Convince me to not get a Gladiator

Every time I see a Gladiator towing they can never stay in their own lane. They're always swerving going into other peoples' lanes.

 

That could be a driver problem too, and the same can be said for Tacomas. It's a light duty vehicle, they get thrown around. I didn't say it was the optimal towing vehicle, I said it tows better than my truck (IMO).

 

I'd definitely get the MAX tow option.

 

Exactly, I wouldn't even get it for towing since I dont tow anything...ever, but I do want the 4.10 gears and the Dana 44's.

 

As a former Jeep owner I can tell you that on nice spring day it doesn't get much better than cruising around with the top and doors off. Also, as a former Jeep owner I can tell you that Jeep aerodynamics SUCK! Top and doors off at anything above 30 mph is miserable. At freeway speed the wind will literally blow the floor mats out the door.

All that said, if I had to replace my Tacoma, I would look long and hard at the Gladiator.

 

Bone stock 2006 LJ had death wobble for days. 2 Jeep dealerships couldn't figure it out.

It's a disease, really. We hate our Jeeps, lament the times they nearly killed us, bitched about all the maintence and repairs.... And yet we miss them

 

Bought new in 2006? If so, there's the 1/10. Otherwise, probably a worn bushing, dealers suck at troubleshooting (that isn't brand dependent, plenty of examples on this site). Definitely a love hate relationship, but smiles per gallon are unbeatable. Your kids won't remember the Tundra.

 

FIAT

 

Ive worked on a lot of different vehicles. Jeeps and Rams are definitely the kind of vehicles that have kept our shop busy.

 

True. I'd buy another one In a heartbeat. As long as I have a garage to keep it In, maintence budget, and it's a second (or third) vehicle

 

Installing lifts?

 

There's definitely issues with them but obviously that's a minority. Most people dont have issues.

Jl and jt have issues with electronic gremlims. I've seen a good amount of reports of people losing engine power and power steering randomly. Manual transmissions also have issues with exploding and catching on fire. Huge recall right now.

The steering issues were fixed with a new steering box design starting in 2021. They changed it to steel vs the the old ones being made of aluminum. They're made in China so people who had the old aluminum boxes had to wait half a year to get theirs replaced.

FCA dealers are the worst by the way. Rated the worst every year on every survey in existence. You really have to research on which ones are good. I'm not sure where you live but I know a really good one in socal if that's where you are.

 

lol no cause they had issues

Rams were especially bad for having the front ends wearing out super quick compared to Chev and Ford. And the thing about new Jeeps is that they are not cheap to fix. Just my experience

But hey, if you like em go for it. It’s your cash and don’t let people tell you different

 

Best argument against buying one: "It's a Fiat Chrysler." Those two names should scare the crap out of any owner...lol

 

My two cents. I saw a commercial for a Jeep Gladiator this morning. Personally, I just don't like their look, square and boxy. For me, the Tacoma is much more pleasing aesthetically. It appeals to the eye and the Gladiator does not. The other issue for me is the cost. The base cost for a Gladiator is significantly more. If you want to add options, or do mods yourself, that is going to be one expensive vehicle. Finally, my daughter had a Jeep Patriot she bought about 10 years ago (granted). It was the most unreliable vehicle I have ever been associated with. A co-worker had a Jeep Cherokee 20 years ago and it was always in the shop. I know because he always asked me to ride him to the repair shop each time after work was over. I quickly got tired of that. Maybe the quality has changed. if these aren't issues for the OP, then go for it.

 

I like the ones with aftermarket rims amd lift kits but by that time its a 50k dollar truck. Jeep reliability has never been great but Toyota isn’t what they used to be either. I mean interior water leaks and peeling paint that shit is early 1980s GM level quality.

At this point I’d get an f150 or a raptor.

 

Fiat actually improved Chrysler. Thats how bad Chrysler was.

 

So, tell us about yourself. This is a lifestyle question.

 

That's got to be the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

 

That’s what she said