Sold the Gladiator. Bought another diesel.

onlyone

Active Member
I took advantage of crazy values and sold the gladiator. My wife is still asking me why they paid us so much. LOL. Much more than I paid including the upgrades.
I stripped it of all the suspension goodies I could swap over including my King bumps and AntiRock . Welded the old ones back on. Left the tires and used the cheap spacers and stock springs.
Bought a 2021 Diesel JLU sport S. Ended up 2% under invoice through FCA affiliates and dealer discount. I am amazed at the power of the gladiator diesel but at 4-500 lbs lighter the Wrangler feels even better. It sure is cute, for now…
30F186AD-D719-4213-9FFB-9AB7299D1F1E.jpeg
7484F07C-175C-48DB-A700-8C6FB4B4A446.jpeg
 

benatc1

Hooked
Nice! Aside from the great trade in value, what reasoning made did you decide to go to the wrangler from the gladiator? I went the other way but debating a change back as so much has changed in my world recently.
 

onlyone

Active Member
Nice! Aside from the great trade in value, what reasoning made did you decide to go to the wrangler from the gladiator? I went the other way but debating a change back as so much has changed in my world recently.
Well, no real “reason”. I liked the JT but we like the JL and another benefit was we didn’t owe but about 5 grand in debt and this deal paid it all off. Another benefit, who doesn’t like a new fresh one to build?….:ROFLMAO:
 

TrailHunter

Hooked
Nice! Aside from the great trade in value, what reasoning made did you decide to go to the wrangler from the gladiator? I went the other way but debating a change back as so much has changed in my world recently.
This would be a good thread... What is it you miss about the wrangler.. that you feel is now lacking in the gladiator?
 

benatc1

Hooked
This would be a good thread... What is it you miss about the wrangler.. that you feel is now lacking in the gladiator?
Not so much that I feel like I’m lacking anything, i actually love my gladiator, but having passing thoughts about the future of everything. I ultimately switched cause the gladiator does offer more space overall, especially with the shell. my thought was it would be a good “overlanding” kinda all around jeep on 37s for camping ect with the family. We’ll now that we’re having twins, making our total 3 kids, it really isn’t going to fit that bill for us, I ultimately need a full size truck for that, or camper life is ahead and the gladiator is enough of a dog on 37s I can’t imagine towing. So if this is the case for having a jeep ill use it more of a trail rig and to rock crawl well, etc and I think I might need 40s for that with the gladiator, to clear more, but not entirely sure. If so that’s a big expense, which is fine down the road, but I also know I can wheel anything I want with 37s on a wrangler. But I’ve also flip flopped before and that’s annoying, the wrangler would be for me not a full family vehicle for all trips that were loaded up for. I could carry most parts over, and would want to commit before going into any big upgrades, Idk just thinking about shit, I need to get a 3 row suv for the wife too so we’re just kinda all over lol.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
I took advantage of crazy values and sold the gladiator. My wife is still asking me why they paid us so much. LOL. Much more than I paid including the upgrades.
I stripped it of all the suspension goodies I could swap over including my King bumps and AntiRock . Welded the old ones back on. Left the tires and used the cheap spacers and stock springs.
Bought a 2021 Diesel JLU sport S. Ended up 2% under invoice through FCA affiliates and dealer discount. I am amazed at the power of the gladiator diesel but at 4-500 lbs lighter the Wrangler feels even better. It sure is cute, for now…
View attachment 372924
View attachment 372925
Congratulations!
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Not so much that I feel like I’m lacking anything, i actually love my gladiator, but having passing thoughts about the future of everything. I ultimately switched cause the gladiator does offer more space overall, especially with the shell. my thought was it would be a good “overlanding” kinda all around jeep on 37s for camping ect with the family. We’ll now that we’re having twins, making our total 3 kids, it really isn’t going to fit that bill for us, I ultimately need a full size truck for that, or camper life is ahead and the gladiator is enough of a dog on 37s I can’t imagine towing. So if this is the case for having a jeep ill use it more of a trail rig and to rock crawl well, etc and I think I might need 40s for that with the gladiator, to clear more, but not entirely sure. If so that’s a big expense, which is fine down the road, but I also know I can wheel anything I want with 37s on a wrangler. But I’ve also flip flopped before and that’s annoying, the wrangler would be for me not a full family vehicle for all trips that were loaded up for. I could carry most parts over, and would want to commit before going into any big upgrades, Idk just thinking about shit, I need to get a 3 row suv for the wife too so we’re just kinda all over lol.
Really appreciate you taking the time to post this up. I think there are lots of people who will benefit from feedback like this.
 

