Why not buy a full size truck for the same price?

[Alabama Mud Machine]

I kept my full-size 1-ton HD 4x4 diesel for heavy hauling and towing...And it's built, and it's a beast...

...But it can't do this... And that's why I have a JTR for a daily driver.

Sponsored

 

[Gobi-Wan Kenobi]

I am still trying to figure this out. I am on my 5th Wrangler and I get the fun of top off and doors off and wheeling. I live in Colorado, one of the best off road places around! My last truck was a JLU Rubicon. I was very interested in the JT, particularly when I heard about the towing capacity. But as I do my price shopping I have hit the wall. Basing pricing assumptions on the JL gets us pretty close to guess what this truck will sell for. Optioned well it just isn't gonna be less than 50k, and probably several thousand more. A Sahara optioned well is north of $52,000.

And yet, the new redesigned half ton full size trucks with much more capability from the big three are all about the same price, or even cheaper, including the off road equipped with factory 2" suspension lift trucks like the 2019 Silverado which I just "build and priced" at around $56k MSRP. I am not thrilled about a full size truck as a daily driver, its hard to park, costly to insure, poor visibility etc. But after looking around I am fast losing interest in the JT. Maybe I will buy a used JL for the DD and the full size truck for towing. much as I hated the idea of buying two new vehicles. (I have an '01 Silverado 2500HD with the 8.1L (yes, 8.1!) that gets around 7 mpg towing a 5000 lb trailer).

Help me out boys and girls, I just don't get Jeep's justifying the pricing of these. They are mid-sized trucks priced like full size in my view.

I got mine because it checked all the boxes I wanted and needed. I also spent a little over half of that you are looking at. I paid about $36k out the door including taxes/tags/fees. But I wanted only the utilitarian options and none of the luxury stuff. I got a base sport with roll up windows and added max tow, bed liner, aux switches, and rubber floor mats. That's it, no 7 or 8 inch stereo, no power windows, no heated seats, no leather, etc.

I needed a quad cab 4x4 that could tow 7k lbs. All full sized trucks and most mid sized trucks have at least one trim level that checks this box.

I wanted an off road toy. It's hard to find a mid sized truck that checks this box and the towing one in the same package but most full sized trucks could do this but not as well as the Gladiator.

I wanted something easier to park then a full sized truck. The gladiator is about a long as a full sized truck but it is narrower which makes navigating in parking lots and on trails easier.

I wanted a convertible. This is the only truck that checks this box.

When you look at base sticker price the Gladiator is expensive, but that's because it only offers quad cab 4x4. Once you add those requirements it isn't much more expensive then other trucks and it is also a convertible and in base trim it offers better off road capabilities then most trucks due with the exception of their high priced off road versions.

It really depends on what you want and need. If you just need to move heavy payloads, get a full sized truck. If you want a convertible or an off road toy get a Wrangler. If you need both get a Gladiator.

 

[Bigphe JT]

Gas mileage, parking size in a downtown parking garage and Jeep fun are my reasons. Just like boat size and jet outboard or prop, there are no perfect vehicles. Always give and take. The JT checks the most boxes for me. Price for a full size is usually more from my shopping experience too. Especially with the deal I got in May with the incentives and great trade in pricing. Glad I bought when I did. Most dealers near me do not have much inventory except for the higher end Rubicon and Overland models. Loving the Gladiator!

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

When you look at base sticker price the Gladiator is expensive, but that's because it only offers quad cab 4x4. Once you add those requirements it isn't much more expensive than other trucks and it is also a convertible, and in base trim it offers better off road capabilities than most trucks do with the exception of their high priced off road versions.

^ Best summary.

 

[OliverJT]

To me its all about character. Gladiator/wranger makes you feel something. Its not sterile like every other suv/cuv/truck minus the raptor. My opinion anyways.

 

[wannajeep]

I kept my full-size 1-ton HD 4x4 diesel for heavy hauling and towing...And it's built, and it's a beast

Is that a 5.9L?

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Is that a 5.9L?

Nope... 2007.5 model... So 6.7 Cummins. Fully-deleted since 3,000 miles on the odometer.

 

[wannajeep]

Nope... 2007.5 model... So 6.7 Cummins. Fully-deleted since 3,000 miles on the odometer.

I remember 2007 was a tossup. Love the 5.9 but the deleted 6.7 was pretty sweet too. Nice rig.

 

[Phljeeper]

Because it’s not just a truck and it’s not just a Jeep. It’s both and nothing else is like it. Same reason you wouldn’t buy a Cherokee instead of a Wrangler. While the Cherokee likely drives smoother, is still 4wd, and is a great vehicle, it isn’t a wrangler. The Gladiator is the most fun and functional combination on the road currently.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

I remember 2007 was a tossup. Love the 5.9 but the deleted 6.7 was pretty sweet too. Nice rig.

Yeah, Dodge has always loved those 1/2-year model changeups... Really makes shit confusing when you buy one brand new when they come out, and then nobody's computer system is setup for the new model... I can't tell you how many times apocolyptic-level confusion set-in when trying to buy parts for it back in 2007/2008...

The people who hated the 6.7's weren't really aware of their potential deleted, or getting past the weak points in the design. Once you got those buttoned-up, it was a smoother, faster, more powerful, and better-to-build-on better powerplant (IMO) than the last generation 5.9 was.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

The Gladiator is the most fun and functional combination on the road currently.

Yes.

 

[Dooley the Clown]

I rarely read a thread end-to-end but this has been interesting reading.

 

[greenMarine]

I said the same thing until the prices on the JT came down - I've owned about every make and model of 4x4 (S.D., Ram 2500's, F150, 1500 Chev, 3-JK's, more TJ's than I can count), few 1/2 tons are close to as capable modified as the JT is stock and even then 1/2-tons need a ton of work and then they're still big. H.D. variaties, (excluding the GM b/c of the antiquated Torsion Bar b.s. front end) RAM and Ford then, can be 'capable' but if your like most people your buying a diesel variety, the weight is a detractor for both off-road and city driving - they are lumbering beasts - and really shine with a trailer behind them or a long highway road trip. The JT, is comfortable, like most of the 1/2-tons on the mkt, the v6 being less than a v8 is in reality its only drawback - and if your a tow-boy you should be looking at the platform that excels at that in the first place. The stock Dana 44's on all Gladiators and the available 4.10's with wide track, mean your essentially getting 1/2 ton axles on a light duty truck - the value is there. My decision between a JT and JL came down to the fact that I could get those 44's without having to buy a RUBICON... there is a lot of value in the JT... it isn't there at first glance - but with some consideration it becomes obvious.

 

[ericinva]

The "why" is really easy: The Gladiator is what you get when you need a truck, but want a convertible.

We're just a few days in with ours, and we absolutely love it. The bright Firecracker Red paint job definitely makes it a head turner, and I never got such enthusiastic Jeep waves with the Wrangler we had.

 

[Shackleton]

The "why" is really easy: The Gladiator is what you get when you need a truck, but want a convertible.

We're just a few days in with ours, and we absolutely love it. The bright Firecracker Red paint job definitely makes it a head turner, and I never got such enthusiastic Jeep waves with the Wrangler we had.

Enjoy. I’m a new Jeep owner and so far I love it and haven’t missed my Tundra.

Sponsored