2020 Gator Sport S Build

[GregtheGrey]

Hello!

I joined the Jeep Gladiator community in November 2024. I bought a 2020 Gator Sport S 6spd. I’ve been a long time Jeep fan, and have wanted a Gladiator since they released the concept. I’m happy to finally have one! I’ve always had cars. Mostly rally inspired builds.

The Gladiator was pretty close to stock when I bought it, but I found it had a spacer lift of some sort on it a few weeks ago. Here are the features it had from the factory:

Cold Weather Package
Tow Package (for manual transmission)
Dual top group (even though the soft top was long gone by the time I bought it)
7” Uconnect
Black Cloth
Mopar soft rollup Tonneau cover
Mopar interior insulation
NFab steps (still don’t like these but haven’t really found a better solution yet)

Here it was the day I bought it:

Everything off at the beach!

Here is the few things it has done so far:
1.5” spacer life (prior to my ownership!)
Black Plastidip Wheels
Interior commodities (trays, sunglasses holder, etc..)
Trex chasing Easter egg jeep in windshield because seeing Jurassic Park as a kid is what made me love Jeeps
Amber turn signal overlay
OEM Heritage Tan interior ($100 on marketplace, about 8hrs to install myself because of no prior experience!)
Diverdown tan center console cover because the black burns my elbow

Subtle changes, but here it sits today:

My goals for the build are to make it livable, and capable. I daily drive it, so I need it to drive nice, but want to take it on some trails. I want to hit the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway next summer.

Future mods:
33” K03’s or K02’s
New side steps or possibly wide rock rails that can be used as steps
Mudflaps because the steps/rails don’t help much. The spray on the doors and door handles drives me crazy right now
Color matched wheels (I want to find a set of the 41 take off wheels if I can. I think those would look great with my build)
Tan soft too
Tan painted hardtop (maybe Plastidip first to see how I like it)

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[metalry101]

Love the tan interior swap!

For rock rails that can double as steps, you might consider the Rock Hard 4x4 ones. I have them on mine and they're very stout. The steps aren't as low as what you have, so if you need the height they might not work, but they're better than nothing, hide the ugly factory pinch seam, and protect the body.

For mudflaps, Rokblokz seem to be the consensus.

If you're on a budget and not deadset on BFGs, you can probably find a set of Rubicon/Mojave takeoff Falken ATs for way cheaper. They're still a very good tire and you might even be able to find a set of 5 with TPMS sensors so they'll just bolt right on.

 

[GregtheGrey]

Love the tan interior swap!

For rock rails that can double as steps, you might consider the Rock Hard 4x4 ones. I have them on mine and they're very stout. The steps aren't as low as what you have, so if you need the height they might not work, but they're better than nothing, hide the ugly factory pinch seam, and protect the body.

For mudflaps, Rokblokz seem to be the consensus.

If you're on a budget and not deadset on BFGs, you can probably find a set of Rubicon/Mojave takeoff Falken ATs for way cheaper. They're still a very good tire and you might even be able to find a set of 5 with TPMS sensors so they'll just bolt right on.

Thank you! It was so much more work than I anticipated, but definitely worth it in the end haha

I don’t think I’ve seen the Rock Hard 4x4 sliders. I’ll have to check them out. The height of my steps now are awkward for me. I’m 6’2” so they’re just in the way. It’s unfortunately passengers that need the steps. To your point, I’ll take just about anything that hides that pinch seem!

The Rokblokz look ok. I do like that they’re removable.

I’ll definitely keep an eye out on FB marketplace. I would love to find some OEM 41 edition takeoffs with tires!

 

[GregtheGrey]

Update:

I have been looking on and off at roll bar covers, hoping to find something tan or khaki. Dirty Dog 4x4’s website is running a 30% off deal, and I saw that they had Heritage Tan as an option. Apparently that color is being discontinued, and it’s heavily discounted on the website. So, what is normally $350, is down to $175. After the 30% off, I spent about $120 Shipped!

They should be in next week, so I will update once they’re installed. Looks like weather should be nice as well.

*I just looked at the website again, and it looks like they’re closing. I always hate to see a company shut down. I don’t know much about their products, but I’ve seen some good reviews on them.

 

[GregtheGrey]

Here they are installed. Bonus pic with the windshield down for fun.

 

[Gatorized]

Instead of painting the hardtop, a Gobi top might get you the color you need.

 

[GregtheGrey]

Instead of painting the hardtop, a Gobi top might get you the color you need.

That’s true! I wonder if I could find someone interested in a swap

 

[GregtheGrey]

Plastidipped the top Camo Tan to test it out. I really like it.

 

[Gatorized]

Plastidipped the top Camo Tan to test it out. I really like it.

Is that a little lighter shade than Gobi?

 

[GregtheGrey]

Is that a little lighter shade than Gobi?

it looks a little lighter to me. If I see a Go I near me I’ll have to compare them!

I like it, but I also like the old Spice color for the YJ’s as well. It would definitely be more subtle.

 

[GregtheGrey]

A few more pics:

 

[GregtheGrey]

Since the last update, I’ve added the following items:

1. Mopar Performance Rock Rails
2. Fifteen52 Turbomac HD wheels powder coated Prismatic Powders Mushroom Brown
3. XR Fender extensions

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