2dr v 4dr rubicon v gladiator

[wanderer]

I have not had a 2 door since my golden eagle in 1977. The last few jeeps I owned were a JKUR, A JlUR, and a Gladiator Rubicon
The jk was on 35s the JL was on 35s the, Gladiator is on 37s I am thinking about going to a 2dr rubicon. So I have a few questions. Those of you who are driving 2 door Rubis do you regret the loss of space assuming you had a 4 dr.? How is the ride compared to a 4 dr?
What were some of the things you liked better about the 2 dr or 4 door? MY gladiator is kick-ass but it has a miserable turning radius. This makes daily routines more difficult, like parking or going into parking structures. Plus it is tall and a bit of a hoist for me to get into. I am 70. And most importantly I miss having a soft top.

So hit me with your pros and cons. and anything else germain to this line of thought.
Sonot in any order below are jeeps
1)1977 golden eagle
2) 2020 gladiator rubicon
3) 2018 JLUR
4) 2008 JKUR

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[BuyHold]

The best thing about the 2 door. It is supremely fun.

Smaller, lighter, more nimble.

 

[Red Willy]

All that and...it looks much better! The 4 dr is great for interior space, but the profile is too long IMHO. The JT is waaaaay too long.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Get the two door. Remove back seat. Be happy. ??

 

[SH556JL]

To me the perfect setup would be my 2 door and then a Gladiator to compliment it.

 

[hoch]

What will you be using the 2dr for? Will it replace the Gladiator? Or be a second vehicle?

 

[rubiRI77]

Two door, remove the back seat (if you can for your situation), and a small utility trailer for truck stuff. Done.

That being said haha... the two door is not going to ride as nice as the 4 door or the gladiator.

However, it is really awesome in tight parking lots, and things like that. And way more of a "fun" "sports car" feel.
And here in the northeast at least, it is awesome off-road because our trails are very tight, and being small and nimble is a very good thing.
try to find one around and go for a test drive is the only way to know

 

[Xcoaste]

If I didn’t have kids I would have a 2 door. So unless you an unexpected surprise in your life, get a 2 door, haha.

 

[Fouts]

I've had 3-2 doors, TJ, JK, Jl, a 21 Gladiator Mojave, and currently in 23 JLUR. Honestly I loved them all. The 2 doors were great on some of the more difficult off road with tight turns lots of trees. There were places I could go with the 2 doors that you could not go with the Gladiator or the Unlimited. The problem was I have to drive about 2 hours to get to those spots and they were just not comfortable for freeway driving especially in the wind.
The Gladiator was great to drive, very comfortable, solid the road, and very capable off road but who needs a pick up that really isn't a pick up.
I am just getting in to the Unlimited and really like it. Very fun to drive even as much as the 2 doors, comfortable on the highway, also very capable off road, and the extra room is great.

 

[wibornz]

Two door, remove the back seat (if you can for your situation), and a small utility trailer for truck stuff. Done.

That being said haha... the two door is not going to ride as nice as the 4 door or the gladiator.

However, it is really awesome in tight parking lots, and things like that. And way more of a "fun" "sports car" feel.
And here in the northeast at least, it is awesome off-road because our trails are very tight, and being small and nimble is a very good thing.
try to find one around and go for a test drive is the only way to know

So basically a 2dr is great for going to the mall? Easy to park and maneuver in tight spots. It is the same width as the gladiator and the JLUR, it is just shorter, so like maybe three turns or so on the trail it is better.

Definitely buy the 2dr or lease it so that after you find out why less than 10% of wranglers that are sold are 2dr model you can transition back easily.

To me the 2dr is a niche vehicle market. It is not something you want to drive everyday, still cool mind you, and is only beneficial about 5% of the time on the trail. For every benefit it has, you have to compromise on 90% of the other areas.

 

[Hpc3]

I have not had a 2 door since my golden eagle in 1977. The last few jeeps I owned were a JKUR, A JlUR, and a Gladiator Rubicon
The jk was on 35s the JL was on 35s the, Gladiator is on 37s I am thinking about going to a 2dr rubicon. So I have a few questions. Those of you who are driving 2 door Rubis do you regret the loss of space assuming you had a 4 dr.? How is the ride compared to a 4 dr?
What were some of the things you liked better about the 2 dr or 4 door? MY gladiator is kick-ass but it has a miserable turning radius. This makes daily routines more difficult, like parking or going into parking structures. Plus it is tall and a bit of a hoist for me to get into. I am 70. And most importantly I miss having a soft top.

So hit me with your pros and cons. and anything else germain to this line of thought.
Sonot in any order below are jeeps
1)1977 golden eagle
2) 2020 gladiator rubicon
3) 2018 JLUR
4) 2008 JKUR

if its for fun get the 2DR... my Wranglers are mostly for "fun" use here and I was in the process of ordering a 2DR 6sp Rubi when Jeep screwed me over and released the 392. So, 392 is here and its fun in its own ways (really does well as a daily, similar to my WK2 Trailhawk, so compliant) but the Unlimited chassis is just too big. I never use the rear doors/seats on the 392, just extra space I guess. My JK 2DR is a better "fun" jeep, even w/o the Hemi noise/performance. Maybe I'll get back to a JL/Hemi swap at some point...

 

[Jeep4Win]

I myself have always had 2 doors. I did test drive a 4 door per my wife’s request when ordering though. The four door was more planted it seemed when driving but just didn’t do it for me. Compared storage space between the two with the seat folded down and felt the 2 door had more than enough room when I would use it. That being going to the grocery store and packing recovery gear and other things for trips. YMMV

 

[TheBirdie72]

So basically a 2dr is great for going to the mall? Easy to park and maneuver in tight spots. It is the same width as the gladiator and the JLUR, it is just shorter, so like maybe three turns or so on the trail it is better.

Definitely buy the 2dr or lease it so that after you find out why less than 10% of wranglers that are sold are 2dr model you can transition back easily.

To me the 2dr is a niche vehicle market. It is not something you want to drive everyday, still cool mind you, and is only beneficial about 5% of the time on the trail. For every benefit it has, you have to compromise on 90% of the other areas.

Well said by someone who literally lives out of his Jeep half the year on the road… ?
And yes, I am jealous. Pft

 

[Bback58]

To me the perfect setup would be my 2 door and then a Gladiator to compliment it.

I couldn't agree more. I ordered the Gladiator but couldn't get the urge for a 2 door out of my mind - so I sold my Mustang convertible and ordered my Willys too! The Willys is the daily driver and the Gladiator for longer road trips.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Anyone living out of a vehicle that long should have moved. He's made a lifestyle compromise, and a Jeep footprint, for him, that must follow for that decision.

Don't mistakenly read that as a Jeep of another flavor is a compromise.

Oh on the contrary… @wibornz and wifey are living their best life! I wish I could take a trip like that!

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