I'm looking to buy my first gladiator. Help!

[ChrisNLA]

My recommendation to everyone buying a Jeep is go drive ALL the trims and then decide what you really want, and be TRUTHFUL with yourself about intended use and what you are willing to compromise on for that "look" if you decide to go that way. If SMALL tweaks are needed (eliminate rake or slightly bigger tires), hey that's easy enough without getting in trouble. But big changes become big money pits.

Definitely.

I actually drove the Mojave and a Willys - but ordered the Sport S Max Tow without driving one (because it was rare and nobody had one on the lot).

The Mojave was probably the best ride but I really didn't want anything with special shocks. I know they can be rebuilt, etc - but I wanted reasonable cost shocks that can be replaced on short notice if necessary, and the Mojave with different size bolts, etc went against that.

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[WambliSka]

Hey Donk21,
I have about the same objective as you do. I have owned TJ's, JK's and now own a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon. It is already mechanically ready for what you want to do. I will also say, even though a Rubicon, it is the best riding Jeep I have ever bought and is totally trail capable. Only upgrade I did was to 35's and AEV wheels (i wanted the additional width of the rim). If you can find one you visually like and the interior you may be set. I am happy with the purchase!

And to be clear, in my experience EVRY JT trim is a huge improvement ride wise over previous models of Jeeps. Quite frankly my '22 Overland and the '26 Mojave are the first Jeeps I've owned that my wife actually likes to ride in bot on roads and even on aggressive off-road runs. But the two model's ride from the factory and on the trails are a universe away from each other.

 

[WambliSka]

Definitely.

I actually drove the Mojave and a Willys - but ordered the Sport S Max Tow without driving one (because it was rare and nobody had one on the lot).

The Mojave was probably the best ride but I really didn't want anything with special shocks. I know they can be rebuilt, etc - but I wanted reasonable cost shocks that can be replaced on short notice if necessary, and the Mojave with different size bolts, etc went against that.

And THAT is how you make actual informed, fact-based decisions! Good for you

 

[Donk21]

Thanks everyone.

I just don't like the look of the Rubicon rims.

They look better blacked out. I know I can get aftermarket rims, but for the price of a Rubicon you'd think they'd offer blacked out rims.

 

[GI Grandpa]

In the next few months I'm looking to get a new vehicle.

I love the Rubicon, but hate the tires...

I love the tires on the Willy's.. (Blacked out).

I'm looking for a hunting, fishing, campus vehicle..

Unlike both styles.. I'm not looking to rock crawl, just disappear in the mountain trails.

Rubicon??

Willy's??

The current Willys configuration wasn't available in 21 when I bought my Mojave, but after driving a Sport S with the max tow package and a Rubicon, the Mojave was far more comfortable (Seats) and the on street ride was far superior. I have a TJ for off roading so the 2.72:1 t-case with the auto 4wd feature and only a rear locker was fine.

 

[WambliSka]

Thanks everyone.

I just don't like the look of the Rubicon rims.

They look better blacked out. I know I can get aftermarket rims, but for the price of a Rubicon you'd think they'd offer blacked out rims.

And for the price of the Mojave Jeep should have given me the option of 35" tires to match the suspension and trim capabilities. I feel you...

 

[ChrisNLA]

Thanks everyone.

I just don't like the look of the Rubicon rims.

They look better blacked out. I know I can get aftermarket rims, but for the price of a Rubicon you'd think they'd offer blacked out rims.

I really dislike the blacked out trim, and find it criminal that some high end packages (any manufacturer) have grown to consider cheap black wheels as 'high end'. It's just a cop out to manufacture stuff cheaply with black paint.

For the price of the Rubicon, the mill face wheels probably cost more to produce from a manufacture stand point.

Not knocking your preference - I've had blacked out stuff before, my personal tastes just migrated some.

Edit: To be clear - I don't love the new Rubicon wheels either, but I am personally not a stickler on wheels alone. I don't love the wheels on my truck either, but they are round and roll

 

[RHINO79]

I'm probably the only one on here that prefers the plain jane gladiator with my favorite tires of choice

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’m not a fan of the current Rubicom wheels either. I’m also not a fan of the 300 series Methods I have now with that bulbous center cap that sticks out a mile from the hub. That’s going to get exploded on serious trails. Haven’t found a good replacement center cap that is slip through and flatter so I’m just going a totally different route.

