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

[BourbonRunner]

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.

I don't know about a doing it into a headwind but I have personally experienced a 4.0L Cherokee doing 90MPH. Story time:

About 25 years ago I went skiing with my friends in NH in my friend Chris' Cherokee. We drove from Baltimore to the Lake Country region in NH, chasing a blizzard until we hit in in CT then crawled north. 12-13 hours road tripping in a Cherokee isn't exactly the most comfortable ride and in a blizzard is a genuine experience I do not recommend.

Anyway, we went from NH to Boston to hang with some friends on the way home a week later. Somewhere in Boston the Cherokee's dash cluster stopped working entirely. With a trip back to Baltimore and not knowing what the fuel consumption would be, we decided best to keep up with traffic and set a timer and stop every 90 minutes to top the tank off to make sure we didn't run dry. It would add a lot to the drive but we didnt have a choice. The next day after our hangovers subsided we hit the road.

This worked quite well from Newton all the way through until we got onto the NYS Thruway around 4 hours later. Without any traffic at that point in the day Chris just decided to go at whatever felt like a comfortable speed.

Cruising along we got our doors blown off by a NYS Trooper. Chris happened to look down and the cluster miraculously came back to life. Speedo said 90mph. Granted, we were aimed down hill but still, 90 in a Cherokee was... something. When we got back into town the service department couldn't trace down the issue. Chris had it a few more years without it ever happening again.

But to the point: If you told me a Cherokee could do 90mph before then I'd have called you a liar.

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[Jrgunn5150]

some of the youtubers are stating it as if they have some inside info or were told by someone

Photoshop yourself into a pic with Tim Kuniskis and you can say whatever you like apparently.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I don't know about a doing it into a headwind but I have personally experienced a 4.0L Cherokee doing 90MPH. Story time:

About 25 years ago I went skiing with my friends in NH in my friend Chris' Cherokee. We drove from Baltimore to the Lake Country region in NH, chasing a blizzard until we hit in in CT then crawled north. 12-13 hours road tripping in a Cherokee isn't exactly the most comfortable ride and in a blizzard is a genuine experience I do not recommend.

Anyway, we went from NH to Boston to hang with some friends on the way home a week later. Somewhere in Boston the Cherokee's dash cluster stopped working entirely. With a trip back to Baltimore and not knowing what the fuel consumption would be, we decided best to keep up with traffic and set a timer and stop every 90 minutes to top the tank off to make sure we didn't run dry. It would add a lot to the drive but we didnt have a choice. The next day after our hangovers subsided we hit the road.

This worked quite well from Newton all the way through until we got onto the NYS Thruway around 4 hours later. Without any traffic at that point in the day Chris just decided to go at whatever felt like a comfortable speed.

Cruising along we got our doors blown off by a NYS Trooper. Chris happened to look down and the cluster miraculously came back to life. Speedo said 90mph. Granted, we were aimed down hill but still, 90 in a Cherokee was... something. When we got back into town the service department couldn't trace down the issue. Chris had it a few more years without it ever happening again.

But to the point: If you told me a Cherokee could do 90mph before then I'd have called you a liar.

Had my old xj up to 90 many times, downhill. Uphill on heavy 35s and beadlocks? I'll be using the turnouts and letting people with more power fly by. 190hp at sea level was adequate. Headed up to the rubicon? Uphill at 8k+ feet elevation where that poor 4.0L is only making 140hp at the crank? No I have no desire to go back to that. A modern 1.5L in a Honda makes more power while still getting 40mpg.

 

[DirkG]

I haven't read all of the messages, but I find the 2026 changes fascinating. At first it seemed like Jeep was going to focus 2026 on the Recon release and Grand Wagoneer changes - while basically changing a few colors and door hinges on the JL/JT - but now it seems with the '21-'25 Wrangler 4xe challenges, the Recon launch may be affected.

I'm wondering aloud if these 2026 changes are pivots from Jeep to add more momentum to the popular JL/JT lines - changes as results from actually listening to the customer base. Among them lower package prices, standard LED headlights (except for base Sport), and more 35" tire package options.

And it'll be cool to see the Gladiator in Reign and Goldilocks.

 

[ecidiego]

So - nothing of interest happened, just more love for Wrangler. LOL

 

[NC_Overland]

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.

