Anybody Completely Enamored with the MAX TOW Stock?

[Gren71]

Sponsored

 

[Gvsukids]

WHERE IS OUR MAXTOW CLUB?

 

[GotGladiator]

What is cargo management?

 

[w650gb500]

Thought I’d offer my perspective on purchasing a Gladiator. For the last 20 years I’ve owned and DD 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickup trucks. It was a necessity for working around our houses, commercial buildings and towing lots of “stuff”. We sold a few properties, so I no longer have a need to haul materials on nearly a daily basis in the bed of a pickup. We are mostly finished with the major construction and landscaping around our “forever house”, but I’m not so naive to say that we’re totally done. With the market for used trucks as crazy as it is currently, she told me that I should consider selling it and looking for a new truck. So fast forward a month and I start looking for a Gladiator. While doing a bunch of research, it looked like the best deals were on left-over 2021 Overland models with their generous rebates. I looked all over for one, but Overlands have WAY TOO MANY creature comforts and technology for me. I’m looking for more of a “plain jane“ truck to use as a truck for truck things. Once I found out about the 4000# tow rating of most JT models, I was‘t too enamored with that feature of the truck. Then upon more research I found out bout the Max Tow package which fit squarely into my needs for a truck. More research and web-surfing landed me on a Sport with Max Tow as the truck to look for, problem then was there were none within 4 hours of my house! Finally found a very basic Sport with no other options but Max Tow and 8-speed transmission. I bought it over the phone with a c/c deposit having never even test driven one. Now, unlike most JT owners here, I’ve never owned a Jeep. Actually I never like Jeeps as my only experience driving them has been taking a few friends 2-door Wranglers for quick spins. I never liked the way they drove, so never considered buying one. The Gladiator, being the longest wheelbase Wrangler they’ve built just had to be the best riding of the bunch, so I took a chance. Not the smartest way to go about buying an unfamiliar vehicle, but with the way used Gladiator prices are trending, I didn’t feel I’d get hurt too bad if I didn’t like it. Strange thing is, I actually do like the truck. Now, I’m only 3000 miles into my ownership, but it has surprised me to this point. Coming from nothing but V-8 pickups, I planned on the power being totally underwhelming. Coming from nothing but 4-door pickup trucks, I planned on the interior space to be cramped. Having just a 5’ narrow bed, I expected to not be happy with the hauling space. I have 3 trailers(dump, utility & car) which will be able to handle all of my hauling/towing needs, so the small bed shouldn’t be an issue.

So, after 3000 miles of driving, I’m actually good with the purchase. It’s comfortable, although after 4 hours the seat bottom is a bit hard. The seating position and visibility is better than my other trucks. It isn’t a V-8 when I step on the gas, but is surprisingly “peppy” when merging into traffic or passing on the highway. I did not expect that! The back seat room was also surprising and totally unexpected, although 2 passengers hit their heads really hard on the rollcage when getting out of the truck. It is currently sitting at 21.4mpg average over the first 3000 miles which is 7mpg more than my last truck and with gas prices escalating every day, that’s a nice change.

The Sport that I bought has roll-up windows, no power door locks and no other features which is exactly the way I wanted a truck. The only feature I wanted was Max Tow and that’s all I got and I’m good with it. The only thing that I’ve changed is the wheels/tires. I found Overland take-offs which I will use for spring/summer/fall driving and keep the stock steel wheels/tires for winter use. I like the look and more importantly, she likes it. Maybe a 1” level on the front end, but mine will stay the way it is and get used as a DD for years to come. As soon as the weather breaks I will begin to test the towing manners and capacity of the Max Tow Gladiator and report back, but so far I’m happy with the purchase. Actually more surprised than I thought I would be……….

 

[Gvsukids]

What is cargo management?

Underseat lockable storage and rear bed power.

 

[FLGladiator]

I didn't realize the grill slots were wider. Glad I didn't swap out my grill for the black mopar. Maybe that's the reason it seems bulkier.

 

[GotGladiator]

I didn't realize the grill slots were wider. Glad I didn't swap out my grill for the black mopar. Maybe that's the reason it seems bulkier.

I realized that when I tried to install red plastic grill inserts from a wrangler...won't fit.

