Sport S vs Rubicon

[ChrisNLA]

Comes down to what one values more, a lifestyle vehicle or doing truck things? I would never recommend a Gladiator to anybody that leans heavily into doing truck things or values ride comfort.

Had a new 2024 Ranger 6G as my daily for about 6 months. Drove and rode create with smooth pulling power the 2.3L Ecoboost it had. Just was soulless after a while.

It was certainly a hard choice for me, I do so many things

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[Gvsukids]

I think mid size trucks are a compromise that's only worth making if you wheel it personally. It's not like a Colorado or ranger fit in parking spaces that a 1500 doesn't. It's like they are shrunken down just enough to make no real difference in road use aside from less comfort and less payload and towing.

My wife won't drive the full size, but she'll drive the Gladiator.

 

[Zachanadandy]

My wife won't drive the full size, but she'll drive the Gladiator.

Sorry your wife can't handle a full size

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't get why people can't allow for different preferences or needs.
The JT handles perfectly fine on what I'll call "evasive driving" on the interstate and other highways. I was under orders from my wife to go FASTER, go around things, and drive like I'd not normally do and never felt like the JT was in any way letting me down - it was windy - 50+ mph winds, rain kicked in and I was zipping through traffic, around trucks and cars with no issue.
Could a sports car have done better, of course, but the JT wasn't wanting.
But some insist "a full size ram would do better" - really? When the JT did everything I asked of it? I didn't need any better than what I had.

Don't need or WANT the bulk of a fat full sized truck.
I do truck things all the time with mine - I haul, tow and plow snow - and with the plow out front, I can turn around in our driveway.
I couldn't use my Chevy to pull down the neighbors driveway and turn my trailer around. I had to unhook to get things turned around and parked.
I may not put the receiver back on the JT because frankly, it WILL allow me to pull down the driveway and turn my trailer around.

For what I do, a bigger truck would not really be better, just more cumbersome, awkward. It wouldn't fit into the spaces I want to get into, it wouldn't turn around in the spaces I need to turn around in. It would take more garage space - and for what gain? Nothing - no gain for me.

Just accept it that your opinions on these are your own, your Jeeps get heavily modified pretty quickly so maybe some have forgotten just how good a stock JT can handle.

It tows everything I need to tow. It has hauled everything I've put into it. It gets BETTER MPG than my Chevy did while towing (12-13 mpg with the Chevy, 13.9 with the JT)

Many of us are more than happy with the comfort and handling of a JT, and what they will do.
Try to accept that.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My wife won't drive the full size, but she'll drive the Gladiator.

The Ram loaner was too big and bulky, my wife agreed it was way overkill for us.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I don't get why people can't allow for different preferences or needs.
The JT handles perfectly fine on what I'll call "evasive driving" on the interstate and other highways. I was under orders from my wife to go FASTER, go around things, and drive like I'd not normally do and never felt like the JT was in any way letting me down - it was windy - 50+ mph winds, rain kicked in and I was zipping through traffic, around trucks and cars with no issue.
Could a sports car have done better, of course, but the JT wasn't wanting.
But some insist "a full size ram would do better" - really? When the JT did everything I asked of it? I didn't need any better than what I had.

Don't need or WANT the bulk of a fat full sized truck.
I do truck things all the time with mine - I haul, tow and plow snow - and with the plow out front, I can turn around in our driveway.
I couldn't use my Chevy to pull down the neighbors driveway and turn my trailer around. I had to unhook to get things turned around and parked.
I may not put the receiver back on the JT because frankly, it WILL allow me to pull down the driveway and turn my trailer around.

For what I do, a bigger truck would not really be better, just more cumbersome, awkward. It wouldn't fit into the spaces I want to get into, it wouldn't turn around in the spaces I need to turn around in. It would take more garage space - and for what gain? Nothing - no gain for me.

Just accept it that your opinions on these are your own, your Jeeps get heavily modified pretty quickly so maybe some have forgotten just how good a stock JT can handle.

It tows everything I need to tow. It has hauled everything I've put into it. It gets BETTER MPG than my Chevy did while towing (12-13 mpg with the Chevy, 13.9 with the JT)

Many of us are more than happy with the comfort and handling of a JT, and what they will do.
Try to accept that.

You're gonna transition to fullsizes and you're gonna like it, Bill.

Same with those Apex disconnects.



I think my JT drives really well save for some little solid axle nuances. I think I'm going to experiment with shocks though. I believe the 5100s are getting to be too stiff.

My back is against the wall as far as space goes. She's great otherwise...

 

[Zachanadandy]

I don't get why people can't allow for different preferences or needs.
The JT handles perfectly fine on what I'll call "evasive driving" on the interstate and other highways. I was under orders from my wife to go FASTER, go around things, and drive like I'd not normally do and never felt like the JT was in any way letting me down - it was windy - 50+ mph winds, rain kicked in and I was zipping through traffic, around trucks and cars with no issue.
Could a sports car have done better, of course, but the JT wasn't wanting.
But some insist "a full size ram would do better" - really? When the JT did everything I asked of it? I didn't need any better than what I had.

Don't need or WANT the bulk of a fat full sized truck.
I do truck things all the time with mine - I haul, tow and plow snow - and with the plow out front, I can turn around in our driveway.
I couldn't use my Chevy to pull down the neighbors driveway and turn my trailer around. I had to unhook to get things turned around and parked.
I may not put the receiver back on the JT because frankly, it WILL allow me to pull down the driveway and turn my trailer around.

