Jeep presented its new mid-size pickup truck, the 2020 Gladiator, at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show 2018. The Gladiator incorporates aluminum throughout its design along with a steel underframe. The hood, hinges, fenders, windshield frame, and tailgate are made of aluminum, helping to curtail weight while boosting fuel economy. The versatile truck boasts best-in-class towing, advanced fuel efficient powertrains, and is complete with safety features and state-of-the-art intuitive technology.
The Jeep manufacturing team used aluminum in many of the vehicle components as a way to manage weight while retaining strength and utility. The aluminum tailgate boosts the lightweight durability of the truck. A full size spare-tire is stored underneath the bed, making way for the aluminum damped fold-down tailgate that can stop in three different positions. The tailgate also has a power lock built in for safety and convenience. The engineering team also looked to manage weight by including hollow track and stabilizer bars, aluminum engine mounts and steering gear.
Similar to Jeep’s Wrangler, a soft top and two hard tops cover the passenger compartment. The truck looks like a Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited with a five foot bed attached. The bed is made of steel and will be available with a spray-in bedliner, as well as a soft, roll-up tonneau with a small slit in back so a 2×4 could fit without any inconvenience. The bed also contains aluminum extrusions with cleats for tie-downs, in-bed LED lighting, and an optional 115-volt power outlet.
Like other Jeep trucks, the Gladiator’s doors are removable, a component that many rugged outdoor enthusiasts appreciate on a hot summer day. Composed of aluminum, the lightweight high-strength aluminum doors have a Torx bit stamped directly onto the hinge, making the process of removing the doors easy. A tool kit with the necessary bits to remove the doors and lower the windshield is also provided as standard equipment.
Produced in Toledo, Ohio, the all new 2020 Jeep Gladiator is set to arrive on dealer’s floors in the second quarter of 2019.