New owner

[Jimmymer]

Hello
Picked up my Gladiator Altitude today and drove about 200 miles home. Never test drove the car before and i like it, kinda.
I thought it would be worse, I thought I would have to put more effort keeping it straight on the highway or it will be crazy loud, well, it’s loud enough above 70 mph, but not super loud, it was straight enough without any effort, smooth transmission and 3.6 is powerful for town and highway driving.
I don’t like mpg, it averaged 18 mpg on the highway at 80-90 mph. Speakers are peace of shit, Halogen Headlights a fog lights are really bad,
interior feels cheap, feels like sitting in a cooler. I know i will get used to it and I will upgrade the speakers, install headliner and LED’s, probably many more upgrades.
Tires are at 40-41 psi, is it ok or should I lower it a bit?
Is there any tips for a new jeepster?
Thank you.

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[chrismeece74]

Tires are overinflated, try 36 psi and see how that feels.

 

[trizzle]

Last Jeep I'll ever own

 

[Jimmymer]

Tires are overinflated, try 36 psi and see how that feels.

Will do, ty

 

[Jimmymer]

Last Jeep I'll ever own

Sorry for you

 

[JET_83]

Your door sill will recommend 37 all around

 

[NachoRuby]

Hello
Picked up my Gladiator Altitude today and drove about 200 miles home. Never test drove the car before and i like it, kinda.
I thought it would be worse, I thought I would have to put more effort keeping it straight on the highway or it will be crazy loud, well, it’s loud enough above 70 mph, but not super loud, it was straight enough without any effort, smooth transmission and 3.6 is powerful for town and highway driving.
I don’t like mpg, it averaged 18 mpg on the highway at 80-90 mph. Speakers are peace of shit, Halogen Headlights a fog lights are really bad,
interior feels cheap, feels like sitting in a cooler. I know i will get used to it and I will upgrade the speakers, install headliner and LED’s, probably many more upgrades.
Tires are at 40-41 psi, is it ok or should I lower it a bit?
Is there any tips for a new jeepster?
Thank you.

The interior is the way it is for a reason. It's water resistant (even the electronics), and extremely durable. It's not cheap, but meant to withstand weather, primarily. It's meant to be able to get wet, get muddy, and be cleanable. The sitting in a cooler feeling will go away the first time you can get the top and the doors off. Enjoy.

Not saying you do, but a lot of first time owners think for the price, they should be more luxurious, and use premium materials. But the price is for off-road capability, water proofing, and genuine durability in the elements.

Check your door, but I think all of these recommend 36-37 psi. Dealerships insist on filling to 41 for some reason. It'll ride much better at lower psi.

 

[Jimmymer]

The interior is the way it is for a reason. It's water resistant (even the electronics), and extremely durable. It's not cheap, but meant to withstand weather, primarily. It's meant to be able to get wet, get muddy, and be cleanable. The sitting in a cooler feeling will go away the first time you can get the top and the doors off. Enjoy.

Not saying you do, but a lot of first time owners think for the price, they should be more luxurious, and use premium materials. But the price is for off-road capability, water proofing, and genuine durability in the elements.

Check your door, but I think all of these recommend 36-37 psi. Dealerships insist on filling to 41 for some reason. It'll ride much better at lower psi.

Thank you, I appreciate your info and I will definitely enjoy the time with gladiator.

 

[Rocksalt]

is there anything you like about it ? your initial impressions seem to suggest otherwise.

 

[COmtnbiker]

Your previous car shaped that perspective. I have driven 2 door TJ jeeps for basically my driving life.

I got in the JT and went "HOLY CRAP I'm driving a Rolls Royce. I have cruise control! Everything is so plush - and the front top comes off. I can drive AND talk on the phone at the same time without threatening to crash. This is space age stuff"

 

[redriderjf87]

18 mpg at 90 mph really isn't that bad. It's shaped like a jeep, not a crossover.

 

[trizzle]

Maybe test drive your next vehicle. Just saying..

 

[ArmyMP]

Diesel gets better MPG. But both are less aerodynamic than a cow.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Welcome! Give it some time. MPG should improve as the engine breaks in.

 

[The Bean]

Everyone’s expectations and impressions are different. Long-time Jeep people will see the JT and JL’s as the most refined trail-rated Wrangler/Gladiator in the world.
Non-Jeep people coming into the brand for the first time, will have some negative opinions considering these things are far from cheap.

However, the main design and engineering principal of these things is toughness and durability on the trails. Which means you give up some of the modern niceties of a “regular” vehicle these days (soft touch materials everywhere, quiet interiors, smooth steering and suspension etc), but it’s all made like that for the intention of what it’s capable of tackling. I bought my JT sight unseen as well, but I’ve been around Jeeps of all flavors for years, and knew what I was getting into.

As far as some of the concerns you’ve mentioned go;
Yes, the stock halogen lights are absolutely worthless and was the first thing I changed. I replaced the headlights, DRL/turn signals, and taillights for LED units.
I just upgraded my rear speakers (both rear tweeters and mid-range) with Select Increments JLJT-Pods and the difference is very noticeable and a great step up (if you don’t have the Alpine system that is).
As far as MPG’s go, while modern engines and tech has really helped with gains for the JL and JT, at the end of the day a lobster is more aerodynamic. You’re not gonna see very good gas mileage at anything over about 70-75. So running 80-90 and averaging 18 is pretty impressive. Also if you plan on doing any tire upgrades in the future, this will also negatively impact your MPG, so keep that in mind.

As someone else said, once you take the doors off, or the roof off (or both!) for the first time, or you hit a local trail or two for the first time, it really sinks in as to why these things are the way they are, and become even more appreciable.

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