Trying to change my ride to a Gladiator, but................

[Joe Gladiator]

IMO a Gladiator is a Jeep first and a pick up second ...

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[cafecito]

Trying to go from a 2019 RAM Lone Star edition 4X4 5.7 Hemi, to a Gladiator, but just can't pull the trigger. The RAM is so nice over the Gladiator in every way and I'm not an off roader, so I just can't see why I want one, but I do. I think for myself I now leaning toward a new RAM Rebel over the Gladiator. I'm now thinking it's the better choice for me.

Well, I think I'm on the opposite side of the same part of the fence as you, so maybe this will help.

I originally got my Mojave because I thought it would be fun to take the top off, doors off, and be able to customize the snot out of everything. I didn't go for a Wrangler because my wife had a Rav4 at the time (and she has a JL now), so my thought was: "I never actually NEED a truck bed for my life, but having two SUVs is kinda stupid. Maybe having the utility of a truck bed could be nice once in a while?"

And while that's true - it has come in handy a couple times - the other 99% of the time, it just feels like I compromised way too much on my decision.

[Before some overly sensitive Nancy comes at me for insulting their Gladiator - calm down. I'm talking about ME and MY situation here.]

• Is it good at Jeep stuff? Yea, but my wife's JL is better at it. The long wheelbase and bed make it more of a burden than anything else though. It would make a great overlanding/camping vehicle, but we don't do any of that, so it's mostly wasted.
• Is it good for truck stuff? Sort of, yea, but a full size truck would do it better. The bed is pretty small, and even in the rarest of occasions when I do use it, whatever I'm hauling ends up sticking out of the bed or barely fitting in the first place. It's a good space for a large quantity of smaller items, but it's not great for moving bigger things.
• Is it fun to drive? No, not really. The 3.6L is probably the most boring engine I've ever driven. Sure, it's kinda funny to not have to slow down for railroad tracks at all, but is that worth $60,000? Not even close.

To top it off, the aftermarket accessories are seriously lacking compared to JLs and JLUs. Gladiators are a small segment, and unfortunately, money talks to manufacturers. Don't like the factory soft top? Tough - it's that or virtually nothing else.

If you like your truck, make damn sure that whatever you find appealing about the Gladiator is something you will actually do. In 16 months with mine, I have never taken the doors or top off. I had a Sunrider installed, but having the Florida sun incinerating me was awful, so my freedom panels are back on.

For me and my situation right now, my Mojave is an oversized A-to-B commuter with bad gas mileage that is really no fun to drive. If I could talk to myself from a year and a half ago, I would advise him to seriously ask if he plans on doing any of the things that sound so fun with the Jeep before buying it.

 

[RobTheOriginal]

I get it OP. I traded in my 2019 loaded 1500 Laramie for a 22 Willys. My situation:

• My RAM started getting weird power issues that I won't go in to that started my brain looking elsewhere. I've always wanted to get in on the Jeep community. I don't think there's anything quite like it out there. Fun events like Jeep Beach and such.
• JL or JT? Having a truck bed comes in handy enough times for me that I would like to keep that, so Gladiator. The RAM shortbed to Gladiator's 5 is negligible for me.
• I almost cut my monthly vehicle payment in half by trading. I also lowered my insurance $10/month and gas bill.
• I have driven my RAM in to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC, including parking garages. That sucks ass and I'm over it. Parking and manueverability are a clear win for the Gladiator.
• After owning the RAM for years I found that a lot of the fancy stuff I never used or could easily do without. Park assist, never used in 4 years. Air ride adjustable suspension, 12 inch touch screen, cooled seats, adaptive cruise control... meh.

The only thing I miss about the RAM, in order:

• The V8. Power and sound. I had a Magnaflow exhaust
• The 360 degree camera. Loved this for parking that boat, but mitgated by the gladiator's smaller size as mentioned.
• Auto brake assist. This saved my ass once which would have been worth it alone. On the other hand it has screwed me over a few times too. It would activate itself randomly in very heavy rain which scared this shit out of me a couple times slamming on the brakes.

