Is The MOST AFFORDABLE Jeep Gladiator Good Off Road? - TTC Hill Test

[@danoesq2]

Great video. I almost got one of those, but didn't want to deal with the upgrades. I ended up with a Rubicon. I love it, but It killed me financially 😮.

[@billredding2000]

Mine didn't kill me...but then I got it back in 2021 ($50,263 off a Jeep dealer's lot) when I was unable to get the $41K 2021 Colorado ZR2 I ordered (which honestly turned out to be a GOOD thing!). Still, even back then some said it was WAY overpriced (and "Chrysler/Fiat POS/junk" being a Jeep) -- yet despite their unparalleled ignorance my Jeep has been fine and does all I wanted it to do. But yes, TODAY they're just a "tiny" bit pricier (so I'm lad I got mine when I did). ;-) And like you, I didn't see the sense of doing lots of upgrades if I got a lower trim and tried to "upgrade"(mod) it to make it a Rubicon trim. TO me doing that is an exercise in futility. Just a few reasons why: 1. Lots of expensive parts to buy and lots of expensive labor to install them. 2. Those upgrades/mods may or may not be covered under the OEM/factory new-vehicle 3-year warranty. 3. They may not even work well with the other parts/electronics of an OEM build. 4. If any of the upgrades/mods caused or contributed to some problem in ANY way, good luck getting Jeep to fix it (under warranty)...not to mention doing DF/S things off-road and damaging something. 5. No matter how capable one upgrades a lower trim, it's still will NEVER be that higher trim (Rubicon in this case) nor can it be sold as one -- meaning, getting the extra value from it a Rubicon would have. IMO, if you're going to get a Jeep Gladiator, stop the pussy-footing (!) around and bite the bullet: Choose between the two Top Dog trims only: Rubicon and Mojave. As for "upgrading" mine, I won't -- it's more capable than I'll ever need as-is/from the factory. Not only off-road, but also on-road in inclement weather (snow/minor flooding) and on my occasional long road-trips on the Interstates. No regrets, Buyer's Remorse or complaints here. "Jeep Wave" -- BR

[@WorksIRL]

Great, simple, realistic exhibition of stock raw barebones JT capabilities right out of the box! Thanks guys! 💪👍

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@u808man]

I tell you what guys?… I have ZERO complaints about my 2023 Jeep Gladiator Sport S 4X4… I’m a happy camper, lol😎🇺🇸👍

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Love that! So far we love ours too!

[@run-n-smoke7336]

We're looking at the gladiator right now and have come to the conclusion that we thought the Willys was probably what we wanted but after doing some research..... the sport s with the max tow package is really looking like a good option also. I know very little concerning jeeps but what is your opinion between the Willys and Sport S?

[@russmode]

Got best of both worlds, found a sweet 2024 Nighthawk, Anvil grey..perfect upgrades from factory! First jeep..love it!

[@alonzobustamante3150]

⁠​⁠@@run-n-smoke7336 Sport S Max tow has a Tru-lok rear differential, meaning power will go to the tire with most traction unlike limited slip. Sport S max tow also has wide axle. Willys is more of a trim package I believe.

[@craigsmith6446]

Awesome review, thanks for doing this! There are those of us who don't want to drop a 401k balance on a Rubicon, I was looking at the sport basic model and modify it as I see fit as I want to build an overlanding vehicle. Thanks!

[@goldengate8287]

#preach I don’t want to work forever

[@barrywinslow9798]

Glad your showing the stock Gladiator.....manual trans.....love it. Jeep wrote the book. Thanks for the vid.

[@TexasTruckChannel]

You bet, thanks for watching!

[@barrywinslow9798]

You're welcome. Enjoy her. God bless@@TexasTruckChannel

[@lolotus4borderless]

That thing even this way rules the hill

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Just wait for the upgrades!

[@bryanomicioli3301]

Willys package comes with the rubicon sliders as well

[@JM21999]

Love the roll up windows!! Old school fun!

[@seanwise781]

You can find the sport with power locks/window package for same price

[@kentonseydellaolcp4785]

22 JT Sport S Max Tow= Super Sport. Bought mine mainly to pull a 4500lb gtw 17' travel trailer , daily driver and Backroad Discovery Vehicle. Still on the stock Dueler A/T. Have added Smittybuilt SRC full width front bumper with 12K winch, SRC Slider/steps, Rugged Trail HD rear bumper. 25mpg solo/12mpg towing. Great ride and FUNctionality.

[@Petesmotoadventure]

I just got a sport S and recently went where our club hold Jeeptoberfest. I was surprised how well it did in stock. That said can’t wait to put a lift and better wheels and tires on.

