What do YOU do to make your Gladiator last forever.

[guarnibl]

I PPF’d the entire vehicle with 10mil XPEL. Peace of mind knowing it’ll be harder to pin stripe now. Likely will also add some UV protection on the interior as well since I can do it myself and it’s quite inexpensive. But ya— planning on using the crap out of this thing. My last JLUR was pin striped pretty badly and it annoyed me. Not suggesting you need to go drop $5-$6k on PPF. I’m just anal.

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[Rummie]

I'm probably not the guy to ask. This is my JK. But I do have fun with it!

 

[andrew8404]

Yeah, I'm a douche and any horrible name you can call me. It doesn't phase me. Keep them coming if you think it hurts my feelings and if it makes you feel superior or helps you feel better about your financial decision.

You don't need to justify to me that you own a house and in 84 months you'll be debt free. I'm not your SO.

Don’t be but hurt cause you got called out. Own it and move on.

 

[5JeepsAz]

I've paid cash and financed, depending on the above mentioned variables. Another way is to pay cash, pay full taxes without deductions, donate excess profits to charity, and smile an easy smile driving your Jeep truck wherever you are in the world.

 

[Mitten2Mountains]

I'll be picking up my custom Willy's tomorrow as my first jeep. I'm doing an 84 month loans and I plan on having this thing a LONG time. Other than keeping up on regular maintenance and keeping it in the garage, what do you do to keep it going and looking like new?

BallJoints BallJoints BallJoints
Steering Link Inspection / 5-Wheel rotation / Suspension link inspection EVERY oil change

PRP seatCovers and Armrest
Mopar Floormats with drain

Clean and Condition soft-top every Month
Polish soft windows every carwash


Claybar and Wax 4-6 times per year
Adam's Polishes Ceramic or Graphine paint protection could help.
Paint Protection Film the Sides / Nose of hood / door / Sills

 

[SwampNut]

I could have paid cash for my Gladiator if really needed. It would be absolutely retarded to do so. And in fact, I kinda regret putting as much down as I did, as my investments are returning well over 10% these days while the loan is at 2.65%. Smart debt is...smart... Same with credit card debt, many people have gone nuts when I said I currently have $8k in card debt. On a card with zero interest. Meanwhile the money is working for me elsewhere. Their loss, not mine.

As far as making the Gladiator last "forever," my version of that is around 6-8 years probably. That seems to be my car buying cycle for the last 20 years. One smart investment on this however was to add the 8 year 80k mile extended full Mopar coverage for only $1320. I'm pretty sure it will pay for itself by that point. I buff and wax vehicles about once a year, which seems to be enough to keep them perfect for my ownership timeframe. I do leather treatments twice a year, with high end products. I sprayed the fabric tonneau with 303 outdoor fabric protectant, which should last years. Otherwise it's just normal maintenance. There's no reason to go crazy on frequent or early oil changes and the like; when was the last time you heard of an engine dying because of oil issues?

 

[DirkG]

This is my first truck and Jeep, but I've had bulletproof vehicles through 200K miles and I point to 7500 mile changes of synthetic oil, swap your brake pads with ceramic and slotted rotors to keep things cool, and garage your vehicle (cold/heat, hose life, paint life, etc.).

Obviously seeing the responses, I have more to learn from Jeep ownership, but I look forward to learning and having my Gator JT for many many years to come.

 

[SwampNut]

The extended warranty on my Ram paid $3500 for a trans repair at 70k. And my JK needed a $600 repair at 40k. Neither could have been prevented with maintenance. Despite regular greasing, the Ram needed ball joints around 110k, but it also had dragged a 13k pound boat cross country and all over the West. On the other hand we had an Accord with zero issues ever, but that's what they are known for.

