Test drove a 2021 Gladiator and ...

They're not bad trucks. They're just Fiat trucks. You aren't getting an actual jeep like you think the word jeep means.

 

I know what they are. I’ve been contemplating one of these since they first announced them what held me back from actually buying one was the reliability question. But now that I’ve watched a shit ton of videos from owners and read a bunch about them, I’m starting to think it might be worth the risk.

 

It's your money. Go for it! At then end of the day they're just cars.

 

So many haters. Definitely not a fan of the FIAT brand. However the 3.6 Pentastar powertrain was developed prior to the FIAT acquisition and is designed to have 90% of torque available from 1800-6350 RPM, just like you'd want in an off road pickup truck. Add Magnuson's 440hp JL/JT Blower and trying not to absolutely shred the 35s as you hit 1800 RPMs is a real problem. The Tacoma by comparison received an Atkinson cycle engine in a pickup that has to rev for power??? And then there is the Tacoma trans. Everyone complains about Toyota's 6spd auto, while the Gladiator comes with what is regarded as one of the worlds best automatic transmissions, a ZF 8spd used in countless premium applications including Toyota's new Supra. It is absolutely fantastic, best automatic I have ever driven. Never haunts for gears, is confident, fast shifting and always finds the right gear flawlessly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0BZhs4Ugag&t=20s

The JT comes with a manual transfer case with a lower gear range than the Tacoma. No FJ manual T-case swap required. JT has solid front axle. Every aspect of the vehicle designed for water fording, breathers on everything. Internal snorkel system under the hood. A high mount alternator to protect from mud that offers 110A more than Toyota for off road power accessories. And if you get into Jeep's off road Gladiators with the Mojave/Rubicon the differences are even more extreme. The trucks fit 35s stock without modding anything.

Nobody holds a candle to Toyota's build quality. I've had 4 Toyota trucks and loved them all, including my Supercharged 2nd Gen. Each vehicle has their pros and cons, the Tacoma is definitely more practical, a better value and has better storage space. But top and doors off in a 440hp Supercharged JT Mojave is just no comparison.

 

What does this even mean ?

it’s designed and manufactured in the USA. At a plant that has been making only jeeps for nearly half a century.

 

Well not sure what to say that hasn't been expressed. From a stand point of personal preference, it's just odd looking and I worked at a Dodge dealership when the pentastar engine came out, it wasn't good at first but it's been out since '09 so just remember the sign on all cars say "for sale, not must buy". Also it's design hasn't changed much since it came out back in the 60's just size and technology. If I was to buy a Jeep, my guilty preference would be a SRT Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The biggest complaint I heard about them was the limiter was set to low.

 

Isn't the pentastar v6 having a problem nuking the top end? A coworker recently had to have a head replaced under an extended warranty

 

Yes that's one of the known issues on them. When I had mine the oil filter canisters made of plastic were also cracking. Few things that I hope get fixed with time since
I would like to buy a JL eventually, but would never get rid of the Tacoma.

 

The head problems were in the very early Pentastar engines, and the issue was addressed shortly after with a redesign. Similar to Toyota’s early 4.0 head gasket problems, which Toyota also addressed. There is definitely a risk difference in being the early adopter vs buying something that’s been in production for a decade.

 

You do realize that the minivan V6 powering the Taco is even more underpowered than the one in a Wrangler/Gladiator...don't ya?

 

That was on the very early 2011-13 models. This engine is pretty darn solid until 200-250k.

 

That I6 is likely the most over-rated engine in the jeep lineup. It is no where near as reliable as it is claimed. With plenty of heads popping, countless oil leaks etc. It also feels/sounds like it belongs in farm equipment.

 

How long do you think farm equipment last?

 

I'm not convinced that they fixed the issue, because his Jeep was a 2018 and one the heads burnt a valve.

 

Far longer than that i6.

 

There was only like 1-2 years where the head cracked and that was in the late production of the 4.0.

I think some people get way too fanatical about a brand

 

I know this is going to piss some fan boys off here but I’m gonna be honest - and keep in mind I’m a lifelong Toyota guy.

