Why I SOLD my Jeep Gladiator - Coffee One-Take

The Jeep Gladiator is the most capable midsize off-road truck you can buy. It's an excellent platform for overloading adventures and cross country road trips and there is a massive amount of aftermarket support for modifying and personalizing it. So why did I decide to sell my 2020 Jeep Gladiator? Well I'll explain why, talk about my experiences both pros and cons over the last 15 months, share with you the vehicle that's taking its place, plus I'll give you a little insight on the suspension comparison I just completed and answer a question I've been getting a lot regarding the Wrangler 392. #jeepgladiator

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[SpenceSouthard]

0:54 Intro
1:20 Jeep Gladiator recap and pros/cons
9:46 Why did I trade in the Gladiator?
11:52 Why I needed a truck? Ram Power Wagon
13:47 Power Wagon at Moab
14:26 Installing and testing six different lift kits on six different stock Wranglers
16:19 Wrangler 392
20:18 Closing
20:10 Brad gets a phone call

[cthoghaug]

A regular Joe like myself cannot just trade one vehicle in and end up with two ideal ones for every situation both on-road and off-road. For me it’s about compromise, which one works well for most situations, and Gladiator is a big yes.

[christopherlewandowski]

I recently purchased a 2020 Gladiator Overland, fully loaded, and totally understand all your points regarding it. I had a 3.5/2.5 lift installed and currently running 33in tires with plans to go to 35s. When I made the decision, my wife and I had purchased our first house, and realized a truck would be extremely beneficial. I never owned a Jeep before but the Gladiator seemed to be the best of all worlds. I don't plan on taking it rock crawling or any extreme trails, hence the Overland instead of the Rubicon. So far, I love it! I plan on getting a bed cap for it, specifically the RSI SmartCap. If you have an opinion of these, would love to hear it.

Glad you are happy with your decision! Enjoy, brother!

[steveh]

As a retired FCA employee and subscriber to your channel, I'm so happy to hear your love for the Ram and Jeep products. The Ram looks like it will be a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to the Jeep Rubicon Hybrid and will be getting one. My first Jeep was a 1978 CJ7 with a factory 304 ci V8, it was so much fun!

[jeepn]

I went the exact opposite way. Sold my JKU and F250 then bought a Rubicon Gladiator and couldn’t be happier. Didn’t need a large truck anymore but still have access to one if needed, also didn’t want to pay insurance on two vehicles. Love the power wagon and can’t wait to see what you do with it

[darenlawrence]

Glad to know your cons on the JT don't apply to me, as I'm not a hardcore overlander. You chose your words kindly with giving cons haha. I've always wanted a Wrangler but up through the JK, they weren't comfortable enough for the family. And I've always wanted a pickup truck. So when the JT came out, it checked ALL the boxes. It's amazing. Smiles all around for me and my use of it. I just wanted to put any shoppers at ease here, because the cons are very use-case.

[CraigSmith]

The price of these new vehicles is just insane. I don't see me ever buying a new vehicle with these prices.

[TheComputerCowboy]

To each their own. I still see the gladiator as an excellent compromise between a wrangler and a full size truck. I wish I could have both a built wrangler and a prospector xl, but my vehicle collection is already too big for my space. I’m getting the diesel gladiator and putting it on 37’s.

[cesarperez]

if you want to tow a 25’ boat it didn’t get down as a 1500 pickup. The interior is better than the Gladiator, like an expensive car, specially the 12 inch screen, every time people see it are blown away. It has under the rear seats, a table, and under both sides of the rear floor mats, a drawer. Mine has the Ram box where you can put your tools or use it as cooler ( has a drain in either sides ). 3 recalls : the side plastic covers of each sides of the Ram box can detach, the dealer take them out and install a new adhesive ; with the cargo step, Ram are installing a bracket to reinforce the area and with the 12 inch screen, there is an update that you can do it or deliver it to the dealer ( the back camera can sometimes be on when you driving forward- the update fix that). Another thing is that it comes with a factory front winch - I used it to pull my other vehicles. If you need another information, let me know.

[sarbarca]

Hey Brad, if you're looking for a truck cover for your PW but don't want the height of a camper shell look into a diamondback truck cover. Its made of aluminum and very strong unlike other truck covers that can only hold up 400lbs distributed. I have one and it holds up to 1, 600lbs so I can haul an atv on top if I wanted to. They're not difficult to install, secure, and don't weigh much.

[michaelsturtevant]

I am so thankful for your podcasts. I'm a 55yo CJ-5 guy. It's been 30 years since I sold my Jeep. How time flies when life happens.

