5 THINGS I HATE About the JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON ECODIESEL

[@chainsawcharl1e677]

The Gladiator should come as a single cab with a shorter wheelbase and better departure angle.

[@TrailExpedition]

That would be awesome as an off-roader! Unfortunately, they will probably never do it seeing four door wranglers outsell the two door version by a large margin.

[@patan77]

No worries some ppl hates not being able to have one 😁

[@TrailExpedition]

Very true! This is a nitpicking list. All very small things that would not keep me from purchasing one.

[@bryanstaten5585]

If I had one of these, which I do want one , I'm going to say screw the govt and the warranty....delete and remove all that epa crap!

[@TrailExpedition]

Mine is out of warranty because I’m over the mileage. Once it starts giving me issues I’ll go ahead and delete it. So far it’s been solid 💪🏻

[@furmanmackey5479]

My best friend recently traded in his low milage, late model, RAM 1500 4X4 ECODIESEL for a six-cylinder, gasoline powered, Nissan Frontier 4X4 because the RAM simply cost too much to feed, though he and his wife MUCH preferred the RAM for its comfort level on and off road.

[@TrailExpedition]

Yes, with the added cost of diesel fuel, cost of DEF and added cost of oil changes, I can see his dilemma. Hopefully costs of operation will start coming down. Thanks for the comment!

[@glenludwig9676]

Your review is weird. #1 You bought it you new it was ugly. #2 you knew it would have a bad departure angle. Obviously. #3 Power back window. Trucks never had one for years maybe someone will do a aftermatket. #4 Def fluid. Ya sucks but I can’t complain all diesels have it. New that going in and I don’t think it’s that hard to carry and pour in. #5 Steering. I have no issues and even after my 2.5 lift and 37” tires. Normal straight axle wandering

[@TrailExpedition]

I know these are all small things and I actually love the truck! You should see my one year 20k mile review video. It’s hands down the best vehicle I’ve owned.

[@jorear74]

I 100% agree. JTs with 37s look really good and stock JTs are missing something. They look weird.

[@TrailExpedition]

Yup! They need the extra beef to get them looking perfect 👌🏻

[@trailtothevoid]

There is definitely a brake controller that can go in, most people replace the 12V power plug with it. I FULLY agree with the stock look being goofy looking. I wish I could afford to get outta the "stock" look outside of my bumper swap.

[@TrailExpedition]

Good to know about the brake controller. It would be nice if it was just a standard option. I do know there are a lot of cheaper options for lift kits. Mine is just the 2” AEV spacer lift. It’s actually one of the more expensive spacer lifts around $400. I do know Teraflex and a few other companies have even cheaper options. Just make sure to do lift and tires at the same time as running a lift with small tires would look goofy 🤪

[@trailtothevoid]

@@TrailExpedition it would be great if the bc was an add on option. But then again it didn't exist when I got mine either. Since I have an overland series, I'm looking for a more full lift. (AEV is what I'm looking at still) Overland shocks are to soft and so are the springs in my opinion..

[@TrailExpedition]

I hear ya there. The Rubicon shocks are pretty solid so I didn’t want to get rid of them.

[@Josh-bj2lv]

Tune it to bypass the egr. If you need warranty work flash it back to stock

[@TrailExpedition]

Good to know!

[@mikekosar6135]

Jumped out and adjusted the steering link.. jumped back in and said son of a beach.. The 513 gears… idk can you get by with 488’s

[@TrailExpedition]

I feel like with the diesel you really don’t need to regear. I’ve added a lot of weight to this truck and still see 8th gear all the time. The gasser model I would probably be regearing.

[@EddiTaru]

Man I 100% agree with you that the stock jeeps looks awful. Other than Mojave and the Rubicon models, and even those have small wheels. Every Jeep Gladiator needs to come 35" or 37" stock and at least a 2" lift. It's like COM ON, everyone is going to lift them and put bigger wheels. Do us a favor and raise them. For crying out loud, we are paying a lot of money for them. How difficult could it be to do it from the facotry. Redicilous.

