2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon One Year Review Over 8,800 Miles
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- This is an in depth review of my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. I talk about what I like and don't like as well as touch on any reliability issues that I think there might be with the Gladiator platform. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator shares a lot of similarities with the JL Wrangler platform.
I have had the truck back to the dealership zero times. I have not had a single issue with the truck. Some people have reported very loose steering but I did not experience anything to warrant taking the truck into the dealer. I did end up putting a Synergy MFG sector shaft brace on the truck and that did tighten up the steering a bit.
In my opinion the Jeep Gladiator is the best off road midsize truck on the market. It beats the Toyota Tacoma, and Colorado ZR2 with ease. It simply offers hardcore off road features that no other auto manufacturer is currently offering in a midsize truck.
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If you are thinking about pulling the trigger on a Gladiator I hope this video helped in your decision.
I love my JTR on 37's... I highly recommend it. Mine was taking those huge washouts on that logging road (video on my channel) like it was nothing... VERY impressed with it's offroad capabilities despite being a longer wheelbase than a JLUR.
Yes. Just to let you know if a company has recalls it’s because they care about your safety so they spend billions of dollars to fix your vehicle for free.
Toyota didn’t have recalls back when the floor pedal kept sticking to the ground and killing people they wouldn’t give any Recall until thousands of people sued them and it was just more cost effective for them to fix the problem. Jeep cares about people safety if anything at all could break at 250,000 miles they will replace it when it’s new.
Let’s too short to drive boring cars just to save $260 a year in gas driving a Prius over this 16 mpg gladiator
Make a video showing how the jeep Cherokee was directly based off the $130,000 Maserati Lavante when Maserati and jeep merges the Cherokee came about and then they put all the tech from that vehicle into ur jeep.
They ride so nice because they’re done by engineers who do six-figure luxury vehicles and new engineers being a completely new company with new management in 2014
Ride comfort is particularly important to me as I drive deeply rutted and bumpy logging roads a lot. How does a stock Gladiator Sport S Max Tow ride compare to a stock Gladiator Rubicon?
Nissan Guy I’m not certain I’ve only driven a Rubicon model
Dude. Best gladiator video I've seen, thanks for taking the time to make this. From one small channel to another, keep it up, your review style is desperately needed on YT.
Thanks man!
I bought mine last November, currently has18.5 k miles, love it , still basically stock , no major issues, glad to get your input
Nice! Glad to hear another JT with zero issues. Any upgrades planned? Thanks for watching!
Already installed the Synergy track bar/sector shaft brace , adj. track bar,and 1.5” Teraflex leveling kit , zeon 10s in the factory bumper.I do have the Bestop sunrider for the hardtop. It never ends, I’ve already had 5 modified Jeep Wranglers in the last 25 years, always fun to build them up and drive anywhere.🤪
Nice review! Just passed 1 year too, and love watching your stuff!
Thanks Joseph! How many miles did you put on yours in the first year?
Such a thorough review! Glad you're happy with it
Couldn’t be happier!
I agree, gladiators even look better then the other midsize trucks. I’m a glad I bought my gladiator overland. I love it.
👊🏻
I agree! I have to drive a 2017 Tacoma Prerunner 2wd 4 cyl. for work (company issued), and it's been in the shop for going on a month now... MAJOR electrical issues. Not only is it a complete piece of crap in performance, but it's apparently not built worth a damn either. You couldn't give me a brand new Taco TuRD for free... Well, maybe for free, then I'd turn around and sell it and buy another JTR. And once upon a time, I owned a 2001 Taco TRD V6 (5VZFE) 5-speed 4x4 with the 4.56 option from the factory, bought it used and it had a burnt clutch so I had to put in a Centerforce DualFriction, and it was a monster after that. Now THAT was a Taco. Looking back, that would have been a good one to keep and do a SAS and LS swap in it, and make it a badass offroad machine. 👍🏻
TJ, spot on video! I chose the MOHAVE, only 600 miles in 6 months...maybe 17 mpg also, totally stock. No steering issues and the ride is remarkable. Just recently going up to 70 mph.
I have. Titan Pro 4x , 60,000 all highway miles. Doubt if I get 12 mpg. To me, RUBICON or MOJAVE, being a lifelong guy that always has a classic. To me, these Gladiators are gold! 56K OTD, 4K in sakes tax. Hell yes!
Love your plate! I have the inaugural MOJAVE in Michigan, so my plate is MOJAVE!
Great post!
🍀🇺🇸😷🎯👍
Congrats on the Majave! Such a rad truck, those shocks are beefy!
So funny you mentioned the shifter...I agree it’s a smooth actuation and I noticed it right away too. Nice setup and man that bumper makes a huge diff for you! Definitely would have hung up with stock rear in several of those routes. Wow
Yeah the rear bumper was really a clearance saver that’s for sure. Thanks for watching Thomas!
