Buying a Gladiator

The Honest Overview

The Gladiator launched in 2020 as the first Jeep pickup since the MJ Cherokee-based Comanche ended in 1992. It was worth the wait. The platform is built on the JL Wrangler front end with a longer wheelbase, a proper pickup bed, and a leaf-spring rear axle — not a compromise, but a real truck.

Every Gladiator gets solid Dana 44 axles front and rear. That's not trim-dependent. You are not buying a weak axle regardless of where you start in the lineup. What changes by trim: lockers, sway-bar disconnect, suspension calibration, tire size, gear ratio, and payload capacity.

Trim Level Breakdown

Payload and Towing: The Numbers

The Gladiator's payload varies significantly by trim — a direct result of each trim's curb weight. The Rubicon's lockers, skid plates, and hardware make it heavier and reduce available payload.

• Sport with Max Tow Package: 1,710 lb payload, 7,650 lb tow
• Overland: ~1,490 lb payload, 6,000 lb tow
• Rubicon: ~1,200 lb payload, 5,000 lb tow
• Mojave: ~1,350 lb payload, 5,000 lb tow

The door jamb sticker on your specific truck is the number to use — it accounts for your exact options. Two adults plus gear puts a Rubicon close to payload capacity before any trailer is attached. If you plan to tow and haul passengers simultaneously, the Rubicon's 1,200 lb ceiling is a real constraint.

What to Inspect — Used Market

• Frame inspection (2020–2021 especially) Early Gladiators had documented frame bend issues associated with over-tongue-weight towing. Inspect the rear frame rails behind the cab for deformation, cracking, or elongated mounting holes. Stellantis issued a service action — verify via NHTSA VIN lookup whether recall work was completed.
• Intermediate steering shaft recall status 2020–2022 Gladiators were subject to a recall for the intermediate steering shaft. Check nhtsa.gov with the VIN — verify the recall is listed as completed before purchase.
• Oil cooler / filter housing (60k+ miles) The Pentastar 3.6L's plastic oil filter housing cracks over time. Check for oil weeping around the housing, emulsified coolant in the reservoir, or a discolored dipstick. More likely on higher-mileage examples.
• Door hinge condition Removable doors mean hinge pins wear out. Check for play in the door mounting — a loose door is a trail annoyance and can lead to alignment issues that affect the hard top seal if equipped.
• Soft top and hard top seals Check the headliner and cargo area for water staining. Ask the seller to run the top through an open/close cycle. Inspect the seal around the windshield header. Hard top bolt holes should show no elongation or cracking.
• Locker engagement (Rubicon) In a safe location, engage front and rear lockers per the owner's manual. Verify the instrument cluster shows lock confirmed. Drive forward slowly and verify both wheels are driving. Unconfirmed locker engagement is an electronics or actuator issue.
• Mojave Fox shock condition If buying a Mojave, look for oil residue on the shock body or reservoir. Ask about service history on the shocks. Fox 2.5 internal bypass shocks should be serviced every 30,000–50,000 miles. A neglected set needs rebuild before they perform correctly.
• Tow hitch area and bed floor Check the bed floor around the hitch receiver mounting points for cracking or rust. Inspect the bed for modification scars from aftermarket accessories — this tells you how the truck was used.

Watch List

• Early production 2020–2021 frame issues Trucks used for towing before the frame service action may have latent frame stress. Inspect the rear frame rails carefully and verify recall completion via VIN.
• Unknown recall status on used examples The steering shaft recall and frame service action cover many early trucks. A used Gladiator without confirmed recall history deserves extra scrutiny — check the VIN before purchase.
• High mileage with no Mojave shock service A Mojave with 60,000+ miles and no shock service record is carrying degraded performance hardware. The rebuild cost runs $400–$600 for a full set — factor that into the offer.
• Lift kit with wrong-application rear components If the truck has been lifted, verify the rear lift is JT-specific, not JL components. The JT's leaf-spring rear needs JT-specific parts. JL rear components on a JT indicate a sloppy build.

The Verdict