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Do Gladiators Ride Smoother Than Wranglers?

wadewolf

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Our 2021 Gladiator is raised 2.5 and sports 35's. Neither the suspension change nor the larger tires help the ride comfort. The less than plush seats also do little to improve ride comfort.

We think the Glad rides better than a Wrangler, but neither are any great bargain in that area. We consider the less-than-great ride comfort as a cost of doing (Jeep) business.

We trudge on.
My Mojave rides the best of any Jeep I have owned. Does it ride better than my wife's Genesis, hell no. But I can go to a lot more fun places and do way more fun things all while topless. Just not right now, its to damn cold.
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Y-Guy

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I went from 2011 Wrangler Sahara with KO2s-C to a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon with Wild Peaks - I would say yes it drives smoother, less cross wind pushing me around as well.

My wife has a 2024 Wrangler with the Durtracs that does well, but the cross wind is still an issue.

I've also rented a few Wranglers and stand by that. Over Christmas I had a 2023 Wrangler Rubicon with K02-E for 2-weeks, most of all they were loud. But with the E's that to be expected.
 

Wheelin98TJ

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Test drove a bronco wildtrak then a gladiator rubicon. Bought the gladiator
Did you buy the Gladiator because you thought it rode better?

Seems like almost everyone would think the IFS Bronco rides better.
 

Mojave2021

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My Wrangier experience is dated but I also agree that the Gladiator Mojave rides and handles very nicely.
 

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Minty JL

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I can't make the Gladiator to Wrangler comparison as I've never had nor, ridden in a Wrangler.

I have pretty much had only Grand Cherokees in the past and, currently also have a 2019 GC Ltd. (built, 6/19).

My Overland (ordered 5/19, delivered 7/19) in my opinion actually rides nicer than my Grand Cherokee Ltd. I also find the seats (cloth) in my JT are also more comfortable than the GC on long trips which is important because my JT is also my tow vehicle for my travel trailer.

The nicest GC ride I had was in my '08 GC Overland (Hemi) and, those seats were some of the most comfortable car seats I ever had the privilege of parking my keester in.
The seats in the 95-96 GC Limited were fuckin amazing. Why did car companies get or do away with comfy seats........like seriously
 

DanW

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Curious what your opinion is? Do Gladiators have a smoother ride than Wranglers? Longer wheelbase would suggest so however some people say with an empty truck bed they are actually a little bouncy and rude rougher. I'm considering going from a Wrangler to a Gladiator but would really prefer a smoother ride. Thx
I have both and it entirely depends on the suspension. I have a Mopar lift on my JLU Rubicon and it's super plush. My brother had a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon with the Mopar lift and it was similar. Maybe slightly smoother. Both have Fox shocks. My JLUR rides smoother than my Gladiator did with its stock suspension. I now have an AEV Dualsport suspension on my Gladiator and it is pretty stiff. I wanted it that way for better handling when towing and hauling. So it depends on what you want and what suspension you go with.

I think bone stock, my brother's 2020 Gladiator Rubicon rode slightly smoother than my JLU Rubicon did bone stock. That's the best I can recall.

But both are similar. The JT's longer wheelbase is an advantage, but I feel like the Wrangler's rear suspension is slightly softer sprung.

Just remember this, too. Ride quality is entirely subjective. So test drives would tell you more than we can really say here.
 

aldo98229

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My Mojave rides the best of any Jeep I have owned. Does it ride better than my wife's Genesis, hell no. But I can go to a lot more fun places and do way more fun things all while topless. Just not right now, its to damn cold.
Same here.

My 2023 Gladiator Rubicon rides better than any of my prior nine Wranglers.

My most recent Wrangler was a 2018 JLU Sahara.
 

Janster

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The seats in the 95-96 GC Limited were fuckin amazing. Why did car companies get or do away with comfy seats........like seriously
😂 We had a 2001 GC Limited … and I’ll agree…seats were amazing!!!
 

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kevman65

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If you put the correct springs and shocks to suit your tastes then yes, the JT rides smoother than the JL.
 

