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

[Signing Spock]

Looks like the Mojave hood to me but yeah that’s something else too.

And thanks for the correction about the blue @Shibbyjeep I just thought it was always black or white lol

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[ShadowsPapa]

65 mph, 6th gear tops, 3800 rpm up a hill, 240 degree oil temps that make it unhappy.

I don't see the problem there. 6th gear is direct drive. When you put my Ford or Chevy into tow mode, it locked out the overdrives and maxed out at direct drive.
My LS wound up to 5,000 RPM to deal with the same hills my JT takes at 1,000 RPM less.
So where's the problem?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I don't see the problem there. 6th gear is direct drive. When you put my Ford or Chevy into tow mode, it locked out the overdrives and maxed out at direct drive.
My LS wound up to 5,000 RPM to deal with the same hills my JT takes at 1,000 RPM less.
So where's the problem?

If your're happy with that, I'm happy for you.

You've described the same reason I don't buy 3/4 ton trucks with small blocks lol.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If your're happy with that, I'm happy for you.

You've described the same reason I don't buy 3/4 ton trucks with small blocks lol.

Even my 95 3/4 ton HD ford 4x4 was underpowered with the 351 in it..

 

[JmattNYC]

“up to 1,720 pounds max payload”

i have the last(2024) of the roll up windows sport max tow with a payload of 1765lbs. I put it to work as well!

 

[JmattNYC]

I must have bump my head again!
I’m getting that itch again, so I had my country bumpkin friends at Buchanan Auto Jeep in Waynesboro, PA pull a build sheet for me on the 2026 '41 Willys Edition. They are great people—I’ve bought every one of my Gladiators from them, including my 2020 Sport, the '21 Diesel, and my '24 Max Tow. It’s always worth the 3-hour drive from NYC to work with them. This '41 edition is beautiful, especially that Drab Olive with the Mojave hood. I’ve always liked the old Freedom Editions, and this feels like a better version of those—just without the Max Tow options(lose the HD wide axels) since it's on the Willys platform. I did forget to include the JPP rock rails with step assist on this sheet; they’ll add even more weight to an already miserable payload—probably 900 lbs if I’m lucky—but I’ll find ways to mitigate that with spring helpers, some heavy duty springs and shocks, front knuckles upgrade, etc.

If I end up pulling the trigger, this is going to be a heavy, all-steel build. I’m already planning to regear to 4.56 almost immediately and add a front locker. I’ve never owned a Gladiator with lockers before, so I figured I might as well do it right this time! My dealer expects these to start hitting lots late February or early March, so I’m thinking it might be wise to see what actually lands on the ground to hunt for a deal.By then there should be a little more tech& spec information. I might even reach out to Aaron at Cross Jeep to see how their inventory compares to the build sheet once he gets a few on his lot. We are nearing the end of the generation and I know the payload is a challenge, but this Willys model is nice and something diffrent for me.

Any recent post 2024 willies owners here know if any of the other componets where slightly beef up when they added the offroad plus button and rear locker.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Can we discuss the 2026 Willys '41 Gladiator some more?

I'm attracted to this Gladiator. I've always been a fan of military vehicles, and this one looks pretty cool to me. Long time ago I owned a 1947 Willys CJ2A and it was a blast to drive off-road.

I like those LT255/75R17c 32" mud terrain tires and painted wheels. Similar to the tires used on WWII jeeps. But I don't know how they will perform off-roading or on city streets.

It comes with a rear locker and Command-Track part time 4WD system, 3.73 ratio, and heavy duty Dana 44 front & rear axles. Also a winch capable steel front bumper (plastic rear bumper).
Heavy duty Red-Accent front & rear shock absorbers, which I know nothing about.

On the down side...payload is 1,025 lbs, but not really a problem for my intended use.
No rear back-up camera, no trail camera, and from Jeep's site there is no mention of skid plates.
Expensive...between $50k to $58k depending on the optional packages selected.
Jeep calls it a limited edition Gladiator which means to me the dealers won't offer any discounts.
For that money I could buy a 2025 Mojave.

My intended use...camping and fishing trips, exploring mountain roads, and mild off-roading.

I welcome your opinions.

 

[JmattNYC]

Can we discuss the 2026 Willys '41 Gladiator some more?

I'm attracted to this Gladiator. I've always been a fan of military vehicles, and this one looks pretty cool to me. Long time ago I owned a 1947 Willys CJ2A and it was a blast to drive off-road.

