Thinking of trading my 2018 Raptor for a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon

[driftwoodsvt]

So, I'm thinking about trading in my 2018 Raptor (SCab) for a Gladiator Rubicon. I ordered it new and received it in August of 2017. Since then, it has been in the Ford dealer 5 different occasions under warranty for a total of 2.5 months for numerous repairs, all engine and electrical issues. I've been less than happy being stuck in a Fiesta loaner and having so many issues with such an expensive, brand new truck. Prior to my 2018 Raptor, I had a 2012 Raptor (SCab) for 5 years and it was problem free.

Last weekend my wife and I drove a JT Rubicon sitting on a dealer lot. We both liked it a lot. The fit, finish, how it looked. My biggest concern is I'm used to 450 HP, and stepping down to 285 HP just feels awkward. I know there's a small weight and size difference, but it is really very noticeable.

I haven't had a lot of experience with Jeeps, other than a Jeep SRT8 (2008) that I owned for 4 years prior to my 2012 Raptor. However, that SRT8 Jeep was pretty bullet proof and never in the shop for anything other than routine maintenance, all the way until I traded it with 98k miles on it.

My only other concern is I often haul our Honda Rancher ATV in the bed of my Raptor, and I'm guessing I'd need to get a trailer going forward with the Gladiator.

If I do make the change, I'd want 35s or 37s for sure, as I have Toyo 35s MTs now on the Raptor and love how they handle. And maybe an ADD front bumper.

Just FYI, my Raptor dealer offered me invoice on a 2020 allocation for all the trouble I've had. So I'm hoping I could get close to invoice on a 2020 Gladiator allocation as well.

Thanks.

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[spazzyfry123]

You can get Gladiators below invoice. I got mine somewhere between 6% and 7% below (I'd have to go back and look at the deal) on my factory ordered spec Rubicon.

Also, not sure about the dimensions of your ATV, but the Gladiator payload is upwards of 1600 pounds depending on trim. That'd be a hell of a four wheeler to not make that work for you.

 

[driftwoodsvt]

You can get Gladiators below invoice. I got mine somewhere between 6% and 7% below (I'd have to go back and look at the deal) on my factory ordered spec Rubicon.

Also, not sure about the dimensions of your ATV, but the Gladiator payload is upwards of 1600 pounds depending on trim. That'd be a hell of a four wheeler to not make that work for you.

The weight of the Honda Rancher shouldn't be an issue, but the length and width are my concerns. It fits in the Raptor bed but I have to use the bed extender to make it work.

Good to know about the invoice pricing. I've reached out to a local dealer with my build sheet to see what they come back with.

 

[spazzyfry123]

The weight of the Honda Rancher shouldn't be an issue, but the length and width are my concerns. It fits in the Raptor bed but I have to use the bed extender to make it work.

Good to know about the invoice pricing. I've reached out to a local dealer with my build sheet to see what they come back with.

This should help:

Bed Length (tailgate closed): 60.3 inches
Bed Length (tailgate open): 81.3 inches
Opening Width At Tailgate: 50 inches
Width Between Wheel Wells: 44.8 inches
Bed Depth (Floor To Top Of Rail): 17.4 inches
Box Width (inside of bed rails): 55.2 inches
Box Width (outside of bed rails): 60.8 inches

A good read: https://www.4wheelparts.com/the-dirt/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-jeep-gladiators-bed/

 

[tbaker]

I traded in my 2019 F250 6.7 with only 5500 miles on it and never looked back it’s nice to take the top off the gladiator rubicon and hit the road and I would never haul an atv in the bed of a truck I have saw to many bust the back glass out when the atv hits it and I never got waved at in that F 250 now I get people waving all the time and the wife says who was that and I tell her it’s the Jeep

 

[Sorbs]

Just installed 37’s and daily drive at 6,500’ above sea level. It’s not 450HP but there’s still power to spare when needed.

One thing about driving a JL/JT is you’re never really in a hurry. I’ve one of each and find myself, more often than not, enjoying the ride more than trying to pass everyone in my way. Once off-road the game changes quite a bit. When in 4-lo you disconnect the sway bar up front and admire how relaxed the drive is while the suspension does the work. Again, not a desert runner like your Raptor, but built for other terrain that requires different capabilities.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[spazzyfry123]

Alternatively you could look at a system like Decked makes to have the full width of the bed and a weight rating that exceeds that of the Gladiator.

https://decked.com/products/decked-jeep-gladiator

 

[driftwoodsvt]

Just installed 37’s and daily drive at 6,500’ above sea level. It’s not 450HP but there’s still power to spare when needed.

