As soon as the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator was revealed at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, aftermarket shops have been on the hunt for ways to improve the immensely popular, off-road worthy mid-size pickup truck.
Recently, Meyer Distributing revealed that it will have not one, but two Gladiator customizations outfitted with some accessories designed to excite and delight loyal Jeep customers looking to enhance their new rock-worthy rigs.
“It’s a very impressive vehicle,” said Nicolas Gramelspacher, vice president of sales and marketing for Meyer USA. “Adding a lift kit with wheels and tires will be the most popular upgrades. Followed by front bumper, steps and tonneau covers. Racks for the bed will also grow in popularity.”
Gramelspacher explained that shops should have little problem working with the new Jeep model because both the front and rear of the Gladiator have a similar heritage to other Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) products.
“Front end is the same as the Wrangler JL so not much change there. The rear suspension is like the Ram trucks. Shops will not have any problem with the vehicle,” he said. “The wheel base is the main difference. It will be interesting to see how it does off-road with the length and so forth.”
Roger Dale of Auto Trim Design in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, installed the matte red wrap of the Gladiator project, completely changing the color from sliver/gray to red and adding the Meyer logo to the doors. The wheels and tires were added by Dubois County Tire of Jasper, Indiana, prompting sales manager Jeremy Baglan to call it a “very cool Gladiator.”
Gramelspacher said that the Meyer Gladiator will traveling to shops and customers to show what products are available for the model. The second customized Gladiator, which he confirms will be white, is still in the building process and will be part of a future customer giveaway.
According to FCA, all Gladiator models are Trail Rated with a badge indicating that the vehicle is designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording.