JEEP GLADIATOR 2022 | LOVE HATE | RUBICON | OFFROAD BEAST | NOT A TOW RIG | GREAT WEEKENDER VEHICLE

Jeeps in Australia don’t get as much love as Nissan and Toyota do. There are many reasons why, some valid and some well… just opinions.
2022 Jeep Gladiator, Rubicon. Fitted with a trail-ready package.
Recently, Chris bought a Jeep Gladiator for something different… and well… he was surprised by just how much he loved it. “The build was fun, the car is enjoyable to drive offroad, and it is a nice car… just not the most fuel economical (but coming from a Supercharged Y62… it’s fine), and the engine isn’t great, good horsepower specs for the weight of the car, but low torque and too revvy when trying to drive around town.”
Hate is a strong word, and for the context of this video, we say hate, though it is more mildly frustrating, is a more precise thought
HATE
1. Engine 3.6L
This engine claims - 209KW and 347NM
Compare that to: Triton @ 133KW and 430Nm and Hilux @ 150KW and 420Nm
2. Fuel Economy - Claimed 12.4 Combined (I’m getting 14.2L/100)
3. Payload only 693kg and Braked towing 2,721kg. The V1 Gladiator was only 620kg for the Rubicon and 521kg for the Overland spec
4. Daily Driveability.
5. Looks (unbuilt, straight from showroom)
LOVE
1. Offroad, best in class out of the showroom. Out of the box it is insanely good.
2. Offroad visibility and confidence
3. Technology in the cabin is nice
4. Wife approved
5. The support of parts globally and once these are built and personalised, I truly believe they do look pretty impressive.
THE BUILD
BP51’s Suspension upfront, Nitrocharger in the rear
Murchison Springs all round
Murchison Panhard Bracket
OME adjustable lower Control arms, extended sway bar links and larger bump stops
Steering Damper flip kit
Safari Snorkel
ARB Twin pistion air compressor,
ARB underseat compressor mount.
ARB front Bar
Warn EVO winch
35” Mickey Thompson Tyres
DWC wheels.
Hardkorr 9” lights
Oricom UHF
Lithium 2nd battery in the tray with Projecta DCDC
My Coolman fridge
ARB Fridge slide
Bed rack
2 pairs of TRED Pro
The build for this offroad beast came in under $20k. Not too bad considering the tracks this Jeep can do with ease and other more expensive vehicles/builds struggle.

[@ss84human14]

As a 22 JTR owner with 30k clicks on the clock, I can tell you first hand, pulling our 2.5T Van at general highway in good conditions was between 22-25 Ltr/100km (roughly 1000km of trip) I was quite pleased about this result. It is a 3.6ltr V6 petrol after all. On the tow leg of this trip we covered over 4,000km. I did same distance during the same trip, unladen prior to picking up the van. Bare in mind, i was rolling on 35" ATs and lifted so factor that in...around 3-4ltr difference per 100 set up over the stock Rubicon configuration (for unladen, daily driving). In moderate to constant byt gradual incline towing, it climbed to around 26-29ltr with head wind sections (2-3k Km). The thing is, its a Pentastar engine, its actually meant to run in higher rev range. Thats why you see its peak powerband sits in at around 4,500RPM. I mean the thing red lines at 6,500!! Either accept that as a tow vehicle or dont. Usual highway driving without towing with build adaptions fitted, its around 14/100 which i am fine with. We run a 70 litr Long Range ancillary tank. This means we carry 153 litres of fuel. BUT we wanted the off road capability. THATS WHY I BOUGHT A JEEP! 😅 As a previous JKU owner of 9 years, i knew what i was going to build. An off road animal. Behaved and civilised on road, safety rated quality components professionally fitted. They look long and flat stock. But a few good mods and it looks how it actually is supposed to look. Ready to explore.

[@charlie2king]

I seen one the other the day with 4 inch lift and 37s on it Looks amazing once its modified

[@rodpalmer4652]

You found out why the Jap stuff hates them. They’re brilliant off-road.😂

[@fernandoharo1661]

Love it mate!

[@laloolhouvum1634]

It's a Jeep Gladiator Rubico why run 35s. 3inch lift and you'll be fine to run 37s. Of course a 4.1 gear ratio is not going to cut it, however re-gearing to 4.5 gonna have no issue with 37s. Many overlander tow PC X series trailer with their Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.

[@AdamCrowley-nd6be]

because its australia. Do you know how much trouble he can get into just with throwing 35's on???

[@Wolf4wdadventures.576]

The Gladiator is an awesome platform for modifications, just look what they are capable of especially in the USA and what's available to make them better. I personally love these vehicles, just different from the same old Toyota v Nissan etc, not saying there not good, I know they are. I'm not worried about the payload as I'm not into overloading a vehicle to it max with a canopy on the back fitted with everything you can cram in to it. My main criteria would be it's off-road prowess, more of a weekend warrior than a long distance tourer, straight out of the box you can beat them.. awesome off-road, that's the design brief, nothing more. Long distance tourer, towing....no not good. Modified with good suspension/wheels and tyres and they are basically unstoppable. I would personally remove the tub and put a tray on the back, albeit a little shorter. Love watching your jeep, keep them vids coming.

[@jeremyharris4415]

Looks great mate . The first I was thinking to myself why did you buy it when everything you said you don’t like about it . Looking forward to seeing it out on the tracks

[@erin8709]

Great vid. So after all mods what was the fuel consumption off road and combined figures? Anything you would change on the rig to improve it?

[@SteveH98264]

Here in the US ARB/OME lists NOTHING suspension wise for my Gladiator, NOTHING!

[@AdamCrowley-nd6be]

why does everyone in australia buy a bloody rubicon pay the premium then pull out the Fox Suspension???? do we not know how good that stuff is or what???

[@tafadzwakevinbadza]

This is awesome, can't wait to see how capable the Jeep will be after the boys at DMW are done with the GWM upgrade.

[@richardwalsh5570]

Engine is opposite in power to the Y62

[@richardwalsh5570]

Couldn't squeeze 37's under it?

[@richardwalsh5570]

What a crap payload. It's a wonder they sell any here.