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:

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.

[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.

[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…

[jeffh]

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.

[AustinH]

Just got a brand new 2023 Sarge green gladiator. Thing drives like an absolute dream on and off-road

[motoacquatico]

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👍💪🏁🤩☀️

[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.

[onebridge]

I have a 2020 Rubicon Gladiator and had a serious death wobble only After I put 38” Nitto on the Jeep. Never a problem with stock.

[Msleelee]

I experienced the death wobble in my 2002 H2 Hummer I had had it 7 yrs never had trouble with it left us stranded on the side of the road then I had it happen at night leaving my sisters house I was 2 hrs away from home in my 2012 Jeep Sahara and felt familiar that tire started jumpin I drove slow and mostly in the shoulder all the way home I think I drove 45 to 50 it was crazy it was late and dark highway with very little street light cause it was the county got it fixed and only had it 2 yrs posted it online sold it the next day 👍

[Fookem]

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

[Babybuddha]

75k 2022 rubicon manual… only issue ever is a bad ground which got fixed and never gotten an issue. Got the clutch assembly replaced at 65k miles, I had no issues on the clutch but couldn’t pass up a new free clutch 🤷🏻‍♂️

[bigdaddy]

The new Toyotas aren't exactly covering themselves in glory as far as reliability. I think Toyota has been living on their legacy of reliability rather than their actual performance over the last several years.

[John-yfie]

I've always own Jeeps including the Hardrock and Recon edition! In 2021 I special odered the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and loved it. My only problems was enough room in our 2 car garage. This year I found a newly built 2024 Jeep RubiconX. I got a fantastic trade on my Gladiator that I kept like new! I also got a great deal on my new Jeep. The next day my Gladiator was sold. I do miss the Gladiator buy I love my Wrangler!! Yanni

[spartanj]

If in not mistaking the transmission in the Glad is different than all other jeeps..
That is it is made by a company in Austria.
Very good trans and has been made for a number of yrs . known for be a very quality trans.

[tnielson]

I bought a 2023 gladiator rubicon a year ago, put 35x11.50x17 on it, I found a good tire only 63lbs a tire and in the summer I’ll get easily 21 mpg on the freeway.

[discoverx]

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

[robinsommer]

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 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.

[vonmajor]

Had death wobble in my old Jeep Comanche. Explaining it my Grandmother called it the shimmies. Replaced stabilizer front end shock. Problem solved. Same solution as explained when it happens. Slow down, brake. Somewhere around 30 mph it stops. Very disconcerting if it would happen at say 70 mph in heavier traffic.

[tx]

@3:10 The Check Engine light came on but there was no DTC stored? That seems odd.

[vicentee]

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