Gladiator buyers - have you owned a Wrangler?

[Malarkey21]

Well yes I suppose Willys, but perhaps more broadly CJ’s. He probably owned a dozen of them over the years.
Wranglers werent a thing until 1987 and he had been driving CJ’s for a good 25 years at that point.

Old dog/new tricks and all of that.

I gave my grandfather a ride in my 2013 JK the first day I got it. He was a sergeant in the army in the 50's and was driven around in Jeeps. That was also the last time he had ridden in one. First thing he says is "They still have the handle eh?" (referring to the "oh shit" bar). The rest of the drive he told me stories about riding around in them and how bad his driver was. To me that's what makes a Jeep a Jeep. My 2013 JK brought him back to riding in military Jeeps when he was in the army.

The other cool thing is that because of Jeeps, each can have their own opinion on if the latest Jeeps are still real Jeeps! #Merica

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[13RUBI10A]

I have owned a CJ2A, 3 different TJ's and currently own a JK.

 

[Raven257]

My first vehicle was 73 J-4000, Since then I've own a 76 cj-5, 81 cj-8 (scrambler) and a 95 yj.

 

[Oilburner]

I drive a 2006 LJ Rubicon every day - had it over 10 yrs.
Sold a 2013 Rubicon JKU a couple years ago (wife’s).

 

[TYJ]

I have never owned a wrangler and if I am honest have zero desire to ever purchase a wrangler. Many response on the thread I get the impression are from long time wrangler owners. I'd like to know if what the split is on here.

Same here, although I have rented 4dr Wranglers. Only buying a Gladiator because it’s a truck. Replacing my ‘08 Honda Ridgeline with it.

 

[jeeprscreeprs]

I'm planning on jumping from a 98 Cherokee to a gladiator because I need a truck, love jeeps and where else can you get a manual trans these days

 

[Rex3rd]

I really wanted a Jeep because the aspect of taking roof off doors off the rugged durability but I wanted something that can tow and the regular Jeep couldn't tow much so with a sad head I kept looking at other trucks. Then I heard of Jeep coming out with a truck it was like they were sending me a message.. hey you can have that jeep you want and the towing power here ya go lol

 

[pilotpat]

Favorites? The CJ was what I learned on, never owned one.

By your name I would have thought you had 5! Silly me!!!

 

[pilotpat]

I am new to Jeep ownership. Bought a 79 CJ7 in the fall of 2017. Factory V8 and Air Conditioning! It’s a beast and awesome! In the process of locating the right JK for my son and would have e bought a JL if it could tow my boat but have been waiting for the Gladiator for about two years as well!! Cannot wait! Always rent Jeeps on vacation and my daughter is 100% converted to Jeeps are the only way to go!!

 

[WXman]

More Jeeps between the wife and I than I care to list here.

But, the funny thing is my father is a car guy and master mechanic and he got me into cars of course, but later in life I got him into Jeeps. He ended up restoring a '77 CJ-5 Levi's Edition with the 304 V8. Sold that and built a ZJ. And now he's looking at JLs.

I think this thread is interesting because you have to have an interest in the Wrangler in order to care about the Gladiator. If all a guy wants is a pickup truck, there are many better options already for sale. It's the Wrangler features specifically that appeal to people.

 

[JTRUBI]

Weirdly enough I was never a jeep guy. That was until a buddy of mine picked up a JKU, brought it to my house with the doors and roof off and threw me the keys. After driving it I did a ton of research and 2 months late came out and bought a JKUR. Absolutely loved it, until it was totalled last summer. The Jeep saved my life, and now I’m hooked. Gladiator ticks off the boxes that I need for adventure traveling. So that looks like what I’ll be getting.

 

[pilotpat]

More Jeeps between the wife and I than I care to list here.

But, the funny thing is my father is a car guy and master mechanic and he got me into cars of course, but later in life I got him into Jeeps. He ended up restoring a '77 CJ-5 Levi's Edition with the 304 V8. Sold that and built a ZJ. And now he's looking at JLs.

I think this thread is interesting because you have to have an interest in the Wrangler in order to care about the Gladiator. If all a guy wants is a pickup truck, there are many better options already for sale. It's the Wrangler features specifically that appeal to people.

I cannot agree more! I am a Ford F150 guy and love my Ford. Best vehicle I have ever owned. It too has its flaws as one could argue Jeep and FCA have as well but over all it is the right tool for the right job....but it is not a Jeep! That is the answer to everything in a nutshell!

Having owned Harleys before kids and in my younger days there is a camaraderie that goes with a "icon" type vehicle or thing. These groups exist all over and those people firmly entrenched in these groups will not listen to reason when someone digs on their thing.

Two of my friends right out of college owned Wranglers and I can remember the endless summer days cruising with only a bikini top all summer no matter what the weather was! (No @steffen707 not on me on the Jeep!)

Now I am at a place with life that I can bring back some of that fun and adventure and share it with my family and have jumped into the Jeep world with both feet! Soon we shall be a three Jeep family and I imagine when my wife's Explorer is run out it may follow suit!

Bring on the Gladiator. Rubi it up, lift it, 35's, off-road accessorize, and start the overland adventure!

This picture says it all for me!

 

[furrymurray]

I have owned many Jeeps from CJ7s to TJs and even the square headlighted ones. Also owned XJS and bought the wife a limited Commander 4x4. Loved every single one of them and was extremely hard on them all. I really cannot attest to having any major issues with any of them. I absolutely love Jeeps and always have ever since I was a kid. Now my kids love them just the same. I believe this JT will definitely be a game changer and the Jeep family will grow astronomically with first time Jeep buyers.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

I owned a 88 Cherokee when was in HS and then came back to Jeeps in 2013 when I bought my JKU and have been daily driving it since. While it has a ton of flaws IMO its been the only vehicle I have kept for over 2 years (on year 6 now) so that says a lot to me. Im ready for a truck as I drive around with my back seats folded down more then up in my JKU so the cargo space would come in handy, but at the same time I really don't want a full-size due to lack of access to some of the places I like to explore.

 

[Onebigyoshi]

I've wanted a Jeep Wrangler ever since my car accident in 2016. I took the opportunity to rent a wrangler for a month and absolutely loved it. For the first week I was wondering why the hell people were waving at me and realized it was only from other wranglers. After a quick google search ("Jeep waving at other Jeeps") I learned about the "Jeep Wave". I was hooked. Was planning to buy a STI before but scrapped that once I driven the wrangler. I wanted a wrangler, manual transmission, and recently had interest in a pickup. Lo and behold the Gladiator was introduced! It's very clear that I was meant to have the Gladiator

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