May Give the Gladiator Another Go

[matthewmcw]

Pretty sure my 2026 sport s gladiator has dana 44s front and rear? So far i like it alot!

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[WambliSka]

And that is a HIGHLY subjective opinion from someone who is justifying their purchase rather than doing actual research on issues.

There you go, making more statements with zero knowledge to back them up. I don’t need to justify my purchases to any empty voice on the internet. Your statement about the post ‘24 JTs on the other hand is absolutely baseless. Of course YOU don’t need to qualify your opinion, except when you try to pass it on as factual.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Great question!
Post 43 explains the two biggest issues for me.
Would have saved about $5K or so buying a good used version.
$5K that would have gone into enhancements rather than fixes, which may or may not ever materialize.
Making a good vehicle better is fun. Fixing a mfgs failures isn't. Hence my preference for the '22-'23.

I thought most people liked the new screen. I don't have any experience with it.

The packages and options availability is annoying.

I think the biggest advantage with your newer model is your warranty. All '22 models and many '23 models will be out of the 3/36 warranty.

 

[sheath]

I thought most people liked the new screen. I don't have any experience with it.

The packages and options availability is annoying.

I think the biggest advantage with your newer model is your warranty. All '22 models and many '23 models will be out of the 3/36 warranty.

It's funny. I started PM'ing folks who posted that they liked the screen. Hoping that they weren't having issues with it. Low and behold everyone who responded said, yeah it has issues, but they just don't really care.
Was disappointed because I was hoping it was just my truck.

Jeep now has a 10 year 100,000 mile extended warranty available for a pretty reasonable price. With the cost of components alone that is a pretty alluring option for those who keep a vehicle for a while, or put a lot of miles on.
They also added rear seat side air bags and increased the structural side protection according to the Car and Driver review I read. For folks carrying family and friends that makes an already very safe vehicle even more safe.

There are a lot of good reasons to buy new.

 

[sheath]

There you go, making more statements with zero knowledge to back them up. I don’t need to justify my purchases to any empty voice on the internet. Your statement about the post ‘24 JTs on the other hand is absolutely baseless. Of course YOU don’t need to qualify your opinion, except when you try to pass it on as factual.

More drivel.

 

[Silverator]

When I bought my JT, I consulted a "friend of a friend" (Rick Pewe). He said "it's simple" - that if I wanted to go fast in the dez, buy the Mojave. If I wanted to crawl over nasty $#!@ to get where I wanted to get to, buy a Rubicon. I ended up with the Rubicon. Super happy with my choice over the Mojave. Eventually lifted and put on 35's. Perfect for me.

 

[WambliSka]

When I bought my JT, I consulted a "friend of a friend" (Rick Pewe). He said "it's simple" - that if I wanted to go fast in the dez, buy the Mojave. If I wanted to crawl over nasty $#!@ to get where I wanted to get to, buy a Rubicon. I ended up with the Rubicon. Super happy with my choice over the Mojave. Eventually lifted and put on 35's. Perfect for me.

Exactly, do your research, and then buy for purpose, not badges...

 

[DickensCPA]

I was considering the Rubicon and Mojave, I don't have to have a front locker, especially here in TN - then I noticed more and more Willys are coming with the rear locker so I tried them as well. I could be happy with either of the three but for once in my life I'd like to get a color of a vehicle I like off the bat.

I found a Willys in Mojito and plan to make them an offer today.

 

[kkirsch06]

I joined here I want to say around Feb 22 and in March 2022 I bought a brand new leftover 2021 Gladiator. I gave my son my '04 Rubicon TJ and bought the Gladiator. Not sure if I got a lemon or they were working out kinks but it left me stranded 3 times in 3 months and the dealer gave me my money back and I bought a low mileage 2017 JKU. I've always kept a truck and a Wrangler until this one and I've loved the Gladiators since they came out.

I bought a Sahara JKU so I'd have a few daily driver luxuries and a blank slate to build like I want. I think I made a mistake. I live in middle TN and me and a buddy wheeled Prentice Cooper last month and my wife and I just got back from Red River Gorge Sunday night. As cool as "blank slate build like I want" sounds, I think it's just too much trouble and money compared to buying a Rubicon off the bat. I don't like the cost but it's more the time and being without the Jeep while it's getting upgraded, etc.

