May Give the Gladiator Another Go

[FreshStart]

I miss the simplicity of my JKU. I knew the quirks and how to fix them.

But, I do have to say that the JT really does improve on quite a few things I wish my JKU fell a little short in. It's just more refined in the right spots without taking away the 'charm' of loud tires, so-so road manners and an occasional drip from the hard top that disappears as quickly as it started. I just feel that the rough ride is far more controlled, if that makes sense, and it feels like a more solid chassis overall. But, electronically, it horrifies me.

My JKU has been passed on to my parents, so I do drive it from time to time, and it just feels slow, heavy and a little sloppy after two years in the JT.

I honestly can't pick though...can I just have both?

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[DickensCPA]

I miss the simplicity of my JKU. I knew the quirks and how to fix them.

But, I do have to say that the JT really does improve on quite a few things I wish my JKU fell a little short in. It's just more refined in the right spots without taking away the 'charm' of loud tires, so-so road manners and an occasional drip from the hard top that disappears as quickly as it started. I just feel that the rough ride is far more controlled, if that makes sense, and it feels like a more solid chassis overall. But, electronically, it horrifies me.

My JKU has been passed on to my parents, so I do drive it from time to time, and it just feels slow, heavy and a little sloppy after two years in the JT.

I honestly can't pick though...can I just have both?

I gave my son my 04 Rubicon when I got my JT 4 years ago. I'm really thinking I might take the 04 Rubi and trading it for whatever they'll give me and then giving my son my JKU.

Even though my 2017 isn't a Rubi, it's actually a better off roader than the old Rubi. But my son isn't much of a trail guy anyway, he's more of a back country camper. Plus we live in TN and he's getting his Phd in Washington State and my 4 dr JKU would be better than the old '04.

I'll just put some mild All Terrain 33s on it and keep my 35s for my ride.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I miss the simplicity of my JKU. I knew the quirks and how to fix them.

But, I do have to say that the JT really does improve on quite a few things I wish my JKU fell a little short in. It's just more refined in the right spots without taking away the 'charm' of loud tires, so-so road manners and an occasional drip from the hard top that disappears as quickly as it started. I just feel that the rough ride is far more controlled, if that makes sense, and it feels like a more solid chassis overall. But, electronically, it horrifies me.

My JKU has been passed on to my parents, so I do drive it from time to time, and it just feels slow, heavy and a little sloppy after two years in the JT.

I honestly can't pick though...can I just have both?

I think in some ways, the JK is more scary electrically speaking. It still has CAN BUS systems (albeit not quite as sophisticated) as the JT - but it also had the TIPM, which would go bad and cause widespread havoc. Usually from solder joints failing all over the board.

As far as I know, the JT doesn't have the TIPM so we're spared from that mess, and if you have a modern scan tool, chasing problems via CAN BUS (especially if you have a wiring diagram) can be pretty streamlined in some cases.

I did like my old JK, though.

 

[FreshStart]

I gave my son my 04 Rubicon when I got my JT 4 years ago. I'm really thinking I might take the 04 Rubi and trading it for whatever they'll give me and then giving my son my JKU.

Even though my 2017 isn't a Rubi, it's actually a better off roader than the old Rubi. But my son isn't much of a trail guy anyway, he's more of a back country camper. Plus we live in TN and he's getting his Phd in Washington State and my 4 dr JKU would be better than the old '04.

I'll just put some mild All Terrain 33s on it and keep my 35s for my ride.

I made it through an offroad school and trail rides in my stock 2017 Sahara. The only upgrade I made was a set of Cooper Rugged Treks. I wanted to see what it could do without changing a thing and it was quite impressive!

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

...So many "little" things the Rubicon comes with stock that you don't think about. D44 front and rear as opposed to D44 rear and D30 up front. Wider axles so 35s don't rub even after a lift. Mine came with 3:21 gears as opposed to 4:10. 35s are as big as I need so 4:10 is fine for me but regearing isn't cheap and you're limited with a D30 anyway due to its size....

Not sure if you're aware, but all Gladiators get the D44 front axle.

Wider axles come on these Gladiator models: Rubicon, Mojave, Max Tow, High Altitude, Nighthawk, maybe others I'm forgetting.

4.10 gears with these models: Rubicon, Mojave, Max Tow.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Not sure if you're aware, but all Gladiators get the D44 front axle.

Wider axles come on these Gladiator models: Rubicon, Mojave, Max Tow, High Altitude, Nighthawk, maybe others I'm forgetting.

4.10 gears with these models: Rubicon, Mojave, Max Tow.

I think that fella is reminiscing on the JK platform.

Though, I knew a guy that re-geared his D30 on a JKU to 5.13 on 37's with a LSD and it survived a week in Moab.

Gotta be real gentle

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

To me it’s time and priorities. Do I want to be wrenching or waiting for someone to do it for me or do I want to be 10,000 ft up a mountain grilling my steak over an open fire while sipping some bourbon smoking a cigar…. Guess which one wins for me.

While I agree I like tinkering too. I’ll have a shop do the major stuff because I know my limits but for the simpler things I enjoy the frustration of installing stuff. Makes the cigar taste so much better.

Side note: best cigar I ever had was a Bolivar Belicosos Finos ‘01. I had 3 of them and enjoyed em over a couple years. Dont think I’ll ever see another one of those.

 

[WambliSka]

While I agree I like tinkering too. I’ll have a shop do the major stuff because I know my limits but for the simpler things I enjoy the frustration of installing stuff. Makes the cigar taste so much better.

