IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, PURCHASE DECISION

[Reasons]

...Also, the Sport S max towing capacity over the Rubicon goes out the window when you equip 35"s on a Sport S. Which, basing my observation solely within this forum, a high % of you Sport S Max Tow folks do.

The Sport S Max Tows "class leading towing" is mostly do to the combination of 4.10 gearing and 32" street tires.

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

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[ShadowsPapa]

Well, WXman is close - there's those who want a truck, AND a Jeep and a decent vehicle to get around in in the winter, run to the home center and get stuff without needing a big truck, but don't want a couple of 5 gallon cans of gas sitting inside (as in Grand Cherokee) when you go to get gas for your lawn tractor and other equipment.
It's not either or - yeah, I like Jeeps, we've owned dozens, mostly Cherokee (the old original) and Grand Cherokee (from the first version up to the current version)
I liked my Chevy but it was becoming over-kill for many things. Need to go get half a dozen bags of rock for the landscaping - but not mess up my wife's GC or even my own WJ - this will do fine.
It is a truck that gets good mileage (19-20+ average for the first 300 miles for me), is capable, will handle our snow which can get deep.
It's a Swiss Army Knife in some ways.
I've had trucks since I was 15 - my first being a 1966 Chevy 3/4 ton beater. I also had a 87 Comanche short box 4x4 and it was a capable little truck. So I figured with my heaviest trailer pulling behind me - this will work fine. And it's comfortable, SAFE (with all the safety stuff, better than backing my huge silverado out of a parking spot at walmart or menards)
For me it was the best of all worlds. And I went Overland because I also wanted some of the creature comforts my other truck had - and then some.
A Rubicon loaded up the way I'd have wanted would have been thousands more - and I'd never use the sway bar disconnect or need to go up an 85 degree incline. (although my wife did miss a stop at a T one winter - it was ICY on that steep hill and she got lucky and kept it between the posts and signs and went over the enbankment and landed in deep snow at the bottom. Kept the Grand Cherokee upright and fine. we switched drivers and I got that thing out of there by taking it up the side of the ditch and going out at an angle where it was a bit less steep - I know what even the lowly Grand Cherokee can do.)

 

[Southbayglad]

...Also, the Sport S max towing capacity over the Rubicon goes out the window when you equip 35"s on a Sport S. Which, basing my observation solely within this forum, a high % of you Sport S Max Tow folks do.

The Sport S Max Tows "class leading towing" is mostly do to the combination of 4.10 gearing and 32" street tires.

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

...Also, the Sport S max towing capacity over the Rubicon goes out the window when you equip 35"s on a Sport S. Which, basing my observation solely within this forum, a high % of you Sport S Max Tow folks do.

The Sport S Max Tows "class leading towing" is mostly do to the combination of 4.10 gearing and 32" street tires.

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

As the article states its also a lot to do with heat dispersing.

 

[WXman]

...Also, the Sport S max towing capacity over the Rubicon goes out the window when you equip 35"s on a Sport S. Which, basing my observation solely within this forum, a high % of you Sport S Max Tow folks do.

The Sport S Max Tows "class leading towing" is mostly do to the combination of 4.10 gearing and 32" street tires.

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

No it doesn't. Wheels and tires are considered "unsprung weight" and do not affect payload rating or towing rating. I'm talking in legal/technical terms. Not practical terms.

And, most Rubicon owners do 35s also, so it's a moot point.

 

[furrymurray]

Whatever makes you feel better about buying your Sport S rather than a Rubicon.

 

[SleepyJeep]

1. Power speaker up
2. After power up hold the “play/pause” button and “-“ button down until you hear it beep quickly
3. Check your phone BT for “Jeep Speaker”

I’m not going to take credit @Sorbs found the fix

Got it working LOL - Thanks guys, You are the best! @Adawg1203 @Sorbs
I kept mistaking the Bluetooth button to initiate the pairing - I guess it is just to connect/disconnect after you set it up.

 

[SleepyJeep]

Whatever makes you feel better about buying your Sport S rather than a Rubicon.

