Jeep Gladiator enthusiast explains what makes the pickup so popular

The Jeep brand has deep roots in American history. Developed originally by Willys-Overland for military applications in the 1940s, the Civilian Jeep became common on domestic roadways in the decades that followed. As more and more people joined the Jeep family, the lineup was diversified.

One of Jeep’s popular recent models is the Gladiator pickup truck, classified commonly under its JT chassis code. Between its on-sale date in 2019 and the end of calendar year 2022, Jeep sold 285,146 such vehicles. The community around Jeep vehicles is so strong that there is a Jeep wave, a tradition that involves acknowledging fellow Jeep drivers out on the road. Check out Jeeps for sale

Credit: Brad Mercer

Gladiator origins

The Gladiator was launched in 1962 as a two-door pickup based on the Jeep Wagoneer SUV platform. It was available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and it used a body-on-frame design with an available independent front suspension. Jeep also later manufactured a Cherokee based Comanche truck between 1986 and 1992.

The current generation Gladiator made its public debut on November 28, 2018, and was launched as a 2020 model. From the cab forward, the design clearly carries through characteristics from the Wrangler. The back half, however, is distinct in that it features a 5-foot cargo bed. Find a Gladiator today

Credit: Brad Mercer

Equipment

The word versatile comes to mind when describing the ins and outs of the Gladiator. Its doors and roof are removable for an open-air, convertible style driving experience. The Gladiator offers seating for five along with three different roof options: a black vinyl soft top, a black fabric soft top or a three-piece removable hardtop (in color matched or black). Similarly, the range of trim levels is vast. As of 2023, there are nine different trims available, ranging in price from $40,570 for the Sport to $55,875 for the High Altitude.

No longer does driving a Jeep mean roughing it. Jeep offers a long list of luxury amenities for the Gladiator. Among them are Nappa leather upholstery, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, an air filtration system, soft-touch finishes and an industry exclusive removable speaker with wireless connectivity. An available front camera system helps give better visibility to obstacles, and a touch-screen Uconnect infotainment system can be optioned with either a 7-inch or an 8.4-inch screen. Finally, there is an available 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. So much for getting off the grid.

Credit: Brad Mercer

Powertrains

There are two available motors for the Gladiator — a gasoline-powered 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, rated at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque; and a diesel-powered 3.0-liter EcoDiesel turbo V6, rated at 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This motor is available only when paired with an automatic transmission. 

Transmission offerings include an Aisin 6-speed manual and a ZF 8-speed automatic. All Gladiator models come standard with four-wheel drive, but there are systems available with both full-time and part-time engagement.

It’s important to note that a lot of people buy pickups with the intent of hauling or towing. With that in mind, the Gladiator’s capacity is 4,000 pounds, but it can be upgraded to about 7,700 pounds with a heavy-duty package. Browse Gladiator listings

Credit: Brad Mercer

Nitty Gritty: Q&A with an enthusiast

Brad Mercer, a Moab frequent flier, trailers his Gladiator to Utah from the northern reaches of Alberta each year for the Easter Jeep Safari, among other events. Mercer is not the type to leave well enough alone and, accordingly, he has modified his Gladiator with all sorts of off-road goodies along with a custom leather interior. 

KSL Cars: What are some of the Jeep platforms you owned before your current Gladiator?

Mercer: In order, all the Jeep vehicles I’ve owned are the following:

•  2011 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon four-door, 6-speed

•  2013 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon Unlimited, auto

•  2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited, auto

• 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

•  2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Launch Edition

• 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland 

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: What are the year, trim, color combo and mileage of your current Gladiator?

Mercer: 2020 Gladiator Rubicon, black on red leather (reupholstered after delivery), with 47,500 kilometers.

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: Name three things you like better about the Gladiator JT than the Wrangler JL.

Mercer: First, the longer wheelbase — 18.9 inches longer than a Wrangler Unlimited — changes the on-road dynamics of the JT substantially over the JL in a positive way. It wants to drive straight down the interstate. In addition to this, the longer wheelbase allows a more extreme angle to climb/crawl up steep slopes with ledges. This allows me to let one wheel climb at a time, keeping better traction. The shorter wheelbase Jeeps will get more tippy more quickly. 

Second, having a pickup bed is handy for my camping adventures. Throwing a wet tent or other camping supplies in the back and not having it in the cabin has been great on my Colorado trips in the fall when it seems that I always get rained out.

Third, despite the JT being a lot more popular than I expected it to become, I do like that it is different and rare compared to the JL. I get a lot of comments on my build that normally go something like, “This Gladiator actually looks really cool!” Many people think a stock JT looks a little goofy — myself included.

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: On the flipside, name a few things the Wrangler JL did better.

Mercer: Without a doubt, the biggest hindrance of the JT is its rear departure angle. The JL clearly has a much better departure angle, keeping the rear bumper from dragging over rocks on sharp declines when rock crawling. Despite being well protected underneath, it was the biggest downside to the JT from the JL. This was no surprise when I made the switch. 

