ChrisNLA
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I thought this would be fun to do. Was going to do a 'two year' but forgot. So here we are, year three, bumping up to the end of the 3/36 warranty.
'22 Sport S Gladiator. I custom ordered it in June 2022 - it took two months to the day to arrive.
Max Tow, Convenience Package, Aux Switches, Auto Trans, 3.6L gas I think were the only packages I ordered - or that sums up the important stuff at least. Considered an EcoDiesel, but my very short commute is rough on a gasser - it would have been a death sentence for a modern diesel.
If I went back in time, I think I would have added premium audio and heated seats. The rest of the truck I am happy with.
Why did I pick a Gladiator?
- Positive experience with my previous 2016 JK Wrangler (also bought new). I put 85,000 miles on that Jeep wheeling it all over the country. The new GM twins had not yet been release, the then current gen Tacoma was a total dog and you couldn't give me one, and the Ranger was unobtanium at that time. Gladiator had the most spacious back seat of the midsize trucks as well. High payload on Max Tow was really nice. To be honest, I considered the doors and roof to be removable as 'bonus', but I could ultimately care less about this feature and I have not removed the roof or doors from this truck a single time in three years.
Use case was to take myself camping sometimes, fire roads, etc. I am done with heavy wheeling all over the US like I did before. I needed to haul coworkers to lunch, kids to ball, and make a lot of Home Depot trips.
Issues so far at 30,900 miles as of 7/1/2025.
- P0300 Misfire, this is not a cam eating itself. It does it a few times each spring and fall since it had 1,500 miles on the clock. It matches a STAR case that ShadowsPapa posted once before (I think even the same issue he had). Its aways after a long drive only on a 60-80* day after a short stop at a store. I am going to get it looked at when I get the next issue looked at:
- Paint corrosion on the driver side of the hood.
- Three of four factory shocks were leaking oil by 25K miles. Swapped them with Bilstein 5100
- Back window leak (did a DIY fix with the vacuum tubing, no problems since).
That's it. Paint deal aside its on par with all of the 5th gen Camaros I have owned (still have one of them), and my previous JK. I'm not mad at it. It's probably typical for anything new sold today.
Maintenance I do myself, 0W-20 oil changes every 5K miles. Castrol GTX, Mobil 1, Pennzoil - typically one of those based on what is in stock / on sale. Wix filters.
The 3.6L has been an adequate choice for most of my usage, though I think it is completely inadequate for anything near its rated towing capacity. Pulling my utility trailer with the average load is totally fine, but I told my girlfriend there is no world where I would own a travel trailer or a large boat and this truck at the same time. Everyone's 'ideal' towing power is different. I know others feel differently than me on here and that's totally cool. I do like the overall simplicity of the Pentastar vs turbo engines, and while I'm not excited about potential cam issues - it looks like a problem I can work on myself easily outside of warranty if need be.
The 8 speed, I love. Not much to say there. It's what makes the engine bearable.
Overall quality has seemed fair outside of the paint and window seal issues above. Honestly the shocks beginning to fail at 25K miles almost pisses me off more than the paint on the hood. They could do a better job with the speaker bar as it rattles and that seems to be somewhat common. I did find one missing screw on a plastic roll bar cover, and a cover on the back of the rear seat fell off on Day 1 and I bent the tab back and put it on correctly (it was an obvious assembly error).
The payload capacity of the Max Tow has been exactly what I wanted from the beginning and I've been very happy with that. I've taken it on several long trips (3-5 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours) and no big complaints on comfort or highway driving other than the usual Jeep things (stiff winds suck, but outside of that she's great). The back seat has been manageable for three kids under 10. Snug, but they don't complain much on trips up to four hours. The Uconnect system has been great and I have had no complaints there. I can only imagine how much better the newest version it. Base radio is mediocre at best, but I don't mind tinkering with this and upgrading some like I did on my JK. I'd recommend just going Alpine from the start unless you are an audiophile and want to build your own. The limited slip rear end has worked well so far and done everything that I needed it to do. No complaints on my second Jeep with limited slip only and no lockers. Unless you do some SERIOUS wheeling, it's really all you need.
Overall, it's a great truck and has met all of my expectations - and I have no immediate plans of parting with it.
That being said, if something happened to it tomorrow, I doubt I'd get another Gladiator. I think I'd be better suited to a current generation Colorado or Canyon next time. With no removable doors and roof they already step it up a notch in comfort, and I can option one more to my current desires for better money than the JT. I would also consider a double cab Silverado 4x4 Work Truck with a few options and the 5.3L V8. It's not you, JT - it's me. But you're safe for a while yet...
Chronological photo collection to show how the truck is used day in and day out...
Day 1.
Day 1, with my previous Jeep.
Hot Springs, AR. Exploring the national forest.
Merus Adventure Park - Claude, TX. Off roading the blue trails and camping deep inside Palo Duro Canyon.
By the way, the truck will do 107 MPH in this configuration. I don't advise repeating.
Camping nearby, southeast Louisiana.
Camping nearby, central Louisiana.
Camping not nearby, Atlanta Motor Speedway for my first NASCAR Cup Series race.
Loaded up for two adults and three kids to spend the weekend fishing at a state park cabin.
Practically every weekend maintaining three houses at the moment.
