Tuesday Trends...

I think I will start a series running every Tuesday on a Jeep specific topic and see where it takes us.  This weeks inaugural post will focus on the much anticipated Jeep Gladiator. From all accounts, this vehicle will be one of the most capable that Jeep has ever produced and will be priced accordingly! If you read my previous posts, you will know that I had been planning to trade my JK in on the Gladiator until it shifted to a 2020 model year. This was when I decided to order the JL Rubicon. Now, with November 28th's pending release at the LA Auto Show, I have moved to a wait and see attitude. I have decided that if the Gladiator comes in within $3000 of the JL Rubicon price then I will wait, anything much more than that and I will buy the JL as planned and pickup (pun intended) a Gladiator in a few years.

Now, what do we already know about the Gladiator? From Jeeps "leaked" release, we saw:

• It will have two engines:
• 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with Auto Stop-Start and a choice of eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
• 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with ESS with an 8-speed automatic transmission (2020)
• Towing capacity of up to 7,650 pounds
• Payload capacity of up to 1,600 pounds
• 30-inches of water fording and Crawl ratios similar to the Rubicon I would expect
• Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4×4 systems
• 3rd generation Dana 44 axles with Tru-Lock electric front and rear axle lockers
• Trac-Lok limited slip differential
• Electronic sway bar disconnect
• 33-inch off road tires
• Durable 5 foot bed
• Fold Down front windshield
• Removable Doors
• Soft Top

All of this information comes from the Jeep Gladiator Forum and you should definitely check out their site to get the latest information and updates.

So why do I care??? I have always loved my Jeeps but also really like the concept of a pickup truck for everyday life. This puts the best of both worlds together and while it might only have a 5 foot bed, the 7,650 lbs of towing capability will really be awesome pulling my NoBo 16.5 trailer!

Decisions, decisions...