NightHawk Owners! Only 2000 of us. Join this elite thread ;)

[Dp7]

Why'd you choose a NightHawk? What do you like the most/least? What do you wish it had? What do you wish it didn't have? Other Questions? Comments? Go Wild! I'll start!

I went with the NightHawk because it has all of the stuff that were must-haves for my wife (hard top, automatic, power locks/windows) and they were selling for cheaper than the Sport S around here. Also, my wife really liked the wheels (I think they look like they came off a Grand Cherokee). The wide axles and LSD were a nice bonus. Ours has the standard tow package, so this is like almost-a-max-tow-package.

I'm disappointed that there was no branding/badge/decal/anything to indicate the special edition! I'm normally a big de-badge type, but a little hawk emblem somewhere would be cool. I like the included rock rails, but I might be trading them out for the plastic side steps to appease the lady. The 275 Grabber A/T's are juuust aggressive-looking enough that we don't feel immediately compelled to swap them out. They drive nice on the road, and I'm sure they'll do fine for the gravel/dirt roads we hit regularly. Not looking forward to paying the 20" wheel tax when it comes time to get tires though.

My wife misses the automatic headlights from our JL Willys (it probably comes with most every other trim package except this one... again, sun-themed package and no light sensor for headlights??). I'm going to have to add proximity entry to the driver's door, like I had to on my JL - It's an affront to humanity to have power locks and pushbutton start without proximity entry... our POS 2016 Fiat 500x has proximity entry and you can't include it in a $46K truck in 2024? Come on Jeep.

What is this "Sport Suspension" that the NightHawk comes with? Is it the same as another model (or maybe a previously available model)?

Overall, we're very happy with it. It's annoying for my wife to manually turn headlights on and off, and to dig around in her purse to unlock the doors, but I'm not too bothered by it coming from a base JL Sport with manual everything.

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[rjley]

I looked at a ton and almost pulled the trigger but ended up with a used 23 to save some money. I think they're the best deal you can get

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

...What is this "Sport Suspension" that the NightHawk comes with? Is it the same as another model (or maybe a previously available model)?...

The High Altitude models came with a "Sport Suspension".

Looks like different shocks based on what I see on my build sheet. Not sure what else, if anything, is different.

 

[Minty JL]

No prox doors means its less likely to be stolen

 

[Dp7]

The High Altitude models came with a "Sport Suspension".

Looks like different shocks based on what I see on my build sheet. Not sure what else, if anything, is different.

When I think "sport suspension" I think stiffer/shorter springs, but I have no idea what that means in terms of a Gladiator. High Altitude had 20" wheels too, right? It could be some ride balancing for the lower-profile tires?

 

[Dp7]

No prox doors means its less likely to be stolen

I'm not sure that's much of an issue out where we are. That being said, if a thief defeated the proximity key tech to steal the vehicle, the proximity locks are saving a smashed window if the vehicle were recovered.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

When I think "sport suspension" I think stiffer/shorter springs, but I have no idea what that means in terms of a Gladiator. High Altitude had 20" wheels too, right? It could be some ride balancing for the lower-profile tires?

That is my High Altitude build sheet I posted previously.

I tossed my stock springs pretty quickly, so I can't look for tags to see if they cross to other models.

You're correct, 20s on the High Altitude.

I figured the "Sport Suspension" was mostly marketing to help sell a more street/highway Jeep.

 

[zebest]

I looked at a ton and almost pulled the trigger but ended up with a used 23 to save some money. I think they're the best deal you can get

In the future, if you could take 1 second out of your day to say, leave me alone, or I don’t have time to talk to you, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Challenger85]

Wait. Where have I been, wtf is a nighthawk?

 

[Dp7]

Wait. Where have I been, wtf is a nighthawk?

It's like a High Altitude on the outside, probably including suspension, but with rock rails and A/T tires.... Otherwise, it's an automatic Sport S (sans automatic headlights and leather steering wheel) with the axles (not gears) and LSD from the max tow pkg. Kind of a freaky mix of stuff.

 

[Gvsukids]

Wait. Where have I been, wtf is a nighthawk?

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ator-nighthawk-best-bang-for-your-buck.83271/

https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=25826&mid=1

 

[Rahkmalla]

Wait. Where have I been, wtf is a nighthawk?

They had extra High Altitude wheels sitting around after they ditched the trim for MY2024 so they slapped them on an automatic Sport S and called it Nighthawk. That being said, the way they priced out the package made it a pretty good deal, so why not indulge? Those who bought who didn't want 20s could apply their MSRP savings from the nighthawk package to proper wheels and tires.

Is weird seeing a non-maxtow with the maxtow lips though (nighthawk does have wide axles, but no 4.10s and can only tow 6k)

 

[RHINO79]

Just picked this one up and added the steps.

 

[Dp7]

Just picked this one up and added the steps.

Them steps are in my future ... they did wonders to protect the doors from gravel and mud spray on the JL.

 

[DarthAWM]

The High Altitude models came with a "Sport Suspension".

Looks like different shocks based on what I see on my build sheet. Not sure what else, if anything, is different.

I thought people wanted the Rubi and Mojave suspensions, not the Sport suspension

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