Jeep did a great job on this truck

[Lateralus]

Iam 7 days into ownership of the 2020 gladiator, coming from a 2 door jk. It's a stingray sport S with hardtop and painted fenders. They absolutely nailed the interior and electronics. The parking break FINALLY seems capable even though this model has the 8 speed. Room and comfort seem about the same as my JK. I love the push button start and backup camera.

I havnt noticed some of the complaints about wind noise from the top, sloppy steering or loud air conditioning. Those are not issues with my truck. ESS took some getting used to but Iam not sure I want to disable it yet.

I definitely need bigger tires. Iam curious about the stock drivetrain and what size tire is best to maintain the integrity of the stock parts. I figure 33's would be pretty safe and I might not need a programmer to recalibrate my transmission and speed. 35's would look even better but Iam sure I would need a programmer. 37's look perfect but I worry about the wear they would cause on the stock drivetrain. Iam curious what you guys think would be safe on the factory sport drivetrain.

Almost forgot, the 8 speed is awesome! The wife insisted on the automatic because shes too short to work the clutch. Iam averaging 19mpg with mostly city driving.

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[Fight On]

Agree with you 7 days into ownership as well. Fit finish and engineering is spot on. Raining hard here in NC some roads were flooding and it drove through them like it was nothing. Very capable even stock. All of that and I'm going to do truck stuff today with it. Off to the dump I go.

 

[Lateralus]

Yes, fit and finish are definitely better than the JK. I wish they had left the windshield angle alone but it doesnt really bother me. Uconnect stereo and instrument display are nicely done as well.

 

[scotticus]

I've had mine since October and it puts a smile on my face every time i drive it!. Sure its got some noisy bits and some rattly bits, but, 1) its a truck 2) that has removable top and doors.

I recently took it out to my ranch, drove it through trees and did some work driving around and there isn't a scratch or anything on it. Performed great. I've never had a pickup truck, but i'm 100% happy with what i got and it checks all my boxes! glad you're happy too!

 

[Jeeperjamie]

You'll need to recalibrate if you add 33's but I'll agree it's definitely a stepup from my JKU. I'm not disappointed one bit. Drove our BMW 440I hardtop convertible this morning and it's fun but I miss my Jeep. Front bumper going on as soon as I get home.

 

[Lateralus]

I forgot to add, I did put on some rockhard4x4 step rails/sliders and they are impressive. Made in the the USA and have 15 attachment points. Overly heavy duty is how I would describe them.

 

[wvyankee2]

First time for me back in a Jeep since the 2005 Rubicon I owned. Traded a fully loaded GMC Sierra for it. Definitely impressed with the refinements! The 8.4 Uconnect Navi/Alpine is a kick ass unit. For a solid axle Jeep, ride is great After the Mopar lift it feels like a 3/4 ton ride instead of the 1/2 ton feel with stock Overland Tow package suspension.

 

[Lateralus]

Iam not going to be hauling anything heavy and plan to get some rubicon shock and spring take-offs. Iam assuming the rubi shocks and springs will stiffen it up and give an inch or so of lift?

 

[HWKIGRL]

I forgot to add, I did put on some rockhard4x4 step rails/sliders and they are impressive. Made in the the USA and have 15 attachment points. Overly heavy duty is how I would describe them.

The steps (rails/sliders) look great!! I hate the stock Overland running boards. These could be a perfect situation for me too.
How are they as actual steps?
I’d love the strength/protection of rails but I’m 5’5.5” yes that 1/3 inch counts lol!! So also need a little help getting in with my 2” lift and 35”s

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Iam not going to be hauling anything heavy and plan to get some rubicon shock and spring take-offs. Iam assuming the rubi shocks and springs will stiffen it up and give an inch or so of lift?

That would be correct. Only exception being the Max Tow. I have been told it has stiffer rear springs than the Rubicon (higher payload capacity), so if you have a Max Tow, most folks just put the front Rubicon springs & Fox shocks on it, and put just the rear Fox shocks on the back to keep the Max Tow capabilities.

But, if you never plan on towing anywhere near maximum capacity, and you plan on doing more off-roading and daily-driving with it, then I highly recommend just going with the full Rubicon suspension (front & rear) all the way around, and if you want to level the front, add a 1" or 1.5" spacer in there when you install the Rubi springs.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

The steps (rails/sliders) look great!! I hate the stock Overland running boards. These could be a perfect situation for me too.
How are they as actual steps?
I’d love the strength/protection of rails but I’m 5’5.5” yes that 1/3 inch counts lol!! So also need a little help getting in with my 2” lift and 35”s

And, that's what SHE said....Literally.

 

[Lateralus]

The steps (rails/sliders) look great!! I hate the stock Overland running boards. These could be a perfect situation for me too.
How are they as actual steps?
I’d love the strength/protection of rails but I’m 5’5.5” yes that 1/3 inch counts lol!! So also need a little help getting in with my 2” lift and 35”s

They are rock solid. It attaches on 8 pinch seam holes, 4 underside threaded tub holes and 3 body mount flanges on the frame. The steel tubes and flanges are thick and heavy. I used two wrangler scissor jacks to hoist them up to the mounting points. I think they are around 60 pounds a piece.

 

[DocMike]

I agree. I have put about 800 miles on mine. The fit and finish has been awesome. I have had other straight axle trucks and this thing rides great. I am seeing about 19 mpg around town. Mine feels like it has the right amount of tech without being too influenced by the nanny state. On the highway it is knocked around a bit by the wind, but it is rather boxy so I expected as much. I do not feel my hard top etc is too noisy...especially considering that it is all removable. I love having the under the seat box for the bolts, that was a nice touch and very well thought out. Over all I think it was a very well engineered truck and lots of great little touches that support this.

Sometimes when I pull into the driveway the auto stop kicks in before I can put it into park and then the truck starts up again. A bit irritating.

Those rails/sliders DO look great. I may have to get some. I was looking for the right ones and I think now I have found them.

 

[whiteglad]

My JT has been great, no problems, and my Rock Hard sliders are perfect. I can't think of any re-design that could be done to make them any better. I got the angled up for more ground clearance and some door protection when mall crawling.

 

[BLK HOLE]

I love everything about it except my engine pings.

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