Older Guy Doing Research, With Questions

[Steamguy]

Hi all. First, thanks for the warm welcomes.

I've been researching a Gladiator for my next vehicle (in a year or so), been scanning through the threads, and am asking for help with some questions.

My mobility isn't really great, but I am refusing to let this 'stuff' hold me back. Going to be doing more camping with my little Airstream, and the Gladiator is a good match, so far.

• I need to know what the seat height is for the driver's seating surface, as measured from the pavement (what we used to call step-in).
• I also need to know the distance is from the driver's seating surface to the inside of the door opening (head-banger or not kind of thing).
• And likely the most controversial - I need to know if anyone has successfully lowered a Gladiator (heresy, I know), and if you can add to the job with different wheels/tires.

I'm an old hotrodder, and one of the things we used to do is change sidewall height to lower the final-drive ratio., and change the width to turn up the handling -
I had a Grand Wagoneer ('Woody') with that 390 in it, and surprised a lot of people with how it would jump off the line with the wide 60-series tires on it. My late wife wasn't easy to scare, but I could get her yelling at me with the way 'Old Woody' could corner.

I had a (de-stickered) '90 Comanche 'Eliminator' with the 5-speed, and that was a great truck; I literally ran the wheels off it. Easy to embarrass a Ford Taurus SHO.

I won't talk much about the '72 Jeepster that I thought was a great buy, but turned out to be cursed...

Thanks so much for the help, folks!

SG

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[professorkx]

Your best bet is to go to a dealer and do a “butt” test in a Gladiator. While there, you can take all the measurements desired, as well as climb in and out of the Gladiator to test.

To many variables to just provide one set of the requested parameters…

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What Rick said - and keep in mind, my wife and I are 67 (her) and 68. Both have knee issues, me with back issues, and she's got a handicap she was born with - POWER STEPS. Wow, what a difference. We can each pull ourselves up and slide in after stepping on the step that lowers down.

 

[MrBones]

Some food for thought based on my experience. I bought a Mojave in January 2024 then ended up having spinal fusion surgery that April. During presurgery discussion with the surgeon he indicated that getting into and out of vehicles would be one of the hardest things to accomplish, I told him I had a truck that was fairly high off the ground. He said it would be easier getting into the JT than getting into a car. I'm 75 and by two months after surgery I was able to get myself into and out of the Mojave using the side step and grab bar. The JT is a pleasure to drive. My other car (wife's) is a 2018 Compass. I still have trouble getting in it and the seat is very uncomfortable. As mentioned above test drive one for as long as they'll let you. Best of luck

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Some food for thought based on my experience. I bought a Mojave in January 2024 then ended up having spinal fusion surgery that April. During presurgery discussion with the surgeon he indicated that getting into and out of vehicles would be one of the hardest things to accomplish, I told him I had a truck that was fairly high off the ground. He said it would be easier getting into the JT than getting into a car. I'm 75 and by two months after surgery I was able to get myself into and out of the Mojave using the side step and grab bar. The JT is a pleasure to drive. My other car (wife's) is a 2018 Compass. I still have trouble getting in it and the seat is very uncomfortable. As mentioned above test drive one for as long as they'll let you. Best of luck

I have more trouble getting into and out of my lower cars than our Jeeps with the steps.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

I have more trouble getting into and out of my lower cars than our Jeeps with the steps.

Isn't that the truth! I hate getting out of cars after driving Jeeps for years. My wife's Wilderness Outback is about as low as I like to go.

 

[Rusty PW]

I have more trouble getting into and out of my lower cars than our Jeeps with the steps.

You should see me getting in and out of my Nismo. Have to put my butt in first. Then my head after, and swing my feet in last. To get out. I basically fall out head first.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You should see me getting in and out of my Nismo. Have to put my butt in first. Then my head after, and swing my feet in last. To get out. I basically fall out head first.

Yeah, I relate - I almost have to fall out of my Javelin, I fall into it.....
But the Nismo is smaller....... gotta be tougher.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Hi all. First, thanks for the warm welcomes.

I've been researching a Gladiator for my next vehicle (in a year or so), been scanning through the threads, and am asking for help with some questions.

My mobility isn't really great, but I am refusing to let this 'stuff' hold me back. Going to be doing more camping with my little Airstream, and the Gladiator is a good match, so far.

• I need to know what the seat height is for the driver's seating surface, as measured from the pavement (what we used to call step-in).
• I also need to know the distance is from the driver's seating surface to the inside of the door opening (head-banger or not kind of thing).
• And likely the most controversial - I need to know if anyone has successfully lowered a Gladiator (heresy, I know), and if you can add to the job with different wheels/tires.

I'm an old hotrodder, and one of the things we used to do is change sidewall height to lower the final-drive ratio., and change the width to turn up the handling -
I had a Grand Wagoneer ('Woody') with that 390 in it, and surprised a lot of people with how it would jump off the line with the wide 60-series tires on it. My late wife wasn't easy to scare, but I could get her yelling at me with the way 'Old Woody' could corner.

I had a (de-stickered) '90 Comanche 'Eliminator' with the 5-speed, and that was a great truck; I literally ran the wheels off it. Easy to embarrass a Ford Taurus SHO.

