New owner

[TwelveGaugeSage]

Mind you I optioned pretty much all the luxury items, but even my wife with her Camry Hybrid that has all the luxury options is jealous of my interior.

As for halogens and speakers, you should have checked out a few first. I went for the LED lights and the premium sound package and couldn't be happier. I'd never buy a new vehicle that wasn't built exactly or damn near exactly as I want it. Especially in this market.

On the bright side, unless you got raked over the coals on price, you should be able to sell it for around what you paid and get exactly what you want if you so desire. I see a surprising amount of people on here do just that.

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[Gvsukids]

Speakers are peace of shit, Halogen Headlights a fog lights are really bad,
interior feels cheap, feels like sitting in a cooler.

Do you have leather or cloth seats? The upgraded Alpine system is better than without, but the system can be upgraded easily. Headlights are bad, but some people like them. Others replace the bulbs or whole headlight assembly.
Why did you buy the Gladiator?

 

[Jimmymer]

is there anything you like about it ? your initial impressions seem to suggest otherwise.

I just don’t like speakers, lights and cooler feel, its an easy upgrade. Ill have to manage my heavy foot to get better mpg, anything else is great.

 

[Jimmymer]

Your previous car shaped that perspective. I have driven 2 door TJ jeeps for basically my driving life.

I got in the JT and went "HOLY CRAP I'm driving a Rolls Royce. I have cruise control! Everything is so plush - and the front top comes off. I can drive AND talk on the phone at the same time without threatening to crash. This is space age stuff"

I like the way it drives, smooth and not harsh.

 

[Jimmymer]

Maybe test drive your next vehicle. Just saying..

I like the way it drives, I will upgrade the things I don’t like.

 

[Jimmymer]

Everyone’s expectations and impressions are different. Long-time Jeep people will see the JT and JL’s as the most refined trail-rated Wrangler/Gladiator in the world.
Non-Jeep people coming into the brand for the first time, will have some negative opinions considering these things are far from cheap.

However, the main design and engineering principal of these things is toughness and durability on the trails. Which means you give up some of the modern niceties of a “regular” vehicle these days (soft touch materials everywhere, quiet interiors, smooth steering and suspension etc), but it’s all made like that for the intention of what it’s capable of tackling. I bought my JT sight unseen as well, but I’ve been around Jeeps of all flavors for years, and knew what I was getting into.

As far as some of the concerns you’ve mentioned go;
Yes, the stock halogen lights are absolutely worthless and was the first thing I changed. I replaced the headlights, DRL/turn signals, and taillights for LED units.
I just upgraded my rear speakers (both rear tweeters and mid-range) with Select Increments JLJT-Pods and the difference is very noticeable and a great step up (if you don’t have the Alpine system that is).
As far as MPG’s go, while modern engines and tech has really helped with gains for the JL and JT, at the end of the day a lobster is more aerodynamic. You’re not gonna see very good gas mileage at anything over about 70-75. So running 80-90 and averaging 18 is pretty impressive. Also if you plan on doing any tire upgrades in the future, this will also negatively impact your MPG, so keep that in mind.

As someone else said, once you take the doors off, or the roof off (or both!) for the first time, or you hit a local trail or two for the first time, it really sinks in as to why these things are the way they are, and become even more appreciable.

Thank you for info, can’t wait to hit some trails.

 

[Jimmymer]

Mind you I optioned pretty much all the luxury items, but even my wife with her Camry Hybrid that has all the luxury options is jealous of my interior.

As for halogens and speakers, you should have checked out a few first. I went for the LED lights and the premium sound package and couldn't be happier. I'd never buy a new vehicle that wasn't built exactly or damn near exactly as I want it. Especially in this market.

On the bright side, unless you got raked over the coals on price, you should be able to sell it for around what you paid and get exactly what you want if you so desire. I see a surprising amount of people on here do just that.

I got a great price, i will upgrade the things I don’t like.

 

[Jimmymer]

Do you have leather or cloth seats? The upgraded Alpine system is better than without, but the system can be upgraded easily. Headlights are bad, but some people like them. Others replace the bulbs or whole headlight assembly.
Why did you buy the Gladiator?