2-3 times a month, dragging the trailer loaded with all manner of junk.
'22 Sport S Gladiator. I custom ordered it in June 2022 - it took two months to the day to arrive.
Max Tow, Convenience Package, Aux Switches, Auto Trans, 3.6L gas I think were the only packages I ordered - or that sums up the important stuff at least. Considered an EcoDiesel, but my very short commute is rough on a gasser - it would have been a death sentence for a modern diesel.
If I went back in time, I think I would have added premium audio and heated seats. The rest of the truck I am happy with.
Why did I pick a Gladiator?
- Positive experience with my previous 2016 JK Wrangler (also bought new). I put 85,000 miles on that Jeep wheeling it all over the country. The new GM twins had not yet been release, the then current gen Tacoma was a total dog and you couldn't give me one, and the Ranger was unobtanium at that time. Gladiator had the most spacious back seat of the midsize trucks as well. High payload on Max Tow was really nice. To be honest, I considered the doors and roof to be removable as 'bonus', but I could ultimately care less about this feature and I have not removed the roof or doors from this truck a single time in three years.
Use case was to take myself camping sometimes, fire roads, etc. I am done with heavy wheeling all over the US like I did before. I needed to haul coworkers to lunch, kids to ball, and make a lot of Home Depot trips.
Issues so far at 30,900 miles as of 7/1/2025.
- P0300 Misfire, this is not a cam eating itself. It does it a few times each spring and fall since it had 1,500 miles on the clock. It matches a STAR case that ShadowsPapa posted once before (I think even the same issue he had). Its aways after a long drive only on a 60-80* day after a short stop at a store. I am going to get it looked at when I get the next issue looked at:
- Paint corrosion on the driver side of the hood.
- Three of four factory shocks were leaking oil by 25K miles. Swapped them with Bilstein 5100
- Back window leak (did a DIY fix with the vacuum tubing, no problems since).
That's it. Paint deal aside its on par with all of the 5th gen Camaros I have owned (still have one of them), and my previous JK. I'm not mad at it. It's probably typical for anything new sold today.
Maintenance I do myself, 0W-20 oil changes every 5K miles. Castrol GTX, Mobil 1, Pennzoil - typically one of those based on what is in stock / on sale. Wix filters.
The 3.6L has been an adequate choice for most of my usage, though I think it is completely inadequate for anything near its rated towing capacity. Pulling my utility trailer with the average load is totally fine, but I told my girlfriend there is no world where I would own a travel trailer or a large boat and this truck at the same time. Everyone's 'ideal' towing power is different. I know others feel differently than me on here and that's totally cool. I do like the overall simplicity of the Pentastar vs turbo engines, and while I'm not excited about potential cam issues - it looks like a problem I can work on myself easily outside of warranty if need be.
The 8 speed, I love. Not much to say there. It's what makes the engine bearable.
Overall quality has seemed fair outside of the paint and window seal issues above. Honestly the shocks beginning to fail at 25K miles almost pisses me off more than the paint on the hood. They could do a better job with the speaker bar as it rattles and that seems to be somewhat common. I did find one missing screw on a plastic roll bar cover, and a cover on the back of the rear seat fell off on Day 1 and I bent the tab back and put it on correctly (it was an obvious assembly error).
The payload capacity of the Max Tow has been exactly what I wanted from the beginning and I've been very happy with that. I've taken it on several long trips (3-5 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours) and no big complaints on comfort or highway driving other than the usual Jeep things (stiff winds suck, but outside of that she's great). The back seat has been manageable for three kids under 10. Snug, but they don't complain much on trips up to four hours. The Uconnect system has been great and I have had no complaints there. I can only imagine how much better the newest version it. Base radio is mediocre at best, but I don't mind tinkering with this and upgrading some like I did on my JK. I'd recommend just going Alpine from the start unless you are an audiophile and want to build your own. The limited slip rear end has worked well so far and done everything that I needed it to do. No complaints on my second Jeep with limited slip only and no lockers. Unless you do some SERIOUS wheeling, it's really all you need.
Overall, it's a great truck and has met all of my expectations - and I have no immediate plans of parting with it.
That being said, if something happened to it tomorrow, I doubt I'd get another Gladiator. I think I'd be better suited to a current generation Colorado or Canyon next time. With no removable doors and roof they already step it up a notch in comfort, and I can option one more to my current desires for better money than the JT. I would also consider a double cab Silverado 4x4 Work Truck with a few options and the 5.3L V8. It's not you, JT - it's me. But you're safe for a while yet...
Chronological photo collection to show how the truck is used day in and day out...
Day 1.
Day 1, with my previous Jeep.
Hot Springs, AR. Exploring the national forest.
Merus Adventure Park - Claude, TX. Off roading the blue trails and camping deep inside Palo Duro Canyon.
By the way, the truck will do 107 MPH in this configuration. I don't advise repeating.
Camping nearby, southeast Louisiana.
Camping nearby, central Louisiana.
Camping not nearby, Atlanta Motor Speedway for my first NASCAR Cup Series race.
Loaded up for two adults and three kids to spend the weekend fishing at a state park cabin.
Practically every weekend maintaining three houses at the moment.
2-3 times a month, dragging the trailer loaded with all manner of junk.
Sponsored
. Still haven't replaced it yet.
