New Truck Day - Jeep Gladiator

November 12, 2023, 10:05 PM

2000Z-71

quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
quote:
Build your own! Here is the manual with no frills.

Believe me, I've done the website build thing more than once or twice . It's the paying for it part that stops me...

Be careful with the manuals. Under Fiat's ownership they switched the manual transmission in the Wrangler from Mercedes to a Fiat based unit. It's the same transmission used in the Gladiator and they have been problematic. There have been recalls and the, "Fix" has been to change the torque management in the engine controller and dial back power and torque in the low rpm range so the transmission and clutch can handle it.

I did test drive a Mojave with the 6 speed manual and it was awful. Very mushy shift action with no real positive engagement and with the V-6 I really had to rev the hell out of it to get it moving.

As far as affordability, right now on the Gladiators with the Rubicon package there is a 15% factory rebate. They are a more affordable now than they were 4-1/2 years ago when they first came out and I was looking at them. The price correction on Jeep's part I think is in response to them being overpriced when they first came out and now with interest rates rising, people aren't buying them. I think we'll see something similar in the full sized truck market in the next few months.

It's just a strange market right now. I paid significantly less for the Gladiator than I would've 4-1/2 years ago. But a comparable 2024 F-150 to the 2019 I traded in is $24k more expensive in sticker price and there aren't the $10k rebates that there were in 2019 so there's no way I could currently afford a comparable F-150 to what I had.

November 12, 2023, 10:24 PM

1s1k

quote:
Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
quote:
Build your own! Here is the manual with no frills.

Believe me, I've done the website build thing more than once or twice . It's the paying for it part that stops me...

Be careful with the manuals. Under Fiat's ownership they switched the manual transmission in the Wrangler from Mercedes to a Fiat based unit. It's the same transmission used in the Gladiator and they have been problematic. There have been recalls and the, "Fix" has been to change the torque management in the engine controller and dial back power and torque in the low rpm range so the transmission and clutch can handle it.

I did test drive a Mojave with the 6 speed manual and it was awful. Very mushy shift action with no real positive engagement and with the V-6 I really had to rev the hell out of it to get it moving.

As far as affordability, right now on the Gladiators with the Rubicon package there is a 15% factory rebate. They are a more affordable now than they were 4-1/2 years ago when they first came out and I was looking at them. The price correction on Jeep's part I think is in response to them being overpriced when they first came out and now with interest rates rising, people aren't buying them. I think we'll see something similar in the full sized truck market in the next few months.

It's just a strange market right now. I paid significantly less for the Gladiator than I would've 4-1/2 years ago. But a comparable 2024 F-150 to the 2019 I traded in is $24k more expensive in sticker price and there aren't the $10k rebates that there were in 2019 so there's no way I could currently afford a comparable

It’s definitely a price correction from Stellantis. They have had something like a 48% price hike over the last 5 years which is by far the highest in the industry despite a dearth of new product. They are now having massive problems selling anything so they are going through their catalog and having to dial it back.

“Leading the pack in price hikes is the Stellantis group, which includes brands like Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram. These brands have collectively increased their prices by a whopping 48.6% over the past five years”.

November 13, 2023, 07:59 AM

urbanwarrior238

quote:
Originally posted by TexasScrub:
Build your own! Here is the manual with no frills.

quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
Man, I want one of those in a bad way. I'm not a Chrysler guy at all, but I've been drooling over Gladiators since they released them. It checks all my boxes...off-road capable, a bed for hauling stuff, back seat for people. I really want the base model: manual windows, manual locks, manual transmission, no crazy electrical stuff to go bad. I don't know as I've ever actually seen one, though...all the dealers around here only stock the upmarket ones.

I have this dream of road tripping one of those things and exploring a bunch of the jeep trails out in Colorado and Utah. My current RWD Silverado and Suburban just aren't up to the task, but I've also got too many kids to fit everybody in a little truck like that. If my Silverado can last me a few more years till some of the kids move out and prices come down a bit on the older ones, a Gladiator may well be my next truck.

^^ Build your own on the Jeep website. The dealer I was working with suggested this because I could never find the items I wanted. Had this I didn't want or didn't have that I wanted. Give your build specs to the dealer and 2-3 months later you get EXACTLY what you wanted. And, the window tag says.."built especially for (fill in your name)" A nice little keepsake. And you get notified when the build starts, when its loaded on the train, where it's at traveling to you, etc.