I don't tow and if I did it would be small jet ski or motorcycle trailer anyway. I'm happy so far with the downsize.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Trying to go from a 2019 RAM Lone Star edition 4X4 5.7 Hemi, to a Gladiator, but just can't pull the trigger. The RAM is so nice over the Gladiator in every way and I'm not an off roader, so I just can't see why I want one, but I do. I think for myself I now leaning toward a new RAM Rebel over the Gladiator. I'm now thinking it's the better choice for me.

Buy/choose based on what you'd do with it, and what you'd not do with it.

I had a Silverado. Wonderful truck - treated me well, never broke down, zero issues with it - mechanically.
I decided that since it sat so much - I averaged only about 6,000-6,500/year on it, and it was big - wide and long and the mpg weren't stellar, and I only towed a handful of times each year, I didn't NEED a big truck. I have my car hauler and a smaller utility trailer if I need to haul huge or heavy things. So, when I saw a Gladiator in a showroom I decided that would meet my real needs and satisfy my urge to have a Jeep other than WJ, ZJ, WK and so on.
I'd owned a Comanche years ago and used it as a farm truck. Loved it. So this just made sense - for ME.
I think too often people have big trucks with big engines just because...... they live the brute POWER, the sound, and what a big truck says to others (LOL, won't go there) but they aren't used as trucks. Seriously - I can't see using a big honkin' truck with a hemi as a daily driver. Impractical - so there must be "other reasons" and it's not about a material need, it's a mental need.

I tow easily with my JT, I get decent mpg - it beats my Chevy hands-down in that department, it does everything I truly need.
If I want brute power and have a sudden "need" to show off a bit and show how much muscle I have, there's a car sitting in my shop that sucks gas and makes a ton of noise and will destroy rear tires in a single drive - if I have that urge.

So - decide - are your needs mental, or real physical needs to haul stuff or tow stuff?

Sounds like you are looking for validation, some big man to come forward and tell you what you want to hear.
Don't buy based on what others think or how they see you. I've never owned or driven a car based on what anyone else thinks. If I did, I sure wouldn't have owned and driven what I have over the years.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

The really big thing that I really hate, is when people compare the JT to a ram, 150, or sierra... they are not even remotely the same... totally different segment. The JT is a mid sized truck. Compare it to a Colorado, Tacoma, etc... not a full size.

I had a 2017 Canyon I traded for my JT. The JT does the same and more than that truck ever did! Comfort is similar, size is almost identical, power and towing very similar... But this is a Jeep, I can remove the top and doors, and is way more fun on the road and off.

 

[AZCooWhip]

Top off …well kinda…..doors off…..going where most mere mortals couldn’t think of getting to. Never ending compliments from adoring fans …..yeah, whats not to like.

To each his own Brother …Do what you like.

 

['22JTRD]

Keep the RAM or get a Rebel

Since you don't offroad all you are really missing to live the Gladiator Lifestyle is a SAWZALL...?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

• Is it good at Jeep stuff? Yea, but my wife's JL is better at it. The long wheelbase and bed make it more of a burden than anything else though. It would make a great overlanding/camping vehicle, but we don't do any of that, so it's mostly wasted.
• Is it good for truck stuff? Sort of, yea, but a full size truck would do it better. The bed is pretty small, and even in the rarest of occasions when I do use it, whatever I'm hauling ends up sticking out of the bed or barely fitting in the first place. It's a good space for a large quantity of smaller items, but it's not great for moving bigger things.
• Is it fun to drive? No, not really. The 3.6L is probably the most boring engine I've ever driven. Sure, it's kinda funny to not have to slow down for railroad tracks at all, but is that worth $60,000? Not even close.

