Gladiator Diesel Bottoming Out Poll - Let’s get some numbers here.

[GoFastGoFish]

I am honestly just tired of the whole thing at this point.. it's just extra added stress for no reason.. I mean I obviously wanted this specific truck.. but I get weird when I have issues with a vehicle.. I lose faith in it...

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[GoFastGoFish]

I would be thinking about a lemon law buyback by now. or at least be threatening to do something.

Of course it would REALLy all depend on what they gave me as a loaner. If it was comparable or better to what I owned, then I'd be happy to put miles on their vehicle rather than mine.

Yeah, I mean obviously thoughts have been swirling around my mind.. it's just more or less a bummer.. I was pretty stoked to make this my nice little fishing truck ..

 

[GoFastGoFish]

I truly believe Jeep expected most of the diesels to go to "enthusiasts" that were going to immediately alter the suspension.. and they would casually overlook this until they had a fix.. since there is no way this tested well .. At the end of the day they are Jeeps.. one washboard road at 7mph this would have shown up.

I also think the saturation of Diesel glads is extremely low. So those two conditions lend it self to being hidden longer.

Again.. I feel really awkward even being mad at this type of thing.. given the situation of many other people out there in the world.. this is just a vehicle after all.. but I hate when people try to take advantage to make profit .. (like 80% of the aftermarket parts mfgs lol )

 

[am1978]

I truly believe Jeep expected most of the diesels to go to "enthusiasts" that were going to immediately alter the suspension.. and they would casually overlook this until they had a fix.. since there is no way this tested well ..

Damn, I went with the diesel for range on a tank, less stops than my gasser JLU Sahara.

 

[SquirrelChaser]

I have an appointment next Thursday at my local dealership to have this issue looked at.

When I drove in to schedule the appointment a tech was standing there and walked over and pushed down on the front bumper a couple times, stood up and said:. "the shocks are bad". I left it at that and will see how it goes and keep you posted.

 

[bentrod]

For the official record...
Shocks have nothing to do with suspending the vehicle. The springs do that. The shocks control rebound with dips and bumps in the road and keep the tires planted on the asphalt.
This bottoming out situation, lack of suspension clearance is ALL spring related.
( If your truck has bad shocks and bounces while parked as you push down on the bumper then yes you do need new shocks, just saying, and hope they take care of you )

 

[SquirrelChaser]

For the official record...
Shocks have nothing to do with suspending the vehicle. The springs do that. The shocks control rebound with dips and bumps in the road and keep the tires planted on the asphalt.
This bottoming out situation, lack of suspension clearance is ALL spring related.
( If your truck has bad shocks and bounces while parked as you push down on the bumper then yes you do need new shocks, just saying, and hope they take care of you )

I agree, that longer/stiffer springs are the answer. I've decided to take the approach of being quite first. If they find a "problem" they will feel more invested in finding the solution and then I can chime in with my .02

 

[WXman]

For the official record...
Shocks have nothing to do with suspending the vehicle. The springs do that. The shocks control rebound with dips and bumps in the road and keep the tires planted on the asphalt.
This bottoming out situation, lack of suspension clearance is ALL spring related.
( If your truck has bad shocks and bounces while parked as you push down on the bumper then yes you do need new shocks, just saying, and hope they take care of you )

That's partially true. Yes, the springs support the vehicle. The shocks only dampen rebound and compression. But, it is still true that the shocks can prevent bottoming out if they are tuned properly for the weight of the vehicle.

Take the shocks off your truck and then drive over some speed bumps. Notice how much more easily and quickly it'll smack the bumpstops. Now reinstall your shocks and drive over the same speed bumps. It may not bottom out at all, and if it does it won't be as violent.

I'm still anxious to see what the true resolution to this problem is. Still very odd that some guys have the issue and others don't. My truck is over 5,000 lbs. curb weight in stock condition with me in it. It was perfect from day 1 over bumps. It's just odd to me...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That's partially true. Yes, the springs support the vehicle. The shocks only dampen rebound and compression. But, it is still true that the shocks can prevent bottoming out if they are tuned properly for the weight of the vehicle.

