olecarguy
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I wanted a new 4x4 Pickup, the wife wanted a Wrangler Unlimited. The natural compromise, a loooaded Gladiator Overland, or was it?
I did the usual doing a number of conservative upgrades myself; wheels/tires, mopar lift, front bumper, etc. Maybe 4K in total. I really, really, loved this vehicle. Fuel mileage, eh, 17/20 not bad for a brick (not great either), coolness factor A++, flat tow-ability A+, towing capability B+, I'm not a hard core off-roader so for me A+. Warrantee claims A+, only 2, steering box replacement TSB, and seat bolster replacement in 19.2K miles.
However, it's become clear to me, as good as the Gladiator is, and a much as I love this vehicle, it's a compromise vehicle attempting to serve several masters. As a pick up it has a much lighter payload and smaller bed than most, this to ensure off-road ability. As an off-road vehicle it's capable but still quite long to ensure being to be a pickup, and as a highway family hauler...it's the best Jeep design yet, but its a modified brick none-the-less.
It was our newest vehicle so it was also our long distance traveling vehicle from GA to OH, GA to AZ, GA to NY, GA to PA, GA to IL, and here is where it looses it's luster. Even with the major re-style, highway driving at 75+mph (wind noise, major drop in mph,, and 5 highway broken windshields later) meant a time for change to something or somethings which are more suited for the highway since this is where most of our driving of a newer with improved reliability occurs, and better serve each of our niche needs.
As a side note, our families stable includes 2 dodge journeys (2015 and 2015), a 300 (2012) , and the Gladiator (2020) all with the 3.6 V6. Combined, we have over 500K miles on them. The only repair, other than normal maintenance, have been a water pump, engine cooler, AC humidity sensor, and blue tooth module (all on the 2012 300). While theJourneys get 17/23, the 300 gets 23/32 mph all day long, jeep 17/20. Additionally we have a 08 Scion Xb, and a Ford Dually F350.
So, after much reflection, we pulled the trigger on modifying the stable to meet the load hauling, light towing/highway, flat tow, and coolness factor wants/needs. The daughter and family get the high-mileage 300, Journeys remain with the kids, leaving Mama and Olecarguy with the Gladiator, Xb, and F350. So, the Gladiator is going, going, gone.
Mama gets a new loaded Grand Cherokee 4x4 to roll-on down the highway solving the 75+ noise and comfort level, is flat-towable, will do the light towing needs, and broken windshield problems are significantly diminished, if not nearly gone.
Olecarguy well, he's back to using his F350 when a pickup is needed, Xb when needing a smaller van like hauler, and for the coolness gets a Challenger; Hell Cat - Hell No, SRT - nope, Scat Pack - not even, RT - no, GT - Yep, with....you guessed it 3.6 V6. At 23/30 it replaces the 300 on longer rides where the 30+ mpg and comfort is needed., and looks cool. Wanted a Challenger ever since a teen, but now I'm a bit more frugal with my gas money!
Even with it's compromises I will miss my Gladiator and this community.
In closing, I'd like to thank the many members of this forum for their insights, ideas, and suggestions, and stories, especially ShadowsPaPa. Hopefully, since I was a early Gladiator adopter doing the mods myself, my posting how-to pics and instructions I've been able to help a few as well.
PS - These trucks are still holding their value. Don't let anyone tell you differently. When trading in, I found a HUGH swing is value. Just as FYI, My JT listed at 53K in 20. Paid 46. First dealer offered me 33K, Carvana offered 38.2K, Carmax offered me 43.1K, and I ultimately got 45K against an under sticker priced Challenger, even when the dealers were marking them up +5-10K over sticker.
Cheers Ya'll.
I did the usual doing a number of conservative upgrades myself; wheels/tires, mopar lift, front bumper, etc. Maybe 4K in total. I really, really, loved this vehicle. Fuel mileage, eh, 17/20 not bad for a brick (not great either), coolness factor A++, flat tow-ability A+, towing capability B+, I'm not a hard core off-roader so for me A+. Warrantee claims A+, only 2, steering box replacement TSB, and seat bolster replacement in 19.2K miles.
However, it's become clear to me, as good as the Gladiator is, and a much as I love this vehicle, it's a compromise vehicle attempting to serve several masters. As a pick up it has a much lighter payload and smaller bed than most, this to ensure off-road ability. As an off-road vehicle it's capable but still quite long to ensure being to be a pickup, and as a highway family hauler...it's the best Jeep design yet, but its a modified brick none-the-less.
It was our newest vehicle so it was also our long distance traveling vehicle from GA to OH, GA to AZ, GA to NY, GA to PA, GA to IL, and here is where it looses it's luster. Even with the major re-style, highway driving at 75+mph (wind noise, major drop in mph,, and 5 highway broken windshields later) meant a time for change to something or somethings which are more suited for the highway since this is where most of our driving of a newer with improved reliability occurs, and better serve each of our niche needs.
As a side note, our families stable includes 2 dodge journeys (2015 and 2015), a 300 (2012) , and the Gladiator (2020) all with the 3.6 V6. Combined, we have over 500K miles on them. The only repair, other than normal maintenance, have been a water pump, engine cooler, AC humidity sensor, and blue tooth module (all on the 2012 300). While theJourneys get 17/23, the 300 gets 23/32 mph all day long, jeep 17/20. Additionally we have a 08 Scion Xb, and a Ford Dually F350.
So, after much reflection, we pulled the trigger on modifying the stable to meet the load hauling, light towing/highway, flat tow, and coolness factor wants/needs. The daughter and family get the high-mileage 300, Journeys remain with the kids, leaving Mama and Olecarguy with the Gladiator, Xb, and F350. So, the Gladiator is going, going, gone.
Mama gets a new loaded Grand Cherokee 4x4 to roll-on down the highway solving the 75+ noise and comfort level, is flat-towable, will do the light towing needs, and broken windshield problems are significantly diminished, if not nearly gone.
Olecarguy well, he's back to using his F350 when a pickup is needed, Xb when needing a smaller van like hauler, and for the coolness gets a Challenger; Hell Cat - Hell No, SRT - nope, Scat Pack - not even, RT - no, GT - Yep, with....you guessed it 3.6 V6. At 23/30 it replaces the 300 on longer rides where the 30+ mpg and comfort is needed., and looks cool. Wanted a Challenger ever since a teen, but now I'm a bit more frugal with my gas money!
Even with it's compromises I will miss my Gladiator and this community.
In closing, I'd like to thank the many members of this forum for their insights, ideas, and suggestions, and stories, especially ShadowsPaPa. Hopefully, since I was a early Gladiator adopter doing the mods myself, my posting how-to pics and instructions I've been able to help a few as well.
PS - These trucks are still holding their value. Don't let anyone tell you differently. When trading in, I found a HUGH swing is value. Just as FYI, My JT listed at 53K in 20. Paid 46. First dealer offered me 33K, Carvana offered 38.2K, Carmax offered me 43.1K, and I ultimately got 45K against an under sticker priced Challenger, even when the dealers were marking them up +5-10K over sticker.
Cheers Ya'll.
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