If you started your Gladiator build over tomorrow, what would you do differently?

[ExoShield]

Between accessories, tires, suspension, camping gear, storage solutions, and everything else, it's easy to learn a few lessons along the way.

If you were starting your Gladiator build over tomorrow, what's the first thing you'd do differently?

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[RougeShot12er]

Get a 392 JL instead.

 

[DiehardTory]

2021, I built our Mojave, didn't get the Alpine stereo; Should !

 

[Oilburner]

If my JT burned down & I had to start over, I would very likely order a gas Rubi in '41 & have it sent directly to AMW for a 5.7L transplant.

 

[WambliSka]

I would have started with the right package that got me closer to what I needed for my off-road fun. BUT, I'm on my fifth jeep so I know what the hell I want out of my vehicle.

I think for new owners, starting with a clean slate like a Sport or such and then slowly building as you decide your own needs and taste is a good way to go.

For me I bough my '22 Overland because I liked the trim and interiors. It was not the level of capable I needed off-road, but I figured I would do my own. Started doing mods and when I finally got to sit down to do a money tally of where I wanted to be the figure got huge, and I still had a ways to go.

I should have bought the Mojave X from the get-go and saved myself time and money. The good news is Jeeps hold their value well, so I was able to get to the dealer and do a great trade-in deal on my Mojave X so.... Win

With the new JT all I needed was new 35' tires to get to the vehicle the I wanted in the first place.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I think the only thing I’d do different is go for a slightly more stripped down version of what I bought. Having said that, I’m pretty happy with the way the PO built the Jeep I have now. They spent a good wad of cash I don’t have to now but there are a few things I’d change.

-cast iron knuckles vs reinforced knuckles
-more inclusive lift vs Mopar lift
-better bed organization

those are pretty much it that I think they should have done but each person builds their own Jeep so needs may have been different. I think mine was a Covid project for someone so they went pretty basic but did do some quality impactful upgrades.

If cash was no consideration yeah I’d have a super duper (insert trim package here) that challenged both the Mojave and Rubicon as far as capabilities. But that’s what my build intent is so I like where I’m at.

 

[In3briatedPanda]

desert seat jackers first.

Gamechanger instead of True Dual.

Hard trifold tonneau vs soft trifold.

Toyos over Ko2s.

I still have some audio stuff to do and i wish i had waited to do it all at once, but that is nitpicking.

 

[ChrisNLA]

So in three years I did disconnects, a leveling kit, and 33s.

I don't want the truck to have bigger tires, or a bigger lift. I like it on 33s, leveled.

So anyway, I'd probably just buy a Rubicon.

Actually - I'd buy this exact truck that is at my local dealer right now. I'd prefer Hydro Blue, but this color is great too. I noticed it has leather power heated seats. Perfect.

https://www.rossdowningcdjr.com/new-Hammond-2026-Jeep-Gladiator-Rubicon-1C6RJTBG7TL175890

Then I would put my winch on the front, my bed mat, floor mats, Bulletpoint mount, and lights, and then not touch anything else on it, lol.

I'd also be very like to start my Gladiator build over by getting a different truck entirely. The Canyon has a couple other things I'd like to have for a vehicle I drive so much - like ventilated seats and a heads up display.

https://www.rossdowninggmc.com/new-Hammond-2026-GMC-Canyon-AT4-1GTP2DEK1T1266815

 

[ExoShield]

Get a 392 JL instead.

Just because? Or do you find that you're underpowered when you're out on the trails?

 

[ExoShield]

So in three years I did disconnects, a leveling kit, and 33s.

I don't want the truck to have bigger tires, or a bigger lift. I like it on 33s, leveled.

So anyway, I'd probably just buy a Rubicon.

Actually - I'd buy this exact truck that is at my local dealer right now. I'd prefer Hydro Blue, but this color is great too. I noticed it has leather power heated seats. Perfect.

https://www.rossdowningcdjr.com/new-Hammond-2026-Jeep-Gladiator-Rubicon-1C6RJTBG7TL175890

Then I would put my winch on the front, my bed mat, floor mats, Bulletpoint mount, and lights, and then not touch anything else on it, lol.