Yes. It's controlling how hard and fast that weight is hitting the spring.
You control how quickly the energy hits the springs, and the shocks, using oil through orifices', absorbs some of that energy. Does the energy of that bump WHAM instantly into the spring, momentum compressing it quickly or is it slowed and some of the energy absorbed.

Here's from an automotive site - (I found some other info - funny enough, some contradict each other)

Here are six ways shocks and struts affect your vehicle and how to tell if you need replacements.

Ride and Comfort
Though the whole suspension system contributes to how your vehicle rides, when the shocks and struts are worn, the bumps and dips are more pronounced. Even if you don't notice it, your passengers may complain about the rough ride. You may also feel strange vibrations in the steering wheel or hear disturbing clunks when your brake or steer if the shocks and struts are worn.

Control Over Bumps and Dips
Even if you're not feeling a rough ride or vibration, you may notice that your car is harder to handle when you travel over dips and bumps. Your vehicle may even bottom out more easily.

 

[PackMule]

I appreciate the heads up. As soon as I see it in our system I will follow up!

Thanks for tagging us. Please send our team a private message with more details so we can assist. If we can gather VINs and get customers in touch with case managers, we can work towards a remedy for this. Thanks!

Kate
Jeep Cares

Just PM'd you with my information

 

[Free2roam]

Haven't heard anything in months. Mine hit really hard the other day at about 12 mph going between two buildings. There was a dip and a drain so I figured I'd straddle it with my tires. BAM full bottom out.
@JeepCares Kate I sent you a pm.

 

[msrebel]

Haven't heard anything in months. Mine hit really hard the other day at about 12 mph going between two buildings. There was a dip and a drain so I figured I'd straddle it with my tires. BAM full bottom out.
@JeepCares Kate I sent you a pm.

I am continuing to watch this closely. My JTRD bottoms out in places and at speeds our Toyota Highlander doesn't, much less our 4Runner! I really hope Jeep comes out with a fix. My dealer pretty much glossed over the problem several months back (although it had caused an exhaust bracket to break!), and @JeepCares didn't seem to want to address it unless the dealer did. I'm hoping it has risen to a higher level at this point. I don't have time to keep going back and forth to the dealer and arguing with them over a known flaw. Love my Jeep... just wish this problem would get taken care of soon before I jar anything else loose!

 

[GoFastGoFish]

Update #42495235925.. ( Copied from my other post in Suspension)

So far I have not received any ETR on the TSB. Jeep actually started mentioning compensation routes.. since the dealer and regional field engineer said it should not be driven until fixed. However I told them to provide better clarity instead of asking what I want. So in essence until the official TSB and parts list is released my Gladiator is collecting good ole dust.

On a side note, as much as I am a massive Mopar Fan Boy.. this issue was one I wasn't willing to overlook.. Sometimes it's hard to be patient when I know what would fix this. I could have just run out and spent my own money to resolve.. This isn't really the right way to go about it. To me this just seemed like Jeep rushing to get units out, hoping everyone changes to aftermarket suspension and doesn't say anything. Maybe they were not able to get the correct parts for release and just strung it along until engineering provided a correct suspension for the weight of this front end. Either way. It sucks.. This is in fact a safety concern.. so there is no way it should have left like this.

It's great to see how a lot of constructive information was gathered in these threads to help one another.

I will try to keep you all posted.. I have another call with Jeep either today or tomorrow.

Cheers!

 

[CerOf]

Hopefully they offer something.
I’d take compensation for the mopar lift I installed to fix the problem.

 

[am1978]

Hopefully they offer something.
I’d take compensation for the mopar lift I installed to fix the problem.

I think most of us would take a reimbursement for a Mopar lift already installed or compensation by FCA footing the bill for a Mopar lift and install.

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