LOL, I guess we are trying to make a rational technical choice between Rubi and the Sport S for our individual needs. I usually refrain from making comparisons on money cuz money is so subjective - tbh for some ppl $4k is not really that much and for some it is a lot. I spent $$ on the LE and I knew I was paying a bit more and I didn't mind that. I am more interested in the technical/rational choices between these models Rubi Vs Sport S max tow from the perspective of features and capabilities not what is a "rational purchase financially" because that just opens a whole new can of worms.

Ideally, I would like to have a Rubi with max tow hahaha ... But, for my needs I can live with a bit less tow in my LE as it fits my needs and I like the looks of it as well. And no, don't care about the Rubicon decal because I am replacing with a custom decal...

 

[furrymurray]

LOL, I guess we are trying to make a rational technical choice between Rubi and the Sport S for our individual needs. I usually refrain from making comparisons on money cuz money is so subjective - tbh for some ppl $4k is not really that much and for some it is a lot. I spent $$ on the LE and I knew I was paying a bit more and I didn't mind that. I am more interested in the technical/rational choices between these models Rubi Vs Sport S max tow from the perspective of features and capabilities not what is a "rational purchase financially" because that just opens a whole new can of worms.

Ideally, I would like to have a Rubi with max tow hahaha ... But, for my needs I can live with a bit less tow in my LE as it fits my needs and I like the looks of it as well. And no, don't care about the Rubicon decal because I am replacing with a custom decal...

You jus hit the nail on the head! Thank you for that.

 

[Rex3rd]

Whatever makes you feel better about buying your Sport S rather than a Rubicon.

I'll chime in here and just say this. You guys and gals are truly blessed to just have the money to get a gladiator no matter what trim level, right now the base sport is even out of my league. But I'm being patient and hopefully next year once I get my finances in order I can be blessed with a decent low optioned sport s and I'll love that truck like it's a Lamborghini. Untill then I'll sit here and drool over everyone's gladiator and watch you guys fight over who has the best trim level lol. Count your blessings.

 

[BAT]

I've actually started to kind of look more hard at the overland. I had pretty much set myself on the Sport S Max Tow but after giving some deep thought and what I actually will do I find myself kind of falling in the middle. It will be daily driver so MPG important, hauling stuff from home depot, etc and towing small travel trailer wouldn't require major beast mode and these would only be done infrequently. No rock crawling just trailers and beach. So I more and more find myself falling into the spot of I will be using the jeep truck for fun with the top off most of the time and as a daily driver the creature comforts offered with the Overland kind of fit that bill.

But you know by the time I am able to buy next year I will probably have changed my mind 5 times. Geez I need to stop looking at all this stuff and torturing myself (LOL).

 

[ZTMAN]

Thanks for the feed back all. Nice to see no one said "I regret buying one."

 

[futzin']

I'll chime in here and just say this. You guys and gals are truly blessed to just have the money to get a gladiator no matter what trim level, right now the base sport is even out of my league. But I'm being patient and hopefully next year once I get my finances in order I can be blessed with a decent low optioned sport s and I'll love that truck like it's a Lamborghini. Untill then I'll sit here and drool over everyone's gladiator and watch you guys fight over who has the best trim level lol. Count your blessings.

Great post. FWIW, dealer in Nicholasville, KY has two Sport AT in Gator for $37K (list).

 

[Reasons]

No it doesn't. Wheels and tires are considered "unsprung weight" and do not affect payload rating or towing rating. I'm talking in legal/technical terms. Not practical terms.

And, most Rubicon owners do 35s also, so it's a moot point.

Paragraph 31... or just hit ctrl + F and find "4.10" in the article discussing the "Engineering Behind the Jeep Gladiator's Tow Rating..."

I'm dropping this subject now as many have stated in posts above me. Everyone is trying to justify why they purchased their trim level. I was merely sharing my experience and process of what I went through in determining why I purchased the Rubicon and not the Sport S. I tried not to appear biased in my post. Which, clearly I was not.

Facts are facts with no emotional influence. Opinions are just opinions

 

[PyrPatriot]

No it doesn't. Wheels and tires are considered "unsprung weight" and do not affect payload rating or towing rating. I'm talking in legal/technical terms. Not practical terms.

And, most Rubicon owners do 35s also, so it's a moot point.

