Must have’s when looking for budget Gladiator.

[77Tango]

Drive the Diesel JT before you make your decision. Glad I did. Fantastic power and economy with the upgraded transmission.
I got the Rubicon in Granite, but if you order the Sport with the diesel you will get the HD wide dana 44 axles with the stronger steering knuckles.
Only Options that I got.
LED
Hardtop
Trailer tow
Leather Seats.
The Alpine audio is too expensive. Standard audio is fine with great sound, CarPlay and function.
The adaptive cruise and the safety options don't add much value.
Got mine as ordered for $53K. MSRP $59K. Probably not the best deal but I am happy.
Good luck

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[slowstang305]

I did something similar and bought a low option gladiator. I have owned 3 JKU's and had a mix of manual transmission, automatic/power and no power. I went to automatic transmission this time around because the manual in the Jeep's just suck! Compared to the 8 speed they leave a LOT to be desired. I did not get power windows or locks this time around because it is less to break and I'm usually by myself or the girlfriend. No big deal to reach over and open the other door. I live in the south and was not looking for a hard top. The soft top is great on the highway as well up to 80mph with no buffeting. I'm very impressed with the gladiator platform.

 

[Jt-wrx]

if i could get that diesel behind the manual transmission, it's about the only thing that can get me to consider a change, but the manual transmission trumps pretty much everything for me, i'm not alone...not sure why the scaredy cats need auto's behind everything but offer a manual behind all motors for $2000 upgrade and watch what happens....we are enthusiasts fca...how do you not have that figured out?, seriously, a gladiator is an enthusiasts vehicle...we understand diesel, we understand turbo, we want maximum engagement...that means manual transmissions options for ALL enthusiast vehicles, always offer this, all motors!!!!!

if you're listening fca hear this, i'll pick up a 4bt and start rebuilding it over time and when i crater this pentastar that's going in it....you built a legacy vehicle but not a legacy powerplant/transmission combo, so if you want to see my money again you best offer something with psi over atmosphere boost with a manual transmission, otherwise i'll be stuffing a 4bt in there in 10 years...no more new vehicle money from me, it all goes into this one....you feel me? you hear me fca? smarten up

 

[Tarantularock]

Just brought home a sport/ automatic for the wife with freedom hardtop and tow package... all my must haves will be taken care of with a budget for build. I want to add a 2 inch lift, some new wheels and 35s. upgrade bumpers skids and add sliders. Will add a good bed cover & bed liner... next a rack system and tent. This will be round 1.

 

[Trippin01]

Sport S Max Tow, Premium soft top.
Aux switches
Slush mats. (a must for winter)
Cloth seats are super comfy, save your $'s and skip the leather.

Sport S has tinted windows, Sport does not
Max Tow has the 4:10's and the ability to lock the tailgate from the key fob, so you never forget.

I'm not a fan or the hard top, but I don't use mine as a DD, Otherwise I would embrace the hard top. My JT is for camping and trails, not work transportation. I'm hoping to add Jeep Badges, not rubber ducks.
I added a $100 sub to the basic 5" screen infotainment system, works great.

Keep in mind, this is just my opinion.
I'm a huge fan of the soft top. It's so easy, anywhere, its a no brain'r. If I was unfortunate enough to have to drive in the city all the time I would want a hard top, but then I would probably get a City truck anyway.

 

[slowstang305]

Cloth seats are super comfy, save your $'s and skip the leather.

Sport S has tinted windows, Sport does not
Max Tow has the 4:10's and the ability to lock the tailgate from the key fob, so you never forget.

My Sport has tinted windows from the factory.

 

[anavrinIV]

My must haves:

4.10s
soft top
manual trans

Which put me into exactly one choice: base-est Rubicon. Which means I ended up with a 7" radio (wanted that), power windows and locks (wanted those), cloth seats (definitely wanted those). The only "options" on my truck were a premium soft top and tow package, both of which are good upgrades. I actively did not want adaptive cruise and the LED lights are outrageously expensive.

So as everyone says, it all comes down to what *you* see as a requirement. Mine are completely different from most people.