[@TrailExpedition]

Totally agreed. At least make it an option from the factory! I went with a mild 2” lift and 37s and for me it looks just right.

[@01messer1]

Great points. Still a great ride. You have best of both worlds. A great overlander and a beast off roader in your JK. Great video, thanks!

[@TrailExpedition]

They are all minor issues and I would still buy another one tomorrow!

[@jasonbecker4613]

Iv had 3 jeep wranglers over the past 20 something years and the only one that hasn’t almost changed lanes on its own was the TJ. 😆 my jk is horrible, I even have adjustable everything … control arms and all. Still is a hand full at interstate speeds. My wife won’t drive it and we take her Nissan Rogue everywhere 😂 hard to beat rack n pinion! Thinking about getting a 23 gladiator diesel… drove them and a notch about the jk for sure… thanks for the video and have fun 👍🏻

[@TrailExpedition]

My JTRD is so much more comfortable on long road trips as compared to my JKU. However, the JKU is much more trail capable. Gotta choose your battles I suppose. Would love to hear your opinion on the Gladiator.

[@jasonbecker4613]

@@TrailExpedition I agree my jku is way more comfortable off-road lol I live in Florida so it does pretty well on the beach when “diesel f250s” are buried in the sand 😂 I also have m998 I’m selling for down payment $$ along with trading jku.

[@TrailExpedition]

Right on. Yeah, I sold my TJ so I could use that money as the down payment on my JT. Now my JT is the overland rig and the JKU is the off-roader.

[@jasonbecker4613]

@@TrailExpedition 👍🏻that’s what I’m shooting for also

[@TrailExpedition]

Nice!

[@MTRIGGLEMAN1]

Rear window: Why doesn't the whole window come down like the back of an SUV. then the rear roof could come off so much easier. Fear of breaking the back glass is my number 1 reason for keeping the back top on 99% of the time

[@TrailExpedition]

Good point! I’ve yet to take my hard top off on the JT. I built a hoist in my garage to remove the hard top but my JKU top is currently occupying it.

[@brutallyhonestmf5578]

There's a service bulletin for steering wandering. I took my JTR to the dealer and they replaced the crappie aluminum steering box for a steel steering box from the Mojave and problem solved (Free). 😊

[@TrailExpedition]

I did hear about that after the fact 😆 if it starts giving me issues again I’ll look into the steel box.

[@brutallyhonestmf5578]

@@TrailExpedition If I was you I would change it anyway. Cast Aluminum is not particularly strong or long lasting in offroad applications. And it's free! 😁

[@TrailExpedition]

@@brutallyhonestmf5578 good call! Are the Mojave’s the only one with the steel steering box?

[@brutallyhonestmf5578]

@@TrailExpedition As far as I know, yes. Also the steel steering knuckles.

[@TrailExpedition]

Good to know!

[@billredding2000]

Well, I was never interested (for several reasons) in a diesel Gladiator. But hearing of "issues" some of the Eco Diesels have had, I'm glad I got the gas engine instead (V6 Pentastar). So far, no issues. And BTW, no mods on mine, either -- it's fine just the way it came as-is OEM/stock from the factory. As for it being good whether driving ON or OFF road, I agree with you that it certainly does BOTH scenarios well. :-) "Jeep Wave" -- BR (2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon)

[@TrailExpedition]

Luckily, knock on wood, I’ve had zero issues out of the Diesel engine. DEF is a pain in the ass and diesel is still well over $5/gallon. The only saving grace is the fact I’m averaging 24 mpg. I would imagine that number would be better if I kept it stock. You’re totally right about it’s capability even stock. This truck beats all other midsize trucks off-road. Sorry Taco owners 😆 Thanks for the comment!

