Launch Edition question

[jeep971]

Hi all, so I purchased a used 2020 Rubicon that had all indications it was a Launch edition. The plate is on the tailgate (I know they can be purchased) and other criteria (all options) seem to match as well as the sticker. However, the last four of the VIN ends in 8137. The true LE VINs should end 0001 to 4190 (number produced) according to my research. Any ideas why my VIN doesn’t fall within the number range? Is it not a genuine LE? Thanks for any insight!

Sponsored

 

[ALT2870]

24Z is the code for launch edition so your good. If you are looking at the Google AI results probably should ignore that. I'm seeing other VINs with higher numbers.

 

[Hootbro]

he true LE VINs should end 0001 to 4190 (number produced) according to my research. Any ideas why my VIN doesn’t fall within the number range?

They wind up producing more than the 4190 "Launch Editions". There was some angst when the LE was announced at launch that made people initially think they would be the first Gladiators made. That did not pan out and they were spread out across the extended 2020 model year that actually started in early 2019.

As time went, there was a big train derailment early on where a bunch of LE's were destroyed and written off. Anybody that had a customer order for one had theirs remade but did not fall into the original 1 to 4190 range of VIN's.

In the same model year, Europe, Canada and Australia also got a Launch Edition. The Launch Edition badging also then got changed to removed the "1 of 4190" labeling.

In terms of managing a special edition, Jeep really screwed the pooch on the Launch Edition roll out. Each vehicle was suppose to go to a individual customer order and not intended for on dealer lot stock. Some dealers would put in fake customer orders to get them on their lots but as time went on, customer order Launch Editions seem to ease up and dealers could order them for on lot stock.

Give all that, there really is no premium or collector value to them other than they are very highly optioned JT and only bring what ever extra a highly option Gladiator brings and not because of the Launch Edition badging. Jeep would then recycle the Launch Edition wheels onto other later Gladiator models mudding the special edition even more.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They wound up producing more than the 4190 "Launch Editions". There was some angst when the LE was announced at launch that made people initially think they would be the first Gladiators made. That did not pan out and they were spread out across the extended 2020 model year that actually started in early 2019.

As time went, there was a big train derailment early on where a bunch of LE's were destroyed and written off. Anybody that had a customer order for one had theirs remade but did not fall into the original 1 to 4190 range of VIN's.

In the same model year, Europe, Canada and Australia also got a Launch Edition. The Launch Edition badging also then got changed to removed the "1 of 4190" labeling.

In terms of managing a special edition, Jeep really screwed the pooch on the Launch Edition roll out. Each vehicle was suppose to go to a individual customer order and not intended for on dealer lot stock. Some dealers would put in customer orders to get them on there lot but as time went on, customer order Launch Editions seem to ease up and dealers could order them for on lot stock.

Give all that, there really is no premium or collector value to them other than they are very highly optioned JT and only bring what ever extra a highly option Gladiator brings and not because of the Launch Edition badging. Jeep would the recycle the Launch Edition wheels onto other later Gladiator models even mudding the special edition even more.

That explains why there was one on the dealer lot when I was shopping for my 2020 way back then.

 

[Hootbro]

That explains why there was one on the dealer lot when I was shopping for my 2020 way back then.

There was a lot of people that also abandoned their LE orders because it dragged out so long for some to be made.

Edit: Also not 100% certain the 1 to 4190 had their own VIN range either since they were so staggered out.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Edit: Also not 100% certain the 1 to 4190 had their own VIN range either since they were so staggered out.

To have that range they would almost have to exclusively build the LE and leave the others until those were done.

 

[Hootbro]

To have that range they would almost have to exclusively build the LE and leave the others until those were done.

I agree.

 

[jeep971]

24Z is the code for launch edition so your good. If you are looking at the Google AI results probably should ignore that. I'm seeing other VINs with higher numbers.

Gotcha, ok, thanks so much ALT2870! Much appreciated!

They wound up producing more than the 4190 "Launch Editions". There was some angst when the LE was announced at launch that made people initially think they would be the first Gladiators made. That did not pan out and they were spread out across the extended 2020 model year that actually started in early 2019.

As time went, there was a big train derailment early on where a bunch of LE's were destroyed and written off. Anybody that had a customer order for one had theirs remade but did not fall into the original 1 to 4190 range of VIN's.

