The Jeep Gladiator was a full-size pickup truck based on the SJ Jeep Wagoneer SUV. First introduced in 1962, the Gladiator designations were J200 (short wheelbase trucks, up to mid 1965); J2000; J300 (long wheelbase trucks, up to mid 1965); J3000; and J4000, the first model with the longer 131-inch (3,300 mm) wheelbase.
Gladiators were available in RWD and 4WD, and came either with a solid front axle, or independent front suspension with optional dual rear wheels.
Gladiator trucks were available in the following configurations: Cab and Chassis; Wrecker; Stake Bed; and chassis-mounted campers with extended wheelbases. (See the Dually Registry listed in the links below for more information).
Gladiator bed variations were: Townside, Thriftside (a "step-side"), and Stake Bed.
The Gladiator name was dropped after 1971, after which the line was known simply as the Jeep pickup. The pickups were designated as J2000 and J4000 models until 1973, then J10 and J20 models from 1974 to 1988.
Military versions of the Jeep pickup included the M715 and M725.
In late 2004 a new Jeep Gladiator concept was introduced. While not actually intended to be for sale, it was used as a demonstration of what Jeep was planning on in the future. The Gladiator features an open-air canvas roof, fold-down windshield, removable doors and has an expandable truck bed. The Gladiator has a 2.8-liter, 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine that provides 163 hp (122 kW) and 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) of torque. The truck has a 6-speed manual transmission. Ground clearance is 13.7 inches (350 mm), with a break-over angle of 23.2 degrees and an approach angle of 47.6 and departure angle of 38.0 degrees. Front and rear tires are 34 inches (860 mm) and are mounted on 18x8 inch wheels. The Jeep Gladiator has a 1,500-pound payload.
On September 16, 2010, a Jeep pickup truck concept, similar to the Gladiator concept of 2005, was shown to dealers and approved for production for model year 2012. The new pickup truck is, as-of-yet unnamed, but is speculated to re-use the Gladiator name. The truck is said to be based on the current Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and will come in single-cab configuration.