Gladiator has too many compromises?

[Zorba]

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)

70 is about the fastest I'll drive (in any vehicle), and I really prefer 65. When I drove cross country from California to Florida, there were several states with a 75MPH speed limit. I drove that fast then, but didn't really enjoy it - I was glad when I got further east and the limit dropped to 70. And yes, hills slowed me down, sometimes to 55-60. So what?

 

[zebra12]

I love the J6, and the Gladiator has grown on me a lot. We have a diesel Toyota Hilux at work here, nice truck and a damn shame that you cannot buy them in the US.

 

[Head Lice]

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...

Didn't know that Zorba, thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
Hope this is easy to read, if not, I will not use the bold type.

 

[KingCarGuyZ]

Didn't know that Zorba, thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
Hope this is easy to read, if not, I will not use the bold type.

out of curiosity, what is wrong with the normal "standard" font? or is that just you calling card?

 

[Zorba]

Didn't know that Zorba, thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
Hope this is easy to read, if not, I will not use the bold type.

This reads fine - it was the dark purple color. I'd just highlight it to read, no biggie...

 

[Head Lice]

out of curiosity, what is wrong with the normal "standard" font? or is that just your calling card?

Just easier for me to see and correct my atrocious spelling.

 

[Zorba]

Just easier for me to see and correct my atrocious spelling.

I hear you about being able to see things on a computer screen - one reason I use "dark" themes whenever possible, cuts down on the GLARE. As for spelling, FireFox has a built-in spell checker...

 

[downthepines]

In all honesty I really like the Gladiator. But its not for me. I would probably consider it as a daily if it had a 5.7. But for the price, You could buy a gently used 1/2 ton and a nicely modded TJ for the same price, and you would have a much more capable Jeep, And a better pickherup truck.

 

[Zorba]

Hell, you could buy a gently used commercial grade truck for the same price and have a far more capable vehicle, albeit without offroad ability.

 

[jeepguy03]

In all honesty I really like the Gladiator. But its not for me. I would probably consider it as a daily if it had a 5.7. But for the price, You could buy a gently used 1/2 ton and a nicely modded TJ for the same price, and you would have a much more capable Jeep, And a better pickherup truck.

Oh yeah I wouldn't buy one new, I'm way too cheap for that. I probably wouldn't buy anything else new either. I understand why people would get it though. A teacher at one of the schools I work in just bought a Rubicon. He traded in both his JK and his Silverado. He said it takes the place of both vehicles so it was an easy decision. I could see that for someone who just uses the truck to occasionally haul stuff. He got the hard top and usually cruises around with tube doors.

 

[Head Lice]

The Gladiator tries to be two things at once . . . . ends up being neither.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Oh yeah I wouldn't buy one new, I'm way too cheap for that.

It's funny, in a lot of areas the used ones are more than new... Even Car-Max was paying people with year old Gladiators more than they paid for them.

I really like mine. I went from a 2017 GMC Canyon SLT 2wd to the gladiator. Overall it is the same size interior and exterior. I do have more inside storage options than the Canyon, so can stash more little things. The ride and visibility are both way better than the Canyon. I have the hard top, and the noise level is about the same around town, highway is a bit louder in the Gladiator, as would be expected with an aerodynamic brick. I have a ton more customizing options for the Gladiator, than even for my TJ... let alone the Canyon, which only had one lowering option, and a small handful of lifts available, and near zero performance upgrades. I take the removable front roof panels out any time when there is no rain, I will be pulling the doors off more this winter now that we are leaving the rainy season, something not even possible with the Canyon.

Price out comparable midsize to the Gladiator, and there's really not that huge of a difference... just priced out a Canyon with similar options, came in $5k less than Gladiator...

 

[Ricgowan]

I have an F-150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost and while it is amazing, I would get rid of it for a Gladiator in a second if it would tow my camper. My camper weighs a touch over what the Gladiator is rated for and, as always, my wife wants bigger, not smaller so I'm screwed.

This right here. I looked hard at the Gladiator, and had one spec'ed with the local dealership (Sport S with the Max Tow pkg). Then we went to the Camper Show and when all was said and done, the "camper" that She Who Must Be Obeyed wants is a couple thousand pounds out of the Gladdie's range. Enter the Max Tow F-150, with it's 13,200 pound capability. Next up is a flat trailer, so we can get to TJ Days in Moab in 2022 (won't be ready for the First one).

 

[ejay]

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

That's just a description of the brain of the typical 'Florida man'.

 

[B00mb00m]

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

I could save a lot of money if i could get this through my head

 

[Zorba]

That's just a description of the brain of the typical 'Florida man'.

HEY!

 

[Artsifrtsi]

HEY!

But you are FAR from typical!

 

[Fouledplugs]

as always, my wife wants bigger, not smaller

 

[JDS123]

If the Gladiator had a bit more towing capacity and a lot more power I'd actually consider one for towing the TJ. I think they look pretty cool and you wouldn't have much trouble getting into campsites on less traveled forest service roads. But at this point in time I just don't think they're stout enough to comfortably tow a TJ if you are heading through the mountains (maybe in flat areas it'd be alright). If I got a new tow rig, I'd end up with a 1500 Eco-Diesel or 2500 Ram with a 5.7L or 6.4L. I prefer more interesting things to drive so I'm still anticipating getting a 24 valve dodge in a couple years. Maybe the Gladiator will make more sense by then.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Was a great day to go nearly nekkid... wife wouldn’t help with the back half...