 

[guarnibl]

I could have paid cash for my Gladiator if really needed. It would be absolutely retarded to do so. And in fact, I kinda regret putting as much down as I did, as my investments are returning well over 10% these days while the loan is at 2.65%. Smart debt is...smart... Same with credit card debt, many people have gone nuts when I said I currently have $8k in card debt. On a card with zero interest. Meanwhile the money is working for me elsewhere. Their loss, not mine.

As far as making the Gladiator last "forever," my version of that is around 6-8 years probably. That seems to be my car buying cycle for the last 20 years. One smart investment on this however was to add the 8 year 80k mile extended full Mopar coverage for only $1320. I'm pretty sure it will pay for itself by that point. I buff and wax vehicles about once a year, which seems to be enough to keep them perfect for my ownership timeframe. I do leather treatments twice a year, with high end products. I sprayed the fabric tonneau with 303 outdoor fabric protectant, which should last years. Otherwise it's just normal maintenance. There's no reason to go crazy on frequent or early oil changes and the like; when was the last time you heard of an engine dying because of oil issues?

Right, without context (the OP gave none) -- you'll likely just find people responding with blanket statements. Given the nature of forums it was probably not in OP's best interest to mention any of that information, as it just causes threads to get derailed. Humans are naturally judgmental, irrespective of having all of the information or not.

Back on topic -- I went with the Gieco mechanical breakdown insurance which I think will save me money compared to buying a warranty. It's $4 per month with a $250 deductible. The risk is you must keep that provider the entire time. Now, if I do switch insurance providers, then I'd probably have to look outside again for that additional warranty coverage.

I'll have to try the 303 fabric treatment. Is it the same kind of treatment that you would use for say, a convertible top? I need to do it on my Spyder this year. What do you typically use for leather treatment?

 

[SwampNut]

$4 is cheap, but is that powertrain only? The 8/80 Mopar is nearly bumper to bumper (just no wear items like a battery), and $1300. Geico quoted me an insane rate to insure the Gladiator, so I never looked further into their warranty extension stuff.

I use and love Meguiar's Gold class leather treatment. I can tell you that it makes the seats waterproof, and guacamole-proof. The 303 is the same product used for any automotive or marine top/sun cover/etc.

 

[guarnibl]

$4 is cheap, but is that powertrain only? The 8/80 Mopar is nearly bumper to bumper (just no wear items like a battery), and $1300. Geico quoted me an insane rate to insure the Gladiator, so I never looked further into their warranty extension stuff.

I use and love Meguiar's Gold class leather treatment. I can tell you that it makes the seats waterproof, and guacamole-proof. The 303 is the same product used for any automotive or marine top/sun cover/etc.

No, it's bumper to bumper. 'Includes all parts and systems not just the specific list of items covered by most dealer warranties.' My premium is $16XX per 6 months, but that's coverage for 4 vehicles (1 with little coverage), with an accident that falls off this month. I'm anticipating my rates to drop 30%. I have pretty high coverage though -- $500/$300. If it doesn't drop, I can probably switch to Progressive and save about the same, though then I'd have to factor in warranty.... so we'll see.

I'll have to check out the 303 then!

 

[just_another_guy]

...In the Pentastar, it is about 1550 before the timing chain has no metal/metal contact...

I'm curious where you got this info from?

 

[GoVR46]

torn ligaments SUCK!!
I did it twice to the same ankle.

YIKES!

 

[DanW]

I'm curious where you got this info from?

Straight from an engineer who was on the original Pentastar design team.

 

[Mabar]

I'll be picking up my custom Willy's tomorrow as my first jeep. I'm doing an 84 month loans and I plan on having this thing a LONG time. Other than keeping up on regular maintenance and keeping it in the garage, what do you do to keep it going and looking like new?

OMG! 84 month loan!

Please watch this video. He suggests a 20/4/10 rule. Minimum 20% down payment, maximum 4 year (48 months) loan, and 10% of your total monthly income for car expenses.

These are great rules to go by when purchasing a new vehicle. SO MANY people get into debt way over their heads, by purchasing items that they really cannot afford.

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