The rear spare tire on a JL is perfectly suited hanging off its tailgate, as Jeeps have since the beginning. The JT can only accommodate a 35-inch tire under its bed in the conventional spare tire location, though I shoved a 37-inch tire aired down to 10 psi to accommodate. When you take the spare out from underneath and locate it in the bed or up on a rack, you take away the whole point of the JT — the box storage —  or you raise the center of gravity by locating it up high. I do miss the look of the tire hanging off the back. 

The JL was overall a better rock crawler. I do love the wheelbase of the JT for climbing obstacles, but the JL all-around was perfect for this application. It was more maneuverable and, again, that short rear overhang allowed for some smoother departures off ledges. 

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: What are the modifications you have made to your Gladiator?

Mercer:

• 4-inch Evo Manufacturing lift kit with Fox shocks, adjustable track bars and upgraded draglink and tie rod

• Mopar functional beadlock wheels

• 38-by-13.50 Nitto Trail Grappler tires

• Artec Industries aluminum skids

• Apex Performance power steering boost valve and cooler, running 800 psi over the factory 350

• 4:88 ratio gear set 

• American Adventure Lab highline fender kit and lights

• Warn Zeon 10,000-pound winch with synthetic line

• Baja Design LP9 auxiliary light pods

• Katzkin leather upholstery

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars:  Are there any known problems or issues that prospective Gladiator buyers need to look out for?

Mercer: Steering box issues. The aluminum box has a lot of flex, so it needs to be reinforced to the frame if the Jeep is intended to be driven in harsh off-road environments with oversized tires. Synergy MFG makes a great brace kit that I have seen most people put on their Jeep. 

Also, rear sway bar end link frame mounts tear off the frame easily. Ensure that bump stops are at a proper height to keep these links from putting too much pressure on these mounts. There are also brace kits/replacements available.

Since 2018, Jeep has used an electric assist power steering system. This system has less fluid than the old system. It works fine for Jeeps on stock wheels and tires, but as soon as you upsize, owners notice issues losing power steering when off-roading, parallel parking and other times when steering at slow speeds. I highly recommend the Apex Performance steering boost kit.

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: What are some of the best online resources/websites for Jeep people — Jeeple — to meet each other and get connected?

Mercer: There are many Jeep club Facebook groups out there. Any place I have ever gone to explore or wheel, I have been able to look up “insert location name” plus Jeep, and I have found locals who have good tips on places to explore. 

Some of my favorite groups for Moab, Utah, specifically are the Moab Friends for Wheeling Facebook group and the Red Rock 4 Wheelers Facebook group — the club that hosts the infamous Easter Jeep Safari every spring. Grand Mesa Jeep Club is popular for those who wheel around Grand Junction, Ouray and Telluride, Colorado.

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: Are there any specific years, trim levels or factory options that are most desirable for the Gladiator?

Mercer: I like to believe my Launch Edition has to be one of the most desirable, being one of just 419 for the Canadian market. There were 4,190 Launch Editions for the United States market and another 419 for Australia and New Zealand. The number 419 is a tribute to Toledo, Ohio, where Jeeps have been built since 1941. That number is the area code there.

Rubicons are the top dog for off-roading, but unless you plan to need locking axles and disconnecting sway bars, a lot of people opt for the Overland model for a bit better fuel economy and price. 

The most desirable factory options for hardcore off-road enthusiasts would be locking front and rear axles, sway bar disconnect, a 4:10 axle ratio, beefier skid plates, a lower transfer case gear ratio and auxiliary switches. The wiring pigtails both under the hood and behind the glove box for accessories eliminate the need to wire to a battery or power point.

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL Cars: What are your plans for your Gladiator?

Mercer: Short term, plans are to keep enjoying my adventures around Alberta and British Columbia, [Canada], where I spend a lot of time in the summer, and to keep going down to Moab, Sand Hollow [State Park] and Ouray, Colorado. The Jeep keeps adapting as I spend time with it, but it really is at a great spot in its build. 

Long term, [my] plan is to get it on Currie Enterprises HD60 Axles, 40-inch Nitto tires and a full hydro-assist PSC hydraulic steering system. 

Credit: Brad Mercer

KSL  Cars: What is your favorite obstacle to conquer in the Moab area?

Mercer: Recently, I put the JT through The Escalator on the Hell’s Revenge trail, and I was proud of how it did. It has done most well-known trails in the area, but this specific obstacle was especially fun because of the long wheelbase and long overhang providing advantages on getting through unscathed.

Become one of the 'Jeeple'

As they say, “It’s a Jeep thing. You wouldn’t understand.” Well, maybe it’s your time. If you’re ready to jump into the Jeep community, or even just browse listings, check out the nearly 500 Gladiators listed for sale on KSL Cars.