Jeep Gladiator Mileage Question

[El-Dracho]

History says adventure is possible in anything.
Even a car made of paper mache.

Correct, but a small hint is allowed. The Trabant is not made of simple paper marche or cardboard, although people often like to say that with a laugh. The body substructure is made of sheet steel and the planking (where you would otherwise find deep-drawn sheet metal, for example) is made of "Duroplast", a kind of synthetic material, which is made of cotton fibres and resin (from lignite).

There have already been a few good tips here on how to save fuel. A decisive influencing factor is really the way you drive. This is particularly noticeable on long journeys: driving evenly and anticipate can lower the fuel consumption significantly.

 

[tjZ06]

Should have waited and got the 3l diesel or electric version.

No need to wait for the diesel. However, people are having lots of issues with them. I was really close to buying one specifically to tow my little trailer around, but folks are having bad overheating when towing. But yes, the MPG people are reporting is much better, but at what cost?

If I was going full-time and doing lots of miles and needed good range and MPG I'd use my HD to be honest. I recently moved out to Vegas, but I work in the Bay Area (CA) so I decided I wanted to keep my little trailer out here so I could do short weekend trips on the weekends I don't go back home to Vegas. For the long, high-heat drive from Vegas back to the Bay I decided to use my pickup instead of my WJ:



Here are the MPGs doing 70+ nearly the whole way:


My speedo is properly calibrated so the speed and MPG are pretty close to accurate any time I've checked against GPS and hand-calculated mileage. No, it's not going to do what a Gladiator does, not at all. But for *most* it's probably enough, and with the 60 gallon replacement tank underneath, and a 65 gallon tank in the bed at this MPG I have an over 2k mile range.


Anyway, sorry that was way off topic. But, the point was if MPG is a major consideration (as well as range) a Gladiator probably isn't the right choice. However, the Gladiator has TONS of upsides that I'm sure the OP enjoys, they just have to pay for it at the pump.

-TJ

 

[bgenlvtex]

That rooftop tent has more to do with your fuel economy than all the other items combined.

 

[Roger 2486]

From one heavy Gladi owner to another, slow down.

I'm on 35s, 3.73s with a sail of a 23zero on top, and I average 15-17 fully loaded, keeping it under 70. If I manually shift it into 8th on the flats it will pull 18-19, but I really have to behave. Gears will make a difference, as it will allow it to live in 8th, but not enough to pay for the gears in any reasonable time.

Many thanks...I figured it was a pipe dream to squeak a bit more miles out of a tank...glad to hear it's just going to be a skinny pedal issue and everyone else is in a similar position. Thanks for all the helpful info; I am very glad i didn't go to 37's !

 

[Roger 2486]

IF MPG are important consider...
speed. speed is not a real factor til you exceed 55mph, hence the National Speed Linmit of 55mph during the gas crisis.
tires. the bigger, heavier the rubber the more gas you need to turn them. With stock tires you might easily hit 15mpg. With 35s, not a chance.
Unsprung weight is a huge factor on gas mileage. Not that Jeeps are aerodynamic but.... lift plus gear plus RTT KILL economy over 55mph.

regear is no different than just driving all the time down one gear. you don't say, 8 speed auto or 6 speed manual ??
Try driving in 7th or 5th before regearing.

Yes sir...over the past seven days and 2000 miles...your theory was proven correct; 12.1 MPG for the total trip. Skinny pedal, tires, tent and lift...MPG killer. Due to time constraints, the skinny pedal won out yesterday. Having had a YJ for 17 years, I knew this was really a dumb question but I had to ask to see if i was in the same ball aprk as others. Thanks!

 

[Roger 2486]

You've built an awesome, but heavy and even less aerodynamic than stock rig. It's not going to get stock MPG. The best suggestion is to just slow down a bit, 80 MPH is a LOT pushing that thing through the wind. Of course, I'm realistic and know slowing down isn't for everybody, especially when you get out of CA and there are no towing speed limits so Big Rigs breath down your neck if you're not doing 80.

So I have to ask, is this:



really the case? You have a '21 Gladiator with tens of thousands of dollars of mods into it, is a couple more bucks for fuel really a big deal? Let's say you do re-gear or do other things looking for MPG, how many miles will it take to recoup $2-3k re-gearing front and rear?

-TJ

Excellent point- it is what it is... thanks!

 

[Roger 2486]

That rooftop tent has more to do with your fuel economy than all the other items combined.

