Head of Jeep Brand NA is bullish on Gladiator future

[Ferd]

Reading between the lines, it seems people want the reliability (or perception of) of a Toyota, value of a Nissan Frontier, & better power plants (which could increase prices).

Key to any vehicle survival is the ability to get those buyers on the fence. Jeeps will always capture the niche, lifestyle crowd but need to appeal to more of the boarder line folks.
Solve and show history of good quality, reduce the prices for better value (units sold vs. profit made) and offer those specialty options like V8s for last 5% of your buyers. 392 Wranglers don't make a lot of money but still draws people to the other models and units get sold.

It's the fact you have such an outrageous in the model line just makes all of them much more desirable.

I am hopeful that the Gladiator sticks around for a while as the concept is great but the want for profit and not understanding the core Jeep traits was an opportunity squandered.

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[biodiesel]

If they did a 2-door it would probably be based on the Wrangler 2-door, which wouldn't be too bad.

That would be perfect. A 2 door with an 8'-foot bed. Here's the problem. We all say we'd love a 2 door, but what will we actually buy? I recently asked my wife if we could order a Ram 3500 regular cab. Her response: "No, we need a 4 door so the dogs are comfortable". So, even if a regular cab Gladiator was offered, I can't get my wife to agree to it.

We currently own two Ram 1500s trucks (2015 Quad Cab and 2020 Crew Cab). She finally gave me the green light to buy a used 2014 - 2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel regular cab, but it will be used as a work truck.

The point is that regular cabs are mostly bought as fleet vehicles. There's a very small market for normal consumers even though many of us would desire one. It seems that dogs and children overrule the buying decision for many of us. And yes, I would love a regular cab Gladiator!

 

[Jeeper44mag]

If they did a 2-door it would probably be based on the Wrangler 2-door, which wouldn't be too bad.

As long as it has a 6-6.5' bed.

 

[djthumper]

As long as it has a 6-6.5' bed.

I think it easily could be if they keep our current frame.

 

[BourbonRunner]

The point is that regular cabs are mostly bought as fleet vehicles. There's a very small market for normal consumers even though many of us would desire one. It seems that dogs and children overrule the buying decision for many of us. And yes, I would love a regular cab Gladiator!

Don't get me wrong, I too have a soft spot for old school regular cab pickups. I learned how to drive a clutch on a Mitsu Mighty Max regular cab when I was 12 or 13 and drove a 1st Gen Ranger 4x4 in HS for work.

But like the manual transmissions I love (and still daily) American consumers have spoken loudly over the years and both are more or less gone the way of the dodo. I dont like it but I think I've finally come to grips with it.

I think the closest you can get today to a bare bones, basic old school pickup is either a Roxor or Polaris Ranger with a full cab.

 

[4-Low]

Almost 7 years ago I had a Gladiator with the P-star engine and Max Tow package. Two years later I got a Gladiator with the EcoDiesel. I did a LOT of truck things with them both. Hauling, towing, taking the family camping, etc. etc. It’s really wild to me how fast time has gone by. Can’t believe that was 7 years ago.

When I think today about what I would like to see in the next generation Gladiator, I think it’s a small list:

- 5.7L Hemi/8HP75 package for under $5k upcharge. I want this package specifically because I know the reliability of this engine and transmission well, and it would be enough power for the Gladiator while still getting high teens MPG on the combined EPA cycle.
- 3” more shoulder/hip room in the cab and 2” more head room. This would maintain the small size of the truck for Jeep activities, while simultaneously giving a family enough space to stretch out a little. As it is now, these things are TIGHT inside.
- Make the cargo bed at least 5.5’ long. Toyota and Nissan both offer 6’ beds. This would open the door for much more ability to haul certain items.

If they would just do those three things, it would be the perfect vehicle for me and I’m betting a LOT of other buyers too.

As far as IFS goes, Ford has proven that IFS will sell extremely well even in the off-road dedicated market. And the fact is, IFS rides better, handles better, actually has lower maintenance due to fewer linkages, allows for a shorter wheelbase, can be aligned for better tire wear more easily, has no fear of “death wobble” and is safer in crash testing among many other things. Jeep has a lot of reasons to switch to IFS, and only one reason not to. Will be interesting to watch their decision on this.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

So if the Gladiator were a Ram 1500 you'd be in.

Shame Stellantis doesn't offer that.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Almost 7 years ago I had a Gladiator with the P-star engine and Max Tow package. Two years later I got a Gladiator with the EcoDiesel. I did a LOT of truck things with them both. Hauling, towing, taking the family camping, etc. etc. It’s really wild to me how fast time has gone by. Can’t believe that was 7 years ago.

When I think today about what I would like to see in the next generation Gladiator, I think it’s a small list:

- 5.7L Hemi/8HP75 package for under $5k upcharge. I want this package specifically because I know the reliability of this engine and transmission well, and it would be enough power for the Gladiator while still getting high teens MPG on the combined EPA cycle.
- 3” more shoulder/hip room in the cab and 2” more head room. This would maintain the small size of the truck for Jeep activities, while simultaneously giving a family enough space to stretch out a little. As it is now, these things are TIGHT inside.
- Make the cargo bed at least 5.5’ long. Toyota and Nissan both offer 6’ beds. This would open the door for much more ability to haul certain items.

If they would just do those three things, it would be the perfect vehicle for me and I’m betting a LOT of other buyers too.

As far as IFS goes, Ford has proven that IFS will sell extremely well even in the off-road dedicated market. And the fact is, IFS rides better, handles better, actually has lower maintenance due to fewer linkages, allows for a shorter wheelbase, can be aligned for better tire wear more easily, has no fear of “death wobble” and is safer in crash testing among many other things. Jeep has a lot of reasons to switch to IFS, and only one reason not to. Will be interesting to watch their decision on this.

