Official: 2026 Gladiator - What's New + Willys ‘41 Buzz Model Special Edition Annouced

[ShadowsPapa]

Probable cause is in the eye of the b(adge)holder.

Sad but true

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[JTpanelsOFF]

The lack of a bolt on the external hinges does make removing the doors easier.
IT IS ALSO A SAFETY RISK. If the Jeep is upside down and you open the door, there is risk that the door will fall off. The previous design with the bolt prevents the door from coming off.

 

[JTpanelsOFF]

Here is a YouTube video that shows the new hinges

 

[Sweetums]

So they added a pin and left off the nut for the bottom of the hinge. We never use the nuts on our LJ because they do t do anything. When closed the door is retained by the latch anyway.

“You can remove them faster than your YJ.” I’ll take that bet. I spend more time pulling the interior light fuse than removing and stowing both the doors.

The lack of a bolt on the external hinges does make removing the doors easier.
IT IS ALSO A SAFETY RISK. If the Jeep is upside down and you open the door, there is risk that the door will fall off. The previous design with the bolt prevents the door from coming off.

If the Jeep is upside down, the door falling off is the least of your worries.

I’d rather they fall off and away if the alternative is to get trapped in the vehicle. When Mercedes reintroduced gull wing doors they equipped the car with explosive bolts specifically to separate the doors from the body in the event of a rollover.

 

[IamPro2A]

So, I saw a Reign Gladiator on a car carrier full of Jeeps the other day.
Made me think maybe it's time to trade in my '21 with 100k miles.
So I tried to build something similar on the Jeep website.
Towing capacity is top priority, since I have a 7k car hauler, so start with a Sport S and max tow.
Nothing fancy, just want remote start, heated seats, hard top, and aux switches. Maybe the better radio, because the base one in my wife's '25 JLU sounds horrible compared to the one I have now.
Holly sticker shock, Batman!
The option packages (at least on the website) for the Sport S suck,. Apparently you have to get the $1000 tow package to get the aux switches and trailer zoom on the camera, even though the max tow package has everything else?
By the time I was done, I was around $54k; pretty much Rubicon territory. The Rubicon is rated for 7,000 lbs towing, correct? Since they don't even show a tow package for the Rubicon, I'm guessing it's already part of the package. Seems like I would be getting a lot more with the Rubi and only giving up 700;bs of towing capacity. Since I would most likely never exceed 5k actual towing weight, I'm more worried about not exceeding GVWR on the sticker than that additional 700lbs.

 

[Gvsukids]

The Rubicon is rated for 7,000 lbs towing, correct?

And now the Mojave.

 

[legacy_etu]

So, I saw a Reign Gladiator on a car carrier full of Jeeps the other day.
Made me think maybe it's time to trade in my '21 with 100k miles.
So I tried to build something similar on the Jeep website.
Towing capacity is top priority, since I have a 7k car hauler, so start with a Sport S and max tow.
Nothing fancy, just want remote start, heated seats, hard top, and aux switches. Maybe the better radio, because the base one in my wife's '25 JLU sounds horrible compared to the one I have now.
Holly sticker shock, Batman!
The option packages (at least on the website) for the Sport S suck,. Apparently you have to get the $1000 tow package to get the aux switches and trailer zoom on the camera, even though the max tow package has everything else?
By the time I was done, I was around $54k; pretty much Rubicon territory. The Rubicon is rated for 7,000 lbs towing, correct? Since they don't even show a tow package for the Rubicon, I'm guessing it's already part of the package. Seems like I would be getting a lot more with the Rubi and only giving up 700;bs of towing capacity. Since I would most likely never exceed 5k actual towing weight, I'm more worried about not exceeding GVWR on the sticker than that additional 700lbs.

Wow, I didn’t think Reign was going to be out so soon.

 

[legacy_etu]

Here is a YouTube video that shows the new hinges

I like the new pin for the door check. Great solution. However, I was expecting a new harness disconnect (based on an 26 press release) and what he shows here is the same old thing On the 25’s and prior years.

 

[KX L]

Hyundai shows the Truly Off Road capable Body on Frame off Roader XRT and Jeep gives us another paint job. That's sure to keep the competition at bay. The off road party is getting crowded and fierce and Jeep (with its attention on window dressing) will get its ass handed to itself. Sad, sad ... and this Off Road Hyundai will more than likely be built in the US by US workers. Hold my beer and watch this ...