The heavier the wheels/tires the harder the engine/transmission have to work to move the vehicle the less payload/towing a vehicle can handle. For payload, the axles may physically be able to handle the payload on them regardless of the tires, but the engine still has to work harder, meaning a decrease in payload performance. For towing, tire size has a HUGE effect on towing. I had a thread discussing the mechanics behind it a while back, I'll find it

Paragraph 31... or just hit ctrl + F and find "4.10" in the article discussing the "Engineering Behind the Jeep Gladiator's Tow Rating..."

I'm dropping this subject now as many have stated in posts above me. Everyone is trying to justify why they purchased their trim level. I was merely sharing my experience and process of what I went through in determining why I purchased the Rubicon and not the Sport S. I tried not to appear biased in my post. Which, clearly I was not.

Facts are facts with no emotional influence. Opinions are just opinions

For those not willing to search

"So to achieve 7,650 pounds, Milo (Gladiator’s chief engineer Pete Milosavlevski—or Pete Milo for short) told me a major enabler was optimizing the tire size along with the gear ratio, with the team ending up choosing—for the Sport trim with the Max Trailer Tow group—a 32-inch tire and a 4.10:1 axle ratio to keep heat rejection down. (That’s the same gear ratio as the Rubicon, and while the Sport trim doesn’t get the 4:1 low range in the transfer case, that short axle ratio should still be exciting to folks interested in buying a less expensive Gladiator to build up with larger tires)."

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The heavier the wheels/tires the harder the engine/transmission have to work to move the vehicle the less payload/towing a vehicle can handle. For payload, the axles may physically be able to handle the payload on them regardless of the tires, but the engine still has to work harder, meaning a decrease in payload performance. For towing, tire size has a HUGE effect on towing. I had a thread discussing the mechanics behind it a while back, I'll find it




For those not willing to search

"So to achieve 7,650 pounds, Milo (Gladiator’s chief engineer Pete Milosavlevski—or Pete Milo for short) told me a major enabler was optimizing the tire size along with the gear ratio, with the team ending up choosing—for the Sport trim with the Max Trailer Tow group—a 32-inch tire and a 4.10:1 axle ratio to keep heat rejection down. (That’s the same gear ratio as the Rubicon, and while the Sport trim doesn’t get the 4:1 low range in the transfer case, that short axle ratio should still be exciting to folks interested in buying a less expensive Gladiator to build up with larger tires)."

The unsprung weight is still hauled by the engine and bigger tires mean a change in ratio, more tire width means more work for the engine.
Payload is more about what the vehicle can hold up than what it can pull. Towing is to me where the heavier wheels and tires would matter because you are having to actually get them rolling and haul them up a hill.
In any case, a skinnier tire rolls easier on the road. The aggressive tread some move to sucks power from that engine when on the highway. Engine load contributes to the heat generated - and thus has to be removed by the cooling system.
When you change tires for LOOKS you are giving up an advantage that was engineered into the vehicle.
Tire size - including WIDTH was figured in due to rolling resistance. And the weight does factor when you are pulling up a hill. It takes more energy to change the speed and direction of a heavier tire and more energy to get it rolling and keep it rolling especially if it's wider. And that's what BOTH Sport S and Rubicon people are doing for looks. (so make a choice - do you want it to look better in your eyes, or do you want MPG and long life for the truck?)
I care how mine looks but having built and repaired vehicles for decades and having factory training - I also consider the technical aspects of changes. So I'll think carefully before making any major changes to tires, wheels, height, and other accessories.

By the way, maybe we overland folks need a forum - no one seems to even admit they exist - sort of like who cares, oh, yeah, by the way, I guess they do offer that one, too - but really who cares? - but for those who give a rip about the lowly red-headed step child level, my JT Overlandwent FOUR HUNDRED MILES - yes, that's 400 - miles on a single tanks of gas.
And it was windy as hell today as the Canadians exported their biggest natural resource - cold air, and it hit hard dropping temps about 20 degrees, with 20 mph or so winds. I drove about 30 miles to a doc appointment after filling the tank and already am at 18.6 mpg on this second tank.
So for those complaining about gas mileage - You, too, could get MPG if you really wanted it but choose looks over function.
That's my opinion. You can't have both.

Anyway, I guess no one wanted to read that article about what it took to get the capacities and MPG and all - it's NOT just weight, not just this or that, it's a package that had to be designed to work together.

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