Crashnburn80's Supercharged Gladiator Mojave Build

Another pic of it on 35s

 

Looks great, but you're right, still looks stock....or, at least what stock should look like

 

Love your new Gladiator. The 35's look totally natural on it. If Jeep could only make a 2 door version with the diesel, I'd be on it. I've got a 2013 two door JK with the 3.6 with the auto and it hauls ass with no major problems outside of an erratic traction control light coming on at random. Seems to make no difference so I just ignore it.

Toyota needs to come back to the table on their trucks. I own a second gen reg cab and will never sell it simply because they don't make them anymore. I won't buy another tacoma until they offer a diesel option, so probably no more tacoma's for me.

 

That feeling when you show up at the party and everyone is already ear-to-ear grins because they've all been having a great time, meanwhile you just walked through the door stone cold sober and you're like "hey guys, what's up?"

Definitely my favorite Jeep. Hope to see it in person someday.

 

The high clearance flares on the Rubicon and Mojave are designed to clear 35s stock. The 1" lift on the Mojave does make the 35s look stock, like it rolled out the factory on them.

I'd bet the 8spd is even quicker.

Problem with the single cab trucks I believe is it requires another frame configuration and a unique cab which when combined with low demand doesn't make a great business case. You can make an extended cab 6' bed and a double cab 5' bed share the same frame, so only the cab and bed are different which streamlines production. A single cab truck requires a shorter frame and a 3rd cab configuration, and most the buyers would likely just opt for the extended cab in the absence of the single cab. Toyota isn't the only one dropping single cabs. The single cab trucks do have great proportions though, I understand why some people are big fans.

The Gladiators offer a diesel now. Makes some crazy torque and impressive fuel economy numbers. I'm too much of a go fast kinda guy for the diesel though.

 

single cab, 8ft~ish bed, just sayin'

 

I like the prototype that Jeep built at the Easter Safari a couple years back. Single cab and 6 ft bed. I like the 4d gladiator, but that long wheelbase seems a bit much for my taste.
https://northatlanticdrift.com/wp-c...he-2020-Jeep-Gladiator-2-Door-New-Concept.jpg

 

That aint bad! I like it better than the earlier JK Gladiator prototype they built before that.

The wheel base is certainly a bit long, the truck is 6" longer than the DCSB Tacoma but the wheel base is 10" longer. Some of the overall length comes from Jeep's traditional stand-off front bumper vs Toyota's integrated bumper, and for the wheel base Jeep has also pushed the front wheels very far forward for best approach angle in the Wrangler which is shared with the Gladiator. The Tacoma Pro has a 31 degree approach angle vs the Gladiator Mojave 44.6 degree approach. Granted breakover favors the Tacoma. I hope to help reduce that break over angle issue with the high clearance underbelly skid system, though it doesn't fully compensate for a shorter wheel base.

 

that looks great

 

Dang, if those are 35's how long is this thing? Haven't been able to park mine next to one yet but it looks like it's 30ft!

 

LOL! It is only 6" longer than your 2nd Gen truck. The high clearance fenders on the Rubicon and Mojave just swallow 35s like it is nothing, since they are designed to run them from the factory.

 

6" longer than my ACLB? Or 6" longer than a DCLB? (12"+ longer than mine)

 

6" longer than a 2nd Gen DCSB. If you have a DCLB then the length is the same, but the JT wheel base is +4" longer.

 

Which is great for approach angle, but your breakover suffers I suppose.

How's your rear driveshaft setup?

 

AEV made a kit for the TJ/LJ's called the Brute. I always wanted my TJ done like that.

 

So I did a couple test drives today, one with a 3.6l and on with the diesel. The gladiator is basically the same size as the Tacoma. It does have more rear seat leg room by a couple inches, something I’m wanting because my two kids keep growing.

I’d pick the diesel if I had to buy one tomorrow. The torque is impressive, it’s quieter, and significantly more efficient. The 3.6 felt good and on par power wise but a good bit more loud. The 8spd is a great transmission with both engines. It drives waaaay better than my dads JK 2 door.

I was most impressed with the Alpine stereo. I think it’s the first factory radio I’ve ever heard that I didn’t immediately want to replace.

I liked the gladiator a lot, not sure if I like one for $20k more than I paid for my SR Tacoma but it’s a nice truck.

 

Standard style 2 piece DS, but with double slip yokes (one per section) and what seems like a smaller than ideal shaft out the T-case translating to an oversized one back at the diff. Presumably solid vs hollow.

The Gladiator is designed to have best in class rear seat room for the mid-size segment, which is appreciated for sure with kids. Jeep did a reasonably good job at targeting many standardized metrics in the truck segment and made sure the Gladiator beat all the competition. Torque on the diesel is ridiculous at 442 ft/lbs. Would you consider a diesel even living in the extreme cold environment of Fairbanks? I figured gas would be more ideal in those extreme cold conditions for a daily driver.

The Alpine stereo is nice, but not sure I was proportionally impressed with it linear to the price premium though. I do feel it is nearly a must have though to get the related tech and the 8.4" display, as the aftermarket stuff never seems to integrate as well. The interface is supposed to be among the industry best and has some really nice features, the sound quality for the premium system has some room for improvement IMO given the price. But I'd certainly buy it again.

Price is the biggest killer on the trucks. When I first looked at the price I laughed and walked away. When I realized I could sell my Tacoma for more than I bought it for after driving it 5 years/60k miles, it changed my stance a bit on what I was willing to pay. They do have far more options than the Tacoma, which are a le carte and can quickly add to the price tag. If you strip the Gladiator down to a basic trim, the price is still more expensive but closer inline to the Tacoma. The Gladiator is definitely not a practical buy, it is an emotional one. Whereas the Tacoma can arguably be a practical one.

 

Disappointing development. Snowed at home today, out picking up dinner to go, get back home and as I am walking around the front of the truck I notice the passenger headlight has significant snow build up over the high beam portion of the assembly, the driver side does not. I never used the high beams on the drive. I touched the lens and the passenger side is cold to the touch, the driver side is pleasantly very warm. It seems the heating elements are not working in the passenger side light. I'll take a FLIR image tomorrow and send it off to JW Speaker.

 

i was curious how robust their thermometer is. Seems like a separate switch to bring the heat might be nice.

 

I don't recall what specific temp the heat element turns on at, but it is reasonably high in the 40s range. It was 28 on the drive home.