2020 Jeep Gladiator Jt Scrambler-Jeep knew that while a Wrangler with a bed would certainly find its share of fans, a real mid-size truck, one that could compete with the latest off-road offerings in the suddenly revitalized segment, would pay long-term dividends for the brand. That meant offering serious towing and payload capacity without compromising any of its off-road capability, and Jeep brings it: Rated to tow a maximum of 7650 pounds, the Toledo-built 2020 Gladiator Sport with the V-6 and eight-speed automatic turning 4.10:1 axles surpasses the 3500-pound towing capacity of the most capable Jeep Wrangler JL by more than two tons. When equipped with a six-speed manual, also in Sport guise, the Gladiator's five-foot bed is rated to haul 1600 pounds, topping the JL's capacity by more than 700 pounds. That's 2650 pounds more robust than the 5000-pound tow rating of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, a vehicle Jeep considers to be a direct competitor to the Gladiator. And it's 650 more pounds of tow capability than the upcoming 2019 Ford Ranger's stated max of 7000 pounds. (To be fair, non-ZR2 Colorados can tow up to 7000 pounds when equipped with the 3.6-liter V-6 and 7700 pounds with the 2.8-liter diesel engine, but these models lack the off-road hardware and chutzpah of the ZR2 and the Gladiator.) It's also worth noting that, true to its mission statement, Jeep isn't even offering a rear-drive version of the Gladiator.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Jt Scrambler
Jeep claims the Gladiator shares less than 50 percent of its parts with the Wrangler JL. While numerous factors play into reengineering the Wrangler's DNA for work as well as play, the basic building blocks consist of an entirely new frame and Dana 44 live axles front and rear. The frame measures 30.6 inches longer than that which underpins the current Wrangler JL four-door and gives the Gladiator a 137.3-inch wheelbase, a considerable 19.9 inches longer than that of the Wrangler JL 4-door. While the Wrangler's five-link coil-spring suspension design is used up front, at the rear is a Gladiator-exclusive five-link design with forged steel trailing arms and a Panhard rod. The setup positions the trailing arms under the frame rails, while the rear gas-tuned dampers face forward to provide consistent damping for ride comfort and load management. The suspension is tuned to provide a balance of on-road handling and off-road capability as well as a comfortable ride with or without cargo. It's no secret that a longer wheelbase can provide a better ride, and Jeep claims that the positioning of the bed's centerline slightly aft of the rear axle centerline contributes to improved ride quality when loaded with cargo.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Jt Scrambler
When the Gladiator arrives in the second quarter of 2019, it will be equipped with the Wrangler's 3.6-liter V-6 engine mated to the D478 six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. Good for 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the Pentastar V-6 is a known quantity if not a groundbreaking one. An eight-speed automatic is optional. At this point, Jeep has no intention of offering the Wrangler's eTorque inline-four in the Gladiator.
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