Jeep Gladiator

I can tell you right now, there isn't a snowballs chance in hell the ranger will get a v6. So if that is a make or break for you, just go do your alternative now.

 

Yes I know that I work for a Ford/Chrysler dealership as the Internet Director.

I have had conversations at dealer conferences with the people that make the decisions and they stated that the 2.3 L EcoBoost will perform with the Tacoma, GM twins and better than the Honda.

There will be an SVT version later with higher HP/Torque output but the Premium over the normal version will put me out of that market just as it did in the F Series.

 

Dang, didn't know that . . .

I just meant that, in general, a pickup has more uses, but I see your point.

 

Meh, many (most?) people just use Jeeps as a regular SUV. I do love the removable Bluetooth speaker. Genius.

 

I hate to be a "Well Actually" guy... but wanted to confirm, its the same Dana 44 M210 axles all around in ALL of the Gladiators, the only difference is they're the Wide version on the Rubicon. And... with the "Max Tow" package in the Sport, you can get the exact same axles.

The Rubicon advantages are; front/rear lockers (now with high speed rear locker), front sway disconnect, crawl t-case, "offroad tuning" options, the fox shocks and then various quality of life things.

It's funny how all other models get dismissed, but the Wrangler now Gladiator feature set is STILL very capable from the get go.

 

Don’t they all come standard with Fox shocks? I’m pretty sure the rubicon just has a different fox shock.

 

From the spec sheet it just says "Gas-charged monotube shock absorber with multi-tuned valve technology"

 

Well, I was looking at the spec sheet and seeing the lesser trims only have 1100lbs payload and 4000lb tow capacity. So what is the difference, I thought I heard in the TFL video it was the axles - Tow Max and Rubicon get a stronger version. Also those axles are 4.10 vs 3.73. 4.10 ratio is an option on other trims.

Offroad:
- 137" wheelbase (Tacoma DCSB 127" wheelbase). Poor breakover angle
- 44.5' turning circle in all trims (Tacoma DCSB 40.6' turning circle)
- 218" length, (Tacoma DCSB 212")
- Front Stabilizer Bar disconnect Rubicon only
- Rear diff open, clutch-type LSD optional, electronic locker Rubicon only
- Front diff open, electronic locker Rubicon only

33" tires stock is helpful, ability to go to 35's easily, said the spare carrier can handle a 35" spare.

Looking at some other things now from the spec sheet:
- ClassIV hitch is part of an option package
- 115vAC is part of an option package
- Rail tiedown system is part of an option package

 

No regular-cab fail.

 

Yeah we have seen all the sales success the Tacoma is having with the regular cab....oh wait

 

That's the fault of all you soccer moms.

 

And we will be putting our money where our blowjob giving mouth is, and buy the Gladiator, since the Pro is all played out at Starbucks

 

I agree, it would be cool if they had a minimalist "bare-bones" version. I bet there would be a small following, but probably not enough to be profitable.

Sales were probably low, but part of it was also that the short wheelbase threw it out of the less lenient truck category in govn't mandated fuel economy calculations, so it would have brought the fleetwide numbers down.

 

Agree 100%. It just won't happen in reality.

 

Oh, marketing numbers. The Gladiator ONLY gets the 1600 payload if you get the lightest model (the Sport) with a manual transmission. You add the automatic, wider axle and 4:10 ratio to then get to the 7650 lb tow rating... that 50 is SO important (if you want to say Industry leading towing capacity.) As you add weight, both of those numbers decrease until you get to the heavy Rubicon. When it comes to those numbers, its GVWR, transmission & gearing. The Rubicon & the Max Tow Sport S have the same bits underneath... but the Rubicon has softer suspension for crawling, and weighs more with all the protective bits. The other numbers, length and dimensions, are also marketing speak... though that 6" of extra length is sort of bothersome it translates directly into a back seat that will accommodate a 6' tall rear passenger. The Tacoma back seat is great if you're hauling dogs or small humans, it's cramped even for my long-legged tweens.

I'm not concerned about breakover, I'm not offroading on rocks, just ruts. Someone that DOES care will be able to cram 37" or 40" tires into that wheel well much more easily than a Tacoma. I love the way the IFS of a Tacoma drives and wouldn't flinch at having it in a Jeep, but that translates to a tricker suspension rig to modify for offroading. There is a tradeoff for sure.

The solid axle up front is a major thing, very "love it or hate it." On any given day, I love it or hate it myself... my wife, not a fan of highway speeds with a solid front axle. I predict a fair amount of people jump a new Gladiator and get rid of it within 1-2 years because they hate the way it drives. It will definitely not be the truck that steals everyone else's customers.

Turning radius... neither of them will do a u-turn on a 2 lane street and if I were doing Black Bear, 44.5" will do as well as 40.6" for the hairpins.

All things considered, as I watched the reveal there was a lot of time spent on those talking points that are really little more than an effort to out-do a different truck. I love the Gladiator, I will be getting one. I would have loved the Tacoma and almost switched a couple of times in the 5 years I've been in my Wrangler. At the end of the day, they have the same displacement and general capability (more than enough to meet my needs.) I do NOT like that the Tacoma is still in a 6 speed slushbox without any promise that they'll be further improving their transmission.

 

Breakover and turning circle will matter quite a bit. This thing just doesn't seem as versatile as the other midsize trucks, probably pricier.

 

Well written

 

Doesn't seem as versatile? Versatility is Gladiators selling point and marketing strategy. What can the Tacoma do better than a Gladiator?

 

I'm with you. I think a lot of Tacoma owners are trying to justify their Tacomas. Gladiator has a bigger interior, 35s easy, lockers, tow more...whats not to love?

These will sell like crazy. Including myself in about 5-7 years after the mallcrawlers & "outdoorsy" hipsters eat the depreciation costs for me

 

these things may not depreciate as much as wranglers which are neck and neck with tacomas though.

may take over kbb's #1 spot for least depreciating vehicle.