I like those LT255/75R17c 32" mud terrain tires and painted wheels. Similar to the tires used on WWII jeeps. But I don't know how they will perform off-roading or on city streets.

It comes with a rear locker and Command-Track part time 4WD system, 3.73 ratio, and heavy duty Dana 44 front & rear axles. Also a winch capable steel front bumper (plastic rear bumper).
Heavy duty Red-Accent front & rear shock absorbers, which I know nothing about.

On the down side...payload is 1,025 lbs, but not really a problem for my intended use.
No rear back-up camera, no trail camera, and from Jeep's site there is no mention of skid plates.
Expensive...between $50k to $58k depending on the optional packages selected.
Jeep calls it a limited edition Gladiator which means to me the dealers won't offer any discounts.
For that money I could buy a 2025 Mojave.

My intended use...camping and fishing trips, exploring mountain roads, and mild off-roading.

I welcome your opinions.

In my opinion, the 2026 Gladiator Willys '41 Edition is the best limited edition Jeep has released this year. While the Rubicon Special Ops is a great rig with that factory winch, the '41 Edition absolutely wins on overall value for the dollar.

The aesthetic is spot on—the Mojave performance hood and Mopar triple-hoop grille guard look incredible and tie the whole military package together. The hood features the black top decal complemented by those heritage Drab Blue side decals. Plus, since the LED and Tow packages are standard, you’re getting the heavy-duty alternator, enhanced cooling, and high-performance brakes right out of the gate.

For me, this is the spiritual successor to the old Freedom Editions. Personally, I think the 2021 and 2023 Freedom Sport S models (when optioned with Max Tow) were the best value-per-trim Jeeps ever made. I spent alot of time looking for a Max Tow or Diesel version back in 2021, but I was already committed to my loaded Diesel Overland at the time. By 2023, dealers were still holding onto those inflated 'market adjustment' prices. I almost pulled the trigger on a rare Manual Transmission Hydro Blue '21 Freedom, but the dealer tried to low-ball my trade and buried me in fees, so I gave them the big middle finger and walked! When the '41 color finally dropped last year, I considered a custom Max Tow build but waited... and I’m glad I did.

Mechanically, this JT Willys should ride beautifully. It runs 3.73 gears with 32-inch mud-terrains—expect a little hum on the highway, but nothing concerning for a Jeep. For comparison, the Wrangler '41 Edition steps up to 33-inch tires and 4.10 gears. I’m curious to see how the tread wear holds up on the JT version, as Willys payloads can be a bit light due to the tire/suspension combo. My 2020 Sport felt a bit 'flighty' on a similar setup, and 3.73s might feel sluggish once I start adding weight. That’s why I’m planning an eventual re-gear to 4.56 along with supporting mods to handle the torque. I might even throw in a front locker if the trails demand it. With the post-2024 Willys models now including the Off-Road+ button and a rear locker, the jump in capability is massive. The only thing this is missing are the bed cab rock rails and rear passenger side tow which will be the first things i will add.

I officially placed my order with Kindle Jeep in New Jersey last week. I managed to lock in $3k off MSRP, and I'm crossing my fingers for some rebates (though with my luck, they’ll probably announce a huge one the day after I take delivery!). Given how rare this version will likely be, I believe its worth it.

Quick edit: Note on my build- I tried to get the JPP Heavy Duty-Rock Rails from factory and you can't. If you see on Jeep's builder website it is the same. Not sure why but it could possible be because of wieght or production line process.

 

[IamPro2A]

On the down side... No rear back-up camera,

I thought backup cameras were federally mandated?

 

[Stan H]

I thought backup cameras were federally mandated?

Were .

 

[Hootbro]

Were .

I have not seen anything reported that being removed from FMVSS requirements

 

[Stan H]

I have not seen anything reported that being removed from FMVSS requirements

Alot is supposed to disappear including ESS

 

[Hootbro]

Alot is supposed to disappear including ESS

I will stick a pin in this and circle back around.

 

[JmattNYC]

The back cam is on all builds . Prob a typo.. No front trail cam becuas it is not base on higher trims like rubicon, mojava and high altitude of years past. Aftermarket can help solve that hopefully

 

[ExpoGuy]

https://www.jeep.com/model-compare....2TR|CUJ202611JTJH98A,2TD|CUJ202611JTJH98B,2TA

Maybe Parkview rear back-up camera is different from a usual back-up camera?

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