JamesWyatt

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Based on owning many JL & JTs:

Best of the best in stock form below in order of recommendation. Ranking based not just on ride but overall ride experience (steering, road noise, etc.):

1.) 2022 XR Willys 2.0T
  • Zero options (manual crank windows, etc.)
  • Standard soft top
Summary:
  • Light, nimble for a Jeep on 35s, wicked fun to drive
  • Tracked straight as an arrow
  • Zero play in steering
  • Nearly unlimited passing power and acceleration onto freeways
  • Effortless steep climbs at high altitude at interstate speeds, barely the mildest of downshifts with very quiet engine noise compared to the 3.6 on the same climbs
  • Very quiet inside for a soft top
  • Less noticeable A-pillar and top of the windshield wind noise than XR X hard top – wind seems to flow more easily over the soft top bump along the top of the windshield.
  • No sway bar disconnects makes for an abusive off road experience – adding quick disconnects is a must
  • Seat comfort for long trips was great since it had no heated seats, making the seat much softer on the old butt – not as comfortable as Mojave seats

2.) 2024 XR Rubicon X
  • 3.6 Auto
  • 4:88 option
Summary:
  • Heavy beast but solidly planted on the road
  • Even tighter steering than the pre-2024 XRs, almost sporty
  • 4:88s make it fun around town and tolerable for steep high altitude interstate speed climbs (engine is much louder than the 2.0T when downshifted for the climb and runs at higher RPMs) – no lack of passing power, but engine lets you know it's working
  • Quietest inside due to improved sound dampening, but downside is it makes the A-pillar wind noise seem very loud on the interstate when driving in strong wind.
  • Best interior and Uconnect experience
  • Electronic sway bar disconnect is a luxury in bad weather and mud
  • Best seat adjustability for long trips, 2nd best butt comfort

3) 2021 & 2023 Mojaves (options largely irrelevant)
  • Most soft and cushy ride at all speeds
  • Extremely comfortable ride on washboard roads compared to other models that will rattle your teeth out
  • Abusive ride for slow rough off-roading – quick disconnects are a must
  • Steering was nowhere near as tight as the XRs – floats around a little in my lane at interstate speeds requiring a lot of steering corrections to anticipate drift (as all non-XR stock JLs and JTs have driven for me)
  • Up high altitude steep mountain passes: screams like it's dying at high RPM; will start losing speed if vehicle is full of 5 adult passengers and cannot maintain 75mph; engine sometimes will knock when stressed like that without premium
  • Best stock front seats for long trips for the old butt
I test drove a JT Rubicon and felt it was about the same as a JL Rubicon. If anything, the JT felt more stiff and had sharper jolts over bumps. Also test drove a few JT Willys – that was really an unrefined driving experience, but that could be the mud tires at dealership pressures.

But bottom line is you won't ever see me in a JT again unless they give us a better engine or offer the XR package with 35s and 4:56 and/or 4:88s.
 

Labswine

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The seats in the 95-96 GC Limited were fuckin amazing. Why did car companies get or do away with comfy seats........like seriously
Yes, my '96 Laredo had very comfy seats. I put over 240K on her with no complaints about seat comfort. Got rid of her because of electrical issues and the AC had also finally quit (after it's second compressor). Donated to charity.

The engine and trans was still strong and she still got over 20 MPG bopping around and around 24 MPG on the highway. How? Opened the intake and exhaust and swapped out the factory 19#/hr single point injectors for FMS 22#/hr multi-point fuel injectors. That 4.0L I-6 was quite powerful. I could pace a stock Mustang 5.0L with her...at least from start to a certain point then their higher top end took over.

That, along with my '08 GC Overland (Hemi) are the two Jeeps I miss the most.
 

Labswine

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😂 We had a 2001 GC Limited … and I’ll agree…seats were amazing!!!
I (well, my ex wife) had a '99 GC Laredo with the 'F' package, leather seats and etc. Those were the MOST uncomfortable seats I ever sat in. Within like 30 miles, my lower back was in pain, big time.
 

AstroZombie

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I love the ride though it can feel like my 79 grand waggy did sometimes. She likes to wander on the freeway.
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