Back then? Everyone drove 75-80 mph on the interstate since I started driving in 1994 whether the speed limit was 55 or 70.of anything it’s worse now with many states having super speeder laws for 20 over.

 

[NC_Overland]

I don't know about a doing it into a headwind but I have personally experienced a 4.0L Cherokee doing 90MPH. Story time:

About 25 years ago I went skiing with my friends in NH in my friend Chris' Cherokee. We drove from Baltimore to the Lake Country region in NH, chasing a blizzard until we hit in in CT then crawled north. 12-13 hours road tripping in a Cherokee isn't exactly the most comfortable ride and in a blizzard is a genuine experience I do not recommend.

Anyway, we went from NH to Boston to hang with some friends on the way home a week later. Somewhere in Boston the Cherokee's dash cluster stopped working entirely. With a trip back to Baltimore and not knowing what the fuel consumption would be, we decided best to keep up with traffic and set a timer and stop every 90 minutes to top the tank off to make sure we didn't run dry. It would add a lot to the drive but we didnt have a choice. The next day after our hangovers subsided we hit the road.

This worked quite well from Newton all the way through until we got onto the NYS Thruway around 4 hours later. Without any traffic at that point in the day Chris just decided to go at whatever felt like a comfortable speed.

Cruising along we got our doors blown off by a NYS Trooper. Chris happened to look down and the cluster miraculously came back to life. Speedo said 90mph. Granted, we were aimed down hill but still, 90 in a Cherokee was... something. When we got back into town the service department couldn't trace down the issue. Chris had it a few more years without it ever happening again.

But to the point: If you told me a Cherokee could do 90mph before then I'd have called you a liar.

They were crazy light. I had my 96 XJ doing way over 100 before. I have no idea how much faster because the speedo stopped at 85, but it was wrapped way around. It didn’t weigh much over 3k lbs. they’re crazy light. Lighter than YJs or TJs.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Back then? Everyone drove 75-80 mph on the interstate since I started driving in 1994 whether the speed limit was 55 or 70.of anything it’s worse now with many states having super speeder laws for 20 over.

Must be a coastal thing. Iowa only has a 10 mph "right to speed" law. Still, only a handful push that.
I can set the cruise to 75 and not have that many pass me in the 70. In an hour, I could count them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They were crazy light. I had my 96 XJ doing way over 100 before. I have no idea how much faster because the speedo stopped at 85, but it was wrapped way around. It didn’t weigh much over 3k lbs. they’re crazy light. Lighter than YJs or TJs.

It's that unibody construction. (you can thank my car for that)
They weren't heavy vehicles -when towing my camper, I felt it back there.

 

[jmr]

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!

There are 11 more chances for the 392 JT to be announced.

 

[ecidiego]

There are 11 more chances for the 392 JT to be announced.

 

[NC_Overland]

It's that unibody construction. (you can thank my car for that)
They weren't heavy vehicles -when towing my camper, I felt it back there.

Yeah, but unfortunately they weren’t safe at all. Mine got totaled when about 5 yrs old in a pretty minor accident I would have driven my Gladiator home from. it crumpled shockingly easily. Southern Jeep too. No rust, first accident.

Pretty on par for 80s-90s vehicles unfortunately.

 

[Jteakus]

In defense of the 4.0 compared to the 2.5L Low Output in my 98 TJ it is a rocketship. I drove the TJ to work today. No top, doors, carpet or backseat. 30x9.50's on aluminum XJ wheels, 4.10's. It is GUTLESS but it will not die.

 

[Stan H]

There are 11 more chances for the 392 JT to be announced.

And I give ya 10 it never happens

 

[BourbonRunner]

Had my old xj up to 90 many times, downhill. Uphill on heavy 35s and beadlocks? I'll be using the turnouts and letting people with more power fly by. 190hp at sea level was adequate. Headed up to the rubicon? Uphill at 8k+ feet elevation where that poor 4.0L is only making 140hp at the crank? No I have no desire to go back to that. A modern 1.5L in a Honda makes more power while still getting 40mpg.

The 4.0L may not have been gutsy but they were reliable. And if it ever did break down, it left a trail of rainbow colored bread crumbs from the rear main seal for the wrecker to follow.

I tend to think XJs (and YJs) are a lot like VW Bugs- most everyone of a certain age has a story about one. Another friend while turning into our high school spun the front half shaft right out at the entrance, causing the rest of us to be late that morning. (Thanks Connor.) Good times.

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