Jeep Gladiator

Eh, not so much. Rubicon has plenty of standard features that the TRDOR has. Plus some.

The major additional cost from the lesser trims is factory front and rear lockers, front swaybar disconnect, upgraded Dana 44 axles. Actually pretty good base price points with the various trims.

 

I can think of quite a few times I wish I had at least one locking diff. Never put the money into it though.

 

Led running lights, proximity alert, leather, jbl sound, heated seats, proximity keyless entry, etc. all can be had for under $40k with the tech and prem package on a TRD OR can’t come close to that in a JLU price wise and those options.

 

Test drove a Gladiator Sport with Rubicon wheel/tire takeoffs. Some definite pros and cons against the Tacoma. Stand out cons where that it was smaller inside in terms of hip room and side to side measurements. Despite being coils on the rear axle it felt stiffer, but that may be the KO2s. Also the expected steering input for a SFA is still there, but not bad. Might be a deal breaker for casual drivers. Pros are that it had 33s on it stock, lol, not really a pro but makes me laugh as it takes work to fit those on my Taco. Pros though, really were it has better visibility and seating position. I drive a MT but owned an AT, the Jeep AT is much better than the Tacoma, it also felt like it took less effort to get speed. It looks cool, even with no lift and 33s, and people were breaking necks to see it and I got a few thumbs up and waves, so yeah it will make you cooler, ha.

Also it had the hard top and it was quiet inside, no noticeable difference over my Tacoma really.

 

Whenever I drive my mom's JLU I'm always getting the jeep wave, takes me a few minutes to get into jeep spotting, waving mode, think its pretty cool, seems to be a slightly more tight knit / involved community. When I was looking to trade my Tacoma on a JLU last year, the salesman pretty much said, so what if its unreliable, its a jeep and once you own one you'll understand, think he was on his 6th wrangler and kept going on and on about them.

The Gladiators I think need at least 35's to look proportionally, there are a few now here on base and they are just so freaking long and look funny in stock trim, only a rubicon and overlander so far, just thought it looked like a tall lanky dude that skipped leg day. I will say the JL's handling as far as throttle / transmission response is way better than the Taco, but the electric steering is super finicky to an almost annoying point. I do love how manuverable and flickable they feel though driving in the city, great for Trader Joes parking lots, lol. Cool to hear the gladiator has better sound dampening, I know the JLU isnt bad until you jump on the highway in which its harder to hold a conversation with someone in the backseat.

 

"so what if its unreliable, its a jeep and once you own one you'll understand"

Yep, hence the saying. For some it cliche for others its a wonderful thing.

I think the Rubicon JT needs 35s, actually 37s to look really good. But in person the sport looked good on 33s. I'd still bump it up to 35s though. If you've seen a Sport S with the OE all seasons, they look bad stock.

 

Its an amazing $35-40K vehicle.

 

Ya same with the overlander, has car like looking ATs, wasnt a fan, but man I could see the endless mod potential, I'm surprised outside of the price why many here havent jumped, the ulimate off road, mod-able truck. Even with the reliability reputation, I know Jeep WAVE or whatever their warranty is called costs a bit upfront but is really good and covers almost everything, alot of the Jeep guys swear by it.

 

Top Speed run:

 

First thoughts this dude is a tool, shortly after holy hell he's paying to have his whole gladiator covered in PPF (having done just the rocker panel and partial hood myself, easily a few grand), then heard him mention his adventador and suntek sponsoring the video, yep douche and a half, none the less good little bit of info / video.

 

Agree. Apparently XPEL'ing your whole vehicle is a pretty typical thing now, but you usually only see it on supercars or high value "classics".

OA

 

I'm sure this has been discussed here already in the 36 pages of responses about this truck but I wanted to see just how much of a difference there was between the Tacoma and the Gladiator in price for a base model so I went on to their respective websites and priced out 2 base models, 4 doors, 4x4, Automatic trans, V6 engines to compare the two as accurately as possible- $5K difference. And the taco comes with power windows, active cruise/safety features, mirrors on the visors etc. True, if you're getting a base model soft top jeep none of that matters

 

$5k difference seems about right as you compare the trims. However, I still say the base Rubicon is an excellent price point compared to a TRD Pro.

You're getting a lot of bang for the buck with a base Rubicon. I built a Rubicon for $45,385 on Jeep.com, only options were the $250 tow package and $95 block heater, shipping price included. That's actually not bad if you don't mind a soft top and an MT. 240A alternator is nice.

Add in a hard top, that's $1195. Add in the bed rails like all Tacomas have, that's $895. Now you're at $48k.

 

Jeep dealers discount Rubicons too though. Give it a year, should be able to find Rubicons for at least 2k off MSRP. Some dealers will actually do that now, to get customers.

 

Don’t mind it!? That’s the only way to spec it!

 

Test drove a JL that’s what made me go find a tjr instead. Zero feeling in the clutch, cable shifter (in a longitudinal config?!) feels like crap but those are my opinions I suppose..

 

I figured so much about the light clutch, I drove a JK once and it had no resistance. That’s stick though....wonder if somebody like URD makes better ones

The TJs are great. My brother has a 2006 Sport (LJ actually) and my Dad has a 98 Sahara. Tons of fun

They’re both constantly in my brother’s garage for weeks at a time though. So I’ll stick with my Tacoma haha

 

Yeah there's always wiggle room buying new. I doubt there's base Rubicons on dealer lots, though. Not sure how much discount you would get if you ordered one.

 

Around me they don’t even stock rubicons in manual, 3 dealers have told me they’re order only lol

 

No manuals in production yet, parts or the production line is not ready for the MT as of now.