Build your own Gladiator: Jeep pickup configurator is live

Online configurators allow us to see what the vehicle we’re lusting after would look like in the color, trim, and with the options that interest us most. Though very, very far from the real thing, playing around with these sites allow us to “build” a vehicle the way we would want to. They also happen to be fantastic marketing tools, but that’s beside the point. For us enthusiasts, they’re just simple and mindless fun.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator has been among the most discussed vehicles of the year. It finally debuted recently at the Los Angeles Auto Show, after years of spy photos and speculation. And today, to make us drool even more, Jeep launched the Configurator. You can now go to Jeep’s Build and Price site and create a virtual Gladiator of your own.

It really does seem like the Gladiator will be very much a JL Wrangler with a pickup bed. Many of the options are identical, with exception of the Tow package and bed-related options. This isn’t a bad thing, as the JL is a fantastic vehicle, but it leaves a little to be desired from what could differentiate the Gladiator from its Wrangler brethren. And while the Configurator doesn’t show pricing (expect it to be slightly more expensive than comparable JL-prices), it does allow us to see how trims, packages, colors, wheels, and even tires would make our very own Jeep pickup look. You start with models and choose from Sport, Sport S, Overland, or Rubicon and go from there.

Logically, I skipped over all of the lower trims and went straight for the most off-road worthy. Mine would absolutely have to be a Rubicon with 8-speed automatic (better for off-roading), Trailer Tow Package, LED Lighting Group, Cold Weather Group, Premium Audio, Auxiliary Switch Group, Cargo Management Group, Dual Top Group, WFN wheels, mud tires (which I believe are Falkens as opposed to the JL Rubicon’s mandatory BFG KO2s), steel front bumper, spray-in bedliner, and keyless entry. Of course, it would have to be Firecracker Red. The diesel option isn’t available yet, otherwise mine would absolutely have it. Suddenly my imaginary Gladiator is nearly a $60k truck, but that’s the upside of it being entirely imaginary.

How would you spec yours? Hit the link to build your own Gladiator, and let us know in the comments.

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7 responses to “Build your own Gladiator: Jeep pickup configurator is live”

  1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

    Am I the only one who thinks that the rear doors look really annoying? They really should have retooled them to get rid of the now nonfunctional bevel at the bottom rear.

    1. Ross Ballot Avatar
      Ross Ballot

      I agree, but they’ll probably pay off JL tooling in the very near future and then don’t have to pay secondary tooling costs just for the Gladiator

    2. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      Jeep was going for the butch Russian UAZ-469 look.
      https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/0YPoW/s1/wcf-uaz-469-uaz-4691.jpg

  2. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    I don’t see pricing on the configurator – but I built one as close to our JL Wrangler as I could. Couple of things I notice that are different. Most notably, no red dash in the Gladiator. Boooooo – that’s such a neat little detail that I love. Wheels are different and colors are also different (although I’d have preferred the Gladiator’s Hydro Blue to the Wrangler’s Ocean Blue).

    Styling wise – honestly, I don’t really like it. I don’t like the rear overhang and don’t like how the box simply looks tacked on. I also agree with Tanshanomi about those rear doors. They’ll sell a ton though, good for FCA

    1. Ross Ballot Avatar
      Ross Ballot

      Bummer about the red dash. I really dig that too. But in perusing the JL forum, seems like a lot of people don’t.

      The wheels I “optioned” onto my theoretical build are the same as what come on the JL Rubi. The wheels otherwise do seem different. And I noticed that about the colors too– but Ocean Blue is probably my current favorite color available on a new vehicle, so would have liked to see it on the Gladiator.

      As for the styling: I’m going to agree. It just looks disproportionate. Not that we shouldn’t have expected it, but it’s definitely not as cohesive as I would have hoped. Does look damn good with a small lift and 35″s though.

  3. Tank Avatar
    Tank

    With 4 doors the new Gladiator is hideous

  4. johnh875 Avatar
    johnh875

    Just had a thought that the Gladiator will probably be as expensive as a dual cab Land Cruiser 79! I know which one of choose; the one that will still be running in 20 years.