TFLTruck makes the best argument for not buying a Gladiator

[smlobx]

Actually....

The ZR2 has many benefits from it's IFS, one of them being increased ground clearance. And it still has twin lockers like the Rubicon. The cabin is pretty close to identical in size. The hauling capacity is greater than a Gladiator Rubicon. And there are gas and diesel options available NOW.

But, they did compare the Gladiator to the ZR2 Bison head to head in a video a few days ago. And there was no clear winner.

Actually no..

The ZR2 has 8.9" of ground clearance. The Gladiator Rubicon has 11.1"
The ZR2 has 1547 # payload capacity. The Gladiator has 1600#
The ZR@ gets 16/18 MPG. The Gladiator gets 17/22 MPG

Yes, the ZR2 diesel is available now and I have driven it. I will tell you that it runs out of steam on the highway. I have an EcoDiesel GC and that engine has way more power that the Chevy so if that's what you want I would strongly recommend waiting for the Jeep diesel.

The IFS is probably better on the road but I have had solid front axle trucks forever and, to me, they track just fine. If I want sports car handling I'll just drive my Porsche...;-)

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[furrymurray]

The ZR2 has many benefits from it's IFS, one of them being increased ground clearance.

I call

The ZR2 has many benefits from it's IFS, one of them being increased ground clearance.

That's a load of crap!

 

[WildJD]

TFLTruck goes out for a drive in a new Gladiator (MSRP $60K) and tells you what you could buy for that $60K or less. They make some good points to consider.

My biggest argument to everyone is JUST WAIT. Don't buy it at all. The more people that don't buy them immediately, the quicker the price will come down. It's going to come down by the end of the year and of course some of the good colors aren't even available yet. So just wait and get the best deal you can. Come back here and BRAG your butt off on how much you saved while we all bow before you and scream that we're not worthy.

TFLTruck goes out for a drive in a new Gladiator (MSRP $60K) and tells you what you could buy for that $60K or less. They make some good points to consider.

My biggest argument to everyone is JUST WAIT. Don't buy it at all. The more people that don't buy them immediately, the quicker the price will come down. It's going to come down by the end of the year and of course some of the good colors aren't even available yet. So just wait and get the best deal you can. Come back here and BRAG your butt off on how much you saved while we all bow before you and scream that we're not worthy.

Sure, you can buy any of those trucks... but then, you wouldn’t have a Gladiator.;{

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Sure, you can buy any of those trucks... but then, you wouldn’t have a Gladiator.;{

TRUE!

 

[WildJD]

I believe they are comparing a niche vehicle to the truck mass market. Like comparing Ferrari sales to Ford sales. The Gladiator and the Wrangler are niche vehicles that cater to folks who know what they are buying and those that want to be seen wearing one.

Economies of scale reduce the price of all things. Mass market truck sales go to fleets. Doubtful that the Gladiator will surpass a Tacoma anytime soon and I'm okay with that...

The reason all those trucks, they listed, are slashing prices and offering such deep discounts, is because they all know the Gladiator is about to hit the market.
All the midsize competitors (and full-size too), with off-road capabilities, only HAVE off-road versions in an effort to be “TRUCK-Wranglers”... Gladiator is the ONLY “WRANGLER-Truck”! ;{

 

[5JeepsAz]

You notice that they didn’t actually compare the JT to other mid sized trucks?

First of all there is no actual competition to the JT Rubicon...the ZR 2 comes in a distant second due to the fact that it doesn’t have a solid front axle, has a smaller cabin and doesn’t have the hauling capacity.

The Sport and Sport S would be more of an apple to apple comparison with the other midsize trucks but once again the competition doesn’t have the ability to drop the top, or tow as much or haul as much. The new Ranger is mid forties for their upper version and they are not discounting it at all and the rear seat is a joke and you have a 4 banger..

You get more with the JT and you have to pay more for it. If you don’t want the capabilities then go buy a taco with rear drum brakes!!

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating here again. The only real competition to the JT is the Toyota 79 Series Land Cruiser which you can’t get here. Where it is available it cost about $75K USD.I have driven this truck and it is awesome, in fact i’m going back to Africa on Wednesday and will be driving the 79 Series on, what I hope to be an awesome crossing of the Namib Desert..pictures to follow when I return.

