JTs pulling TJs. Can’t beat that combo! (Unless it’s an LJ I guess)
Since then, both Jeeps have gotten a little taller….
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JTs pulling TJs. Can’t beat that combo! (Unless it’s an LJ I guess)
Since then, both Jeeps have gotten a little taller….
I bought a JT last year to replace the TJ as my daily driver. And I sold my '87 Comanche and an '82 Waggy to make room.
I'm not sure I understand people saying it's not a good truck. To me it's just as solid of a "mid size" truck as the competition but it really depends on what you want out of it, I suppose.
My reasoning for my purchase was:
I wanted something more comfortable than my TJ for a daily.
I wanted to keep the TJ out of the salt in the winter.
I wanted better mpg and power (ecodiesel)
I wanted something easy to work on (aside from maybe that ecodiesel part)
I wanted something I could do low-medium duty towing with (mostly just moving cars around, towing the TJ)
Solid front Axle. Lockers.
They can be made to look pretty cool and look pretty dumb in stock form, imo. That just makes it more fun to me. I like the controversy. I also like the people that say they're ugly then see mine and reluctantly go well they're not that bad.
Resale value, like the TJ/JK/JL, is great. I built mine to order for 7% below invoice last year when they were selling on lots for a MSRP +$10k mark up. So even if I decided right away I didn't like it or regretted my decision, a quick flip would yield an easy $15k profit. Turns out I love it.
I had been on the fence about getting one since they came out but couldn't convince myself to spend that much money on something with an NA gasser v6 in it. Then when they finally started stuffing the ecodiesel into it I was back on board but they didn't have any colors I wanted. Then they did a short run of Gobi in early 2022 and came across that 7% deal and I jumped on it.
Would I buy one if I didn't still have the TJ? No. I always need a stick shift 2 door Jeep in my life. But having both is pretty excellent. The ecodiesel even on 37s and stock gearing does not give a shit about towing the TJ. And for longer trips into the rockies the JT makes a really comfortable long distance cruiser that can still tackle those basic scenic mountain trails with zero worry. Fitting 37s is stupid cheap on the Rubicon platform and still drives like stock, it's a very comfortable cruiser. And I appreciate the creature comforts way more than even I thought I would. Proximity keyless is dope.
I've also got an 04 Ram SRT10 regular cab 6 speed in the stable, along with some other toys. So if I want to row gears and haul ass in a pickup truck that's an option as well. And you can justifiably argue that is truly an awful truck. But it puts a smile on my face.
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I bought a '22' Gladiator Max Tow when we were finally able to downsize from our 36' 5th wheel travel trailer. We bought a 2022 26' travel trailer that weighs around 5,500 lbs loaded up for camping. I thought I did my homework and the Gladiator should have handled it great. My plan was when we did go camping, I had the perfect exploring rig for doing forest and desert trails in and around Arizona. We live in South East Arizona and every direction from here is up and down hills. Long story, since I have my 05 TJR, I found a '21' Ram 1500 Bighorn with 3.92 gears and non e-torq that's honestly much more comfortable all the way around. I think the Gladiator has a place, and just like any Jeep, you can build it up to how it works for you.
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JTs pulling TJs. Can’t beat that combo! (Unless it’s an LJ I guess)
Since then, both Jeeps have gotten a little taller….
The post above worry me. But since I see you both towing a TJ, how does it do? This is to @bluescapegoat as well.
It looks like @bluescapegoat has an eco-d.
@antwon412 is yours a max tow? Normal tow? Eco-d?
For the trucks that fit what I need it's the right size, but it needs to be able to tow my TJ. Otherwise it's for lumber grabbing and camping with the family.
The post above worry me. But since I see you both towing a TJ, how does it do? This is to @bluescapegoat as well.
It looks like @bluescapegoat has an eco-d.
@antwon412 is yours a max tow? Normal tow? Eco-d?
For the trucks that fit what I need it's the right size, but it needs to be able to tow my TJ. Otherwise it's for lumber grabbing and camping with the family.
The post above worry me. But since I see you both towing a TJ, how does it do? This is to @bluescapegoat as well.
It looks like @bluescapegoat has an eco-d.
@antwon412 is yours a max tow? Normal tow? Eco-d?
For the trucks that fit what I need it's the right size, but it needs to be able to tow my TJ. Otherwise it's for lumber grabbing and camping with the family.