For what I do, a bigger truck would not really be better, just more cumbersome, awkward. It wouldn't fit into the spaces I want to get into, it wouldn't turn around in the spaces I need to turn around in. It would take more garage space - and for what gain? Nothing - no gain for me.

Just accept it that your opinions on these are your own, your Jeeps get heavily modified pretty quickly so maybe some have forgotten just how good a stock JT can handle.

It tows everything I need to tow. It has hauled everything I've put into it. It gets BETTER MPG than my Chevy did while towing (12-13 mpg with the Chevy, 13.9 with the JT)

Many of us are more than happy with the comfort and handling of a JT, and what they will do.
Try to accept that.

Again I'm not trying to talk anyone out of a JT, and even lifted it handles beyond where most will ever push it. That's why I pointed out, if I had to race the 2 trucks through the mountains the ram would win. More power, barely more weight, and better handling at the limit. For me it wouldn't even be a choice if road use was it. I don't have space constraints. The street in front of my house is WIDE. Like uturns in the ram with the JLUR on the 19' trailer wide. The driveway is 10' wide and 75' deep. It's not wide enough to turn around a mini Cooper, so compact, mid-sized, full size doesn't matter. They all park the same. Our 41 acres has space to turn around entire semi with a 60' trailer if I needed to. The off road use are why we own Jeeps and likely always will. In my experience, for my use, there's no other advantage. The Grand Cherokee is a better road SUV than a wrangler in every way I could compare the 2. The ram was a better road truck in every way I could compare the 2. But we have 2 Jeeps in the driveway and nothing else. Obviously I don't think they are bad for daily use, road trips, truck things, or even driving faster than most ever will both on the freeway or in the mountains. But in my opinion the compromises made for off road capability aren't worth it if road use is the only concern. The narrow body doesn't even help with parking unless you don't mind leaving tire rub marks on the car next to you. The thing is as wide as a full size damn near with a small interior by comparison.

 

[Rubicon Runnin' Bob]

Me disagree, now there are mall crawlers posers , I for one use my 4wd almost daily and have had my lockers in 100's of times this year . We all have our

I agree with you, for those that use their Rubicon like that, BUT, let's not fool ourselves, that is a VERY SMALL percentage of Wrangler/Gladiator Rubicon's used like that

I would bet that MOST Rubicon's NEVER have had their Lockers used, and NEVER will

But again, I'm glad you use yours in that way, as they're meant to be!

 

[Rubicon Runnin' Bob]

I agree that they are perfectly useable as daily drivers, but with where prices are now I still think the JT is a terrible choice if you aren't going to wheel it ever. They cost the same as a full size truck and generally get worse fuel economy, have lower tow ratings, have lower payload, handle worse, have worse power, and are less comfortable. It's your money to do as you please, but have you driven a modern ram 1500 with a 5.7L? The JT does literally nothing as well for your described use in my experience. My JT gets flogged off road, but if it didn't I would be in anther Ram. Better road truck in every way I can think of. I never said most Rubicon owners use or need Rubicons. But if that's your argument against buying one, every aspect of that argument applies to not buying a Jeep for the mall period.

Now I'm curious......

Have you ever owned a Jeep before?

Have you ever owned a Wrangler/Gladiator before?

 

[Stan H]

I agree with you, for those that use their Rubicon like that, BUT, let's not fool ourselves, that is a VERY SMALL percentage of Wrangler/Gladiator Rubicon's used like that

I would bet that MOST Rubicon's NEVER have had their Lockers used, and NEVER will

But again, I'm glad you use yours in that way, as they're meant to be!

I appreciate that yep when I change my front diff grease its always black like the back diff. Matter of fact was having some trouble a month or 2 ago with the lockers turned out to be fine metal particles accumulated on the magnet of the sensor .

 

[Zachanadandy]

Now I'm curious......

Have you ever owned a Jeep before?

Have you ever owned a Wrangler/Gladiator before?

Nope

 

[Rubicon Runnin' Bob]

Nope

I think it was a fair question, as you sound like very many folks, that purchase their first Jeep and are disappointed, which is fine

It's just helpful to know the background

Funny how it is so difficult to say yes, and give some time frame as to how long you've owned any Jeeps

 

[Zachanadandy]

I think it was a fair question, as you sound like a very many, that purchase their first Jeep and are disappointed

I think the JT is number 15 over the years. Not disappointed at all just realistic. The JL is by far the best wrangler ever built as far as on road, but it's still a compromise for off road functionality vs any of the quality road focused SUVs out there. Anybody who argues that's not true is kidding themselves. The JT is great for a solid axle, off road biased truck, but if it's only for road use it's far from the best truck out there. Maybe you like the ride of solid axles and more cramped interiors or just like the look. Again your money to do what you please.

 

[Gvsukids]

but it's still a compromise for off road functionality vs any of the quality road focused SUVs out there.

Isn't every vehicle a compromise?

 

[Zachanadandy]

Isn't every vehicle a compromise?

Of course, but outside of trail use I've yet to encounter an issue or situation on the road, in a parking lot, etc where a mid-size truck fits but a 1500 doesn't. I just don't see any advantage to a slightly smaller truck that then limits payload, towing, and even engine options.

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