Watch This BEFORE Buying a Used Jeep Gladiator JT!

Jeremy shares the problems that his Jeep Gladiator Rubicon has encountered over 42,000 miles, and we compare how his Jeep held up versus my new Gladiator. Please consider subscribing for more Jeep content, and check out @JackMonkeyJeep .
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Jeremy's Gear:
✅ Rugged Ridge Winch: amzn.to/4881cav
✅ Rugged Ridge HD Front Bumper: amzn.to/3HRnliU
✅ Factor 55 Flatlink: amzn.to/3OBTu1s
✅ Nitto Trail Grappler M/T: amzn.to/3SPkH3e
✅ 13" Shorty Antenna: amzn.to/3UrYvxv
✅ Mopar 2" Lift Kit: amzn.to/3HRq1Nf
✅ Oracle Side Track Lights: amzn.to/49ug1Wf
Chapters
0:00 Welcome!
1:11 Jeep Death Wobble
2:39 Manufacturing Defects
3:26 Jeep Wave Program Review
5:10 Engine Oil Check
5:37 Transmission Fluid
6:37 Winch and Solenoid
9:52 Katzkin Seats
10:33 13" Shorty Antenna
11:09 Oracle Side Track Lights
11:56 Winch and Bumper
12:40 Superchips Flashcal+
14:19 Mopar 2" Lift Kit
15:45 Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
17:30 Toyota vs. Jeep Which is Better?
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[@Gzus]

I don't have any videos about my JTR (Launch Edition), but can add my experiences. Bought mine used about 1 year ago with 44K miles on it, and it now has 51K miles. 1. No death wobble issues at all. 2. Manufacturing defects: YES! a) I had to have my transmission replaced immediately after purchasing it. They replaced the valve body first, but that didn't fix the issue, so a full transmission replacement was next. b) I also had to have the rear main seal replaced within a month after the transmission was done. On the plus side, everything was under warranty, so I didn't have to pay anything for the repairs and the shop actually gave me a free loaner while they worked on it. c) Another issue I had was a de-lamination issue with the 8.4" screen. They replaced that under warranty, but it did cost me $100 out of pocket (Mopar MaxCare claim). d) Knowing that my corrosion warranty was expiring in the next ~8 months, I took my Gladiator to a Jeep-certified body shop and asked them to check the vehicle (door hinges, etc) for any paint defects that needed fixed under warranty. They replaced the lower half of every door hinge, fixed some bubbling around the inner bead on the front passenger door, and some paint defects they found on the hood. All covered under warranty. e) I had some water leaking around the back hardtop window. Jeep shop refused to fix it and said I would need to contact my insurance company and file a claim to have the rear glass replaced. I bought $20 of 1/4" vacuum tube on Amazon and pressed that around the window seam and haven't had a problem since. 3. Oil is hella clean since I just had the rear main seal replaced within the past 4K miles. 4. Transmission fluid was obviously also just replaced within the past 5-6K miles when the transmission was replaced. 5. I wired my winch (Warn VR-EVO 10S) directly to the battery and have never had any problems. 6. My Gladiator (Firecracker Red) had the factory leather seats, but they came in black and I wish I had the saddle brown. 7. I also replaced my antenna with a 7" as my first "mod" and it looks great and has worked the same as the factory. 8. I have the OEM steel bumper, so I took the end caps off and love the look it gives and the extra clearance. I live in deer country, so I'd like to add a bull bar at some point, but haven't yet. 9. I bought a Tazer JL Mini to swap a few settings, but had buyers remorse because of how expensive it was and how little I actually "needed" it. I returned it, but will likely buy it again once I upgrade to larger tires. 10. I am likely going for the Mopar 2" lift at some point over the next year because I want to upgrade from the factory 33s to 37s. I want to retain the factory warranty, but am worried that the 37" tires would impact the warranty. 11. I'm glad you called out the Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires. I had BFG KO2s on my JK and loved them, but have heard so much positive feedback on the Nittos that I'll likely opt for those when I finally buy some new shoes for my JT. 12. I bought the Mopar MaxCare warranty when I snagged my JT last year, so I'm covered until 2029 or 99K miles. I *highly* recommend that warranty to anyone who is considering a used Gladiator.

