Throwback Thursday: Quadratec Reveals JTe Gladiator 2-Door at SEMA 2022
Quadratec displays a custom 2-door truck known as the JTe Gladiator to commemorate the company’s 30 years in the Jeep aftermarket.
Jeep enthusiasts were clamoring for the return of a Jeep pickup truck. Finally with the introduction of the Gladiator our wishes were granted. Mostly. The Gladiator is of course a Jeep pickup truck, and a good one at that. However, the new Gladiator is only offered as a 4-door vehicle. But what if you want a 2-door Jeep pickup that is newer than a 1992 Jeep Comanche? Well, you are out of luck. But the Jeep aftermarket specialists at Quadratec has shown us what is possible. At SEMA 2022 Quadratec unveiled the JTe Gladiator 2-door Jeep pickup. And it looks as fantastic as we imagined it would.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about this JTe Gladiator. The JTe began life as a 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4Xe Rubicon. So, you may be wondering how can a 2022 Jeep using an electrified platform and revealed at SEMA 2022 possibly qualify as a throwback? Well, that is simple. Yes, this specific build is brand new. But the concept of a 2-door Jeep pickup is certainly a throwback idea as one has not been available from Jeep for many years. It is an electrified throwback.
Why Use a 4Xe?
“As you’ll see all around SEMA this year, electrification is more than just a trend, it is here to stay,” said Eric Ammerman, JTe Project Director and Quadratec’s Director of Creative Content. “Our JTe hybrid Gladiator has an amazing appeal to two-door truck lovers and its hybrid powertrain provides excellent sustainability.
Plus, its bed is 10.5-inches longer than a standard Gladiator, which will provide plenty of space for Tread Lightly! trail project cleanups over the next two years.” The JTe was built by Jeep fabricator Greg Henderson at Unofficial Use Only. The original 4Xe Rubicon was cut behind the front doors. A factory Gladiator truck bed and factory Mopar body replacement panels were added.
The Gear
This Jeep is for more than just show. It comes with a Lynx 2.5-inch Suspension Lift with adjustable control arms and Steersmarts steering components. It has bronze 17-inch Lynx TrailGunner wheels wrapped in 37-inch Nitto Recon Grappler tires. Carnivore front and rear bumpers are also part of the build. “A Lost Canyon Bed Rack and Rooftop tent was added with custom, modular mounts for a jack and Rotopax water containers.
Quadratec equipped the JTe for the trail with a RES-Q Winch with synthetic line and remote solenoid under the bed for rear recovery. Quadratec’s J5 50-inch LED lightbar provides additional lighting for improved trail vision and features Oracle Lighting flush-mounted LED taillights.” The Jeep is covered in custom “Quadratec” green paint.
Verdict
So, is this the 2-door Jeep pickup that you have been waiting for? It certainly looks fantastic. The upgrades should make it more than capable off-road. And having a larger bed will increase the practicality. If Jeep were to offer a vehicle like this JTe would you buy it? Let us know your thoughts in the JK Forum forums.
Photos: Joe Kucinski
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