by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
When Jeep first dimmed the lights, turned up some music and ran its new Gladiator truck on stage at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, one of the biggest points the brand made that day was about the vehicle’s modification potential.
In fact, before a single Gladiator hit showrooms, then Jeep owner Fiat Chrysler Automobiles predicted it would surpass Wrangler in accessory sales.
Well, flash forward to now and that statement certainly carried weight as Jeep says Gladiator buyers, on average, are spending about $1,000 to modify their new truck. In contrast, Wrangler purchasers drop about $800 on average.
"We had always expected Gladiator to do well from an accessories dollars-per-unit perspective because it really can draw upon the Jeep world, which is big from an accessories perspective, but also the truck world, so it's being able to build upon both,” said Kim Mathers, Mopar’s head of performance and accessories, soon after the Gladiator launch.
Of course, with so many parts and accessories choices out there, it can be tough for new Gladiator owners to decide what to get first. Is it new wheels and a lift kit to make the vehicle more aggressive? Or what about a tonneau cover to secure the back bed? There is definitely no shortage of options, but some seem to make more sense than others as an initial way to travel for those new into the Gladiator world.
So while aggressive, larger new tires, along with a powerful winch, are great to have on the vehicle and should be considered at some point, here are ten other excellent modification ideas that have practical, functional and safety value for the first time Gladiator owner.
LED Lights
Unless your Gladiator arrived from the factory with LED headlights, your Jeep is using the same old boring halogen lights that have been unimpressive for years. So that’s why, for many, pulling out the dull factory lights, and replacing with brighter, more powerful LED headlights, is one of the best first modifications out there.
For those who may not know yet, LED headlights are not only more powerful when compared to halogen, but they also draw less power which is great if you are running other high-draw items like auxiliary lighting, aftermarket stereo setups and a winch. Plus, they throw a more accurate beam which appears more like daylight than the yellow halogen so it causes less eye fatigue.
Additionally, LED lights have nearly an unlimited lifespan as they use a semiconductor, instead of a wire filament, so there is nothing to burn out over time.
And these days, LED lighting has become much more affordable and is fairly simple as a do-it-yourself project. Most are plug-and-play install projects where you just need to remove the front grille, remove some set screws from the trim rings and then unplug the current lights.
Floor Liners
Your Jeep Gladiator no doubt came from the factory with a carpeted floor. However, it may not have anything to protect that carpet though. Wait—protect from what, you may ask? Well, a Jeep’s floor isn’t the same as many other vehicles because when its top is off, that floor can be exposed to all kinds of elements. Not to mention, the more active you are, the more stuff you drag into the vehicle. Stuff like, water, mud, dirt and snow.
So having a quality set of floor liners to provide a barrier between that nasty stuff and your carpet will definitely add a much longer lifespan to the material. Many liners are constructed with strong, yet flexible thermoplastic, or use durable rubber material to keep all that stuff from the outside from reaching your carpet. Plus, most have raised edges, and ridges throughout the liner to trap and keep moisture in place. Finally, these liners are easy to remove and hose down when you needed, so cleaning only takes a few minutes to restore the liners to a ‘like-new’ finish.
Definitely a highly-recommended modification for the first time owner.
Tonneau Cover
The back bed of your Jeep Gladiator is surely one of the reasons you purchased the vehicle, because having access to all that extra space is definitely helpful. Maybe that means more room for camping gear, bikes, appliances and other off-road equipment.
Or maybe it means larger dimensions to store tools and other accessories.
All stuff that needs extra space, but doesn’t need prying eyes checking it out.
That is why many new Gladiator owners make installing a tonneau cover one of their first modifications. These covers can utilize a hard polymer or painted aluminum construction, or soft vinyl material, and fit directly over the truck bed with attachment clamps or hinges that usually do not require drilling.
From there, you can choose a cover options that either rolls or folds up, allowing easy access into the truck bed for all your various items.
Seat Covers
Not every day can be a pull off the top and doors kind of day. It is bound to rain at some point, and when it does then your Jeep seats could be in danger if the top is off your vehicle. Really, though, rain or shine those factory seats are under assault any time the top is off the vehicle.
So a good first mod for any Gladiator owner to make is tucking those seats behind a protective seat cover—especially if your plans include leaving that top off the vehicle for any length of time.
Seat covers these days are way more advanced than the old cloth ones that used elastic to fit into place. Now you can choose from many different types of materials, as well as colors, so you can tailor the product to what you like.
Whether that means installing some weather absorbing and comfortable neoprene, easy to clean ballistic nylon, vinyl, or durable duck weave fabric, these covers will allow your Jeep seats to last longer and give you a little more insulation for the ride. Not only that, but seat covers are also easy to remove and clean when needed. Perfect for your on-the-go topless Jeep lifestyle.
A final benefit to adding protective seat covers, like we said before, is the ability to customize to nearly any look you want. Most covers have numerous color schemes that can match, for example, accent bezels you have done to the dash area or paint job you've done to the vehicle’s body tub. Or, perhaps, even the respective colors of your Jeep club. It's all up to you. And the best part, it will look just the way you want each time that top comes off.
Tube Doors
When it comes time to remove that Jeep Gladiator top, many owners also look to their doors as well. After all, what does an open cab really mean if it is not truly an open cab? Removing those Jeep Gladiator doors, whether just driver and passenger or all four for Unlimited owners, can really provide a more exciting driving experience—one that can put you more in touch with how those Jeep drivers of old lived. And the best part, those Jeep doors are lighter than ever thanks to their aluminum construction.
