, I go into 5th which is an OD gear.

Like has been said - weight matters, and even a few hundred pounds matters. Anyone looking for better "times", looks for ways to shed vehicle weight.

Probably why we don't see tall, fat jockeys at Prairie Meadows track, too.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

It started with someone looking for the 4.0L option in the JT, so why would I toss out how I drive the JT every day? The cruise is set at 85mph on the regular. Even the TJ back in the day was expected to roll 75+ on every trip. No 3500 rpms isn't screaming in short bursts, but I'm not sure the 4.0L in the Jeep would have had is reputation for reliability if it was treated to that for hours at a time on trips around the west. Hell of in in a hurry out in the desert is not uncommon to bump it up to 90. Don't think the 4.0L would push the Jeep at those speeds into a headwind with it's <200hp at any rpm.

You've never drove a 4.0L at 90 MPH?

Yes, the 4.0L can push a Jeep at 90 MPH and even into a headwind.

Mine would easily accelerate in 3rd gear all the way to the speed limiter at 96 mph.

 

[Stan H]

You've never drove a 4.0L at 90 MPH?

Yes, the 4.0L can push a Jeep at 90 MPH and even into a headwind.

Mine would easily accelerate in 3rd gear all the way to the speed limiter at 96 mph.

Why ? I guess I just feel fine at 65mph. I don't even get 75 very often.. I think since I've had my Jeep I had it to 85mph 1 time. Maybe Im am getting old..
Used to drive big truck all over the USA. 60-70 was normal highway speed and really after doing your logs and going back and calculating miles covered and time spent it usually averaged to 50mph and that was a great average to have . As a matter of fact .if pulled by the DOT for anything the first thing they would do was check the average speed of your trip by dividing the time and distance . If it was too fast they would tear you apart.

 

[Janster]

Well…I’m behind in reading all these pages…but it looks like the lonely step child (Gladiator) stays as the grunt of the litter… AGAIN!!
Looks like the WRANGLER gets the 392 HEMI……

Well, I might be ready to buy another Gladiator in 7 or 8 years… Ha….a lot can happen (good or worse) in 8 years!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You've never drove a 4.0L at 90 MPH?

Yes, the 4.0L can push a Jeep at 90 MPH and even into a headwind.

Mine would easily accelerate in 3rd gear all the way to the speed limiter at 96 mph.

Interesting. I know my SX4 with the 4.0 can do it (and then some - don't know because it pegs the speedometer - I was guessing based on the tach)
I'm not afraid to run it over 3,000 RPM and routinely bump redline.
But then my valvetrain isn't likely to "float", with aluminum roller rockers and MOPAR performance springs.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well…I’m behind in reading all these pages…but it looks like the lonely step child (Gladiator) stays as the grunt of the litter… AGAIN!!
Looks like the WRANGLER gets the 392 HEMI……

That was a given - been known, but it's also a given the JT ain't gettin' it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

For the record, I did not put this in my original post. Some admin must have done it without giving me a heads up.

I sort of see why they did that - it's been in the order guide, published in July of this year, what some are stating as new info, even some of the youtubers are stating it as if they have some inside info or were told by someone - if they had read the order guide end to end - they'd see some of them are late to the game with the info.

 

[Hootbro]

I sort of see why they did that - it's been in the order guide, published in July of this year, what some are stating as new info, even some of the youtubers are stating it as if they have some inside info or were told by someone - if they had read the order guide end to end - they'd see some of them are late to the game with the info.

It is still shitty to edit someones post and not either tell them upfront or show a edit note in the post that it was done by staff.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It is still shitty to edit someones post and not either tell them upfront or show a edit note in the post that it was done by staff.

To that, I have to agree. At least give a heads-up and maybe reason.
Sounds reasonable to me, but what do I know!

 

[Stan H]

Wrangler fanboys maybe what ya think @Hootbro

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