Ordering Wrangler vs Gladiator?

[Rahkmalla]

Agreed. I think the 4 door Wrangler looks more proportional stock. Whenever I see a JT on 35’s, my first thought is “that’s how it should have come from the factory.”

I think the JT on 35’s looks perfect. 33’s looks fine, but given the land-yacht proportions of the JT (compared to the Wrangler) the 33’s don’t “look” like 33’s unless you’re pretty much standing right next to it. Whenever my 33’s wear down, I may go with 35’s for superior mall crawler looks.

Oh there is no doubt. Whenever I see a gladiator that reminds me why i used to think these things were all ugly it's always an issue with proportion. The gladiator just swallows wheels. 37s don't even look that big. You just know they wouldn't sell the Gladiator on 35s without a special Xtreme package or 37s ever because the Wrangler Rubicon is their King of the Hill and they never want anything to even appear remotely more capable.

But, it deserves bigger tires

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[Jeeperjamie]

I was going to buy a Rubicon JLU then I saw my JT I currently own. It's got the Max Town package with 4.10 gears and wide axles. I'm on 37's and average over 17 MPG's. You definitely can drive it and it does great. The JLU will not get the same gas mileage as the JT for some reason from what I hear from buddies who own one, plus you can't tow 7,000lbs with a JLU.

After driving the JT and the JLU Rubicon i was sold on the JT, and my JT is a base sport Max Tow. I sold my JKU and bought the JT. My initial plan was to buy a JLU Rubicon and then a Ram because I needed and truck and didn't really like the JT's at first sight. Once I test drove the JT I was sold and the icing on the cake was when When I put larger tires and the lift on. I'll admit they look a little odd unless you put larger tires on but I also think stock wranglers look odd.

Sold this

Bought this

That now looks like this

It definitely takes the sting away from getting rid of the JKU and I got a Jeep and a Truck all in one, win win. If you don't need a truck buy the Wrangler, but I'll tell you this, I've used the truck bed a whole lot more than I thought I would, it's definitely handy

 

[Orange01z28]

I keep thinking I want to move to a Wrangler on the next go around until I pack my JT up for a trip....

 

[Glad-To-Be-Here-iator]

I keep thinking I want to move to a Wrangler on the next go around until I pack my JT up for a trip....

Good reasoning

 

[Snake Eyes]

We compared both. In the end we decided we wanted a truck that could tow over 7K and that when we reached our location with the trailer we could disconnect and go offroad in a great 4x4. In addition we could take our trailer a little more off the beaten path The JT won for this. Otherwise we would have gotten the Wrangler. If you want a truck that can tow, you get the JT, otherwise get the Wrangler.

 

[Rahkmalla]

We compared both. In the end we decided we wanted a truck that could tow over 7K and that when we reached our location with the trailer we could disconnect and go offroad in a great 4x4. In addition we could take our trailer a little more off the beaten path The JT won for this. Otherwise we would have gotten the Wrangler. If you want a truck that can tow, you get the JT, otherwise get the Wrangler.

Meh, I don't want to tow at all. I just want to throw an airbedz inside a bed tent in the middle of nowhere and have a relaxing nap.

There's a million reasons to get a JT beyond hauling plywood or deer carcasses, or towing heavy things.

 

[NachoRuby]

I definitely didn't buy it to tow. Mine's manual, and tops out at 4500 lbs, even if I wanted to. I bought it because I wanted a wrangler, but with a bed. The heaviest load I have to tow could be handled by our wrangler JKU or even our old compass or TJ. It's a sub-2000 lbs. VW. I just wanted the bed for hauling and moving junk, and the price was near the same as a Wrangler, and there were no Broncos readily available to look at. I looked at a Tacoma, but I liked the Gladiator better.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I definitely didn't buy it to tow. Mine's manual, and tops out at 4500 lbs, even if I wanted to. I bought it because I wanted a wrangler, but with a bed. The heaviest load I have to tow could be handled by our wrangler JKU or even our old compass or TJ. It's a sub-2000 lbs. VW. I just wanted the bed for hauling and moving junk, and the price was near the same as a Wrangler, and there were no Broncos readily available to look at. I looked at a Tacoma, but I liked the Gladiator better.

