Jeep Wrangler Scrambler teased ... Uh Huh, we'll see

[biodiesel]

Your Jeep shouldn’t have play in the steering or wander. Is yours lifted a lot? Mine tracks great with very little steering input. That is after the aluminum steering gear. It was like you described when it was new.

Our 2023 Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel is bone stock and currently has 7,400 miles on the odometer. It steers and handles just like any other stock Gladiator Rubicon. It doesn't matter if it's a Gladiator or Wrangler, they all require more steering input compared to a refined IFS. Heavy crosswinds and wind gusts also require frequent steering corrections.

The Rubicon can feel every crack and imperfection in the road. Today's highways are in bad shape compared to 15 years ago. I'm sure the Mojave can absorb those imperfections much better. None of these characteristics are bad. They are just characteristics of a rugged purpose-built vehicle that was never designed to be an on-road performer.

Off-road wise, the Gladiator works magic. I live in a remote place in which we have hundreds and hundreds of miles of unimproved roads, forest roads, BLM roads, BIA roads. That's where the Gladiator Rubicon shines. Plus, the Gladiator Rubicon handles deep snow really well. We replaced a 2000 Jeep XJ with the Gladiator. I realize that it's not fair to compare the XJ to the JT, but the Gladiator fills a void that the XJ couldn't fill.

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[biodiesel]

I enjoy the suspension sway and even the road noise to a point.

That's one thing I enjoy about the Gladiator. At low-speed operation, I can hear the diesel clatter. Our 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has the same engine, but it's not very diesely sounding due to all the firewall insulation and quieter cab design.

 

[Gvsukids]

The cab seems to struggle to retain heat when the temps drop below 20*F degrees, especially when going down the highway

Sounds like the cabin is lacking insulation. Is the Jeep still under warranty? We can tell a difference switching from the hard top to the soft top, but don't have any cold weather issues with the hard top on. Cabin warms up quickly and maintains the temperature.

 

[biodiesel]

Sounds like the cabin is lacking insulation.

It definitely lacks insulation, but so does every hard top! It's nothing but fiberglass. I don't notice the heat lose so much at low-speed operation, so I'm guessing the wind chill causes rapid heat loss going down the highway, especially when the temps are well below freezing. Now I know why the aftermarket insulated headliners are so popular. According to reviews, they make a noticeable difference in both hot and cold climates and at reducing cab noise.

 

[ChrisNLA]

That's quite surprising. At Thanksgiving, we drove the Gladiator 885 miles to my parents' house. Three days later, we drove 885 miles back home. It wasn't a horrible experience by any means, but my wife and I agreed that we wouldn't voluntarily do it again.

Oh, that reminds me. The cab seems to struggle to retain heat when the temps drop below 20*F degrees, especially when going down the highway. We left the house at 3:00 AM. By the time we got to the Continental Divide, I could feel the cab losing heat and getting colder. That's when I turned the fan to maximum to bring the cab temperature back up. We probably ran the Jeep for 4 hours like that.

Our 2015 Ram 1500 and 2020 Ram 1500 (with the air suspension) are much more comfortable on long trips. The dogs concur.

Back in February we went to north Louisiana for a short trip. That same weekend we were getting temps into the low 20s / high teens. It was a week after that snow storm they had around Monroe. Wind blowing at a steady 15-20 MPH.

Anyway, my mom kept complaining her feet were getting blown with cold air but we had the heater cranked.

After some investigation we surmised that the wind blowing across the passenger front corner of the truck at interstate speeds in those temps was forcing past the bottom door seal. The same door seal that lets car wash water in on both sides.

So anyway. I like the truck, it's manageable, and it's my only truck and I don't want to start over on notes right now - so it's hanging around for the for forseeable future. It doesn't suck by any means.

But kinda like using the back of a crescent wrench for a hammer - it's probably not quite the right tool for the job

 

[ChrisNLA]

Sounds like the cabin is lacking insulation. Is the Jeep still under warranty? We can tell a difference switching from the hard top to the soft top, but don't have any cold weather issues with the hard top on. Cabin warms up quickly and maintains the temperature.

Well you wouldn't be wrong, but that's just how these are factory. To my knowledge there is basically no insulation in these cabs other than what the single layer carpet offers.

Mine generally maintains temperature, but if you get it in the right circumstance it struggles - which has only been once or twice.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I daily my Gladiator because my other option is my Ram 2500

Diesel goes back below 4 bucks a gallon, or I find time to run my centrifuge, I'll be back in my Ram.