[@marki61422]

How much was the Mopar Maxcare warranty?

[@DUNEATV]

Just a couple comments about the video… as a former “Toyota fanboy” I could tell you the Jeep JL platform, whether it be a Wrangler or Gladiator is far superior off-road, and with the 8-speed automatic in the Jeep I would say it’s even better on road. as far as reliability is concerned, I never had a problem with my 2021 Rubicon and now my 2024 Rubicon extreme recon. And that is coming from someone who is really hard on their vehicles off-road…

[@OffGridAdventure]

I’ve heard a lot of similar things coming from a Toyota Sienna that basically never had a problem.

[@jt_overland]

I have 110,000 miles in mine and I use it hard. I have had zero engine, transmission, or electrical issues. I did develop death wobble around 70,000 miles but it was a worn out track bar bushing. Easy fix and replacement. I too am running the mopar 2” lift and 35” skinny’s. The gladiator is a great platform for most off road adventures.

[@OffGridAdventure]

That’s about what I would expect. When you get death wobble fix whatever’s worn out.

[@captainrex4794]

Holy crap that's awesome! I hope to get mine to there, I'm at 49,000 now.

[@kylemcpherson1443]

One for sale at my local deal with 490k.

[@captainrex4794]

@@kylemcpherson1443 Miles?!

[@jeffh7496]

I absolutely love my Gladiator but comparing it to a Tacoma "I've had several " isn't fair. A Tacoma is the nice ,dependable, loyal (6) wife that you can always depend on. The Gladiator is the exciting unpredictable, x-stripper (8) with daddy issues that will eventually leave you stranded and broke, but let's all be real and admit that the gladiator is in fact more fun.

[@OffGridAdventure]

Interesting analogy, and it makes a lot of sense.

[@motoacquatico1967]

experienced during a journey at 120 km/h: started due to asphalt with small defects; I stopped and checked if I had a puncture, but everything was fine... I set off again and everything was fine until a new stretch of asphalt with defects, but this time I was at 130 km/h! I brake, and everything goes back to normal; I try to go at full throttle, 184 km/h, and my Gladiator Ecodiesel turns into a Lunapark attraction!!! Very exciting 😁 When I took it to the workshop for other problems they did something to it, because now I'm happy with the 184 limiter: on the Florence-Siena👍💪🏁🤩☀️

[@discover4x4]

I agree thay 1/8" toe in is a great starting point

[@wusaint]

I know the majority of everyone loves the Rubicon but I definitely prefer the Mojave. It just suits my style and needs more as I'm not really into rock crawling. Have about 15k miles on my '23 Mojave and wouldn't even think about owning a different truck.

[@JR-ut1yx]

2 sweeeeeeet Gladys 😊 I went with green but the blue and orange are very nice 👌

[@Fookem]

Bought my 2021 gladiator used with 67k miles. Truck has been great.

[@montanagirl4530]

Thank you for this as I'm in the hunt for a Gladiator! Still trying to decide how much I can afford for my needs.

[@OffGridAdventure]

Well, the prices seem to be coming back down to normal. Good luck, and you’ll probably enjoy whatever you end up with.

[@itsmountainwithanm]

My 21 JT Mojave had valves and cams replaced both sides at 35000 kms it too flashed the engine light at around 200 kms but no code but never happened again just got it back and it runs great.

[@OffGridAdventure]

Seems like a major problem. Warranty work covered it?

[@itsmountainwithanm]

@@OffGridAdventure yes it took them three attempts and two months to fix it all but runs great agian

[@OffGridAdventure]

@@itsmountainwithanm well, hopefully the engine is ready for the long haul now. Was it an instantaneous failure, or slow process with the valves?

[@itsmountainwithanm]

@@OffGridAdventure noticed the tic in drive through got worse in a week then they replaced one side cams and valves then I went on a road trip and after 200kms and it was worse they replaced a couple more things and it was quiet.. I let it warm up at the dealership the second time and it sounded ok but by the time I got half way home it was knocking ticking again and would only tic once it was warmed up that's when they did the other side and now so far so good ...keep in mind I had all the maintenance done at the dealership on time when required before this started .

