Sport S vs Rubicon

[Stan H]

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.

Are we advocating for ditching the Gladiator? I didn't buy mine to haul beyond camping and overlanding supplies and it just happens to also be my daily work vehicle and in the tight and steep and rough terrain I work in it works perfectly . I had a 2500 Ram 6.7L 6 speed Manual shift but it was to big oht here and didn't climb very well in mud at all. So went and got the Gladiator.
So exactly what are you saying going smaller than a Gladiator is pointless ? Enlighten me .

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[Zachanadandy]

Are we advocating for ditching the Gladiator? I didn't buy mine to haul beyond camping and overlanding supplies and it just happens to also be my daily work vehicle and in the tight and steep and rough terrain I work in it works perfectly . I had a 2500 Ram 6.7L 6 speed Manual shift but it was to big oht here and didn't climb very well in mud at all. So went and got the Gladiator.
So exactly what are you saying going smaller than a Gladiator is pointless ? Enlighten me .

Outside of the obvious off road advantages, I'd be in a full size still. The discussion started when the one guy was saying don't buy a Rubicon if you aren't going to wheel it. My stance has always been don't buy a JL or JT period if you aren't going to wheel it. If your only use is on road there are far better vehicles. Both inside and outside the brand. I'm far from anti-jeep, I'm anti street Jeep (JL/JT). If it was a street Jeep, a low mileage track hawk grand cherokee could easily be had for what I have in either of our Jeeps... and the fuel economy wouldn't be any worse. But instead my driveway looks like this

Because our AZ driveway looks like this.

And because we wheel the hell out of both of them.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Outside of the obvious off road advantages, I'd be in a full size still. The discussion started when the one guy was saying don't buy a Rubicon if you aren't going to wheel it. My stance has always been don't buy a JL or JT period if you aren't going to wheel it. If your only use is on road there are far better vehicles. Both inside and outside the brand. I'm far from anti-jeep, I'm anti street Jeep (JL/JT). If it was a street Jeep, a low mileage track hawk grand cherokee could easily be had for what I have in either of our Jeeps... and the fuel economy wouldn't be any worse. But instead my driveway looks like this

Because our AZ driveway looks like this.

And because we wheel the hell out of both of them.

You probably wouldn't be a good Jeep salesman, but 97% of JL/JT customers wouldn't listen to you anyways.

 

[Zachanadandy]

You probably wouldn't be a good Jeep salesman, but 97% of JL/JT customers wouldn't listen to you anyways.

Or I'd be the salesman with the least complaints and unhappy customers because I'd sell them the vehicle that better fits their use? The same people sell grand cherokee's and rams. From being on these forums for years, the most unhappy customers are the ones that bought the wrong vehicle. If the salesman had steered them into a road vehicle for their road only use they'd be better off. If you do nothing in your wrangler you couldn't do in a stock grand cherokee I would bet you'd be happier in the gc. If you do nothing in your gladiator that a ram 1500 wouldn't do... and likely better, you'd be happier in the ram. These are still off road biased niche vehicles. Yes they are better on road than any of their predecessors, but there simply are better options if that's the only use.

 

[Gladiatorx2]

I thought that this thread was regarding Sport S vs/or Rubicon? I have owned a Sport S, Sport S Max Tow, and two Rubicon's. My dislike in the Sport S without Max Tow was no limited slip axle, standard audio system and no heated seats. I settled for it as the price was low.

I traded that one for a Super Crew F150 with the 5.0 and put 35's on it. It was not for me, as the Gladiator just felt better to me.

Gladiator number two was a lifted Rubicon on 37's with a winch and about everything Synergy Suspension makes. It actually got better fuel economy than the F150 and felt more confident on trails. I only traded it in because I liked it so much that I was going to loose to much on trade in as the mileage was getting up there....and I found a Max Tow that I had always wanted.

The Max Tow was was only lifted 1.5 on front and had 315/70's on it. It was overall the best driving of the four. I did more trails with this one than any of the others. The limited slip was great! The Max Tow suspension both with and without the spacers felt much better than the non Max Tow and even with near 35's the acceleration and economy was about the same as the previous Sport S with the 265/70's that I put on it. I did have more clearance worries on trails than the previous Rubicon but not so much as the stock previous Sport S.

