Gladiator vs. Colorado ZR2 Bison

[biodiesel]

Sure you won't see many/any sitting on lots, but that's more because they sell nearly instantly.

The Jeep dealer in Albuquerque orders as many AEV Jeeps that is allowed. I assume that AEV or Jeep puts a limit on how many can be bought. I almost never get to see one because they are sold fast.

The dealer said that AEV Jeeps were like Hellcats. For every 5 Hellcats sold, only one would stay in New Mexico. Most were bought and shipped to far away states. Surprisingly, a lot are bought and shipped to Florida.

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[biodiesel]

It's a cool truck with a mighty engine but at the price range you could get a badass Ram RHO for just a little more.

Yeah, but that defeats the purpose. A lot of us want a smaller midsize truck.

 

[BlackRuby23]

Yeah, but that defeats the purpose. A lot of us want a smaller midsize truck.

Exactly. There is no perfect truck, it's always a compromise somewhere. For me, I wanted something smaller and easier to drive and park than my 3500 diesel dually 4x4 (which I only use for work and hauling now), with great off-road capabilities, and better fuel mileage. I found it in the Gladiator, but the mileage is barely better than my 3500 in mixed driving. If I could choose one thing to change, it would be better fuel mileage.

 

[DanW]

You do realize that a Bison is built by AEV and sold through Chevy and GMC dealerships right? I have an AEV spacer lift on my 21 Mojave and 35" tires which cost me a lot less than $63K. It would be nice of Jeep sold an AEV built Gladiator and Wrangler as factory built but they don't. Some dealers do sell AEV products through their parts department but that is not the same thing.

I don´t think they do the Bison the way they do the JL and JT, either. I believe the Bison components are installed at the factory, not at AEV. The reason is twofold....the Bison is coded on my brother´s order sheet from the factory, and I think the volume is likely greater than the Jeep volume, making it more efficient to add these things at the factory instead of building a ZR2, shipping it to Michigan, taking off tires/wheels/bumpers/skids/headrests and then installing the AEV stuff.

We´ll see, though. The telling thing will be how long his goes from production to the delivery at the dealership. His is scheduled for production this week.

 

[DanW]

Yeah, but that defeats the purpose. A lot of us want a smaller midsize truck.

Yep, for the trails I like to do, I would not want a full sized truck. Some trails they would never get through without major pin stripes, at a minimum, and maybe not at all. It certainly would be more stressful.

 

['51WillysCJ3a]

I don´t think they do the Bison the way they do the JL and JT, either. I believe the Bison components are installed at the factory, not at AEV. The reason is twofold....the Bison is coded on my brother´s order sheet from the factory, and I think the volume is likely greater than the Jeep volume, making it more efficient to add these things at the factory instead of building a ZR2, shipping it to Michigan, taking off tires/wheels/bumpers/skids/headrests and then installing the AEV stuff.

We´ll see, though. The telling thing will be how long his goes from production to the delivery at the dealership. His is scheduled for production this week.

Yes they are built at the factory, go to AEV website you will not see a ZR2/AT4X there

 

[DanW]

The Jeep dealer in Albuquerque orders as many AEV Jeeps that is allowed. I assume that AEV or Jeep puts a limit on how many can be bought. I almost never get to see one because they are sold fast.

The dealer said that AEV Jeeps were like Hellcats. For every 5 Hellcats sold, only one would stay in New Mexico. Most were bought and shipped to far away states. Surprisingly, a lot are bought and shipped to Florida.

My brother was told orders were not being taken right now for the ZR2 and I think the Trail Boss, either. He was only able to order a Bison at this time. He would have had to find one of the others in dealer inventory if he did not want the Bison.

Btw, he has a full sized Silverado Trail Boss. He didn´t want anything to do with taking that thing on tight trails, much as he loves it. He knows from experience with his Gladiator, which was extensive.

 

[DanW]

Yes they are built at the factory, go to AEV website you will not see a ZR2/AT4X there

That makes more $ense.

