Gladiator order...not quite there

[Moab]

Well visited dealer in my area.
Prepared to place my order, get it on the books but couldn’t. Wanted to order a Sting-Gray Overland but no spot on the computer to do. Software not prepared. My salesmen is going to investigate. Had a nice black Overland there but not with items i wanted and had items on it not interested in paying for. It’s a nice vehicle. Good road manners. Having an F150 and comparing the 2 beds. Definitely gonna be creative when packing stuff in... like plywood;-)
Arrived just as they were being unloaded.

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[sfadchi]

Did you drive it? How did it compare to your F-150? I love my 2019 Raptor but I'm also missing my 2018 JLUR! This might be the best of both worlds, but I know the cab is going to be a lot less roomy.

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Well visited dealer in my area.
Prepared to place my order, get it on the books but couldn’t. Wanted to order a Sting-Gray Overland but no spot on the computer to do. Software not prepared. My salesmen is going to investigate. Had a nice black Overland there but not with items i wanted and had items on it not interested in paying for. It’s a nice vehicle. Good road manners. Having an F150 and comparing the 2 beds. Definitely gonna be creative when packing stuff in... like plywood;-)
Arrived just as they were being unloaded.

Sting Gray is a late availability color.
We can’t order late availability until they make them available. Right now only standard colors are available to order.

 

[Moab]

Did you drive it? How did it compare to your F-150? I love my 2019 Raptor but I'm also missing my 2018 JLUR! This might be the best of both worlds, but I know the cab is going to be a lot less roomy.

Well it certainly was cozier than my F150.
I can actually touch the passenger door and reach the glove box! Can’t do either in the current behemoth. The ride is quite stable and planted. Took some corners briskly (can’t help it ,still have a sports car) so wanted to see limits. It cooperates well
you can detect when it protests with the “street” tyres. It didn’t have the more aggressive Falken the Rubicon has.
Steering was the biggest difference for me.
It wasn’t vague just different than my independent front end on the F150. Sucked up the bumps rather well. Initially it felt like I had to bring the wheel back after turning but it was just a tad slower in response. I’m just used to the Ford most likely. The Mrs actually approved of the ride and she’s in a current Grand Cherokee. I’m definitely prepared to purchase but like the other response said it’s just the late colour I’m waiting for. So no place to que in the sting gray.
Cheers

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Well it certainly was cozier than my F150.
I can actually touch the passenger door and reach the glove box! Can’t do either in the current behemoth. The ride is quite stable and planted. Took some corners briskly (can’t help it ,still have a sports car) so wanted to see limits. It cooperates well
you can detect when it protests with the “street” tyres. It didn’t have the more aggressive Falken the Rubicon has.
Steering was the biggest difference for me.
It wasn’t vague just different than my independent front end on the F150. Sucked up the bumps rather well. Initially it felt like I had to bring the wheel back after turning but it was just a tad slower in response. I’m just used to the Ford most likely. The Mrs actually approved of the ride and she’s in a current Grand Cherokee. I’m definitely prepared to purchase but like the other response said it’s just the late colour I’m waiting for. So no place to que in the sting gray.
Cheers

You are in good company. Lots of folks are waiting for those late availability colors!
So hang tight and wait it out, and welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[homerun]

Well it certainly was cozier than my F150.
I can actually touch the passenger door and reach the glove box! Can’t do either in the current behemoth. The ride is quite stable and planted. Took some corners briskly (can’t help it ,still have a sports car) so wanted to see limits. It cooperates well
you can detect when it protests with the “street” tyres. It didn’t have the more aggressive Falken the Rubicon has.
Steering was the biggest difference for me.
It wasn’t vague just different than my independent front end on the F150. Sucked up the bumps rather well. Initially it felt like I had to bring the wheel back after turning but it was just a tad slower in response. I’m just used to the Ford most likely. The Mrs actually approved of the ride and she’s in a current Grand Cherokee. I’m definitely prepared to purchase but like the other response said it’s just the late colour I’m waiting for. So no place to que in the sting gray.
Cheers

Did it feel sluggish or under powered? I know its not a sports car, but worried about the extra weight over a JL on the 3.6.

 

[Moab]

Did it feel sluggish or under powered? I know its not a sports car, but worried about the extra weight over a JL on the 3.6.

