How hard have you pushed your stock Gladiator?

[Eventyr_JT]

@chorky
Thanks for your reply. Very educational and on topic!

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[AZCooWhip]

The OP specifically stated road. not trails.

Nice pics by the way.

while you are correct ....I was responding to this statement.


Title of thread ....How hard have you pushed .....

That’s my concern. We’re not going to be rock crawling, mainly dirt roads with rougher sections and I suppose occasional steep ups and downs. The extra 1” or so lift that tires would get me would be nice

IF he were to go off-road at any level, his vehicle is very capable here in AZ and UT but do homework first.

??

 

[DCPHOENIX]

I should also say that for the last 3 years we had a 2wd VW Tiguan that spend probably 10K miles on dirt. So I know that vehicles can do things that you probably shouldn't be doing.

Biggest takeaway from this thread has been the armor for me. That way if we do go wheeling somewhere and I do something that the Gladiator can't do - i have some insurance!

 

[chorky]

IF he were to go off-road at any level, his vehicle is very capable here in AZ and UT but

doing homework is definitely super valuable - I see a lot of folks all the time that don't, and they end up in a bad way. Usually they're also in a 2wd car or van though....

 

[AZCooWhip]

doing homework is definitely super valuable - I see a lot of folks all the time that don't, and they end up in a bad way. Usually they're also in a 2wd car or van though....

Exactly ....I always try and encourage folks in our Great State 48 to go explore and do just that by getting off the roads.....majority don’t get to see what’s really out there.

Stock rubis are very capable in the wilds of AZ.

 

[AZCooWhip]

Gratuitous stock photo with paper tags for encouragement ?

 

[chorky]

Exactly ....I always try and encourage folks in our Great State 48 to go explore and do just that by getting off the roads.....majority don’t get to see what’s really out there.

Stock rubis are very capable in the wilds of AZ.

It would have been nice if they incorporated a 2Low option - or at least allow locking the diff's in 2H. I modded my TJ to allow for 2L and love it going up super steep hairpin turns. Not sure if the JT even has that ability to be modded that way.

Would love to come check out AZ areas, was just looking up some stuff on google earth this morning.

 

[futzin']

I've recently been traveling the Kentucky Adventure Tour. Regarded to be an overlanding type route. I have run into conditions where my JTR has been tested and has been stressful for me (I hate scraping). Never close to stuck, though. Most of the time, any 4x4 is fine. Until I run into those times where I'm damn glad I'm in a Jeep!

Weather changes roads and trails, and so does the public's treatment of them.

 

[Andy29847]

My JT is a Rubicon. I put a 1" spacer in the front to recover the droop from an aftermarket bumper and winch. My JT has gone everywhere my TJ (33s and lifted 4") has gone. I had to beck up one time on Fins N' Things in Moab when the center wouldn't get over a ledge on one of the "hard" sections. The JT is much more comfortable on ups and downs because of the extra wheelbase. I've been very impressed.

 

[futzin']

 

[Trailman]

I've done Imogene, Engineer, Stony, and other similar passes/trails in CO with a stock JTR. I do plan on upgrading a bit when the tires wear out, but I haven't really hit anything yet that I wasn't comfortable on with the stock configuration.

Honestly some of the random no-name trails in my area are harder than the famous trails. Go have fun. Reverse is very capable if you get in trouble .

Edit, Disclaimer: don't be stupid, don't do things you don't know how to do.

 

[Gvsukids]

or at least allow locking the diff's in 2H.

Tazer will.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ubicon-test-the-locker-function-please.31313/

 

[Blade1668]

It would have been nice if they incorporated a 2Low option - or at least allow locking the diff's in 2H. I modded my TJ to allow for 2L and love it going up super steep hairpin turns. Not sure if the JT even has that ability to be modded that way.

Would love to come check out AZ areas, was just looking up some stuff on google earth this morning.

You probably will be able to if not already in future. When aftermarket catches up. The T-case functions same as 231 or 242 full-time T-case. The 231's had a few years of lag before 4 to 1 low and 2 low conversion kits.

 

[Blade1668]

I think I got more fun and enjoyment in my XJ when it was only a 3-4 in lift than what it ended up at lift wise and mods. First lift was "fixing" worn out factory springs.
Back on subject: I've not flogged my JT just driving F.S. roads near my home and back roads, now some of them can be bad after weather. If mud I normally hop in LJ though 33s M.Ts n sagging 3in lift.

 

[Holes]

This is a really important statement that a lot of folks overlook IMO. You say rougher sections of dirt roads implying a typical class 2 Forest Service Road - the roughest open forest service road you can drive - not behind a gate. Also indicating road and not trail. You should be fine stock. Your profile pic shows you have the Rubicon? that comes with 33", sway disconnect, and lockers. The most I would suggest is a skid plate for the engine - I believe transmission and transfer case already are protected.

Let me put this another way. I drive a Dodge Dakota, for work purposes, on those roads AAALLLLL the time (forester), and often times behind locked gates where not many are allowed to go - some of those roads are pretty sketch. I have never been in a situation that a stock Dakota (with 29's mind you, and low to the ground) couldn't handle. And no lockers or even a LSD on that thing. There are some FS roads that, by management decision/objective, are purposefully 'bad' but they still are all passable by a factory vehicle. To be defined as a road, on FS lands (not sure what BLM does) they MUST be passable at the most by a high clearance (pickup or SUV) vehicle - otherwise it is gated, obliterated, or fixed. By law these FS roads cannot be THAT bad - although time at work would be more fun if they were ;-) So...you should be fine.

The only situation where I think you would need a lift and bigger tires is if you purposefully plan to travel off road trails that by design are made to be difficult. There are a few exceptions, like walker valley in Washington for example. But that's very few and far between and not typically something anyone goes on for a cruise to explore.

I have a TJ on 33's with a 4" lift, and just sold my OBS 7.3l that was super built, 4" lift with 35's and lockers front and rear - in all my time driving around the only time I ever truly needed 4x4 even was in snow/ice. I think your money could be better spent in other places. And your ride/mpg won't suffer.

Heck. There are gravel roads in northern Minnesota that no stock Gladiator could negotiate without help.

I grew up there. Now that mom passed ? I have some property there.

I’m just experienced enough to know I wouldn’t go down some of the back roads alone without a winch at a minimum. And then you’re still in trouble if you cannot find a tie off point. Lift and tires will help tremendously.

And these are gravel roads on maps. Not forestry or fire service roads. Just neglected and forgotten. On the reservation.

To remain on topic I fully intend on posting again once I have a chance to get the lift installed with tires and a winch. ?
And try out the forgotten gravels...

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