Help a newbie, please!

[Mintaann]

I’m seriously looking at buying a Gladiator Rubicon because I’m hoping to move to WVA & need a 4WD/AWD, would prefer a pickup, & the Gladiator is one of only two pickups out there that offers a manual transmission (the other is a Tacoma…). A manual transmission is the one thing I won’t budge on; to me it’s not driving, otherwise, but just “point & shoot”. (And yes, I’m a woman; the guys I’ve seen on here complaining about their wives/girlfriends who won’t drive manual transmission vehicles &/or won’t shoot anything but a .22 are obviously with the wrong type of women. ??)

I can’t see me being a big modifier (the thing is expensive enough! ?), & I probably won’t do a whole lot of off-roading, except driving across our own land in mainly flat - but some steep - parts. I’ll haul groceries from the commissary 4.5 hours away (so needs to be comfy for long hauls), & haul gardening stuff, lumber & whatever for DIY projects, probably won’t ever haul a trailer, but who knows what the future brings? (My dogs will be in the back seat, not the truck bed - former Army ER nurse I’ll never let anyone I love ride back there after the horrors I’ve seen, & I pray you don’t, either.) We are hoping to buy property that’s in the mountains & has a pretty steep road up to it, too.

All this being said, what do I need (besides the winter package…& hard top)? Do I really need the soft top, too? Anything I should add from the dealer, & anything I should NOT buy from the dealer? Will I be shunned by other Jeep owners if I don’t modify, & have to wear a red “A”, or anything? ? Are there things I need to modify to make my riding around more comfortable?

THANK YOU for any and all assistance & insight!

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[kevman65]

Buy/drive what you want and ignore people. They aren't making your payments so their opinion means squat.

Mods, no you don't have to, you might want to, NEVER have the dealer do it.

By what you describe as use, you might want to level the front and slap some 35" tires on. It will make traveling about "the property" a bit easier and more comfortable. The 33"s that are on there will be fine, but 35"s just seem a little more capable.

You may find you need a winch to do "yard work" if so you'll need a real front bumper and a winch. Other than that, I can think of nothing you "have to have". I recommend getting the Aux Switch group, if you want to add things later you'll have them.

Soft top, if you have somewhere to store the hard top and Freedom panels, you don't "need" a soft top. If you like a convertible feel but don't want to remove the hard top you can get a Sun Rider by BesTop and have the ease of a convertible soft top for the front seats that closes quickly in case of inclement weather.

Get what you want, make it yours, get it dirty and have fun.

 

[DocMike]

AUX group is a must. Super easy to add things like aux lights later. I like my winter package... Heated seats and wheel. Do Line-X. I added a Mopar steel bumper and will add the rear. If you can get from factory....do it.

I have a sport S. The ONLY thing I regret is not having the auto disconnect sway bar. But I wheel a lot. They also make good mounts for your side arm.

I did this and I love it.

https://www.wpngear.com/product-page/jl-pistol-mount-2018

 

[Summitsearcher]

I’m seriously looking at buying a Gladiator Rubicon because I’m hoping to move to WVA & need a 4WD/AWD, would prefer a pickup, & the Gladiator is one of only two pickups out there that offers a manual transmission (the other is a Tacoma…). A manual transmission is the one thing I won’t budge on; to me it’s not driving, otherwise, but just “point & shoot”. (And yes, I’m a woman; the guys I’ve seen on here complaining about their wives/girlfriends who won’t drive manual transmission vehicles &/or won’t shoot anything but a .22 are obviously with the wrong type of women. ??)

I can’t see me being a big modifier (the thing is expensive enough! ?), & I probably won’t do a whole lot of off-roading, except driving across our own land in mainly flat - but some steep - parts. I’ll haul groceries from the commissary 4.5 hours away (so needs to be comfy for long hauls), & haul gardening stuff, lumber & whatever for DIY projects, probably won’t ever haul a trailer, but who knows what the future brings? (My dogs will be in the back seat, not the truck bed - former Army ER nurse I’ll never let anyone I love ride back there after the horrors I’ve seen, & I pray you don’t, either.) We are hoping to buy property that’s in the mountains & has a pretty steep road up to it, too.

All this being said, what do I need (besides the winter package…& hard top)? Do I really need the soft top, too? Anything I should add from the dealer, & anything I should NOT buy from the dealer? Will I be shunned by other Jeep owners if I don’t modify, & have to wear a red “A”, or anything? ? Are there things I need to modify to make my riding around more comfortable?

THANK YOU for any

I have a tonneau cover and sunshade when top is off. Just enjoy your build. I’m happy with mine as is.

 

[XJADDICTION]

Get the LED lights as well. The stock Halogen lights are terrible.

 

[Atomicat]

Welcome to WV. Let's goooo Mountaineers!

 

[Mintaann]

Buy/drive what you want and ignore people. They aren't making your payments so their opinion means squat.

Mods, no you don't have to, you might want to, NEVER have the dealer do it.

By what you describe as use, you might want to level the front and slap some 35" tires on. It will make traveling about "the property" a bit easier and more comfortable. The 33"s that are on there will be fine, but 35"s just seem a little more capable.

You may find you need a winch to do "yard work" if so you'll need a real front bumper and a winch. Other than that, I can think of nothing you "have to have". I recommend getting the Aux Switch group, if you want to add things later you'll have them.

Soft top, if you have somewhere to store the hard top and Freedom panels, you don't "need" a soft top. If you like a convertible feel but don't want to remove the hard top you can get a Sun Rider by BesTop and have the ease of a convertible soft top for the front seats that closes quickly in case of inclement weather.

Get what you want, make it yours, get it dirty and have fun.

Thank you! This is so helpful. ?

 

[Mintaann]

Get the LED lights as well. The stock Halogen lights are terrible.

Aha! Good to know. Thanks! ?

 

[Mintaann]

I have a tonneau cover and sunshade when top is off. Just enjoy your build. I’m happy with mine as is.

Thank you!

 

[be77solo]

I'm right there with you on the manual transmission ha. I read really good things about the 8speed Auto, but that's just simply not the point in a vehicle like this to me.

Having a blast with mine, picked it up a few weeks ago. I'd definitely go with a Gladiator over the Tacoma (I had a 2017 Tacoma, the back seat is TINY, even compared to the Gladiator).

Good luck with your purchase of both the truck and your new land! Fun times ahead for sure!

 

[Mintaann]

I'm right there with you on the manual transmission ha. I read really good things about the 8speed Auto, but that's just simply not the point in a vehicle like this to me.

Having a blast with mine, picked it up a few weeks ago. I'd definitely go with a Gladiator over the Tacoma (I had a 2017 Tacoma, the back seat is TINY, even compared to the Gladiator).

Good luck with your purchase of both the truck and your new land! Fun times ahead for sure!

So glad to hear you’re loving yours (& that you “get” manual transmission ). Thank you!

 

[Killroy Was Here]

Couldn't agree with XJADDICTION more. Make sure to get the LED headlight package. It's a must have for dark country roads.

 

[Mintaann]

Couldn't agree with XJADDICTION more. Make sure to get the LED headlight package. It's a must have for dark country roads.

Thank you so much!!

 

[jeepin48]

Aha! Good to know. Thanks! ?

A less expensive option would be to get after market lights or light bar and wire them to the bright lights so they turn on at the same time. $100 vs $1000 stock. Its only money so what ever look you prefer.

 

[jeepin48]

Tonneau Cover for sure. There is not much storage room beside the bed. $200 aftermarket roll up is a good deal and very functional. The fold up ones are nice in theory but a pain in the ass if you want to use the full length of the bed as there is no where to store them when they are not lying down.

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