What to check when I pick it up?

[CharlieO]

To start off, Happy Holidays!
My first post as I’ve not picked up my rig yet. I am excitedly waiting and trying to be patient to get the call from Gupton to pick up. As I am having to fly in and drive home to Miami, Fl, I am concerned with any possible issues.
I know I should check the fuses and apparently the undercarriage per other posts. But what other areas should I check before pulling off the lot and starting a 16 hour drive? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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[ShadowsPapa]

"per other posts........"
Concerned? Why? Because a fraction of a fraction of a percent of Gladiator owners have a problem?
ANY VEHICLE you buy you would see similar things. Go visit any vehicle forum and you'd almost be afraid to buy any of them.
What you are seeing are RARE things. Don't get caught up in the appearance of things to check for. I bet that the issues you mention aren't even .05% of all Gladiators out there.
You are reading about events where people come to complain and discuss issues.
In other words, you are visiting a hospital to see how healthy humans are.
My bet - you can drive it home and not experience any issues and not have any electrical issues.
I've not even touched my fuse panel or any fuses in it - why? Because I know problems there are RARE, not common by any stretch.
I'd not be afraid to drive mine coast-to-coast, I'd only check the normal things you check on any vehicle (hoses, belts, fluid levels, etc.)
Don't get all worried because of what you read on the web.

 

[jay21mojave]

With the number of vehicles Gupton sells out of state, their Prep dept should be very thorough.. All the fluids, ask for them to torque the lug nuts, air in the spare.. be sure to get the full demo on all the controls and features of the EVIC.

 

[Jocww]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/jt-gladiator-delivery-checklist.17095/

Read this

 

[ShadowsPapa]

be sure to get the full demo on all the controls and features of the EVIC.

Each dealer I've worked with in the last 10 years does exactly that. When I bought my JT they even made sure the phone was connected, among other things.
Spencer did similar when we drove up to pick up my wife's new Jeep from him - sat in the Jeep and made sure she knew how to do everything, paired the phones. He left no stone unturned. OF course she'd had several of them already but he explained a couple of differences between the 2018 and 2021 and when we left Spirit Lake/Spencer, all was fine and all ready to go.

 

[Beemer533]

All I checked was the body for damage and any paint issues.

 

[CharlieO]

Thanks for all the quick replies. Makes me feel better. Had a couple of wranglers already but none with this much computer aided stuff or the start stop.
Can’t wait!

 

[Gvsukids]

start stop.

Don't get people here started on the start stop system...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks for all the quick replies. Makes me feel better. Had a couple of wranglers already but none with this much computer aided stuff or the start stop.
Can’t wait!

My wife trades Jeeps every 2.5 to 3 years - almost always Grand Cherokees. The reason she won't even look at anything else is because they've been so reliable.
Do look over ANY vehicle, no matter who makes or sells it, to make sure it's clean, the paint is good, no scratches or dings or whatever but that's normal for any vehicle.

Problems can happen with any vehicle, Jeep is no exception, but it doesn't mean you need to check over anything special. Just treat it like any other new vehicle. Even Mercedes has had their issues - to the tune of one million cars recalled.

 

[Rusty PW]

I had a problem today that I know is a known issue. The fuses in the fuse box not being fully seated. 295 miles on the clock. Driving down a back country road. Hit a bump and the WHOLE dash goes black. Engine still running. Go about 200 yards and hit another bump and the dash comes back on. Get home, open the hood and check the fuses. Everyone was just sitting in their slots. Took a screwdriver and pushed everyone down.

 

[Living the dream]

Have them top off the blinker fluid.

 

[Rusty PW]

Have them top off the blinker fluid.

I got a gallon left over from the Pinto had I never had.

 

[HorneyBadger]

Like many previous replies, check the body for paint, chips...etc. Quick check of fluids and tire pressure since you are making a long trip. Make sure tire pressure matches door GVWR. Some dealers like to fill them to the brim!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Make sure tire pressure matches door GVWR. Some dealers like to fill them to the brim!

Got that right. My bone-stock, factory-supplied tires have a sticker psi of 38. When I got the truck it was sitting at 41 in each tire.
Every time I take it in for tire rotation, it was back up to 41 (roughly, sometimes only 40) when I picked it up.
Then a year ago, I bought new tires, a bit wider, A/Tx and the engineer at General suggested for my truck's weight and other conditions I should run 36. It makes sense since they are wider tires, more footprint, less psi to support the same truck weight.
I bought the tires at internet pricing through the Jeep dealer. And guess what they were inflated to when I got the truck with the new tires - yeah, 41.
Yesterday I had oil change and tire rotation (Wave) and noticed the tires sitting at 41 psi.
Even if they had gone strictly by the door jamb sticker and not the tire size it would have bee 38.

3 different shops have inflated the tires on my truck to 41 psi - through 3 different sets of tires:
Stock Bridgestone Dueller H/T tires - 41 (should be 38) Dealer where I bought it
Rubicon Falken 33" take-offs - 41 (should be 36 as I recall) Tire Dealership that installed the TPMS sensors
General A/Tx tires - 41 (should be 36 according to the General engineer) Jeep dealer I bought these tires from

What the heck is up with that 41 psi, no matter the size, no matter the dealer??

 

[Mr._Bill]

Got that right. My bone-stock, factory-supplied tires have a sticker psi of 38. When I got the truck it was sitting at 41 in each tire.
Every time I take it in for tire rotation, it was back up to 41 (roughly, sometimes only 40) when I picked it up.

.....

What the heck is up with that 41 psi, no matter the size, no matter the dealer??

Maybe they are adjusting for temperature. The last check I set mine to 39psi cold. When they get warm the TPMS displays at 42psi.

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