So, I am back to a Rubicon with a 3.5 lift, 37's and a few other upgrades. This is what I traded in my 2024 Bronco Badlands Sasqatch in on. I did like the on road ride and drive of the Bronco. I really liked the 2.7 Ecoboost. Off road oddly enough I truly 3 wheeled and even two wheeled a lot. I used the electronic lockers on both front and rear many times. I have never had to....on even the same trail, on either Rubicon.

I feel that the Gladiator is truly capable in any form, as well as confidence inspiring. To me, having the lockers available if needed if worth the up front cost...much like the winch. I never have had to use either winch, but it allows me to try things while on a trail alone that I normally would not.

It's a guy thing. Better to have and not need the lockers. To feel the confidence that if things go badly that you have a vehicle that will get you through without breaking. I have a winch as a back up plan if the vehicle doesn't get me through. Those are my reasons for a Rubicon. Your needs or wants may not be the same. I do trails in East Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky pretty regularly.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I thought that this thread was regarding Sport S vs/or Rubicon?

Never underestimate our ability to completely derail a topic.

 

[Gladiatorx2]

Oh, and I bought a new Grand Cherokee L new in 2023. Fantastic on road. Great ride as well as comfort. Fuel economy was awesome. Anything other than a gravel road kind of trail, not so good. Because of the design of the upper control are even a tire upgrade was nearly impossible. With several others in between, the Gladiator suits my needs the best.

 

[Supazuk]

if the doors and roof didn't come off I would not have looked at the JT and even than I didn't consider buying it until I found out about the Max tow package
It was then it check the boxes can tow my car trailer locally so I didn't have to use my 3/4 BBC burb locally

 

[ChrisNLA]

I thought that this thread was regarding Sport S vs/or Rubicon? I have owned a Sport S, Sport S Max Tow, and two Rubicon's. My dislike in the Sport S without Max Tow was no limited slip axle, standard audio system and no heated seats. I settled for it as the price was low.

The Sport can be had with heated seats and premium sound - and with the current deals going on - it's pretty affordable.

I didn't need lockers the first 6 years I wheeled around the country, and I haven't needed them in three years driving my Gladiator.

I think the Rubi is great if you have the money and need the features. Most folks think they need lockers, and turn them on around every corner - when they really just don't.

I don't care either way. Not my money. But my Sport works for my needs. If I was in the market for a Gladiator I'd buy a well optioned Sport again, or perhaps a Mojave just because it has the look I like and 33s is what I'd put on a Gladiator anyway.

 

[Gladiatorx2]

For all around use I truly liked the Sport S with the Max Tow. Other than clearance it tackled everything that I threw at it with ease.

The lifted on 37's with the lockers Rubicon's for me are just more of a guarantee of if the shit hits the fan kind of thing I have the best vehicle for any scenario. That was my point. Kind of like you can't have too much ammo or too many guns

 

[Gladiatorx2]

I agree with you on the Mojave. I will probably own one of those someday as well. If ever offered with the Hurricane it will be then!

 

[Supazuk]

I don't get why people can't allow for different preferences or needs.

says the guy that chimes in everytime the word "tazer" or ESS comes up

 

[Supazuk]

As with every other Jeep I've owned, it was going to start stock for awhile... Found the deal on the tires on here and couldn't pass it up at $94 each. 1,100 miles and it was lifted on 37s. Of course it never stops there. In the 38k miles since it's gotten metalcloak 3.5" springs, rock krawler triangulated rear 4 link, evo front geometry correction brackets, metalcloak disconnects, and their crossover steering and raised track bar. If livernoise starts offering a tune for the GPEC5 that will likely be next.

mostly Rubicon would have been a waste of money ... because before the 5 year mark I'll be on 60's or tons guarantee it

 

[ShadowsPapa]

says the guy that chimes in everytime the word "tazer" or ESS comes up

Only because of the false claims that go with the one and to show there are options for the other, depending on real life needs or wants. Maybe you've missed posts where I supported or helped with tazer issues or listed it as an option depending on needs or made comments in support of the company?

If a vehicle rode crappy or handled poorly, my wife would be the first in line to complain. Her aunt even commented on the nice ride for a truck our jt has and her aunt drives small pickups as her daily drivers. My wife's sister drives a Ram as her only ride. So we have outside input on how well it rides.

 

[Silverator]

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

Meh...I bought my Gladiator to be used as a Jeep. Used the lockers - front and rear - the second time I ever had it out. The better I get driving, I don't need em as much, but I still use em frequently, and am SUPER glad I have em.

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