It's a Jeep thing

"Zaphod's Heart of Gold" (anavriniv)
07/01/2020 at 09:31 • Filed to: Gladiator

I had planned to put this off but a few circumstances conspired yesterday and here we are. Been looking at these for a while and finally pulled the trigger!

37s, wheels, lift, bumpers, a winch, light bars, tube doors, and punisher decals are on order, natch (/s)

It’s stupid fun to drive.

I was going to pass on the Rubicon and spec a sport model, but this is the only way to snag the 4.10 wide axles with a clutch, and the options I would have put on a sport come standard here.

DISCUSSION (23)

CalzoneGolem > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 09:52

Now that I’m working from home and my MPGs matter less I’ve been talking to the wife about getting a truck. A Gladiator is top of my list. I’m not sure it’s “truck enough” for her though.

Nothing > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 09:53

Congrats! I really like the Gladiator, I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun for you!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 09:57

this is the only way to snag the 4.10 wide axles with a clutch

Did you get the manual?

I really do like these things. There isn’t nearly as novel a take on the pickup truck on the market and this does that role well.

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
07/01/2020 at 10:03

I did! I am a full stan for a manual transmission, and as long as one is an option it is the option I will select

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > CalzoneGolem
07/01/2020 at 10:04

Go topless, she’ll come around

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > Nothing
07/01/2020 at 10:05

I drove to work with the top back and the windows down, smiling like an idiot the whole way

vondon302 > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:05

Congrats!

Looks fun

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:14

Good for you! Even though I wouldn’t consider myself a truck guy, I find myself specing out stripper manual models. Someone has to buy them and such a novel and unique pickup deserves an uncommon and fun transmission.

Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:27

Don’t forget the fender delete! Nice Truck!

Just Jeepin' > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:32

I’d give you grief about the grayscale “color”, but it does look pretty good. And it’s not snot gra y (aka “Sting Gray”).

And it’s a Jeep! And a manual. Nice job.

Tripper > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:35

Congrats!!

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > Just Jeepin'
07/01/2020 at 10:39

My first choice was Punk’d orange....which is no longer available for order

My second choice was hydra blue....which does not have a manual model available anywhere in the country, in any trim

My third choice was red....which also does not exist anywhere near me in a manual (and my wife is a Carolina grad and would not be happy in an NC State colored vehicle)

This was next on the list (not a fan of the military-inspired tans) and was on the lot near me. So this is the one I have. It’s darker and sparklier in person, this pic makes it look much lighter. I don’t dislike the color but without ordering one my top choices just weren’t going to happen.

I had to give on either the color or the transmission. The choice was easy

Future next gen S2000 owner > Nothing
07/01/2020 at 10:43

I’ve been meaning to track you down!(sorta kidding) Looking to take the Taco out but having a hard time sourcing a low-mid OHV area or trail and my degree in google is letting me down. I can only find stuff seemingly design for dirt bikes and four wheelers.

Just Jeepin' > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:46

Yeah, things are rough color-wise until probably end of the year.

Have fun. Get the doors off and the windshield down. I’m lowering mine today I think.

Milky > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:52

Lovely. Now take them doors off!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:54

I know what that’s like, glances over at Space grey BMW

Thomas Donohue > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 10:56

Half-doors or it didn’t happen!!! (I like your gray , looks good)

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 11:39

Awesome, man! Makes two of us now: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/well-i-got-a-gladiator-1844041016

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
07/01/2020 at 11:59

I wanted a sport s initially, but I also specifically wanted the 4.10s with a manual which isn’t available. So I shelled out for the Rubicon. This truck cost more than my last 7 vehicles combined, but it’s also the only new one I’ve ever bought and by far the most capable. Plus my wife likes it

412GTI > Zaphod's Heart of Gold
07/01/2020 at 12:55

Congratulations! I really like the Gladiator and it honestly drives/rides better than the Wrangler. Glad you found a good compromise - supply has been rough on us FCA dealers this past month.

How do you like the clutch? That’s my one downfall with the manual, it’s just too light. But glad they at least offer it

Zaphod's Heart of Gold > 412GTI
07/01/2020 at 13:29

I drove the truck home, then my wife and I went back to the dealership so I could pick up my MS3. When I got into that I thought the clutch was broken it was so much heavier than the Gladiator’s

I’m okay with the lightness though. I messed up my left knee when I was younger and even though it generally doesn’t give me problems now not having to do a leg press every gear change is nice. Just the ability to buy a convertible pickup with a manual was enough for me.

Also, the dealer I went to legitimately has 75 Gladiators in stock. The Jeep dealer there is so popular they split it from the CDR building into its own across the street and their stockpile is amazing

Nothing > Future next gen S2000 owner
07/01/2020 at 14:16

How far do you want to drive to get to the trail? Lots of front range stuff in the green/blue level of difficulty. Apex/Nevadaville Loop are car level roads, there’s only one section with a few rocks. I had fun on Chinns Lake, it’s a blue rated trail, but mostly for clearance issues. Yankee Hill, Lock Lomond are more blue rated trails. Jones Pass is an easy one, too.

Check out the Charles Wells Colorado Backroads &4 Wheel Drive trails books. A ton of good t hose books, and there’s now a GPS app that has all of the same info.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Nothing
07/01/2020 at 15:07

Chinns Lake seems like a winner. Swing by St. Mary’s Glacier after.