They had the capability, they made it better, stronger, faster...

[RacerX00]

Or at the very least they gave it a cool bed.

So right around the time when I get to give my wife the small car (she works in Brooklyn) and I get to have the big one, Jeep decided to do the thing I've been waiting foreevvvvvvveer for. I do a little contracting, I'm an outdoors guy who likes to go off-road and I'm toting little ones. I'm so ready for them to TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!! (and take this stupid Escape away from my property)

So I have a question. I want to buy as stock as possible then buy things and customize my jeep as I go, because, that's just how I want to do my Jeep. I also know from experience there are certain things I regret not getting from the dealer and that there are a few items on the Jeep list I should probably get from the factory.

You're me, do you:

A) Buy a Sport S and sink $15,000 into the aftermarket
B) Buy a Rubi or Mojave and just call it a day because factory upgrades just work and are good value

I understand a bit about the tradeoffs from a work-perspective. I would like to fill the bed up with compost and other earth-things as well as potentially hook up a landscaping trailer from time to time so it seems from what I'm reading I may want to be sure to get a Sport S with the tow package. Is there anything else that's just a "No really, you should just get this from Jeep." kind of option?

Thanks all. Could be the last time I ever feel like a kid at Christmas. Jeeps have beds. JEEPS! BEDS!

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[Alans17]

Things like automatic transmission, power locks and windows aren’t standard. If those are important to you, you’ll want to do them from the factory. Most of the upgrades can be done later.

 

[wanderer]

Things like automatic transmission, power locks and windows aren’t standard. If those are important to you, you’ll want to do them from the factory. Most of the upgrades can be done later.

do alittle of both Buy the rubicon Throw 35s on it call it a day

 

[PyrPatriot]

Sport and sink money into it if you do not anticipate parting with the rig. I don't see what in the world would cost $15k in upgrades.

Lockers: $2500
Lift: $3k

Now, I don't know if you'd want the transfer case specific to the rubicon or mojave or how much that would cost, or the cost of an electronic swaybar disconnect.

 

[RacerX00]

I would say that kind of stuff like power windows is obvious but you bring up a bigger point about transmissions. I like to row my own gears but I've heard the tranny on the gladiator leaves much to be desired with long throws that "don't feel natural."

How bad is it? Am I off in my perception? The husband in me says it has so-so reviews and my wife hates stick so just get the automatic but the me in me says this could be the last new car I ever buy with a stick.

 

[DocMike]

Factory Aux Switches.... I have future plans for mine. Cheap to get from dealer....
I like having power locks and windows on the Sport S. Some guys prefer old school ones.
I like my cold weather package (Heated Seats and Steering Wheel)
If your dealer will spray in a bed liner...I had to pay for mine. $450.
Hard Top is nice for those of us with winters.

I have a Sport S on 33s with Rubicon take offs and rock sliders. Non Max Tow. Should have gotten the Max Tow...lower gearing and wider axles.
That being said, I just had zero problems this weekend wheeling while watching serious Tacomas spin tires and get stuck.

I guess it depends what you plan....35s on a Rubicon and you are set for most things.
15K in aftermarket gets you a serious rig.

 

[RacerX00]

Sport and sink money into it if you do not anticipate parting with the rig. I don't see what in the world would cost $15k in upgrades.

Lockers: $2500
Lift: $3k

Now, I don't know if you'd want the transfer case specific to the rubicon or mojave or how much that would cost, or the cost of an electronic swaybar disconnect.

This is a great question, frankly a large part of me is ignorant. I have 10s of thousands of miles off-road in fleet vehicles on their way out of service in a work capacity and exactly zero experience buying a new vehicle for the purpose. Having a Sport S out of the box is going to be like you have no idea what kind of upgrade for me. I also don't want to let that perspective cloud my judgement, is that appreciation going to wear off super quick and have me looking at Rubis and Mojaves with envy?

I guess in the Rubi/Mojave scenario I'm foregoing things like truck caps right when I buy the car. With the Sport S, I'd probably look at what people are doing to make her breath better just because I do that with any vehicle I care about. I'd have to live with those kinds of things stock from Jeep with Rubi/Mojave.

From a towing/hauling standpoint, if I plan to have the bed filled with dirt a couple of dozen times a year, does that sway my decision? What about pulling the landscaping trailer?

 

[BryantJT]

Breathe better? Intake and exhaust modifications are purely for the sound, you'll get no real world difference.

Towing, get the auto, most all trims it is nearly double the tow rating.

Highest capacity is a sport or sport S max tow package followed by Rubicon.

Landscape trailer or bed load of dirt, any model.

Max Tow, Rubicon, and Mojave all have 4.10 gears and wide track axles. Rubicon is extra low low range and dual lockers, Mojave is fancy suspension and rear locker. I can't see a Mojave as being a work vehicle because any changes and you lose the premium suspension parts.


As an aside, if you can find a 2020 model, non rubicon, non mojave, there is employee pricing for all which is a very steep discount, even better than the 7 to 8% under invoice that many are advertised at in the buying section.

 

[futzin']

If you wanna off-road and tow 5-7K, then get Sport S with Max Tow.

If you wanna off-road and tow under 5K, then Rubicon.

My .02

 

[RacerX00]

As an aside, if you can find a 2020 model, non rubicon, non mojave, there is employee pricing for all which is a very steep discount, even better than the 7 to 8% under invoice that many are advertised at in the buying section.

All good info, thanks man. As for the deals, it's killing me but I just can't make a purchase this exact second and by the time I am ready those 2020s will be gone. I'm trying not to look.

Everything is herding cats when you're 40 with a family.

 

[Murgatroid]

Or at the very least they gave it a cool bed.

So right around the time when I get to give my wife the small car (she works in Brooklyn) and I get to have the big one, Jeep decided to do the thing I've been waiting foreevvvvvvveer for. I do a little contracting, I'm an outdoors guy who likes to go off-road and I'm toting little ones. I'm so ready for them to TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!! (and take this stupid Escape away from my property)

So I have a question. I want to buy as stock as possible then buy things and customize my jeep as I go, because, that's just how I want to do my Jeep. I also know from experience there are certain things I regret not getting from the dealer and that there are a few items on the Jeep list I should probably get from the factory.

You're me, do you:

A) Buy a Sport S and sink $15,000 into the aftermarket
B) Buy a Rubi or Mojave and just call it a day because factory upgrades just work and are good value

I understand a bit about the tradeoffs from a work-perspective. I would like to fill the bed up with compost and other earth-things as well as potentially hook up a landscaping trailer from time to time so it seems from what I'm reading I may want to be sure to get a Sport S with the tow package. Is there anything else that's just a "No really, you should just get this from Jeep." kind of option?

Thanks all. Could be the last time I ever feel like a kid at Christmas. Jeeps have beds. JEEPS! BEDS!

Keep in mind that you might want to start with the max tow because the axle is wider and the same that is on the Rubicon, 4.10.

 

[jurfie]

Agree with most of the comments here: sounds like a Sport S with Max Tow is your best option. Be sure it is "Max Tow" and not just the towing package - these are two different things. Will force you into an auto, however.

Unless of course, you are 40 with a family, in which case buy what you can afford right away as I know that allocating funds for toys can sometimes be like herding cats.

 

[Alans17]

Unless of course, you are 40 with a family, in which case buy what you can afford right away as I know that allocating funds for toys can sometimes be like herding cats.

Truth!

 

[DocMike]

My Gladiator makes a great DD and I haul 4 kids. They like the truck so they want to ride in it.

 

[93civej1]

Truth!

I was about to say the same thing!!

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