First real trip in the new Gladiator vs 2500 Ram

[FreedomWV]

Today I had my first real amount of seat time in my new Gladiator into work which is about a 2:20 one way trip. First thing of notice is that the seating position is terrible, I will be ordering a seat jacker asap, I am 6'1" and around 285lbs and my legs, knees, and lower back are not loving this seat so far. The second item that is needed right away are some mud flaps, it was around 20 degrees and snowing this morning so the roads had cinders covering them. It tore me up hearing those cinders hitting the side of my brand new Jeep constantly, I already have some weather techs on the way in hoping that this will fix this issue.

I did appreciate the cold weather package, the remote start, and LED lighting package this early morning and the Jeep was ready to go when I got out to the driveway. Coming from my 2500 Ram, the ride is very comfortable and smooth in comparison. I actually enjoyed the quietness of the interior vs the Ram.

The MPG was not quite what I had expected with an average trip of 19.5 with about 85% interstate travel, but again in comparison to my Ram's 12mpg this is much better. Maybe with a few more miles under it's belt it will get a bit better, right now it shows under 300 total miles. Also noted that I did run in 4H part time on the back roads until I got to the interstate, but I did reset the trip just before I got on the interstate after I switched back to 2wd. The jeep never slipped a wheel on the snow covered roads and did very well even with the stocker Bridgestone Dueler AT's.

I do miss the 8.4" radio from my Ram, maybe I will get used to it or I will just have to bite the bullet and upgrade with infotainment or nismopar. Overall the stereo itself could be better, but it is sufficient. I am not sure with the top off how well it will work but time will tell on that.

I told myself that I would not dump a ton of upgrades in this one, but I know that I am just lying to myself as I have upgraded every vehicle that I have owned up to this point and find myself browsing all of the forums looking at everyone else's upgrades so it is only a matter of time!!

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[Lunentucker]

19.5 is pretty average for a pure stock Mojave or Rubicon. I'm amazed at the mileage they get for what they are.

 

[John Lenheiser]

I have been considering trading my 2019 RAM 1500 4X4 for a new Gladiator, but still can't pull the trigger because after driving the Gladiator I didn't like the room in the driver's seat and fuel mileage I was going to get. My RAM with the 5.7 Hemi gets 19.5 in town and 24.0 on the highway (70 MPH). My wife wasn't too crazy about her comfort either, but since it's my vehicle she would just have to adjust, but since it's my decision she is going to win out on this one. So now I guess I will just wait for the 2024 RAM and hope it gets a model change, or there is no reason to change on what I have. I don't go off road, so upgrades for me are pretty much out.

 

[FreedomWV]

I have been considering trading my 2019 RAM 1500 4X4 for a new Gladiator, but still can't pull the trigger because after driving the Gladiator I didn't like the room in the driver's seat and fuel mileage I was going to get. My RAM with the 5.7 Hemi gets 19.5 in town and 24.0 on the highway (70 MPH). My wife wasn't too crazy about her comfort either, but since it's my vehicle she would just have to adjust, but since it's my decision she is going to win out on this one. So now I guess I will just wait for the 2024 RAM and hope it gets a model change, or there is no reason to change on what I have. I don't go off road, so upgrades for me are pretty much out.

I have been looking at them for quite some time, I will admit that I do miss all of the leg room in my Ram, I am looking forward to summer when I can pull the top and enjoy that part... also the mpg in my Ram was nowhere near yours with mine being the 2500 I got 12mpg on the highway at best. Wife did not want me to trade either and talked me out of it several times, we have 4 kids and we technically could fit in the Ram but tight. Now we will just have to take her Telluride everywhere and she doesn't like that part either.

 

[obrianmcc]

You really can't compare a Ram vs Gladiator in terms of hwy miles... the Ram will win every time. Where the Gladiator shines is when I can tow my small camper 10 hrs to Moab, air down and wheel all week, air up and tow another 10 hrs home.

I'm 6'3" and agree the stock seating sucks ... why Jeep did not design more adjustment into the seats is beyond me? ... I have a set of the 1.25 Seat Jackers for sale ... PM me if you're interested. The 1.25 was a good fit for me ... I swapped for the .75 as my wife is short and could not drive my JT.

 

[FreedomWV]

You really can't compare a Ram vs Gladiator in terms of hwy miles... the Ram will win every time. Where the Gladiator shines is when I can tow my small camper 10 hrs to Moab, air down and wheel all week, air up and tow another 10 hrs home.

I'm 6'3" and agree the stock seating sucks ... why Jeep did not design more adjustment into the seats is beyond me? ... I have a set of the 1.25 Seat Jackers for sale ... PM me if you're interested. The 1.25 was a good fit for me ... I swapped for the .75 as my wife is short and could not drive my JT.

I ordered the Seat Jackers first thing this morning after making this post. Glad to hear that they do work though.

 

[Gvsukids]

The second item that is needed right away are some mud flaps

Or overland side steps.

The jeep never slipped a wheel on the snow covered roads and did very well even with the stocker Bridgestone Dueler AT's.

I had good luck with the dueller a/t tires.

I do miss the 8.4" radio from my Ram, maybe I will get used to it or I will just have to bite the bullet and upgrade with infotainment or nismopar. Overall the stereo itself could be better, but it is sufficient. I am not sure with the top off how well it will work but time will tell on that.

Do you have the subwoofer? 8.4 in gets that integrated but I think that may have been an option with the seven inch screen. Although speaker upgrades are pretty easy

 

[FreedomWV]

Or overland side steps.


I had good luck with the dueller a/t tires.

Do you have the subwoofer? 8.4 in gets that integrated but I think that may have been an option with the seven inch screen. Although speaker upgrades are pretty easy

Nope no subwoofer on my package, just the 7inch screen and basic sound system. I may upgrade them down the line.

 

[wchevron]

As the engine breaks in, your mileage should go up slightly.

 

[SpeedNeed]

Seatjackers and dead pedal made a huge difference for me.

 

[FreedomWV]

Seatjackers and dead pedal made a huge difference for me.

Did you get the one from Quadra tech?

 

[dmwphoto]

Did you get the one from Quadra tech?

I got the dead pedal from Quadra Tech. It really helped for me. I am 6'4"

 

[SpeedNeed]

Did you get the one from Quadra tech?

Yes, I have QuadraTech as well, but if I had known it existed I would have gotten the one from 813Fabrication with the built in switch. That would be so handy for some extra bright foglights, or a well placed interior light, or something I haven’t thought of.

https://www.813fabrication.com/shop

 

[Rusty PW]

I went from a built '08 Power Wagon to a JTRD. The fuel mileage on the PW was 9 maybe 10 around town and 14 on the highway. The diesel JT gets 22 around and and 28 highway. The PW had more room inside the cab. But out on the trail. Because of it's size. I had maybe 1 or 2 lines to chose from. With the JT, and the smaller width. I have 3 or more lines.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I originally had seat jackers, removed them in favor of the seat slammers. Lifting the seat made me feel like I was sitting up too high, and too close to the sound bar with my head.

I also did the dead pedal from amazon. https://a.co/d/cww0Uwy I've installed 3 of these, 2 in Wranglers and 1 in my Gladiator. Simply assemble the dead pedal then remove 1 nut from the firewall, add a washer, add the bracket then reinstall the nut.

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