Anyone have a JKU and a Gladiator - i am thinking of going back

[Compton]

Hi Everyone,

I picked up a 20' Gladiator overland for a trip with an airstream i did this summer. It did pretty well and on trips is great - its got lots of bells and whistles and the truck bed is handy but daily driving it now i keep having this itch to get another JKU. Crazy? The gladiator is much more luxurious than the JKU i had and the build quality seems higher, but the width on country roads and the length and breakover angle are useful but annoying at times. Anyone still have a JKU - am i romantically looking back or did the JT/JL become a bit bloated and less nimble? I feel like i am driving a cadillac sometimes.

Thank you all!

Sponsored

 

[High Alextude]

Do what makes you happy dude. There is no wrong answer.

 

[Compton]

Do what makes you happy dude. There is no wrong answer.

Agreed - its just been many years and a few vehicles. I might have to go test drive a used JKU to test my memory.

 

[aristobrat]

I'm guessing you're not talking about the original JKU with the 3.8L + 4-speed auto. That's what I've been driving since 2010. I cannot wait to get into a JT or JLUR!

 

[Compton]

I'm guessing you're not talking about the original JKU with the 3.8L + 4-speed auto. That's what I've been driving since 2010. I cannot wait to get into a JT or JLUR!

HA - no although i drove one a bit mine was 2015 jku willys so 3.6 and 5 spd. I have to admit the 8 speed is nice!

 

[cranbiz]

I have both a JK Sport (well, it started out that way) and a Gladiator Rubicon.

The Sport has been transformed into a total off road, rock crawling vehicle while the JTR is the family daily driver. I love both of them but I'm not driving the JK any distance if I don't have to. The Gladiator just rides so nice, the JK never rode as nice, even when completely stock.

I can say that I would not go back to a JK for a daily driver. The Gladiator just completely out shines the JK and probably the JKU. The 8 speed transmission just performs better than the NAG1 and that was day and night difference than the early JK's with the 42RLE.

 

[Alaska-HWY JK]

Still have my 07 on 37’s. 215,000 km.

 

[Ty01vette]

I have a 2013 JKU that I gave my 16yo son. I drive it every so often, but go back and enjoy the ride of my JTR. The JTR is on 37's and the JKU is on 35' but the JTR ride is much smoother and comfortable. It is longer, but not an issue. The JKU just tripped 118K miles and the oil housing unit cracked leaving antifreeze on the road and scaring my 16yo with overheating. So it was in the shop last week, $1200 later my son was driving it again (replaced the oil housing unit, oil sensor that was throwing the code P0520 and serpentine belt). He worried about it not being available for homecoming in 2 weeks, I worried about the cost. We brought it home and cleaned it up. For myself having an actual Jeep Wrangler in the family is nice, but I enjoy the truck bed, ride and the little extras of my JTR.

 

[jeepers29]

I have aJKU sport that has been built up to almost arubi. I enjoy driving my JK more than my Mojave, except for long trips. My JK is my daily, Mojave is for long trips and hauling camper

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

I loved my JKU… really disliked 9 mpg. (Miss the 6-speed manual)
We like the JTRD and the 22-28mpg it gets!! Will be building a LJ with a tdi for the itch. Our JK was pretty much done (build wise) and was a machine in the rocks… but even having everything the way we wanted I still think the LJ would out perform.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I'd never go back to a JK if I can help it. Not that my previous one was bad (a '16 two door), but my JT is just that good. Less space, less comfort, overall poorer performance (that 8 speed auto makes a big difference), worse interior - etc. Even coming from a two door I find the Gladiator to be very nimble even though it likes to drag its belly sometimes and you gotta make sure you don't scrape the bed sides off in the woods.

Do whatever works for ya.

 

[Compton]

I have aJKU sport that has been built up to almost arubi. I enjoy driving my JK more than my Mojave, except for long trips. My JK is my daily, Mojave is for long trips and hauling camper

I was just thinking if i could afford to do this - daily my SUV and keep the Gladiator for the things it does best

 

[Compton]

I loved my JKU… really disliked 9 mpg. (Miss the 6-speed manual)
We like the JTRD and the 22-28mpg it gets!! Will be building a LJ with a tdi for the itch. Our JK was pretty much done (build wise) and was a machine in the rocks… but even having everything the way we wanted I still think the LJ would out perform.

Nice JKU - but LJ with a TDI? That i would like to know more about! Always wanted one

 

[TheGrendel]

I loved my JKU… really disliked 9 mpg. (Miss the 6-speed manual)
We like the JTRD and the 22-28mpg it gets!! Will be building a LJ with a tdi for the itch. Our JK was pretty much done (build wise) and was a machine in the rocks… but even having everything the way we wanted I still think the LJ would out perform.

Really just depends on the typical trails you do. I was rolling with a nice mix of Jeeps. My JKU is on 40s. 1 tons. long arm, etc. There were some obstacles that I was walking right over that a built LJ was having trouble with. And then there were some other spots where he was able to navigate tight areas much easier than me.

All of that to say. My Gladiator is much nicer to drive day in and day out while my JKU is far superior in the rocks.

 

[Compton]

I have a 2013 JKU that I gave my 16yo son. I drive it every so often, but go back and enjoy the ride of my JTR. The JTR is on 37's and the JKU is on 35' but the JTR ride is much smoother and comfortable. It is longer, but not an issue. The JKU just tripped 118K miles and the oil housing unit cracked leaving antifreeze on the road and scaring my 16yo with overheating. So it was in the shop last week, $1200 later my son was driving it again (replaced the oil housing unit, oil sensor that was throwing the code P0520 and serpentine belt). He worried about it not being available for homecoming in 2 weeks, I worried about the cost. We brought it home and cleaned it up. For myself having an actual Jeep Wrangler in the family is nice, but I enjoy the truck bed, ride and the little extras of my JTR.

Sorry to hear about the oil cooler - hopefully they have improved the design. Thanks for the input

Sponsored