Ordering Sport S with Max Tow

[IamPro2A]

All depends on what is important to a person.

I flat out was not buying a Gladiator that did not have 4.10 gears. I wanted every bit of leverage over the tires that I could get, even though I only planned to run 33s. I did not want a Rubi because you pay a significant payload reduction for that (and I did not need front and rear lockers and a super duper low range t-case).

Axle width does gain some clearance when turning tires / flexing. Regular Sports often run into clearance issues to the fender liners that the additional 3/4" solves (again - on a stock truck, and I planned to leave mine mostly stock - and three years later it still is).

AGM batteries are far and away better than regular liquid acid batteries. They last longer and take discharge abuse better. I am pretty sure the Max Tow was a step to an AGM along with higher CCA - but I don't remember for sure. But I know mine is a factory AGM. Not sure if regular Sports have that as well.

To your point, I could not even find a Max Tow that was the way I wanted it because, well, it's an obscure package. There was one in the state, and it was that awful grey color.

But I cared. I researched Gladiators relentlessly and then custom ordered mine

So. It's a package made for crazy folks like me I reckon. I'm fine with that.

Pretty much my story as well. That's why I had to special order my 2021 max tow.

After 100,000 miles on that, I came to a few conclusions. I hated the small tires on the max tow, and once I upgraded to the same tires as the Rubicon, my towing capacity was also reduced to the towing capacity of the Rubicon, and that was ok. Because 7,000lbs is still more than I would really want to tow any distance, and that is the GVWR of my largest trailer, so 7k capacity is still legal.

Same with payload capacity. Even 500lbs in the back of the max tow is noticeable. I probably don't want 1500lbs back there. The Rubicon is 1200lbs, that's still 1/2 ton and a driver. I'm good with that.

The final straw was because of the way the option packages are currently laid out now, I would have to order both the regular tow package ($1000) AND the max tow ($2000) to get max tow, trailer zoom camera, and aux switches. When I finished my new special order max tow Sport S with everything I wanted, I was thousands $$$ more than the Rubicon with more options that was already built and ready to buy.

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[IamPro2A]

What isn't showing up on Jeeps website?

You can build a '26 Sport S with Max Tow all day long on the Jeep website.

But as others mentioned, there are temporary constraints all the time. Sometimes its a color is only available at a certain time, or it may be a supplier shortage on a part so they are not running an option at a certain time, etc.

You can also build a V6 Sport S Wrangler painted Purple Reign on the Jeep website. Your dealer can even build it in the order guide. Problem is they can't put that order thru. Not available. Only way to get a Sport S Wrangler in purple reign is if you order the 4cyl turbo instead. The only way to get a V6 Wrangler in purple reign is to also get the Rubicon.

 

[ChrisNLA]

You can also build a V6 Sport S Wrangler painted Purple Reign on the Jeep website. Your dealer can even build it in the order guide. Problem is they can't put that order thru. Not available. Only way to get a Sport S Wrangler in purple reign is if you order the 4cyl turbo instead. The only way to get a V6 Wrangler in purple reign is to also get the Rubicon.

Yea, Jeep seems to have no idea what they are doing with a configurator tool anymore. Or configurations in general.

In '22 this wasn't an issue. I built my truck online, went straight to the dealer with the webpage printed out, and they built it, lol.

The Purple Reign color is also a limited specialty. Perhaps that has something to do with it.

All irrelevant for me I guess. I'm likely driving the last new Jeep I'm ever buying. Not a dig at Jeep, it will just be time for me to move on to other vehicles if/when this goes.

 

[IamPro2A]

Yea, Jeep seems to have no idea what they are doing with a configurator tool anymore. Or configurations in general.

In '22 this wasn't an issue. I built my truck online, went straight to the dealer with the webpage printed out, and they built it, lol.

I didn't even set foot in the dealer at all in 2016. I built it, ordered it, and they delivered it.
In 2021 I did all the ordering remote, and just did the paperwork when I picked it up.
In 2025, we discussed my special order, settled on one already built located in another state, and did ALL the paperwork online. When I picked it up, it was literally warmed up and ready to go. Salesman gave me a stack of papers, my keys, and a handshake. Took me longer to pair my phone before headed home again.

 

[PBCounty]

Well, 4.10 ratio upgrade was nicer on JL because those had 3.45 standard. But on JT 3.73 was standard, so upgrading to 4.10 was only giving a guy 150 RPM on the tachometer, which is indetectable.

The slightly higher capacity battery, fan, and alternator are things that 99.99% of people will never even notice.

The wider axles were what, ¾” wider? Three quarters of one inch isn’t nothing, but it’s not that big of a deal either.

I guess the biggest part of the Max Tow package was the payload rating being a little higher. That mattered a lot for guys who were trying to stay within the book published numbers when they were towing their campers.

But overall, I just felt the package had minor upgrades for the cost, which I recall being $1k.

1.5" wider. Still not a lot, but not 3/4".

 

[bluemoon110]

Why doesn't JT get the full floating rear axle that JL Rubicon has?

Anyhow, back in 2020 I remember doing some videos on my Max Tow JT compared to a non-Max Tow JT and the differences were actually very few and minor.

Actually, quite a bit of difference. So much so that when I ordered my Sport S in 2022, I went back to the dealer the next day and tried to add the MaxTow package to the order. They said "No can do. The orders are entered on the day they are received." So they said, "Place another order with the MaxTow, and when they come in, you can have the one you want." I did and have never regretted buying the MaxTow JT.

 

[JmattNYC]

Why doesn't JT get the full floating rear axle that JL Rubicon has?

Anyhow, back in 2020 I remember doing some videos on my Max Tow JT compared to a non-Max Tow JT and the differences were actually very few and minor.

