Am I crazy for thinking I want a Gladiator?

[TheRealGinjaNinja]

I most recently went from a 2018 Golf R (too small) to a 2019 Audi Allroad with a mild tune, to my 21 JT Mojave. I really enjoy the relaxed 'vibe' of driving the JT. There never seems to be any rush to get anywhere, never the need to pass someone on the highway, never the feeling of going slow doing 70 in a 65 zone. Wherever we're going, it feels like an adventure on some level. If this sounds good, then get a JT.

Will you kick yourself for getting rid of the Charger? Maybe. That's why you should keep it. Heck, if you can swing it, get a 2-door JK orJL as well to scratch any itch you have for off-roading. But, I'm biased, I have an old muscle car, a 2014 JKR and a 21 JTM.

Awesome to see someone else that went from Golf R to Jeep. I had a 2018 and loved it, very competent and really fast especially with a tune! I did drive fast pretty frequently but was t boned by a red light runner…went to Jeep (JLUR then my JTM) and never looked back.

Jeeps are awesome to drive at sane speeds and have no desire to drive aggressively anymore so win win!!

To the OP, you aren’t crazy at all clearly unless we all are here ;-) Maybe we are hahaha

Cheers

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[chesafreak]

Feel like only person who never went through the fast car phase. Just never got the desire of not using something to its fullest with a sports car as no strips close to me.. Dont get me wrong think they are badass and my brother had a ridiculous boosted RSX that was fun for the 5 seconds worth of acceleration.

Came from a loaded Ram on air ride here. Jeeps slower, smaller, rougher, less creature comforts but the family has fun in the Jeep owning it for the the last year. Will say I miss the A/C seats when it comes to creature comforts...

 

[Lunentucker]

Yes

 

[Vtur]

Now ask this same question in another forum (Yota).

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

You can always get the hellcat engine put in the Gladiator.

That is definitely a good solution and one I will entertain when the 3.6L dies.

 

[Outside Reality Check]

There's quality to your post that leads me to believe you may have contracted the Gladiator - Mylitis, I'm pretty sure it's a real thing. If you like the wonky handling now you'll only like it more when it handles better after some suspension mods. If you liked driving with the panels off, your going to be all smiles with the top and doors off. After you get a taste of the off road capability, (Rubicon for me, but all models for sure) you'll probably find yourself doing more. It's a fun truck you can do a lot of fun stuff with, and (for me), adding a Banks Pedal Monster gave it the accelerator feel I was looking for after 38's. I'm not going to break any land speed records, but there's not a lot of land I couldn't just drive over. Just ignore the gas gauge - work longer hours.

 

[Chief_jeep]

That is definitely a good solution and one I will entertain when the 3.6L dies.

AMW 4x4 or Bruiser Conversions can do a swap for you. They are pricey though

If you don't need a truck bed, have you considered the 392 wrangler? That could be a great compromise

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

AMW 4x4 or Bruiser Conversions can do a swap for you. They are pricey though

If you don't need a truck bed, have you considered the 392 wrangler? That could be a great compromise

I love my JT too much to get rid of it for anything other than maybe a Power Wagon or F250 Tremor

 

[BearFootSam]

I absolutely loved it almost in a it drives so bad its fun kind of way.

You get it obviously, the jeep thing. Nothing like driving an agrarian porky off road machine daily. Ask yourself if you believe vehicles like this will be around in 10 years or at least new. Probably not right? There is really nothing like it on the road that's not custom or vintage and that makes it fun. Besides motorcycles I've loved and owned, I've never looked forward to driving another road vehicle like the JT.

In reality I've found it a very practical truck. It does truck stuff well, it keeps dirty cargo put of the passenger compartment, goes wherever you wish and makes it fun.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I love my JT too much to get rid of it for anything other than maybe a Power Wagon or F250 Tremor

I understand that. I'd love a v8 but I wouldn't trade my JT to have one. The JT is way too versatile. If I did I'd need another overland vehicle and I don't want two off-road vehicles. An AEV Prospector XL is intriguing and would make a great tow vehicle/overland but I think I'd hate driving it around town.

A 392 JL could be a great fit for @Milkman though

 

[TwelveSoldier]

Sanity is a perspective. Maybe everyone else is insane and you are normal. Or maybe we're all in a Truman type story and people are placing bets on every move we make. So be insane, be normal, be whatever. If you smiled when you seen the Gladiator, then it's for you. If another vehicle makes you happier then get it instead. You live and die once, you might as well do something that makes you a little happier.

Personally, I've had mine for 3 years and plan to trade it in around 2025. What for?.... well another Gladiator of course, with an inline 6 or possibly one of those hybrids if it happens and depending on the oil situation. With hybrid fuel coming around soon, I like the inline choice the best.

 

[TheRealGinjaNinja]

AMW 4x4 or Bruiser Conversions can do a swap for you. They are pricey though

If you don't need a truck bed, have you considered the 392 wrangler? That could be a great compromise

Same thoughts…but went from a JLUR to my Gladiator for a reason and I have finally found the (near) perfect vehicle for me that does everything I need it to. I say near perfect because I really want a v8 in it, if the 5.7 was a $4k option from the factory it really would be perfect. But if im doing a v8 swap it will be a 392 or equivalent NA LS motor

Given the increased prices for vehicles lately, doing a $30k 392 swap almost makes more sense!!

Cheers

 

[Chief_jeep]

Same thoughts…but went from a JLUR to my Gladiator for a reason and I have finally found the (near) perfect vehicle for me that does everything I need it to. I say near perfect because I really want a v8 in it, if the 5.7 was a $4k option from the factory it really would be perfect. But if im doing a v8 swap it will be a 392 or equivalent NA LS motor

Given the increased prices for vehicles lately, doing a $30k 392 swap almost makes more sense!!

Cheers

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Especially if you have spent a lot of money on your build and are happy with it. No reason to start over.
I really wish they offered the 392 as well as ud60 axles as an upgrade from the factory

 

[TheRealGinjaNinja]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Especially if you have spent a lot of money on your build and are happy with it. No reason to start over.
I really wish they offered the 392 as well as ud60 axles as an upgrade from the factory

Yea the axles are a big one too…even with a 392 or maybe 5.7 you would be on borrowed time if you actually use the power now and then. Slippery slope.

 

[Chief_jeep]

Yea the axles are a big one too…even with a 392 or maybe 5.7 you would be on borrowed time if you actually use the power now and then. Slippery slope.

It'll be interesting to see if they start offering that in the near future. The Bronco Raptor comes on 37s stock and seems to do very well off-road for an IFS. I assume Jeep will offer something from the factory to compete with that. They'd be insane to put 37s paired with a 392 without a ud60.

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