Jeep Gladiator?

[crustychief]

I had a 84 CJ7, loved it. my oldest son has a YJ limited and has not killed it yet. I am looking at the Gladiator now.. Yeas or Nays?

[BeyGon]

I like them but I liked the pre production two door better. The one they won't be building.

[Bob Kontak]

Saw my first one just a few days ago after watching a Doug Demuro vid on them. I love them but there are dissenting videos on his review.

Take a few minutes to watch...................

[Steve Carlton]

People seem to love them or hate them. Personally, I think they're awesome. Pretty new on the market, so you might not get much of a deal on them yet. I agree with Dean, a two door looks better, although not as practical. They have a really short bed, but are very well thought out. I have a really good source for these up here in the bay area. You could come up or it could probably be shipped to you for about $400.

[red-beard]

Saw one at the hotel last week. They look great. I think for most of my needs, an F150/F250 would be better.

[cantdrv55]

I’m a Jeep fan, got a TJ. I like ‘em all except the Gladiator. It’s quite fugly I think. The proportions are awkward.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

i’m a jeep fan, got a tj. I like ‘em all except the gladiator. It’s quite fugly i think. The proportions are awkward.

+1

[look 171]

I saw a red one at the Regan Library today but don't know what to make of it? I think it look good, a Jeep looking very short bed truck. It it longer then the regular Jeep? The SUV one with the four doors. Sorry, I am not up on Jeep names because I have no interest in buying one, anytime soon

[drcoastline]

I have seen several this summer. They are OK. I agree the prototype was cooler. If it is anything like my jeep, it looks good but doesn't work very well and isn't as rugged as it looks. I could also do without that stupid little trendy fender vent every vehicle seems to have these days. A local guy here in town built a jeep P/U out of a 2door Wrangler about two years ago, looks pretty good. Ill see if I can grab a pic or two of it.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by crustychief

I had a 84 CJ7, loved it. my oldest son has a YJ limited and has not killed it yet. I am looking at the Gladiator now.. Yeas or Nays?

It doesn't seem to be capable of holding much in the bed. If you don't have to haul much (like 90+% of pickups at any given time) then it comes down to aesthetics and personal tastes driving the decision. I'm all for something other than another F-150 on the road only because there are already a trillion of them.

[flipper35]

If you want a mid-sized pickup with an open top that looks different than the other pickups, go for it. There is probably quite a bit of aftermarket support already if the Wrangler stuff doesn't already work. Decent towing specs also.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by crustychief

Yeas or Nays?

Sandy, if I lived in San Diego (again), I would be all over the soft top version. Can't think of a more versatile ride for all the attractions in the area.

Why not other than the cost

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I’m a Jeep fan, got a TJ. I like ‘em all except the Gladiator. It’s quite fugly I think. The proportions are awkward.

I agree. I have a TK. I think the Gladiator just doesnt look quite right....not a fan. BUT I'm not a truck fan either, so.....

[CurtEgerer]

Once again, an awesome original concept has been reduced (in this case, completely reduced!) by the beancounters to something that must leave the original designers shaking their heads in disgust.

What could have been ... the original Jeep J12 concept vehicle:

[deanp]

AEV launched a Brute conversion for TJ series Wranglers in 2001 and then debuted their conversion for the Brute Double Cab at SEMA in 2011 based on the new JK body style. The J12 concept vehicle came a year later in 2012.

At one point Jeep even started carrying Wranglers with AEV accessories and suspensions at the dealerships.

I think Jeep did a pretty good job bringing this to a production model with mass appeal, but if I was going to spend $60k+ on a Jeep p/u I'd probably look for a lifted, HEMI converted AEV Brute Double Cab like this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Jeep-Wrangler-Wrangler-AEV-BRUTE-Rubicon-6-4L-HEMI/123892186089?hash=item1cd88cbbe9:g:GMMAAOSwccNdaai l

[red-beard]

For $60K I would be buying an F250 Diesel or a year old Raptor...

[Seahawk]

I couldn't help myself:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27102656/2020-jeep-gladiator-jt-pickup-build-price-spec/

https://www.jeep.com/bmo.gladiator.2020.html#/build/exterior/20650/CUJ202011JTJL98B/2TS/ERC,DEM,DME,TQK,WAC,A7,SDW,UAA,ABR,RC4,STB,RSD,RSJ ,X9,PAU,23S,APA

I got out at $40k.

Diesel available next year.

Thanks, Sandy!

[drcoastline]

These two are cool, built by the same guy. The grey CJ is dubbed the Gaucho". If you google CJ Gaucho the build will come up. Very talented guy. At $60K plus for a new Gladiator a real cool one off could be built for considerably less.

[drcoastline]

The designer/builder has made all these variants.

[crustychief]

I have a F150 with a shell. I have owned three others. I was/am happy with them. I was just thinking about the future for me and the F-150, I like the cargo capability but rarely use it. I would enjoy more use out of the seating. I still need a truck though because of the RC airplanes and full size airplane parts I bring home to paint.