Jeep Gladiator Concept

[Scott Brady]

I really like the Wrangler for everything but long trips. And even then, it can be done with a small trailer.

Put one of these behind a small Jeep (it has electric brakes) and you are set

They are working on a long travel suspension variant which will work well at high speeds and on corrugated roads.

Adventure Trailers

 

[Wanderlusty]

Those trailers are NICE!!!!

But with the cheapest model going for over $5000 I am afraid I would probably just swap to a different ride altogether.

The problem I run into is being that I live in Arkansas and travel in the Western states, long haul is a neccessity. And everyone so far has said that the Wranglers are great, except for long trips...I am in a bit of a pinch trying to use it as that.

No matter. The Wrangler will be around for a while, but I will always keep my eyes open.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

JEEP GLADIATOR info/write up

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I posted about the Gladiator on Mud a while ago. I love it, think it's way cool.
I even did a couple photochops of it as a SUV- as I think the new KJ Wrangler replacement will look like this (the 4dr version)

If the Gladiator comes out, I would really consider buying it. I think it does the best at feeling like a classic American PU. Fenders, spare on the side, old-skool look... the big drawback for me is that it is a DC product and I worry about the quality/reliability issue.

But the aftermarket would be crazy huge on it and it might fall apart but you would be smiling all the way down!

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Oh Wait!

I may have changed my mind!

Is it OK that my next exploration vehicle can only handle the tamest of forest service roads>?!! ......hehe

Got a rack for that?!!

Or maybe it can just be my new "Tow Vehicle"....?

OK......so what's the latest on the "Gladiator"......?

 

[cshontz]

OK......so what's the latest on the "Gladiator"......?

We may know more in less than a week. The new Wrangler platform should debut at NAIAS on 1/10, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[cshontz]

Here's more fodder from the rumor mill. I think the points mentioned in this short news blurb are valid. Keep in mind however, that the old Jeep Dakar concept was loosely based on a production platform and was never built.

Also, the 3rd paragraph is inaccurate.

Momentum building for production version of concept Jeep truck

By RICK KRANZ | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

AutoWeek | Published 02/12/06, 3:19 pm et
CHICAGO - Will Jeep get a pickup?

Frank Klegon, the Chrysler group's executive vice president for product development, says enthusiasm at the company remains high for a production version of the Jeep Gladiator concept pickup that debuted at the 2005 Detroit auto show.

"That is pretty hot," Klegon said at the auto show here. "I like the Gladiator. I think it is real cool. That (concept) was built on a product base, it has a platform, and that has a much better chance of seeing the light of day than something that doesn't. It is a pretty interesting execution."

The Gladiator concept was built on the redesigned vehicle platform for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler, Klegon said. The 2007 Dodge Nitro, a compact SUV that was introduced at the Chicago show, uses the same platform.

But while the Gladiator's stock is high, a convertible version of the four-door Chrysler 300C has lost favor with executives at the company.

"There is a lot of emotional excitement about (the convertible), but it is a very tough business case," Klegon said. "It is reasonably expensive to do, and the longevity of it is questionable."

 

[Scott Brady]

Thanks for the update Chris!

 

[cshontz]

More rumor. Take with a grain of salt, because its from an anonymous individual in the comment section of a news site.

Word is the Gladiator is a go.
It will debut in the NAIAS next year.

From the comment section of this story:
http://www.jeepnewsnow.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1001

Still no mention of a US diesel, however diesel Liberty sales in the US greatly surpassed expectations. This might help convince DC to make the diesel available for the other Jeep models in the US.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

OK!............

Whats the WORD on the Gladiator>?!!!!!!

If I hold my breath any longer............

My children's children will turn BLUE!!!!!!



I want a diesel...

I want a Solid Front Axle......

I want a short wheelbase....well...not too long....not too short....Just RIGHT!...

I want it to be Narrow.....to fit on all the tight trails we enjoy!

I would like six speeds for even greater fuel economy while I'm doing the interstates getting to the back country.

I want sunroof's....! yes....Roofs!

How about a removable roof while I'm asking?!!

I want it to smell good!.....is that asking too much!...

I want Lockers front and rear....and every other kind of new fancy traction thingy!

I want a GPS.....

I want massive off road lighting!

I want Under Body lighting for the rocky trails when I pull into camp late at night!...now how hard is that when you are running all your wires at the factory anyway! In fact....give it to us free=sell more trucks! ...gee, what a concept!

Dual batteries!.....now how hard is that?!!

Fantastic stock Ground Clearance with the Perfect size offroad tires.

OK....I need to stop here for now........but......"I'll be back"....!


OH!...........and by the way..........did I say how KEWL Looking this thing is>?! Mr. DR. Jeep person over there in Germany now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.

 

[CLynn85]

AMEN!!!

If they built that all my problems would be solved.

 

[OverlandZJ]

http://wardsauto.com/ar/jeep_gladiator_production/

 

[CLynn85]

Yep, it's torn through the Jeep boards. They produce the CompASS but won't give us a jeep pickup.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

That's what happens when bean counters rule the roost. You get "by the numbers" vehicles like the Compass and Patriot, that only make sense in theoretical business plans.

The Gladiator would have brought alot of buyers in. Heck, I'm a total Toyota diehard and I would have gotten one! A diesel Gladiator- how perfect would that have been?

I laugh when I read the Gladiator is a "niche, limitd market vehicle". DUH, what is the JEEP brand?! It's a niche brand!!

You go 'mainstream' and you loose JEEP (i.e. Compass/Patriot) and those are so doomed to failure it isn't even funny.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Please excuse me..............!

I have to go out in my garden and eat worms now! :violent-smiley-031:

......... :littlefriend: :littlefriend: :littlefriend:




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