I Rented a Gladiator...My thoughts vs Bronco

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

Neither of those!

THIS... (courtesy of @skiptheroad )

Great looking render, but Ford would sell 11 of these

Sponsored

 

[mrjking2000]

i traded the jeep for my bronco because of the exhausting driving characteristics on trips.

 

[hemiblas]

This was really not a fair comparison. Tires are everything. Are you comparing mud tires on a gladiator doing 75 to all terrain tires on a Bronco? If you swapped tires on both those rigs your assessment would have been the opposite of what you wrote.
My JLU with duratracs feels like a Cadillac vs mud terrains on my JL which feels more like a dump truck. It is night and day difference even on the same rig.

 

[FourHorses]

I agree! I've had a Gladiator and am on my 7th Wrangler! I have no issues with the drive in either the Gladiator or the Wranglers....guess I am used to it.

I own a Mojave. Previous JL owner as well. I’ve owned 20 Fords. From mustangs, to explorers and everything in between. I went with my Mojave when I couldn’t get my Bronco in an acceptable window and needed a daily. Yes, I daily my Mojave. I put about 20k miles a year on my daily as well. Really as imperfect as it is, you get used to it and then everything else feels weird. Windy days on the highway are all that bother me. I like it way more than I expected actually. I suspect I will go back to Fords when it’s time, but for now I am happy with it.

 

[Broncobadlands2023]

I probably couldn’t disagree more, my Mojave drives like a dream on 35’s and 2” lift. I can take my hands off the wheel going 45 down dirt roads and it drives straight as an arrow. I don’t daily drive it as I have a work vehicle but I love driving it.

 

[Bdisco]

I own a Mojave. Previous JL owner as well. I’ve owned 20 Fords. From mustangs, to explorers and everything in between. I went with my Mojave when I couldn’t get my Bronco in an acceptable window and needed a daily. Yes, I daily my Mojave. I put about 20k miles a year on my daily as well. Really as imperfect as it is, you get used to it and then everything else feels weird. Windy days on the highway are all that bother me. I like it way more than I expected actually. I suspect I will go back to Fords when it’s time, but for now I am happy with it.

A friend has a Mojave very cool looking truck. Black exterior with orange piping on the interior gives it a Harley Davidson vibe.
I found the back seat difficult to climb into. Maybe it was due to my limited 30” inseam and the lack of running boards or the tiny door opening. I can’t imagine trying to buckle an infant child seat back or shoving the mother in law back there.

 

[BroncocnorB]

My wife had sex with my neighbor and I’m Gladiator.

 

[Broncobadlands2023]

A friend has a Mojave very cool looking truck. Black exterior with orange piping on the interior gives it a Harley Davidson vibe.
I found the back seat difficult to climb into. Maybe it was due to my limited 30” inseam and the lack of running boards or the tiny door opening. I can’t imagine trying to buckle an infant child seat back or shoving the mother in law back there.

I shoved mine back there and she was fine. Mother in law, not crib midget.

 

[FourHorses]

A friend has a Mojave very cool looking truck. Black exterior with orange piping on the interior gives it a Harley Davidson vibe.
I found the back seat difficult to climb into. Maybe it was due to my limited 30” inseam and the lack of running boards or the tiny door opening. I can’t imagine trying to buckle an infant child seat back or shoving the mother in law back there.

I did end up putting some Go Rhino rails and steps on. It was a chore for my wife and kids.

 

[jimmyu]

You're spot on with the driving at highway speed diagnosis. My wife has 21 Wrangler Sahara and I absolutely hate driving it on the highway. It makes me sad because I'd love to replace my work truck in a couple years with a Gladiator, but I don't think I could stand it on a daily basis.

I’m interested in why you are considering a Gladiator as a work truck. In all the years they’ve been around, I think I’ve only seen one used a work truck. They seem less useful for work compared to an F Series or a Ram.

 

[Blackcat]

I’m interested in why you are considering a Gladiator as a work truck. In all the years they’ve been around, I think I’ve only seen one used a work truck. They seem less useful for work compared to an F Series or a Ram.

I'm considering it as a work truck because I own my company and use my current F150 to make deliveries and sales calls. The F150 has plenty of space for me, just like the looks of the Gladiator and that you can take the top off.

 

[scotts418]

I probably couldn’t disagree more, my Mojave drives like a dream on 35’s and 2” lift. I can take my hands off the wheel going 45 down dirt roads and it drives straight as an arrow. I don’t daily drive it as I have a work vehicle but I love driving it.

I recently purchased a Wrangler 392 and will definitely admit the first week was an adjustment for the driving dynamics, but never had a issue on it driving straight. Just a different feel/input than my old SUV. Now that i've had it a few weeks, I don't even notice it, so while im not surprised driving a gladiator for a few days could feel weird, it doesn't take long to adjust.

And as a Stephen's reservation holder that reserved back in July 2020, i'm much happier having my fun vehicle to drive now than waiting another year or longer for the Bronco i tried to get.

 

[Broncobadlands2023]

I recently purchased a Wrangler 392 and will definitely admit the first week was an adjustment for the driving dynamics, but never had a issue on it driving straight. Just a different feel/input than my old SUV. Now that i've had it a few weeks, I don't even notice it, so while im not surprised driving a gladiator for a few days could feel weird, it doesn't take long to adjust.

And as a Stephen's reservation holder that reserved back in July 2020, i'm much happier having my fun vehicle to drive now than waiting another year or longer for the Bronco i tried to get.

Agreed! I had a 392 challenger before my Jeep and I’m jealous because that engine is so much fun. I think the driving manners is ridiculously overblown. People act like driving a 2023 Jeep is like this…

 

[Roll Tide!]

My wife had sex with my neighbor and I’m Gladiator.

That’s sick

 

[Figmo]

Sold my Gladiator to buy the Bronco. Agree with you on highway handling.

Would like to add that offroad - the Gladiator handled the rough terrain at high speeds better than either my Wrangler or the wife’s Cherokee. At the time I thought it was the bomb…..UNTIL I got my Bronco. Puts the Gladiator to shame as far removing a lot more of the “bounce bounce“ and “slam slam slam” from a rough road.

However, the Gladiator HANDLED better at high speeds over rough terrain than my Bronco. Due to the short wheel base of my 2 door and the IFS front paired with a solid axle rear. The Gladiator was able to track true over rough terrain where the Bronco has (what I’m calling) “The Bronco Twist”

And, of course, the Gladiator was better over “rock crawling” type terrain (solid axle front wins here)

So I will give the Gladiator credit where credit is due. But overall - much happier with the Bronco.

Sponsored