Side note: best cigar I ever had was a Bolivar Belicosos Finos ‘01. I had 3 of them and enjoyed em over a couple years. Dont think I’ll ever see another one of those.

Belicosos are outstanding cigars!!! I had a box of Cohiba Robustos I picked up legally in Canada and managed to age for a couple of years before I gave in and started on them. Rationed them as best as I could. Every one of them was like smoking a chocolate bar.

Cigar making has turned into good science and it’s hard to find a truly “bad” cigar nowadays and there are a lot of good ones! Thompson gets a lot of my money.

 

[Free2roam]

Yeah well if you would have bought a diesel in the first place you wouldn't have to regear and you wouldn't be in this predicament to start with.

 

[Tyler_OverlandJT]

That’s a really solid point about build‑out costs. All those gear and locker upgrades add up fast, sometimes buying the Rubicon from factory ends up being the smarter play.

 

[WambliSka]

That’s a really solid point about build‑out costs. All those gear and locker upgrades add up fast, sometimes buying the Rubicon from factory ends up being the smarter play.

It’s basic math really. And I know some folks will say if they spend enough money they will end up with a rig that’s better than a Rubicon.

Maybe, but the follow up to that is, “Are you REALLY in need of a rig that’s “better” than a Rubicon?“. Because most Rubicon owners don’t even use the factory capabilities to the fullest.

 

[ChrisNLA]

It’s basic math really. And I know some folks will say if they spend enough money they will end up with a rig that’s better than a Rubicon.

Maybe, but the follow up to that is, “Are you REALLY in need of a rig that’s “better” than a Rubicon?“. Because most Rubicon owners don’t even use the factory capabilities to the fullest.

Some folks just like the build.

Id buy a Rubicon next if I was in the market. Not because I need lockers or 4:1 transfer case. Just because thats the best way to get a loaded truck the way I want, lol. The cost was too much before. With discounts the way they are it would be a consideration now.

When I was buying though the most important thing to me was the 4.10 gears - so Sport Max Tow worked out.

 

[NortonJTSS]

So many "little" things the Rubicon comes with stock that you don't think about. D44 front and rear as opposed to D44 rear and D30 up front. Wider axles so 35s don't rub even after a lift. Mine came with 3:21 gears as opposed to 4:10. 35s are as big as I need so 4:10 is fine for me but regearing isn't cheap and you're limited with a D30 anyway due to its size.

A couple things off here. All Gladiators have Dana 44 axles front and rear and the non 4.10 gear option Gladiators are geared at 3.73. I think you might be blending in some Wrangler specs. Not sure that sways your decision any, but just so you know…

 

[ChrisNLA]

A couple things off here. All Gladiators have Dana 44 axles front and rear and the non 4.10 gear option Gladiators are geared at 3.73. I think you might be blending in some Wrangler specs. Not sure that says your decision any, but just so you know…

I believe he is referencing JK's, as the original post he has a JK Wrangler currently. Those came with Dana 30s and 3.21 gears in Sport form - and how on those stepping up to a Rubicon made significant differences in the axle for example, whereas on Gladiators I think the difference narrows slightly as they all came with Dana 44s, and if you get something like a Max Tow, you step into the wide axles, 4.10 gears and an LSD.

 

[sheath]

I joined here I want to say around Feb 22 and in March 2022 I bought a brand new leftover 2021 Gladiator. I gave my son my '04 Rubicon TJ and bought the Gladiator. Not sure if I got a lemon or they were working out kinks but it left me stranded 3 times in 3 months and the dealer gave me my money back and I bought a LOW mileage 2017 JKU. I've always kept a truck and a Wrangler until this one and I've loved the Gladiators since they came out.

I bought a Sahara JKU so I'd have a few daily driver luxuries and a blank slate to build like I want. I think I made a mistake. I live in middle TN and me and a buddy wheeled Prentice Cooper last month and my wife and I just got back from Red River Gorge Sunday night. As cool as "blank slate build like I want" sounds, I think it's just too much trouble and money compared to buying a Rubicon off the bat. I don't like the cost but it's more the time and being without the Jeep while it's getting upgraded, etc.

So many "little" things the Rubicon comes with stock that you don't think about. D44 front and rear as opposed to D44 rear and D30 up front. Wider axles so 35s don't rub even after a lift. Mine came with 3:21 gears as opposed to 4:10. 35s are as big as I need so 4:10 is fine for me but regearing isn't cheap and you're limited with a D30 anyway due to its size.

I just got an estimate back from 3 different places yesterday for new locker in the rear (I have an Aussie up front but can't put a lunchbox in the rear with BLD unless it's a manual) and a regear. Driving to Red River Gorge 4 1/2 hours on stock gears and 35s was miserable. The cost surprised me to say the least.

I say all of this to say my extended warranty on my JK is up 9/1/26, it's paid for and I have equity in it even though I bought during COVID and the Rubicon Gladiators that were selling for $70-80k are now $49K out the door. I've come to the conclusion I'm getting a new Gladiator Rubicon.

If I knew then what I know now...
I'd have bought a low mileage '22 - '23 JT non-diesel. Or I'd have bought a different brand vehicle. The '24 up JT's are a poor representation of what Jeep is capable of.

Good luck with your choice. Hope you get an excellent truck you can really enjoy.
Congratulations to your son. A Phd is a lot of hard work.

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