Anyone else freaking love their truck?

[Bonanza]

Shouldn't drive like that. Friend with 2.5 lift and 37's has none of that. Maybe take it the garage of @ShadowsPapa

It's my third Jeep. I've had a 2 door, 4 door, and this truck. I've been on 33s, 35s, and 37s. Each has had a lift from a different company. They all drive the same; it's the nature of solid axle suspensions.

These Jeeps ride like crap [comparatively]. It rode like crap stock, as did all my other Jeeps. This thing is an amazing wheeler, drop dead reliable, tows without issue, and does everything I've asked it to do. It just isn't a good daily for me anymore. I want a driver's car again with a proper 6 speed. There is no magic wand, no "fix" that will ever make this truck drive the way I'd want as a daily driver, and that's not the truck's fault-- indeed that's why I bought it, and why I won't get rid of it.

But I don't really "love" it anymore, it's just a tool now. Make no mistake, I don't hate this truck. When people ask me if it's a good truck, I say yes. But, I also say it rides like shit, has poor power, poor seats, and terrible MPG. It is what it is.

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[ChrisNLA]

I like it. It's a truck. I was cramped in a two door JK for six years. Had my fun wheeling it and then decided I needed a more practical rig. Bought the JT because at the time it was available quickly and had appropriate back seat space. I don't use it for wheeling really. I go on light adventures, camping trips, and do 'light duty truck stuff' - which is what I really needed it for (that and passenger space). I don't really treat it like a vehicle I'm passionate about anymore. It fills a gap. It's a tool.

I'm pretty interested in the new Colorado. I'm in no hurry to get out of my JT but that may be the truck I look at next. I'm sure the ride and drive quality is superior. Horsepower definitely is, and I already have two Chevrolets in the driveway. We'll see.

 

[Tatanka]

I've fallen a bit out of love with mine, to be honest.

I think its the automatic transmission (which is fantastic), but it's just not engaging to drive. The horrendous ride quality and handling, poor power, and poorer MPG have worn me down. The seats are poorly bolstered so taking turns is a chore. Going onto any driveway results in extreme jostling back and forth (side to side). It's a pain to get my kids into and out of. And now, the winter months, bring that lovely fear of extreme tire wobble over the slightest imperfection in the road.

I'm on 37s, lifted, and regeared, btw.

I'm not ready to sell it, as I love it for wheeling and towing my trailer, but as a daily driver it's just awful. I despise getting into it every day, especially compared to my wife's fantastic turbo 6 speed golf alltrack wagon. I love driving. But a gladiator is not a driver's car, and the novelty of it was worn off and then some.

Sorry to hear it, but I've had a very different experience while keeping it in mostly stock form. I used to daily-drive an 09' JK-2dr on 33s (nothing big). That thing rode like a sluggish tank compared to this Gladiator in stock form. This 3.6L w/ 8-Speed auto trans is far better than that old 3.8L w/ 4-speed auto trans IMO, especially on the highway and drives way smoother with the long wheel-base. We bought it Used last November and have put about 15K miles on it (including two trips to Canada) and we love it's highway mannerisms. But it's all subjective to how you use it and what it's being compared to.

We've kept it stock because it is our daily driver and we're loving how it drives as is (and getting 20 MPG). We also have 2 toddlers (3 and 1) and we love the ride of this truck. The leather heated seats are very comfortable IMO, and the added safety-group (blind side monitoring) and LEDs make this thing easy to live with on the daily. As much as I wanted a Rubicon/Mojave for off-roading, I knew I wouldn't be getting out much with 2 under 2 when we bought it. So instead, it's our certified Stroller-lander ? Seriously, I love this truck and even though I want to get bigger tires, lift it and add more accessories down the road, it definitely fits the bill for a daily driver IMO and maybe I'll trade for a Rubicon/Mojave in the future when I'm able to get out on the trails more.

 

[Bonanza]

Sorry to hear it, but I've had a very different experience while keeping it in mostly stock form. I used to daily-drive an 09' JK-2dr on 33s (nothing big). That thing rode like a sluggish tank compared to this Gladiator in stock form. This 3.6L w/ 8-Speed auto trans is far better than that old 3.8L w/ 4-speed auto trans IMO, especially on the highway and drives way smoother with the long wheel-base. We bought it Used last November and have put about 15K miles on it (including two trips to Canada) and we love it's highway mannerisms. But it's all subjective to how you use it and what it's being compared to.

We've kept it stock because it is our daily driver and we're loving how it drives as is (and getting 20 MPG). We also have 2 toddlers (3 and 1) and we love the ride of this truck. The leather heated seats are very comfortable IMO, and the added safety-group (blind side monitoring) and LEDs make this thing easy to live with on the daily. As much as I wanted a Rubicon/Mojave for off-roading, I knew I wouldn't be getting out much with 2 under 2 when we bought it. So instead, it's our certified Stroller-lander ? Seriously, I love this truck and even though I want to get bigger tires, lift it and add more accessories down the road, it definitely fits the bill for a daily driver IMO and maybe I'll trade for a Rubicon/Mojave in the future when I'm able to get out on the trails more.