 

[Mr Miami]

If it was my money, I would still go with the Rubicon. I don't quite understand why you don't like the wheels but it is personal taste. Mine came with the Falken tires and I am very pleased with them after about 20k miles. Relatively quiet, relatively good ride and they show very little wear so far. I use the word "relatively" because this is a Jeep, not a Lexus SUV.

Why the Rubicon? Same reason I bought mine; price. I bought mine a year and a half ago when Stellantis was offering the 20% off MSRP for Rubicons and Mojaves. Add that to the dealer discount, and mine was about 33% off MSRP. Ended up being about the same price as some loaded Sports, Willys', etc.

Now, I see Stellantis is offering 10% off MSRP but only on Rubicons. So really, you are starting about the same price as the Willys, Willys 41's or one of the other models. To me its a no brainer, especially if you don't keep your vehicles forever and consider trade-in value. And dealers, at least here in Florida, tend to have a lot of Rubicons on their lots, hence more room to discount and you to get a better deal.

Just my thoughts.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I’m not a fan of the current Rubicom wheels either. I’m also not a fan of the 300 series Methods I have now with that bulbous center cap that sticks out a mile from the hub. That’s going to get exploded on serious trails. Haven’t found a good replacement center cap that is slip through and flatter so I’m just going a totally different route.

When I bought my JK Willys, it of course had the black Willys wheels. I didn't love them, but I didn't hate them. They were wheels. Round and roll.

Ultimately, I started wheeling that Jeep some out west, and all four wheels had rock gouges in them.

When people would see it, they were like bro are you hitting curbs all the time? Keep in mind I live in Louisiana - there isn't rocks out here unless its a retaining wall at the sea. I said no, I take this thing out west and use it!

Anyway. Probably why I don't personally stress on the wheels too much. I spent my first 6 years Jeeping and trashing the wheels

 

[SummertimeCarl]

My use-case is exactly yours - Camping, duck hunting which requires driving through marshy fields, driving in snow, etc. Truck gets dirty for sure but only to get somewhere to actually do something - I lack the budget to risk damaging my brand new truck climbing boulders for the fun of it.

I went with High Tide.

The Willy's will be absolutely sufficient for your needs. However if you really like the Rubicon for whatever reason, changing out the wheels and tires is easy to do and you'll likely want to do it anyway. Very easy to change the wheels but you can never change the trim.

Also consider Sport with Max tow with aftermarket wheels; It'll be sufficient offroad also and you'll have the wider axles and higher tow rating.

FWIW I also prefer the look of the Willy's, I also like the sentimental historical association with the Willy's trim.

 

[Donk21]

Thanks again. This is hopefully the last vehicle I'll have to buy.

I want to get the right one. I know I need to do some road testing, and I like the Rubicon and Willy's both, but I'll look at other trim levels.

 

[DirkG]

Thanks again. This is hopefully the last vehicle I'll have to buy.

I want to get the right one. I know I need to do some road testing, and I like the Rubicon and Willy's both, but I'll look at other trim levels.

Curt, you're asking the right questions and honestly, if this may be your last vehicle you buy, I would buy the best trim that you can afford comfortably. Rubicons and Mojaves (esp Xs) have creature comforts that you may not realize you need. For example, if you have kids or grandkids, having rear USB ports is a huge deal. Have a wife? Heated and power adjustable seats.

It all depends on what you want and need. As others have said, take a spin in each, look at everything you'll need in the cabin, then make an informed decision.

 

[ChrisNLA]

For example, if you have kids or grandkids, having rear USB ports is a huge deal. Have a wife? Heated and power adjustable seats.

I know 'its a Jeep and should be rough and tumble' but I wish Jeep had memory settings for their power seats. My ole lady likes to borrow the truck sometimes and it would be so nice to have memory settings for each of us.

That's one reason why I have considered looking at the AT4 Canyon/ZR2 Colorado. A couple small features that add up for us.

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