The EcoDiesel has issues with temperatures towing, the engineers themselves publicly said they couldn't stuff enough cooling in the front. Not at a realistic price point, anyway. So it's tow ratings are limited by that. I don't remember the specifics but tow ratings are standardized by pulling a box trailer with a large frontal area up a steep grade at a constant speed. People with the EcoDiesel that are having issues with the platform derating while towing are usually driving through the mountains or are at high altitudes on hot days near or above the tow ratings. (6000 lb)
I just have a 3" front and 2" rear coil and spring spacer on my JT Rubicon, so it's running the factory springs and Fox shocks. They're known for a soft ride, and I can tell the rear is soft, but totally controlled and a pleasure to tow with. I have the tongue set up at the appropriate 10% load at the correct height and a dual axle trailer.
So power isn't a problem in the slightest, 442 lb-ft. And the EcoDiesel comes with the ZF 8HP75 trans behind it, which is practically bulletproof. Suspension is a bit soft but no sway and even with an extra inch in the front suspension it sits level with a trailer correctly hooked up. It's just that cooling issue to be aware of.
My towing around here is most just gradual hills. I've had no issues with temps or performance. I average 15ish mpg towing the TJ. Which is better than the TJ gets on its own.
The JT is going to get a roof top tent soon, which means even more weight. I'm planning on switching to AEV high capacity coils that should easily handle the additional weight. Also shopping for a lighter trailer.
There are a few more details in my post HERE including weights.
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Also, when it comes to EcoDiesels themselves, they have their issues and have the potential to be a real basket case. There's a looming fuel pump recall. Tuners like GDE have already figured out how to save the fuel pumps but Stellantis hasn't implemented anything yet so you're faced with the classic position of voiding your warranty for the good of your property or keeping it stock and waiting for it to explode so they'll fix it. This is a problem with all CP4 fuel pumps in all applications across the industry, not specific to the EcoDiesel. I'm fine with getting in there with a tuner and cutting unnecessary equipment out of the picture if/when problems arise. I send my oil changes to BlackStone for analysis and I'm very specific about maintenance. I'm at 11,000 miles now with no issues
The EcoDiesel has issues with temperatures towing, the engineers themselves publicly said they couldn't stuff enough cooling in the front. Not at a realistic price point, anyway. So it's tow ratings are limited by that. I don't remember the specifics but tow ratings are standardized by pulling a box trailer with a large frontal area up a steep grade at a constant speed. People with the EcoDiesel that are having issues with the platform derating while towing are usually driving through the mountains or are at high altitudes on hot days near or above the tow ratings. (6000 lb)
I just have a 3" front and 2" rear coil and spring spacer on my JT Rubicon, so it's running the factory springs and Fox shocks. They're known for a soft ride, and I can tell the rear is soft, but totally controlled and a pleasure to tow with. I have the tongue set up at the appropriate 10% load at the correct height and a dual axle trailer.
So power isn't a problem in the slightest, 442 lb-ft. And the EcoDiesel comes with the ZF 8HP75 trans behind it, which is practically bulletproof. Suspension is a bit soft but no sway and even with an extra inch in the front suspension it sits level with a trailer correctly hooked up. It's just that cooling issue to be aware of.
My towing around here is most just gradual hills. I've had no issues with temps or performance. I average 15ish mpg towing the TJ. Which is better than the TJ gets on its own.
The JT is going to get a roof top tent soon, which means even more weight. I'm planning on switching to AEV high capacity coils that should easily handle the additional weight. Also shopping for a lighter trailer.
There are a few more details in my post HERE including weights.
View attachment 415658
Also, when it comes to EcoDiesels themselves, they have their issues and have the potential to be a real basket case. There's a looming fuel pump recall. Tuners like GDE have already figured out how to save the fuel pumps but Stellantis hasn't implemented anything yet so you're faced with the classic position of voiding your warranty for the good of your property or keeping it stock and waiting for it to explode so they'll fix it. This is a problem with all CP4 fuel pumps in all applications across the industry, not specific to the EcoDiesel. I'm fine with getting in there with a tuner and cutting unnecessary equipment out of the picture if/when problems arise. I send my oil changes to BlackStone for analysis and I'm very specific about maintenance. I'm at 11,000 miles now with no issues