Gladiator Added to the Stable

[Bayrat]

A couple of days ago, I decided that the MINI S was past due trade time. Every year, more $$$$ into her for repairs. My search included all solid axle Jeep models. Ultimately, the base Gladiator Sport with no options except an auto transmission won out for the grocery getter and travel around to various events in Florida.

Since this vehicle will see limited use each year, I also searched on Ford, GM, and Toyota manufacturer/dealer websites. The price on the Gladiator was simply too good to pass up. And since I wanted a ragtop (my 392 Wrangler has a hardtop), this model worked for me just fine.

If a person has a Ford, Jeep will even provide you with another $2K in rebates (just for having one!). That aspect is rather like Jeep promoting Ford, it's mind boggling. Ford offers a $2K rebate if you trade your Jeep for a Ford, which makes more sense. Anyway, the price was too good to pass up. With rebates and dealer discounts, I was at 8K under sticker for a base, non optioned model with auto. They gave me a killer trade amount also.

I've searched for a clean link to the SS battery delete thread here without much luck. If anyone knows where it is, I would greatly appreciate the link to it. And thank you to whomever it was that engineered that procedure.

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[Heimkehr]

Well bought, DA.

If you mean to just isolate the ESS battery, you'd disconnect and tape off the related Negative cable, and remove Fuse F42 from the PDC (fuse box.)

Full removal of the ESS battery does require careful management of the related positive and negative cables. If that's how you want to proceed, I'll page @AndySpill for add'l. commentary.

 

[Punkn89]

Welcome to the hydro JT club!

 

[autotragic]

Every time I see a JT on 37s or larger tires I really like it... I kind of want to trade in my pickup on one but I don't want the payment.

Can you get a JT for $300 or less a month... Asking for a friend.

 

[Dan M.]

nice ride. you will have to post a comparison to your JL once you have it for a while

 

[Bayrat]

Well bought, DA.

If you mean to just isolate the ESS battery, you'd disconnect and tape off the related Negative cable, and remove Fuse F42 from the PDC (fuse box.)

Full removal of the ESS battery does require careful management of the related positive and negative cables. If that's how you want to proceed, I'll page @AndySpill for add'l. commentary.

I have done that in a Grand Cherokee. For now, I want simply to isolate it from the main battery. Thanks very much.

 

[Bayrat]

nice ride. you will have to post a comparison to your JL once you have it for a while

I'd be happy to follow up eventually. Of course, the ride is much quieter with the stock tires than any of my Rubicons have ever been. Additionally, I can say that the extra wheelbase adds to better manners on the highway. It also rides better than the JK, JL or any of my older model Jeeps, which is really the reason for ownership of that vehicle at this point. But, undoubtedly, I'll probably manage to screw those attributes up with some modifications down the road.

 

[Bayrat]

Could someone verify for me the negative cable for the small battery? I would guess based upon size that it's the one closer to the inside of the compartment. The cables are now wrapped together in a sheath, so I'm unable to follow them with any degree of confidence. Thanks

 

[Heimkehr]

It is indeed the thinner cable.

This is what things looked like after I removed the ESS negative cable. I'm holding the related 10A Fuse F42 as part of isolating that particular battery.

Note that you'll want to ensure that the remaining, thicker Negative cable for the primary 12V battery is securely seated on the Intelligent Battery Sensor.

 

[Bayrat]

Thank you sir.

 

[Jay_NM]

Every time I see a JT on 37s or larger tires I really like it... I kind of want to trade in my pickup on one but I don't want the payment.

Can you get a JT for $300 or less a month... Asking for a friend.

Sure you can. With a 50% down payment.

 

[autotragic]

Sure you can. With a 50% down payment.

If you're willing to buy new to you instead of new it's not that far off the values really have dropped and the prices are starting to reflect it.

 

[Jay_NM]

If you're willing to buy new to you instead of new it's not that far off the values really have dropped and the prices are starting to reflect it.

By way of reference, I bought my 2020 JLU last year for $31k with 30k miles. I put $12k down payment and at 6% interest, my payment is $366/month.

 

[ZeoBandit]

Nice rig! We have a hydro blue Wrangler. Love the color!

 

[Bayrat]

Nice rig! We have a hydro blue Wrangler. Love the color!

I've always been a black and white guy, but this blue, it looks so good in person.

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