So many "little" things the Rubicon comes with stock that you don't think about. D44 front and rear as opposed to D44 rear and D30 up front. Wider axles so 35s don't rub even after a lift. Mine came with 3:21 gears as opposed to 4:10. 35s are as big as I need so 4:10 is fine for me but regearing isn't cheap and you're limited with a D30 anyway due to its size.

I just got an estimate back from 3 different places yesterday for new locker in the rear (I have an Aussie up front but can't put a lunchbox in the rear with BLD unless it's a manual) and a regear. Driving to Red River Gorge 4 1/2 hours on stock gears and 35s was miserable. The cost surprised me to say the least.

I say all of this to say my extended warranty on my JK is up 9/1/26, it's paid for and I have equity in it even though I bought during COVID and the Rubicon Gladiators that were selling for $70-80k are now $49K out the door. I've come to the conclusion I'm getting a new Gladiator Rubicon.

I joined here I want to say around Feb 22 and in March 2022 I bought a brand new leftover 2021 Gladiator. I gave my son my '04 Rubicon TJ and bought the Gladiator. Not sure if I got a lemon or they were working out kinks but it left me stranded 3 times in 3 months and the dealer gave me my money back and I bought a LOW mileage 2017 JKU. I've always kept a truck and a Wrangler until this one and I've loved the Gladiators since they came out.

I bought a Sahara JKU so I'd have a few daily driver luxuries and a blank slate to build like I want. I think I made a mistake. I live in middle TN and me and a buddy wheeled Prentice Cooper last month and my wife and I just got back from Red River Gorge Sunday night. As cool as "blank slate build like I want" sounds, I think it's just too much trouble and money compared to buying a Rubicon off the bat. I don't like the cost but it's more the time and being without the Jeep while it's getting upgraded, etc.

So many "little" things the Rubicon comes with stock that you don't think about. D44 front and rear as opposed to D44 rear and D30 up front. Wider axles so 35s don't rub even after a lift. Mine came with 3:21 gears as opposed to 4:10. 35s are as big as I need so 4:10 is fine for me but regearing isn't cheap and you're limited with a D30 anyway due to its size.

I just got an estimate back from 3 different places yesterday for new locker in the rear (I have an Aussie up front but can't put a lunchbox in the rear with BLD unless it's a manual) and a regear. Driving to Red River Gorge 4 1/2 hours on stock gears and 35s was miserable. The cost surprised me to say the least.

I say all of this to say my extended warranty on my JK is up 9/1/26, it's paid for and I have equity in it even though I bought during COVID and the Rubicon Gladiators that were selling for $70-80k are now $49K out the door. I've come to the conclusion I'm getting a new Gladiator Rubicon.

Rubicons will rub with 35/11.5’s on stock rims. I just put on Wildpeak AT4w’s which are true 35’s and they rub on the front body mounts and take the dust off the inside of the stock bumper at full crank when the suspension compresses. I’v moved up my lift date from next year to sooner because of this.

 

[DickensCPA]

They accepted my offer and we came to a deal. I’m in court Tue & Wed but will be picking it up Thursday.

I got a Mojito Willys with rear locker and I got the heated seats for my wife, that’s all she cared about. This is my drop dead favorite color and they don’t come around here that often and I’ve wanted that color for so long. I’m actually very excited.

I’m already trying to think of who in my office I can push court on to so I can pick it up earlier.

It also has the AUX buttons and as much as I like the S Pod, I’m kinda glad to get rid of some of the clutter.

 

[WambliSka]

They accepted my offer and we came to a deal. I’m in court Tue & Wed but will be picking it up Thursday.

I got a Mojito Willys with rear locker and I got the heated seats for my wife, that’s all she cared about. This is my drop dead favorite color and they don’t come around here that often and I’ve wanted that color for so long. I’m actually very excited.

I’m already trying to think of who in my office I can push court on to so I can pick it up earlier.

It also has the AUX buttons and as much as I like the S Pod, I’m kinda glad to get rid of some of the clutter.

Glad you got whet you wanted and YES the auxiliary buttons are right handy!

 

[DickensCPA]

Glad you got whet you wanted and YES the auxiliary buttons are right handy!

I moved people around and asked for reschedules and cut out of the office about 2 yesterday and went ahead and picked it up. Outside the office in my parking lot now.

