G8R
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Chris
- Joined
- May 30, 2019
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 223
- Reaction score
- 462
- Location
- Douglasville, GA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Rubicon-solid white
- Occupation
- Medical Devices
Here are some additional observations now that I have had my JT for a few months with two long weekends in the woods. Two weekends ago I took a 4 day trip with my son into the FlatTops wilderness. The access was one of the roughest roads I have ever traveled. The 11 mile 4x4 road was low range the whole way and I certainly rubbed diffs, belly and rails at least 25-30 times going up. Never "had" to use lockers though. Interestingly a 2018 PW also came up at the same time I did. This trail took me about 3.5 hours to travel the 11 miles. The PW took 5.5. The main difference is that I could more easily choose the better line whereas the PW had to just go over and execute several 3 point turns to get around some of the rocks and trees. We were both running stock with 33" tires. While we both scrapped a lot I would say the PW scrapped more. Again, on the way back down the PW took 50% longer time due to the bigger vehicle and how difficult the trail was. I was only able to directly observe the PW going over/around obstacles for about 30 minutes so my time estimates are suspect for the PW. They are based on the many stops I made to pick mushrooms and airing back up at the bottom.
Now as to one of the significant differences I noted. While I did not need lockers I certainly tested them out. I found that when I flipped the switch on the JT the lockers engaged, immediately, like before I actually needed them... With the PW there is a "feature" where the lockers do not engage until after the wheels start slipping, not before. I found this feature on the PW very frustrating and it got me into trouble several times as I needed to be locked before I reached the spot that required it.
Now to the apples to oranges part which I bet the 2019 PW solves. My PW was a 5.7 Hemi. I felt it was an UnderPoweredWagon certainly. I also had the older transmission and there was way too much RPM gap between the gears and I frequently was in a place where I needed gearing between existing gears (especially between 2/3). I was often frustrated with the transmission and lack of power in the 5.7 in my PW. I fully expect that the new PW with new transmission and 6.4 will solve these issues I had with my PW. Comparing to the JT now I feel the engine and transmission is far superior to what I felt in my PW. Plenty of power and awesome transmission. I suspect the new PW would be comparable but certainly with a lot more power.
As for Cargo, I really did not think the JT was that far off my PW. Both vehicles carried my typical kit for 2 people out for 4 days with 2 full sized Golden Retards in the back seat. Both would have carried what I needed for a 2 person 7 day trip but not much more than that even with the larger PW.
As I have stated above I was on the fence between a new PW and the JT. I can say that I am still very pleased with my decision to move away from the PW and get the Gladiator instead. If I still had 3 younger children to haul around I would have gone PW though. While I had some frustrations with my 09 PW it was still an awesome vehicle and I have no regrets in having paid for and run this thing for the last 10 years.
Now as to one of the significant differences I noted. While I did not need lockers I certainly tested them out. I found that when I flipped the switch on the JT the lockers engaged, immediately, like before I actually needed them... With the PW there is a "feature" where the lockers do not engage until after the wheels start slipping, not before. I found this feature on the PW very frustrating and it got me into trouble several times as I needed to be locked before I reached the spot that required it.
Now to the apples to oranges part which I bet the 2019 PW solves. My PW was a 5.7 Hemi. I felt it was an UnderPoweredWagon certainly. I also had the older transmission and there was way too much RPM gap between the gears and I frequently was in a place where I needed gearing between existing gears (especially between 2/3). I was often frustrated with the transmission and lack of power in the 5.7 in my PW. I fully expect that the new PW with new transmission and 6.4 will solve these issues I had with my PW. Comparing to the JT now I feel the engine and transmission is far superior to what I felt in my PW. Plenty of power and awesome transmission. I suspect the new PW would be comparable but certainly with a lot more power.
As for Cargo, I really did not think the JT was that far off my PW. Both vehicles carried my typical kit for 2 people out for 4 days with 2 full sized Golden Retards in the back seat. Both would have carried what I needed for a 2 person 7 day trip but not much more than that even with the larger PW.
As I have stated above I was on the fence between a new PW and the JT. I can say that I am still very pleased with my decision to move away from the PW and get the Gladiator instead. If I still had 3 younger children to haul around I would have gone PW though. While I had some frustrations with my 09 PW it was still an awesome vehicle and I have no regrets in having paid for and run this thing for the last 10 years.
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