Helping decide on a Gladiator

[zer0t]

I had a Jeep dealer offer me ridiculous money to trade in my F150 Lightning. I really love it but for what they offered it would be silly to keep it. The profit alone pays for all but 12k on a new Gladiator. Here's my conundrum: There are two available a green overland and a Sting gray Rubicon. I really only hit light trails and beaches for the most part and run up some long trip miles. So am I hung up on a Rubicon unnecessarily? The issue for me with the Rubicon is that it doesn't have the cold weather package which will drive my wife nuts between the seats and the steering wheel. The only other Jeep experience I have is with my 2020 Willys U diesel that I gave to me daughter. I really liked it but the Rubicon and the Overland seem to ride much better than the Wrangler Willys.

In short do I NEED a Rubicon? No, I just think they look super cool and found the Overland to be a bit plain but if it has more creature comforts (as what I read), I guess I can do a few upgrades (wheels, etc).

One other data point is I will drive it to my home in FL 1-2 times per year, 1k mile trip. I am looking at a diesel and really just enjoy them, gotta Willys had a GC and a bunch of other diesels so I know the pros and cons on that.

I didn't see a spot for introductions, so I just posted here. I'm Rob from Monmouth County NJ and I am interested in Gladiators.

Thanks all.

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[RavensEyeOffroad]

it depends on your goals. Im sure a rubicon is fine for something like the beach but I wouldnt want that super low range transfercase in sand. On the other hand the overland has 3.73 gears and thats just going to be an issue if you put bigger tires on it later.
A mojave sounds like the best bet honestly. Suspension is nice, great for the beach and trails where you arent rock crawling, long trips no problem and you have 4.10's already.

 

[chorky]

My .02

originally I ordered a sport max tow to get the wider axles. Of course that meant no lockers. I also skipped out on a few other frills. Due to circumstances I ended up with a rubicon off the lot. For me it was a far better choice in the long run as it already was equipped for what I would have done to the one I ordered. All of this though is personal preference over anything else.

that being said, living in a cold climate, heated seats and a wheel are amazing. Maybe Im gettig old, first world problems, call it whatever. But it sure is a game changer to me. I never had them before.

so if you really only stick to pavement and improved dirt roads, Rubi is overkill. But more often than not folks seem to get the bug once they go off road a few times…. And 3.73 could be a problem.

I think, not totally sure though, that adding heated seats, steering wheel, and mirrors is pretty intensive and costly.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

You could add heated seats to the Rubi pretty easily. Not sure on the heated wheel though.

Can you order a Gladiator, or is the trade-in offer a now-only deal?

 

[zer0t]

You could add heated seats to the Rubi pretty easily. Not sure on the heated wheel though.

Can you order a Gladiator, or is the trade-in offer a now-only deal?

I'd have to ask but they'd want the trade today even if I ordered and that would leave me with 1 car, not tenable. They're paying me ghastly amount more than I paid for the Lightning. I think they have a customer.

 

[HorneyBadger]

From what you stated the Overland is the logical choice!

 

[21RG]

It seems this question comes up often.

Do you need a Rubicon/Max Tow/Mojave/Willys... Who cares? If you want it- get it.

Will you use it? That depends on what you do when you get it. You have a F-150 Lightening, did you go to the track and use it? Or maybe use it on the street to its full potential...

Now comparing the two different models is another subject. You mentioned travel and liking a diesel.

Develop a list of must haves. An example
#1 - Diesel
#2 - Comfort for long distance travel
#3 - Longevity
#4 - Wow factor or appealing to your personal preference

The list can go on. Find the vehicle that really fits the top 2, 3, 4 or so on must haves.

To get wrapped up in "Do I really need this" will prevent you from getting what works for you or something that you just really like.

If you get the Rubicon and never use it, but really enjoy it; Does it matter? Maybe you could have saved some money by getting a base model. Ok, but is that what you really liked. Or maybe you get the Rubicon and start using the capabilities offered simply because you appreciated what it offered when you purchased it.

 

[BearFootSam]

The Rubicon will have you wanting to find opportunities to use it. You are going to get an itch to test the switches and buttons and see what she'll do and then you will get over your head sometime and decide you 'need' larger tires and a small lift maybe. It might become a preoccupation...

NJ may be a disappointing place to own such a capable vehicle unless you catch a blizzard.

 

[booneja]

WFIW, I didn't need the features of a rubicon, and got an overland, in the winter the heated seats and wheel are awesome and taking longer trips in my overland instead of my wifes sport is much more comfortable. So if you never intend to do medium to high intensity trails, and never go above 35" tires (I have 35" tires and find it still decent) then I would choose Overland. But you should do you and make the final decision, based on what you want/ feel better driving. Best of luck, and great that your getting such a good deal

 

[zer0t]

Trails for me are mostly fire roads and beaches. Occasionally, I may get a bit more aggressive than that but I've never been anywhere that you would be considered real off-roading. I think given I am 99.5% street driving that it makes sense for an overland. I think I'd like some rims I'd like better and a few other cool "Jeep" things.

Thanks for the help folks. I really have thought about this and I'd prefer something that's focused on road manners.

 

[Minty JL]

Depending on the dealer and their network........see if they can find a unit at another dealer. Dealers do swaps all the time; its absolutely worth asking.

Can't beat making money on a now used vehicle.

 

[bleda2002]

There are a few features that you won't get outside of a Rubicon/Mojave/max tow from the factory. Some are easy to add but some aren't and for me that was the deciding factor.

Wider stronger axles, lockers front and rear, taller flares, sway bar disconnect, off road+, 4:1 tcase, 4.10 gears. The wider stronger axles and the 410 gears were the big difference makers for me as I didn't want to immediately buy axles for 37s.

 

[AstroZombie]

go heated seats for the wife and comb member market place for Rubicon fenders and rock sliders and any other takeoff you can get usually at a steal.
even Rubicon wheels.

 

[AstroZombie]

though the heater is hot enough to warm Pluto so heated seats may not matter

 

[AstroZombie]

https://www.vividracing.com/-p-1548...MIzouC9Onb-wIVPiutBh1xygDBEAQYASABEgKA-_D_BwE

Have the dealer throw in one of these for your wife to compensate for the Rubi not having heated seats!

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