TrailHunter

Hooked
Not so much that I feel like I’m lacking anything, i actually love my gladiator, but having passing thoughts about the future of everything. I ultimately switched cause the gladiator does offer more space overall, especially with the shell. my thought was it would be a good “overlanding” kinda all around jeep on 37s for camping ect with the family. We’ll now that we’re having twins, making our total 3 kids, it really isn’t going to fit that bill for us, I ultimately need a full size truck for that, or camper life is ahead and the gladiator is enough of a dog on 37s I can’t imagine towing. So if this is the case for having a jeep ill use it more of a trail rig and to rock crawl well, etc and I think I might need 40s for that with the gladiator, to clear more, but not entirely sure. If so that’s a big expense, which is fine down the road, but I also know I can wheel anything I want with 37s on a wrangler. But I’ve also flip flopped before and that’s annoying, the wrangler would be for me not a full family vehicle for all trips that were loaded up for. I could carry most parts over, and would want to commit before going into any big upgrades, Idk just thinking about shit, I need to get a 3 row suv for the wife too so we’re just kinda all over lol.
I completely agree with your thought process... its a dilemma for sure. Obviously deep pockets could solve the issue... but a lot of us are in the need of that more “budget” friendly...swiss army knife vehicle. I only have 2... but I can imagine how 3 kids really complicate things... Have you considered selling one? 😂
 

benatc1

Hooked
Really appreciate you taking the time to post this up. I think there are lots of people who will benefit from feedback like this.
No problem, it’s tough cause everything changes in life and not sure which direction to go, at least I don’t have to make a change or have to get rid of a jeep like in the past. And I really do love the gladiator, it’s an awesome platform but needs to be big! Lol
 

benatc1

Hooked
I completely agree with your thought process... its a dilemma for sure. Obviously deep pockets could solve the issue... but a lot of us are in the need of that more “budget” friendly...swiss army knife vehicle. I only have 2... but I can imagine how 3 kids really complicate things... Have you considered selling one? 😂
So I have, especially being the twins are identical, what’s the point of having two of the same lol. And it would be come up and significant cost savings lol. Joking obviously, but I def feel like 3 kids changes everything with cars haha, especially if they are ahead of the growth curve like our daughter is
 

-AINOKEA-

Hooked
Not so much that I feel like I’m lacking anything, i actually love my gladiator, but having passing thoughts about the future of everything. I ultimately switched cause the gladiator does offer more space overall, especially with the shell. my thought was it would be a good “overlanding” kinda all around jeep on 37s for camping ect with the family. We’ll now that we’re having twins, making our total 3 kids, it really isn’t going to fit that bill for us, I ultimately need a full size truck for that, or camper life is ahead and the gladiator is enough of a dog on 37s I can’t imagine towing. So if this is the case for having a jeep ill use it more of a trail rig and to rock crawl well, etc and I think I might need 40s for that with the gladiator, to clear more, but not entirely sure. If so that’s a big expense, which is fine down the road, but I also know I can wheel anything I want with 37s on a wrangler. But I’ve also flip flopped before and that’s annoying, the wrangler would be for me not a full family vehicle for all trips that were loaded up for. I could carry most parts over, and would want to commit before going into any big upgrades, Idk just thinking about shit, I need to get a 3 row suv for the wife too so we’re just kinda all over lol.
I just went through this thought process over the past couple of months. It’s really hard to fit all of us and our gear in either the jku or the jt.. was gonna sell the jku to get a Tahoe, something that the wife always wanted and big enough for all of us, but the $80k price tag shot that down real quick. Ultimately we decided to keep what we have. My oldest will be driving soon so that’ll free up another seat.
 

