Top-10 Jeep Gladiator Accessories

While the Jeep brand has dominated the off-road market for decades with its line of Wrangler SUVs, it’s been over 30 years since this member of the Chrysler family has offered a pickup truck. That’s going to change for the 2020 model year with the release of the highly-anticipated Jeep Gladiator. Picking up where its predecessor left off in 1988, the new Gladiator combines the off-road pedigree of the Wrangler with the utility of a pickup truck. 

If there’s one constant among Jeep owners, it’s customizing and accessorizing their vehicles to make them stand apart from other Wranglers on the road. This trend extends to the Gladiator, so to help you plan your Jeep Gladiator build, here are 10 accessory categories to look out for.

Tonneau Covers

While the Gladiator has tonneau cover options from the factory, many customers will want to explore other options, such as hard one-piece covers. This style of cover is particularly popular among off-roaders due to its security, weather resistance, and available track systems for mounting bike racks and kayaks. Many popular tonneau cover manufacturers, such as Gator and BAK Industries, have capitalized on the demand for Gladiator tonneau covers.

Wheels and Tires

The Gladiator shares the Wrangler’s 5x5” lug pattern, meaning that hundreds of aftermarket wheels are available for this relatively new truck. Popular designs, such as the Moto Metal MO970 and Fuel Black Lethal, bolt right up to the Gladiator, and customers looking for large, off-road tires will be able to wrap their new wheels in rubber from Toyo and Nitto.

Seat Covers

It’s safe to say that a lot of Gladiators are taken off road almost as soon as they leave the lot, so improving comfort and wear resistance in the cab is a priority for many owners. A set of seat covers does just that, adding a layer of protection between you and your upholstery. For owners who track in dirt, dust, water, and other elements from off-road expeditions, this accessory is certainly a necessity. Since the Gladiator shares much of its interior with the Wrangler, many seat covers are available.

Nerf Bars and Running Boards

One of the first accessories many truck owners install is a set of nerf bars or running boards to help decrease the step distance between the ground and the vehicle’s cab. On Jeep vehicles, these steps sometimes double as rock sliders, offering additional protection from rocks and gravel for the underside of the vehicle.

Lift Kits

Whether they’re installed to clear larger wheels and tires or to improve off-road performance, lift kits have proven to be one of the most consistently popular upgrades for both Jeeps and trucks. This holds true for the new Gladiator as well. Fabtech offers a 3-inch lift for the Gladiator that will allow the truck to clear up to a 37" tire depending on your Gladiator's fenders.

Floor Mats and Floor Liners

Tracking in mud, dirt, snow, and other elements is a fact of life for both Wrangler and truck owners, so a durable set of floor mats or floor liners is necessary to keep the floorboards in good condition. Form-fitting floor liners, like Lund Catch It Floor Mats, provide full floorboard protection and can completely contain spills, making them ideal for Gladiators that spend a lot of time off the highway.

Lighting

Whether it’s replacement headlight and tail light assemblies or LED light bars and cubes, lighting upgrades serve to add a custom look to your vehicle while also improving vision and visibility. Hundreds of bars and cubes from Rigid, KC HiLiTES, and more are ready to install on the new Jeep truck, dramatically improving safety when driving off road at night.

Fender Flares

Many states require tires to be completely covered by a vehicle’s fenders, so if you plan on installing an oversize set of tires, you may need to install a set of fender flares to provide full tire coverage. Even if it isn’t legally required, fender flares are a significant cosmetic upgrade, and are frequently installed on Jeep vehicles. Bushwacker offers its Pocket Style and Flat Style fender flares for the Gladiator.

Bumpers

With so many Wranglers sporting stinger bumpers, it’s easy to forget that they aren’t stock equipment. Stinger, pre-runner, and grille guard bumpers are produced by manufacturers like Go Rhino and Fab Fours. These bumpers are some of the most sought-after upgrades for many Gladiator owners who want increased front-end protection, the ability to mount a winch, and an aggressive, off-road appearance.

Bed Liners

Whether it’s a simple bed mat or a full bed liner such as those offered by BedRug, bed protection is essential to keep the Gladiator’s cargo area free of dents, dings, and scrapes caused by items shifting around while driving. There are universal bed mats available from BedRug, ProMaxx, and Westin.

We’ll update this list with direct links to Gladiator accessories as they become available, so if you’re planning on purchasing the new Jeep pickup truck, check back with us periodically.