Essential Gladiator Mods That'll Make Your Ride Stand Out
If you're new to the world of Jeep, here's a handy guide to essential Gladiator mods.
Where to Start?
The Jeep Gladiator, much like the Wrangler that it's based on, is a very modular vehicle that can be customized in virtually any way imaginable. That's a big part of its appeal and a big reason why so many people flock to these vehicles in the first place. But if you're new to the Jeep world and are wondering where to start, we've assembled a few key mods that you'll want to consider first.
Photos: Jeep
Wheels and Tires
The first, and most obvious modification most Jeep owners make to their rides is a new set of wheels and tires. And the choices here are quite literally endless. Wheel design is highly subjective, but the good news is, you can fit a pretty large set of tires underneath your Gladiator without having to add a lift kit. Factory Rubicon-sized tires (28570R17) can be fitted to Sport, Sport S, and Overland trims, while the Rubicon can house rubber up to 35x12.5 inches, though clearances will be somewhat tight.
Photos: Jeep
>>Join the conversation about these Gladiator Mods set right here in our forum.
Lift Kits
For those that want more, including seriously beefy 37-inch rubber, there are plenty of leveling and lift kits available as well. Leveling kits generally add around 1.5-2-inches of lift for the front end, while lift kits are available in a series of sizes that enable owners to fit up to 40-inch tires underneath their rigs.
Photos: Jeep
>>Join the conversation about these Gladiator Mods set right here in our forum.
LED Off-Road Lighting
Another popular Gladiator mod is LED lighting, which is an essential thing to have if you're going to be traveling off-road in the dark. Again, options here are plentiful and range from small pods to giant lightbars, which can be placed in a variety of locations including the roof, bumpers, or hood area, to name a few. Luckily, a lot of the wiring is already in place, so in many cases adding lighting is a true plug-and-play job.
Photos: Jeep
>>Join the conversation about these Gladiator Mods set right here in our forum.
Better Shocks
Aftermarket shocks can provide a big upgrade over the factory dampers, especially if you're adding weight to the vehicle or want more off-road capability. Adjustable shocks are even better, as they can be tweaked for optimal performance depending on what you're doing - whether that be off-roading, hauling a bunch of payloads or towing a trailer, or just cruising down the highway on a road trip.
Photos: Jeep
>>Join the conversation about these Gladiator Mods set right here in our forum.
Armor
Protecting your new investment should be pretty high on the list if you intend to go off-road, and there are plenty of options to do just that in the aftermarket. Rocker guards are cheap insurance to protect your rocker panels, a commonly damaged area, while skid plates can provide protection for your drivetrain and underbody areas. While many models come from the factory with skid plates, there are beefier ones available from the aftermarket.
Photos: Jeep
>>Join the conversation about these Gladiator Mods set right here in our forum.
Bumpers
New front and rear bumpers are a very popular upgrade on the Wrangler and Gladiator, mainly because they look much better than the cheap factory pieces and provide a place for additional lighting, a winch, and various other accessories. Again, there are many options available, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how indecisive you are.
Photos: Jeep
>>Join the conversation about these Gladiator Mods set right here in our forum.
For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, visit our how-to section right here in the forum.