Glad your back doing jeep stuff again. I missed your old videos when you had the red max tow and that hydroblue diesel!! Anyhow with your experience now with the mojito rubicon what do you think the full float axels can do to increase capabilities on Gladitor? ive ask Micheal from "Jeeps on the run" the same question the other he believes it can be great on gladiator.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Glad your back doing jeep stuff again. I missed your old videos when you had the red max tow and that hydroblue diesel!! Anyhow with your experience now with the mojito rubicon what do you think the full float axels can do to increase capabilities on Gladitor? ive ask Micheal from "Jeeps on the run" the same question the other he believes it can be great on gladiator.

I don't see where a full float axle would amount to anything unless you are severely loaded all of the time and want better bearing support. You don't get any of the true 'full float' benefits like being able to change out the axle shaft with the tire and wheel still on. I guess it will still retain the tire and wheel if you break an axle shaft. I suppose more people than I realize are tearing up axle shafts every weekend

Half ton trucks these days don't even have full float axles and are rated for much higher payload and towing capacities. I think the TRX, RHO and perhaps the Raptor may be the only ones with such an axle...

The only reasonable story I can find is that the JLU received a full float axle to further stabilize the rear end to help increase towing capacity. The JLU had some stability limits due to chassis, suspension, etc.

The whole back half of the Gladiator (suspension, frame, etc) was engineered to haul and tow more weight from the get go - and so Jeep did not need to do anything further with the axle to get the test results.

Or could be a bunch of BS. It's the internet after all.

But I just do suburban dad truck stuff with mine and only occasionally go 'offroad' so take my opinion for what its worth.

 

[4-Low]

Glad your back doing jeep stuff again. I missed your old videos when you had the red max tow and that hydroblue diesel!! Anyhow with your experience now with the mojito rubicon what do you think the full float axels can do to increase capabilities on Gladitor? ive ask Micheal from "Jeeps on the run" the same question the other he believes it can be great on gladiator.

Thanks! That Hydro Blue diesel JT is still going down in southern Kentucky. Last I heard it was coming up on 90,000 miles. The second owners had an underhood fire and it sat at the dealership for 3 months. They decided to ditch it. So I guess it eventually got fixed and now another owner is racking up miles on it!

As far as the full floating axles go, I feel like Jeep did this on JL because they realized that a lot of people put 37" and larger tires on them. I believe the 43% increase in towing capacity was something they marketed, but the axles didn't really provide that because obviously JT has much higher tow rating without it. Still, who's going to complain about a stronger axle, right?

I'm waiting to see if the 5.7L goes into the Gladiator next fall like the rumors suggest. If so, I'll have my order in as soon as I can.

 

[Zachanadandy]

(again - on a stock truck, and I planned to leave mine mostly stock - and three years later it still is).

I was planning to keep my 2023 mojave mostly stock too... and it was lifted and on 37s by 1,100 miles. Couldn't pass on 4 brand new 37s for $412 delivered to the house, but I'm so glad I did. The thing still drags the belly often on rocky trails. I couldn't imagine wheeling at stock height with this long of a wheelbase and rear overhang.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I was planning to keep my 2023 mojave mostly stock too... and it was lifted and on 37s by 1,100 miles. Couldn't pass on 4 brand new 37s for $412 delivered to the house, but I'm so glad I did. The thing still drags the belly often on rocky trails. I couldn't imagine wheeling at stock height with this long of a wheelbase and rear overhang.

35,000 miles, still sitting on 33s.

It will never have another inch of lift or tire as long as I own it.

Nowhere in Louisiana to use anything more and I dont have the interest like I used to to drive across the country to find a good place to wheel

Or to spend thousands of dollars on upgrades to go do it once a year.

 

[Zachanadandy]

35,000 miles, still sitting on 33s.

It will never have another inch of lift or tire as long as I own it.

Nowhere in Louisiana to use anything more and I dont have the interest like I used to to drive across the country to find a good place to wheel

Or to spend thousands of dollars on upgrades to go do it once a year.

I don't know that I'd trust the stock height and 33s on the road to our property during monsoon season. Of course if I didn't wheel it I'd still be in a ram rebel as it was a much better road trip/ street truck.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I don't know that I'd trust the stock height and 33s on the road to our property during monsoon season. Of course if I didn't wheel it I'd still be in a ram rebel as it was a much better road trip/ street truck.

33s is all I know. I wheeled my JK on 33s through most of Moabs badge trails, and seven or eight others around the country.

That was a 2 door tho...

 

[Zachanadandy]

33s is all I know. I wheeled my JK on 33s through most of Moabs badge trails, and seven or eight others around the country.

That was a 2 door tho...

The wheelbase makes a huge difference. 35s on the rubicon in a TJ were great. 35s on a JT would be drag city. Even on 3.5" of lift and 37s I drag the belly and rear bumper on anything more than a 5 rated trail. Of course if we are running 7+ tails we take the wife's JLUR on 39s as it is the much better rock rig. Doesn't hang with the mojave at freeway plus speeds in the desert though.

 

[ChrisNLA]

The wheelbase makes a huge difference. 35s on the rubicon in a TJ were great. 35s on a JT would be drag city. Even on 3.5" of lift and 37s I drag the belly and rear bumper on anything more than a 5 rated trail. Of course if we are running 7+ tails we take the wife's JLUR on 39s as it is the much better rock rig. Doesn't hang with the mojave at freeway plus speeds in the desert though.

Buddy of mine wheels his JT on 35s with a 2.5" lift. He's done the Rubicon and a lot of other trails in Cali and Utah with it.

He has gotten his money worth out of his Metal Cloak skids

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