What kind of deal can I realistically expect?

[SwampNut]

Well, sometimes you make compromises on this in order to get a better deal. We did with a JK, and then ended up absolutely LOVING the leather seats. That was on my "no way" list also. Then it became a requirement for the JT. I really really hated the idea of color-matched fenders, but it was part of the best deal I could find, so if I still hate them after a while I'll change them.

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[MrFahrenheit]

I also wouldn’t let leather kill a deal if it had everything else. That’s nothing that a seat cover can’t fix. The obvious caveat here is that you may pay a bit more because it has the leather, but if your like me, you might find a deal on a lot substantially better than what you could order one for so that could make the price diff moot.

 

[SwampNut]

Considering where I live, I thought heated seats would be pretty worthless too. But then we got in my doorless, topless JK in winter at 4am to go deer hunting...

 

[steelponycowboy]

I guess the deal you get is what you are willing to work for. If you ask the dealer to give you your best price out the door and you accept that, you've left money on the table but you've spent an hour or less all in. I ordered mine and got $9000 off the MSRP ($55232 MSRP) and paid no dealer adds/fees. Took me about 2 hours. I did the same with my JK. It's all about if you have the time and can handle the stress of the negotiation.

 

[Darel]

Yeah, I get that. Believe me, I am no stranger to dealer negotiations. Like I said, though, I buy CPO just off lease after that initial depreciation hit. In that situation, you have no idea what the "invoice" on the car is. I think I really just needed to understand the rebates and stuff to see how these other guys are getting "below invoice" prices - they're coming more from FCA and not the dealer. Basically the dealer needs to make money above the invoice price they pay. Anything below the invoice price has to come as an incentive from FCA. I think I got it now, the mastery comes in navigating the incentives. When I bought my TJ 22 years ago, you just didn't have all that. I might've got a $500 military discount or something, that's it.

If anyone's curious, my order (as of right now, it changes weekly) would be:

Gladiator Rubicon in Gator (unless they release Sarge for 2021), base Rubicon wheels because I love them.
3pc hardtop (planning on painting it myself, probably tan), no headliner - will get Hotheads
Body-color fender flares
Keyless Entry
Cloth seats (sorry, hate leather, won't have it. Had it in too many cars. Driver's seat is all creased and looks like crap after just a couple years.)
8.4/Alpine
Slush mats
MANUAL TRANSMISSION. Completely non-negotiable. Would not consider getting a vehicle with an auto.
All package groups except cargo. That's really expensive for what you get. Cold WX, Trailer tow, LED, Active Safety, Adaptive cruise. I'm kinda spoiled with all the safety nannies in my Mercedes and Audi and I've grown to like them. Never had Adaptive Cruise but always wanted it, especially as I drive 2-4 hours every day on the highway for work.
Aux switches (because why not, I'm already spending $50K, what's another dash doodad for $250)?

Just finding one on a lot with a stick is like a needle in a haystack, so I'm really not banking on finding anything really close to what I want on a lot. However, I'll certainly look. Also more than willing to do the fly-in/drive home within a reasonable distance, say east of the MIssissippi. I'll probably hit up Koons in VA as mentioned above (thanks!) as I have friends and family in the area and it's only about a 4-hour drive from me.

Thanks for all your help guys!
D

 

[steelponycowboy]

Sounds like a nice build.

My build was as follows:

1. Gladiator Mojave Edition - Gator
2. Auto Tranny (bigger tow capacity and better for towing)
3. Color match fenders
4 3 PC black hard top - going to paint it a tan for much less than the $1100 Jeep wants
5. 8.4 with Alpine
6. Tire Upgrade (easier to sell take offs with mud terrains as I got new rims and 35's for it)
7. Remote Start (for those 115 degree days here in AZ)
8. Proximity unlock -loved it on my company Prius, walk up grab the door handle and it unlocks
with no key needed.
9. Bagged the electronic safety stuff - would probably be a PIA w/aftermarket bumpers and off
road
10. Cold weather package and engine heater for when I head to Alaska
11. Aux Switches
12. Tow Package
13. Going to get the Rugged Ridge floor liners, cheaper and better than factory
14. After market headliner is cheaper and just as good as factory.
15. I'm going to put JW Speaker LED lights on it, think they are better than the factory LEDs
16. Disappointed I could not get the trail camera with out getting the LED package but that's life.
I'll get a more comprehensive multi camera system with a switcher that can be run thru the 8.4
17. Cargo management was way over priced, probably due to the inverter so passed on that too.
Wouldn't have minded to have the Trail Rail system that's part of the Cargo Mgmt.

Decided when I made my mind up on the order to get the following:

1. CG1000XL Cargo Glide
2. RSI Smart Cap with kitchen option
3. Free Spirit Recreation Odyssey Hard Shell RTT with rack system will put Max Track Pros and a
Road Shower on the rack
4. Snomaster LP66 Fridge/Freezer
5. Maximus-3 roof rack for cab
6. Rhino Rack rack for the RSI Smart Cap to match the style and height of the Maximus
7. RockHard sport cage front and rear options
8. Lift Kit, either a full featured TeraFlex or Ikon 2.5" kit for 37's
9. Rugged Ridge Venator or HD Front Bumper
10. 12,000lb Winch with synthetic rope - probably Rugged Ridge as I've had good experience with
them
11. Dual Odyssey batteries with a 2000 watt inverter
12. Baer Big Brakes for front and rear.
13. Genuine Mopar Integrated Brake Controller for Gladiator since it's not part of the Tow Package

Will mount Yaesu FTM400 ham radio and Midland MXT400 GMRS (my club uses GMRS) . Probably won't install CB as I have little or no use for them anymore.

