Thinking About Buying A Jeep Gladiator

[Stan H]

Our engine is the 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder.

I haven't read up on those they may have changed the design on those . Probably a different animal.

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[DirkG]

I’m pretty sure I am going to get the base model Rubicon.

I get what you're saying but as you probably know, there's nothing "base" about the Rubicon. She may not have the large boobs and pretty face of the Rubicon X, but she's got all the right pieces in her undercarriage That's a great choice

 

[new to gladiator]

I’m pretty sure I am going to get the base model Rubicon.

Yes, I bought a ‘23 base rubicon off the lot last August. I am pretty happy with its halogen lamps and cloth seats. It does have cold weather package and mud tires, even lightly optioned MSRP was right at $60K

 

[Bigcatfish]

I get what you're saying but as you probably know, there's nothing "base" about the Rubicon. She may not have the large boobs and pretty face of the Rubicon X, but she's got all the right pieces in her undercarriage That's a great choice

I think I found the one I want.

If, and that’s a big if, I decide to lift it, how much does it cost approximately? It currently comes with 33 inch tires, so let’s say I lifted and put 35 inch tires on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think I found the one I want.

If, and that’s a big if, I decide to lift it, how much does it cost approximately? It currently comes with 33 inch tires, so let’s say I lifted and put 35 inch tires on it.

Keep in mind - lifts and bigger tires reduce towing capability, etc.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I think I found the one I want.

If, and that’s a big if, I decide to lift it, how much does it cost approximately? It currently comes with 33 inch tires, so let’s say I lifted and put 35 inch tires on it.

Honestly the sky’s the limit on lifts and such. With a Rubicon you can get away with a lot less lift if you don’t plan on getting super flexy. Of course you can go full on coil overs for thousands or even 10’s of thousands of dollars.
My advice is go with a high quality proven lift. It will probably not be real cheap but the cash is better spent on the lift than at the chiropractor.

 

[BCC]

The Overland was the more "highway oriented" and "daily driver oriented" version - but hasn't been available for 3 years now. It was dropped a while back.
I had two of the Overland versions - a 2020 and a 2022 and really liked both. The interior appealed to my wife' sense of design and like of the leather. For me it was comfortable as heck, good mpg and just a good all-around vehicle to drive anywhere for anything.
I might have gone back to Overland but it is no more and I really wanted the power seats only available in the X packages of Rubicon or Mojave.
I drove both - much preferred the Mojave ride and handling, good control in tight curves and iffy roads and streets and just as heck didn't need both front and rear lockers or sway bar disconnect.

I had the Overland as well, followed by a Mojave X and went through an almost identical process to yours, as well.

Also, in my case, my wife absolutely enjoys being in the Mojave, but didn’t like the Overland. Primarily because the new one is so much quieter and has a nicer ride. I don’t disagree.

 

[Stan H]

I think I found the one I want.

If, and that’s a big if, I decide to lift it, how much does it cost approximately? It currently comes with 33 inch tires, so let’s say I lifted and put 35 inch tires on it.

If ypu go with cheaper shocks like bilstein you could do it for 1500.00-2000.00 probably.

 

[Gatorac]

In 2019 I bought a very "sensible" Chevy truck. After 1 year and 3400 miles I realized it was boring and I wanted something fun to drive. Traded that in on a 2020 Max Tow. My first Jeep. I had no idea the love affair that was about to begin. I've now owned this Jeep longer than any other truck I've owned (I've owned over 75 vehicles). There's not another truck out there that I would consider replacing the JT with.

I've not had any mechanical problems. I did/do have the leaking rear hardtop window. The dealer took a poor stab at repairing it. I ended up fixing it myself. I had the dealer swap the aluminum steering box for the steel one (2020 issue). NOt because it needed it, but I figured it might need it sometime in the future so may as well get it done under warranty. The dealer screwed that project up. <sigh>

I'm good with the performance of the 3.6. With as many short trips as I take, the diesel would not be a good choice. Besides, every 0-60 magazine test I see still shows the 3.6 is faster. My fuel mileage sucks (15-18). But I make enough money that it doesn't affect me financially.