I can tell your following that the leather seats are fantastic. Great with kids. Super comfortable, they don't feel cheap at all.
You and I have the same Rubicon trim aside from the seats. I 100% agree with your review. I've had mine for over a year, just hit 12k miles. Zero issues.
Glad to hear that! I appreciate the input, it’s nice to fill the gaps on some of the features I don’t have in my JT.
Thanks for the great review tj, Seriously considering trading my Tacoma in for one of these
New subscriber. Best Gladiator review video that I've seen. Looking forward to checking out some of the other vids on your channel.
Hey Mike thanks for the support! I greatly appreciate it. I’m here trying to make good Jeep and off road related content every week. Comments like this are the reason I do it! 👊🏻
Good review
Thanks for the info
Glad I was able to help
Over 10K miles on mine. Agree with your points.
That’s awesome to hear. Thanks for watching!
Just subbed! I have a 2021 full loaded 2DR Rubicon. I’m literally amazed with this Jeep! It is so fun, comfortable and capable Offroad. I’m just in love with the “new” JL platform.
Congrats on the new Jeep! Do you have any plans to build it up? Not that it’s needed they are very capable in stock form
@@BuiltForDirt I wanted to keep it stock for awhile and see it’s limitations. Really get to know it...then do research on the best mods possible. I keep my vehicles for a long time (10+ years) so I want to be careful.
What's up Troy....It's the other Troy (AMM from the forum). 🤣
Good review man! Mine hasn't had any issues either in 4000+ miles over the last 5 months. And I lifted and put 37's and 20's on it at around 250 miles on the clock... Break it in with the mods, and it will be less-likely to tear up in the future. I've found this to be true with many of my new vehicles over the years.
My JTR with the stock 4.10's, and the 37s on 20's, gets around 14.5 highway at 75 MPH, and the same around here locally with mixed driving and start/stop...But local driving I have a bit of a heavy foot. I will try your suggestion of keeping it in M7 on the highway... I haven't even thought about trying that.
With the 4.10 gears, the Rubicon 4:1 t-case REALLY helps running 37's -38's without feeling like you're under-geared. I have done offroad stuff in mine, in 4-Hi that I would normally want 4-Low with other offroad vehicles I own, with 38" tires.
I love mine... Only complaint was that it didn't have a Hemi V8... Other than that, no complaints.
Oh man don’t we all want that V8! Jeep is just teasing us! I’m glad to hear you haven’t had any problems with your JT either. 🤙🏻
@@BuiltForDirt Maybe they will release a hemi v8 version if the Ford Bronco sells well enough in the next 3 years.
I have Bestop’s “baby soft top” on my JK. Absolutely love it.
I'm glad you actually wheel your new gladiator on tough trails. So many wheelers, if they buy a new gladiator, won't wheel it. They build aTJ or something instead and use the gladiator for simply daily drivint or at most, very light trail or camping
Thanks! Yeah there are a few of us out there actually wheeling them. I can’t wait to get back on the trails this year too
Glad to hear you sincerity in this review..I have a Launch Edition that I started out leasing and wound up buying it because of how much I love this damn thing...
I recently purchased a 3" lift, put a set of 37" Falkin M/T's on it gearing up for my very first offroad experience at the upcoming Easter Jeep Safari event..
Being here in the Bayarea, maybe your not too far away that I could come by and get some ideas and thoughts to help this novice first jeep owner out...let me know!
Razor!
Hey Razor! I’m about 4 hours away from the bay unfortunately. Hoping to do quite a few trail runs this year but looks like with all this snow and rain it will have to be later. Maybe we can meet you on the trail.
I’m happy to help you however I can! If you have Instagram feel free to DM me there I usually get back to people fairly quick. Thanks for checking out the channel I have quite a few JT videos and more on the way.
@@BuiltForDirt
Thank you so much for getting back so quickly..
If your ever up in the Northbay, get in touch...
I do watch and think I've seen all your vids..keep em coming!👍
Excellent review! Love the videos. FYI, You need a better microphone.
Yes I know. I tried using a wireless mic in this video and it obviously didn’t work how I would have liked. Back to the good old reliable wired one in the future.
hvn't seen that trss add on any1 elses jeep/trucks yet, looks pretty cool.
Thanks James. It’s a good upgrade and affordable (if you have a welder). You can see the whole install of the truss here: ua-cam.com/video/s1x9ZZaEun8/v-deo.html
If they offered a gladiator with xtreme recon, i may go for it. Biggest expenses are usually tires+regear+lift. If those are bundled under warranty from factory for under$4k USD it makes it very tempting.
Then I'd just need Chromo shafts and armor
Man i have had my sting gray jeep JTR for basically 1 year and i got about 14k miles and man do i love it cause before i had a 3rd gen taco and it was HEAVILY modified i peoples dream setup i had king coilovers and 14" kings in the back and hydraulic bumps as well...from king and well i had just about everything to go jump the truck and it was a 2016 Trd Pro model and yet still my jeep jtr still performed the same if not better cause of the front solid axle and the only things done to my jeep is just a bumper from 7 slot customs and the hand me down warn 12k winch from my taco and i also have my spod from my tacoma as well and same for my arb compressor and man my truck feels great and i dont regret trading in my tacoma for the gladiator :D
Awesome glad your enjoying the JT! Thanks for watching 👊🏻
@@BuiltForDirt Hell yeah man im loving the truck and ive already got king shocks on the way and im only planning to just level the truck right now (cause i can afford the whole lift kit lol)and im also planning on trussing the front end but again im not sure if im gonna get my warranty removed for the whole truck or just the drivetrain but yeah man im kinda iffy about welding the truss in....well my son thats only 16 but hey hes got a jeep of his own and im really am impressed of his welds cause they just look beautiful and consistent and he trussed front axle of his tj and i can trust him but im just still considering of him doing it cause again...my warranty
I would’ve traded you my jtr for your taco! Haha
Just after you posted this, Jeep officially has acknowledged the steering issue, and they are addressing it now. There's a TSB to replace the steering gear box
I have heard about several dealers not honoring the TSB unfortunately. So still some headaches out there for people to deal with...
@@BuiltForDirt I know you mentioned lower tire pressure helped the wandering. Mine range between 40-42 depending on the day, which is just what it was at the dealer. What's a good pressure to run 33s at for a comfortable ride?
I would start at 35 psi and go from there.
I’ve been to 2 dealers and they are total aholes about the tsb. Even though it says they have to just order and get it fixed if you have the issue and tell them about it. Both dealers told me I had to get an appointment to have my truck checked out and driven by a mechanic to diagnose the issue and they will decide if I need it or not at their discretion, and only specific mechanics can do it so you have to have a free schedule to bring in your truck on specific days their mechanic is free. So far I haven’t had time to go in on the specific day they can schedule me in. One dealer basically told me regardless of what they find, it’ll be 2 month wait before they can order the part. Obviously the dealers are trying their best not to honor the tsb! I hate Jeep dealerships, from the sales guy to the service managers, seems like they all got weeks of training on how to be the biggest ahole. They must have competitions on who can be the biggest ahole at the dealership.
The diesel doesn't tow higher weight, it may even be less due to the added weight of the engine taking away slightly from the payload. However, the way it tows the weight is completely different. It handles the same weight load substantially better with all that extra torque, for say extended uphill gradients on the highway and whatnot. Instead of the trans constantly searching for the right gear and being way up in the rev range, the diesel would barely know something is behind it.
Excellent
Thank you! Cheers!
Definitely educational. Looking at the diesel, which will come with the Dana 44's and some upgrades, even on the sport. And that's my hang-up. With the projected driveline upgrades due to the diesel, I'm wondering if the Rubicon trim is worth it. Sure, skidplates, lockers, and swaybar disco.... but, are those really worth the price difference? Especially if planning to run 35-37 inch tires at some point, which will require a lift. Interested in your thoughts.
All JT models come with Dana 44s so just know that. I would only go for the Rubicon if your going to do a lot of off roading. It it’s not serious or just occasional off roading then you probably don’t need the a Rubicon model. However if you get the Rubicon you can clear 35s with no lift and no rubbing. It might be worth is to go with a sport s or overland and just do a leveling kit.
Thanks for the heads-up and good gouge. *thumbs up*
New subscriber... neat video review 👌
Recapping on tyre size, are you saying a 37" tyre runs well with stock gearing on the Rubicon ?
Deciding on 37" or 35" ?!
Cheers 🛻💨💨🤘
They are 38” actually. Yes stock gearing
@@BuiltForDirt much appreciated Mate...👍
Sorry if you mentioned this and I missed it but are you running Stock drive shafts or did you upgrade? Also what is your backspacing/offset on your wheels? BTW thanks for all the info, I have been watching you since you first got your Gladiator. Great stuff! Just finally got me a 2023 gladiator so time to build her up!
Drive shafts are stock. I’m not sure what the offset is on the wheels. Congrats on the new Gladiator!
@@BuiltForDirt Do you know the width of your rim? 10 inch rim selection sucks.
Great review! Excellent! Do you change your moms oil too? Lol
😂
Good review I would stop saying that it rides like a Cadillac
Yeah you are right about that. I was just so used to leaf sprung vehicles that this was such a big improvement to me. Just my personal experience
I would like a Gladiator. But I got my ZR2 for 40k (Diesel). Similar spec Gladiator selling for about 15k more. Just doesn't add that more value for the cost.
