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2 Door Gladiator?

12K views 70 replies 33 participants last post by  doug schlosser 
#1 ·
Probably buying a 2021 Rubicon Gladiator next year. I'm really hoping they make a 2 door version, and one article I read dated 4/1/19 said FCA was going to retool the Toledo plant for just that. (Edit: just actually read it to the end and it was an April Fool's joke...bastards.)

Apparently no plans for a two door. Dammit.

Who else would buy one? I think they would sell okay.
 
#2 ·
I actually started a FB page as an online petition about a week ago. However, I need to retool it because it doesn't let me promote the page.

Believe it or not, I have received negative feedback such as "two door pickups are dead". I think people can't see beyond their own neighborhood where yes, it wouldn't be a hot seller but globally, there would be enough of a demand. Toyota has a 70 series standard cab that they sell in Australia and Asia, and they seem to sell well. That's likely the only mid sized pickup in the world offered in a standard cab with solid axles.

I think it could sell in the US at about 6-9% of overall JK/JT sales. It could also be a global hot seller, and I'd bet foreign military sales could justify production.
 
#3 ·
I think 6-9% of all JL/JT sales is a HUGE stretch, I think 6-9% of JT sales might be more realistic.
 
#5 ·
They had a great Gladiator in the old days.. It was a real pickup truck not a stretched JL with a bit of an open bed in the back.

Would have been nice if they came out with a retro version of the early Gladiator.. (With the grille moderned up a bit :)). I would seriously consider one since I'm in the market for a new truck right now.

But. I'm pretty sure FCA would be concerned about how it would affect Ram truck sales.
 

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#6 · (Edited)
Before FCA decides to spend one more dime on JT, sales have to prove themselves. We don’t yet have a good sense of where JT sales relative to target. Published sales numbers look fine, but the fact that JTs are being discounted already suggests otherwise.

The 2-door Gladiator looks great IMO. But pickup sales have been shifting from 2 to 4 doors for years. Add to that the rate at which 2-door JL is selling these days, and I doubt FCA will want to spend a dime on a 2-door JT.

I don’t see anyone being able to sell this idea internally, unfortunately.
 
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#8 ·
Frosty the Snowman would survive summer vacation in hell before American consumers would go back to compact/midsize regular cab pickup trucks. And this is the reason no competitors I can think of still sell that configuration, except maybe Toyota and they don't count because their POS truck is a 15 year old design.

So, don't hold your breath. I don't see it ever happening again. These companies do extensive market research and they aren't going to tool up to build a vehicle that will only sell in extremely low numbers. Mark Allen from the Gladiator project even said so in some early TFL videos.
 
#9 ·
Frosty the Snowman would survive summer vacation in hell before American consumers would go back to compact/midsize regular cab pickup trucks. And this is the reason no competitors I can think of still sell that configuration, except maybe Toyota and they don't count because their POS truck is a 15 year old design.



So, don't hold your breath. I don't see it ever happening again. These companies do extensive market research and they aren't going to tool up to build a vehicle that will only sell in extremely low numbers. Mark Allen from the Gladiator project even said so in some early TFL videos.
I wonder then, how long before the 2 door Wrangler is discontinued since the 4 door has about 70% or more of the Wrangler sales? It has been the exception when it comes to the success of 2 door SUVs.

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#17 ·
2-door Wranglers sold nearly 50K units in 2017, over 25% of total Wrangler production. While that is a small percentage of actual Wrangler production, it's still a high number... especially considering TJ's never sold 90K units in any single year, and as low as 64k in 2002. That's why there will be 2-door units for the foreseeable future.

The JKU expanded the Wrangler into the mainstream SUV market, hence the number of Wranglers sold quadrupling. In that, the two door and four door models could nearly be considered different categories.

Granted, helping the Wrangler sell is the lack of competition. But we can point to the Toyota FJ Cruiser... probably the most capable 2-door SUV competitor to the Wrangler, and its success. They couldn't keep those on the lot and today a low mileage 2014 is worth nearly as much as the original purchase price.
 
#18 ·
But we can point to the Toyota FJ Cruiser... probably the most capable 2-door SUV competitor to the Wrangler, and its success. They couldn't keep those on the lot and today a low mileage 2014 is worth nearly as much as the original purchase price.
You're right. The FJ Cruiser did so well that sales dropped so much that Toyota canceled it.

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#20 ·
If they ever do stop making two doors, I wonder if that will increase the resale value of used two doors?

