Gladiator Much Harder to Work on Than Previous Models

[Dovi82]

So I started looking at the Gladiator I bought and compared it to the JK have and wow are things much harder to work on. Has anyone worked on their gladiator yet? I went through 3x starters on my 14' jk and they were a breeze but on the JT it looks like it is behind the exhaust system. I looked under the hood of the tacoma and Colorado and but had plenty of maneuvering room yet the JT has none... Anyone else feel the same way or have y'all dived in and it wasn't that bad?

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[Jay Gatsby]

Yep, was looking at that the other day. There's also a coolant line blocking it in. Gonna be a pain no doubt. Also looking at the tranny pan. Looks like it has to go forward to come off. Gonna be tight.

 

[Dovi82]

Yep, was looking at that the other day. There's also a coolant line blocking it in. Gonna be a pain no doubt.

Agreed, you would have to drain all the coolant. Im changing the head gasket on my JK now and it isn't that bad but the JT... I would also consider taking out the can as well. To make matters worse there is no Haynes manual yet.

 

[Jay Gatsby]

There's a digital copy of the service manual for like $125 I think. There's a thread on here about it if you haven't seen it.

 

[Dovi82]

There's a digital copy of the service manual for like $125 I think. There's a thread on here about it if you haven't seen it.

I have not but I really want to see it!

 

[Jay Gatsby]

I have not but I really want to see it!

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/factory-service-manual-review.30415/#post-498330

$120

 

[Dovi82]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/factory-service-manual-review.30415/#post-498330

$120

If I could hand you a gold metal that someone gave me for free... I would definitely split it with you

 

[PyrPatriot]

If I could hand you a gold metal that someone gave me for free... I would definitely split it with you

You’re welcome

 

[Factoid]

I posted in the other thread, but I’ll add here that in addition to new tech, packaging adds significant time to replacing some parts. It’s the old rear main seal issue where the seal is cheap and it takes a few minutes to remove and replace, but it can take hours to pull things apart and then put them back together. Replacing the starter which is typically a 30 minute job when you disconnect the battery, disconnect the starter wiring, unbolt the starter and reverse the process, now takes hours and you can add to that as fasteners corrode and become difficult to remove.

 

[LostWoods]

JT is a narrower truck so less room to stuff everything in there. Remember that all mid-size pickups are within an inch or so of each other in total width and the JT has a few inches of fender to either side - it's basically a traditional compact pickup (at best) with a wide axle giving it a mid-size track and total width. Less room to put components, less room to work.

It's also that with modern tech, they're trying to dissuade the back yard mechanic. Compactness makes assembly easier and by adding complexity like removing exhaust (which isn't difficult on a rack, just time consuming), they prevent people from doing their own work.

Personally, I miss the 4.0L days... even narrower chassis and still had all the room in the world. If it weren't for the NVH demands and the JK/JL/JT becoming a lifestyle vehicle, a modern I6 in one of these would be awesome.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

On the flip side, how many time are we working on major accessory components really? In 5 years Ive had to replace one battery, one water pump and one power steering pump. And to be honest the water pump and PS pump were likely induced failures.

Packaging is compact for sure though but the systems are logical enough. A good exploded diagram would give you enough information to jump right in.

 

[CookieSoup]

my friends JK we would just pull the inner fender liners to work on anything and looking at my JT looks like i can access even more with the liners out so that will be nice

 

[PyrPatriot]

On the flip side, how many time are we working on major accessory components really? In 5 years Ive had to replace one battery, one water pump and one power steering pump. And to be honest the water pump and PS pump were likely induced failures.

Packaging is compact for sure though but the systems are logical enough. A good exploded diagram would give you enough information to jump right in.

Yah, but when you do have to replace the starter (150k miles?) it will be a pain. In my Honda Element you either go through the front intake manifold or you find someone with a small enough hand to snake up under the vehicle

 

[LostWoods]

Anyone who wants to complain about a starter location should try replacing one on a Northstar V8. Difficult placements are not new and are sometimes essential to achieve an end goal.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Anyone who wants to complain about a starter location should try replacing one on a Northstar V8. Difficult placements are not new and are sometimes essential to achieve an end goal.

people dont like change. The JK has been around for so long and is apparently so easy to work on. People are thinking ahead to how the new technology will affect their ability to work on their rigs. After the John Deere case it really is a brave new world in DIY and companies like FCA viewing us as renters of their property rather than owners

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