The 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup configurator is now online. And while it doesn’t show pricing, it does show available packages, colors, and other options. Show us how you’d configure the first Jeep pickup in over a quarter century.
I myself am a cheap, cheap man. So no matter what MSRP this truck eventually gets, I’d probably just snag the base model, and wait until people started modifying their Gladiators so I can buy the take-off parts for cheap.
I don’t think it’ll take long to find a set of alloy wheels to cover the Gladiator Sport’s horrid steelies, or for Craigslist to turn up a set of rock sliders to hide the pinch seams under the doors that make the truck look naked. JK Wrangler take-off parts are hilariously cheap; it’s only a matter of time before JT parts go that same direction.
Thus, my vehicle of choice would be a Gladiator Sport with a six-speed manual and just a couple of options ticked. Among them would be a Track-Lok differential for some extra grip off-road:
I’d also snag the trailer tow group, which comes with a different alternator, a class four receiver hitch, “heavy duty engine cooling,” and a zoom feature for the backup camera to help with aligning a trailer hitch. And I’d add a brake controller on top of that.
As for color, I’m a big fan of the sand-color Gobi shown in the pictures above. And inside, I’d have to go with the tan, even though I wish it were a true tan interior with some light door and dash trim rather than just a pair of tan seats.
The only problem with my manual Sport setup is that it can only tow 4,000 pounds. And, if we’re honest, that’s not great, considering I’d really like to use this truck to tow project cars. Granted, I live in flat, cold Michigan, so I could likely tow much more than that without issue, but that 7,650 pound max trailer figure is enticing.
But is it worth going with the Sport S automatic and checking the “max trailer” box (which isn’t shown online quite yet) to get the 4.10 axles and everything else that helps crank the tow rating up towards the top of the segment? I would like to row my own gears, but I would also like towing capability. Hmm.
Yeah, I’d probably still just get the base model, and go from there. I’m cheap, and paying more for an automatic isn’t something I plan to do in this lifetime.