New Jeep Pick Up to be unveiled...The Gladiator

[plumber mike]

I think pairing the diesel with a manual transmission could get me to throw down on one. Phew. My money is likely very safe. This is the first Jeep product in a long time that I find remotely appealing

 

[smlobx]

With full size pickups seemingly getting larger and larger each year the mid size truck category has a lot of appeal to more and more folk. If you don't need the capabilities of half ton and larger trucks, and face it most truck buyers don't, then these mid size trucks will fit the bill nicely.

So if the mid size truck works better for a significant number of people and the "Overland/Off-road " genre is growing leaps and bounds then your options are limited. As I see it it will either be this truck or the ZR2.

Having not driven either I can't say which I'd prefer, but I do have a Grand Cherokee with the diesel and can tell you that that diesel is fantastic and when put in the Gladiator should outperform the ZR2 which I have heard is a little lacking on top end power...

Either way it's an exciting time to be alive!

 

[offcamber]

The main reason I'm not sold on the 3.6L gas version is the wheelbase. A solid front axle just isn't enough to overcome the disadvantages compared to my midsize pickup with stock diameter tires, 2" lift, and aftermarket bumpers.

Pros:
- Solid axles (articulation, ease of suspension mods, etc, etc)
- Aftermarket
- Good stock approach/departure angle
- Turn radius should be at least as good as shorter IFS midsize trucks with same-length beds, because axle.

Cons:
- Solid axles (I really don't think this will cruise on the highway better than a JKU/JLU, and those are awful on long trips compared to a well-configured conventional pickup)
- Wheelbase - breakover angle is a bit on the "meh" side compared to contemporary midsize pickups with OEM offroad packages.
- It's a Jeep. Yes, I know this is the Jeep subforum. Yes, I have a Jeep. But I do have a Jeep - nobody is going to BS me about build quality, although I hope they've fixed a couple of the really annoying JK issues, like their propensity to turn into rolling swimming pools.

Neither here nor there:
- Stock approach and departure angles are comparable to midsize pickups with smart bumper/suspension mods; those trucks are much cheaper to start with, so they may still end up being less expensive

Predictions:
- They will sell a ton of these
- Those willing and able to run 34/35" tires will have a blast offroad with them without giving up anything on the trail to a conventional pickup, especially when the diesel versions show up.

I've had a JLU Rubicon since mid February (I ordered on 12/30). Mine's got every option except the optional wheels because I knew I'd go bigger. The first time I drove the JL I was stunned. It does not ride and drive like a Wrangler. In fact, it rode so well, I decided that I wasn't going to lift it. It rides and drives pretty much exactly like my wife's 2014 Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel. I came from a 2012JK with Fox 2.5 shocks, 3.5" of lift with MC springs and I thought it rode better than any lifted JK I'd been in. I put 35" Toyo MT's on it and drove it that way about that 2 months. The JL fits 35's with no issues stock. I wheeled it a couple of times and I felt it was just a little too low. I saw a good deal on the Mopar 2" lift so I bought it since most reviews put it at having a close to stock ride.. After installing the Mopar lift, it netted closer to 3.5-3.75" of lift. It still had the same ride and drive, but it just looked silly to me with 35's on it. So I sold the 35's and put 37x13.5 Coopper STT Pro's on it. Even lifted and on Cooper 37x13.5's it rides incredibly well. Enough so that 6 weeks ago I drove it from Dallas to Birmingham for a week of work. It was pretty much the best long distance drive I've ever had in ANY kind of 4x4 that I've owned. Between the great ride and handling (mine has had none of the steering issues others have complained about - although my JK did) and the comfort and entertainment options (love the stereo with Android Auto and 8" screen, I didn't find myself getting tired and having to pull over to walk and stretch at all. My only complaint is that it seems to have less headroom than I had in my JK.

The fit and finish is waay above a typical Jeep. Everything seems very well thought out in the JL, something you can't say about every previous version of the wrangler. There are so many details that just make you go "wow, I would not have thought of that" in it's design. The hard top is considerably lighter, much better built and easier to put on and take off. Mine does not leak anywhere even through high pressure car washes. The soft top I'm more impressed with. I think on the highway it is as quiet as the hard top. One person can easily put it up and take it down in about a minute. (if that). It also has not leaked (although it annoyingly dumps rain into the drivers floorboard when the door is open. If the Gladiator maintains the same level of quality as the JL, it should do really well.

 

[smlobx]

Apples and oranges. The LC79 has nowhere near the Offroad capability of a Wrangler. I imagine the Gladiator will perform similarly to the Wrangler. I’ve seen LC79s struggle on dirt roads, lacking enough articulation to keep traction and they don’t have enoug power to get out of their own way. Compared to our ‘07 JKU, severely under geared from the factory, the LC had less grunt grunt when you needed it. The LC should be compared to 3/4 American trucks, that is what they are. Just because they look like a Jeep a and are similarly sized to a Jeep does not mean not mean the two are comparable.

As much as we Americans want that which is denied to us (Defenders and 70 series Land Cruisers) the LC79 would face stiff competition from Ford/Chevy/Dodge. They all do the same things, and the American trucks do our it with more comfort, a bigger bed, and a massive established fan base.