[@billredding2000]

@@TrailExpedition I recently completed a 2400-miles (exactly!) road-trip -- despite the HIGH gas prices as the trip HAD to be made regardless -- from CO to NM and TX, then back to CO (highest gas price was in CO). As an experiment, I only drove 66mph on long Interstate sections of the journey just to see if I could do better than when I drove 71mph on them -- don't think it made any HUGE difference though, as the dash showed 23.0 mpg for those 2400 miles. I recall getting 31mpg on occasion doing 71mph from Colorado Springs to Denver (~60 miles), so I expected a higher overall mpg for a trip doing only 66. Could have been wind resistance here & there partly to blame (there WAS some serious wind sometimes), but who knows. Could have been worse than 23mpg, so I'll take it! ;-) "Jeep Wave" -- BR P.S. As for the Tacoma, I had zero interest in it: My ONLY 2 choices were the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and the Gladiator (Rubicon). Was never able to GET the ZR2 (due to GM's chip-shortage back April 2021) so went to Plan B -- the Gladiator. There was no Plan C. ;-)

[@TrailExpedition]

23 mpg in the gas engine is phenomenal! We did a trip recently from Michigan to Arkansas. Then onto Missouri and back to Michigan. Not sure of the exact mileage but we averaged 24 mpg traveling mostly 75 mph. Not bad for having the lift, tires and all the extra gear from me and my family. Not gonna lie, I’ve been wanting one of these trucks ever since they introduced the idea of them.

[@billredding2000]

@@TrailExpedition Well, it's EPA rated @ 22hwy, so I only got 1mpg better. :-( Eventually, however, I'll do another long Interstate road-trip doing 71mph and compare what what I got @ 66...but it'll be a while: Am moving back to TX (from CO) soon and will be towing a LOADED (!) U-Haul 6x12 cargo trailer...will not do more than 65 or so all the way to TX, but of course, am expecting crappy MPG numbers (as usual when towing anything). But I'll have other opportunities to take long road-trips on the Interstates. And being closer to sea-level there in TX, the N-A gas Pentastar engine SHOULD have more power, and that SHOULD give me better numbers. I hope, but we'll see... -- BR

[@TrailExpedition]

10 4. On a side note, how is Colorado? Have you done any of the Jeep Badge of Honor trails out there? We’re hoping to get out there this time next year to do them.

[@GrayBeardoffroad]

The only negative about the diesel you could come up with is something made mandatory by the government and jeep can't do anything about it.

[@TrailExpedition]

Agreed. It is most definitely the superior engine option available, however, DEF sucks 😆. Regardless, I would do the diesel again over the 3.6.

[@GrayBeardoffroad]

@@TrailExpedition we also prefer the diesel. Def does suck paying for it, but it kills the diesel smell and I don't like that either lol.

[@TrailExpedition]

Aww very true. Gotta take the good with the bad I suppose.

[@etmccaus]

Aren't the oil changes and filter services on these stupid expensive, too?

[@TrailExpedition]

Yes, about double the cost of an average oil change. However, you can go longer between changes. I believe the gas model is every 3-5k miles and the diesel is every 5-7k miles. I’m in the “Jeep Wave” program so my first three oil changes are free.

[@lanceoa]

$16 box for DEF here in Nor Cal

[@TrailExpedition]

I’m sure some places around here may have it cheaper. That was just at the gas station down the road from me.

[@robertolson7304]

It's not a scoute. it's a truck. It's for pulling RV trailers. That is it. That is the only reason they made it. That is what people asked for. It's not for offroading. Blow a tire out pulling an RV you will hate your life.

[@TrailExpedition]

My dad had a Scout when I was growing up and that truck was cool as hell. My Gladiator is rated to tow around 7K but it wouldn’t be fun pulling that much weight.

[@JeepCherokeeful]

Wow, a long wheelbase sucks off road?! Seriously?

[@TrailExpedition]

Depends on the off-roading you’re doing. Climbs and wide open areas they are great. Tight twisty trails in the trees, they suck. Unfortunately, living in Michigan, all we have is the latter of the two.

[@danlubitz6502]

you new this before you bought it grtow up

[@TrailExpedition]

Haha! Just making others aware. No need to get butt hurt over it. And yes, I fully researched the Gladiator before purchase and have no regrets. I love my JTRD!

[@andresfranco2842]

wambulance is what this guy is lol

[@TrailExpedition]

LOL! Apparently this is the only video you’ve seen of mine. It is true, I do work in the medical field in and around ambulances. You got me there. I encourage you to check out something me of my other videos.