In the same model year, Europe, Canada and Australia also got a Launch Edition. The Launch Edition badging also then got changed to removed the "1 of 4190" labeling.

In terms of managing a special edition, Jeep really screwed the pooch on the Launch Edition roll out. Each vehicle was suppose to go to a individual customer order and not intended for on dealer lot stock. Some dealers would put in fake customer orders to get them on their lots but as time went on, customer order Launch Editions seem to ease up and dealers could order them for on lot stock.

Give all that, there really is no premium or collector value to them other than they are very highly optioned JT and only bring what ever extra a highly option Gladiator brings and not because of the Launch Edition badging. Jeep would then recycle the Launch Edition wheels onto other later Gladiator models mudding the special edition even more.

Thanks for the background info Hootbro! Really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Frankly, I just bought the Gladiator bc it was in excellent condition and had all the options on it. I didn’t even know what the Launch Edition was until I saw it on the sticker and the plate on the tailgate and started looking into it! So far I’m very happy with it. Thanks again!

 

[Gatorized]

Hi all, so I purchased a used 2020 Rubicon that had all indications it was a Launch edition. The plate is on the tailgate (I know they can be purchased) and other criteria (all options) seem to match as well as the sticker. However, the last four of the VIN ends in 8137. The true LE VINs should end 0001 to 4190 (number produced) according to my research. Any ideas why my VIN doesn’t fall within the number range? Is it not a genuine LE? Thanks for any insight!

If that is the original window sticker, it should also have the name of the customer that originally ordered it in the upper right corner.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If that is the original window sticker, it should also have the name of the customer that originally ordered it in the upper right corner.

Assuming an honest customer order, yeah. All 3 of mine have my name on the sticker.
My wife bought her JLU as a customer "non-pickup". A woman ordered it then never followed through. So it has her name on it.
Dealers get dinged for that happening.

 

[talljeeper]

They wind up producing more than the 4190 "Launch Editions". There was some angst when the LE was announced at launch that made people initially think they would be the first Gladiators made. That did not pan out and they were spread out across the extended 2020 model year that actually started in early 2019.

As time went, there was a big train derailment early on where a bunch of LE's were destroyed and written off. Anybody that had a customer order for one had theirs remade but did not fall into the original 1 to 4190 range of VIN's.

In the same model year, Europe, Canada and Australia also got a Launch Edition. The Launch Edition badging also then got changed to removed the "1 of 4190" labeling.

In terms of managing a special edition, Jeep really screwed the pooch on the Launch Edition roll out. Each vehicle was suppose to go to a individual customer order and not intended for on dealer lot stock. Some dealers would put in fake customer orders to get them on their lots but as time went on, customer order Launch Editions seem to ease up and dealers could order them for on lot stock.

Give all that, there really is no premium or collector value to them other than they are very highly optioned JT and only bring what ever extra a highly option Gladiator brings and not because of the Launch Edition badging. Jeep would then recycle the Launch Edition wheels onto other later Gladiator models mudding the special edition even more.

Respectfully, having collected Jeeps since the '70's, a low mile, well taken of LE will bring a fortune down the road....think FSJ's or CJ-8's. I believe more so than other JT models. Thanks for the great background info.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Respectfully, having collected Jeeps since the '70's, a low mile, well taken of LE will bring a fortune down the road....think FSJ's or CJ-8's. I believe more so than other JT models. Thanks for the great background info.

But those are a discontinued series, not a badged version of something sold by the thousands. Those aren't comparable to a simple name on a product that otherwise has little that stands out.
What is really different that it stands out?

 

[talljeeper]

But those are a discontinued series, not a badged version of something sold by the thousands. Those aren't comparable to a simple name on a product that otherwise has little that stands out.
What is really different that it stands out?

I am betting the JT won't wont be in production much longer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I am betting the JT won't wont be in production much longer.

Right, but then the value will be across all, not one because of a badge few will care about at that time.

 

[Hootbro]

Respectfully, having collected Jeeps since the '70's, a low mile, well taken of LE will bring a fortune down the road....think FSJ's or CJ-8's. I believe more so than other JT models. Thanks for the great background info.

Probably still be more analog CJ-8's at the car shows in 30+ years than any current Gladiator.

Sponsored