Plan is to have this project finished before November so I can have at the SEMA show.

I'll probably add a few more things over time but what you see is pretty much what I'll have when done. Garage is already overflowing with parts ;-)

 

[Darel]

Sounds like a nice build.

My build was as follows:

1. Gladiator Mojave Edition - Gator
2. Auto Tranny (bigger tow capacity and better for towing)
3. Color match fenders
4 3 PC black hard top - going to paint it a tan for much less than the $1100 Jeep wants
5. 8.4 with Alpine
6. Tire Upgrade (easier to sell take offs with mud terrains as I got new rims and 35's for it)
7. Remote Start (for those 115 degree days here in AZ)
8. Proximity unlock -loved it on my company Prius, walk up grab the door handle and it unlocks
with no key needed.
9. Bagged the electronic safety stuff - would probably be a PIA w/aftermarket bumpers and off
road
10. Cold weather package and engine heater for when I head to Alaska
11. Aux Switches
12. Tow Package
13. Going to get the Rugged Ridge floor liners, cheaper and better than factory
14. After market headliner is cheaper and just as good as factory.
15. I'm going to put JW Speaker LED lights on it, think they are better than the factory LEDs
16. Disappointed I could not get the trail camera with out getting the LED package but that's life.
I'll get a more comprehensive multi camera system with a switcher that can be run thru the 8.4
17. Cargo management was way over priced, probably due to the inverter so passed on that too.
Wouldn't have minded to have the Trail Rail system that's part of the Cargo Mgmt.

Decided when I made my mind up on the order to get the following:

1. CG1000XL Cargo Glide
2. RSI Smart Cap with kitchen option
3. Free Spirit Recreation Odyssey Hard Shell RTT with rack system will put Max Track Pros and a
Road Shower on the rack
4. Snomaster LP66 Fridge/Freezer
5. Maximus-3 roof rack for cab
6. Rhino Rack rack for the RSI Smart Cap to match the style and height of the Maximus
7. RockHard sport cage front and rear options
8. Lift Kit, either a full featured TeraFlex or Ikon 2.5" kit for 37's
9. Rugged Ridge Venator or HD Front Bumper
10. 12,000lb Winch with synthetic rope - probably Rugged Ridge as I've had good experience with
them
11. Dual Odyssey batteries with a 2000 watt inverter
12. Baer Big Brakes for front and rear.
13. Genuine Mopar Integrated Brake Controller for Gladiator since it's not part of the Tow Package

Will mount Yaesu FTM400 ham radio and Midland MXT400 GMRS (my club uses GMRS) . Probably won't install CB as I have little or no use for them anymore.

Plan is to have this project finished before November so I can have at the SEMA show.

I'll probably add a few more things over time but what you see is pretty much what I'll have when done. Garage is already overflowing with parts ;-)

Hold up, you can get a dealer-installed integrated trailer brake controller? I'll have to look into that one.

Yeah that cargo management one is a big disappointment. I would like both the box rails and the underseat box, but the inverter drives it up by probably $200. However, even at $600 it'd be way overpriced.

 

[steelponycowboy]

Hold up, you can get a dealer-installed integrated trailer brake controller? I'll have to look into that one.

Yeah that cargo management one is a big disappointment. I would like both the box rails and the underseat box, but the inverter drives it up by probably $200. However, even at $600 it'd be way overpriced.

Yes, not sure if dealers have the part instock as it was to start shipping in April but with factory and suppliers shut down, who knows. It mounts where the 12v receptical is on the center dash. Here it is:

2019-2020 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator Integrated Brake Controller MOPAR #82215652

 

[Darel]

And it's even nice and neat and unobtrusive and covered under warranty. Love it.

 

[steelponycowboy]

 

[Darel]

That's a thing of beauty. Now to spend my Friday night quarantine time combing the rest of the Mopar parts catalog.

 

[TheHime]

How much was the brake controller upgrade?

 

[Darel]

On the Mopar parts site it's about $260. Not sure if that includes all the wiring and all. Maybe if you have a towing package it's already there? Anyone had one installed?

EDIT: Just saw it's not actually available yet, ETA TBD.

 

[viiiball]

I shopped around. Had a deal negotiated with Dulles Jeep in Leesburg, VA for $7000k off MSRP (that was our "home" dealership). We are in SC due to the virus and I could not find one in SC with the cold weather package. Finally, after much searching, found the one we wanted at Lake Keowee Jeep in Seneca, SC. They have over 100 Gladiators on the lot. You might be able to find one close to your build and then tweak.

 

[AirLaz]

Oh I'm not like that. I just know I'm not going to find one speced the way I want it WITHOUT the options I don't want to pay for (like leather....screw leather).

Get used.....Launch Editions Rubicon's falling like a rock. Beautiful Truck

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