I've been on the fence about what to get for my future adventures. I love the Gladiator. But, I can't wait to see how you feel about the Power Wagon!!

I'm leaning towards the big Ram.

Anxiously wating!

[orrinbelcher]

Fun, Fun, Fun, so much enthusiasm, excitement, I appreciate your truthfulness and integrity. A super cool, and informative YouTube channel, superbly done. Coffee in the new name is a natural.

[lillithbena]

thanks for this transparent account of Gladiator ownership. i test drove one and was smitten almost instantly. as a 2nd vehicle it would work for me, but as my daily driver, i think it lacks the comfort and adaptability to my lifestyle (paddle boarder, gravel biker, dog owner). been driving Grand Cherokees for almost 20 years now and while i don't think i NEED a truck either, i would love to have one.

[amolinari]

You were in my top 5 offroad YouTube content producers but now with a PW you could become no. 1!

[forevercontrarian]

Dang, you must work with Jim Great post. I got a Gladiator build back in March, however, I went with the MOJAVE. My goal was MOJAVE 1 in West Michigan....living by the federal sand dunes.
I owned a 304 V-8, CJ, phoque-u-fire red, wagon wheels, side pipes, soft top, 8 miles per gallon and a complete death trap. But it certainly looked super, when parked...
Now, 40 years later, loving the Gladiator. To date, 903 miles on in the barn. Still driving my Titan Pro 4X. New Wildpeaks go on that tomorrow.
I live remote and the only obstacles that I drive over are a few acorns getting back to my lodge. Your vehicle mentorship is so very valuable for all JEEP loving generations, young or old. I do however, do the Rockies in September. And south Utah in February. However, my UTV takes on the trails.
Love your passion, knowledge and dedication. So very glad to see that you picked the right color on that WRANGLER....firecracker red is the new “look at me” color. To me the red is so very crisp but also in the land of sand dunes, one wants to literally stand out for safety

Stay safe,

🎯😷🍀🇺🇸👍🎸🦌🐻🦃🎣🚗

[jonnelson]

Great Video Brad! Your channel was a big reason I bought a Gladiator and I love mine. I don’t have many aspirations for rock crawling per say so I see so much more utility in the Glad overall.

[alsims]

One year go I bought a Tradesman 2500 Hemi. Cheapest 3/4 ton 4wd CrewCab I could find. Solid axles, limited slip rear. All stock, no frills.
I've done leveling kit, off road bumpers, winch, and 35" Nitto Ridgegrapplers. 25, 000 miles on and off road with the truck and so far it's been foolproof. I bet the PW is a heck of a truck for you. Can't wait to follow this build.

[robertWohlers]

Welcome to the PowerWagon party... I've a TJ two-door and a 2013 JKU also. Truth about the JL - very capable and fit and finish is so much better than the JK. Scott Brown at FCA let me take a JL out for a day in Moab when they were first released. But, my PowerWagon has become my main overlanding and teaching vehicle. My PowerWagon simply goes over any terrain I point it at. I have almost 80K on my 2018 truck with ZERO problems - Baja to the Arctic Circle. Perfection. Cheers Brad.

[andymckane]

The "dealer mark up" is built into the MSRP of every car or truck I'm aware of. That mark up is baked into the MSRP by each vehicle manufacturer. The kind of mark up that you're talking about, I think, Brad, is what is known as "ADM" (or ADP) meaning additional dealer mark up or additional dealer profit. I, too, am quite interested in the Wrangler 392 Rubicon. I'll sit on it and think about it for about a year. If I still want one as much as I do now, by 26 March 2022, I'll buy a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392. I like it. If I still lived in the Highland Valley area of San Diego, or if I still lived in Springville, Utah, I'd almost certainly buy a Wrangler Rubicon 392 right now. But here in Hawaii, in general and Molokai in particular? The 392 doesn't seem to make as much sense here as it would in an area with open Interstates and heavy traffic where the extra acceleration is always nice to have. (By the way, there is a Jeep dealership in the Washington, D.C. area that sells Jeeps---every model Wrangler on the market with the possible exception of the Wrangler 392---at thousands off the MSRP. Do a Google search for Tyson's With Jeep dealers on Oahu and Maui putting an additional ten to fifteen percent above Jeep's MSRP on the vehicles they sell, I'll buy my next Jeep from back in the D.C. area. Keep up the great work with your videos and your commentary! Go Navy!!! Andy "Pearl Harbor" McKane, 27 May 2021.

[emelragudo]

YES !!! THANK YOU BRAD for all you do for the JEEP and the OVERLANDING FAMILY.