Trading in Frontier for a Gladiator. Good idea?

[Gvsukids]

RE: Trading in Frontier for a Gladiator. Good idea?

I'm on my second Gladiator (by choice) and it's often hard to explain to prospective buyers why owning a Gladiator is so enjoyable. Is it reliable like a Honda? No. Is it fast like a Porsche? Nope. Is it even fuel efficient? Not even close.

So what's the allure? It's a kick-ass convertible Jeep truck that can climb a freakin' mountain and is basically an adult Lego to build your own adventure.

Years ago in our 2020 Gladiator my wife, kids, and I were driving along Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California. There was a classic car caravan that stretched for miles. Beautiful classics. One of my favorites is the 1969 Camaro. I saw one in line and got beside it to give the guy a thumbs up. When I got up to him, he pointed at the Gladiator and gave me a thumbs up. My kids thought I was Captain America.

So....that.

Seems like you want to get your point across. You can go back and delete your previous comments.

Oh, I know exactly what type of truck the Gladiator is. It is my secondary vehicle as I have a 320hp Mk8.5 Golf R for all my fast and the furious needs lol
The decision that I am trying to cover here mostly is whether the spend the time and energy modifying my current frontier, or get this gladiator. It is a gorgeous truck with fantastic capabilities, my concern is whether it'll be a money pit for me and make me fall out of love with it. I know my frontier is very reliable, drivetrain wise, but it would never be as capable as a Gladiator, just by the engineering limitations of it.
Curious though, why are you on your second one? What happened to the first?

You'll fall in love with it. Makes you think you'll fall in love with the frontier once it's lifted?

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[Janster]

This is your 2nd vehicle…... My assumptions would tell me….. You are financially worthy of being able to sell the Gladdy if you don’t like it. GO FOR IT!!!

So…with that being said….. Once you get yourself in one….Drive it a bit before succumbing to the ‘mod bug’. Wranglers & Gladiators probably have the biggest (HUGE) aftermarket arena than anything else. There is sooo much stuff you can buy for these things… and some stuff is just ‘ridiculous’ - but, people buy it and they keep making it.

I had two Tacomas over the years… in 2016 when I was shopping, they just didn’t stack up to the others in options, $$, etc. I bought a 2016 GMC Canyon. I was worried about reliability …but surprisingly, for the 8 years I owned it….I never had a lick of problems with it. Sure…… certain brands have a good reliability and resale value reputation. But honestly? Things are different now….. and from my own perspective, they’re all fair game and are pretty level playing field.

Get what you want……. Enjoy it….. Having a convertible in a truck has been FUN FUN FUN!!!

 

[Stan H]

That makes sense, is there anything I should look at in terms of the lift kit type/quality?

Very subjective question. It depends on your definition of Off-Road. It is is light trail camping and mild rocks a 2-2.5" lift is plenty .
IMO the difference is dual or triple rate springs and a good quality shock going no cheaper than bilsteins all the way up to 3.3Fox adjustables etc..

 

[629]

Based on your original post I think you’re fine. Understanding that a gladiator is not an IFS pickup and is not a sports car are the big things. I personally think my gladiator is the most useful vehicle I’ve owned. Perfect size, some towing capacity, some hauling capacity, excellent off road (which I use weekly here) and it’s been 100% dependable. Plus Bonus…it’s a jeep.

 

[Metalhead]

I've owned many trucks in the past. The Gladiator is the most fun truck I have ever owned.

 

[AustyPosty]

The Gladiator is a very special kind of truck, and I would never really consider any other modern truck over it. The new Frontiers are awesome too though, I actually really like those.

just make sure you test drive it and see how you like it, with it seemingly being lifted already I would just make sure you’re happy with the handling(especially on the highway).

 

[nasiraod]

Very subjective question. It depends on your definition of Off-Road. It is is light trail camping and mild rocks a 2-2.5" lift is plenty .
IMO the difference is dual or triple rate springs and a good quality shock going no cheaper than bills twins all the way up to 3.3Fox adjustables etc..

My apologies, I meant since the truck I am considering buying seem to be already lifted, what should I pay attention to? In terms of the lift kit installed on it already. Just want to make sure I am not buying a truck with an improper lift kit set up, or bad quality components

 

[DirkG]

Seems like you want to get your point across. You can go back and delete your previous comments.

Yeah sorry about that...not sure what happened there. My work laptop is a little b#tch. Deleted.

 

[DirkG]

Curious though, why are you on your second one? What happened to the first?

Leased my 2020 JT Sport S because of the market uncertainty during COVID. Lease end, post-COVID the interest rates were 8-9% plus I wanted more than a Sport S.

I decided to wait and I'm glad I did. My 2024 Jeep Beach JT has everything I want and I got a killer deal.