I have a CRAP ton of parts in my garage to where you can't move in there. Some things I'm putting on the JT and some things will be sold. Kinda dread that part, I hate fooling with selling stuff but there's a few things that won't transfer from JK to JT.

I haven't driven a Jeep without a roof rack and crap on top of it in years and driving home last night was like I wasn't even in a Jeep. I'm refraining from putting a bunch of crap on this one. It will be functional and capable off road but less stuff and no cheap parts.

 

[WambliSka]

I moved people around and asked for reschedules and cut out of the office about 2 yesterday and went ahead and picked it up. Outside the office in my parking lot now.

I have a CRAP ton of parts in my garage to where you can't move in there. Some things I'm putting on the JT and some things will be sold. Kinda dread that part, I hate fooling with selling stuff but there's a few things that won't transfer from JK to JT.

I haven't driven a Jeep without a roof rack and crap on top of it in years and driving home last night was like I wasn't even in a Jeep. I'm refraining from putting a bunch of crap on this one. It will be functional and capable off road but less stuff and no cheap parts.

I've always been a relative minimalist. As I've mentioned before, I try to be realistic in my needs and buy the right trim level that most closely fits my purposes and then do the bare minimum "upgrades".

It has worked well so far for me. The Jeeps I've had so far:

First year Rubicon with MT tires was PERFECT for my Northeast property with hundreds of acres of rock walls, creeks and ponds. SUCKED on the road since MT tires are the devils invention. No upgrades.

2004 Rocky Mountain Edition got a 2" professionally installed lift and 33" BFG ATs to handle Georgia dirt roads and deep muddy tank tracks so I could access hunting spots. And it was PERFECT as a beach Jeep when I lived in St. Augustine FL and drove on the sand literally every day.

2012 JLU stayed with oversized LTE tires it came with since it was mostly a road vehicle and only had to go on smooth dirt and grassy trails in the NC Mountains with an occasional snow drive.

2022 Overland Also had LT Tires and served the same purpose as above but then I moved to the SW and the requirements changed to desert running with some mild rock crawling. When they happened I tried to get by with "upgrades" the were compromises that got me relatively capable to my new needs but fell short. So I reassess my needs for desert running and after doing the math decided that I should just move "up" to my current ride.

2026 Mojave X, is perfect from factory with a swift swap to 35" tires and I'm done.

For a short period of time I bought into the Overland trend and then after careful consideration and a lot of research I decided I don't do enough camping to justify racks with tents etc. and the idea of driving all over town with my second home on my Jeep was not appealing to me.

My camping tends to be as minimalist as I am. Often I go out with nothing but a folding camp chair, a cooler a mattress for the truck bed and a sleeping bag (maybe the wife and dog too ). The beauty of living in the SW is that protection from the "elements" is most often unnecessary. A good sleeping bag with the right temperature rating will do and I've found that if I need a second layer a small tent that covers the bed is easy, cheap and ideal.

 

[DickensCPA]

I've always been a relative minimalist. As I've mentioned before, I try to be realistic in my needs and buy the right trim level that most closely fits my purposes and then do the bare minimum "upgrades".

It has worked well so far for me. The Jeeps I've had so far:

First year Rubicon with MT tires was PERFECT for my Northeast property with hundreds of acres of rock walls, creeks and ponds. SUCKED on the road since MT tires are the devils invention. No upgrades.

2004 Rocky Mountain Edition got a 2" professionally installed lift and 33" BFG ATs to handle Georgia dirt roads and deep muddy tank tracks so I could access hunting spots. And it was PERFECT as a beach Jeep when I lived in St. Augustine FL and drove on the sand literally every day.

2012 JLU stayed with oversized LTE tires it came with since it was mostly a road vehicle and only had to go on smooth dirt and grassy trails in the NC Mountains with an occasional snow drive.

2022 Overland Also had LT Tires and served the same purpose as above but then I moved to the SW and the requirements changed to desert running with some mild rock crawling. When they happened I tried to get by with "upgrades" the were compromises that got me relatively capable to my new needs but fell short. So I reassess my needs for desert running and after doing the math decided that I should just move "up" to my current ride.

2026 Mojave X, is perfect from factory with a swift swap to 35" tires and I'm done.

For a short period of time I bought into the Overland trend and then after careful consideration and a lot of research I decided I don't do enough camping to justify racks with tents etc. and the idea of driving all over town with my second home on my Jeep was not appealing to me.

