1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Hemi Gladiator

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by MI-FL off roader, Apr 5, 2022.

  1. Apr 5, 2022 at 5:22 PM
    #1
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader [OP] T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,191
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    Never been much of a Jeep fan, but the off road capability of a well built Jeep is undeniable. And equally undeniable is the power of Chrysler's Hemi, ever since I was a kid in the late 60s and up.
    I work in television and I will be at the Barrett Jackson in WPB this week. They drove this into the expo center today while we were setting up. I didnt look at specs but it does have 40s. The rolling frame and drive train had a placard leaning on it w the name "Demon Wrangler". I will try to get more info tomorrow.
    20220405_175143.jpg 20220405_175119.jpg 20220405_175130.jpg 20220405_175100.jpg
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  2. Apr 5, 2022 at 5:25 PM
    #2
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    So badass!!!
     
  3. Apr 5, 2022 at 5:27 PM
    #3
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader [OP] T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,191
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    Yea a conversion like this with that much power and a warranty is pretty cool.
     
  4. Jun 6, 2022 at 4:32 AM
    #4
    4wheelgreg

    4wheelgreg New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2021
    Member:
    #24855
    Messages:
    81
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Greg
    Bensalem Pa
    Vehicle:
    2022 4Runner TRD Pro
    I drove the 392 Wrangler and that had stupid power , was a all wheel drive platform . Jeep had stupid power was a fun test ride but jeeps a big toys . I have a 2021 wrangler JLU Rubicon 3.0 diesel and its a great toy MSRP sticker last may was 69k … I paid no where near that , people don’t want diesel jeeps in Washington DC .
    I also just got rid of a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon diesel , That gladiator had a lemon motor , had oil leaks , I traded it on a real full size cummins truck .
    Gladiator was ok if you need a back woods little truck , over priced and jeeps rust like crazy .
    I’m right on the Pa / NJ line and 4wheel in the NJ pines , I see lots of guys swap from Toyota to Jeep and have buyers remorse .
    I have this one as a toy but my 4runner is way better than a jeep . Not all vehicles are created to do one job but jeeps a overpriced .
    I was going to trade the Gladiator on a new tundra , I have a buddy who works at a Toyota dealer and said hold off the first year has bugs
     
    Pavo, nimby and MI-FL off roader[OP] like this.
  5. Jun 6, 2022 at 6:53 AM
    #5
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    I see a lot of snapped steering gears and frame welds on the wranglers on Matt’s off road recovery. Yes they can be nice off road but quality is below Toyota. I prefer the rack and pinion over a steering box all day.
     
  6. Jun 6, 2022 at 7:08 AM
    #6
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #3777
    Messages:
    4,453
    First Name:
    Jake
    California
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5P
    I really dislike the look of the gladiator.

    Just not for me.

    I think it's really cool that they offer a bunch of power upgrades though.
     
    Toy4X4 and munit85 like this.
  7. Jun 6, 2022 at 7:14 AM
    #7
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    To be fair, he's rescued plenty of broken Toyotas as well. Toyota ball joints/tie rods are far from bulletproof.

    Anything will break if you use it hard enough, and people tend to use Jeeps harder than Toyotas, at least in that part of the country.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2022
  8. Jun 6, 2022 at 7:43 AM
    #8
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    Most of the 4 runners I saw him rescue were usually flipped on the sides lol
     
    Trail Runnah[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Jun 6, 2022 at 7:44 AM
    #9
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    I wish Toyota still offered a v6 and a v8 option for the 4 runners, I would spend the extra for the V8
     
    nimby[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Jun 6, 2022 at 9:32 AM
    #10
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #3777
    Messages:
    4,453
    First Name:
    Jake
    California
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5P
    The V8 was a nice option, but it didn't really produce that much more power than our V6's.

    You get 25 more hp and 48 more ft/lbs of torque with the 4.7L V8. I don't think I would pay more for such a small upgrade.

    If Toyota offered a V8 option with a significant power increase (say in the upper trims), I'm sure it would be a big hit.
     