I'm even easier to please.

1) A full 48" in between the wheel wells to lay plywood flat. Tacoma, GM Twins, and Ranger all have this.

2) More storage in the center console area. Honestly I don't care about a manual shift t-case anymore or even a mechanical parking brake that I never use.

Those two things actually piss me off the most lately

3) A lil more power. I will even take less than a Hemi. The 3.6L is doing its job for me though. Don't hate it.

4) I'd buy IFS. My heavy wheeling days are over.

5) Back off on the arbitrary rules lately over painted hard tops and fenders, and how you are allowed to combine them. That's annoyed me the last couple times I looked at the builder.

 

[ChrisNLA]

So if the Gladiator were a Ram 1500 you'd be in.

Shame Stellantis doesn't offer that.

The Ram's down the road call my name. I can almost hear it in the wind.

"Hemi...."

"Hemi......."

"So much space the lil shitheads (sorry I mean kids) can't kick the back of the seat......"

You know. Stuff like that.

 

[ericw.]

I'm 16 pages late to this discussion, didn't read it all. lol

I don't think IFS would be in the near future for the gladiator because they already have the ram series.

I imagine their groundbreaking changes will be a 6'-6.5' bed so it's more useful for truck things. Maybe a little bit wider. Maybe a gas engine that actually produces competitive power numbers.

They'll probably keep the heritage of a solid axle and just make it bigger overall so people can do their costco and home depot shopping with convenience. lol

 

[4-Low]

So if the Gladiator were a Ram 1500 you'd be in.

Shame Stellantis doesn't offer that.

I knew somebody would leave that stupid comment. I almost posted the specs for the 1500 in my original post, since the 1500 is MUCH larger than what I listed. I mean come on, are you serious? The Ram has removable doors, removable top, fold down windshield, etc? Apples to oranges.

 

[4-Low]

I'm even easier to please.

1) A full 48" in between the wheel wells to lay plywood flat. Tacoma, GM Twins, and Ranger all have this.

I got into a debate with the Ranger guys last week over this. They claim that the Ranger is the ONLY midsize truck that has 48 full inches or more between the wheel arches. I looked it up and turns out they are correct. You CAN haul plywood in other trucks, and even the Gladiator, but you have to cut boards to slide into the bed pockets and do the trick with the tailgate cables.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I got into a debate with the Ranger guys last week over this. They claim that the Ranger is the ONLY midsize truck that has 48 full inches or more between the wheel arches. I looked it up and turns out they are correct. You CAN haul plywood in other trucks, and even the Gladiator, but you have to cut boards to slide into the bed pockets and do the trick with the tailgate cables.

Hmm, I had to go back and look again. You're correct!

Well they all need to get it together because as big as these 'midsize trucks' are and not being able to lay a sheet of plywood flat without playing jenga with scrap wood is dumb.

Whatever, I guess. My toolbox consumes so much space that I use my trailer for any lumber anyway.

Still dumb

 

[GeekJT]

This makes me nervous….. When they say “attract a different buyer” - we’re totally screwed …… It’ll never be the same again.
All that talk is gonna get him ousted….. cuz they ain’t got the $ or the time to put that much energy into anything.


Not Just a Wrangler with a Bed
“Most people think of Gladiator as a Wrangler with a bed. Does it have to be? Are there different evolutionary options for that truck? There absolutely could be, that bring in different views, feeling, maybe a different buyer.”

The new CEO wants to attract a different audience than would typically buy a Wrangler. He wants to be more diverse, bring in fresh ideas, create more of a truck from the start.

Jeep has an amazing history it can tap. “When we’re unapologetically Jeep, we usually win. If you are stuck in the sea of sameness, our company has not done well in that space. We do well when we make Jeeps.”

Building a Better Jeep Pickup
The longer-term plans will take more time and engineering and elbow grease to change the car to get it where it needs to be, he says.

“I definitely think Gladiator has a long-term life with what we can do with that architecture.” He has seen cool ideas of what Gladiator could evolve into from design chief Ralph Gilles and his team. “They’ve done a great job. I’m excited to see how we can bring these to life.

Broderdorf hints that there are concepts in the works. “You will see some stuff we will do in the next year to showcase, to see which ones will get people excited.” But he is not sure if there will actual concepts to show this year.

" He wants to be more diverse, bring in fresh ideas, create more of a truck from the start."

Dude if he means make it more like a ford raptor ranger I'mma be so pissed. No it must stay a jeep. We don't want a full bodied truck, we want a jeep with a bed that does close to the same as a jeep. We want a jeep. If we wanted a raptor ranger we'd buy that instead.

Now, we wanna talk engine options, yes, let's. There is so much opportunity for Jeep and the gladiator and no, we don't need more 392 80k+ gladiator. We need real, off-road capable engines. The 3.6L isn't bad, but we need a nominal say 320 - 350hp. Maybe a 4.0L v6 would do it. A straight six would be an awesome engine, but not some high rpm version something closer to the tj. Something with a lot of grunt down low. You wanna add a turbo fine, but don't lose it's low end grunt. Just stay low boost.

Awh, who am i kidding... You just know they'll ruin it. LOL This is stellantis after all.

 

[GeekJT]

I got into a debate with the Ranger guys last week over this. They claim that the Ranger is the ONLY midsize truck that has 48 full inches or more between the wheel arches. I looked it up and turns out they are correct. You CAN haul plywood in other trucks, and even the Gladiator, but you have to cut boards to slide into the bed pockets and do the trick with the tailgate cables.

That's apples to oranges, who cares. Can they go down a jeep trail on the side of a mountain and not come out the other side with their fenders all beat to crap? LOL

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