 

[GotGladiator]

Thought I’d offer my perspective on purchasing a Gladiator. For the last 20 years I’ve owned and DD 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickup trucks. It was a necessity for working around our houses, commercial buildings and towing lots of “stuff”. We sold a few properties, so I no longer have a need to haul materials on nearly a daily basis in the bed of a pickup. We are mostly finished with the major construction and landscaping around our “forever house”, but I’m not so naive to say that we’re totally done. With the market for used trucks as crazy as it is currently, she told me that I should consider selling it and looking for a new truck. So fast forward a month and I start looking for a Gladiator. While doing a bunch of research, it looked like the best deals were on left-over 2021 Overland models with their generous rebates. I looked all over for one, but Overlands have WAY TOO MANY creature comforts and technology for me. I’m looking for more of a “plain jane“ truck to use as a truck for truck things. Once I found out about the 4000# tow rating of most JT models, I was‘t too enamored with that feature of the truck. Then upon more research I found out bout the Max Tow package which fit squarely into my needs for a truck. More research and web-surfing landed me on a Sport with Max Tow as the truck to look for, problem then was there were none within 4 hours of my house! Finally found a very basic Sport with no other options but Max Tow and 8-speed transmission. I bought it over the phone with a c/c deposit having never even test driven one. Now, unlike most JT owners here, I’ve never owned a Jeep. Actually I never like Jeeps as my only experience driving them has been taking a few friends 2-door Wranglers for quick spins. I never liked the way they drove, so never considered buying one. The Gladiator, being the longest wheelbase Wrangler they’ve built just had to be the best riding of the bunch, so I took a chance. Not the smartest way to go about buying an unfamiliar vehicle, but with the way used Gladiator prices are trending, I didn’t feel I’d get hurt too bad if I didn’t like it. Strange thing is, I actually do like the truck. Now, I’m only 3000 miles into my ownership, but it has surprised me to this point. Coming from nothing but V-8 pickups, I planned on the power being totally underwhelming. Coming from nothing but 4-door pickup trucks, I planned on the interior space to be cramped. Having just a 5’ narrow bed, I expected to not be happy with the hauling space. I have 3 trailers(dump, utility & car) which will be able to handle all of my hauling/towing needs, so the small bed shouldn’t be an issue.

So, after 3000 miles of driving, I’m actually good with the purchase. It’s comfortable, although after 4 hours the seat bottom is a bit hard. The seating position and visibility is better than my other trucks. It isn’t a V-8 when I step on the gas, but is surprisingly “peppy” when merging into traffic or passing on the highway. I did not expect that! The back seat room was also surprising and totally unexpected, although 2 passengers hit their heads really hard on the rollcage when getting out of the truck. It is currently sitting at 21.4mpg average over the first 3000 miles which is 7mpg more than my last truck and with gas prices escalating every day, that’s a nice change.

The Sport that I bought has roll-up windows, no power door locks and no other features which is exactly the way I wanted a truck. The only feature I wanted was Max Tow and that’s all I got and I’m good with it. The only thing that I’ve changed is the wheels/tires. I found Overland take-offs which I will use for spring/summer/fall driving and keep the stock steel wheels/tires for winter use. I like the look and more importantly, she likes it. Maybe a 1” level on the front end, but mine will stay the way it is and get used as a DD for years to come. As soon as the weather breaks I will begin to test the towing manners and capacity of the Max Tow Gladiator and report back, but so far I’m happy with the purchase. Actually more surprised than I thought I would be……….

With proper set up, you will not be disappointed. Now be ready with strangers asking you, "So how do you like your truck"? Or kids arguing..it's a truck. No, it's a Jeep. No it's a truck....lol.
Enjoy your truckvertible, sir! And get ready to spend more money on accessories and upgrades. Hahaha.

 

[GotGladiator]

Is that plastic or metal? Might also actually look good on the sides of G. How much?

 

[Gren71]

Is that plastic or metal? Might also actually look good on the sides of G. How much?

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenHornGarage

I contacted this fella about the custom designs he did fantastic work. Its 3D printed plastic, had a very clean finish (not the style where all the layers are obvious) and was a good price.

$50 shipped

 

[GotGladiator]

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenHornGarage

I contacted this fella about the custom designs he did fantastic work. Its 3D printed plastic, had a very clean finish (not the style where all the layers are obvious) and was a good price.

$50 shipped

Thanks man!

 

[ecidiego]

Underseat lockable storage and rear bed power.

And trail rails

 

[GotGladiator]

And trail rails

Lol. My wish list is getting longer and longer with this money pit.

 

[BaliMawr]

The Max Tow IS the ultimate Jeep convertible pickup truck! Jeep really did an amazing job with it and I just don’t want to mess it up!

I’m loving mine. No plans to screw with it aside from adding air bags and the TBC.

 

[AL_Jeep_Dad_]

Love my JT Max Tow! I did install the 1.5” leveling kit and true 33” RT tires. I know that had some negative affects on my towing capabilities but for what I use my truck for it will still meet my towing needs.

Sponsored