Gladiator Max Tow vs Non Max tow option rip out

[PuddleJumper]

HD engine cooling - IE bigger, thicker Rad, bigger fan, (and a trans cooler to i believe)

4.10 gears - doesn't matter if you regear anyway

1in wider track - D44 widetrac has 10mm thicker tubes than the non widetrack. supposedly just rear, only the Mojave has thicker axle tubes on the front. Haven't found proof to this despite multiple articles saying so. I personally believe the front D44 on the Max, Rubi, and Mojave are 10mm thicker just like the rear. I've seen non widetracks break at the FAD, but not the big 3. And since they are longer they would have more leverage against them at said FAD, but they don't break, which would logically imply thicker tubes. I've talked with a Dana aftermarket rep and he couldn't confirm everything but after lengthy discussion we both agreed 98% that the Widetrack is 10mm thicker tubes front and rear. Couldn't get a Jeep Engineer to pick up the phone.

Tbh there's a few more things but your swapping em out anyway. The only reason I see for you to Max is to get the sticker in the door jam. You gonna go D60/80 eventually anyway, and so much more. There really isn't a factory component i can think of that your gonna need to stay to make your build work. I'd save the cash if your going that custom. More money for a Hemi swap too down the road. The platform at its core doesn't change excluding the deisel and Mojave (they have a different frame)

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[JRobes]

Keep in mind the driver door jamb sticker that tells you your payload and towing numbers. Max Tow models will show higher values, so even if you gut everything you'll still have the higher payload/towing sticker even if it's not accurate anymore due to all the modifications.

 

[Rahkmalla]

does payload matter to you?

you can install any mod you want, but you can't install more GVWR and you can't install more legal towing cap. The max tow is only $800 more than the towing package. I can't imagine wanting an automatic sport and NOT getting the maxtow package

 

[LostWoods]

3/4" a side doesn't sound like a lot but if you're lifting, that's going to be made up with wheel backspacing for tire clearance which adds scrub radius and stress to the hub assembly.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

If you go with the gas engine option, just grab the max tow package and be done with it in my opinion. The only way I wouldn’t do this is if i was planning to regear right away….it doesn’t sound like that’s the plan though.

 

[BourbonRunner]

If you go with the gas engine option, just grab the max tow package and be done with it in my opinion. The only way I wouldn’t do this is if i was planning to regear right away….it doesn’t sound like that’s the plan though.

I dunno, even if there was a re-gear in the works, if there's no Hemi swap coming having the higher cooling capability and the wider axles would make sense if only to make the wheel spacing a lot easier.

But if he's doing planning on doing Dana 60's then starting with the most basic Sport possible is probably the right move since the rest of the hardware isn't worth the Max Tow package upgrade.

 

[kevman65]

If you're going to rip everything out, suspension and axles, then get the least expensive model you can get and go to town.

If you're going to keep the axles and truss and gusset them, get the Max Tow.
That little bit of extra width is going to help you with keeping your tires out of the lift components. With the narrower axles you're looking at needing spacers when you put the Big Boy tires on.

 

[Rdkng07]

Keep in mind the driver door jamb sticker that tells you your payload and towing numbers. Max Tow models will show higher values, so even if you gut everything you'll still have the higher payload/towing sticker even if it's not accurate anymore due to all the modifications.

This...

Even if I planned on modifications, I would want the heaviest sticker for legal and insurance reasons. Sure, you could easly build the Jeep to carry a ton safely and every bit as good as a max tow, but if there's an accident you could be liable. The possibilities are endless, manslaughter, no insurance coverage, court costs, lawsuits etc. If I were a lawyer and saw a geared up Gladiator that's the first place I would look. Of course the chances of something like that are small, but still.

 

[caratnic]

Sounds great, thanks for all the input, that helps a ton! Did i read that right that you cant get max tow with diesel engine option?

 

[JRobes]

Sounds great, thanks for all the input, that helps a ton! Did i read that right that you cant get max tow with diesel engine option?

Correct, gas only.

 

[caratnic]

I thank everybody here for there input on this, Im always learning, and will continue too keep my ears open ha ha ha!

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

I thank everybody here for there input on this, Im always learning, and will continue too keep my ears open ha ha ha!

Another thing that I think we all forgot is that the Max Tow comes with a limited slip rear differential vs an open differential (except for the 2020 models I think). However, the diesel would also have the LSD so don’t let that be your deciding factor if you’re comparing diesel to max tow. Just thought I’d mention that.

 

[Josh00333]

Also different battery, larger than stock, also pending the trim (they change this all the time) the limited slip rear.

So:
4.10
Limited slip rear
Wide Track Axles
Alternator
Cooling
Battery
Tow hitch
and the all important door sticker.

I wouldn't buy a Sport/Sport S/Base with out it.

 

[Gvsukids]

Another thing that I think we all forgot is that the Max Tow comes with a limited slip rear differential vs an open differential (except for the 2020 models I think)

It was an option I could add when I ordered in 2020.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

It was an option I could add when I ordered in 2020.

Ahh that’s what it was. I knew there was something special about the ‘20

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