  11. Jun 6, 2022 at 10:01 AM
    #11
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    For the 5th gens I was talking about the 5.7L from the tundra, that would be nice.
     
    Trail Runnah and nimby[QUOTED] like this.
  12. Jun 6, 2022 at 12:29 PM
    #12
    Mikemd

    Mikemd New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2021
    Member:
    #24696
    Messages:
    144
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Maryland ES
    Vehicle:
    2022 4runner Limited
    Real nice!
     
    nimby likes this.
  13. Jun 6, 2022 at 12:41 PM
    #13
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    48lbs more TQ at a lower RPM is great. I don't think any more top end power is needed, it's not a racecar. TQ is what does the work.
     
    nimby[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Jun 6, 2022 at 12:49 PM
    #14
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #3777
    Messages:
    4,453
    First Name:
    Jake
    California
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5P
    It's fine and I would gladly take the additional torque, but jumping from a V6 to a V8 for 48 more ft/lbs?? I would just want more :burnrubber:
     
  15. Jun 6, 2022 at 1:24 PM
    #15
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader [OP] T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,191
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    I have to say my V8 is really fun on and off road.
    12' 5th gen LE is a lot more comfortable on long trips, but the seats are 9 years newer, so its kind of an apples/oranges thing.

    I would hope that the Gladiator Hemi conversion kit addresses some of the weak points in the suspension. Especially w 37 to 40" rubber.

    One would think the transmission/drivetrain needs some beefing up also.
     
    nimby likes this.
  16. Jun 7, 2022 at 4:22 AM
    #16
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    Well, the 4.7 is irrelevant in terms of the 5th gen, since it's been out of production for years. Everyone who's owned a 4th gen with that motor raves about it compared to the 4.0 though, so it was probably worth it then.

    For the 5th gen, the 5.7 would have been badass. I think GX owners even prefer the 4.6 to the 4.0, though that one is too similar to the 4.7in output, imo.
     
  17. Jun 7, 2022 at 9:49 AM
    #17
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Member:
    #3777
    Messages:
    4,453
    First Name:
    Jake
    California
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5P
    If they were the same price, then yeah, I'd gladly take the V8.

    But let's say the V8 was a $2K upcharge for those modest performance gains. Is it worth it then? Maybe to some I guess, but not to me.

    Anyone remember how much more the V8 4th gens were vs. the V6's?
     
  18. Jun 7, 2022 at 11:04 AM
    #18
    Overland WT

    Overland WT Grumpy Old Guy

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2022
    Member:
    #25317
    Messages:
    638
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryan
    West Texas
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Off Road
    Many with many more to go
    They are really late to the party. When the JKU (4 doors) came out in 2007, 2 engineers from Jeep/Chrysler left the company to develop American Expedition Vehicles - AEV. They developed lifts, wheels, bumpers, leather interiors, roof racks, lighting, interiors and more, but what set them apart was "The Brute". They bought stripped down JKU's from Jeep, cut the frame, added I believe 18" to the wheelbase, added their 3.5" supersport lift, a truck bed and enclosed 4 door cab. Oh ya, and a hemi beginning in 2012. It had its own AEV badging and DOT AEV build placard in the door. They also did JK's (2-door) and JKU 4-door versions.

    https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/aev-jeep-brute-double-cab-hemi-first-drive/

    My 2017 AEV JKU I sold in January.

    [​IMG]
     
    newlife likes this.
  19. Jun 7, 2022 at 11:27 AM
    #19
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    Depends. Does it take away the gear hunting and constant downshifts at the slightest grades? If so, I'm in for 2k.

    All depends on where that extra 50ft lbs is in the power band.

    V8 4Rs also had a 7k tow rating, which might be huge to some people.
     
    nimby[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Jun 8, 2022 at 2:16 PM
    #20
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2020
    Member:
    #16546
    Messages:
    860
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Knoxville TN
    Vehicle:
    2021 venture 22 JTR
    All of them.
    I was just talking to my wife about the americas most wanted 392 swap and now they have the 426 for our gladiator when the motor goes
     

Products Discussed in

To Top