It’s not my 5.0 V8 coyote engine. Which gives fits to some contemporary “sporty” cars. I think it’s a nicely matched power train. Took it on a freeway on-ramp to merge, quite adequate. Honestly seemed about the same pace as my Grand Cherokee when accelerating to merge.
Curb weights are comparable. I believe the HP is near or same. The gearing is the difference obviously. It’s after all a combo vehicle. All rounder, street, off road capable,
& add to it, it’s hauling towing capabilities.
I think Jeep did a very good job.
We always want more power but as with everything compromise.
Bottom line. I’m satisfied. I’ll be towing a
2,100 lb sports car on occasion. Not gonna see too many rocky roads. Nice to know it’ll handle it. That and the white stuff every winter.
Cheers

 

[Moab]

You are in good company. Lots of folks are waiting for those late availability colors!
So hang tight and wait it out, and welcome to the forum by the way.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[RedTRex]

Welcome and thanks for the insight

 

[ThirtyOne]

Just a comment on late availability. I waited on Sting-Gray on my JL. Saw a lot of folks get inpatient and get their second choice. I am very glad i waited. Seems like a long time at the time but a year later you dont even remember the wait. For this much money get exactly what you want.

 

[LeadUtensil]

Just a comment on late availability. I waited on Sting-Gray on my JL. Saw a lot of folks get inpatient and get their second choice. I am very glad i waited. Seems like a long time at the time but a year later you dont even remember the wait. For this much money get exactly what you want.

A year??

“That’s gonna be a no for me dawg”

 

[ThirtyOne]

A year??

“That’s gonna be a no for me dawg”

I didn't mean I waited a year. I meant that after having my Jeep for a year I don't remember the wait - just happy I have exactly what I wanted.

Things were a little different for the Wrangler but basically orders started around November and the first ones showed up in January. I ordered Sting-Gray at the end of February and it showed up in early May. So if the Gladiator is similar I would guess 3-4 months after the original colors.

But even if it had been a year I would have waited. People who wanted the turbo or the sky one-touch waited longer. People who are waiting for the Diesel will wait longer. It's worth it to to wait.

 

[Moab]

Well visited dealer again this morning. More seat time. Way less busy. Even filled up at the gas pumps. That fuel door is just a one touch push to pop and push to close.
I aimed for every road imperfection this time. Salesman directed me to one road that was needing plenty of repairs. The suspension absorbed it all nicely. The wind noise is comparable to the wind streaming around my F150s mirrors. It’s fine this isn’t a Bentley. I drove a hard top. It’s definitely going to take some time to get used to steering these solid axle
front ends. It’s not bad just different from the F150. Need to coax the wheel back at low speed it seems not bad above 30mph wheel comes back quicker. Sight lines are great.
I like the fact you can see the edges of the tail lamps in the outside rear view mirrors.
Nice indicator of where the bed ends.
I understand what has some guys questioning the power for pulling trailers at the upper weight limits. IMHO this truck is prolly gonna be comfortable with 4K max as a puller. On the steep grades I think it could get wheezy above a 6K trailer and equipment inside. If that’s your task then yes
buy a 1/2 ton not the Jeep. As I said before
I’ll be pulling aluminum trailer with a 2,100lb sports car on it. Should be no trouble.
Acceleration has a nice exhaust note when giving it some welly. I just have to wait for my turn to order my Sting Gray Overland.
Think I’ll spring for the Nav system, Hope to add the Rubicon steel bumper so I can transfer my winch. Would also like to get the
Rubi wheels on the Overland don’t think
Jeep will order that way at this time but
down the road a few months when supplies catch up. Yeah I’m stoked.
Thanks for reading. Cheers!

 

[Malarkey21]

I got the chance to drive a Rubicon with the MT tires for a bit and my driving evaluations are pretty spot on with yours. Power / acceleration is good enough. Pulled out onto a 55 mph road with no problems. I would say it felt like my 2018 Ram with the 3.6 but the exhaust note was much deeper and had a good sound. Steering felt pretty good, and to me it feel a little heavier and decently weighted. I think the cal is different for trim levels and I also want to say that there is an article talking about the steering in the sport / sport s being intentionally lighter so it will feel better when bigger tires are installed On frost heaves it felt great, no shake in the steering wheel or front end, impacts were nice and round and I never noticed any after shake. Rear end had a pit of pitch or "poke" over some events but not often. I would say if you are coming from an F150 its probably not noticeable. The truck actually felt small to me and very nimble and responsive. The best way I could describe the characteristic for the Gladiator is mix a JL with a Ram 1500.

I have not picked one up yet but I had a grin ear to ear the entire time lol.

 

[drshaws]

Well visited dealer in my area.
Prepared to place my order, get it on the books but couldn’t. Wanted to order a Sting-Gray Overland but no spot on the computer to do. Software not prepared. My salesmen is going to investigate. Had a nice black Overland there but not with items i wanted and had items on it not interested in paying for. It’s a nice vehicle. Good road manners. Having an F150 and comparing the 2 beds. Definitely gonna be creative when packing stuff in... like plywood;-)
Arrived just as they were being unloaded.

But wait - also quite interesting - is that a Bikini JL Rubicon on that trailer?

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