I like mine a lot when I use it for truck things. It tows my camper fine, and I have plenty of room to take the big cooler, all the kids' stuff, etc. The kids ride in the back at the campsite when we're cruising around. I've had picnics in the bed. It glides through rock trails, and it lets me bring my whole party to KOH spectator zones. It's a perfectly fine vehicle for everything else I need it for besides daily driving. It just so happens my drive to daycare-work-daycare-home is 95% of what I need it for.

But I want a driver's car as a daily driver. Like the one I drove around the Nurburgring.

Yes that's me-

 

[Jefe1018]

20k in upgrades....pics?

I did under 5k, method wheels ,37bfgs, warn winch and lights....yours must be next freaking level....and no I'm not done and could totally spend 20k too...that's why I'm asking for pics, inspiration

It is easier than you think…. Here’s my blueprint;

Lift, wheels and tires (only thing I paid labor on): $5,000

Bumper and winch: $1,000

Headlights, tail lights, reverse lights, aux lights: $1,500

Sliders + fuel to go get them: $2,000

Audio upgrades: $400

Headliner: $600

Misc, parts (phone holder, grab handles, cb mic holder): $300

Banks idash and other goodies: $900

Mud flaps: $200

Fender extenders: $200

CB comms: $300

I mean I haven’t even listed all of the stuff in my build thread and I’m more than halfway there.

 

[JW Jeep]

I still love my Jeep. It’s been a little over a year and 9000 miles. I still look back at it after parking. What’s not to like it drives and rides great even on the interstate at 80 mph. I get 22 mpg around town and probably 25 mpg on a trip depending on the wind. Also the overland is pretty much stock so the power side of it is fine with the 8 speed. The windshield scares me with rocks , even bugs hitting make quite a sound. I’m on second windshield with gorilla glass. I made front bumper deflectors so at least I’m not throwing rocks at my self any more. Checking the oil with the dip stick is a little screwy also But these are the only faults I have found so far and I love driving this thing !!

 

[Shabba]

Love hate relationship here. Love taking her out. But this endless upgrades are killing me. It's like dating that hot chick in college. LOL

LOL So true

 

[10ecHarry]

Anyone else freaking love their truck? I’ve had my JTR Manual for a year and a half now and couldn’t be happier. It’s the best. That’s all.

I love mine !!

 

[SeaSharp]

I love the truck... I just hate I didn't buy the diesel. So I'm waiting on a hurricane twin turbo swap!

I bought it used and the previous owner trimmed it out with crap (except the air horn, it is magical when someone gets stupid). I've replaced the shocks, lift, and fixed many things to where now, there's no way I could part with it and not lose millions (it is a jeep after all).

The new fox 2.5's and rock krawler lift are the cat's meow in terms of ride and adjustability. Hard to give it up!

 

[RunTheRace]

With the exception of the rain gutter issue, and the MPGs, I'm totally satisfied. The most satisfaction I've boasted about is a short-list consisting of the following: stands tall in curves/cornering (shocks/suspension); the cold weather group and remote start are awesome & work great together (no more scraping windows &/or freezing hands/butt ); I love the ACC-cruise, it's outstanding; and, My paint choice of Sarge Green with the Mojave orange accents looks great. I'm looking forward to the next heat wave here in NC when I'll go into "convertible" mode for the first time. Have gotten a few compliments in the 7 weeks I've owned her/him/it (yet undecided on pronoun/object label). And, as @Alan SOBX said, I'm still occasionally looking out my cabin window (when home) and over my shoulder (in a parking lot) to admire ?my "truck". Pinch me - I cannot believe I acquired this (with the wifey's encouragement - no less). Retired folk shouldn't have a mortgage AND a vehicle payment ?. But, life is short, and the kid's can pay it all off when I die. LIVIN' LARGE!

 

[Forum Crawler]

Anyone else freaking love their truck? I’ve had my JTR Manual for a year and a half now and couldn’t be happier. It’s the best. That’s all.

Yes.

 

[Rocksalt]

still love my 2020 Sport S made some mods. no major issues at @47000 k miles.
Other jeeps:
1987 Wrangler YJ
1998 Wrangler TJ
2007 Liberty KJ
2016 Wrangler JKU

 

[Pat Witt]

I love this thing, this is my first JT but 4th jeep overall and by far my favorite and yes if I had all the money back I have spent on upgrading over the life of my jeeps I could buy me another gladi

 

[smlobx]

My JTR just turned 40k on our month long overlanding trip to the SW (currently in NM).
Fully loaded I just checked and I'm getting an unbelievable 17.9 mpg with 35's and an AEV lift. Granted a lot of that has been highway lately but still ?.
But damn it cold and windy here!
Overall pretty happy with it but I don't daily drive it much...

 

[ZeeJay]

No

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