I’m getting a JT Rubicon.

Safe trip!!! Why do we have to wait for picture? Log your ass in on satellite! Enjoy. Admire your courage, sounds like a great trip

 

[WXman]

I call

That's a load of crap!

Is it? Do I need to bust out my son's crayons again? I've had to do that for several people on this forum. Seems that things that used to be common knowledge are now things people won't believe unless they see it.

Everybody who hasn't been living in a cave wearing clothing made of bear skin for the last 80 years knows that IFS rides better, doesn't have any of the problems straight axles have, and increases ground clearance because the differential can be mounted higher.

And, GM (as much as I hate GM) has proven with their Silverado 3500 trucks that IFS can be equally as strong as a straight axle and can handle tons of abuse.

 

[Blown7]

And, GM (as much as I hate GM) has proven with their Silverado 3500 trucks that IFS can be equally as strong as a straight axle and can handle tons of abuse.

Not to mention some King of the Hammers rigs use IFS very well.

 

[furrymurray]

Is it? Do I need to bust out my son's crayons again?

Break em out! I still call bullshit!

 

[5JeepsAz]

Is it? Do I need to bust out my son's crayons again? I've had to do that for several people on this forum. Seems that things that used to be common knowledge are now things people won't believe unless they see it.

Everybody who hasn't been living in a cave wearing clothing made of bear skin for the last 80 years knows that IFS rides better, doesn't have any of the problems straight axles have, and increases ground clearance because the differential can be mounted higher.

And, GM (as much as I hate GM) has proven with their Silverado 3500 trucks that IFS can be equally as strong as a straight axle and can handle tons of abuse.

"The Gladiator introduced two industry firsts to the American truck world: an overhead cam engine and an optional four-wheel-drive IFS front axle." (http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1507-1965-jeep-gladiator-barn-find/).

 

[5JeepsAz]

.

 

[Sorbs]

Is it? Do I need to bust out my son's crayons again? I've had to do that for several people on this forum. Seems that things that used to be common knowledge are now things people won't believe unless they see it.

Everybody who hasn't been living in a cave wearing clothing made of bear skin for the last 80 years knows that IFS rides better, doesn't have any of the problems straight axles have, and increases ground clearance because the differential can be mounted higher.

And, GM (as much as I hate GM) has proven with their Silverado 3500 trucks that IFS can be equally as strong as a straight axle and can handle tons of abuse.

Go to 10:43 on this video - that superior IFS really shows its stuff on the FJ Cruiser...

Also, if so inclined, see all the praise the stock Rubicon gets when compared to all the other rigs. ZR2 is owned by the video publisher. He isn’t ashamed of recording his limitations either.

 

[Sorbs]

"The Gladiator introduced two industry firsts to the American truck world: an overhead cam engine and an optional four-wheel-drive IFS front axle." (http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1507-1965-jeep-gladiator-barn-find/).

“The Gladiator introduced two industry firsts to the American truck world: an overhead cam engine and an optional four-wheel-drive IFS front axle. Neither were anything close to a home run in terms of reliability...”

 

[5JeepsAz]

“The Gladiator introduced two industry firsts to the American truck world: an overhead cam engine and an optional four-wheel-drive IFS front axle. Neither were anything close to a home run in terms of reliability...”

Lol. True.

But they are still on the road, some are.

I'm against new fangled don't work gadgets as a rule.

The exceptions are usually something historical.

 

[xjgary]

Actually....

The ZR2 has many benefits from it's IFS, one of them being increased ground clearance. And it still has twin lockers like the Rubicon. The cabin is pretty close to identical in size. The hauling capacity is greater than a Gladiator Rubicon. And there are gas and diesel options available NOW.

But, they did compare the Gladiator to the ZR2 Bison head to head in a video a few days ago. And there was no clear winner.

But that extra ground clearance you mention is only while sitting still ("Static"). Drop down off a big boulder or off a ledge and the springs compress and it will have much less clearance. It is not an apples to apples comparison unless you park them both and throw bowling balls under them. A straight axle will always have the same clearance whether in dynamic or static mode.

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