Need opinions.

[StaindReality]

I have recently changed jobs and I now am in need of a truck. I am torn am torn between getting an old truck and keeping my jlus. Or trading in for a gladiator. I find it hard to pay for a vehicle if I’m not using it 4 or more days a week. I love my wrangler. Will the gladiator be a nice compromise?

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[SH556JL]

Used truck prices are up there and I maybe more inclined to get the Gladiator for this reason alone. In my experience, getting a second car for work is rarely worth it... Extra insurance, maintenance and depreciation kills it. Now if it's a want and you can afford it, that's different. But buying a second vehicle for work, I would look at other employment options if possible. I no longer have a commute expense and don't need a car anymore. Best decision ever, commuting cost too much. Buy a car because you want it for personal reasons.

My experience comes from buying a second economical car for a long commute. I would have financially been better off to just keep driving the truck vs buying second used fuel efficient car (depreciation, extra insurance, and maintenance cost more then fuel savings). With that said, I would get the Gladiator and stick with one vehicle. It's kinda the best of both worlds, still a Jeep and can be put to work with the truck bed. I believe they hold their value well also if things change down the road and you decide to get back into a JL.

 

[Some Random Guy]

I’m going to commit blasphemy.

Look at another quarter ton truck. The gladiator will disappoint offroad coming from a wrangler (my brother-in-law just gave up and traded back to a Wrangler). But, because it tries to offroad, it drives pretty bad compared to the others. Most comparisons say reviewers were disappointed because it tries to do too much and ends up mediocre at best on everything.

 

[Yogi]

I’m going to commit blasphemy.

Look at another quarter ton truck. The gladiator will disappoint offroad coming from a wrangler (my brother-in-law just gave up and traded back to a Wrangler). But, because it tries to offroad, it drives pretty bad compared to the others. Most comparisons say reviewers were disappointed because it tries to do too much and ends up mediocre at best on everything.

and, it's not a "real" pickup truck either. If you need it to carry plywood sheets and the like, or you need the bed space for other stuff, you'll find it disappointing.
The downside of the Gladiator is not a Wrangler, and it's not a truck. It does both, but it doesn't do either well ... if that makes sense at all.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

and, it's not a "real" pickup truck either. If you need it to carry plywood sheets and the like, or you need the bed space for other stuff, you'll find it disappointing.
The downside of the Gladiator is not a Wrangler, and it's not a truck. It does both, but it doesn't do either well ... if that makes sense at all.

We get it, you're rich, no need to brag.

 

[SecondTJ]

The downside of the Gladiator is not a Wrangler, and it's not a truck. It does both, but it doesn't do either well

This is spot on.

Too long for a Jeep yet too small for a pickup truck. Gladiator is just awkwardly caught in the middle

 

[StaindReality]

Thanks for the comments. This is why I am torn. I just figure I still get the wrangler aspect of things like doors off and top off etc and still off-road capable. I know it’s not a full size pickup and its in the middle. I just don’t see spending 5k on an old truck to drive to work at least half the week when needed and the wrangler just sits while I pay for it. The gladiator allows me to have both. Kinda. I’m just not sure it’s worth it. I am inquiring about one now. Gator colored. 8.4 alpine. Small lift. Aftermarket front bumper with wench. Hard shell bed cover.

my wrangler is the 5”. Radio. No front bumper wench yet. So it will be upgrade in that sense.

 

[Yogi]

We get it, you're rich, no need to brag.

We say "exceptionally comfortable" ... LOL

 

[jludave]

Aftermarket front bumper with wench.

A wench always makes it worthwhile!!!!!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Will a Gladiator do what you need a truck for, or will you beat it up? It will haul random bulky stuff fine. But if you are going to be hauling heavy materials then I think you are making too much of a compromise.

 

[JEEPIDON]

Thanks for the comments. This is why I am torn. I just figure I still get the wrangler aspect of things like doors off and top off etc and still off-road capable. I know it’s not a full size pickup and its in the middle. I just don’t see spending 5k on an old truck to drive to work at least half the week when needed and the wrangler just sits while I pay for it. The gladiator allows me to have both. Kinda. I’m just not sure it’s worth it. I am inquiring about one now. Gator colored. 8.4 alpine. Small lift. Aftermarket front bumper with wench. Hard shell bed cover.

my wrangler is the 5”. Radio. No front bumper wench yet. So it will be upgrade in that sense.

3 months ago I traded my 2018 Rubicon JL for a 2021 Gladiator 80th anniversary edition. The Gladiator truly rides like a Cadillac compared to the JL (Glad is not a Rubicon so there's that). It handles better, sits higher than I expected, if you use the bed per instructions there is no big issue hauling plywood. I hauled 20 sheets at a time and didn't have any issues. It's not a 1/2 ton pickup but or Wrangler....but it's not supposed to be. I would do the same trade again after living 3 months with it. It's a great compromise but only you can evaluate whether or not it fits and suits your needs. You will find it hard on this forum to get support for the Gladiator so you ought to look at the Gladiator forum where there are real owners and fewer egos to bruise.

 

[Crawldad]

keep the wrangler if you can and get a used pickup somewhere, something without payments if you can.

 

[entropy]

Why dont you just buy a cargo trailer for the JLU?

 

[MauiSteve]

We have a JLR two door and a Chevy Colorado ZR2. I have a small wood adapter rack I put in the ZR2 bed when I want to carry a lot of heavy wood, otherwise I put a tailgate protector on it and rest it on the tailgate. I also have a utility trailer. I find this combination to be excellent. We use the trailer for green waste and other less tidy hauling, the truck for our limited working and the JLR for errands, and off road fun. Yes the ZR2 is good off road and when we want to take others with us we will use the truck. The JLR is just for the two of us, very nice.

 

[StaindReality]

I won’t be hauling heavy stuff at this time but some material. Tools. Etc. I just don’t really want to pull a trailer everyday.

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