Well like I said if you’re into a lot of off roading and specifically rock crawling the Gladiator is the way to go. Hard to fit large tires on the ZR2. The wheel wells aren’t very big I’m pretty sure it’s hard to get a 35” tire to fit let alone a 37” tire.
TSB came out for the steering FYI REF 08-074-20, came out Monday
I saw that. It’s not a recall though. So you still have to go to your dealer and convince them that it’s a problem and then they might approve to fix it. Still a major hassle and potentially not fixed if your dealer doesn’t want to.
TJ Mitchell Films right, it’s a TSB, I have a ticket open for it already, called my dealer told them I want this done, that easy.
Nice that’s good to hear. I have just heard the horror stories of dealers denying people from TSB repairs
TJ Mitchell Films yea I am sure especially if you have been driving it awhile, mine is not even an old month so I have some leverage in a sense to complain still and get results
The beard is costing you one mpg! 🤠
It just might be!
I have a gladiator on 37's and cannot even touch 14mpg and I drive pretty reserved it doesent have 4,000 miles on it. my drive to work is completely flat and only 10 minutes away what am I doing wrong ?
How fast are you driving and what gears do you have?
My only concern is the engine performance for the the new JT.
The 3.6 in the JT is the same that has been in the JL for a few years now.
@@BuiltForDirt i have the jlu and really happy with the performance. But I see alot feedback that for the JT the 3.6 is underpowered due to the added weight.
We have a Gladiator Rubicon 2” lift and 37’s we just moved and we were towing a trailer about 1800 miles around 5k lbs our rear differential kept locking and unlocking while driving brought it to Jeep and they have to replace the whole rear axel under warranty they don’t know when they will be getting the axle they said they will have an update in 2 weeks. We love our Gladiator but for the price we are disappointed that we are having this issue. I am somewhat concerned if the transmission is ok after the trip do you know if the differential locking while pulling a trailer on pavement will effect the tranny? The dealer of course is saying it’s fine.
What a bummer I’m sorry to hear about the troubles you have been experiencing.
I wouldn’t think the transmission would be affected by that though. If anything the differential or axle shafts took the damage from engaging at speed.
@@BuiltForDirt yeah it sounds like a recurring issue when towing a heavier trailer. I’m hoping your right about the transmission. But we love the truck just want to have it in our garage not at the shop ya know our friends are going on an off-road trip this weekend and it stinks we can’t go with but again we love the truck the gladiator is a unique truck that’s utilitarian which I love everything a lot of other trucks are so rounded and isn’t distinct from others. We are very surprised how well it rides with the large tires and lift
What make of rock slides are you running?
Stock Rubicon sliders. Full video here: ua-cam.com/video/N-7HHaKqqn8/v-deo.html
Thanks
Where did you get your black side details? Rugged looking.
I have a video on them here: ua-cam.com/video/N-7HHaKqqn8/v-deo.html
What size of lift do you have? If u said it i missed it
3” lift from Synergy MFG. Full details here: ua-cam.com/video/lK7T5B2YWcE/v-deo.html
Wtf-I got the Rubi on 35 tires and live in the slow lane and get avg 14.5 MPG.
I wonder how accurate my computer is
All depends how you drive. Just because you are in the slow lane doesn’t mean you are driving slow per say.
Regear?
@@PLT123 I upgraded to 38s and 5.13s. I am heavy with topper, winch ect. I drive between 55-70 in the slow and middle lane most… i avg 14.8 now days all up and down cali
What rear bumper are you running?
It’s a custom bumper that I built. You can check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/W0h1F18JJ7Y/v-deo.html
What top is that?
Factory soft top
endgame
I should probably stop driving my gladiator I’m at almost 19k in 10 months
😂 I’m lucky my commute to work is only like 1 mile so that’s why the miles are low
That’s what it’s for
tell your self that but FIRST YEAR IS always a no no !!!!!!!!!! the hype got you kid
Eh I’m fine with it. Not a problem
No other truck you can take the doors off and throw them in the bed.
Lol..the hand grab keeps getting in the way as he is filming
You're not getting 16 mpg with 38's without regearing. And claiming offroad miles are included in that just makes you look ridiculous.
🤔
It’s sad that such a good looking vehicle is one of the most unreliable vehicles you can buy.
Haven’t had any issues so far. Fingers crossed
Then why are u here
I love the review. You just need learn how to stop saying "Um" and "Ah" all the time. I am sure your can fix it somehow.
Really?.....
When you speak, you need to work on your audible swallowing and tongue clicking sounds. You do it like 30 times in this video. I do this too when I speak, maybe that’s why I notice it so much, ha ha.