I see that you have spent considerable time in Africa in your Jeep. That must have been a fantastic journey. On our trip there we drove the 79 Series outfitted with all the appropriate gear and non of us got stuck or had any issues that were truck related. You know that virtually every "car" driven in the bush is a 79 Series andthe dependability of that vehicle is legendary. That speaks for itself but we can agree to disagree..
Peace..

 

[Clutch]

I think pairing the diesel with a manual transmission could get me to throw down on one. Phew. My money is likely very safe. This is the first Jeep product in a long time that I find remotely appealing

Damn shame they aren't paring a manny with the diesel. Would be "the" truck enthusiasts have been screaming for, for years. Always one thing the manufactures seem to miss the mark, and maybe a 2D version with a 6' bed...

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

With full size pickups seemingly getting larger and larger each year the mid size truck category has a lot of appeal to more and more folk. If you don't need the capabilities of half ton and larger trucks, and face it most truck buyers don't, then these mid size trucks will fit the bill nicely.

So if the mid size truck works better for a significant number of people and the "Overland/Off-road " genre is growing leaps and bounds then your options are limited. As I see it it will either be this truck or the ZR2.

Having not driven either I can't say which I'd prefer, but I do have a Grand Cherokee with the diesel and can tell you that that diesel is fantastic and when put in the Gladiator should outperform the ZR2 which I have heard is a little lacking on top end power...

Either way it's an exciting time to be alive!

I was consideringthe the ZR2 with a diesel and drove one. Yes it was underwhelming but everything else was very nice. Chevy just missed the mark by not going with 35s straight away.
I had a hummer h-3 it came with 33s I put 35s on it no problem.

 

[smlobx]

I was consideringthe the ZR2 with a diesel and drove one. Yes it was underwhelming but everything else was very nice. Chevy just missed the mark by not going with 35s straight away.
I had a hummer h-3 it came with 33s I put 35s on it no problem.

Just wait until they put the diesel in the Gladiator. Mine drives like a V-8. You will not be disappointed. Plus getting close to 30 mpg on the highway (25 mpg overall) is a nice side benefit.

 

[Dan Grec]

Damn shame they aren't paring a manny with the diesel. Would be "the" truck enthusiasts have been screaming for, for years. Always one thing the manufactures seem to miss the mark, and maybe a 2D version with a 6' bed...

View attachment 487065

I watched a video interrview with a Jeep designer during the gladiator launch. He answered two questions more directly than I thought possible.

HEMI (or even other V8) in the JL or Gladiator - "We all know it fits, the aftermarket do it great, we just would never get it to pass crash safety, so it's not something we can ever do".

2 door JT - "It costs A LOT of money to go down that path, and given 2 door JLs are only 20% of sales, we can't make the business case for a 2 door JT"

I was shocked how candid it was. It was refreshing.

-Dan

 

[Jurfie]

maybe a 2D version with a 6' bed...

View attachment 487065

AW YEAAAAHHH!!

2 door JT - "It costs A LOT of money to go down that path, and given 2 door JLs are only 20% of sales, we can't make the business case for a 2 door JT"

Aw crap.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I watched a video interrview with a Jeep designer during the gladiator launch. He answered two questions more directly than I thought possible.

HEMI (or even other V8) in the JL or Gladiator - "We all know it fits, the aftermarket do it great, we just would never get it to pass crash safety, so it's not something we can ever do".

2 door JT - "It costs A LOT of money to go down that path, and given 2 door JLs are only 20% of sales, we can't make the business case for a 2 door JT"

It's the unsaid truth about why anything happens in the auto industry. Will it sell profitably and pass all the regulations? Enthusiasts and forum tire kickers account for 1-in-1000 of the variables they have to deal with. Selling 4 door, V6, automatic transmission, highly optioned pickups is like shooting fish in a barrel so why would any of them give a second thought about expending effort on anything else?

 

[Clutch]

I watched a video interrview with a Jeep designer during the gladiator launch. He answered two questions more directly than I thought possible.

HEMI (or even other V8) in the JL or Gladiator - "We all know it fits, the aftermarket do it great, we just would never get it to pass crash safety, so it's not something we can ever do".

2 door JT - "It costs A LOT of money to go down that path, and given 2 door JLs are only 20% of sales, we can't make the business case for a 2 door JT"

I was shocked how candid it was. It was refreshing.

-Dan

Amazing the Wrangler exists at all, you wouldn't think a vehicle with a removable doors and top would pass a crash test.

 

[redthies]

I see that you have spent considerable time in Africa in your Jeep. That must have been a fantastic journey. On our trip there we drove the 79 Series outfitted with all the appropriate gear and non of us got stuck or had any issues that were truck related. You know that virtually every "car" driven in the bush is a 79 Series andthe dependability of that vehicle is legendary. That speaks for itself but we can agree to disagree..
Peace..

Yeah, 79s are so not capable off-road...

 

[Clutch]

Yeah, 79s are so not capable off-road...

I like the one where they are yanking a trailer through some gnarly stuff.

 

[justbecause]

those arent modified at all or anything.....

 

[Clutch]

those arent modified at all or anything.....

Looks like standard issue overland mods. Nothing too-too crazy. Not like they are sitting on 37-40" tires.

Gall Boys have a bunch of videos if you want to leaf through. Pretty impressive what they drag those trailers through.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AllBgcmoiMaXCyqiX8YjQ