Modifications and accessories are an inexorable part of Jeep culture. Sure, every automaker offers their cars, trucks, and SUVs in a variety of trims and colors, not to mention marketing a healthy dose of optional equipment, but at the end of the day, you’re left with a vehicle that’s largely identical to every other model bearing the same badge. Then there’s Jeep. While a Wrangler might be easy to spot from a distance due to its distinctive shapes, they all tend to be a little different upon closer inspection.
The same is true of the Gladiator, Jeep’s pickup offering that shares its frame—and its penchant for customization—with the Wrangler. Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator offers a unique opportunity to turn your pickup into a one-of-a-kind ride that reflects your personal style or driving ambitions. With so many accessories and optional equipment to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start when you’re in the market for a Jeep Gladiator for sale. That’s why I’ve compiled a short list of four must-have options that every Gladiator driver should consider before leaving the dealership.
Doors-Off Mirror Kit
Like many Jeep models, the Gladiator can be customized to fit a wide range of driving applications. One of this pickup’s most unique attributes might be the ability to remove the doors and roof and even fold down the windshield. These simple changes can transform the Gladiator from a practical daily driver into the perfect, wind-in-your-hair adventure vehicle that’s perfect for a day or off-roading or cruising the beach; still, this adaptability can also present some challenges. When the Gladiator’s doors are removed, the attached mirrors go along with it; this can not only present some obvious safety concerns, but it also means the Gladiator can’t be considered street-legal in a vast majority of states.
That’s where Jeep’s doors-off mirror kit comes in. This factory-backed accessory includes two side mirrors that can be mounted just in front of the door frame to provide drivers with all the visibility they need to safely navigate the road. There are a number of aftermarket, doors-off mirror kits available on the market, but it’s hard to beat Stellantis’ Mopar brand. As the official parts and accessories supplier for Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and more, few companies can offer the same institutional knowledge as Mopar—and they have engineered the doors-off mirror kit to the highest OEM standards, which brings some real advantages to its performance.
This Mopar kit provides the same generous POV as the original mirrors and is designed to resist the vibrations that can come with rough-and-tumble off-road driving. The kit comes with mounting brackets finished with an anti-corrosion undercoat and can be installed with a standard T40 bit wrench. The project should be well within the comfort zone of even the greenest DIY mechanic, making the doors-off mirror kit a must-have accessory for those who want to enjoy that classic open-air Jeep style.
Snorkel
From sheer rock faces and downed logs to deep mud, boulders, and more, your local off-road trails are littered with their fair share of obstacles; this includes streams, creeks, and even small rivers, which, depending on the season and recent rainfall, might bring your drive to a screeching halt. The Jeep Gladiator might be a rugged 4×4 pickup, but even it needs a little fresh air to keep the engine chugging along.
Enter the Gladiator’s optional snorkel. This accessory might look like an odd addition to the Jeep’s front end, but it’s essentially just a way to elevate the air intake in an effort to keep water from making its way into the engine. It’s an essential piece of equipment for any drivers who see a little water fording in their future but it also serves an important role when it comes to a drier sort of off-road adventure. In addition to keeping everything nice and dry, this elevated air intake also serves to reduce the amount of dust and debris that might otherwise end up clogging the air filter.
Jeep offers an OEM snorkel through its Mopar division, which should provide a perfect fit for any Gladiator model that employs a 2.0- or 3.6-liter engine air box with the exception of the Mojave trim or any diesel model. The snorkel is street-legal in all 50 states and made of UV-stable cross-linked polyethylene designed to resist the elements. If you’re looking for an alternative to the Mopar snorkel, consider a competing product from American Expedition Vehicles.
The Montana-based off-road and overland experts are known for their aftermarket accessories and their trail-ready Bison trims for the Chevy Silverado and Colorado, not to mention their wide range of add-ons for the Wrangler and Gladiator. AEV’s snorkel kit is made of the same high-quality, cross-linked polyethylene as the Mopar version and is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures that go hand-in-hand with exploring the road less traveled. The kit even includes an optional A-pillar mounting bracket that lets drivers fold down the Gladiator’s front windshield while the snorkel is attached.
Removable Bluetooth Speaker
It’s always nice to unwind after a long day of off-road exploration, enjoy some light refreshments, and pump your favorite tunes while you reflect on the day’s adventures. Jeep has come up with some clever ways of getting the party started in recent years, from the fold-down speakers nestled in the rear hatch of the discontinued Patriot to a new optional Bluetooth speaker for the Gladiator.
Mounted behind the Gladiator’s second row of seating, this wireless speaker includes a smart charging feature that keeps it juiced up and ready for on-the-go fun. Simply remove the speaker from its charging dock, connect to your smartphone, and you’ll be rocking out to your favorite happy hour mix in no time. This speaker can also be charged from a smartphone using a USB cable, providing a little extra flexibility and allowing you to keep the party going late into the night.
The weatherproof speaker is water-resistant for up to 30 minutes in three feet of water and is designed to withstand the dust, dirt, and grime that can come with a little off-the-grid excursion. Jeep has even outfitted the wireless speaker with gold contacts that are especially resilient to rust, allowing the speaker to take a licking and keep on ticking no matter what sort of weather Mother Nature might throw at you. The speaker can even be paired with another speaker to create a stereo effect that brings an unprecedented level of fidelity to your mobile listening experience while giving you yet another reason to link up with your fellow Gladiator drivers.
Your Choice of Tops
The Gladiator comes standard with a removable soft top, but that’s only one of the options for this off-road pickup. Drivers looking for a more refined ride can upgrade to the Premium Black Sunrider Soft Top, which is both quieter and easier to remove, thanks to the built-in spring assists. The Sunrider Soft Top can also be folded back with ease, giving drivers the opportunity to switch between a closed and open ride as the weather—or their mood—dictates. Available on the Gladiator’s Sport S trim and above, the Sunrider Soft Top provides that classic Jeep look with a little added utility.
If you’re in the market for a better foul-weather option, consider the Black Freedom Top 3-Piece Hardtop. This top provides maximum versatility with a three-panel design that can be customized with ease. Want to give backseat riders a roofless experience while keeping the front seats protected? Just remove the back panel, and you’re good to go. Two smaller panels above the driver and front-seat passenger provide the same sort of flexibility up front, but it’s the roof’s lightweight nature that’s perhaps its most compelling feature.
The Black Freedom Top 3-Piece Hardtop can be easily removed mid-ride using a few simple tools and stored in the cargo bed as needed. If you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, the Gladiator can be had with a Dual Top option that includes both the Black Freedom Top 3-Piece Hardtop and Premium Black Sunrider Soft Top. Jeep also offers a black and body-colored hardtop for the Gladiator, though the latter option is limited to the Overland and Rubicon trims. While exclusive, there’s no beating the sort of style and protection this body-colored hardtop can provide.
Outfitting the Jeep Gladiator
From side mirrors and tops to the snorkel and removable speaker, there are countless ways to customize your Jeep Gladiator. I’ve compiled some of my favorites, but it is by no means a definitive list. There are dozens of optional accessories that can be added to your Gladiator at the time of purchase, not to mention all the aftermarket products available from reputable retailers like Mopar, American Expedition Vehicles, and more.
I’d generally recommend sticking with OEM parts and accessories when it comes time to outfit your Gladiator, especially for performance-related components; these are engineered to the same standard used by Jeep itself, which helps to ensure longevity and increase driver confidence. Whether you’re looking to add a little utility with a winch or LED light bar or just want to make your ride stand out from the crowd with a few styling changes, the Gladiator is a blank canvas that’s ready to be turned into a motorized masterpiece.
