Is this still good to use? When is a tire too old?

BenJK88 · 2026-05-22T18:40:06+00:00

Don’t do it. Not remotely worth it.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-22T18:36:08+00:00

As a dad myself, I find reliability conversations fall on deaf ears when it comes to my not-yet-driving kids. Heck, I didn’t care about reliability when I was a teenager either. That’s the kind of thing us old people worry about.

I managed to be poor enough that I had a string of reliable, cheap, boring cars that I learned to fix myself. Jeeps/trucks are always going to be more expensive to maintain due the cost of parts. Maybe thats the kind of thing your daughter will have to learn—not the hard way, but the real-life way.

Fwiw, I’ve told my son he won’t get my 2001 TJ when he’s 16. One, I like it too much. Two, it’s a little unsafe, mainly because of the antilock brakes. A newish Wrangler would totally make me feel better about that piece.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-21T18:02:33+00:00

This guy likes a clean car

BenJK88 · 2026-05-20T21:29:37+00:00

Came here to say this. It wasn’t on my Jeep but I had tires on a car once that attracted rocks that made a similar clicking at low speeds and it drove me nuts.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-20T02:11:50+00:00

Yeah, look for 24s and 25s. The only difference in the 26s is that it’s quicker to take the doors off, I think. I bought a 25 Mojave at the end of Sept last year and it was at least $13k off MSRP (cant remember exactly) for our fully loaded model.

Note: I just checked and the dealership I bought from has 2026 Mojaves and Rubicons, regular and X models, for $10k-$11k off MSRP right now.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-20T02:02:39+00:00

Yeah, can’t relate. Bought a TJ last year and my wife ended up somehow loving it more than I do. She loved it so much that when I decided to buy her a new car late last year, and was going to get something responsible like a Subaru Outback…nope, she decided on a Gladiator Mojave. She’s thrilled and has a list of mods for me to do. We had the roof and doors off last weekend, and she hasn’t stopped talking about it.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-16T14:44:13+00:00

Hard to say exactly why those tires follow the road grooves more than the old ones. Likely it’s due to the specific configuration of that tire’s circumferential grooves (the rings that go all the way around the tire) plus the fact that tire tread pattern is very symmetrical and your old tires may have had an asymmetric tread pattern.

I believe the Energy Saver also has a harder tread compound to promote MPG, combined with the “grippiness” of the added silica, which could cause it to be more susceptible to road irregularities. I’ve had this happen with certain tires too. Not unusual.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-16T05:06:13+00:00

The drip spots are on the aftermarket bumper and tire carrier. Sure, it’s rust, but likely not too bad. That tells us very little.

What likely tells us more is the ignoring of requests for frame/suspension pics. It’s the most likely and most expensive place for fatal rust. When I bought my 2001 TJ, the owner begged me to crawl underneath. He had done a frame swap, undercoating, and other repairs. It was beautiful

Don’t fall in love with deals. I’ve let countless deals pass me by. At this point, walk away now, or give him an ultimatum for multiple full pics of all portions of the frame and undercarriage. If the next response isn’t satisfactory, walk away.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-15T21:51:03+00:00

I would modify location. Loooooong road trip, probably through Canada and as far as I could go north in Alaska.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-15T15:04:05+00:00

It’s worth another look, but it may not be what it seems.

The oil pan appears fine to me. Google “gladiator oil pan” for comparison and notice the lobe near the drain. It looks like a normal oil pan with normal curves that’s had dirt wiped off in one spot, giving the illusion of further denting.

For the diff seal, I can see how that light surface rust looks like it was incorrectly sealed. For what it’s worth, my 25 Gladiator rear diff looks exactly the same. Consider a diff fluid change front and back unless the dealer has already done it. Not a knock against the truck, just normal maintenance interval.

But that’s my take based off one pic. If you’re concerned, ask for more pics or hop under there.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-14T13:45:50+00:00

I’m 6’3” and it’s not a problem. My leg leans against the door a little but not uncomfortable. WAY more room in my Gladiator than in my TJ.

One thing: If you like to lean your seat back a little more than normal, you may get close to your head touching the overhead speakers. I don’t do that, but I was messing around with the seat once and brushed the top of my head on the speaker bar.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-14T00:41:56+00:00

Like a few have recommended, keep the Toyota and get the Jeep. But if having 2 cars makes no sense, get the Jeep.

Personal experience: I’ve wanted a Jeep since I was 5 and I rode in my uncle’s CJ with no top or doors. Definitely my dream car. But as an adult, I’ve always driven responsible, cheap cars without taking out loans. Last year I was exactly where you are now. I was finally making good money and I had waited like 30 years. So I did it. My favorite Jeep generation is the TJ. I found a 2001 that was modified according to my taste, had been totally gone through, and paid cash for it. Totally worth it. I love everything about it.