My camping tends to be as minimalist as I am. Often I go out with nothing but a folding camp chair, a cooler a mattress for the truck bed and a sleeping bag (maybe the wife and dog too ). The beauty of living in the SW is that protection from the "elements" is most often unnecessary. A good sleeping bag with the right temperature rating will do and I've found that if I need a second layer a small tent that covers the bed is easy, cheap and ideal.

I had a roof top tent - I think I bought it in Aug 22 and kept it a little less than a year. I'm not a fan of the roof top tent. I like my wood burning stove, etc. I don't do well with high winds either. I camp a LOT whether it's a hunting trip, fishing tourney or just for fun. I have a ton of ground tents from pop outs like the Gazelle, Tipi, etc and have found that a low profile tunnel style tent fits me best. I can sit upright in a chair, use my stove and it has a bug net insert for summer.

I'm not putting a roof rack on this one and I'm about 95% decided on not putting a bed rack on it and just a bed cover with my gear in the bed. I wouldn't do a bed rack even with the roof. If I did one it would be mid way and I'm not wanting to stand in the bed hunched over to put a deer in the back.

When I looked at my JKU sitting right next to my new JT, the tires were barely even noticeable smaller than my 35s on my JKU and the hood height was the same. However, my 20 mile interstate drive home was so smooth, quiet and little steering wheel interaction. Everything I wanted was on that big screen without wires everywhere or an iPad hanging down.

I see all the YT'ers that wheel and camp and I really like what they've done to their rigs and enjoy their content but it seems they all start having problems when they swap over to an AMW V8, put a camper in the bed, overload the payload capacity with all that gear and so forth. There's something to be said about leaving it as stock as possible.

We don't have rock crawling in the SE really so I'm sticking with the 33s on it now, probably a Mopar 2" lift and slap my winch on the front and a tonneau cover for the bed. Plus I can pull my bass boat again without having heart palpitations when it comes time to stop. LOL!

 

[ChrisNLA]

I had a roof top tent - I think I bought it in Aug 22 and kept it a little less than a year. I'm not a fan of the roof top tent. I like my wood burning stove, etc. I don't do well with high winds either. I camp a LOT whether it's a hunting trip, fishing tourney or just for fun. I have a ton of ground tents from pop outs like the Gazelle, Tipi, etc and have found that a low profile tunnel style tent fits me best. I can sit upright in a chair, use my stove and it has a bug net insert for summer.

I'm not putting a roof rack on this one and I'm about 95% decided on not putting a bed rack on it and just a bed cover with my gear in the bed. I wouldn't do a bed rack even with the roof. If I did one it would be mid way and I'm not wanting to stand in the bed hunched over to put a deer in the back.

When I looked at my JKU sitting right next to my new JT, the tires were barely even noticeable smaller than my 35s on my JKU and the hood height was the same. However, my 20 mile interstate drive home was so smooth, quiet and little steering wheel interaction. Everything I wanted was on that big screen without wires everywhere or an iPad hanging down.

I see all the YT'ers that wheel and camp and I really like what they've done to their rigs and enjoy their content but it seems they all start having problems when they swap over to an AMW V8, put a camper in the bed, overload the payload capacity with all that gear and so forth. There's something to be said about leaving it as stock as possible.

We don't have rock crawling in the SE really so I'm sticking with the 33s on it now, probably a Mopar 2" lift and slap my winch on the front and a tonneau cover for the bed. Plus I can pull my bass boat again without having heart palpitations when it comes time to stop. LOL!

For a few months I had a second hand bed rack, roof top tent, and some storage on the rack, as well as an awning. I will say - it was a fun setup.

I sold it as I didn't want it on the truck all the time and didn't have a good way to take it on and off as needed.

But there is something raw about making everything fit under a bed cover and popping out my Eureka a-frame boy scout tent and setting up a rain fly shelter off the truck or off a tree with some guy lines and poles.

If I want to camp 'in style' I'll bring my Gazelle T3, my cot, and my roll up memory foam mattress.

I have wanted to buy a swag tent for the longest time to play with on solo trips.

Now I think for me the fanciest thing I need is a fridge, and I'm also without one of those right now. Sold my last one. The last one I had I upgraded too far and got too fancy/heavy.

At this point, I think showing up as a minimalist turns as many heads as showing up looking like an YouTuber/outfitter.

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