Haven't given up hope. Stuck on trim level

[Rex3rd]

She also managed to find this one

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[FloridaMan655321]

Was somewhat in your situation as well. Wanted a Manual with cloth, was thinking Willys for awhile. Test drove a Rubicon and then ended up going with a Mo'Jave because I know if I'm going to have fun, it will be on trails, not rocks (though I did come close to getting that Rubicon). My Mo'Jave is expected by the end of the month. I still go back and build again with the Willys, so who knows if I made the right decision or not. I know I would be happy either way, so I guess I did
Also, nice on the 06 GTO (saw in the side profile info). I'm assuming you are keeping, if not and it's a manual...might be interested...

 

[Rex3rd]

Was somewhat in your situation as well. Wanted a Manual with cloth, was thinking Willys for awhile. Test drove a Rubicon and then ended up going with a Mo'Jave because I know if I'm going to have fun, it will be on trails, not rocks (though I did come close to getting that Rubicon). My Mo'Jave is expected by the end of the month. I still go back and build again with the Willys, so who knows if I made the right decision or not. I know I would be happy either way, so I guess I did
Also, nice on the 06 GTO (saw in the side profile info). I'm assuming you are keeping, if not and it's a manual...might be interested...

Definitely keeping my gto i don't see anymore around anymore thats why I like it. And its also a 6 speed gotta have that muscle to go with the gladiator

 

[hjdca]

Have you played around with the offroad plus any?

Yes, I have. When I go 4wheeling, it is in the forest and I have to go relatively slow up and down hills and obstacles. I shift to 4WL, Sway bar disconnect, Offroad plus. If it is going to be really loose, I lock the rear diff... If it is really nasty hill with obstacles, I lock both the rear and front diff. Off-road plus seems to adjust how the gas pedal reacts to input, ie. less sensitive. The Nannys still seem to be on somewhat in 4WL with offroad plus, but, you can defeat that completely with a Tazer. Besides the gauges, offroad plus does not seem to do much in a manual transmission Rubicon. On the automatic, it probably does more to change the shift points.

Note: Sway bar disconnect in the Gladiator is also cool because not only does it improve clearances, but, it makes the offroad ride smoother. So, even if I do not need the extra clearance, I like to use it off road for that reason alone.

 

[TD3]

I don't plan on too much horrible terrain. Im in alabama so its mostly dirt l
Roads logging trails hunting mud ect. 37s would be overkill i think for me. 35s with a Mopar 2inch lift will probably be where I go. Don't plan on taking an expensive truck anywhere that it might be a piece of scrap when im done with it

Personally I believe getting more truck than what do you think you need To eliminate that feeling of I better not do that because I’m not sure the truck is capable. Where you really spend the money is all the different options rather than the base truck and then you can decide on how much you want to spend functionally and comfort wise.

 

[B-RAD]

As some know I've been on the forums for awhile and I've been watching the gladiator ever since it came to life. I've spent the last two years slowly killing my debt where my finances will be In order to buy a gladiator sometime next year but im stuck. I've built probably 1000 vehicles from different trims on the build website. What I do want is manual transmission. I can go as base as it goes and go to the willys package which looks nice but 3 73 gears less towing but more payload and with manual windows I constantly see myself having issues because I like to roll down windows in bad rain ect so I can see clearly before I drive off so that will be a pain. I can upgrade to the willys sport s manual but rubicon is just 5k away and ill have 410 gears and have alot more to go with it. Only want aux switches and tow package regardless of trim. Would you jump to the rubicon manual and call it a day or go sport s willys manual. Im tired of going back and forth and making myself aggravated. Yes I can regear sport s but by the time I do that I might as well buy the rubicon. Someone point me in the right direction before my head explodes. Don't plan on any major rock crawling but would like to overland and camp through trails

I spent the better part of 2020 building gladiators online. Never really looked at the rubicon as I don’t do serious off road. Beach mostly and light non pavement. I almost went with the overland but decided I didn't need leather and everything that came with that. I went with the sport S with regular tow and 6 speed manual (that was a deal breaker for me and I love it).
I did some small item options and the dual top (which I regret from how it looks when top is down) . Aux switches also was high on the list. I did lease to make sure I liked it before buying and I plan to buy it out after providing they don’t come out with an 8 cyl in three years.
I bought take off rubicon rims and tires (pretty cheap) and it made all the difference. I may do gears if I actually keep it but for my needs they are fine. Good luck on your choices.