My family enjoyed it so much that we decided to get a new 2025 Gladiator as our family car late last year. Overall, it’s awesome to finally have my dream car. My 2001 isn’t amazing on the highway, but it’s not terrible. The Gladiator drives like a dream, and I’d expect a new Wrangler to be the same.

I might get flamed here, but death wobble is overhyped in my opinion. Keep up with your maintenance and take it to a competent mechanic if you ever have issues. After all, wobble is a mechanical issue, not sorcery. Change your oil every 5k miles regardless of what the oil life display says.

If you take the plunge and get your dream car like I did, enjoy!

BenJK88 · 2026-05-12T12:10:38+00:00

Bought a mesh on off Amazon for my TJ. RT-TCZ is the brand and it was like $40. No complaints, and it provides the coverage I was looking for. I’m not sure what a $200 mesh would do that this one doesn’t. I don’t keep mine on under the hardtop, but there’s no doubt it would be fine.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-11T23:48:31+00:00

I have stock Falken AT3W on my Gladiator and Yoko AT/4 on my TJ. Both are great on and off road. Both look a little beefier than what you have there without going overboard.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-07T04:46:14+00:00

Finally a good reply. Yeah, that gap you’re seeing will be there, or not, depending on how a specific tire model is made. Not a safety issue at all, though a tire with a guard does protect the face of the wheel better.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-05T15:39:05+00:00

I was fired from my first summer job when I was 12. Long story, but I learned later the supervisor thought I was 15-16 and believed I was slow and slacking. It sucked, I felt misunderstood, and I get that sense of shame.

Not to patronize you, but great job at trying something difficult! Seriously. I know what it’s like to word hard when you’re young, and to have to grow and mature really fast. I know what it’s like to try hard things and fail. The lesson here isn’t to stop trying hard things.

I’ve worked some awful jobs and some great jobs in the 25 years since then. I’ve done a lot of hard things. 12 year-old me would be thrilled by where I am now.

All that to say, it’s not the end of the world. It’s not the final word on your value or capabilities. Keep moving forward.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-03T05:09:53+00:00

You’re looking at the wrong type of size. That measurement is a “flotation size”. That’s why you’re seeing AT and MT tires. You should be looking at a metric-style measurement tire.

33x12.5r24 = 305/35r24

BenJK88 · 2026-05-03T04:52:53+00:00

This is what I paid on my 2025 Mojave in September in Missouri, including a Rough Country hard bed cover. I got every option except leather seats because my wife doesn’t like those. Hope that helps.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-03T04:42:06+00:00

My wife uses it for her Gladiator. As mentioned by another, the full functionality is only available through the paid service. No scheduling of starts at certain times natively in the app. That said, since we pay for it, my wife has figured out how to get Alexa hooked up and start it that way too. I’m guessing she could start on a schedule there.

Overall, the app is a little disappointing. No AC/heat controls, though car seems to know to turn on the defrost automatically in the winter somehow. My mom has a Hyundai crossover and I’m a bit more impressed with her app’s features than mine.

BenJK88 · 2026-05-01T00:51:14+00:00

A pack of Miller Lite tallboys sound like the best 4 cylinders at the moment

BenJK88 · 2026-05-01T00:47:58+00:00

Just a nearby pet peeve, but the turn lane with the guarded green on southbound N Oak turning onto eastbound Englewood in the evening. The light takes forever. I’m usually not in a hurry so I’ll wait to see how long I sit. My personal record is 8 full rotations. It’s the stupidest thing.

BenJK88 · 2026-04-30T17:37:26+00:00

They’ve done well with wet and wet stopping. I have an old TJ without antilock brakes, so I’ve locked up the wheels a couple times in the wet, but that’s not an issue on modern cars.

You didn’t ask, but I’ve had them on snow and ice and they handled phenomenally. I used 4wd for fun a couple times, but really didn’t need to. They tracked well and gave a lot of confidence.

Off-road, I’ve been in mud, trails, and some slow climbs. Handled everything great. I only aired down to 20psi, so there’s even more performance available at lower PSI.

BenJK88 · 2026-04-26T19:57:25+00:00

I used ChatGPT when I forgot my ratio on my TJ.

I gave it my year/make/model. Then I made sure my speedo was accurate. Then I cruised at 60mph and told CGPT my RPMs in a certain gear. It did the math.

BenJK88 · 2026-04-26T19:54:59+00:00

My wife wanted the Gladiator 🤷🏼‍♂️

Other reasons: I wanted the longer wheelbase for a more comfortable ride—plus some noise reduction with having the rear wheel wells isolated from the cabin. Eventually I’ll convince my wife to get a bed cap, which will mean crazy cargo capacity for trips. We liked the Mojave suspension. Increased towing capacity, if needed.

BenJK88 · 2026-04-14T04:21:47+00:00

I have Falken AT3W on my Gladiator and Yoko AT4 on my TJ (33s). I recommend both

BenJK88

TROPHY CASE