No offense my brother but too many drinks or drugs to make this vehicle any where near a Jeep vehicle.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So, I saw a Reign Gladiator on a car carrier full of Jeeps the other day.
Made me think maybe it's time to trade in my '21 with 100k miles.
So I tried to build something similar on the Jeep website.
Towing capacity is top priority, since I have a 7k car hauler, so start with a Sport S and max tow.
Nothing fancy, just want remote start, heated seats, hard top, and aux switches. Maybe the better radio, because the base one in my wife's '25 JLU sounds horrible compared to the one I have now.
Holly sticker shock, Batman!
The option packages (at least on the website) for the Sport S suck,. Apparently you have to get the $1000 tow package to get the aux switches and trailer zoom on the camera, even though the max tow package has everything else?
By the time I was done, I was around $54k; pretty much Rubicon territory. The Rubicon is rated for 7,000 lbs towing, correct? Since they don't even show a tow package for the Rubicon, I'm guessing it's already part of the package. Seems like I would be getting a lot more with the Rubi and only giving up 700;bs of towing capacity. Since I would most likely never exceed 5k actual towing weight, I'm more worried about not exceeding GVWR on the sticker than that additional 700lbs.

Don't believe the options on the build site. I can't believe how wrong that thing is.
When my wife talked to the dealer about order a 26, I told him what I found and he basically said ignore most of it. The things the site said you had to add or remove based on your options - quite incorrect. I gave him examples, he went and looked and laughed - the side stripes on a Wrangler changed the engine option, for example, and about 3 other things. Really?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Wow, I didn’t think Reign was going to be out so soon.

My sales guy says he's been ordering and selling them for over a month.
They said back in July "late availability" and when I called him, he said "we have one on the lot and more coming in, already built".
That was a couple of weeks ago.

 

[IamPro2A]

Don't believe the options on the build site. I can't believe how wrong that thing is.
When my wife talked to the dealer about order a 26, I told him what I found and he basically said ignore most of it. The things the site said you had to add or remove based on your options - quite incorrect. I gave him examples, he went and looked and laughed - the side stripes on a Wrangler changed the engine option, for example, and about 3 other things. Really?

I went thru the order guide as well. It appears the only way to order the auxiliary switches on a Willys on down is as part of the standard tow package. That's $1,166 FWP. Then another $1,796 fwp for the max tow upgrade.
Basically this is what I configured from the dealer order guide along with the Factory Wholesale Price:
$4,1419 Sport S base
$1166 Alpine sound system
$1706 Black hardtop
$2066 Convenience group
$1796 Max tow package
$536 Technology group
$1166 Tow/aux group
$1995 Destination charge
For a total of $51,850 FWP
Oh, and reign is an additional $806 FWP

Or, I can get a new 2025 Rubicon with all that stuff, plus the bedliner and slush mats for under $50k. Just not in reign, and give up 700lbs of towing capacity for all the added Rubicon features.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I went thru the order guide as well. It appears the only way to order the auxiliary switches on a Willys on down is as part of the standard tow package. That's $1,166 FWP. Then another $1,796 fwp for the max tow upgrade.
Basically this is what I configured from the dealer order guide along with the Factory Wholesale Price:
$4,1419 Sport S base
$1166 Alpine sound system
$1706 Black hardtop
$2066 Convenience group
$1796 Max tow package
$536 Technology group
$1166 Tow/aux group
$1995 Destination charge
For a total of $51,850 FWP
Oh, and reign is an additional $806 FWP

Or, I can get a new 2025 Rubicon with all that stuff, plus the bedliner and slush mats for under $50k. Just not in reign, and give up 700lbs of towing capacity for all the added Rubicon features.

The only real Rubicon "features" is lockers and sway bar disconnect. You can add the rest cheap unless you want the low crawlcratio

 

[legacy_etu]

My sales guy says he's been ordering and selling them for over a month.
They said back in July "late availability" and when I called him, he said "we have one on the lot and more coming in, already built".
That was a couple of weeks ago.

Great to know. I'll have to keep my eye out. I've been trying to catch a glimpse of this color up close.

Did your wife replace her 4XE? I assume all the recalls have to be getting to her.

 

[IamPro2A]

The only real Rubicon "features" is lockers and sway bar disconnect. You can add the rest cheap unless you want the low crawlcratio

Well, you can add almost anything with enough work and money, but with the Rubican I would also be getting the front cam, bigger tires, and LED lights all the way around.... For less money than the max tow. I know, I'm comparing the price of '26 max tow to a '25 Rubicon, but I don't think there is much model year difference other than the door hinges.

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