Test drove a 2021 Gladiator and ...

"No front console"? It's the same as the JL. Actually my JL's front console is a lot larger than my Tacoma's.

 

No storage bin area ahead of the center console. There isn’t an area to set anything down other than the cup holders.

 

Good points. I think one of the things that really impressed was the amount of headroom in the Gladiator. I'm 6'0 and my head only had about 3 in of clearance from the headliner in the tacoma. I was forced to go with the non-sunroof tacoma because my hair would be touching the headliner on the sunroof models which was a bummer.

 

Met a guy on the side of the highway in the barren wastelands of the Utah west desert driving one of those. $100K+ and they installed the fuel pump incorrectly so it ran out of gas with 1/4 tank indicated. Sadly, he was left waiting for AAA since I didnt have a jerry full of premium and he didnt want to risk it for the 10 miles to the nearest gas station.

That said, holy hell was that thing beautifully crafted otherwise.

 

OK. You had said front console not bin. Grant it there is no real bin, but then I've never really needed one in my Wrangler since the center console has two storage areas and holds everything.

 

Yep, but after years of Wrangl’n with the I6 I wasn’t willing to make the step-down. I knew what I was getting with the Tacoma.
As for the I6 being over-rated, we’ll have to agree to disagree, and there’s a shitload of old Wrangler owners (and mechanics) who would agree with me. Each to their own according to their experiences I guess.

 

Cracked oil filter canisters and engine leaks….remind me..were we talking about the third gen or the gladiator?

 

It's official now have the Gladiator Rubicon at home.

 

Good points 35s fit on my Rubicon stock no lift 37s fit no lift if not flexing, otherwise 1 inch lift works (most opt for 2). My fuel efficiency is better thus far (only 70 miles but driving my normal commute and driving habits). Shifts great (Aisin transmission) gearing is good 1st feels strong and shortish like the Tacoma when it was 100% stock. 2nd feels slightly longer than first but still strong 3rd more spaced out and 4th starts to gap a bit more 5th and 6th overdives on the highway were excellent keeping the rpms low while still allowing me to hold speed. It also has hill hold assist (which I turned off) if you need that sort of thing.

 

You all forgot one huge “PRO”. You just got several new close friends, who you will be spending a lot of time with. Service manage, service writer, mechanic, and district service manager. Congrats

 

i’ve been averaging twice a year visits with my Wrangler and one of those is for the state inspection.

 

I had 2013 wrangler sport 6 speed manual zero issues, father had 1990,1989,2003,2010,2011,2014,2015, we currently have a 2017 Rubicon in Dominican Republic and we have had no failures and that's in rough remote areas that have no roads and multiple river/ water crossings 4x4 mandatory, 4lo on extreme inclines and so forth. We have experienced many jeeps and various different trim levels and all have been reliable. Do they have issues yes just like any make including our precious Tacomas with major recall for fuel pump etc. I respect others point of view but I am speaking first hand experience with non mall crawling and not going overboard with extreme size tires to floss Instagram or other unnecessary modifications.

 

Please watch the story till now and his Gladiator goes through the most rigorous terrain in Canada in all 4 seasons and no major failures to speak of and he is transparent with his channel in regards to his build and platform. He calls his Gladiator a tool plain and simple. Also watch the road chose me and he has taken his jeep in remote areas across the world zero failures, he's currently building a Gladiator. If these individuals beat on their jeeps and have no major failures I am more inclined to believe them than he said she said or those who build their jeep up the wrong way thinking just because a certain size tire fits that it's a good idea to dog it with extra weight without upgrading gears, axels ecu for shift or other supporting mods to accommodate for the extra stress on the vehicle.

 

I wamt to see more pictures of that Z in the back ground.. lol

 

My last Dodge product was a 2007 Ram 1500-4wd Hemi and it was our 5th Dodge truck in a row, all new BTW. The definition of insanity? Enough! Holy Shit! The service guys put us on their Christmas list we were there so often! It was always something bullshit wrong with them, leaking or broken or making noise or something. They were reliable in the sense that they would run and drive, but am I wrong for expecting more for $$$$ trucks? So, we gave up on Dodge, et al, and bought a new F250 Lariat diesel since they're so popular commercially...WRONG!

Traded the Ford ASAP toward the '20 OR DCLB with power seats, sun roof, etc. and haven't regretted it one minute. I did the KD Max tune, modest lift/tires, camper shell, and winch and it's pretty nice and comfortable for me at 6'3"...really. Not the most powerful, shitty mileage, monotone (boring) interior, but the long bed is great for me and we don't have anyone in the back seat. More importantly IT WORKS. And I mean, IT ALL WORKS...ALL THE TIME! It is has been super reliable in every component. Can't say that about anything else, except our Subaru Outback...another fantastic car.

My last Dodge was just that...my LAST one.

 

I sit in my Tacoma and it feels downright claustrophobic compared the Gladiator. One thing I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over when I made the move from the Tundra to the Taco.

SWEET!!

 

Congrats on the purchase! For 35s, check out 35x11.5r17 Toyo AT3 in C load. They are the same weight as the stock 33s, so your not adding any rotational weight.

Mine on the 35 Toyos.


For 37s a 1” spacer really isn’t going to cut it if you wheel at all. I’d consider 2” a minimum. AEV makes a complete 2” spacer lift that also extends the shocks and swaybars 2”, so everything is in the same relative geometry as stock and works like stock, you’re not missing out on any travel. Also comes with a programmer to reflash the tire size to correct the cECU.
https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/2-spacer-lift-gladiator/

Another neat tool is the JL Tazer Mini, which allows programming options for all sorts of things that are not open to the user by default. Most importantly, remembering the auto start/stop setting between engine runs, so you don’t have to cancel it every time.
https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_tzr_jlm/#camera-kit

If you do decide to go to 37s, check out the Method 313 wheels. They are flow formed and lighter than stock while also having the ideal BS at -25 to push 37s out to not rub but keeping them under the fenders. Same dimensions as AEVs very popular Jeep wheels but lighter. And thank the ‘21 Raptor for its new OEM 37” C load KO2 just released days ago, that are only 1.8lb more than the stock Rubi 33s. Pair with the wheels mentioned above and net gain is less than 1lb per corner, which is crazy impressive going from 33s to 37s. I’m going with this wheel tire setup and just waiting on the parts to come in. Disorganized build thread here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/crashnburn80s-supercharged-gladiator-mojave-build.700918/

 

Seriously, fuck your Fiat bro, let's see that Z.

 

When you say "watch this story" - Is one called "The Road Chose Me"? What's the other one called?

 

Sorry those are the names of the channel