Mike921921
Well-Known Member
I 'side graded' from a WK2 to a JT. Quite simply, I wanted a pickup and commodity pickups were not a consideration for me. No regrets (yet!).
Sponsored
This is exactly what I did when I built my house recently. Kept my paid off Wrangler and bought an 07 GMC 2500HD, regular cab with an 8' bed. I planned on selling it when I finished my house but it has been the most practical vehicle I've owned so I'll be hanging on to it for the foreseeable future. It was inexpensive, bought with cash and plpd insurance is cheap. The first time I had it at the lumber yard stacking the bed full of plywood, 9' precut studs, and 12' 6x6''s you should of seen the look of envy on the faces of the guys that had the crew cab truck with tiny 5' bed. You could tell they were thinking what a useless piece of sh#t truck they had.If your off roading is truly so extreme that only a 2door wrangler will do; anything else will let you down.
just cruise your rural country side until you see that dude selling his old ass pick up truck, buy it, use it to get your projects done, and flip it.
This is what I asked for.Maybe I assumed too much but I just assumed almost all Gladiator owners would have a canopy for the bed.
It does seem like there is a lot of hate for the vehicle, but reading other car forums I am on, before the debut this is pretty much exactly what people were asking for. Before the debut were people asking for a longer bed? From what I remember anyway people wanted it the size it is now.
You hit the nail on the head. The JT as well as all of the other crew cab with tiny bed trucks out there, regardless of their size, are a compromise. Meaning there are better options for specific purposes and if you are willing to accept the compromise then it might be the right choice for you. Just be sure to fully understand what you are compromising. The same could be said about small short wheelbase 4x4's such as the JL. Vehicles with specific purposes tend to do a better job performing there intended use. A vehicle that attempts to perform the job across a wider spectrum of uses won't perform spectacularly at any specific use.Iāve owned 18 Jeeps and currently have a Gladiator. Itās a great compromise if you love Wranglers but also need a truck. Isnāt it great that we have options to buy whichever one we want? Itās not quite as good off road as a Wrangler, but itās a lot better than a Wrangler at hauling and towing. Everybody- enjoy whichever one you own!
No hate here. Like I said already, I love Gladiator. But that doesnāt mean it is for everybody.Maybe I assumed too much but I just assumed almost all Gladiator owners would have a canopy for the bed.
It does seem like there is a lot of hate for the vehicle, but reading other car forums I am on, before the debut this is pretty much exactly what people were asking for. Before the debut were people asking for a longer bed? From what I remember anyway people wanted it the size it is now.
I wouldn't say that the Wrangler is a better City driver. The Gladiator is much smoother handling on the road.No hate here. Like I said already, I love Gladiator. But that doesnāt mean it is for everybody.
My guess is Gladiator is selling in big part because of its looks; there's no denying it stands out on the market.
But like many have said, if you need a pickup, there are much better options out there; if you donāt need a pickup, Wrangler makes a better city driver and off-roader.
Gladiator shines the moment you want a Wrangler and need to tow.
Right. Until you have to ādockā your Gladiator outside your local Whole Foods store...I wouldn't say that the Wrangler is a better City driver. The Gladiator is much smoother handling on the road.
If you spend more time in parking lots than on the road, sure. Itās a trade off.Right. Until you have to ādockā your Gladiator outside your local Whole Foods store...
Granted, Gladiator may be easier to maneuver than a Ram 2500 or a Chevrolet Suburban. But that doesnāt make it any easier to drive around town than a Wrangler. Not by a long shot.