Jeep The RME4x4 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

[Greg]

Give us the cruising RPM's/Speed. Also, what gears are in the axles? I would also measure a few different places to get a base line height before lift and tires go on.

Far as the gearing/speed/RPM's, the Rubicon Gladiators still have 4.10 gears in the diffs. The OD ratio in the ZF 8HP is pretty high at .67, so running at 75 MPH (GPS verified speed) the Pentastar is turning around 2,100 RPM. It seems like the engine prefers more speed to pull the gearing 8th has, 80 MPH seems better in 8th gear. Otherwise, it was lugging at 75 in 8th.

I plan to run 5.13's with 37's and that should be deeper than stock with 33's, so pulling 8th gear should be a little easier than stock, making up for the heavier tires and height.

What's crazy, at one point we were running 45 MPH on pretty flat ground and the transmission was in 8th gear.... turning 1,200 RPM! And it didn't seem to be too low for the engine, just cruising along. I didn't check the estimated MPG, but I'd imagine it was pretty high.

And.... the Adaptive Cruise Control is AMAZING!! Seriously, the Gladiator will practically drive itself with the Adaptive Cruiser on. You set your speed and distance and it takes over. If the vehicle ahead of you brakes, the Gladiator automatically brakes too, maintaining the set distance. It felt like the highest set distance is about 6-7 car lengths. It's a bit crazy to get used to, but so far it works flawlessley. There were a couple road bikers on the shoulder that the Adpative Cruise Control senses and applied the brakes, kinda wierd.

 

[4x4_Welder]

Bed details

Autocorrect knows you shouldn't be asking another guy about bed details-

 

[Greg]

Show us the bed details. I know there's an Easter egg in there too

Here's some details, pretty neat stuff. The '419' is the area code of Toledo, Ohio where the Gladiator was built.

And the dirt bike tire prints at the front of the bed are pretty neat, too! I like the heavy duty tie downs at all 4 corners of the bed, too. It also has 2 LED lights at the back corners of the bed.

 

[Greg]

...I would also measure a few different places to get a base line height before lift and tires go on.

Some measurements;

Front inner fenderwell (liner) to ground - 39 1/2"

Rear inner fenderwell (liner) to ground - 39 1/2"

Rock slider to ground @ t-case crossmember - 17 1/2"

Frame to ground at t-case crossmember - 14 1/2"

Bottom of receiver hitch to ground - 17 1/2"

 

[Caleb]

And.... the Adaptive Cruise Control is AMAZING!! Seriously, the Gladiator will practically drive itself with the Adaptive Cruiser on. You set your speed and distance and it takes over. If the vehicle ahead of you brakes, the Gladiator automatically brakes too, maintaining the set distance. It felt like the highest set distance is about 6-7 car lengths. It's a bit crazy to get used to, but so far it works flawlessley. There were a couple road bikers on the shoulder that the Adpative Cruise Control senses and applied the brakes, kinda wierd.

I've said that several times on here about Adaptive Cruise. Before I really experienced it, I felt it was gimmicky. Then I got it in my Raptor and fell in love with it. When my wife ordered her JL, that was one of her must have features. It makes road trips, especially if you get on the smaller highway/byways where you can't ever match the speed of the vehicles you come up on, so much nicer.

 

[Greg]

I've said that several times on here about Adaptive Cruise. Before I really experienced it, I felt it was gimmicky. Then I got it in my Raptor and fell in love with it. When my wife ordered her JL, that was one of her must have features. It makes road trips, especially if you get on the smaller highway/byways where you can't ever match the speed of the vehicles you come up on, so much nicer.

Yeah, I wasn't sure about it and had never driven a vehicle that had it before. We did a local roadtrip today and used it quite a bit on the freeway, highway and country roads and I really like it.

 

[Caleb]

The Porsche dealer told us that it's super popular in L.A. because people use it in rush hour traffic. I don't think that will work with the Jeep because if it stops you and you're stopped for more than 5-10 seconds, it shuts off the adaptive cruise.