For some, though, driving with a totally open door enclosure can be a bit intimidating. Plus, depending on your area, it may also be against the law. So it is always a good idea to check your state regulations before you take those door off.
Or, you can look into one of this year's biggest trends; Jeep tubular doors. They are the perfect alternative for any Gladiator owner who wants to pull off their doors, but still wants something to fill up that door opening.
Tubular doors provide just the right amount of air to material coverage, and many can latch right on to existing door hardware. Some can even be outfitted with canvas bags to help with cargo storage.
Keep in mind, though, when you do remove the factory doors, so go the mirrors. Some tubular doors either come with their own mirrors, or accept the factory mirrors which makes things easy, but if not, it is a good idea to invest in either some relocation brackets or other type of workable mirrors.
Door/Top Storage Solutions
For new Jeep Gladiator owners, one of the first things nearly everyone wants to do (weather permitting) is get that top and doors off the vehicle, and enjoy that open cab experience. After all, one of the best perks when owning a Jeep is combining the open road and open air, right?
And unlike the older Wrangler, Gladiator makes it really easy to take off that top and doors with simple latches on the hardtop panels and tub, and by using aluminum in those doors to make them extremely lightweight versus older Jeep doors.
When you do remove that top and doors, one of the best modification items you can purchase is a secure storage unit so you can safely stow away those items without worry. Sure, you can toss them on a patio, or on the floor in the garage, but it just takes a small accident to take a chunk out of that top, or gouge out a door.
So for the doors, a great first step is using a storage bag to serve as an ‘outer shell’ barrier in order to keep dirt, debris and moisture away from the doors. Then, installing door hangers is the ideal way to get those doors off the ground and safely into place so they can’t fall or be knocked over at some point.
Like those doors, the hardtop’s Freedom Panels can also tuck away inside a secure storage bag, and then either sit on a shelf, or you can install a Freedom Panel Wall Storage unit to secure.
For the hardtop shell, a heavy duty storage cart is a smart idea to keep that item off the ground and safely settled in an upright position—so the entire unit does not take up much space. Plus, with rollers underneath, the cart is easy to move around your garage, porch, or wherever you plan to put the top.
Side Protection
Unlike the front and rear of your Gladiator, the sides of that vehicle simply do not offer the same type of durable protection. That’s why finding some good aftermarket rocker guards, or rock sliders, should be one of the first Gladiator modifications you make.
Now, because that Jeep sits a bit higher than a normal car, you may think the sides will be adequately protected against pretty much everything. But while things like errant shopping carts may not have enough height to cause a ding or dent to your vehicle, an errant door strike from another car or truck could cause an issue. Or, perhaps another car that doesn’t gauge its parking distance correctly and scrapes up against your doors or side panels.
It also goes beyond a scratch or dent. A damaged side rocker panel can keep your doors from opening properly and can also be expensive to replace. So aftermarket rocker panels or rock guards that protect against this issue simply makes sense—especially if you do have plans to take the vehicle off road at some point. It is smart, and cost-effective insurance.
Wheels
Investing in a new set of wheels for your Jeep Gladiator is something many do right away to get rid of those dull, boring factory ones that came with the vehicle on most packages.
That’s because aftermarket wheels come in a wide variety of styles and designs so it is easy to find one you love and personalize your vehicle. These new wheels are available in either a lightweight alloy or wallet-friendly steel construction, can also come in a few different finishes and designs, and most are offered with different backspace and offset combinations so you can match the factory set up, or choose a different offset or backspacing if your plans include a suspension lift sometime in the future.
Additionally, these aftermarket wheels also have the correct lug pattern for your Gladiator and most can reuse the current lug nuts so you can even make it a nice driveway do-it-yourself modification depending on your skill set and tools. Of course, you can always get some new lug nuts if you want to change up that color, or just want something new to go with those wheels.
Front Bumper
Every Jeep Gladiator that rolls off the assembly line has a factory-installed bumper that is low profile, contains some fog lights and a few tow points. However, as far as protection and other options go, this bumper simply does an adequate job. A job that may not measure up to your needs.
This is why replacing the no-frills factory version with an high-strength, burly, protective aftermarket bumper is a great first Gladiator modification. Not only do these bumpers provide better protection to the front of your Gladiator, but many are fully functional—meaning they accept auxiliary lighting pieces, offer D-rings for better recovery ability, have space to accommodate a winch and usually do not require any drilling on install.
Additionally, most aftermarket bumpers have different size options—stubby, midsize, full size, or modular, so you can choose the style, size and design you love the best.
Recovery Gear
Whether your future plans in that new Jeep Gladiator include off-roading, or simply pavement-only driving, it is always a good idea to upgrade the recovery capability of your vehicle as one of your first modifications. And this doesn’t mean you need to immediately purchase that high power winch with Bluetooth capability and synthetic rope, either.
According to Pennsylvania-based Off-Road Consulting owner Kyle Buchter, who spends almost every work day on the trail, simple recovery items—as well as understanding how your vehicle responds when using them—are important no matter where you drive .
“Things like tow or recovery straps, gloves; a couple of D-rings,” he said. “Then getting to know the vehicle, learning how the systems work and how the Jeep responds. Knowledge, understanding and the ability to make smart decisions is one of the best things you can do.”
And the easiest way accomplish this is with a Jeep recovery kit. These kits contain easy to use recovery products like those D-rings and recovery straps, which are designed to stretch out when used, providing kinetic energy to pull a vehicle from obstructions like sand, mud, or snow. Many kits also contain work gloves, a snatch block, winch line dampener and tree saver.
All great things designed to help you recover your vehicle, or help out someone else, when needed.
