Older Guy Doing Research, With Questions

[Batterycap]

First - I am 72. Next, I bought a Jeep Gladiator Mojave X 3 months ago - during the 20% off. In no order, here are my observations:

1) I was gladly surprised at the leg room for my left leg as I sit behind the wheel. I'm 6'1" and can stretch my leg completely out. I did a test before I committed and am still surprised at the room for a leg stretch.

2) The engine compartment looks like a rat's nest. I have always done a bunch of my own maintenance, but I can't even see the spark plugs. Oil changes look to be a chip shot.

3)I didn't ask about the dual battery thing because I could have never imagined there would be a dual battery. I am hopeful that Jeep will offer a full-bore start/stop delete with the EPA now backing off the evil that is start/stop. I'd pay $1,000 to get rid of this non-sense.

4) It seems there is not a day that goes by that some 3.5 Pentastar owner isn't reporting an engine implosion. Yes, they are small in number. The number should be zero.

5) My last Jeep was a 2002 Wrangler. A gas-hog, but bulletproof. Simple. The electronics on the 2024 could be used to send a ship to Mars. Impressive - until something malfunctions. It hasn't happened yet - but it will.

6) Getting in an out? Gravity will get you out. You just need to make sure it is a controlled descent. I went with the AMP Reseach Power Steps. My wallet is still bruised, but they are helpful - to a degree. Once I stand on them to get in, I am too far up to simply insert myself into the driver's seat. I'm working on the right combination. Regardless, they are cool, and we all know that is the most important thing (/sarc).

Best regards to all.

Sponsored

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Much appreciated!

I've always joked that "I musta been made from spare parts", because I have short legs and a really long back.

But when I'm ready, FOR-SURE I will do an extended test drive. I had to be super-sure before I bought my Hornet. The "kid" salesman who went with me on the test drive wasn't real sure what to think of this old sedan-racer guy.

Flyboy, those 'slam-sixes' always sounded wicked when wound up and surprised the heck out of a lot of people! My '65 had the 273 with the big Stromberg 2-barrel that meant no wait for secondaries, 4-speed, and the PO had swapped in a 3.91 Sure-Grip.

When you are the last cat assembled that day ->

 

[DirkG]

I haven't read all of the responses, but I thought I'd chime in.

I have an elderly father that I take to doctor's appointments and although we have a couple SUVs, he likes the Gladiator. That being said, he has relatively long legs (about 6'2), but he can struggle getting in the passenger seat sometimes. I just have rock rails, no step, but as mentioned in this thread, a step-in option would be a huge help.

Also, no chance can I lift my Gladiator...he would not be able to get in. I have a Jeep Beach which is basically a Willys and have 33" tires; I cannot go any higher.

The Gladiator is a great all-around vehicle and hopefully it works for you and your family

 

[hpva]

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.

Agree strongly the power steps work great for easy ingress and egress.

 

[SaiintNick]

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

In 2022, my dad passed away and before my mom died, 49 days later she insisted on me using her CRV instead of my 4 Runner. I said it would be easier to get in and out of my 4 Runner instead of using leg strength to stand up from a CRV. So I moved in with my mom to take care of her and sold my 4 Runner. 2 weeks later she passed away and I was stuck with a CRV that I sold for a Wrangler which died. Now I'm in a Gladiator. I still regret selling my 4 Runner.

 

[BCB]

Here's my two cents; I have a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon that I bought about 6 months ago with 27k miles. I didn't really want a Rubicon as I don't need lockers, ride height and all terrain tires, however it was the only Gladiator I found with some of my "must have" options (Nav, Alpine, Manual Transmission, blind spot warning). That being said, it is a bit of a climb and I have a vertically challenged wife, so I put on side steps. Glad I did, in and out is easy, they look nice and wife is happy, hence, I am happy. Also, I am 70 closing in on 71. The height of the Rubicon is nice going down the road, I can see over almost everything on the road.
Good luck with the search, I do enjoy my gladiator and I traded my Alfa Romeo Stelvio in on it.

 

[Splenda]

I went from a convertible BMW 2 series to my Gladiator, and the Gladiator is a lot easier to enter and exit than the BMW was. I am 6'2" and at stock height, the seat was still low enough that I did not have to use the step. Since lifting the truck, it has gotten more difficult, but only because I installed steps that are even with the bottoms of the doors, so they are quite unusable as steps. I definitely recommend going to a dealer and trying them out. Jeeps are strange beasts because the door openings are much smaller than those of full size trucks.

Sponsored