Which Gladiator are you buying?

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I went with the Willys for this exact reason. I wanted the LSD for year round performance in slippery/snowy conditions, and I knew it would suffice for the amount/type of off roading i'd be doing. With competent tires these trucks are extremely capable.

Yup, same.

Another thing to consider, for all the “just in case” Rubicon and Mojave buyers out there- All the off-road goodies are cool, but anything that doesn’t get regular use (or meticulous maintenance) is prone to fail in that rare instance when you go to use it in like…10 years or whatever.

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[Great Offender]

Im thinking rubicon or mojave for the 4:10's as I'm going with 35's

If 4:10 gears and 35's are your only want you could probably do it a lot cheaper with a Sport - Max Tow.

 

[Steelwrap]

If 4:10 gears and 35's are your only want you could probably do it a lot cheaper with a Sport - Max Tow.

Thank You. Just getting started looking at Gladiators. I'll have to check into that.

 

[celcius232]

Bought a well optioned Willys model a couple of weeks ago from the local dealer who started heavily discounting the 50 they had in stock starting in September. I got about 22% off of a $56K MSRP and they through in lifetime oil changes, sold my stock 2000 TJ Wrangler Sport 4.0 5 speed with 76K miles for $14K, so I am into a new Gladiator for 30K. So much more modern and civilized compared to my TJ and so far I am getting 19.5 mpg in my driving. Still plenty capable for Forest Service roads, hunting, and light boat towing that I do.

 

[Gizmo]

Rubicon has always held its value better than any other standard production Jeep . My 05 is still worth more than I paid new.

 

[Ryan...]

Yup, same.

Another thing to consider, for all the “just in case” Rubicon and Mojave buyers out there- All the off-road goodies are cool, but anything that doesn’t get regular use (or meticulous maintenance) is prone to fail in that rare instance when you go to use it in like…10 years or whatever.

Exactly. In addition to the "just in case" people, with the amount of money saved by getting a Willys or Sport S, you can get yourself a nice winch, traction boards, tow straps, etc... and still have thousands left over for nicer wheels, tires, etc..

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Brand new-
Say an Overland that checks all your boxes for $3-6k less- I don’t off-road and I think I’ve went into maybe two ditches for fireworks or help someone get out.

or a Rubicon/Mojave $3-6k higher but has all the fun and extras and better resale/trade value

color not a worry

I had a similiar decision to make.

Here in my place I only had the choice between a nearly (hitch not included) fully equipped Overland Diesel and a 3,6 Rubicon.

Since I owned a 2005 TJ 4.0 Sport between 2005 and 2008 and did a lot of desert driving at that time, I felt that even a standard Wrangler or Gladiator is very capable for off road driving - most likely more than required from my side, I was already more in favour of the Overland.

I was not really convinced that the characteristic of the gas engine really match the expectation that I would have for a light truck power plant. Low torque and high revolution is more for sports cars, in my opinion.

After a test drive with the Overland Diesel (and before reading all the stories about that engine) it was clear to me to go for the Overland.

After 5 months and 7000 Miles without any issues I would select the same setup again.

PS - retail value has not been considered, my plan is to keep the car up to termination ...

 

[Rzrhawg]

If you’re going to lift it with springs, shocks, etc, is the lockers and red or orange accents really worth it? You’re taking off all the other goodies…

 

[Red Hot Sloth]

In Oct 2019 I bought a Sport S Max Tow, installed Mopar 2” lift and 1” spacer up front and 35” tires which when they wore out, I installed 37’s. Over the course if the last 4 years and several dozen off-road trips to the local desert and mountains, I can confidentially express how capable it was. I also installed a mid-width front bumper and a Harbor Freight 12k winch as well as the Apex Autolynx disconnects. I only used the winch for myself once when I high centered on an obstacle. But have used it numerous times to help others, 1 Jeep and many, many Tacomas both stock and lifted.
Soon after our first trip with it, I realized how incredibly capable it was without lockers.
I did just trade it in last week for another Gladiator with some amenities that I wish I had in the Max Tow, such as leather seats, 8.4” radio with the premium sound. This time around I chose the Mojave as 95% of our off-roading is in our local desert and the frame, knuckles, engine and transmission mounts should prove worthy of their install. I had them move my wheels and 37” tires over. My stage 3 2.5” Evo lift with shock extensions arrived the other day and I hope to have time to install it this week. I’ll be running the stock Mojave shocks until I feel they arent sufficient enough for our desert trips.
The discounts the last couple weeks made it an easy choice for me as I was planning on a new Jeep by the end of this year as it was. There are many options to choose from and each one of those choices hold the most capable production truck series, period.
Buy what your comfortable affording.
Happy Trails!

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

If you’re going to lift it with springs, shocks, etc, is the lockers and red or orange accents really worth it? You’re taking off all the other goodies…

Lockers are worth a lot more than shocks or stickers.

 

[Jefe1018]

If you’re going to lift it with springs, shocks, etc, is the lockers and red or orange accents really worth it? You’re taking off all the other goodies…

A front and rear locker in the Rubicon alongside the sway bar disconnect (with a parts and labor warranty) and the Mojave's rear locker, reinforced knuckles is more than just the stickers. You are also getting 4.10 gears, a stronger transfer case, wide track axles (yes foot fetish people can brag about this one too), high clearance fender flares (yes foot fetish people too). These are amazing packages from a factory vehicle. Lifting the truck doesn't offset the upscale packages, rather most modifications further augment and complement the factory goodies for mild to moderate use. Once you start bouncing up rocks you probably need a beefier axle, but that also puts you in a different tax bracket than most of us to begin with, hell I know I can't afford to go out and purposely break my stuff.

 

[Carrotzilla]

I like the Mojave, plus there were a lot more manuals available than other trim levels, even Rubes, which I usually buy in Wrangler trim.

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