 

[jbmdux]

If you are concerned about towing do you really want a manual?

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

As some know I've been on the forums for awhile and I've been watching the gladiator ever since it came to life. I've spent the last two years slowly killing my debt where my finances will be In order to buy a gladiator sometime next year but im stuck. I've built probably 1000 vehicles from different trims on the build website. What I do want is manual transmission. I can go as base as it goes and go to the willys package which looks nice but 3 73 gears less towing but more payload and with manual windows I constantly see myself having issues because I like to roll down windows in bad rain ect so I can see clearly before I drive off so that will be a pain. I can upgrade to the willys sport s manual but rubicon is just 5k away and ill have 410 gears and have alot more to go with it. Only want aux switches and tow package regardless of trim. Would you jump to the rubicon manual and call it a day or go sport s willys manual. Im tired of going back and forth and making myself aggravated. Yes I can regear sport s but by the time I do that I might as well buy the rubicon. Someone point me in the right direction before my head explodes. Don't plan on any major rock crawling but would like to overland and camp through trails

I'm totally with you, Rex3rd! Been following the JT since even before its official release, Stalked this forum. Watched a million YouTube vids. Spent time saving $$$. This is the year! Gonna buy in next few months and am deciding between Mojave and totally base base Sport. Leaning to Base Sport with Max Tow because it will be more fun to build and because I want factory half doors once they are available for JT (now appear available on JLs). So don't need power locks or windows. Hate Sport S wheels, so why pay for them? With right lift and shocks, I might get a near-Mojave suspension. Good luck to you! We will enjoy our Glads more after having waited so long!

 

[Rex3rd]

If you are concerned about towing do you really want a manual?

I really want to go manual and I wouldn't tow nothing more than 3k max. I really feel if I go auto ill feel like I missed out on the fun factor. Eventually I guess I'll have to play Russian roulette and throw in what best suits my situation. Spending too much time on this will make you go nuts .

 

[Rex3rd]

I'm totally with you, Rex3rd! Been following the JT since even before its official release, Stalked this forum. Watched a million YouTube vids. Spent time saving $$$. This is the year! Gonna buy in next few months and am deciding between Mojave and totally base base Sport. Leaning to Base Sport with Max Tow because it will be more fun to build and because I want factory half doors once they are available for JT (now appear available on JLs). So don't need power locks or windows. Hate Sport S wheels, so why pay for them? With right lift and shocks, I might get a near-Mojave suspension. Good luck to you! We will enjoy our Glads more after having waited so long!

I never would have thought I would be trying to choose between the poor ole base sport with nothing or Rubicon bare bones nothing. Its a weird place to be

 

[KX L]

Based on your stated desires the Rubicon is the only way to go.

I'm in the same boat as you. Have built a ton of different versions online but it always comes down to the fact I want the 6 speed with a 2" lift and 35's without regearing. The added benefits of the Rubicon just makes the decision a really good bang for the buck difference [with factory warranty] for the $5K.

Totally agree with the comment to buy a bit more than you think you'll need in order to to not have the "better not attempt it feeling."

 

[Rex3rd]

I'm totally with you, Rex3rd! Been following the JT since even before its official release, Stalked this forum. Watched a million YouTube vids. Spent time saving $$$. This is the year! Gonna buy in next few months and am deciding between Mojave and totally base base Sport. Leaning to Base Sport with Max Tow because it will be more fun to build and because I want factory half doors once they are available for JT (now appear available on JLs). So don't need power locks or windows. Hate Sport S wheels, so why pay for them? With right lift and shocks, I might get a near-Mojave suspension. Good luck to you! We will enjoy our Glads more after having waited so long!