I like concept of Wrangler, but it’s too small for us, thats why i bought Gladiator.
i have cloth seats and have no complaints. Im 6’5” and it’s pretty good fit, I might lower the back end of the seat in a future. I will upgrade speakers and lights.

 

[Rocksalt]

well I like mine... so glad to have a jeep pickup

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Love mine. Can’t get enough of it. I make up excuses to go look at in the garage even after a year of ownership. Scoots as good as I need a Jeep to and handles very well.

I’d say battling the wind for extended periods is the only bad thing about it. Keeps me awake on long trips though, so there’s that. Gas mileage isn’t great but my commute is 20 miles round trip. Plus, there’s other vehicles for fuel savings. Hell soon, there will be another JT powertrain for fuel savings I bet…4XE maybe or full electric, we’ll see.

Congrats on the new ride, she’s a beauty. Like others said, get out and hit some trails, these things are fun in the dirt.

 

[Jimmymer]

Love mine. Can’t get enough of it. I make up excuses to go look at in the garage even after a year of ownership. Scoots as good as I need a Jeep to and handles very well.

I’d say battling the wind for extended periods is the only bad thing about it. Keeps me awake on long trips though, so there’s that. Gas mileage isn’t great but my commute is 20 miles round trip. Plus, there’s other vehicles for fuel savings. Hell soon, there will be another JT powertrain for fuel savings I bet…4XE maybe or full electric, we’ll see.

Congrats on the new ride, she’s a beauty. Like others said, get out and hit some trails, these things are fun in the dirt.

Thank you, will do, this thing grows on me every minute, first day of ownership and already spend around $700 on accessories:
Bed tonneau cover, bed liner, roof rails. No end in sight

 

[Jimmymer]

Day one and spend $700 already, tonneau cover, bedrug, roof rails. I desperately need side steps, so kids can get in easier, i need sill protection and mud flops asap.
Lights, leveling kit, spacers and sound can wait.
Is there a limit on spending lol ?

 

[Deleted member 28696]

Hello
Picked up my Gladiator Altitude today and drove about 200 miles home. Never test drove the car before and i like it, kinda.
I thought it would be worse, I thought I would have to put more effort keeping it straight on the highway or it will be crazy loud, well, it’s loud enough above 70 mph, but not super loud, it was straight enough without any effort, smooth transmission and 3.6 is powerful for town and highway driving.
I don’t like mpg, it averaged 18 mpg on the highway at 80-90 mph. Speakers are peace of shit, Halogen Headlights a fog lights are really bad,
interior feels cheap, feels like sitting in a cooler. I know i will get used to it and I will upgrade the speakers, install headliner and LED’s, probably many more upgrades.
Tires are at 40-41 psi, is it ok or should I lower it a bit?
Is there any tips for a new jeepster?
Thank you.

I get around 13.5 MPGs in mine but I’m in Colorado. I’ve never gotten 18mpg’s even with stock wheels etc. Stock I was getting around 15.8 MPGs on 33’s in good weather. I’d be happy with 18mpg unless you have a diesel. The speakers ? sound good to me I have a Rubicon with the premium radio package with the larger screen so maybe it has an upgrade there? Sounds just as good as my old vehicle which had the Bose speaker system. Freedom tops didn’t really bother me but I now have the Bestop Sunrider cloth top which is in place of the freedom panels.

 

[Fstduc]

FWIW, I installed the HotHeads headliner kit this weekend with the sound deadening strips. Interior noise is much improved on the highway and in wind.

 

[CarrieBob]

Your previous car shaped that perspective. I have driven 2 door TJ jeeps for basically my driving life.

I got in the JT and went "HOLY CRAP I'm driving a Rolls Royce. I have cruise control! Everything is so plush - and the front top comes off. I can drive AND talk on the phone at the same time without threatening to crash. This is space age stuff"

Agreed! This is my third and when I drove it for the first time, I felt sooooo pampered! LOL

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