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

I am looking to buy a lower end gladiator, I’ve have had several Jeep Jks, and there were always good options to have, like 4:10 gears, etc. Is there any things or certain model considered ideal.. So far I looking for a sport with max tow package, I know sport s is nice but gettIng pricey. Hoping the manual locks/ wndows won’t be to bad.( I’m keeping my 2017 Hardrock, so gladiator will be my daily) Any advice would help, thanks.

I went to Jeep.com and built myself a Sport. I wanted an entry level model without all the bells and whistles. Picked out options I wanted and when I finished, it gave me a price and then I hit "find a dealer." I checked 13 items and the site found me a dealer with a Gladiator I was looking for. It had 11 out of the 13.
It had black steel wheels. I traded in a 2016 Wrangler and swapped the wheels out. After I got it, I customized the way I wanted it and have been very happy. I got manual door locks and windows. Don't mind a bit. Good luck!

 

[firemedic2714]

If you're being budget-minded, get a manual transmission because you'll save $2k right off the bat. Must haves besides PW and PL, IMO, are LED lighting, 8.4 in. radio, and aux switches (if you're planning on adding any extra lighting, etc. They turn a wiring nightmare into a two wire hook up).

 

[Trippin01]

My Sport has tinted windows from the factory.

It wasn't a Sport option with a soft top. Glad it is now.

 

[Deleted member 39643]

Everybody has their own list of "must-haves". You need to decide what YOU need.

I wanted a base Willys Sport with a Manual Transmission, Aux Switches, and Towing. The reason for this was the upgraded alternator and cooling that comes with those two packages. The one I found on the lot had Aux Switches and the Roll-up Tonneau. I was going to add the Tonneau later anyway so I went ahead and bought it. Not having the towing was a concern, but it actually saved a few bucks. I'm only doing light towing and the MT is only rated at 4,000 pounds so I added an aftermarket Curt Class III 2" receiver which was $99. It's rated for 5,000 lbs which is more than the truck can pull anyway. The factory Class IV hitch would've been overkill.

The manual windows and locks are fine for me because it's a weekender vehicle and not a daily driver. We don't travel much with it and don't bring anything worth stealing with us so we just leave the doors unlocked. This also will hopefully keep any would-be thieves from slashing my soft top to get inside and discover nothing is there. Occasionally, when we do need to lock up, it's normally when the wife and kids are with me and they are all responsible for locking their doors. I just unlock them for everyone when I get back in.

Speaking of the soft top, it doesn't get very cold here, mine isn't a daily driver, and we have 9+ months of the year where I can lay the top back on any given day. The road noise isn't terrible unless you're up over 70mph. We also have pop-up showers frequently here in the spring and summer so being able to run around with the top back but close it when needed is nice while not having to tow around freedom panels and take up space. I've got 3 kids and a bunch of outdoor gear to lug around, so not having to mess with panels and such is a plus.

I might buy a hard top later if I can find a good deal on one. I might even re-gear down the road and throw some bigger tires on, but I'm happy with my options at the moment. Bottom line, everyone is different and even your needs/wants might be different 2 years from now. The good thing that I have discovered being a first time Jeep owner is there's really not much that absolutely CAN'T be added/changed down the road.

I went even more basic and factory ordered the Sport 6MT. 0 options. I kinda wish I got the AT tires, for $250 they are a good deal. All the options looked like better versions were availabilie in aftermarket, or Jeep was holding out. Jeep should offer a higher gear, maybe in the 5s for the MT from the factory. And why have prox start with ma dual doors, give us a $500 power door option.

 

[Trippin01]

I went even more basic and factory ordered the Sport 6MT. 0 options. I kinda wish I got the AT tires, for $250 they are a good deal. All the options looked like better versions were availabilie in aftermarket, or Jeep was holding out. Jeep should offer a higher gear, maybe in the 5s for the MT from the factory. And why have prox start with ma dual doors, give us a $500 power door option.

Those "AT" tires, were junk for me. they didn't even make it 14 days when I got a side wall puncture, and when I went to replace them, I found out there was NO load rating on them, and I had a MAX tow. I was Like what?
So I have two sets of tires and wheels now, both sets have load ratings. I use my 34's for towing my 4k lbs travel trailer and my 37's when I use just the RTT. I hear you on the power door and tailgate locks. It is a very nice option. Still a very cool truck, no matter what bells and whistles you got. See ya on the trails!

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