Gladiator appreciation from down under

[Jaxmax]

Did I see it right they have a one piece freedom panel??…..Jack

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[Ozian]

You’re right! I didn’t spot that before. Maybe it’s some camera magic, or a stolen gladiator from Canada. Assembly flaw that they had to correct before delivery to the customer maybe?

Now I’m curious about the Mojave decals down under, do they say Mojave, Sand Runner, or something else like Sand Blaster?

Do the Rubicons in Austraila come with Sport fenders? The hood says Rubicon... but those fenders aren't the high fender that come on Rubicons.

Good spot! Yes, the Rubicons (and all other Gladiator and Wrangler trims) come with a slightly wider version of the Max Tow fenders (high-line fenders not available). Something to do with tire coverage laws down here and in the EU. Another difference is the hood which is the same as the WayOut concept (and steel) and largest tires that come from the factory are 32s (255/75r17), even on the Rubicon. Most other stuff is the same as the US spec, but with the steering wheel on the other side, of course.

We don’t get the Mojave in Australia, with trims offered including Sport, Overland (both discontinued for 2023), Night Eagle (replacing Sport and Overland for 2023) and Rubicon. Interestingly the Night Eagle gets the Rubicon axles with the lockers, but they aren’t connected. A bit of wiring and voila, lockers work! Strange.

 

[Ozian]

Did I see it right they have a one piece freedom panel??…..Jack

No, all Gladiators have the same two piece freedom panel as the US trucks.

 

[Volt0]

Good spot! Yes, the Rubicons (and all other Gladiator and Wrangler trims) come with a slightly wider version of the Max Tow fenders (high-line fenders not available). Something to do with tire coverage laws down here and in the EU. Another difference is the hood which is the same as the WayOut concept (and steel) and largest tires that come from the factory are 32s (255/75r17), even on the Rubicon. Most other stuff is the same as the US spec, but with the steering wheel on the other side, of course.

We don’t get the Mojave in Australia, with trims offered including Sport, Overland (both discontinued for 2023), Night Eagle (replacing Sport and Overland for 2023) and Rubicon. Interestingly the Night Eagle gets the Rubicon axles with the lockers, but they aren’t connected. A bit of wiring and voila, lockers work! Strange.

Wow; sorry for derailing from the original post; I’ve never heard/seen the Night Eagle version until now. Online pics also look like the air damn is back, between the bumper and fender.

 

[legacy_etu]

No, all Gladiators have the same two piece freedom panel as the US trucks.

I’m curious as to how popular the Gladiator is down under.

 

[PackMule]

Good spot! Yes, the Rubicons (and all other Gladiator and Wrangler trims) come with a slightly wider version of the Max Tow fenders (high-line fenders not available). Something to do with tire coverage laws down here and in the EU. Another difference is the hood which is the same as the WayOut concept (and steel) and largest tires that come from the factory are 32s (255/75r17), even on the Rubicon. Most other stuff is the same as the US spec, but with the steering wheel on the other side, of course.

We don’t get the Mojave in Australia, with trims offered including Sport, Overland (both discontinued for 2023), Night Eagle (replacing Sport and Overland for 2023) and Rubicon. Interestingly the Night Eagle gets the Rubicon axles with the lockers, but they aren’t connected. A bit of wiring and voila, lockers work! Strange.

In place of the Mojave, they need to make you an "Outback" model... in diesel with a snorkel, no emissions equipment and a larger fuel tank! After 200k kilometers you could ship them to the US and sell them used for what you bought them for.

 

[Ozian]

In place of the Mojave, they need to make you an "Outback" model... in diesel with a snorkel, no emissions equipment and a larger fuel tank! After 200k kilometers you could ship them to the US and sell them used for what you bought them for.

Yeah, that would be awesome! Unfortunately Jeep couldn’t get the diesel to work with the right hand drive, so our only option is the 3.6. Having said that, a few Gladiators have made it across the Simpson Desert already, and I’ll be tackling that trip next August (3-4 days to cross, no fuel stations, no stores, no cel service. Just sand, dirt and over 1,100 dunes to navigate while being 100% self sufficient).

 

[Ozian]

I’m curious as to how popular the Gladiator is down under.

The Gladiator isn’t overly popular compared to other trucks (“utes” as they are referred to down here) available in Australia. The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger dominate the Ute market, and Jeep hasn’t done itself any favours with its pricing strategy for the JT and JL (priced as premium vehicles, cutting out a lot of the Jeep faithful). The Toyota and Nissan fandom down here is almost cult-like, which makes it hard for new entrants, especially with such a small market compared to North America.

Having said that, there is a growing number of Jeep fans, and having some local off road YouTubers like Reuben from DMW jumping on board is lifting the profile of the Gladiator. It might be too little, too late to turn it into a huge sales success, but every bit helps.

 

[legacy_etu]

The Gladiator isn’t overly popular compared to other trucks (“utes” as they are referred to down here) available in Australia. The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger dominate the Ute market, and Jeep hasn’t done itself any favours with its pricing strategy for the JT and JL (priced as premium vehicles, cutting out a lot of the Jeep faithful). The Toyota and Nissan fandom down here is almost cult-like, which makes it hard for new entrants, especially with such a small market compared to North America.

Having said that, there is a growing number of Jeep fans, and having some local off road YouTubers like Reuben from DMW jumping on board is lifting the profile of the Gladiator. It might be too little, too late to turn it into a huge sales success, but every bit helps.

Ha, so it sounds like the NA market. We have our share of Toyota groupies here and the premium market pricing exists here as well.

 

[Sweetums]

In place of the Mojave, they need to make you an "Outback" model... in diesel with a snorkel, no emissions equipment and a larger fuel tank! After 200k kilometers you could ship them to the US and sell them used for what you bought them for.

Pretty sure Australia has similar diesel emissions equipment to the US.

 

[jimbom]

Where the hell is the battery (batteries?)

 

[Ozian]

Where the hell is the battery (batteries?)

Opposite side of the engine bay, because of course the brake booster and steering mechanism are where the batteries are on the US trucks.

 

[jimbom]

Opposite side of the engine bay, because of course the brake booster and steering mechanism are where the batteries are on the US trucks.

There, I fixed it:

 

[Slipshodman]

The shitty part for us Aussies is that the aftermarket options are limited .. and expensive

If I want to do a 2inch lift on my JTR it's gunna probably set me back 8-10 grand to do it properly,
finding an honest capable mechanic with the knowledge of the JT is rare (if there really is one)

The dealers have less than an idea of anything, I don't even like them doing a service but we get a 5 year warranty, and keeping it dealer serviced is just going to make that easier

And then all the other limitations on lift, tyre size and poke etc
I have no issues with the legislation, it just limits us quite a bit compared to most places in the US

But hey, I FKN love my JTR

 

[Stuntman Mike]

The shitty part for us Aussies is that the aftermarket options are limited .. and expensive

Don't complain or you will be deported to Germany ...

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