Morning from San Jose, CA!

SharckNut71

New member
Howdy fellow Jeepers! My name's Mark. I used to have a 2001 XJ that I sold a number of years ago. I missed hitting the trails so I bought a 2016 2 Door JK Rubicon a couple years ago. Found a great deal on one that was already built and couldn't resist ;)

I love this little thing but have been considering getting a Gladiator. I'd like to find one that's pretty much built which has been a challenge - HAHA

Quick question for the Gladiator Owners out there - how have you faired on the trail? My biggest concern is the departure angle and tearing up the rear quarter panels :)

Have an awesome Friday!!!!



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Welcome. Gladiator is fine on most trails. Around here the groups like to snake through trees and through forests, I’ve never had any issues other than when I wasn’t paying attention and ripped passenger side mirror off but I woulda done that in a JL in the same situation. Oops.
 
Howdy fellow Jeepers! My name's Mark. I used to have a 2001 XJ that I sold a number of years ago. I missed hitting the trails so I bought a 2016 2 Door JK Rubicon a couple years ago. Found a great deal on one that was already built and couldn't resist ;)

I love this little thing but have been considering getting a Gladiator. I'd like to find one that's pretty much built which has been a challenge - HAHA

Quick question for the Gladiator Owners out there - how have you faired on the trail? My biggest concern is the departure angle and tearing up the rear quarter panels :)

Have an awesome Friday!!!!



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I liked my gladiator but not enough to keep it prefer the 4 door JLUR for wheeling. Truck stuff I have Ram 2500
 
Welcome to Wayalife. On the tight forest trails we have in my neck of the woods, you have to keep an eye out for your tail lights. They’re normally the first to go on a Gladiator. That’s really about it though
 
Welcome to Wayalife. On the tight forest trails we have in my neck of the woods, you have to keep an eye out for your tail lights. They’re normally the first to go on a Gladiator. That’s really about it though
Good point I forgot to mention. I remove my tail lights when I go out in the woods especially when there’s a 2 door driver leading a group. They always seem to try and find the tightest trails.
Changed them to Oracle flush tail lights this year so we’ll see how that works.
 
Welcome from Texas (and Arizona)!

Nice 2-door. Don't sell it!

Most Gladiator owners seem to have larger tires and higher lifts. Eddie (forum owner) has chopped the rear fender area on his to provide more clearance. More lift in the back helps.

Really, you should keep the 2-door and buy some other sort of vehicle to do what jeeps (including the Gladiator) don't do well. If you are planning to "overland" (vehicle -based camping) then some other sort of truck will do better.
 
Welcome from Texas (and Arizona)!

Nice 2-door. Don't sell it!

Most Gladiator owners seem to have larger tires and higher lifts. Eddie (forum owner) has chopped the rear fender area on his to provide more clearance. More lift in the back helps.

Really, you should keep the 2-door and buy some other sort of vehicle to do what jeeps (including the Gladiator) don't do well. If you are planning to "overland" (vehicle -based camping) then some other sort of truck will do better.
Thanks for the feedback. Yeah - I checked out the Gladiator "bobbed bed kit". Pretty slick but pricey :)

I have a truck - well, it's a lifted 2005 GMC Yukon XL and serves the "truck" duties. If I got the Gladiator I would sell the Jeep and Truck BUT the amount of $$$ to get the Gladiator to where I would want it would probably be pretty high.

In the meantime, I'm shopping around for one of those Harbor Freight Trailers (4' x 4') that I will modify to my needs / wants for carrying my camping gear when I bring someone with.
 
Welcome to WAYALIFE! Regarding your question about Gladiators, what kind of trails are you hoping to run? How big of a tire and lift are you looking at as well.
 
Welcome from San Diego!

I personally like having my 2 door as my toy and a real truck for truck things. But if you can’t swing a second vehicle the Gladiator is a great option that will satisfy both ends.
 
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