Out of curiosity, do you know what your roof height is with 37s? My parking ramp at work is 6'10" and my Raptor barely clears it. That would be super helpful to know. Thanks!

 

[Sorbs]

Out of curiosity, do you know what your roof height is with 37s? My parking ramp at work is 6'10" and my Raptor barely clears it. That would be super helpful to know. Thanks!

I’ll need to measure. It has a Mopar 2” lift plus the increase height with the tires. Fits my garage with no issues but I guess I should measure so I can know if it still will go through the drive-thru carwash!

I’ll post up when I get the tape measure!

 

[spazzyfry123]

Out of curiosity, do you know what your roof height is with 37s? My parking ramp at work is 6'10" and my Raptor barely clears it. That would be super helpful to know. Thanks!

You'd be cutting it close if you lifted the truck with 37s! I think the rated height for a Rubicon is 76" with the OEM 33" tires (well, 285/70s, but close enough). Going 4" up in tire size will get you to ~78". Then most people are tossing on a 2" lift with that tire size, so now you're at 80", or 6'8". That's going off of nominal numbers with a 2" lift probably actually resulting in more lift.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Add 5.5” to the factory specs in that article for 37s on a mopar lift

 

[WXman]

So, I'm thinking about trading in my 2018 Raptor (SCab) for a Gladiator Rubicon. I ordered it new and received it in August of 2017. Since then, it has been in the Ford dealer 5 different occasions under warranty for a total of 2.5 months for numerous repairs, all engine and electrical issues. I've been less than happy being stuck in a Fiesta loaner and having so many issues with such an expensive, brand new truck. Prior to my 2018 Raptor, I had a 2012 Raptor (SCab) for 5 years and it was problem free.

Last weekend my wife and I drove a JT Rubicon sitting on a dealer lot. We both liked it a lot. The fit, finish, how it looked. My biggest concern is I'm used to 450 HP, and stepping down to 285 HP just feels awkward. I know there's a small weight and size difference, but it is really very noticeable.

I haven't had a lot of experience with Jeeps, other than a Jeep SRT8 (2008) that I owned for 4 years prior to my 2012 Raptor. However, that SRT8 Jeep was pretty bullet proof and never in the shop for anything other than routine maintenance, all the way until I traded it with 98k miles on it.

My only other concern is I often haul our Honda Rancher ATV in the bed of my Raptor, and I'm guessing I'd need to get a trailer going forward with the Gladiator.

If I do make the change, I'd want 35s or 37s for sure, as I have Toyo 35s MTs now on the Raptor and love how they handle. And maybe an ADD front bumper.

Just FYI, my Raptor dealer offered me invoice on a 2020 allocation for all the trouble I've had. So I'm hoping I could get close to invoice on a 2020 Gladiator allocation as well.

Thanks.

The ATV will fit in the back of a Gladiator. We've already seen pictures of that on this forum. As far as losing the horse power… I wouldn't touch a EcoBust engine with a 10' pole so wouldn't be an issue to me. My Gladiator does 7 second 0 to 60 runs all day every day which is plenty quick enough for a pick up truck.

 

[hawk14414]

Ford bought back my 2017 F150 for consistent timing chain noise issues that they could not fix.....paid me MSRP for it after I put 55k miles on it (long commute). I moved into a 2018 Raptor, which had no issues. Great power, but I just did not feel the love for it. I sold it, and used the proceeds on my 6 speed JT. Yes, its down on power compared to the Raptor....but I find it to be much more fun, particularly with the manual. Hold it in gear and let the revs come up - engine sounds great (magnaflow rock crawler exhaust) and it moves along nicely. I could not be happier with the switch, looking forward to summer with the top off......try that in a Raptor!

 

[Factoid]

My Rubicon is at 77” with the 2” Mopar lift and 37” Nittos.

As for the deal, my sticker was $56k and I paid $52k. Probably could have done a bit better.

There is another thread talking about the two and the synthesized answer seems to be they are two different trucks for two different needs.

I say go for it!

 

[shrinkhead]

I went from 2018 Raptor to Gladiator and the gladiator is so much more practical while IMHO also being more fun to drive. You are not floating like in the raptor but it's relaxed and quick. I also like a lot that I can fill the gladiator tank for 40 bucks instead of 100 for the raptor. It's definitely more cozy inside the cabin but that's a plus with the wind noise ha ha. Also I find the finish in my LE superior to the raptor with carbon package. And the rear and front camera are usable as the resolution and field of view is much better.

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