[@IanNubbit]

I'm glad someone will be able to publish this clutch being exactly the same as before. The clutch is the same, the vehicle does not have a temp sensor, it is using a calculation between wheel speed, engine speed, and clutch position

[@JRs-guitars]

I'd say going up one or two tire sizes, throw some Pirelli Scorpion AT plus tires on or Falken Wildpeaks. I never understood the idea of driving a manual off road though.

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Don’t worry, we have a pile of parts waiting to go on this puppy. The manual is more complicated, but a lot more fun to pilot. Just more of a challenge in light off roading like this.

[@JRs-guitars]

@TexasTruckChannel right on! I do like manual transmissions, just not in trucks or Jeeps.

[@billredding2000]

Well, not nowadays anyway. That's one reason I wanted to automatic trans "upgrade" on mine. And they can't tow as much as the autos can (towing-capacity is lower w/ a standard). -- BR

[@jaymesmustaine684]

Awesome video! I have almost the identical Gladiator except I have auto trans and hard top. Mine came from the factory with 32" mud tires and I bet I could go up that hill in 2 wheel drive and the reason I say that is because the day after I bought it I took it to Stoney Lonesome in Alabama and tested it. Buried it in mud. Took the freedom panels off and soaked the interior by accident going through some deep water a little too fast but I didn't worry because it has Manuel windows and door locks. It got stuck one time only due to the tires being too small. I bottomed out in a rut where if I had 35" tires it would have went right through it. In other words you don't have to go bankrupt with the more expensive models to have a very capable off road vehicle.

[@ExperiencesAndEquipment]

As a JT rubicon owner, I'd suggest looking into some Rubicon take off parts. Front fenders will allow more clearance for bigger tires. The stock Rubicon springs are about 1.5" taller than sport springs.

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Amen, check out the episode after this one. 👍

[@adrianharrison5208]

those Rubicon axles are a great upgrade with the towing package

[@HenryCalderonJr]

The only thing I would change if this is all I can afford it the tires to get more grip A/T it would make a world of difference but most will be ok for lite offroading

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Absolutely, and that is the mind set we are using for the build on this rig. Stay tuned for the next episode!

[@chiluco2000]

I find it more appealing being a great highway cruiser with those tires 👍😅

[@TexasTruckChannel]

We are both concerned about losing the highway manners. Luckily we are keeping the original set for that reason.

[@ridewithme3428]

Sweet! What’s the payload sticker say in the door jamb? From what I gather, the highest payloads are Sport S Max tow, or, oddly, Sport Manual NO TOW package. Both should be up around 1500

[@melvinjacobs2328]

Very impressive.

[@kennethwilliams-dl9gi]

if i bought one thats the one id buy. best fuel economy and smothest ride. an everyday driver. i wouldnt change a thing. plus its the most affordable.

[@robgoffroad]

I have a 2023 Willys which has 32's and I LOVE it. Amazing vehicle. But the JT's biggest drawback is the departure angle.. it's easy to drag the hitch on stuff. BUT... this thing isn't a trail machine (IMO)... it's a better overlander. If you want to trail it you want a big lift and 37's. Otherwise, get a Wrangler.

[@dotpiazzola7822]

Wish Jeep would do a super low first gear on their manual transmission.

[@AdventureRidge]

I need to see this make an appearance at Matt’s Off Road games!

[@VCHAuMiner]

I’m looking forward to the future mods.

[@TexasTruckChannel]

We are turning bolts on it today!

[@LittlefootAdventures]

I have been though alot harder trails with a stock jt sport and those same tires. I put 64 k on those tires wheeling and daily driving

[@RickNethery]

I think the base models are the best buy. Too much price fudging on the higher trims.

[@dcwaku]

Turbo 4 or straight 6 ?

[@TexasTruckChannel]

Pentastar 3.6 V6.

[@BGriffee]

lol talk about riding the clutch. fun video but practice with a clutch more and practice getting your foot off w/o so many rev's

[@luism8130]

Jeeps get way too much hate. These vehicles (even stock) are CAPABLE. They do what they are meant to do.

[@TheGenerationX894]

I was out as soon as this guy tried driving a manual and made it 25 feet. He can't drive it.

[@TexasTruckChannel]

What the heck are you talking about?

[@laurencelandry-boisvert7631]

Dude has the worst tires

[@mblake0420]

If you didnt get the max tow package you screwed up

[@allengreen9072]

That wouldn’t be the cheapest JT though. They don’t come in manual either. Max tow package is the best trim in my opinion though

[@cjextreme]

No Chrysler is any good anywhere of the tarmack. Every true wheeler will tell you, if you dont have at least another 20k put into it for necessary upgrades, you'd be far far better off buying a sxs. Chrysler componants are factory built to fail.

[@JohnLefebvre-b5z]

My 2023 base j.t. roll up windows and all, i love it. Trailer tow package. All that xtra gizmos are childish