What changes would you like to see on the next gladiator?

[Darel]

The windshield is extremely easy to fold down on JLs and JTs. It was kind of hard on JKs, but on these, it's super easy. I'd fold mine down tomorrow for the trails if it wasn't supposed to rain. I vote keep it haha. It's not hurting anything.

OK, so my question is, why? Does having to wear a helmet to fend off bugs / stones / mud add to it? Asking seriously. I remember lowering mine when I had my TJ just a handful of times, mostly in Moab and once in the winter for snow wheeling just because I was young and stupid and even 20 years ago the whole process of removing the wipers, unbolting the rollbar spreaders, etc didn't seem worth it to me. On pre-TJs at least they had a flat windshield frame and kinda looked cool folded but once the TJ came around and the WS frame became part of the "crash structure" it was large and unwieldy and didn't look right folded.

Props for having bigger balls than I do.

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[Devries]

Oh, and a normal waterproof key
You know that smallish metal thing that doesn't need a battery and can accidentally fall into a puddle

 

[NachoRuby]

OK, so my question is, why? Does having to wear a helmet to fend off bugs / stones / mud add to it? Asking seriously. I remember lowering mine when I had my TJ just a handful of times, mostly in Moab and once in the winter for snow wheeling just because I was young and stupid and even 20 years ago the whole process of removing the wipers, unbolting the rollbar spreaders, etc didn't seem worth it to me. On pre-TJs at least they had a flat windshield frame and kinda looked cool folded but once the TJ came around and the WS frame became part of the "crash structure" it was large and unwieldy and didn't look right folded.

Props for having bigger balls than I do.

It's kind of like being in an ATV or 4wheeler, except street legal when you're done, and put it back up. I wouldn't do it on road, though. Just fun for nice slow trails. I don't have a motorcycle, and never will get one. I don't have an ATV, so this is as close as I'm going to get. I'm not going fast enough to worry about bugs/rocks if I'm off-road. I guess every jeep that's been built since I've been of driving age has had it as part of the crash structure, so for me, it's just always been an open air thing. I was born in '89, so these style windshields are pretty much the only ones I've had experience with. I had a buddy with an old CJ in high school, but other than that, all the jeeps I've been in have had it unbolt from the roll bar. On our TJ, we had to take the whole front roll bar off, so this is a breeze on these JL/JTs.

 

[LostWoods]

There’s definitely not room in the wrangler/gladiator interior.

I don't see why the automatics can't have one as a factory piece, since aftermarket ones exist, and those fit. But in a manual gladiator or Wrangler, it's just too narrow. This is why jeeps have never had them. Our stick-on fenders come at the cost of interior width. They're just too skinny inside (for three pedals and a dead pedal). It'd make sense for the automatics to have one, but in the sticks, there's just no room. The pedal is basically against the wall.

I must be mis-remembering my test drive then. The kickpanels are pretty fat but I figured you could still get something in there. You don't need a racing dead pedal at the same level as the clutch but a flat surface is nice on long drives.

 

[kevman65]

First, in-line 6 with turbo.

Second, and it will never happen but I can wish, mechanical lockers on front axle (yes I'm fricken old and I like mechanical lockers)

 

[IanNubbit]

I must be mis-remembering my test drive then. The kickpanels are pretty fat but I figured you could still get something in there. You don't need a racing dead pedal at the same level as the clutch but a flat surface is nice on long drives.

Plenty of aftermarket options for automatics. But it’s about as tight as a viper in the floor board with 3 pedals

 

[Geoarch]

Just a few small items I wish jeep would change for the gladiator facelift:

Better side mirrors (or offer factory tow mirrors)
Power rear sliding window on the hardtop
Dead pedal
Extra power port in the left cubby blank on the models without lockers or locate factory brake controller here
A material other than black vinyl on the armrest, which is hotter than hell with the top off
Addition of a keypad for entry like the bronco has
One faster speed for the windshield wipers
Front bench seat and column shift to make the cabin feel less cramped (OK, maybe not so small, but boy would it be nice!)

What would you like to see?

Plug-in hybrid

 

[KWin]

A redesigned top, and roll bar. I have a vision of a top that has a mating surface where the roll bar gets 4 raised areas that pass through thr top. then you have 4 fixed mounting locations so you have amazing hard points for rooftop tents, roof racks, any topside storage, you'd have to remove the racks to remove the top, but you could then remount them to the fixed roll bar mounting points...

I'd like the door hinge mount bolts to not be painted in place, just have them black

have a lever instead of a pull cord for the front seat recline (doesn't bother me much except for having to tell each new passenger how to adjust the seat)

add slightly more rake to the front windshield for better aero(read fewer bugs/cracks and better mpg)

larger fuel tank

side cubies in the bed behind the rear wheels(just enough for rachet straps/screw driver hitch) but so they are out of sight and don't roll around

a separate name for the trim level max tow

 

[Tommyd]

I’d like to see and engine option of the 5.7L. It’s proven, plenty powerful and affordabe. No need for a 392. I’d like to see more of an ala-carte when ordering. My Willys is great but I’d like options from other models like leather or upgraded radio and lockers without all of the other trim options of a Rubicon. Color match top options on more vehicles. Same goes the other way, manual windows and manual trans on more vehicles. Jeep wheel options need to get better also.

Yes their wheels suck!

 

[texanjeeper]

You guys who are after an 8 cylinder engine are in for huge disappointment. No more Hemi after 2023, and I'm fairly certain they won't put it in for the 2023 Gladiator. And don't even get me started on an EV Gladiator, I hope they don't waste their time.

 

[alpineovernappa]

You guys who are after an 8 cylinder engine are in for huge disappointment. No more Hemi after 2023, and I'm fairly certain they won't put it in for the 2023 Gladiator. And don't even get me started on an EV Gladiator, I hope they don't waste their time.

Yep, the new hurricane was developed to replace the hemi’s- hopefully it’ll be a good engine. I could see a fully electric gladiator/wrangler doing well (See: magneto concept) as a huge amount of JL/JT owners do not drive their vehicles long distances (100+ mi) regularly. The concept of the 4xe was neat in theory (gas to trail, electric Offroad, gas home), but they’re awful to actually drive in reality

 

[FLGladiator]

Motor.

 

[FLGladiator]

You guys who are after an 8 cylinder engine are in for huge disappointment. No more Hemi after 2023, and I'm fairly certain they won't put it in for the 2023 Gladiator. And don't even get me started on an EV Gladiator, I hope they don't waste their time.

Agreed, an EV would be ridiculous.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

More power with a manual transmission would have me considering an upgrade. Otherwise I love my truck.

If I’m really being picky it would be nice to have an a-pillar mirror option from the factory, rear roof panels that remove independent from the sides, door or roof panel storage provisions in the bed, and more flexibility in ordering options ala-carte instead of all being in large packages.

 

[ntwrkguru]

1. Get rid of the whole fold-down windshield thing. Jeep clings to it like it's heritage or something. It was so Jeeps fit in crates better for God's sake. They are a PITA to fold and look stupid when folded, and there are so many design compromises around keeping that stupid folding windshield......

2. A complete redesign of the tops. By that, I mean:
- Electric glass rear window that rolls down into the rear bulkhead, a la Toyota (ok, this might be patent infringement)
- Then, a hardtop that doesn't have a window in it (lighter, less awkward to carry, no electric connectors)
- And, a soft top that integrates a glass window - no more soft windows and rear defroster with a soft top!

Regardless of the reasoning of the original one, it *is* heritage at this point. I’m all for a power sliding window on the hard top but you can keep the full power glass window idea. No thanks!

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