Manual Trans or Diesel Gladiator? (and Rubicon or Mojave?)

Ron said:
I wanted a gladiator when they first came out. Like deadset wanted it.
Went and drove one of the first ones Ft Mill dodge got it.

Walking up to it I saw this:
View attachment 411678


I opened the back door and realized there was zero reason for the cramped door opening. It hit me as odd. Just assumed it was so they could use JK doors on it and have one part number, but no they are different dimensions apparently.
Years later now, every time I see a gladiator my eyes are drawn to this void and I cant unsee it
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It does look funny but in reality, opening that space up doesn't do anything for ease of entry.
 
Ron said:
I wanted a gladiator when they first came out. Like deadset wanted it.
Went and drove one of the first ones Ft Mill dodge got it.

Walking up to it I saw this:
View attachment 411678


I opened the back door and realized there was zero reason for the cramped door opening. It hit me as odd. Just assumed it was so they could use JK doors on it and have one part number, but no they are different dimensions apparently.
Years later now, every time I see a gladiator my eyes are drawn to this void and I cant unsee it
Click to expand...
I agree, doesn't look right. But neither does the shape of the fuel door, or the silly turn signal storage containers on the rear corners. But I'd still drive one :D
 
Ron said:
I wanted a gladiator when they first came out. Like deadset wanted it.
Went and drove one of the first ones Ft Mill dodge got it.

Walking up to it I saw this:
View attachment 411678


I opened the back door and realized there was zero reason for the cramped door opening. It hit me as odd. Just assumed it was so they could use JK doors on it and have one part number, but no they are different dimensions apparently.
Years later now, every time I see a gladiator my eyes are drawn to this void and I cant unsee it
Click to expand...
JL, but yeah that is the reason. Doors are interchangeable.
 
I'm with Ron. I don't like the rear door. I think it would look MUCH better if the bottom rear of the rear door looked something like this. Matching the size of the bottom rear of the front door and angle of the rear wheel flare.

1706819842637.png
 
Went and looked at a couple at lunchtime today. Of course they had no diesels and no manuals, but I was still able to learn a lot. Some of the missing features at this price point are appalling to me. Windows with auto down, but no auto-up, no power seats (I actually like that, but not for the money), manual sliding rear glass, no cooled/ventilated seat option on any trim, and yet they still sticker for over $60k :eek: None of those are deal breakers, not even a surprise, just dumb, and shows how much of a lock jeep has had on the market for too long.

Interior was a bit snug as expected, rear seat room was actually decent. The funky rear door opening didn't affect the entry/exit space straight out the side, but did kind of get in the way for swinging a foot up there to get in.

It was a fun thought exercise, but I don't think it's a good fit for my needs, mainly because of the obvious lack of enclosed storage. It would never work for traveling with the family unless I got some type of hard bed cover, which would then make the bed too short for hauling a dirtbike. I'm still open to offers on the TJ though in case anyone wants to sway me otherwise...
 
Ron said:
I wanted a gladiator when they first came out. Like deadset wanted it.
Went and drove one of the first ones Ft Mill dodge got it.

Walking up to it I saw this:
View attachment 411678


I opened the back door and realized there was zero reason for the cramped door opening. It hit me as odd. Just assumed it was so they could use JK doors on it and have one part number, but no they are different dimensions apparently.
Years later now, every time I see a gladiator my eyes are drawn to this void and I cant unsee it
Click to expand...
Location of the rear axle relative to the box is weird, too. Either need to take 12" off the ass end or the axle needs to go back 8"


drkelly said:
It is really good to see prices FINALLY drop.
Click to expand...

This is how you know they've got you. $50k for a Jeep? Fuck yeah, where do I sign? Your brain is slowly recalibrating to the new value of a dollar.
 
shawn said:
This is how you know they've got you. $50k for a Jeep? Fuck yeah, where do I sign? Your brain is slowly recalibrating to the new value of a dollar.
Click to expand...
They haven't got me yet, LOL! My money is still invested. Can't keep driving old vehicles forever though.
 
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After the first page I skimmed about half of this talking yourself into a badge.

Gladiator, I love them. Gladiator not a damn thing I need one for. I saw dirt bikes and DD. Those thing oppose each other as well.

Your in the category of I can but should I? Otherwise you'd own a Corolla and F150 long bed 2wd and do everything you need in exception to your other heavy toys.

Not judging, outside looking in just seems factual.
I your shoes. Sell the other badge burden if it isn't used and upgrade levels. Or keep the badge sell car and possibly the Ram and get the latest Crew cab half ton that checks 90 percent of the boxes.
Probably a Ford. Originally I was gonna suggest the Ranger. It's out because your looking at Gladiators carrying the pricetag and style doesn't do pickup stuff well.......The size and loadable bed makes to much since in a Ranger.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
After the first page I skimmed about half of this talking yourself into a badge.

Gladiator, I love them. Gladiator not a damn thing I need one for. I saw dirt bikes and DD. Those thing oppose each other as well.

Your in the category of I can but should I? Otherwise you'd own a Corolla and F150 long bed 2wd and do everything you need in exception to your other heavy toys.

Not judging, outside looking in just seems factual.
I your shoes. Sell the other badge burden if it isn't used and upgrade levels. Or keep the badge sell car and possibly the Ram and get the latest Crew cab half ton that checks 90 percent of the boxes.
Probably a Ford. Originally I was gonna suggest the Ranger. It's out because your looking at Gladiators carrying the pricetag and style doesn't do pickup stuff well.......The size and loadable bed makes to much since in a Ranger.
Click to expand...
I understand everything you are saying, and also feel completely misunderstood ;) I only wanted the Gladiator if it could replace all 3, and it does a very poor job for replacing the car or the truck, so it's out. Plus the price was a no-go when I actually thought about it.
 
Wes said:
Don’t be a quitter. All that bed is missing is a goose hitch. You got this
Click to expand...
Already built that ;)
nc4x4.com

Random pic thread.

If you slide the axle bolt out, and lift the chain off the sprocket, then the leg and wheel can both come out the back.
nc4x4.com nc4x4.com
 
Please report these when you see them. It makes it more likely somebody with mod privileges will see it and clean it up.
 
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I'm on my 3rd JT Rubicon at the moment. Had all 3 on 37s. I keep coming back after leaving them. Not quite a truck and not quite a Wrangler but they compliment my Scrambler so well, easy to park in the city, and look damn good on 37s. EDIT: just noticed my daughter giving me her goofy smile. she does that every time I get her to pose with one of my Jeeps.
 
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