Hell, I drove my K20 today for funsies. Squarebody guy's (mostly retired boomers now who never go anywhere) swear they're great dailies lol.

 

[biodiesel]

Anyway, my mom kept complaining her feet were getting blown with cold air but we had the heater cranked.

After some investigation we surmised that the wind blowing across the passenger front corner of the truck at interstate speeds in those temps was forcing past the bottom door seal. The same door seal that lets car wash water in on both sides.

Since the Gladiator is designed to remove its doors, Jeep uses overlapping rubber seals rather than standard automotive seals which are dense continuous one-piece seals. This is why the Wrangler and Gladiator are more suspectable to wind noise, dust, and moisture.

I just know that when the ambient temperatures got down to the twenties, we could feel the cab losing heat. Running the heater at or near maximum fan speed was able to keep the cab at a comfortable temperature. We were running both the floor vents and dash vents simultaneously. If I remember correctly, the coldest temp we saw that morning was 17*F, but we probably were running between 17*F - 23*F for a good 4 hours straight.

 

[NC_Overland]

Well you wouldn't be wrong, but that's just how these are factory. To my knowledge there is basically no insulation in these cabs other than what the single layer carpet offers.

Mine generally maintains temperature, but if you get it in the right circumstance it struggles - which has only been once or twice.

They are actually surprisingly well insulated. A lot of engineering went into it. Being a convertible obviously compromises the design and you have a compromised seal. Even the windshield is insulated. Assuming you have the alpine option, crank up the stereo and turn up the bass. Turn it up to 30 something and get those side mirrors vibrating. If yours is anything like mine, and you have the windows rolled up, it’s not loud at all on the outside. Maybe mine has more insulation because it’s an overland, but I don’t think so. I think it only give me the super comfy overland leather seats as far as a comfort advantage.

 

[biodiesel]

So anyway. I like the truck, it's manageable, and it's my only truck and I don't want to start over on notes right now - so it's hanging around for the for forseeable future. It doesn't suck by any means.

The Gladiator is an awesome (highly capable) midsize truck. I'm keeping mine for the next 25+ years.

I'll be watching the Ram Dakota closely. That very well could be our next daily driver. I still have 14 more years before I can retire, so I'm thinking 2029 - 2031 timeframe would be a good time to buy.

The Scambler sounds like neat truck, though. I'm a sucker for 2-door trucks.

 

[ChrisNLA]

They are actually surprisingly well insulated. A lot of engineering went into it. Being a convertible obviously compromises the design and you have a compromised seal. Even the windshield is insulated. Assuming you have the alpine option, crank up the stereo and turn up the bass. Turn it up to 30 something and get those side mirrors vibrating. If yours is anything like mine, and you have the windows rolled up, it’s not loud at all on the outside. Maybe mine has more insulation because it’s an overland, but I don’t think so. I think it only give me the super comfy overland leather seats as far as a comfort advantage.

Mine has Fuyao glass and I haven't seen a shade of insulation anywhere in it.

It's fine.

It's kinda like all the women that have been in my life - I like the ones that ain't quite right.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I daily my Gladiator because my other option is my Ram 2500

Diesel goes back below 4 bucks a gallon, or I find time to run my centrifuge, I'll be back in my Ram.

Hell, I drove my K20 today for funsies. Squarebody guy's (mostly retired boomers now who never go anywhere) swear they're great dailies lol.

Having rode in a 3/4 ton Ram - I'd take the Gladiator on a daily drive.

Now, my buddies 3/4 ton GMC, that's different...what the IFS lost in durability in that level truck it gained in manners.

Different thread though.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Having rode in a 3/4 ton Ram - I'd take the Gladiator on a daily drive.

Now, my buddies 3/4 ton GMC, that's different...what the IFS lost in durability in that level truck it gained in manners.

Different thread though.

My Ram has Carli springs and Fox bypass shocks, rides way better than my Gladiator.

I also have enough room in it, it's faster, air works better, and it's basically the same mileage.

 

[ChrisNLA]

My Ram has Carli springs and Fox bypass shocks, rides way better than my Gladiator.

I also have enough room in it, it's faster, air works better, and it's basically the same mileage.

Yeaa, my buddies was stock

Sounds like a nice truck!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I enjoy it, it's a good truck.

Didn't have 6.40 a gallon fuel on my bingo card when I decided to make it a daily.

Wish I had a second Tesla and no Gladiator now, but it is what it is.

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