Agreed... did our best when building by keeping everything for the most part inside, contained and a low profile tent. All adds up nonetheless.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Agreed... did our best when building by keeping everything for the most part inside, contained and a low profile tent. All adds up nonetheless.
View attachment 207139

Nice. We just got one of the Rubicon Gladiators as a rental after my girlfriends GMC Terrain had to go into the shop for bodywork.

Cool Treep. Juck. Whatever we want to call it. They should have called it the Scrambler, since that's its lineage, but anyway...yours looks good! I like the truck cap.

Big knobby tires? Horrible for fuel economy. I feel confident that something like the Michelin LTX A/T in a similar size would allow you better highway manners, less road noise, better fuel economy. I dont know if they can handle the rough stuff as well, but certainly something I'm looking into. As we ride in this Rubicon rental. The hum and vibration is tiring. Tire-ing... See what I did there?

As was mentioned, these things are bricks, but they are smooth bricks. Everything you put in the way of airflow will cause a spoil. RTT has already been mentioned.

The Hi-Lift jack (previously just known as a "jack" in the era of the Chrysler Cordoba and Chevy Impalas, around the time "Grease" was in the theaters) being right in the craw of your hood/windshield is surely not helping. It may not be the worst offender, but it is part of the issue. I see them on Jeep hoods all the time. To each thier own. But to me, it disrupts airflow and is exposed to weather. That's not the type of jack i want to try and use when its crusty and rusty from the rain. Others may have a different opinion and I respect that. They have experience with it. I never put a jack exposed.

Beautiful Jeep, though. And these new interiors are stunning, with excellent technology!

Have fun

 

[Boostpowered]

No need to wait for the diesel. However, people are having lots of issues with them. I was really close to buying one specifically to tow my little trailer around, but folks are having bad overheating when towing. But yes, the MPG people are reporting is much better, but at what cost?

If I was going full-time and doing lots of miles and needed good range and MPG I'd use my HD to be honest. I recently moved out to Vegas, but I work in the Bay Area (CA) so I decided I wanted to keep my little trailer out here so I could do short weekend trips on the weekends I don't go back home to Vegas. For the long, high-heat drive from Vegas back to the Bay I decided to use my pickup instead of my WJ:

View attachment 207085

Here are the MPGs doing 70+ nearly the whole way:
View attachment 207086

My speedo is properly calibrated so the speed and MPG are pretty close to accurate any time I've checked against GPS and hand-calculated mileage. No, it's not going to do what a Gladiator does, not at all. But for *most* it's probably enough, and with the 60 gallon replacement tank underneath, and a 65 gallon tank in the bed at this MPG I have an over 2k mile range.


Anyway, sorry that was way off topic. But, the point was if MPG is a major consideration (as well as range) a Gladiator probably isn't the right choice. However, the Gladiator has TONS of upsides that I'm sure the OP enjoys, they just have to pay for it at the pump.

-TJ

Seems a lot of manufacturers are having transmission overheating problems lately its not just jeep/dodge, Ford and chevy are having issues too. I think just bout anything 2019 or later is going to have some issues. We're just now really seeing what lockdown problems have done to mfg, less skilled workers, subpar parts and a lack of parts.

 

[tjZ06]

Seems a lot of manufacturers are having transmission overheating problems lately its not just jeep/dodge, Ford and chevy are having issues too. I think just bout anything 2019 or later is going to have some issues. We're just now really seeing what lockdown problems have done to mfg, less skilled workers, subpar parts and a lack of parts.

The Gladiator diesels are having engine overheating problems, not trans. What Chevys are having trans overheating?

-TJ

 

[Dilldog]

First I would re gear, this will help the engine get and keep things moving as well as reduce strain on the transmission which will aid in its longevity and help keep the rig in the ideal gear which will help maximize fuel economy. Second, 80mph is too fast for any loaded down vehicle. Your Jeep was probably set up for peak efficiency running about 70ish, but put bigger tires and load on it and that will change.

 

[Roger 2486]

OK, shes' a big , heavy girl with lots of junk in the trunk... she performed flawlessly and is just a little thirsty; to be expected. The analogy of putting a brick on top of another brick after raising it and putting bigger tires and then putting the coals to her to get to our destinations... I respectfully withdraw my dumb question :) I guess the additional tank of fuel isn't going to break the bank. LOL. Thanks everyone for your well articulated and thought out responses... and the kick in the A$$.