Brand New Gladiator (Sport Manual) - Quality of Life Upgrades?

[Rusty Shackleford]

I have a WRX right now, and a Giulia before that…

Off the topic but it sounds like you got rid of the Giulia for a WRX. As someone who is currently looking at Giulia’s I am curious to know why. What did you like and not like about that beauty?

As for Gladiator stuff. Bestop Sunrider, first thing. I don’t think anyone regrets buying one. The rear under seat storage is great if yours didn’t come with it. I keep a bunch of necessary but not often used stuff there. Bright headlight replacements, I switched to Sylvania Silverstar. I’m a fan of having a bed cover and there have been some great suggestions for that already. Floor liners. I like Husky better than WeatherTech. https://www.huskyliners.com/products/2021/jeep/gladiator
AND! Rear seat covers because of the kids

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[Rocksalt]

sounds like you will be cramped with 2 adults, 3 kids and a 60lb dog

 

[Marmaduke]

Off the topic but it sounds like you got rid of the Giulia for a WRX. As someone who is currently looking at Giulia’s I am curious to know why. What did you like and not like about that beauty?

As for Gladiator stuff. Bestop Sunrider, first thing. I don’t think anyone regrets buying one. The rear under seat storage is great if yours didn’t come with it. I keep a bunch of necessary but not often used stuff there. Bright headlight replacements, I switched to Sylvania Silverstar. I’m a fan of having a bed cover and there have been some great suggestions for that already. Floor liners. I like Husky better than WeatherTech. https://www.huskyliners.com/products/2021/jeep/gladiator
AND! Rear seat covers because of the kids

Go buy the Giulia. Easily the best driving car I’ve owned. I absolutely loved mine. It just came off lease and I moved from the desert to the PNW so needed AWD. Missed having a proper clutch and WRX’s were always a bucket list car so I bought a new one (MY23). The WRX has been awful; I hate it. Build quality is the worst I’ve ever seen. My two year old has built better quality objects with glue and pipe cleaners. My wife wasn’t a huge fan of the Giulia with how anal I was with it (really loved that car). She’s wanted a truck for a long time. With interest what it is right now I’m not looking to finance a 3/4 ton. Getting the manual and it’s stupid cheap the Gladiator seems like an easy win.

I’ll look into the storage and sunrider. Some good locking storage especially. Do you know if there’s a preferred center console vault for

sounds like you will be cramped with 2 adults, 3 kids and a 60lb dog

On the few occasions that happens, I’ll deal with it. I’ve put them all in the WRX before. You should see how my wife has packed our mini van for these trips. It’s actually pretty amazing. It’s like a real life master Tetris player.

 

[Marmaduke]

So there’s a $38 attachment for a drill that does 90° angles. Then just use the bits from your Jeep pack. As @Gvsukids said, way faster; start the threads by hand during install, and don’t let the drill over-torque the bolts/nuts.

in terms of the compressor, I purchased an orange MaxiTrac 300lpm unit for around $124. tons of vids online with ppl running it head to head against a $600 arb twin; also lots of diy vids for moding that compressor- simplest mod there is to just cut the short hose and install a normal npt quick connect. It’s been discontinued, but there’s a blue one that looks like the same thing, just rebranded. It’s rated for 90 amp, so don’t plan on hard wiring it.

Will definitely be getting that. I try to wrench on my own stuff as much as possible, and will want the doors off at some point. $38 is a small price to pay for sanity.

 

[RHINO79]

A pedal commander (throttle controller) to make the truck more "fun" to drive when you so choose to.

A quality tonneau if not included. I just got a Bak Revolver x4s that I recommend.

A roof rack will help with gear allocation for those family trips. Smittybilt has the Defender which you can buy in the JL version for a full roof basket or their JT version which is just the back section so you can remove the Freedom Panels in the front while installed.

This cup holder (most likely to be discounted on Black Friday) has been a great quality of life addition for long drives with the fam and looks OEM. Can never have enough cup holders lol...

https://www.amazon.com/AZUTO-Jeep-Wrangler-JL-Gladiator/dp/B0BJ2BKVBM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=F4AVU4DI22CF&keywords=jeep+cup+holder&qid=1700346198&sprefix=jeep+cup+holder,aps,120&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

This hood guard because Jeeps no longer look right without them

https://www.amazon.com/Bushwacker-14093-Black-2018-2019-Wrangler/dp/B07QC8HXMJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2VFBCVYHINTHM&keywords=jeep+gladiator+bushwacker&qid=1700346314&sprefix=jeep+gladiator+bushwacker,aps,111&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1


Sumo Springs can help with payload for added weight of dirt bikes and anything else you throw back there.

Here are the Smittybilts (I owned both, the JL version initially but missed not having the front panel access):

Sweeeeeeet looking willys

 

[RHINO79]

Signed on a new MY23 Gladiator Sport (manual). It has the hard top, tow package, and LSD. Total discount (before title/tax/etc) was ≈23% for those curious.

Just waiting for the recall to be done on the transmission to pick it up(part has been ordered).