Have you seen the pics of what I've hauled with mine? A load of iron with a tall steel basketball pole sticking further out the back than what was in the bed, 11 big rolls of my wife's quilt batting - $1,200 dollars worth, strapped stacked up in the bed of the truck, loads of hardscaping concrete block, and other stuff...
Towing - I haul 5,000 pounds of car and trailer with ease - almost as well as my Chevy did, but with about 2 mpg better mileage. (not as stable as a BIG truck with that load, but I don't drive stupid with it, either, and follow the 65 mph TOWING speed laws)

The 3.6 does very well. It's no slouch. If you must merge into really tight commute traffic it can do it. If you have to out-maneuver the morons in GA who either were never taught how to merge into traffic or they just don't give a F and want you to get out of the way for them as they are coming in no matter what - it'll do it. I've had to mash it more than once to get out of the situation caused by rude/ignorant drivers.
Nissan commercials sell strictly on driving emotion and insisting driving must be fun. They don't brag about what it can do - it's all about "look sexy and have fun".
I view it (driving) as something that needs to be done, safely. I buy on "will it do what I really need it to do" with the "can I have fun with it" as secondary, contrary to marketing of the past 80 years.

It's a small truck, and it does the job of a small truck very very well. And yes, it's fun.
It was great for our drive to Sarasota and back. Comfortable (except for trying to sleep in the cab at a rest stop), it did the job, got us through Atlanta's stupidest traffic in the country, maneuvered through tight spots with ease while we sat in traffic for an hour because of an accident ahead.
When I had to haul a large load - I used my car hauler. Even a full-sized truck likely wouldn't have fit the crate and pallet of snow plow. They said "bring a trailer, not a pickup". So I did.

 

[PlayfulBird]

Tbh though, if offroadablilty is a no factor, then the only thing is the look. At that point you may just get yourself a shirt saying: Nothing to see, just another mall crawler.
The Rebel will handle nicer, be more comfortable, have more power and fewer pesky issues.
It still is no slouch if for whatever reason you need the capability.
Or just keep your truck.

 

[NachoRuby]

Tbh though, if offroadablilty is a no factor, then the only thing is the look.

And the size, and the convertible factor. Rams are too tall and too wide for my garage, and the roof is fixed. The doors don't come off. No manual. There are lots of reasons we buy jeeps, but a ram is a fine truck if the road manners and payload matter more than other things. My wife doesn't off road much. But she wanted a convertible stick shift. So Wrangler or Bronco it was. I wanted a truck. Most others were too big, and the only real competitor was the Tacoma. But it just didn't do it for me (nice truck for anyone who has one, though)

 

[PlayfulBird]

And the size, and the convertible factor. Rams are too tall and too wide for my garage, and the roof is fixed. The doors don't come off. No manual. There are lots of reasons we buy jeeps, but a ram is a fine truck. My wife doesn't off road much. But she wanted a convertible stick shift. So Wrangler or Bronco it was.

Of course, but I am considering the TSs choice of words, he has a RAM already, so size is no matter, he did not really say anything about preferences, just that it does everything better... and considering all that. I don't think it a wise thing but a want to have itch. Not a must have itch.

PS there is no other vehicle we would rather have, but that's because of a jeep thing

 

[Jeepasaurus_Rex]

Trying to go from a 2019 RAM Lone Star edition 4X4 5.7 Hemi, to a Gladiator, but just can't pull the trigger. The RAM is so nice over the Gladiator in every way and I'm not an off roader, so I just can't see why I want one, but I do. I think for myself I now leaning toward a new RAM Rebel over the Gladiator. I'm now thinking it's the better choice for me.

It sounds like you've already made your mind up. You've been on this site for 3 months and haven't bought yet. It sounds to me like you'll be staying with a Ram. If you want a Gladiator just because, and lose all the features you currently have... that seems like not a wise choice, in my opinion. If money is of no concern... then I must ask... porque no los dos?

 

[PlayfulBird]

It sounds like you've already made your mind up. You've been on this site for 3 months and haven't bought yet. It sounds to me like you'll be staying with a Ram. If you want a Gladiator just because, and lose all the features you currently have... that seems like not a wise choice, in my opinion. If money is of no concern... then I must ask... porque no los dos?

If money is no issue get a TRX ?

 

[Jeepasaurus_Rex]

If money is no issue get a TRX ?