 

[Janster]

Yep, for the trails I like to do, I would not want a full sized truck. Some trails they would never get through without major pin stripes, at a minimum, and maybe not at all. It certainly would be more stressful.

Yup..... back years and years ago, we had a new Power Wagon on the trails with us at Rausch Creek. Rausch Creek was a new park back then.... New trails that weaved thru the trees. The owner of the Power Wagon got himself into a really tight spot because he wouldn't listen to the spotters.
And even after realizing he was in a bad spot - he still refused to let anyone help him.

So....he just drove (bounced) thru it. The entire passenger side of his rig was so badly dented and scratched from being wedged up against a tree the whole time. It was like someone running their fingernails on the chalkboard.....He showed no emotion and just shrugged his shoulders.

I would've loved to be a fly on the wall when he talked to his insurance company.

 

[DanW]

Yup..... back years and years ago, we had a new Power Wagon on the trails with us at Rausch Creek. Rausch Creek was a new park back then.... New trails that weaved thru the trees. The owner of the Power Wagon got himself into a really tight spot because he wouldn't listen to the spotters.
And even after realizing he was in a bad spot - he still refused to let anyone help him.

So....he just drove (bounced) thru it. The entire passenger side of his rig was so badly dented and scratched from being wedged up against a tree the whole time. It was like someone running their fingernails on the chalkboard.....He showed no emotion and just shrugged his shoulders.

I would've loved to be a fly on the wall when he talked to his insurance company.

Back in 1994, I went wheeling in Spring Creek area near Houston, TX with a Hummer club. (Real Hummers, not modified Tahoes) with my stock 1993 YJ. I ran rings around those guys except in the deepest mud holes. But I was able to go around them through the trees. They didn´t have a prayer to follow me. They came away very impressed with that little Jeep and what it could do.

 

['51WillysCJ3a]

Yup..... back years and years ago, we had a new Power Wagon on the trails with us at Rausch Creek. Rausch Creek was a new park back then.... New trails that weaved thru the trees. The owner of the Power Wagon got himself into a really tight spot because he wouldn't listen to the spotters.
And even after realizing he was in a bad spot - he still refused to let anyone help him.

So....he just drove (bounced) thru it. The entire passenger side of his rig was so badly dented and scratched from being wedged up against a tree the whole time. It was like someone running their fingernails on the chalkboard.....He showed no emotion and just shrugged his shoulders.

I would've loved to be a fly on the wall when he talked to his insurance company.

I just looked at the width of a AT4X it's only 8" wider as a Gladiator Rubicon

 

[DanW]

I just looked at the width of a AT4X it's only 8" wider as a Gladiator Rubicon

That is a lot on a tight trail. I had a Ford F150 that was probably that much wider than my JL and it was severely handicapped on the trail.

Many times, I have had to fold mirrors to squeeze through trees or rocks. And narrow shelf roads can go from scary to terrifying if you give up 8 inches.

It is important enough that I stuck with stock rims on both of my Jeeps to keep the tires/wheels tucked in.

But that´s just me and how I wheel. YMMV.

 

[Okie Gladiator]

You’ve missed the two most important points of consideration in this one vs other…

1) will the Bison get as many waves
2) will the Bison get as many ducks

 

['51WillysCJ3a]

That is a lot on a tight trail. I had a Ford F150 that was probably that much wider than my JL and it was severely handicapped on the trail.

Many times, I have had to fold mirrors to squeeze through trees or rocks. And narrow shelf roads can go from scary to terrifying if you give up 8 inches.

It is important enough that I stuck with stock rims on both of my Jeeps to keep the tires/wheels tucked in.

But that´s just me and how I wheel. YMMV.

ZR2/AT4X have 33" tires so does the Rubicon, 8", 4" both sides hate to see one with 35" or bigger on the trail, I watch Ozark Adventures he runs a 38" guess he's trails are wider

 

[DanW]

You’ve missed the two most important points of consideration in this one vs other…

1) will the Bison get as many waves
2) will the Bison get as many ducks

LOL!!!! Noooooo!

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