I won't talk much about the '72 Jeepster that I thought was a great buy, but turned out to be cursed...

Thanks so much for the help, folks!

SG

Welcome to the forum!

I broke my back in 2015, motorcycle crash, I spent 8 months in recovery. I was 52 at the time. Yet here I am. My 2 cents:

There are lots of good replies here about this. Going to the different dealers and trying the ingress and egress is paramount - THAT IS NUMBER ONE. New trucks are crazy expensive. You do not want to make an expensive mistake and buy a truck that hurts you to drive. Refusing to let injury or mobility hold you back will not last long if you make a bad purchase. We must face our realities. I have mine.

You said camping towing an Airstream.... Whoops.... in a Gladiator? It is a stretch.

Do you need 4WD for your camping locations? An Airstream, no matter how small, may be a tough chore for a Jeep Gladiator.

You might want to consider a full-size truck.

I would recommend checking out all mid-size trucks AND all full-size Ford RAM Chevy GMC Toyota-Tundra and the likes before settling on what you think you want. Check them ALL out.

Comfort and capability is want you really want. Good luck.

Your injury comes first whether you accept it or not. I have grown up enuf since my crash to realize that truth.

Be well. Jeep on.

Eric

 

[Steamguy]

...Going to the different dealers and trying the ingress and egress is paramount - THAT IS NUMBER ONE. New trucks are crazy expensive. You do not want to make an expensive mistake and buy a truck that hurts you to drive. Refusing to let injury hold you back will not last long if you make a bad purchase. We must face our realities. I have mine.

You said camping, and an Airstream.... Whoops.... in a Gladiator? It is a stretch.

Do you need 4WD for your camping locations? An Airstream, no matter how small, may be a tough chore for a Jeep Gladiator.

You might want to consider a full-size truck.

Thanks, and thanks everyone for the replies. Your opinions are certainly valued.
Let me reply to Old here.

I used to do market research as part of my job, so when I go into a dealer I want to have every possible variable nailed down. That's why I asked about step-in and clearance height.

And I fully admit to being ... um... 'retentive'. The important thing is that I'm doing my research now, as I prefer to be in no hurry to trade.

On paper, the Gladiator works:
"Dot", my Airstream, is 19 ft long. She weighs just under 4,000 lb, and has a hitch weight of about 550 lb; all easy matches for the Gladiator. I would not tow without weight distribution and sway control.

I absolutely have to, HAVE TO, have 4WD; I live on the side of a mountain, and this will be my only vehicle. I do go camping some places where 4WD is good to have, although I ease my way through things rather than behave like I'm in some TV spot ad.

In winter, I periodically get snowed in, so there you see the other reason for a Jeep.

I'm also tired of huge, lumbering vehicles that don't handle well. My current pickup truck is now coming up on 22 years old, and although it's been super-reliable, it's time to say goodbye to that 11 MPG.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the 4XE version looks like, as I currently have a Dodge Hornet R/T. So yes, I am spoiled for handling!

I'll throw in a couple of pictures; one of Dot in my upper meadow and one of some snow up here.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

In winter, I periodically get snowed in, so there you see the other reason for a Jeep.

I'm also tired of huge, lumbering vehicles that don't handle well. My current pickup truck is now coming up on 22 years old, and although it's been super-reliable, it's time to say goodbye to that 11 MPG.

My reasons for the jeep include our winters, I put a snow plow on it, it tows my car hauler great, and I was tired of bulky regular trucks that couldn't be parked where a jeep can be parked. I hated taking my Chevy into town - it was big and bulky and took 40 acres to turn it around.

 

[Steamguy]

...hated taking my Chevy into town - it was big and bulky and took 40 acres to turn it around.

I hear you there! Years ago, I had a 4WD Dodge 3500 dually with the long bed. Trying to load stuff into the bed made me feel like a little kid, because the tailgate was at my chest!
Although it was a great truck, it had a turning radius similar to the USS Saratoga...

 

[NotSo Bright White]

Sounds like you need a Sport model with Max Tow. But like ShadowPapa stated power steps are required for us older guys with injuries. I have them on both of my Gladiators and couldn’t get in them without them. After two back surgeries, I would much rather get into my Jeeps than my wife’s SUV. Good luck with the research.

 

[Steamguy]

Thank you!

My next task will be to determine which model I need. From having suffered in the Jeepster, I won't live without an air conditioner...! I don't mind roll-down windows, but it would be nice to have a good stereo!

That said, I am truly spoiled by the adaptive cruise control on my Hornet. I think that capability when towing Dot would be absolutely super!

 

[FloridaAussie]

I would suggest a Rubicon if you can get into it comfortably. Given where you live and the weather, the last thing I think you would want is to have to get out to get yourself unstuck in the worst scenarios. Front and rear lockers are nice.

As for climbing in and out of vehicles, I find it's easier to climb up into my vehicle, than climb up and out of it. I tend to use gravity a bit to help me fall out of my Jeep. I also use it to fall into my Outback and WRX. But when I have to climb, I much prefer climbing into a vehicle than out of it. So much easier to climb into a Jeep than out of a Subaru.

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