#BigFacts

 

[cafecito]

I will re-iterate just to make sure we're on the same page: I was only talking about me and what I've used it for. I have no doubts about the capability of the Gladiator. It's just, for ME, it's not been ideal.

Have you seen the pics of what I've hauled with mine? A load of iron with a tall steel basketball pole sticking further out the back than what was in the bed, 11 big rolls of my wife's quilt batting - $1,200 dollars worth, strapped stacked up in the bed of the truck, loads of hardscaping concrete block, and other stuff...
Towing - I haul 5,000 pounds of car and trailer with ease - almost as well as my Chevy did, but with about 2 mpg better mileage. (not as stable as a BIG truck with that load, but I don't drive stupid with it, either, and follow the 65 mph TOWING speed laws)

Again, I'm just talking about what *I've* used it for. I've never had to tow or haul thousands of pounds of anything with it, so that doesn't really pertain to what I was saying.

For example, I recently picked up some 4x8 plywood sheets (Hurricane Ian), and even though Jeep advertised that the tailgate cables are supposed to make the tailgate serve as a level surface for you to set sheets of plywood over the wheel wells, they didn't fit! I don't know if it was the bedliner, or the plywood being slightly larger than 4", or something else. But they had to sit angled in the back while also sticking up and out the back. Obviously there were no issues moving once I got them in there, but I expected a lot less resistance to plywood sheets seeing as it was a big marketing talking point Jeep brought up a lot.

The 3.6 does very well. It's no slouch. If you must merge into really tight commute traffic it can do it. If you have to out-maneuver the morons in GA who either were never taught how to merge into traffic or they just don't give a F and want you to get out of the way for them as they are coming in no matter what - it'll do it. I've had to mash it more than once to get out of the situation caused by rude/ignorant drivers.
Nissan sells strictly on driving emotion and insisting driving must be fun. I view it as something that needs to be done, safely. I buy on "will it do what I really need it to do" with the "can I have fun with it" as secondary, contrary to marketing of the past 80 years.

I guess we're just coming from different places regarding the 3.6L. I have driven sedans, lightweight SUVs, and a Civic SI (turbo-charged 4 cyl) most of my life. For me, this is my first 6 cylinder, my first truck, and my first FCA product. I heard loads and loads about how reliable the engine is and all that, and that's great if you plan to keep the vehicle for 100k miles or more and use it as a tool.

But, I work from home full time now. When I drive, it's to the grocery store, dinner, or something brief. For that, I'd much rather have something smaller and quicker. Driving even a small truck around in the city is a slog, and I won't even get started on parking.

I want to prioritize fun over practicality for my vehicles because I'm not going A-to-B five days a week like I used to. That's part of what I wanted a Gladiator for in the first place: it sounded like it could be a fun weekend getaway vehicle, it just hasn't happened. But again, that's a *ME* and my use case conflict - nothing wrong with the truck.

It's a small truck, and it does the job of a small truck very very well. And yes, it's fun.
It was great for our drive to Sarasota and back. Comfortable (except for trying to sleep in the cab at a rest stop), it did the job, got us through Atlanta's stupidest traffic in the country, maneuvered through tight spots with ease while we sat in traffic for an hour because of an accident ahead.
When I had to haul a large load - I used my car hauler. Even a full-sized truck likely wouldn't have fit the crate and pallet of snow plow. They said "bring a trailer, not a pickup". So I did.

I'll just agree to disagree about the fun part. For me, fun is a good sounding exhaust, some G-forces, etc. My wife and I have taken her JL out on trails, fire roads, national parks, etc, and even though her JL did great, we always come back saying what a nightmare my Gladiator would have been if we had taken it. We also don't have kids, so the back seat and bed are just wasted.

So, for the umpteenth time, for ME, it's never going to see offroad because my wife's JL just does it better. I don't tow or haul anything. I don't go overlanding or camping. I don't commute, and I don't get naked and go to the beach. Right now, my Mojave is a glorified grocery getter, and for that alone, it's way too big, too slow, and pretty boring.

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