Enjoy

November 13, 2023, 05:07 PM

MGMAN45

quote:
Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Well I may have done a thing...

Worked out the deal last week and took delivery yesterday.

2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, an adult Lego set. Most of the options I wanted, the bed liner and Trail Rail system I can add myself. It does have the full time transfer case which was one of my requirements after having part time 4 wheel drive on my F-150. No, it's not as comfortable or practical as my F-150, but it's fun and I plan to have a lot of fun with it.

Very nice indeed.I have a 2009 Wrangler Rubicon with 22,000 original miles.Jeep was free,Chesapeake gas company bought it for me.

November 14, 2023, 08:48 AM

2000Z-71

quote:
Originally posted by Riley:
Very nice! It seems a good time to buy.

I’m very interested in the full time transfer case.

I've been using it in the snow and generally crappy driving conditions we've had here. Very glad I got it. It does well in conditions with variable traction, goes when you need it and none of the driveline bind in cornering, parking, etc.

November 14, 2023, 08:56 AM

2000Z-71

quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Great looking pup

Thanks, Bandit's pretty cool.

November 19, 2023, 08:43 PM

Riley

[/QUOTE]
I've been using it in the snow and generally crappy driving conditions we've had here. Very glad I got it. It does well in conditions with variable traction, goes when you need it and none of the driveline bind in cornering, parking, etc.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

November 19, 2023, 09:14 PM

smlsig

Welcome to the club. You’ve just bought THE most capable 4x4 pick up on the planet!

November 20, 2023, 04:46 AM

jgerge222

What are the dimensions of the trucks bed? What is the weight hauling capacity. It is a great looking vehicle, and I am sure it is quite capable of traversing rough terrain and snow. Will a sheet of plywood fit in the bed?

November 20, 2023, 04:53 AM

sgalczyn

quote:
Originally posted by jgerge222:
What are the dimensions of the trucks bed? What is the weight hauling capacity. It is a great looking vehicle, and I am sure it is quite capable of traversing rough terrain and snow. Will a sheet of plywood fit in the bed?

2023 Jeep Gladiator: Exterior Dimensions

Curious about the Jeep Gladiator length and how it will fit into your garage or carport? How about the Jeep Gladiator wheelbase or bed size? Since this model is a mid-size truck, it accommodates most garages and other parking spaces. In other words, you don’t have to worry about the bed sticking out! The exterior dimensions are as follows:

Jeep Gladiator length: 218 inches
Jeep Gladiator bed size (length x width x depth): 60.3 inches x 44.8 (min) 56.8 (max) inches x 33.9 inches
Jeep Gladiator wheelbase: 137.3 inches
Jeep Gladiator exterior body width: 73.8 inches
Jeep Gladiator height: 75 inches

The gladiator is indeed a truck with a 1/2 ton rating as it can carry a 1700 pound payload.

https://www.stephenwadechrysle...or-dimensions/

November 20, 2023, 06:40 PM

jgerge222

I would agree that the Gladiator may be the most capable truck to get stuck in a snow drift,in a mud bog. or roll down a mountain while rock climbing. I do not see taking it to Lowes or Home Depot, loading up 6 sheets of 3/4" plywood, a dozen 2x4s and a new washer and dryer to head home with!

November 20, 2023, 06:52 PM

smlsig

quote:
Originally posted by jgerge222:
I would agree that the Gladiator may be the most capable truck to get stuck in a snow drift,in a mud bog. or roll down a mountain while rock climbing. I do not see taking it to Lowes or Home Depot, loading up 6 sheets of 3/4" plywood, a dozen 2x4s and a new washer and dryer to head home with!

Neither will any other truck that doesn’t have an 8 foot bed…

November 20, 2023, 06:58 PM

egregore

This has a 3.6 "Pentastar" V6, correct? I know you take care of your rides, but this engine needs special attention. Naturally you'll change oil on schedule. This is very important because there are a lot of parts in the valve train. Be careful with the oil filter, taking care not to overtighten the cap. If the filter housing cracks it will make a real mess. It also does not tolerate overheating with loss of coolant.