The only thing that would make it better, is if it could match the speed limit. So if you are cruising a country road, at 65, come in to a town that has a speed limit of 30-35, it would automatically slow you down. The GPS already reports the speed limit, I just wish the adaptive cruise would tie in to that

 

[Anchor_Mtn]

I thought adaptive cruise was useless gimmick.... till I had it in my Tundra. I freaking love it on the highway. It makes the cross country drives so much better.

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks like a great ride Greg. Happy for ya and lookin' forward to see what you do to it.

Mike

 

[Greg]

Well, first trip in the Gladiator is in the books! I towed the OUT to Gunnison, CO for the first Rocky Mountain Overland Rally and the drive out climbs some pretty decent elevation between Montrose and Gunnison. The OUT isn't too heavy, but it does have a lot of rolling resistance with 35" BFG KO2's. I was trying to make up some time on the drive out and didn't take it easy on the steep, switchback climb and still saw 15 MPG with the trailer. On the way back down, I saw 17.5 MPG which is IMO pretty decent for pulling a trailer!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=387579231900277

 

[4x4_Welder]

That's better than my Explorer gets without a trailer.

 

[Bart]

I think I'm lucky to get 10 in my JKUR. Love the looks of the truck and trailer.

 

[2002maniac]

So, your trailer has bigger tires than your rig? You might have to do something about that!

 

[Greg]

That's better than my Explorer gets without a trailer.

Yeah, my 2012 JKU on 35's averaged about 15 MPG without a trailer!

I think I'm lucky to get 10 in my JKUR. Love the looks of the truck and trailer.

Thanks Bart! 10 MPG, but you've got boost!

So, your trailer has bigger tires than your rig? You might have to do something about that!

It's in the works! That trailer was built around the previous JKU, which had 3" lift and 35's. 37's are going to happen soon for the Gladiator, but then the trailer will need 37's too so the spare matches!

 

[rholbrook]

I think I'm lucky to get 10 in my JKUR. Love the looks of the truck and trailer.

10 mpg in your JKUR. Wow, I got twice that in mine pre lift and 35s. Now I get 17 going 75 to Moab. I have a 2016 with 4:10s, with 35s.

 

[Bart]

10 mpg is pushing 80 with 39s, 5.13 gears, and the Ripp engaged. It rides really decent for what it is, but it is a big brick going down the freeway. Stock, or closer to it would be better.

 

[rholbrook]

10 mpg is pushing 80 with 39s, 5.13 gears, and the Ripp engaged. It rides really decent for what it is, but it is a big brick going down the freeway. Stock, or closer to it would be better.

Now that makes sense.

 

[Greg]

Some small mods to the Gladiator, nothing crazy.... yet. Don't worry, big mods are coming soon!

I dislike the massive whip antennae that came from the factory, so it got replaced with a 7" tall Rydonair antennae from Amazon. I've used these before and despite their size, they still get good reception.

I also found a storage tray on Amazon that drops into the lower center console storage area, adding more usable organization. So now there are 3 separate compartments inside the console.

The rear seats have a pretty large storage area underneath, it has quite a bit of room.... but not enough for a 20# CO2 tank. I bought a 10# aluminum tank after test fitting it and it fits perfectly. The way the storage area is built with the seat down, the tank is secure in it's place. I'd like to add a ratchet strap to it, just as another layer of security in case of a rollover or accident, so the tank can't go flying around inside the cab. I was able to fit my ARB tire plug kit, a bag of hand tools, a spill kit, air hose and other items on the other side.

I also dropped off the AEV Salta wheels at the local powder coat shop.... big plans for them. I'll hold off revealing the color until they're done, which will be a few weeks!

I've ordered some other parts that will be a big part of the build, you'll see them soon enough.

 

[Greg]

I took the Gladiator to Moab for the first time yesterday for a quick trip, getting some good footage and it's pretty obvious that they're long and low, on the trail. I scraped the rear hitch, the t-case crossmember and the rear lower frame-side control arm mounts a handful of times. Hopefully I'll have my Teraflex leveling kit, Falcon shocks and 37's on in about a month.

 

[4x4_Welder]

Nice. They got in a black one at the dealership in town, it's nice.