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

[redthies]

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

And nobody will ever modify one of these gladiators either.

There was a video I saw a while ago with a 79 spewing mud as it climbed a very long steep (obviously muddy) hill on a track through the jungle. The sound of the turbo V8 diesel was so sweet!

It really doesn’t matter which vehicle you choose. Just make sure if you buy it to go off the beaten path, take it off the beaten path!!

 

[justbecause]

obviously people are going to modify every single part on the truck, including parts most people would never think to replace, its a jeep.

The point is you shouldn't take a highly modified land cruiser to use as proof they can wheel, or that they can what ever.

The argument was; a stock land cruiser will not wheel as well as a stock jeep, and I think thats a pretty fair argument to make. Jeeps are built to look cool and go offroad, land cruisers are meant to work. You can build either into anything you want to, but stock for stock, I bet a JL, or JT could out wheel anything toyota brings to market.

 

[Dan Grec]

And nobody will ever modify one of these gladiators either.

There was a video I saw a while ago with a 79 spewing mud as it climbed a very long steep (obviously muddy) hill on a track through the jungle. The sound of the turbo V8 diesel was so sweet!

I'm camping with a couple who shipped their V8 TD '79 to South Africa and are driving around.
They had been on the continent less than a month when the DPF clogged in Lesotho and everything came to a grinding halt.
$2000USD for the tow truck, $1000 USD for side of the road guys to weld a new exhaust that bypassess a lot of crap and another $1000 USD for a guy in South Africa to re-program the computer to not have a DPF and other stuff.

They now put a $5USD bottle of "diesel injector cleaner" in every single tank of diesel. (They carry 40 bottles in the truck becuase it can be hard to find here)

The '79 V8 would not be my first choice for round the world exploration.

-Dan

 

[jsek29]

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..

Oh, don’t get me wrong, the LC79 is as reliable as anything out there, tough as nails. What I am saying is that it is much closer in comparison to a 3/4 ton American truck than it is to the new JT. The lead sprung rear end carries modem than the Jeeps coil springs will, but they also reduce articulation. I have seen this cause a couple of stucks. It’s awesome to hat you do isn’t get stuck on your trip. We didn’t get eat s stuck as much as I thought we might (always in the sand). The LC79 May look like the JT, the dimensions are similar, but it is comparable more to a Power wagon than the Gladiator.

Cheers!

 

[jsek29]

obviously people are going to modify every single part on the truck, including parts most people would never think to replace, its a jeep.

The point is you shouldn't take a highly modified land cruiser to use as proof they can wheel, or that they can what ever.

The argument was; a stock land cruiser will not wheel as well as a stock jeep, and I think thats a pretty fair argument to make. Jeeps are built to look cool and go offroad, land cruisers are meant to work. You can build either into anything you want to, but stock for stock, I bet a JL, or JT could out wheel anything toyota brings to market.

Exactly my point. The Jeep I’ll out wheel anything from Toyota, the LC79 will out haul the Jeep.

 

[SnowedIn]

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.
....
If the Gladiator maintains the same level of quality as the JL, it should do really well.

That sounds promising. Worst part of how the JK/JKU handles long trips is the inability effortlessly cruise over 65 mph, particularly on long straight stretches with high speed limits and lots of wind.

 

[Todd780]

AW YEAAAAHHH!!



Aw crap.

Maybe Mopar or someone else will come out with a continuation of the JK8 kit? JL8?

 

[smlobx]

I will be going to Namibia in a few months to the very remote "Sleleton Coast"

Here's a video of the trip last year...(in a '79 LC).

http://www.gekoexpeditions.com/?portfolio=namibie-desert-du-namib

 

[redthies]

I'm camping with a couple who shipped their V8 TD '79. They had been on the continent less than a month when the DPF clogged in Lesotho and everything came to a grinding halt. $2000USD for the tow truck, $1000 USD for side of the road guys to weld a new exhaust that bypassess a lot of crap and another $1000 USD for a guy in South Africa to re-program the computer to not have a DPF and other stuff. Dan

That’s just poor planning/pre trip research. They should have had it deleted before it hit Africa. I’d bet the same thing happens to the NA spec Gladiator diesel...

Exactly my point. The Jeep I’ll out wheel anything from Toyota, the LC79 will out haul the Jeep.

There are a LOT of different Land Cruisers. I’d bet there is something in the line that can go where a Rubicon can.


Don’t get me wrong guys. I’m not bashing on Jeeps. I’ve owned a CJ7, a TJ Rubicon and a JK Rubicon. They are great. I’m going to test drive a diesel JL Rubicon if I see one on a lot.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I really don't understand payload ratings on new half ton trucks. Even the 2019 F150 4x4 with it's lightweight aluminum body can only haul 1,270 lbs in Limited trim. That's an embarrassment, since I'm seeing tons of ads pop up advertising the F150's amazing 3,270 lb payload....

Well, that all depends on what F150 you buy. If you opt for the heavy duty pay load package, then you get the higher rating. It also comes with a thicker frame.

Also, the higher trim levels weigh more, thus reducing their rating.

 

[Dan Grec]

I will be going to Namibia in a few months to the very remote "Sleleton Coast"

Here's a video of the trip last year...(in a '79 LC).

http://www.gekoexpeditions.com/?portfolio=namibie-desert-du-namib

Will you go all the way up into Marienfloss?

I was actually disappointing with the Skelton Coast after spending so much time a bit more inland (around Van Zayl's pass).

-Dan

 

[smlobx]

Will you go all the way up into Marienfloss?

I was actually disappointing with the Skelton Coast after spending so much time a bit more inland (around Van Zayl's pass).

-Dan

We are working out the general route over the next month or so..

 

[Mako1114]

I was glad to see that Jeep is going to include 4 auxiliary switches like present on some 3/4 ton trucks. It appeared to be on the Rubicon model; not sure about the other trim levels.

Cheers

 

[Beowulf]

The Four Aux switches are an option that comes with the tow package.

 

[Wallygator]

I didn't realize the shifter on the JL is basically worthless and probably there just to maintain the image of the status quo. It would be better to just eliminate the shifter and have another storage compartment or a dedicated spot to mount things there like a HAM radio or GPS tablet where the shifter is now. But I guess Jeep thought they wouldn't sell without a joystick in the center instead of a push button shifter on the dash.