Exactly, you can't do this in a Wrangler. When your running a full time cleaning business, throwing the trash in the bed or even on the tailgate is a win win.

 

[Lush]

I agree with everyone here that 35s are probably the way to go, but I am terrified of ruining how it drives, as right now it feels so surprisingly zippy compared to my old 2018 nissan titan pro4x, and that thing had a v8. I also worry about fuel economy, since we were already not super thrilled about the 15.5ish mpg the titan was getting, I fear what sort of reaction I would get if this thing was even worse...

If regearing wasn't so painfully expensive this wouldn't be a problem, but since it is I am leaning toward going with 33s instead.

 

[atxatxatx]

I had a JK Wrangler before, was a very useful vehicle for my needs. However I traded it in for my Mojave JT - loved the trim level, factory suspension, and truck bed. Handled a lot nicer on the street.

considerations, I don't regret buying it - but a wrangler does have its advantages - its much more compact, easier to park, and has storage space behind the rear seats - why do I mention this ? do you have a dog ? We have a Bernese mountain dog, was easy to have the dog in the back of the wrangler with passengers in the rear seat. On the JT you just have the rear seats, ok with a smaller dog - but with a larger dog then you are looking at seat deletes etc.
also on a road trip, I like to carry a lot of photography gear, it's to me more secure on the back of a wrangler than under a tonneau cover.

now switching back to the Gladiator, I do use the truck bed frequently - from putting in fence posts, mulch etc to multiple Home Depot trips. I don't tow much but for sure the gladiator is a lot better than the wrangler. I'm also about to enter the world of overlanding and I already have a Yakima overhaul rack system on it, so it's easy to add a tent to it.

so anyway there is no bad choice between a wrangler and a gladiator, just gotta figure out what your use of the vehicle is. Adding ride height and 35's is easy

 

[dcmdon]

One benefit of a Gladiator with a topper is that it can haul your toys in an enclosed locked space.

I can fit bikes, skis, dogs in my Gladiator in an enclosed, locked space. I think that's awesome.

 

[Ja87sm]

I leased a jlu last year… I traded it off after summer.

This year, I bought (not leased) a JT and haven’t looked back.

 

[Edub]

I’ve already decided I’m going to buy a rubicon. I just can’t decide between the JT or the JL. I love the look of the JT and it’s capabilities (mainly the bed) heard it is similar off-roading to the wrangler, but it doesn’t come with the extreme recon package and that is a bummer to me. Does anyone know why that is? I can’t pick one or the other cause I really want that package.

Having come from a Wrangler to a Gladiator, Ill say this. I really miss the interior space.

Having a bed is great, but you take for granted the easy to access, no need to stow, convenience of just having room behind the seats.

I love my Gladiator. I love what having a bed lets me do, I couldn't see myself going back to a Wrangler. But I do have to ask myself how much of that is pride not allowing me to admit I am wrong lol.

The only other advice I can give (like others have mentioned). I never go for packages. I learned long ago, you get the sport, and you build it the way you want. Nothing on the higher end models can't be bolted on afterwards and that's how you make it yours (maybe the Mojave is the exception?).

 

[Rahkmalla]

you get the sport, and you build it the way you want. Nothing on the higher end models can't be bolted on afterwards

Strong disagree here. 43 for a sport s popular equipment package. 48 for an overland popular equipment package with rebate. 53 for a hardtop rubi or mojave. That 5 or 10k difference (4.3 or 8.5 after markups taken out and discount applied) is a LOT of stuff for not a lot of money.

 

[Edub]

Strong disagree here. 43 for a sport s popular equipment package. 48 for an overland popular equipment package with rebate. 53 for a hardtop rubi or mojave. That 5 or 10k difference (4.3 or 8.5 after markups taken out and discount applied) is a LOT of stuff for not a lot of money.

IS it though? I suppose if you don't plan to modify anything, it could be true. But a lot of us replace the wheels, tires, gears, bumpers, lights, etc. locking diffs and electronic sway bars may be the only exception but even those can be improved upon. I suppose if you're ok having a rig that looks like it came from a cookie cutter, it can work. but realistically, how many of us on this forum do that?

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