Gladiators on the Rubicon Trail

[Justincredible]

How much $$$$$ is in LiteBrite's JLU?

I watched the Hemi install videos and iirc the figure of $35K was tossed about. Cannot remember, though, if that is retail or otd ...

They ran some trails with Lone Star Drift in his Humvee, and Kevin mentioned it would be somewhere around $150,000 (without their sponsorships).

 

[WanderingTrail]

I think they said that the Hemi swap and axles ran $58K, but other than a lift and skids that's about the most major parts. They are probably sitting on a 120K rig.

Ron

 

[DaveInDenver]

I enjoyed the video content, but I have mixed feelings about it.

On one hand, if you put "Rubicon" in massive letters, on the hood of the vehicle, you need to prove to the media / public that it actually can do the Rubicon trail.

On the other hand, in stock form, the vehicle really struggled. Watching a vehicle struggle, is not impressive.

I agree with your points. Anyone who's been at this long knows long wheel base, long rear overhang and smaller tires is going to make it tough. So I'll just add that I think inexperience might have played a factor. If Jeep wanted just to prove it was technically possible they could have hired a team of OHV trainers to drive and documented it. So allowing random automotive writers to actually drive and film it is simultaneously brave and dumb.

 

[Ghetto Fab.]

I went on the Jeep Jamboree USA event on the Rubicon this past August. There were two JT Rubicons on the run, both owned by businesses, both on 40s. The owners/drivers seemed to have little issue with driving them on the trail. Neither one sustained any major damage. I was actually quite surprised how little the undercarriage was scrapped up on one of them. The break over seemed to not be an issue. I'm sure a good chunk of the problem was inexperienced drivers driving in unfamiliar terrain with a vehicle that isn't really a rockcrawler.

As has been said here and at that event, a JT isn't going to make a serious rock crawler.

However, here in the overlandy world it should be a perfect fit, especially if you have a small family.

Kevin

 

[Jurfie]

I went on the Jeep Jamboree USA event on the Rubicon this past August. There were two JT Rubicons on the run, both owned by businesses, both on 40s. The owners/drivers seemed to have little issue with driving them on the trail. Neither one sustained any major damage. I was actually quite surprised how little the undercarriage was scrapped up on one of them. The break over seemed to not be an issue. I'm sure a good chunk of the problem was inexperienced drivers driving in unfamiliar terrain with a vehicle that isn't really a rockcrawler.

I suspect that had more to do with the lift and 40s vs. bone stock Rubicons...

 

[grogie]

I'm looking forward to more options coming on line for the Gladiator. I'm hoping Four Wheel Camper fits their Fleet to it, as I think that would make for a nice "next" build.

 

[Bobzdar]

I agree with your points. Anyone who's been at this long knows long wheel base, long rear overhang and smaller tires is going to make it tough. So I'll just add that I think inexperience might have played a factor. If Jeep wanted just to prove it was technically possible they could have hired a team of OHV trainers to drive and documented it. So allowing random automotive writers to actually drive and film it is simultaneously brave and dumb.

I read an article from another journalist that was there and his comment was that the Gladiator didn't struggle, but there were some inexperienced drivers that did. Most made it without needing a tug, which if it can make the rubicon trail without needing help from another vehicle, it deserves the model designation (imo).

Did any of them break?