I'd also be very like to start my Gladiator build over by getting a different truck entirely. The Canyon has a couple other things I'd like to have for a vehicle I drive so much - like ventilated seats and a heads up display.

https://www.rossdowninggmc.com/new-Hammond-2026-GMC-Canyon-AT4-1GTP2DEK1T1266815

The "creature comforts" conversation is one that comes up every so often. That Rubicon looks like a pretty sweet deal for under 50k! Tbh, this is the first we're hearing of the Canyon coming up as a capable swap for the Gladiator. Does it have as much compatibility with aftermarket accessories?

 

[RougeShot12er]

Just because? Or do you find that you're underpowered when you're out on the trails?

I don’t trust the 3.6l reliability. I have personally saw a ton of major engine failures with them. Had buyers remorse with it as soon as I left the lot.
Power is fine. I don’t need it to be a hot rod. It’s a Jeep.

 

[ChrisNLA]

The "creature comforts" conversation is one that comes up every so often. That Rubicon looks like a pretty sweet deal for under 50k! Tbh, this is the first we're hearing of the Canyon coming up as a capable swap for the Gladiator. Does it have as much compatibility with aftermarket accessories?

The aftermarket for the GM twins I'm sure is bleak in comparison, but I'm not the same Gladiator owner as a lot of people on this forum. Basically any 4x4 midsize truck would take care of my needs. I don't modify my trucks heavily, and I don't wheel them heavily. Not like I did my old two door Jeep Wrangler. The AT4 has a locking diff and a two speed transfer case. All I need in that regard.

I commute 70 miles round trip now (I didn't when I bought my Gladiator) and the Gladiator is *fine* for that but I may swap to something more comfortable later. I do not dislike my Gladiator though, so this isn't something that's on my priority list right now.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I don’t trust the 3.6l reliability. I have personally saw a ton of major engine failures with them. Had buyers remorse with it as soon as I left the lot.
Power is fine. I don’t need it to be a hot rod. It’s a Jeep.

I'm thankful to have never seen a major engine failure on a 3.6L in all my Jeeping days.

Though, I guess it depends on what we consider major.

A friend of mine had the typical rocker arm needle bearing failures on their previous generation 3.6L - they put in the new rocker arms and all has been well. Not a very invasive repair job.

The camshaft seems to be the thing on the newer 3.6L. It appears if you catch it early and change them out before you fill the crankcase with metal shavings then the prognosis looks good overall from there. Change the intake cams and put it back on the road.

Can't trust a lot these days. Seemingly almost every modern engine on the road has some sort of 'major' fault that rears its ugly head at some point for somebody.

As a whole, I trust the 3.6 and would keep buying them.

I figure it's just as reliable as my 2015 6.2L V8 that could collapse a lifter and destroy a cam at any time - or the oil pump suddenly fail. 'Common' issues on that motor that is considered to be relatively solid.

 

[RougeShot12er]

I'm thankful to have never seen a major engine failure on a 3.6L in all my Jeeping days.

Though, I guess it depends on what we consider major.

A friend of mine had the typical rocker arm needle bearing failures on their previous generation 3.6L - they put in the new rocker arms and all has been well. Not a very invasive repair job.

The camshaft seems to be the thing on the newer 3.6L. It appears if you catch it early and change them out before you fill the crankcase with metal shavings then the prognosis looks good overall from there. Change the intake cams and put it back on the road.

Can't trust a lot these days. Seemingly almost every modern engine on the road has some sort of 'major' fault that rears its ugly head at some point for somebody.

As a whole, I trust the 3.6 and would keep buying them.

I figure it's just as reliable as my 2015 6.2L V8 that could collapse a lifter and destroy a cam at any time - or the oil pump suddenly fail. 'Common' issues on that motor that is considered to be relatively solid.

I would consider rockers/cams a major engine failure. One that Jeep has know about for over a decade and still not been able to correct.
I have seen 6 cam failures in my small group of friends. All had less than 100k miles. That’s unacceptable.
I don’t consider the oil cooler a major engine failure. Just a shitty design. Another thing Jeep could have corrected with the PUG but didn’t.
It is what it is. The price we pay to have a badass rig. It’s perfect except the damn top end issues that they ignore.

 

[LZY HIKR]

Ordering? Every day I kick myself for not getting the trail cam.
Then I kick myself again for pissing away a grand on the optional wheels that could have went to the trail cam with money back.

As far as what I did with it I'd go straight to 6 in lift and 40s.

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