The Jeep Gladiator is a pure expression of adventure. There are plenty of great trucks on the market, but only the Gladiator comes standard with removable doors, a retractable or removable roof and a fold-down windshield. The Gladiator has a high starting price for a compact truck, but once you spec competitors with options that come standard on the Gladiator (V6 engine, 4×4, four-doors), the price starts to even out fast.
Given its off-road abilities, the Gladiator is the perfect truck for any number of activities. But getting the most out of this midsize pickup requires a few upgrades. Here are five accessories or aftermarket kits that are perfectly suited for taking your Gladiator to the next level.
- Tyger Auto T3 : Best Tonneau Cover
- AMP Research Black BedXTender : Best Bed Extender
- Rough Country 2.5″ Leveling Lift Kit : Best Lift Kit
- TKMAUTO Plus Truck Adjustable Bed Rack : Best Cargo Rack
- UnderCover SwingCase (Fits Jeep Gladiator) : Best Bed Storage Box
Pickup beds are great because you can put all kinds of gear back there, but that same gear is now open to the elements and prying eyes. A tonneau cover is a soft or hard bed cover that keeps the bed secure. There are many hard rubber covers, but the reinforced vinyl covers provide the best combination of security and protection from the elements. The top features quick-release clamps so as long as the tailgate is locked, you have a layer of security. There are more expensive tops that are more secure, but this is the right level of protection for the price.
- Lower price than rivals
- Easy installation
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Holes will need to be cut
- Vinyl won’t stand up to determined thieves
The Gladiator comes standard with a five-foot bed, and that’s it. There are no longer or shorter bed sizes. But you can get more out of the standard bed with this tube frame extender. Once this extender is installed, you simply lower the tailgate and flip it over to provide an additional two feet of usable bed space.
- Heavy-duty construction
- Easy installation and assembly
- Easily flips out when needed
- Cuts into original bed space when not in use
- Does not work with loose material such as sod or bark mulch
The Jeep Gladiator is a capable truck, but why not give it even more capability with a lift kit? It makes it look more imposing while increasing the approach angle and breakover angle. This is really important because the Gladiator has a long wheelbase, and when it crests a hill, it can run the risk of bottoming out. The added clearance of the lift kit will help improve the breakover angle.
- Easy at-home bolt-on installation
- More off-road capability
- Makes Jeep look more aggressive
- Will impact ride quality (no matter what the description says)
- Will not fit the Mojave trim
With its five-foot bed, the Gladiator doesn’t offer much in the way of in-cabin cargo space—especially if both rows are occupied with passengers. But you also don’t want to simply pile everything into the bed, especially if you have larger toys like surfboards or mountain bikes. This bed-rack system allows for a cargo rack, bike rack, board mount or kayak rack on top, and still leaves plenty of bed space below it. The fact that the cover is raised means it actually can provide more usable space in the bed.
- Heavy-duty carbon steel
- Compatible with many different rack systems
- Compatible with a roof-top tent
- Limits in-bed use for large items
- Thieves can still get in
- Can’t be used with a tonneau cover
Sometimes you need a place to store small, valuable items in your truck bed. The SwingCase is a hard-plastic locker that (as the name suggests) swings out from its stowed position for use. The curved shape follows the wheel well and is hinged at the back near the tailgate. A small tab allows you to lock the case in both positions, and the case itself is lockable with its own key. It also comes with an organizational tray for the most efficient use of space.
- Adds versatility to a truck bed
- Holds up to 75 pounds of gear
- Swings out 180 degrees
- Plastic (as opposed to metal)
- Dedicated key separate from Jeep key (don’t lose it!)
- Universal fit (won’t look like a factory accessory)
METHODOLOGY
Forbes Wheels has aggregated hundreds of Amazon and real-world reviews. We’ve talked to owners to learn which aftermarket parts work and which ones you should avoid. We also have hands-on experience because our contributors are out there driving trucks and off-road vehicles. That hands-on experience is invaluable and leads to helpful institutional knowledge on many of these parts.