Gladiator has too many compromises?

Brandough · Nov 10, 2020

I bought a Tacoma 4x4 OR for utility and light to moderate trails. When I went to upgrade the suspension, I ended up with a TJ. I don't worry breaking an expensive vehicle. My trail enjoyment has gone up substantially. I still have my truck for everything else. Usually on the trails my lady drives the Tacoma and it's there just in case so she takes bypasses. I don't go through the sketchy things if I'm not in bigger groups. Especially if I'm trying to get friends and family to get a 4x4 to come with me.

qslim · Nov 10, 2020

Chris said:
Yep, I am planning on buying a F150 as well for the same reason, so I can trailer my TJ.

It's the way to go. I picked up the TJ a few years ago, got the family into exploring all these awesome trails right here in our own N. Utah backyard, then realized we wanted to check out some other places too. No way in hell am I driving my TJ with a wife, 2 little kids, & dogs for hours at a clip to get someplace. I bought an 18' tandem axle car hauler and absolutely love it. Now we can go anywhere with everything we need, plus there's no worry about what I'm going to do if something breaks & we're hours (or days) away from home.

Chris · Nov 10, 2020

qslim said:
It's the way to go. I picked up the TJ a few years ago, got the family into exploring all these awesome trails right here in our own N. Utah backyard, then realized we wanted to check out some other places too. No way in hell am I driving my TJ with a wife, 2 little kids, & dogs for hours at a clip to get someplace. I bought an 18' tandem axle car hauler and absolutely love it. Now we can go anywhere with everything we need, plus there's no worry about what I'm going to do if something breaks & we're hours (or days) away from home.

Yep, this is the plan! Driving a TJ long distance is a PITA anyways.

KingCarGuyZ · Nov 10, 2020

Chris said:
Yep, this is the plan! Driving a TJ long distance is a PITA anyways.

Tell me about it, I just pulled 5hours last Sunday. Drive out, pick something up, drive back. Who need cruise control when your just in 5th Floored 90% of the time anyway

Chris · Nov 10, 2020

KingCarGuyZ said:
Tell me about it, I just pulled 5hours last Sunday. Drive out, pick something up, drive back. Who need cruise control when your just in 5th Floored 90% of the time anyway

Absolutely, and that's the 4.0! If the 4.0 sucks this bad on the highway (which they do), imagine the poor suckers with the 4 cylinders

Head Lice · Nov 10, 2020

That 'thing' is not a truck. Period. Full stop.
A truck has an eight foot bed/box. They aren't 'people movers', they are cargo movers.
The so-called urban trucks to-day have so much crap on them that they're nudging the GVW with two people and their lunch buckets aboard.
I live in an industrial (logging) town, and we know what a truck is.
That Jeep abortion is an embarrassment.

Zorba · Nov 10, 2020

Head Lice said:
That 'thing' is not a truck. Period. Full stop.
A truck has an eight foot bed/box. They aren't 'people movers', they are cargo movers.
The so-called urban trucks to-day have so much crap on them that they're nudging the GVW with two people and their lunch buckets aboard.
I live in an industrial (logging) town, and we know what a truck is.
That Jeep abortion is an embarrassment.

An 8, or even a 9 foot bed, and they don't have a cab that looks like the front half of a school bus either.

FYI, you probably don't know this, but your posts are impossible to read for those of us who are using the dark theme. I have an easy enough work around, but thought someone should tell you...

Zorba · Nov 10, 2020

Chris said:
Absolutely, and that's the 4.0! If the 4.0 sucks this bad on the highway (which they do), imagine the poor suckers with the 4 cylinders

You need to have that looked at - mine runs just fine on the freeway, will turn 70 MPH all day long...

jeepguy03 · Nov 10, 2020

Zorba said:
You need to have that looked at - mine runs just fine on the freeway, will turn 70 MPH all day long...

+1

I've buried the speedometer on mine with 31's and it was easier than I thought it would be. For testing purposes... on a closed course.

I think the Gladiator can do a lot of things well. If you are camping or cruising to the beach you can take a few people as well as gear, tow a trailer, etc. Can't take the doors off an F150. A manual trans option is nice, I just wish it had a V8 option. Let's be realistic, the number of 8 foot bed trucks on dealer lots these days is almost none. I know someone who recently bought a regular cab with an 8 foot bed and even buying brand new it was a pain in the ass to special order.

Zorba · Nov 10, 2020

jeepguy03 said:
+1

I've buried the speedometer on mine with 31's and it was easier than I thought it would be. For testing purposes... on a closed course.

But was it a professional driver?

Chris · Nov 10, 2020

Zorba said:
You need to have that looked at - mine runs just fine on the freeway, will turn 70 MPH all day long...

You live in Florida, possibly flattest state in the U.S.

I assume you also don’t have 35s and heavy wheels / tires

Zorba · Nov 10, 2020

Chris said:
You live in Florida, possibly flattest state in the U.S.

I assume you also don’t have 35s and heavy wheels / tires

True enough, so drop it down a gear when you go uphill! Besides, mine doesn't have problems even going over causeways. Those can get up to 150 feet in elevation - nosebleed territory!

qslim · Nov 10, 2020

Chris said:
You live in Florida, possibly flattest state in the U.S.

I assume you also don’t have 35s and heavy wheels / tires

I remember from my time in FL taking the drive up north to see family. We would have to climb Britton Hill, the highest point in the state with a summit of a staggering 345 feet! They call that area "The Northern Highlands" lol.

Chris · Nov 10, 2020

Zorba said:
True enough, so drop it down a gear when you go uphill! Besides, mine doesn't have problems even going over causeways. Those can get up to 150 feet in elevation - nosebleed territory!

That all works fine until you throw on 35s and some heavy parts. All of a sudden you downshift and it maintains speed but only makes more noise

The tune has improved things quite a bit. The headers are next.

Chris · Nov 10, 2020

qslim said:
I remember from my time in FL taking the drive up north to see family. We would have to climb Britton Hill, the highest point in the state with a summit of a staggering 345 feet! They call that area "The Northern Highlands" lol.

Florida is so flat that it’s a wonder it hasn’t been swallowed up by the ocean at this point

Zorba · Nov 10, 2020

I'm probably the only person in America that doesn't mind that one usually slows down on hills...

Zorba · Nov 10, 2020

Chris said:
Florida is so flat that it’s a wonder it hasn’t been swallowed up by the ocean at this point

My wife says Florida is a soggy sponge floating in pond scum...

KingCarGuyZ · Nov 10, 2020

Zorba said:
You need to have that looked at - mine runs just fine on the freeway, will turn 70 MPH all day long...

Who said anything about 70?

This is wheat Texas. The sign May say 70 but that’s a minimum really everyone is doing 90, and the Jeep is really not comfortable being pushed past 80. (31’s stock gearing)

jeepguy03 · Nov 10, 2020

Zorba said:
But was it a professional driver?

Of course not.

Apparition · Nov 10, 2020

Only problem with my LJ on 35’s for long trips is the frequent fill ups needed with the cruise set on 75-80.

Gladiator has too many compromises?

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