Constructive feedback requested - Used Gladiator Pricing

[dmwphoto]

You lost me at “don’t trust ASE certified technician “
Good luck unloading your albatross

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[dmwphoto]

I hope you enjoy your fairytale.

Funny man. You are the one with the albatross. You don’t really seem interested in “constructive criticism “ at all.

 

[sharpsicle]

Right on! A great deal of technical ignorance is out there, resulting in terms like albatross. It's funny that those folks have little technical or mechanical competency. I've tried the dealerships, and they exhibit a brain-dead approach. This is why I've built a flagship personal garage. I don't trust others. I know what it takes to get ASE certified and sleepwalking.

I do not disrespect those who solve real problems; most punch the clock. I have no patience for that. I build my vehicles because I do not trust clock punchers.

Honest question, if this is how little you think of everyone else, why did you even ask for our opinions?

 

[sharpsicle]

Specific individuals tease out the most egregious aspects of others. I expected this to a certain degree. I asked for feedback because I am interested in other perspectives, but I recognize some uninformed snipers will weigh on topics they have no business with. Will I refute their uninformed ignorance? For sure.

So, to paraphrase, you didn't actually want opinions, but you wanted to start an argument?

I mean really, I have plenty of experience both in building and selling modded used vehicles. What's been said here is accurate and most certainly worth considering seriously. You don't need to be an ass and try to discredit the responses you solicited just because you don't like what you're hearing. You're showing your own "uninformed ignorance" by assuming none of us have valuable experience on which to draw from.

 

[DC3]

So, to paraphrase, you didn't actually want opinions, but you wanted to start an argument?

I mean really, I have plenty of experience both in building and selling modded used vehicles. What's been said here is accurate and most certainly worth considering seriously. You don't need to be an ass and try to discredit the responses you solicited just because you don't like what you're hearing. You're showing your own "uninformed ignorance" by assuming none of us have valuable experience on which to draw from.

Thanks. I'll call it a day. Congrats.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

This thread went about as well as expected.?

 

[guarnibl]

I appreciate the feedback; seeing the world through other perspectives is helpful. I am surprised at all the comments leading to a reduced valuation due to the replaced engine. That suggests I would have done better selling with a bum factory engine. That seems like a perception-over-reality issue coming from folks who wouldn't seriously consider the vehicle in the first place. The comment isn't meant to be negative, but I'm trying to understand the basis of the perspective.

Perhaps the main takeaway here is that selling this Jeep requires finding a needle in a haystack buyer who is looking for just this thing. On top of that, one who knows the questions to ask.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'll continue to explore the next best step for the Gladiator....

Jeep on!

I think my concern buying something Chrysler with a replaced engine is A) what caused it in the first place and B) it’s just straight up hit or miss on quality of workmanship these days at FCA dealers.

 

[TheDerb]

I have never trusted ASE-certified mechanics based on what I've experienced from Porsche, Audi, BMW, and JEEP. No disrespect, but as a mechanical engineer, I count myself way over an ASE-certified mechanic unless it's my brother, an ASE mechanic and an engineer. That's why I have a full shop equipped with Snap-on tools, diagnostics, lift, and other resources to build from scratch.

This comes from someone who's built 650hp 2.0l motors, 800hp V8 TT motors, and many other swaps and builds.

No disrespect, but… you supercharged a Jeep Gladiator. A build with no consistent tuning guidelines, no real standards, and you swapped the original engine and trans over “cam issues”.

I’m enthralled. What cam issue was it? Surely someone who owns snap-on tools must have a fantastic story about how a cam would require that much work. Because owning snap on tools Is clearly something that, when used as a flex, obviously indicates we have this generation‘s Carroll Shelby gracing us with their presence.

So lets hear it.

 

[Lunentucker]

I've followed the OP's project for some time and with interest. I'm not to question his knowledge or his skills. For me it comes down to this.
I'll spend more money on my own experiment than I will someone else's. Far more.

 

[DC3]

Well, I feel a bit like a fool. I asked for feedback and then turned the thread into a pissing match. That was not my intent.

I took all measures to make this jeep so there are no problems for the next owner and there's a lot of noise out there about the supercharged 3.6. I took the comments personally.

I apologize to you all for the childish outbursts.

 

[DC3]

No disrespect, but… you supercharged a Jeep Gladiator. A build with no consistent tuning guidelines, no real standards, and you swapped the original engine and trans over “cam issues”.

I’m enthralled. What cam issue was it? Surely someone who owns snap-on tools must have a fantastic story about how a cam would require that much work. Because owning snap on tools Is clearly something that, when used as a flex, obviously indicates we have this generation‘s Carroll Shelby gracing us with their presence.

So lets hear it.

I can't take back the childish outbursts but I do apologize.

The cam issues it a perplexing one. I initially replaced the intake cams and in a few thousand miles the cam/rocker ticking returned. The second time I took it to the dealer they found bank 1 cam wear and replaced the cam and rockers. The noise returned after a few hundred miles.