At any rate, I have dismissed the idea of getting a Gladiator for a number of reasons, and will just keep my paid for 2016 Tacoma TRD OR. However I will likely be looking very hard for a nicely restored CJ because I've never had one and I'm tired of being jeepless. :thumb:

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#23 ·
I grew up on a small tobacco farm in NC. I had 2 uncles and several neighbors that all had 2 wheel drive - single cab pickups of the Ford, Chevy and International brands. Now, they used these just as hard as the tractors we used in the field and a wash job was when it rained. But, they were successful and the trucks were basic and TOUGH! Everybody had a sedan to "go to town" in. So, you have to pick up 8-9 guys, hell - jump in the back and hang on. The safety nannies would shit their pants now! I miss those simple times. Kids look at you funny when you mention the price of a new truck would have bought a NICE house when you were their age.
If you want to see a Jeep truck in action, check out the movie "Tremors" - and yeah, I'd buy that in a minute!
 
#27 ·
I think FCA is closley monitoring the sales of Gladiators. When I was looking at JTs, I would monitor dealer inventories. Not too many moving around our immediate area. A number of LEs still available as well at big discounts.

BUT, I think FCA is taking a step in the right direction. Color matched fenders are now available on the Sport S (w/o the max tow) . That package also eliminates that plastic bridge between the fender and bumper. Option is only $250. I think that will boost sales.
If they made a larger tire option available on the Sport S I think that would get some more attention. Those small 245s make the fenders look like elephant ears.
 
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#33 ·
Me! They showed a 2 door concept at Moab EJS last Spring that everyone loved.

The problem I have with the JT is that it doesn't make much of a Jeep, and it doesn't make much of a truck. Wheelbase is too long, bed is too small, down on power (not sure about the new diesel option), and, of course, it's too expensive. For the cost of a Rubicon JT you can get a smokin 1/2 ton.
 
#34 ·
Looks like my idea of the JT is for sure over. Decided to keep my Taco and probably buy this TJ. 4.0 5 speed, suspension lift, 35s, D44 rear, and lots more. This time I'll buy it already modded and let the previous owner take the hit.


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#36 ·
I don't own a ranch-farm-recreational land, have a trailer for hauling needs, don't really like the 4 door trucks offered out there, extended cabs yes--the tacoma comes to mind, while I generally like the looks of the Gladiator I won't be buying a 4 door Gladiator, not to mention the costs.....if my needs change I'm open to rethinking what will fit those needs but really.....

I see the manufactures making the 4 door trucks, people buy them, their money and choice...don't see FCA making too many changes to the Gladiator...
 
#37 ·
I would seriously consider buying a 2 door Gladiator, even with a small door extended cab.
I was at the local Jeep dealership this week having my '11 JK serviced. I walked the car lot, looking at the JKU's. These rigs have a longer chassis/wheel base than the JK, hence more room in the back, and what I don't like about them are the 4 doors, too bad they aren't available in a 2 door. I would trade-in for a JKU 2 door with removal back seat. My two cents.
 
#45 ·
I was at the local Jeep dealership this week having my '11 JK serviced. I walked the car lot, looking at the JKU's. These rigs have a longer chassis/wheel base than the JK, hence more room in the back, and what I don't like about them are the 4 doors, too bad they aren't available in a 2 door. I would trade-in for a JKU 2 door with removal back seat. My two cents.

An LJ ????


 
#42 ·
Those look like pretty nice trucks, and from what I've seen they're fairly efficient with that Turbo 4 and peppy to boot.

What I'm probably going to be looking for in a couple of years (I need seating for six right now until at least mid-2021) is a mid sized truck or SUV that is trail worthy. I like the Jeep because of the solid axles and the removable top. If I had to give one of those up it would be hard to choose. My wife wants to move back to Arizona, so that top option could weigh even heavier if that happens.

We'll see what the Bronco looks like when it comes out, but I think the smart money is still on the Jeep.
 
#43 ·
Ford loses money with the Mustang. But keeps it for heritage reasons. I'd assume Jeep would do the same with the 2 door.

That said, the rumored small body (Jimny sized) Jeep is interesting. I'll assume it will be a fixed roof tall window crossover.
 
#50 ·
Why wait on someone else to build what you want?

Jeep had leaked enough info by mid '17 to know that a 2 door wasn't going to happen and I didn't want a 138" wheelbase 4 door family cruiser.

Instead of complaining, I went to work and made a 2 door pickup truck for myself.

Gr8tops is rumored to be working on a 2 door JKU pickup kit...
 

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