 

[Stan H]

My apologies, I meant since the truck I am considering buying seem to be already lifted, what should I pay attention to? In terms of the lift kit installed on it already. Just want to make sure I am not buying a truck with an improper lift kit set up

Off set wheels, is one side waybout more than the other ?
Does it have an adjustable track bar in the front ? Is it just using pucks ?
Dies it have adjustable front lower control arms . Just to name a few biggies. Does the steering wheel flip back to center after a sharp curve ?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

My apologies, I meant since the truck I am considering buying seem to be already lifted, what should I pay attention to? In terms of the lift kit installed on it already. Just want to make sure I am not buying a truck with an improper lift kit set up

Here is what I'd pay attention to with the lift:

1. Does it have new coils or spacers? Look above and below the coil springs to see if a spacer has been added.
2. What shocks are on it? Is there an aftermarket name on them, or are they stock shocks?
3. Does it have adjustable control arms in the front, either uppers or lowers?
4. Does it have drop brackets for the control arms?
5. Does it have an ajustable track bar in the front and/or rear?
6. How does it drive? Does it wander and require frequent steering correction? How does it handle bumps?

 

[nasiraod]

Off set wheels, is one side waybout more than the other ?
Does it have an adjustable track bar in the front ? Is it just using pucks ?
Dies it have adjustable front lower control arms . Just to name a few biggies. Does the steering wheel flip back to center after a sharp curve ?

I didn't pay close attention when I saw it last to the suspension components other than it had the shocks having the Fox insignia. I will take a closer look
As for the driving dynamics, I didn't notice the steering having any issues per se, but I will pay closer attention to it when I see it again tomorrow

Here is what I'd pay attention to with the lift:

1. Does it have new coils or spacers? Look above and below the coil springs to see if a spacer has been added.
2. What shocks are on it? Is there an aftermarket name on them, or are they stock shocks?
3. Does it have adjustable control arms in the front, either uppers or lowers?
4. Does it have drop brackets for the control arms?
5. Does it have an ajustable track bar in the front and/or rear?
6. How does it drive? Does it wander and require frequent steering correction? How does it handle bumps?

1. Good point, I didn't pay attention to it last time because it was raining, and I didn't think it was lifted.
2. They have Fox Shocks, just not sure if it is the OEM Fox, or something aftermarket
4 - 5. I will take a look
6. It drives pretty well, I do not have any previous experience with front solid axles, but it did seem to require a bit correction, not sure if this is normal. As for bumps, it does handle them quite well, I just noticed an interesting feeling when going over sharp changes in road, like going up and down.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thank you very much, I am not sure if it is the actual ZF or the licensed one, that's what the dealership mentioned, but I can confirm. Either way, seems to be a solidly designed transmission.
As for warranty, it'll probably be over since it is a 2020, my apologies I forgot to add that info to the original post, I just added it in for context
As for modifications, there are so many things that can be done, my head is spinning lol. I'm going to see what the numbers look like on Saturday, but wanted some info from the community about the concerns I have

A Nissan will never have the resale value a Jeep does. And I’m not a Nissan fan. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good z, classic or modern, but the rest are hot garbage imo.

 

[nasiraod]

A Nissan will never have the resale value a Jeep does. And I’m not a Nissan fan. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good z, classic or modern, but the rest are hot garbage imo.

Thanks, I really appreciate the resale value assurance, I have no idea about the Gladiator's resale value, since that is something in the back of my mind since I might have to relocate all of a sudden
As for the comment about Nissan, I'm a bit the opposite as you lol
Don't get me wrong, I agree about Nissan's garbageness in the current times, and I never been a fan of the Z either lol. However, the platform of the 2nd gen frontier is the exception, I've had an xterra before, which I lifted and modified. The engine, teanny, suspension etc are all bulletproof. And the interior is very simple with fewer luxuries than a homeless tent lol. It's why all municipalities where I live use them as their mid-sized trucks. However, you cannot compare the fun factor that the Gladiator would bring.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks, I really appreciate the resale value assurance, I have no idea about the Gladiator's resale value, since that is something in the back of my mind since I might have to relocate all of a sudden
As for the comment about Nissan, I'm a bit the opposite as you lol
Don't get me wrong, I agree about Nissan's garbageness in the current times, and I never been a fan of the Z either lol. However, the platform of the 2nd gen frontier is the exception, I've had an xterra before, which I lifted and modified. The engine, teanny, suspension etc are all bulletproof. And the interior is very simple with fewer luxuries than a homeless tent lol. It's why all municipalities where I live use them as their mid-sized trucks. However, you cannot compare the fun factor that the Gladiator would bring.

Maybe my opinion isn’t based enough on experience with them. Yours is, so I’ll trust it. The Jeep is nothing but fun. I’ve got 78k on mine and haven’t had any serious issues. Any issues I’ve had, I’ve contributed to with heavy use.

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