I’m a slut for 3 pedals, and this was the only new one I could find anywhere new me. Manual everything will be fun… Even my first vehicle (1990 Dodge Dakota) had automatic locks and windows, lol…. But it will make removing the doors easier…. Actually kind of cool to get back to basics (at least what I tell myself).

Last Jeep I owned was a 1992 Cherokee, but that was a long time ago. I did love that thing and am excited to get back into a Jeep.

All that stated, I would love to hear your guys’s recommendations on upgrades. Really focused on good ROI for everyday livability… The little things that make a big difference (best wireless CarPlay adapter???)

This will be my commuter (average 30 min each way) and then the family vehicle for camping and road trips in bad weather (wife’s minivan will be used for fair weather roadtrips). We have family on the other side of a mountain pass that gets some good snow, so this will be nice to have.

I have three kids, one in a booster and one in a car seat, as well as a medium sized (≈60lb) dog.

I do not plan on doing any hardcore off-roading, but do enjoy dispersed camping, especially in areas that require a little bit of clearance to get to (cost of entry keeping people down). Eventually will get some good all terrain tires and maybe some wheels. Maybe a light bar and winch?

The wife wants to get a small travel trailer. Could this thing actually comfortably tow a ≈3,000lb (dry weight) trailer? I know the manual is rated for less weight (4,900lb), but am thinking that’s transmission rated and not anything else. That stated, would I need to touch brakes or suspension?

I am also stoked to be able to have something to put my dirt bike into again. I moved from where I could ride from my property to an area I cannot. Any thoughts on best ramp to load with? Finally have an excuse to get the oldest a 125cc which is cool. Wife wants a side by side or quads… would two dirt bikes in the bed and a side by side in tow (not a crazy can am) be too much for this?

Really appreciate ya’lls inputs. Feel free to criticize as well if you see an area for improvement. The deal is done, but would love to learn regardless.

Thanks!

When you get a chance, let's see a pic of the sport!

 

[Marmaduke]

When you get a chance, let's see a pic of the sport!

Haven’t picked it up yet (still waiting on parts for recall) so this is all I have lol.

 

[RHINO79]

Haven’t picked it up yet (still waiting on parts for recall) so this is all I have lol.

 

[RHINO79]

Very nice. Sounds like good got a great deal!!! Love the sarge green

 

[Marmaduke]

Very nice. Sounds like good got a great deal!!! Love the sarge green

It’s a very “jeep” color. My “must have” was the clutch followed by “not blue” (I’ve had horrible luck with blue cars). I wasn’t in love with the green when I first see it (didn’t mind it either), but it’s grown on me. Thanks!

 

[FloridaMan655321]

Just waiting for the recall to be done on the transmission to pick it up(part has been ordered).

Thanks!

We have a fix for this finally? Any details? Last time I was at the dealership they said they didn't have any update, though this was more than a month ago (probably 2-3 months).

 

[Marmaduke]

We have a fix for this finally? Any details? Last time I was at the dealership they said they didn't have any update, though this was more than a month ago (probably 2-3 months).

Sorry I don’t. Sales guy said they ordered a “tone wheel.”

 

[Rocksalt]

Go buy the Giulia. Easily the best driving car I’ve owned. I absolutely loved mine. It just came off lease and I moved from the desert to the PNW so needed AWD. Missed having a proper clutch and WRX’s were always a bucket list car so I bought a new one (MY23). The WRX has been awful; I hate it. Build quality is the worst I’ve ever seen. My two year old has built better quality objects with glue and pipe cleaners. My wife wasn’t a huge fan of the Giulia with how anal I was with it (really loved that car). She’s wanted a truck for a long time. With interest what it is right now I’m not looking to finance a 3/4 ton. Getting the manual and it’s stupid cheap the Gladiator seems like an easy win.

I’ll look into the storage and sunrider. Some good locking storage especially. Do you know if there’s a preferred center console vault for



On the few occasions that happens, I’ll deal with it. I’ve put them all in the WRX before. You should see how my wife has packed our mini van for these trips. It’s actually pretty amazing. It’s like a real life master Tetris player.

please report bsck on this as I am curious .. all seats are taken with humans... where does the 60lb dog go?

 

[Marmaduke]

please report bsck on this as I am curious .. all seats are taken with humans... where does the 60lb dog go?

Either in the front pax footwell, or the rear pax footwell. The VB WRX is built on the subaru global platform now so it’s actually a decent sized car. It’s not necessarily comfortable, but for 2 hours it’s fine.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

NOISE MITIGATION


Trust me on this. Yes its a Jeep and will never be Cadillac quiet but get the the headliners. I've got the MOPAR factory ones.

THEN do the sound absorber mats. Dynamat or Siless or any other brand.
I bought these:
https://a.co/d/2TsIXze
You don't have to completely cover it. strips just under the headliner. One $50 box covered the floor pan (I didn't pull the seats just did the floor pans under the feet) and the strips in the roof and I did strips in the doors and the back wall. and still had a full sheet left over. I'm going to go back in the spring and find more places to use up that last sheet.

The noise change is immense. The quality of life when you're doing the hard top is just priceless

AND:
If you're tall 6'+
And third (my next planned upgrade) is the Desertdoesit seatJackers.

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