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Wrangler steering compared to Gladiator

RichD

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I test drove a Gladiator Rubicon yesterday at the dealership. Just for fun, not buying. I immediately noticed how much better the Gladiator handled. It was a short drive on back roads, but the steering was much crisper than my 2018 Wrangler.

Up to this point, I did not think that my Wrangler suffered from the well known ā€œsteering issuesā€.

Question: Is there something unique about the Gladiator steering? Is the geometry significantly different or improved?

Thanksā€¦.

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Snayte

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You have a 2 door? Does the longer wheelbase have anything to do with it?
 

HealthRebel

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I test drove a Gladiator Rubicon yesterday at the dealership. Just for fun, not buying. I immediately noticed how much better the Gladiator handled. It was a short drive on back roads, but the steering was much crisper than my 2018 Wrangler.

Up to this point, I did not think that my Wrangler suffered from the well known ā€œsteering issuesā€.

Question: Is there something unique about the Gladiator steering? Is the geometry significantly different or improved?

Thanksā€¦.

5794606321.jpg
Great question. Another question, does the 2020 Gladiator have different steering related parts that we can also expect to see in the 2020JL?
 

Billyraff

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Comparisons have noted the longer wheelbase to be the reason for the gladiators improved handling
 

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ChrispyJL

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Probably the wheelbase and weight.
As for parts, I don't see them using better steering components...it is just a JLU with a bed

What really chafes my nuts is that you can get the Gladiator sport with max tow package that puts D44s F and R,........WTF can't they offer that for the JL and JLU sport, sport s and Saharah
 

RubenZ

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Probably the wheelbase and weight.
As for parts, I don't see them using better steering components...it is just a JLU with a bed

What really chafes my nuts is that you can get the Gladiator sport with max tow package that puts D44s F and R,........WTF can't they offer that for the JL and JLU sport, sport s and Saharah
Wait for a few Gladiators to hit the wrecking yards and you'll be able to get those axles for cheap LOL.
 

Sean L

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Probably the wheelbase and weight.
As for parts, I don't see them using better steering components...it is just a JLU with a bed

What really chafes my nuts is that you can get the Gladiator sport with max tow package that puts D44s F and R,........WTF can't they offer that for the JL and JLU sport, sport s and Saharah
I believe all Gladiators get the D44 front and rear regardless of option packages. What confuses me is the Overland only coming with HT tires, even if you get the Limited Slip Differential. Why no AT tires? I think that would provoke me to get an immediate tire swap. Normally I'd use up the tires it came with first.

On to the steering issue, I certainly hope it does better than the Wrangler and that those improvements would be used on the newest Wrangler production lines (If possible). I've noticed that mine will take a bit more effort to keep in the lane than what it should, but I haven't found it worth complaining about too much. Still any improvement would be nice.
 
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RichD

RichD

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Comparisons have noted the longer wheelbase to be the reason for the gladiators improved handling
That could be it. Below are specs pulled from Edmunds. Maybe it's not the apples to apples comparison I had thought.

2018 Wrangler Sport / 2020 Gladiator Rubicon
Curb weight 4720 lbs / 4215
Ground clearance 10.0 in / 9.7
Wheel base 137.3 in / 118.4
Length 218.0 in / 188.4​
 

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That could be it. Below are specs pulled from Edmunds. Maybe it's not the apples to apples comparison I had thought.

2018 Wrangler Sport / 2020 Gladiator Rubicon
Curb weight 4720 lbs / 4215
Ground clearance 10.0 in / 9.7
Wheel base 137.3 in / 118.4
Length 218.0 in / 188.4​

Thanks for the specs, I wonder how heavy a modded gladiator will get.

I think you have the names in wrong spot though, should be gladiator then Wrangler.
 

guarnibl

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It will track differently due to the suspension and wheel base. It should be a significant improvement over the JLU, and the JLU over the JL.

Excited to get mine so I can cut it up :devil::devil::devil:
 

JimLee

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That could be it. Below are specs pulled from Edmunds. Maybe it's not the apples to apples comparison I had thought.

2018 Wrangler Sport / 2020 Gladiator Rubicon
Curb weight 4720 lbs / 4215
Ground clearance 10.0 in / 9.7
Wheel base 137.3 in / 118.4
Length 218.0 in / 188.4​
Those numbers are wrong, or backwards. The Gladiator is 30 inches longer than the JL Wrangler Unlimited.
 

Sean L

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You got the number backwards and it looks like you're comparing a JLU to a Gladiator. Just for fun I believe these are the JL compared to a Gladiator

3955 / 4650-5050
9.7 / 10.0
96.8 / 137.3
166.8 / 218.0

Yes, the Gladiator is 4 feet longer than the JL. That's going to be a huge improvement in ride quality.
RichD is the OP.
 

brazos

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If the Gladiator steers and handles as well as my JLU, I canā€™t imagine how anyone could ask for more.
Going down a straight road is like gliding on one ice skate.
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