So just got back from test driving a Gladiator Rubi here in town. They want $61k for it which is absolutely ridiculous but OTOH, it blew the taco away in almost every category. All the things I keep hearing about from people who don’t like Jeep’s about the loose steering, shitty, noisy ride, small cab, I found to be absolute bullshit.

It handled way better than my Taco. Now I have Cooper STT Pro’s 285/75/16’s mounted along with an OME 3” lift with an extra leaf in the back so that contributes the heavy steering, but the bottom line is the Rubi comes with Falken Wildpeak 33’s also and it feels nimble compared to my Taco.

I also liked the fact that I can see over the hood and all around the truck it seems downright panoramic. The seat is much more comfortable and has better adjustability than my ‘19 despite neither having power seats. Pretty much everything in it felt better. The stereo blows mine away. People told me they are noisy inside, again absolute bullshit. Way quieter in the cab than mine. Brakes are leagues ahead. Doesn’t seem to have much more power, but it is more responsive and smoother shifting.

Honestly, the only thing holding me back at this point is that my truck is paid for and A) the price of the Jeep. But I think I can do way better buying out of state.

B) The reliability question, but the more I learn the more I’m tempted to roll those dice.

C) I’ve put a lot of money into modding my taco. I know I’m gonna end up losing some of it. But then the reason I invested all that was to make it more capable off road and I’m still not where I would be with the Gladiator so maybe it would be worth it for me after all.

I have all the time in the wold to make a decision. I might just decide to keep the taco or it gets too much for me to resist, wait till the new models come out and I can either pick a leftover from this years batch or one of the new ones if they come out with a color I just have to have. Can’t get the Gobi anymore and I really liked that.

 

Fwiw my brother is a jeep nut. A rich jeep nut.

Has an jk aev, a tj an lj, a jl (with the 392) and a gladiator. Never had an issue. My sister in law drives a srt Cherokee.

I’m not a fan of jeeps…but I’m also not a fan of casting shade on other makes (unless I’ve had a real shitty experience with them). If you like the gladiator, buy it and enjoy!

 

The oil canister cracking was from over torquing. The canister has a rubber o-ring seal, it only needs to be hand tight. But since it has a 24mm socket end on the housing, idiots grab their 1/2" drive and wrench that thing stupid tight to the point of cracking. Ironically that is a blessing. Because if the filter housing didn't crack, or you used an aluminum filter housing, the oil cooler assembly's plastic neck to the filter would crack and this would require complete intake removal for replacement and go from a $7 replacement that takes a couple minutes to hundreds of dollars in parts that takes many hours of advanced mechanic labor that many would not be willing to perform, snowballing a $7 repair into potentially $1k+. It has a rubber o-ring, just don't tighten it so hard to break it, and don't take it in for an oil change where some kid will wrench hard on it with a 1/2" socket.

 

A few points:

JT small cab, the cab itself it a little narrower but actually has more rear seat room and more headroom than the Tacoma. However there is much less storage room. No front console. Doors just have nets, no cubbys. Govebox is stupid small. In the rear underseat and behind the seat are both much smaller and less well thought out than the Tacoma.

33s vs 33s. The JTs do come with stock 33s in Rubicon/Mojave trim. But the wheel base is also 10" longer, which just kills breakover angle. The truck is only 6" longer than a Tacoma DCSB, but Jeep also pushes the front tires super far forward for best offroad approach angle, resulting in a +10" wheel base difference. A Tacoma on 33s will be technically superior to a Gladiator on 33s in most situations. 35s are an easy bolt on, but a small 2" lift and 37s really seem like what is needed to solve the breakover issue on the Gladiator. Fortunately BFG is releasing some new light weight 37" C-load KO2s for the Raptor that would be a perfect fit.

I'd have never purchased a Gladiator based on the price. Until you realize what you can get for your Tacoma. I sold my 5.5yr old Tacoma with ~65k miles for more than I bought it for brand new. Just stupid. Net delta was just buying another Tacoma again, which made it far more reasonable.