Overland or Rubicon

[NC_Overland]

I live at 8,600 in CO and tow 3500 over 12k foot mountain passes. It doesn’t win races on the way up, but I can’t get it up to the mid point on temps. Not even close. 3.6 gas btw.

I had a Canyon before I got my Gladiator. You ever watch any TFL trucks videos? If you aren’t familiar, they have the gauntlet test where they have trucks pull a trailer close to their tow rating up and down from the Eisenhower tunnel. They tested the Colorado/Canyon 3.6l n/a gas engine vs the Duramax diesel. I was shocked. The n/a 3.6l smoked the turbo diesel. It won by several minutes.

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[WILDHOBO]

I had a Canyon before I got my Gladiator. You ever watch any TFL trucks videos? If you aren’t familiar, they have the gauntlet test where they have trucks pull a trailer close to their tow rating up and down from the Eisenhower tunnel. They tested the Colorado/Canyon 3.6l n/a gas engine vs the Duramax diesel. I was shocked. The n/a 3.6l smoked the turbo diesel. It won by several minutes.

I wasn’t familiar, but that’s really cool. I live 15 mins from the tunnel.

 

[NC_Overland]

I wasn’t familiar, but that’s really cool. I live 15 mins from the tunnel.

That’s really cool also. I’m jealous.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That’s really cool also. I’m jealous.

If I’m towing, maybe 22 mins.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That’s really cool also. I’m jealous.

It’d be cool to drive the beach near you.

 

[NC_Overland]

If I’m towing, maybe 22 mins.

You get why I mentioned that right? At high altitude, the fact that a n/a gas engine could do that is impressive. You’d think the torque and turbo would have been a huge advantage. The diesel CO has a six speed auto and the 3.6l gas has an eight speed. They said it’s the eight speed that made the difference. The CO diesel is weaker than the Gladiator diesel, but I think the point is made. The eight speed is what makes our 3.6ls perform so well.

 

[NC_Overland]

It’d be cool to drive the beach near you.

Unfortunately, it’s a 2.5 hr drive, but it’s a very doable day trip. It’s a total escape from the real world stresses. Especially, with the top off.

 

[WILDHOBO]

You get why I mentioned that right? At high altitude, the fact that a n/a gas engine could do that is impressive. You’d think the torque and turbo would have been a huge advantage. The diesel CO has a six speed auto and the 3.6l gas has an eight speed. They said it’s the eight speed that made the difference. The CO diesel is weaker than the Gladiator diesel, but I think the point is made. The eight speed is what makes our 3.6ls perform so well.

I did, and agreed. The 3.6 is a fine engine, but the tranny gives it hope to be better. I’ll do a lot before warranty is out, but nothing that risks the engine. Someday maybe a supercharger though. For the OP though, don’t get the wrong impression. It does amazing as a stock rubicon. Right up the 7% grades at 75mph easily. It’s a wee more sluggish with 37’s and the lift. The 5.13 gears mostly fixed it though. I think it feels mostly stock on flats, but is noticeable on passes at altitude.

 

[JET_83]

I’d recommend driving both if ride quality is a concern. The Rubicon rides like I’d expect an off-road oriented vehicle to drive. I also drove a Sport S. That was cushy by comparison.

As OP is talking about 35’s vs. 37’s, I have to assume that ride quality isn’t that big of a concern though.




Drive it. You’ll either love it or hate it. It’s everything that I expected it to be.

lol, touché

 

[JET_83]

That’s subjective IMO. I hated the old man caddy floaty ride and bought a rubicon take off suspension to get rid of it more than the 1” of lift. With the long wheelbase and front and rear coils it still rides well. It’s just less floaty. That ride was cool on my ‘65 Coupe DeVille convertible, but I hated it on my Gladiator.

Cadillacs are smooth plush rides though, so that means ride quality is better

 

[JET_83]

You'll get it then. The ride is going to be harsh for someone that’s used to a cushy vehicle. Not bad, it just rides like I’d expect a Jeep to ride.

Look around. I had to go almost two hours to get mine.

If he came from lifted ones the ride quality might not be anymore harsh than what he’s used to

 

[JET_83]

How so? Ride quality is important.

Overland is going to ride the best of the trims because it doesn’t have the lift like the others and has the all season tires, and by others I mean Rubicon and Mojave.

 

[JET_83]

Unfortunately, not. It happens to non towing diesel gladiators as well. However, it happens more at high altitude and gladiators with bigger tires. Unfortunately, it’s a flawed design and I don’t see them fixing it. The grill opening is too small and it doesn’t get enough airflow. It’s not an issue in the Ram 1500s with the same engine. The Ram also has additional radiators that won’t fit in the gladiator.

apparently, they’d have to get it re certified if they changed the grill size opening and it costs millions of dollars to do that so I don’t see it happening.

If you have the tow package you get larger holes in the grille for towing specifically

 

[JET_83]

So looking to order my first Jeep, I’ve narrowed it down to loaded Overland or loaded Rubicon. Both with the diesel. There is a 4K price difference with the Rubi being more expensive, is it worth it? I also understand the biggest factor in this is how I’m going to use the truck. 80% highway 20% off-road. Would like to get into over landing, I’m a hunter and ride snowmobiles. I’d like to run 37’s down the rode, but could settle for 35’s. I don’t tow anything heavy anymore. I’ve lurked through this forum quite a bit, but I’m a newb. Any thoughts?

I feel like you should just go Overland, feel like this better suits your needs.

 

[JET_83]

Don’t get me wrong, the overland owners above have beautiful Jeeps. But I believe that’s one of the problems if you intend to use these off road a fair amount. I think 20% is quite a lot of off road use. Most probably do 5%. The overland has the attractive 18”wheels, but 18” wheels aren’t ideal for off roading with less sidewall. I retract this statement if we’re taking about 40’s, but I don’t think we are. I too like stock wheels, but bigger tires on stock 17” wheels are more functional off-road. I think if you’re mostly driving in the city and/or on the beach, or forest/gravel roads, the overland is great. But I think it’s more expensive to upgrade than a rubicon is, as the rubi has much more to start. Here’s mine with stock wheels and 37’s.

depending on what kind of off roading, traditional off roading an overland with stock tires is more than capable

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