jesse3638

Hooked
Not so much that I feel like I’m lacking anything, i actually love my gladiator, but having passing thoughts about the future of everything. I ultimately switched cause the gladiator does offer more space overall, especially with the shell. my thought was it would be a good “overlanding” kinda all around jeep on 37s for camping ect with the family. We’ll now that we’re having twins, making our total 3 kids, it really isn’t going to fit that bill for us, I ultimately need a full size truck for that, or camper life is ahead and the gladiator is enough of a dog on 37s I can’t imagine towing. So if this is the case for having a jeep ill use it more of a trail rig and to rock crawl well, etc and I think I might need 40s for that with the gladiator, to clear more, but not entirely sure. If so that’s a big expense, which is fine down the road, but I also know I can wheel anything I want with 37s on a wrangler. But I’ve also flip flopped before and that’s annoying, the wrangler would be for me not a full family vehicle for all trips that were loaded up for. I could carry most parts over, and would want to commit before going into any big upgrades, Idk just thinking about shit, I need to get a 3 row suv for the wife too so we’re just kinda all over lol.
Yeah seems you're in a bit of a pickle. As for SUV's go, we loved our durango and now they have a 3rd row in the Cherokee I wouldn't hesitate to check it out. I'd say go big and go for a grand wagoneer but with a starting price of $89k it may ne out of the price range...haha.
 

Dale72

Hooked
Congratulations. There has been times when I wish I still had my JL but then I think about the payment for it and the one I have for the JT, then I don't miss it as much
 

SargeCoGa

Caught the Bug
I took advantage of crazy values and sold the gladiator. My wife is still asking me why they paid us so much. LOL. Much more than I paid including the upgrades.
I stripped it of all the suspension goodies I could swap over including my King bumps and AntiRock . Welded the old ones back on. Left the tires and used the cheap spacers and stock springs.
Bought a 2021 Diesel JLU sport S. Ended up 2% under invoice through FCA affiliates and dealer discount. I am amazed at the power of the gladiator diesel but at 4-500 lbs lighter the Wrangler feels even better. It sure is cute, for now…
View attachment 372924
View attachment 372925
Congrats, I sure love the diesel in mine! Except when I need to fill it up now. FJB!
 

benatc1

Hooked
I
I just went through this thought process over the past couple of months. It’s really hard to fit all of us and our gear in either the jku or the jt.. was gonna sell the jku to get a Tahoe, something that the wife always wanted and big enough for all of us, but the $80k price tag shot that down real quick. Ultimately we decided to keep what we have. My oldest will be driving soon so that’ll free up another seat.
I totally get that, we’ll have 3, 2 and under so is a long road ahead. Tahoes are insane right now with their price tag, but of course that’s what my wife wants too haha
 

benatc1

Hooked
Yeah seems you're in a bit of a pickle. As for SUV's go, we loved our durango and now they have a 3rd row in the Cherokee I wouldn't hesitate to check it out. I'd say go big and go for a grand wagoneer but with a starting price of $89k it may ne out of the price range...haha.
I wish Alex liked the Durango, but for some reason she doesn’t, we also liked the grand Cherokee L but we think it might be a little small, and the wagoner is awesome but wow on the price tag. We are looking at maybe leading her car for the next few years as she will be working from home mostly, but leases aren’t exactly as cheap as they used to be. So who knows.
 

jeeeep

Hooked
I wish Alex liked the Durango, but for some reason she doesn’t, we also liked the grand Cherokee L but we think it might be a little small, and the wagoner is awesome but wow on the price tag. We are looking at maybe leading her car for the next few years as she will be working from home mostly, but leases aren’t exactly as cheap as they used to be. So who knows.
I checked out the Wagoneer and wow.... they are proud of it. Makes Toyota look cheap

Went in with blue jeans and after looking at the price, left with brown pants lol
 
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