The dealer wouldn't diagnose beyond the cams due to the supercharger. I contemplated replacing the heads but didn't feel comfortable with thousands of miles of iron in the oil.

I tried purchasing a replacement crate engine but Mopar has an 800+ unit backlog. I ended up finding a takeout motor and trans from a forum member. I figured rather than splitting the trans, i installed the "new" trans. I figured this would be a benefit but hadn't considered the outside optics.

Live and learn. The cam issues were a complete shit show. Maybe I could have sold the Jeep for more with the original engine but that doesn't align with my values. I'd rather take it in the shorts than have someone else inherit a half jacked vehicle.

 

[Koolcarguy]

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms, but I seek constructive feedback on pricing my supercharged Gladiator. I realize questions like these can bring out snipers and trolls, but I hope those folks will hold back their comments.

I am selling my 2020 supercharged Gladiator; it has a 2022 motor and trans(swapped due to cam issues) and a host of other mild off-road & daily driver upgrades. I replaced the truck with a diesel Gladiator because it better fits my use case. I want to sell the truck for $55k, which seems reasonable, but I am biased.

I want to sell it more important than getting the right price because I don't need two Gladiators. I have included the link to the sale post and the upgrades for context. I decided to sell the Jeep before I realized the engine was a ticking time bomb, so I replaced the motor for the next owner with no expectation of recouping the investment. I share that to say I wouldn't sell something in a condition I wouldn't want to buy from someone else.

Thanks in advance for the feedback

A few questions:

1. Do you think the bumper and winch adds any value?
   1. If not, I'll swap them to my diesel and lower the price
2. Do you think the bronze/gold wheels and handles are too unique?
   1. If so, I'll remove the plastidip from the wheels and swap the handles
3. Other advice?

Sale Post Link

Mod/Maintenance list:

Ok so I'm a used car dealer so keep that in mind I've been a dealer 35 years. First off I don't think your to far out of line on the price with your mods I would price it at $49,995 once you hit the $50k mark your to close to a new model price with better payment pricing. I would put in the ad if theres any warranty on the new drivetrain. Lastly I would remove the gold on the handles and the wheels thats a love it or hate it so if you go back stock you can appeal to every buyer. As far as the bumper I'd leave it looks like it fits in with the other mods? Hope that helps just my 2 cents worth good luck getting it sold!! You'll love the diesel I have 2 Jt diesel and 1 Jl diesel absolutely love them !! I'll never go back to gas Jeep if at all possible

 

[DC3]

Ok so I'm a used car dealer so keep that in mind I've been a dealer 35 years. First off I don't think your to far out of line on the price with your mods I would price it at $49,995 once you hit the $50k mark your to close to a new model price with better payment pricing. I would put in the ad if theres any warranty on the new drivetrain. Lastly I would remove the gold on the handles and the wheels thats a love it or hate it so if you go back stock you can appeal to every buyer. As far as the bumper I'd leave it looks like it fits in with the other mods? Hope that helps just my 2 cents worth good luck getting it sold!! You'll love the diesel I have 2 Jt diesel and 1 Jl diesel absolutely love them !! I'll never go back to gas Jeep if at all possible

Thanks for the feedback, I will take your advice with the pricing and gold accents.

I love the diesel, I have the GDE tune which bleeds torque, and the exhaust braking is great. There are times I miss off the line punchiness of the supercharger but those are few and far between. 25mpg reduces the frequency for gas station stops which is also great.

 

[Lunentucker]

Well, I feel a bit like a fool. I asked for feedback and then turned the thread into a pissing match. That was not my intent.

I took all measures to make this jeep so there are no problems for the next owner and there's a lot of noise out there about the supercharged 3.6. I took the comments personally.

I apologize to you all for the childish outbursts.

You give what you get. I know you poured a lot into making this thing work, and you helped the community at large with good information. THAT is why I tried to stay on the high road and look at your question respectfully and honestly.

I still say you'd do no worse, and perhaps slightly better, to pull the Supercharger and revert back to factory tune, advertised as a new engine and transmission replaced under warranty, or whatever the circumstances were.

 

[Koolcarguy]

Out of curiosity, and kind of off topic but... For those saying it is not tradeable to a dealer, is that simply because of the supercharger or are some of the other mods also a deal breaker? I guess on mine I've not thought about trade-in value just yet, but how far is too far before a dealer says no?

Honestly it depends on the dealer and there ability to sell it? My local Jeep dealer actually builds Jeeps, they've done several 392 conversion, supercharged Jeeps lifts etc. And to those saying the suoercharger will kill the motor not 100% true I own a 13 Jku that we put a supercharger on it at 8k miles now has 141k miles no issues and that goes with 1 adult driver and 2 teenage sons driving it threw high school and thousand of miles of road. I think it depends on the install and the supercharger brand.

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