New Gladiator: Best Advice?

[NC_Overland]

Are spacer lifts the same thing as a levelling kit?

Kinda. A leveling kit is usually front spacers only. Different trim levels and options on Gladiators make for more or less rake. Mine only has about an inch of rake. If I put a 2” leveling kit on it, the front would be higher then the rear.

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[Mr._Bill]

Does Jeep claim the transmission fluid is lifetime for both automatic and manual? I’d be interested to read what the manufacturer says about service intervals for the manual, where could I find this info?

Does the levelling kit help reduce wear and tear on steering and suspension components?

The designer of the transmission recommends a fluid change (drain and fill) at 60k miles. Jeep produces the transmission under license in one of their factories. Since Jeep is providing the warranty, they set the service schedule. The official position is that the factory fluid is good for the lifetime of the transmission, under normal operating conditions.

 

[Dhstec]

Does Jeep claim the transmission fluid is lifetime for both automatic and manual? I’d be interested to read what the manufacturer says about service intervals for the manual, where could I find this info?

Does the levelling kit help reduce wear and tear on steering and suspension components?

It doesn't do anything for driveability. It is just for looks. Manual trans fluid change recommendations are in the manual. To find about the auto trans you just need to search for gladiator auto trans service.

 

[Blade1668]

A thoroughly wash the undercarriage and fluid film it. A good starter for you and won't empty your wallet to much.

 

[Vtur]

Start putting some money a side every months for mods and maintenance.

Edit: upgrades suspension and steering components first before angry grill or color accent

 

[starrskream]

change oil at 500, 1500, 2500 and then do it every 3-5k miles beyond that. Your first several changes are free anyways. Early often changes will allow those break in miles to be on clean oil. change diffs and transfer case around 20k. Some will say its excessive. It is cheap insurance.
rotate and balance tires every other oil change.

if you live in a winter salt state get it undercoated with a LANOLIN based system. re do that every couple years.

for mods. look at everything, take your time to decide what you want and seek alternatives. I bookmarked some 200+ websites/ pages before i started modding.

its a fun truck, and this forum is an AMAZING resource. Though the search function is wonky, I just google "________ Jeep gladiator forum" and easily get results.

 

[Supazuk]

Does this include some major road trips? That’s basically two years worth of mileage for the average driver.

Some of it is Road trips the other is my Kids play Hockey 3-4 games a weekend most rinks are about an hour with a few as far as 3 hours
From New Hampshire

First trip family vacation last August: Lake George (6 Flags) and lake Placid (Herb Brooks arena)

Second Family trip: Christmas at my Parent's House in FL with a Side trip to the Freedom factory for the Christmas light display and got to drive on the Track!

Hockey tournament trip: to St Alban's VT (just shy of the Canadian border)

and then just I love driving it!! Summer soft top down, half doors exploring back roads, hitting the Beach or just a day in the mountains!
Its a Max tow so I can drag a 16ft car trailer to bring home a new project while the top is down!
Winter full doors hardtop great in the snow take the kids skiing
Trips to Lowes and HD or Best buy to get a new TV
The Gladiator is the really a swiss army knife of a vehicle

 

[Supazuk]

Get a AGM trickle charger and plug it in when parked for a week or more.

I parked mine for 72 hours this weekend while put new flares on and lifted it, I went through withdrawals.. I had to sit in the drivers seat on jack stands and make engine noises!

 

[Lost1wing]

Other than a trickle charger, anything that can be done to help prevent this?

Like everyone else said, drive it. Take it on some longer trips to let the batteries get a charge. Short trips will not help your batteries at all . Toggle over to the ESS page every once in a while and look for what it is telling you. If you see battery charging for longer periods or all of the time, it is time to do something about it. Either put a charger on it or plan on finding out later what is next. Battery charging does not mean anything is wrong. If it always say battery charging, it could be you are not driving it enough or long enough.

I still have my original batteries in my 2020. I don't drive it every day or every week. I will occasionally see battery charging on for hours and then say ready. But if I never see the ready message, I'll toss the trickle charger on it.

Just be aware of the ESS page. It will kind of give you a clue about your batteries.

 

[Lost1wing]

Why? I’ve left mine for weeks when traveling and it was fine. Stock batteries lasted 5 yrs too.

If you have left it for weeks at a time while traveling, I would seriously doubt ESS was working or at least for several days of driving, lots of driving. I would think that you drive it enough that the batteries are close to fully charged when you park it. The best advice for the OP is, just drive it. That is unless it is a weekend vehicle, then you might want to consider a trickle charger.

 

[Charles 236]

Maintenance and operating costs, or upgrades?

Mostly upgrades. The maintenance is pretty much standard stuff, with just the Jeep prices. But since you are on here, there is NO chance that your Gladiator will remain stock.

 

[Jteakus]

@Supazuk
Let's see some pics of those new flares

 

[Supazuk]

Mostly upgrades. The maintenance is pretty much standard stuff, with just the Jeep prices. But since you are on here, there is NO chance that your Gladiator will remain stock.

 

[Supazuk]

@Supazuk
Let's see some pics of those new flares

I put stock Rubicon flares on a sport S and then some 35's

 

[Supazuk]

When you first got your Gladiator, what was the best advice you wish you had of known at the time?

Start a Build thread early, so you are not cross posting your build progress across the forum ......... oh wait that is is advise for me.. I really need to get on that

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