Last time I checked there is now an option to select black wheels on sport s now

 

[Gvsukids]

Off-road plus seems to adjust how the gas pedal reacts to input, ie. less sensitive. The Nannys still seem to be on somewhat in 4WL with offroad plus, but, you can defeat that completely with a Tazer. Besides the gauges, offroad plus does not seem to do much in a manual transmission Rubicon. On the automatic, it probably does more to change the shift points.

The behavior of Electronic Stability Control while in Off Road+ varies depending on the 4WD
status. If the vehicle is in 4H, Traction Control is automatically turned off. Also, holding the ESC Offbutton for five seconds will turn off ESC. In
4L, Electronic Stability Control automatically shuts off regardless of the Off Road Status.

Full Off — If Equipped
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only and should not be used on any public roadways. In this mode, TCS and ESC features are turned off. To enter the “Full Off” mode push and hold the “ESC OFF” switch for
five seconds while the vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After five seconds, a chime will sound, the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” will
illuminate, and the “ESC OFF” message will display in the instrument cluster. To turn ESC on again momentarily push the “ESC OFF” switch.
NOTE:
System may switch from ESC “Full Off” to "Partial Off” mode when vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed. When the vehicle speed slows below the predetermined speed the
system will return to ESC “Full Off”.
If equipped with Off Road+ and if Off Road+ is active when "Full Off" mode is enabled by the driver ESC will not switch to "Partial Off" mode at any speed and will remain in "Full Off" mode until Off Road+ is exited or ESC is re-enabled by the driver.

 

[Mightytalldude]

As some know I've been on the forums for awhile and I've been watching the gladiator ever since it came to life. I've spent the last two years slowly killing my debt where my finances will be In order to buy a gladiator sometime next year but im stuck. I've built probably 1000 vehicles from different trims on the build website. What I do want is manual transmission. I can go as base as it goes and go to the willys package which looks nice but 3 73 gears less towing but more payload and with manual windows I constantly see myself having issues because I like to roll down windows in bad rain ect so I can see clearly before I drive off so that will be a pain. I can upgrade to the willys sport s manual but rubicon is just 5k away and ill have 410 gears and have alot more to go with it. Only want aux switches and tow package regardless of trim. Would you jump to the rubicon manual and call it a day or go sport s willys manual. Im tired of going back and forth and making myself aggravated. Yes I can regear sport s but by the time I do that I might as well buy the rubicon. Someone point me in the right direction before my head explodes. Don't plan on any major rock crawling but would like to overland and camp through trails

Welcome back. Maybe they'll have a few more features by the time you order. Lots of great advise in this thread, can't really add to it. Will keep tabs to see what you get. Cheers!

 

[Blade1668]

I don't plan on too much horrible terrain. Im in alabama so its mostly dirt l
Roads logging trails hunting mud ect. 37s would be overkill i think for me. 35s with a Mopar 2inch lift will probably be where I go. Don't plan on taking an expensive truck anywhere that it might be a piece of scrap when im done with it

I got a few questions for you...
Have you test drove one yet? If you haven't, test drive a manual one and automatic. 4:10 gear is well worth it any case I'm sure 3:73 will be a dog with a load for most. "3.6 engine" I test drove both and with a lift aftermarket rims, tires not my choice and a Rubicon.
Q #2 what part of AL are you in?
My buddy has a Rubicon another has a base Sport, I've got a Max-Tow.
I wasn't as happy with it after pulling a trailer to N.E. KY in Nov. MPG wise, my LJ would have got about the same or maybe better MPG. 4.0 with 31 tires and 3:73 gears? My buddy with the Rubicon liked his towing his camper, from N. AL. to PA. Last I knew him and wife was out west traveling with it.
Q#3 are you planning on rolling a Mopar lift kit into the deal or post purchase? That can change some of the consideration of options. Post purchase a 2in spacer kit and Mopar lower control arms should do that well without grossly changing the ride. My possible next thing is a set of spacers.

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