I put the Hotheads headliner in and painted the inside of the hardop satin black. The Hotheads were a good investment. I picked up a used Sunrider. It's awesome and I find myself running with that open more often than I would pull out the Freedom Panels. I do put the Freedom Panels back in for summer in FL or for long trips as they are much quieter on the interstate.

I like to modify, customize and tinker with my vehicles. I'm a car guy through and through. Jeeps have tons of aftermarket support. Another reason I love this thing.

My previous truck was 2wd. Turns out I love going off-road. I had no idea. I will now own something that can capably go offroad as long as I can still drive. I did 3 BOH trails last year as well as several other trails in Windrock.

That's my story. I would buy this truck again without hesitation.

 

[chr15m]

In 2019 I bought a very "sensible" Chevy truck. After 1 year and 3400 miles I realized it was boring and I wanted something fun to drive. Traded that in on a 2020 Max Tow. My first Jeep. I had no idea the love affair that was about to begin. I've now owned this Jeep longer than any other truck I've owned (I've owned over 75 vehicles). There's not another truck out there that I would consider replacing the JT with.

I've not had any mechanical problems. I did/do have the leaking rear hardtop window. The dealer took a poor stab at repairing it. I ended up fixing it myself. I had the dealer swap the aluminum steering box for the steel one (2020 issue). NOt because it needed it, but I figured it might need it sometime in the future so may as well get it done under warranty. The dealer screwed that project up. <sigh>

I'm good with the performance of the 3.6. With as many short trips as I take, the diesel would not be a good choice. Besides, every 0-60 magazine test I see still shows the 3.6 is faster. My fuel mileage sucks (15-18). But I make enough money that it doesn't affect me financially.

I put the Hotheads headliner in and painted the inside of the hardop satin black. The Hotheads were a good investment. I picked up a used Sunrider. It's awesome and I find myself running with that open more often than I would pull out the Freedom Panels. I do put the Freedom Panels back in for summer in FL or for long trips as they are much quieter on the interstate.

I like to modify, customize and tinker with my vehicles. I'm a car guy through and through. Jeeps have tons of aftermarket support. Another reason I love this thing.

My previous truck was 2wd. Turns out I love going off-road. I had no idea. I will now own something that can capably go offroad as long as I can still drive. I did 3 BOH trails last year as well as several other trails in Windrock.

That's my story. I would buy this truck again without hesitation.

We need more posts like this, too much doom and gloom here, you'd almost think Jeep owners were masochists.

JT is easily in my top 3 for fun factor. Ahead of my old FJ, behind the S2000. Much more enjoyable than the S2000 on the daily though.

 

[Tgil]

If you buy new, get steel bumpers, unless you like to change that stuff anyway. I bought a 25 Mojave. Had looked at several and totally missed the one I settled on had the plastic bumpers. Now I'm shopping for replacements that I hadn't intended to replace.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you buy new, get steel bumpers, unless you like to change that stuff anyway. I bought a 25 Mojave. Had looked at several and totally missed the one I settled on had the plastic bumpers. Now I'm shopping for replacements that I hadn't intended to replace.

That's a very simple swap, and some like choosing their own bumpers
Steel is an option, except on the X packages, then it's standard. So if any on that lot had steel, it was ordered as an option, or was Rubicon or Mojave X.

 

[professorkx]

My 3.6L would struggle with 4 adults, not gonna lie.

This statement confuses me. In the picture, I have a KTM 890, KTM 690, all of our camping gear for the Utah BDR and two adults in a 2024 Gladiator Rubicon, 2.5 inch lift, 37 inch tires, AT and the stock 4.10 gears, and maintaining 80 mph wasn’t a problem. I didn’t spend much time in 7th or 8th gear, but had no problem on the 1400 mile. I even managed to get an average of 14 mpg at those speeds.

Hauling loads might be a problem on older rigs…but not in my 2024.

 

[professorkx]

I guess not using them can make them last.

I use them for napkins…ONLY NAPKINS.

 

[professorkx]

Jeep…because life is too short to drive boring rigs. Same reason I have a corvette, a Harley and my 47 cj2a truck conversion.

most folks won’t understand, which is why they make minivans…

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