Leaked: Jeep Gladiator (Formerly Known as the Jeep Scrambler)
It turns out that the highly-anticipated Jeep pickup truck will not be called a Jeep Scrambler after all. The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) media department has been slowly letting details about its Wrangler-inspired truck trickle out ahead of the LA Auto Show, where the Jeep pickup is expected to make its debut if a leaked dealership presentation is to be trusted. According to an online Jeep forum, it’ll be a Jeep Gladiator making the rounds this late November (2018). Several forum users claim that official pictures and a specs sheet were on FCA’s official media site for a short time before being taken down. So what can we look forward to on this Wrangler-inspired midsize pickup? If the name is anything to go by there’ll be plenty of tough goodies in store.
If the information obtained by the forum is correct then the Gladiator will be offered just like the JL Wrangler with a soft top or two hard top options. As was previously reported, a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with auto stop-start will power the Gladiator, along with a choice between a six-speed manual transmission or the brand’s latest innovation: an eight-speed automatic transmission. By the time 2020 rolls around, industry experts believe that the highly-anticipated 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine paired with the eight-speed transmission will become an available choice.
A surprising spec that leaked is that the Gladiator will offer best-in-class towing with an impressive maximum capability of 7,650 pounds, and a best-in-class payload up to 1,600 pounds. Serious off-roaders that have been craving a powerful pickup will not be disappointed as the Gladiator will have “unmatched” crawl ratios and up to 30-inches of water fording according to the specs sheet leak. Updated Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok electric front and rear axle lockers, a Trac-Lok limited slip differential, a segment exclusive electronic sway bar, and 33-inch off-road tires will also be offered. The Gladiator will be equipped with the classic Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4×4 systems, both tried and true favorites of off-road enthusiasts.
So far the only body style that’s leaked has been the Crew Cab, complete with a five-foot steel bed. The bed covers an external power source and has integrated tie-downs for more versatile cargo options. Also, in case you were wondering, industry experts were right – the Gladiator will have the same folding windshield as the Wrangler as expected.
As we mentioned earlier this tough mudder is slated to debut at the LA Auto Show that takes place later this month (Nov. 2018). Anticipation is running high and these specs leaks only fan the flames as Jeepers have been waiting for a Jeep truck since they got a glimpse of the 2004 Gladiator truck concept. Follow Miami Lakes Jeep on social media to stay up to date with the latest Jeep Gladiator news. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is expected to roll out to Jeep dealerships in April of 2019.
Photo Source/Copyright: wtol.com & Jeep Gladiator Forum
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