Off Road question

[SmartyJones]

Have yet to do any off roadimg in the new gladiator. How capable is it without front and rear lockers? I know if you’re worried about it should have got a rubicon, but I don’t off road much. Reason is went to an off road class and did a lot of stuff where they had us use the front and rear lockers and now I have questions ?

any input is greatly appreciated

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[ecidiego]

Have yet to do any off roadimg in the new gladiator. How capable is it without front and rear lockers? I know if you’re worried about it should have got a rubicon, but I don’t off road much. Reason is went to an off road class and did a lot of stuff where they had us use the front and rear lockers and now I have questions ?

any input is greatly appreciated

What kind of off roading? I bought a Mojave for the SoCal deserts and doubt I'll engage my only locker ( rear ) ever if at all.

I did tons in Anza Borrego this past weekend - very soft sand, moderate rocks, never once used the locker. Air your tires down, have a way to reinflate them when you get back on pavement and you'll do most off roading.

If you wanna do all the crazy "Jeep stuff" you see people in 2 door Wranglers do, you can't do that in any Gladiator, including a Rubicon with both lockers.

Start small, get to know your truck. If you need lockers later, add them.

PS: Not knocking the Rubicon, it's rad. It was a long process deciding between it and the Mojave and I know it is more capable when its lockers and other things like the 4:1 are needed. I just finally realized I won't be in those places. My point is, don't look across the fence. Enjoy your Jeep.

 

[NachoRuby]

They are all plenty capable without lockers. The trail rated badge is no gimmick, and these all have earned it. Lockers are nice, but if you don't have them, you probably won't even know you "need" them. Are you rock crawling?

 

[Trickster]

Hard to answer that.
Capable off-roader, yes depending on the situation, terrain, driver experience, tires, surface conditions, etc.
Not sure what you want to hear, it is a Jeep, but has its limitations.

 

[Gvsukids]

Further reading...
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-off-road-capability.38784/

 

[JoseQ_80]

You'll be fine if you are sensible with your trail choices.

Your traction control system includes the brake lock differential feature which is pretty effective. It mimics a locking diff by applying brakes to the spinning wheel to send power to the other side.

Also the select speed control which is very useful, especially for beginners.

 

[ecidiego]

. The trail rated badge is no gimmick,

 

[SmartyJones]

I appreciate the responses so far. The Jeep community has been so welcoming and amazing so far.

Full disclosure I went to a Bronco off-Roadeo and did some things I probably would never do. Some of it was easy and then other stuff very technical and difficult.

Love the gladiator and am anxious to try some of the new things I’ve learned. Just curious about limitations.

 

[ecidiego]

I appreciate the responses so far. The Jeep community has been so welcoming and amazing so far.

Full disclosure I went to a Bronco off-Roadeo and did some things I probably would never do. Some of it was easy and then other stuff very technical and difficult.

Love the gladiator and am anxious to try some of the new things I’ve learned. Just curious about limitations.

You'll always find limitations. When you find them and say "I don't want this limitation" - mod your Jeep!!!

 

[SmartyJones]

And this is what I’m talking about! Cheers bro ?

 

[RVcruzer]

While I have a Rubicon, my son has an Overland. No lockers. OEM street tires replaced with Duratrac tires and we did install a complete Rockhard skid plate package, Rockhard front bumper and winch, and a skid plate for the trailer hitch receiver. He took it to Ouray this summer on Ophir, Imogene, Corkscrew, California Gulf and other passes. Then on to Moab where he did Bull Canyon, Gemini Bridges, Fins and Things, etc. That Gladiator went everywhere the JL Rubicons did, although the skid plates were used a few times on Fins and Things. Never had a problem with traction, needing sway bar disconnects or needing the 4:1 low range of a Rubicon (although those things are always nice).

 

[Rahkmalla]

Is the off roadeo you went to NH? That's the slowest and most technical of the 4. Most crawling and locking required.

Unless that's the type of offroading you're most interested in, front lockers are purely a luxury, and rears may be as well. Only reason I have a sasquatch on order is because you can't get a rear locker in a base bronco without it, and by the time you get a big bend with rear lockers you're already matching base sasquatch money.

 

[AZJT]

While I have a Rubicon, my son has an Overland. No lockers. OEM street tires replaced with Duratrac tires and we did install a complete Rockhard skid plate package, Rockhard front bumper and winch, and a skid plate for the trailer hitch receiver. He took it to Ouray this summer on Ophir, Imogene, Corkscrew, California Gulf and other passes. Then on to Moab where he did Bull Canyon, Gemini Bridges, Fins and Things, etc. That Gladiator went everywhere the JL Rubicons did, although the skid plates were used a few times on Fins and Things. Never had a problem with traction, needing sway bar disconnects or needing the 4:1 low range of a Rubicon (although those things are always nice).

This! I did a 2" level kit and put on 35" Nitto Ridge Grapplers on my 2020 Overland and it has yet to let me down. I did the Jeep Adventure Academy in March of this year and it was 100% capable of doing all the other Jeeps in attendance were able to do. No regrets whatsoever.

 

[SmartyJones]

Is the off roadeo you went to NH? That's the slowest and most technical of the 4. Most crawling and locking required.

Unless that's the type of offroading you're most interested in, front lockers are purely a luxury, and rears may be as well. Only reason I have a sasquatch on order is because you can't get a rear locker in a base bronco without it, and by the time you get a big bend with rear lockers you're already matching base sasquatch money.

We did the one on Mt Potosi Nevada. Was a lot of rock crawling. Was very amazing to see what these off road vehicles are capable of. Can’t wait to put the gladiator through its paces ?

 

[wv_gladiator]

You will be surprised how well it will do, just use common sense and try to go with another vehicle.

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