My Gladiator

[Moose843]

I bought the 2024 Sport S with towing package. I want to install a leveling kit and 33s, that’s my build. I don’t want a 6” lift, 40s, etc, because I wont be rock climbing, mudding, or any of that other stuff, but it won’t be a mall princess either. Its a 4x4 pickup just like the ford truck it’s replacing. Saying all that, I’m not sure if I want a leveling kit and 33s, or a 2” lift and maybe 35s. Since this is a daily driver and my hunting & fishing truck, what will be:
A) my best gas mileage
B) my best look
C) my least lag with the bigger tires
People are gonna call it not a real jeep because I’m not doing all that jeep stuff on YouTube, so I named it maximus. He wasn’t a real gladiator either, just a character in a movie. I‘m too old to get upset about that kind of stuff, so I play along. If it’s not a real jeep, then it’s named after a not real gladiator.
well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it

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[21Mojave24XR]

Everybody builds their jeeps their own way, you will have the occasional nay sayers but it’s not their money building it and they ain’t the ones driving it. With that out of the way is it 3.73 or 4.10 gearing? If it is 3.73 then you will probably want to go leveling kit and 33s if you want to keep the best fuel mileage possible and will be plenty capable for what you will be doing with it. Then again 2” lift and 35s look great and will be a good setup if you have 4.10s

 

[Moose843]

Yes, 4:10 gears. I’m just wondering if 33s would look better with a level kit or 2” lift. Whats my gpm on 33s vs 35s? What’s my ride on the highway going to feel like with a kit vs lift? Even with 4:10 gears, what’s the lag going to be with 33s or even 35s?

 

[Not2Late]

It's all tradeoffs and a function of how much you would like to spend. Anything you do beyond keeping it stock will most likely have an impact on gas mileage: bigger and heavier tires equal additional rotational rolling resistance and power needed to maintain the same response as before. Bigger tires with no change in gearing = less acceleration. Lifting it may introduce additional air under the vehicle and contribute to more drag, etc. Not super noticeable if staying reasonable in size. 4:10's like you have are fine with 35's if you are not doing any true off-roading and you are not up at altitude. My Mojave on 35's with 4:10s have worked well for me even on some challenging trails, albeit I am in 4lo at that point.

From a looks standpoint, I think the standard tires on the gladiator look "small". The bigger 33s that came on my Mojave were barely adequate in looks/proportionality IMO. But They would have been just fine. I just wanted a little more clearance for what I do. I put 35's with a 2" spacer lift, and for me, that has been good.

On the low end of the budget, 33s and a leveling kit would be fine for your use. The tires would fill out the wheel wells nicely. If you are worried about gas mileage, comparison shop and look at tire weights as compared to stock. Try to stick with load "C" tires. They generally (but not always) weigh less than "E" rated of the same brand/size.

35s and a lift up the price and will result in some reduction of power. And probably a little more - for a lack of a better work - "squirreliness" on the highway. Big tires catch/follow tire groves, the stearing is more prone to wander, and the wind feels like it blows you more. This is less likely with a quality lift that is tuned for your needs.

 

[21Mojave24XR]

I saw about a mpg difference between the factory 33s and the 35s on it now 1.2 avg to be exact but I live where the interstates are 75-80 mph. With the 35s I run in 8th with the occasional down shift to 7th and sometimes 6th. My wives xtreme recon has 4.56s on 35s and it holds 8th no problem.

as far as the lift do the research and see what springs/shocks fit you best don’t cheap out on the lift as it will have bad ride quality and end up costing you more in the end

 

[SaiintNick]

35's with 2" lift will always look best.

 

[Gvsukids]

Yes, 4:10 gears. I’m just wondering if 33s would look better with a level kit or 2” lift. Whats my gpm on 33s vs 35s? What’s my ride on the highway going to feel like with a kit vs lift? Even with 4:10 gears, what’s the lag going to be with 33s or even 35s?

4.10 gears will work well with 33's and 35's. How do you know you have 4.10's? A Sport with tow package is not a Max Tow with 4.10 gears.

 

[djthumper]

33s will fit without a lift or level kit. It will also yield you the best fuel mileage with a minimal loss.

 

[Moose843]

4.10 gears will work well with 33's and 35's. How do you know you have 4.10's? A Sport with tow package is not a Max Tow with 4.10 gears.

It is max tow which only comes sports s and rubicon. It’s stated on the sticker. When went to the dealer I told them I would go somewhere else if I couldn’t get the towing package with 4:10 gears.

 

[emoney]

I'll echo what @djthumper said above; you're aren't required to lift it to get a more aggressive look. I was able to do it by adding wider rims with more set-back and a + offset. The wider tires "poke" a little bit, but not so much it affects the towing. For me, that was key as I have a boat I don't plan to get rid of anytime soon, being a Floridian, lol.

 

[Okie Gladiator]

My 2022 JTR came with 33’s. 4:10’s.
I went to 35’s and noticed minimal mpg change…about 1 mpg difference. Power didn’t change taking off or on highway. Ride I thought was actually better.

I then did a 2.5 inch Skyjacker Spacer lift - and relocating factory shocks. Ride quality didn’t change much from factory. Even when I wheeled it the performance was fine. MPG dipped about another 1.5 mpg.

I then changed it up with a Metalcloak 3.5 inch dual rate lift, new front drive shaft, 37’s, 4:88, and other stuff. That changed truck completely.

So in my experience I don’t think you’ll see much performance hit in power or MPG going to 35’s vs 33’s. I also don’t think you’ll see much hit adding a small spacer lift to get 35’s under those sport fenders - and ride quality won’t take a big hit either (may improve depending on personal preference). It’ll look great!

 

[Koolcarguy]

I bought the 2024 Sport S with towing package. I want to install a leveling kit and 33s, that’s my build. I don’t want a 6” lift, 40s, etc, because I wont be rock climbing, mudding, or any of that other stuff, but it won’t be a mall princess either. Its a 4x4 pickup just like the ford truck it’s replacing. Saying all that, I’m not sure if I want a leveling kit and 33s, or a 2” lift and maybe 35s. Since this is a daily driver and my hunting & fishing truck, what will be:
A) my best gas mileage
B) my best look
C) my least lag with the bigger tires
People are gonna call it not a real jeep because I’m not doing all that jeep stuff on YouTube, so I named it maximus. He wasn’t a real gladiator either, just a character in a movie. I‘m too old to get upset about that kind of stuff, so I play along. If it’s not a real jeep, then it’s named after a not real gladiator.
well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it

Build it your way the look you like I put the mopar lift and 35's on my first eco diesel Jt but when I got my second ecodiesel Jt I went 3'lift and 37's it didn't take me long to swith the first one to 37's I like the ride and love the look. But I'm running the ecodiesel so fuel mileage is still low to mid 20's and the power is Awesome

 

[Gvsukids]

It is max tow which only comes sports s and rubicon. It’s stated on the sticker. When went to the dealer I told them I would go somewhere else if I couldn’t get the towing package with 4:10 gears.

Max Tow only comes on the Sport. Rubicon and Mojave also come with 4.10 gears. Can you take a picture of the sticker?

 

[roger bass]

Just post a picture of your fenders and I can tell you if it's the max tow. It will have a little additional lip on it.

 

[Mad Jasper]

I’m running 295/70/17s on 3.73 gears. The tires are around 34 inches tall. I updated tire size with the JScan tool. I tracked my mileage starting from last Thursday to Monday afternoon. I traveled 1050, 400 on the interstate, 400 on back roads, and 250 miles around Pensacola, averaging 19.4 MPG over the duration.

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