Went gladiator shopping

[GS340]

I checked out the new Gladiator at my local FCA mega dealer and I have mixed feelings. I was really surprised at how small the bed appears to be. The proportions seem right and so long bed might look odd. Cost is another thing that shocked me. $61000 for the black Rubicon. I bought a new JK unlimited rubicon for around $40k Years ago. I’m having a hard time with the new prices. Maybe wait 6 months or a year for dealers to come off MSRP.

Sponsored

 

[WXman]

The only thing I don't like is the wheelbase. They should have stretched it out some more. See how much of the cargo box actually extends beyond the rear axle? if you load that truck down with dirt, gravel, fire wood, etc. it's going to lift some weight off the front axle and my guess is it could be enough to make handling characteristics change. I'm surprised they didn't push that rear axle back a little farther. It would have helped with handling AND departure angle.

 

[steffen707]

I checked out the new Gladiator at my local FCA mega dealer and I have mixed feelings. I was really surprised at how small the bed appears to be. The proportions seem right and so long bed might look odd. Cost is another thing that shocked me. $61000 for the black Rubicon. I bought a new JK unlimited rubicon for around $40k Years ago. I’m having a hard time with the new prices. Maybe wait 6 months or a year for dealers to come off MSRP.

OH God, people already be parking these poorly. Why did I buy this JT? It's too DAMN LONG.



That's what she said.

 

[steffen707]

I checked out the new Gladiator at my local FCA mega dealer and I have mixed feelings. I was really surprised at how small the bed appears to be. The proportions seem right and so long bed might look odd. Cost is another thing that shocked me. $61000 for the black Rubicon. I bought a new JK unlimited rubicon for around $40k Years ago. I’m having a hard time with the new prices. Maybe wait 6 months or a year for dealers to come off MSRP.

Lookup tread lightly threads and buy for 10% below msrp today, no need to wait.

 

[steffen707]

The only thing I don't like is the wheelbase. They should have stretched it out some more. See how much of the cargo box actually extends beyond the rear axle? if you load that truck down with dirt, gravel, fire wood, etc. it's going to lift some weight off the front axle and my guess is it could be enough to make handling characteristics change. I'm surprised they didn't push that rear axle back a little farther. It would have helped with handling AND departure angle.

But the breakover angle already blows (compared to wrangler). Wouldn't stretching wheelbase compound this further?

 

[TennesseePA]

The only thing I don't like is the wheelbase. They should have stretched it out some more. See how much of the cargo box actually extends beyond the rear axle? if you load that truck down with dirt, gravel, fire wood, etc. it's going to lift some weight off the front axle and my guess is it could be enough to make handling characteristics change. I'm surprised they didn't push that rear axle back a little farther. It would have helped with handling AND departure angle.

Since they wanted to keep the spare under the bed they had to put the rear axle where they did. Then like mentioned above you either have to compromise break over angle or departure angle, you can’t have both in a 4 door pickup truck

 

[Ichthus]

Since they wanted to keep the spare under the bed they had to put the rear axle where they did. Then like mentioned above you either have to compromise break over angle or departure angle, you can’t have both in a 4 door pickup truck

Exactly. As it stands, they walked a tight rope. Balancing wheelbase, break over and departure angles, the demand for a “real bed” but not a too long bed. In the quest to be all things to all people in a single product, there will always be a litany of compromises made.

 

[WXman]

But the breakover angle already blows (compared to wrangler). Wouldn't stretching wheelbase compound this further?

Yes, but it's "6 of one, half dozen of another" as the old saying goes. I'd rather have departure angle and hauling/towing stability over breakover any day of the week. Just my $0.02.

As far as the spare tire goes, they get paid six figures to engineer stuff. They could have figured that out. Hell, the Ridgeline has a compartment inside the bed large enough to store a body. Jeep could have figured this out.

 

[furrymurray]

I have never heard that ole saying...

 

[41Willys]

Yes, but it's "6 of one, half dozen of another" as the old saying goes. I'd rather have departure angle and hauling/towing stability over breakover any day of the week. Just my $0.02.

As far as the spare tire goes, they get paid six figures to engineer stuff. They could have figured that out. Hell, the Ridgeline has a compartment inside the bed large enough to store a body. Jeep could have figured this out.

I think Jeep did a pretty good job overall in this design. They seem to have listened to jeepers and used their comments.

Even so, there is nothing like real world experience with a new product. I guarrantee like every other new car/truck/SUV, manufacturer improvements and changes will be made in following model years - some based on consumer input.

And of course what the manufacturer doesn't address, the aftermarket will (within reason.)

 

[RedTRex]

I have never heard that ole saying...

lol, youngster

 

[furrymurray]

lol, youngster

Must be a millennial thing!

 

[TennesseePA]

I have never heard that ole saying...

it must a new "old saying" because it is new to me and I am pushing 50 years old. But the thought behind it is sound since we all know short wheelbase is squirrelly on the highway and while towing.

 

[RedTRex]

Must be a millennial thing!

Nope, it's actually from Ralph Clark 1790

 

[steffen707]

I have never heard that ole saying...

83.2% of statistics are made up on the spot...........79% of sayings are made up on the spot too.

Sponsored