[@robinsommer2351]

Wife got a 2015 dodge charger with v6, should be same transmission, the fluid is green in these transmission’s and is somewhere around $50-$60 a quart when replacing the fluid, we have never had the fluid replaced, and we got little over 200000 miles and it still pulls great, only issue we had was a rock getting stuck 2 different times in the electric shift linkage, so it wouldn’t go into park and wasn’t able to turn the vehicle off.

[@OffGridAdventure]

Sounds like a bullet proof transmission. That’s a lot of miles with no troubles.

[@pjfan173]

Does he really change his oil when the truck tells him? Ouch 😂

[@vicentee2687]

please don't wait for your oil light on the 3.6 the oil chang are so easy

[@OffGridAdventure]

That’s an excellent point! It seems like the 3.6L Pentastar is an easy oil change.

[@jasonwilson7998]

Cool episode!

[@OffGridAdventure]

Thanks for popping in and saying hi!

[@jorgechino5568]

What are your thoughts on 35s on stock wheels? Any complaints or feedback

[@OffGridAdventure]

35s seem to be the perfect upgrade size unless you want an absolute rock crawler.

[@Misery4starz22]

I think both are great

[@OffGridAdventure]

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’re doing well.

[@tommyboy55901]

I’ve gotten O2 code twice now, it clears but comes on under freeway speeds.

[@OffGridAdventure]

I’d have it checked, because sometimes those codes are a result of the injectors failing.

[@Zero-it7pd]

I bought a used 2015 JK back in 2017 and the death wobble it developed almost killed us. It was so bad you couldn't control the vehicle until you came to a complete stop and it would happen randomly without warning anytime after 65km/h. I never fixed it, I just traded it in and let the dealership worry about it.

[@OffGridAdventure]

Oh no. It’s something that I worry about in the future. Luckily nothing at 3k miles.

[@lifeinastockwrangler]

5k between oil changes on full synthetic? That's way to forgiving. My oil life gauge hits 20% around 10k miles. I do have a wrangler but it's the same engine. 5k would be synthetic blend or conventional.

[@RanchoTexano]

I’ve changed the oil in every one of my vehicles since I was 18, and the Gladiator is the easiest vehicle by far I’ve changed

[@OffGridAdventure]

Any issues with the plastic oil housing? I’ve heard of some dropping it and breaking it.

[@RanchoTexano]

Really? Interesting. Haven’t dropped the filter housing so couldn’t say, but it didn’t feel fragile

[@exodusfivesixfivesix8050]

Mine is currently in the shop getting the top end replaced. Didn’t even make it to 60k

[@OffGridAdventure]

Ouch! Did the factory warranty cover it?

[@desertadventures4221]

Good video...

[@OffGridAdventure]

Thanks!

[@georgemarshall7680]

Water is not a good conductor. The impurities in water are what are conductive.

[@OverlandAddiction]

here is food for thought😂😂 your starter is an electric motor that is hooked straight to the batery without a fuse? so 45 yrs of building hd off road rigs tells me you dont need a fuse on your winch😎😎 just secure your positive cable and loom it very well and no problums ever 🤙🤙🤙

[@PhatboyHD88]

Good

[@OffGridAdventure]

Thanks

[@neurodivergentlily]

Together, your jeeps are repping UF colors!

[@OffGridAdventure]

Orange and blue? I thought that was the Dolphins.

[@1969darr]

Gladiators are NOT offroad vehicles AT ALL

[@joerivs80]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 love a good joke! Thank you! Have a great day!

[@begrateful8934]

Whats with Jeeps red accents 🤮🤮

[@donteboone5222]

Just had to do a 6.5k transmission job on mine

[@OffGridAdventure]

Ouch!

[@pjfan173]

I’m thinking about buying a gladiator or wrangler as a second vehicle to take the grandkids for rides in the summer. After watching some videos on all the problems, I’m starting to rethink it.