In the 80 years since its founding, Jeep has developed a reputation as a rebel in the automotive industry. From their boxy, utilitarian designs to their off-road chops, go-anywhere attitude, and unique features like removable roofs and side panels, Jeep has become almost as much of a lifestyle brand as a purveyor of fine 4×4 vehicles. A distinctive culture has sprung up around the brand—one focused on outdoor adventure, testing your limits, and a general work-hard, play-harder ethos that most other automakers can’t match. This is of little surprise given the brand’s history on the battlefield, but today’s Jeep drivers are more focused on battling the elements, muddy, rutted off-road trails and the unique challenges of extended overland excursions.
With this reputation in mind, Jeep has made it easier than ever to customize a Jeep model to a driver’s specific needs and style. Browsing the market for a Jeep Gladiator for sale provides a great look at just how versatile Jeep’s marquee pickup can be. From the entry-level Sport to the rugged Willy’s Sport, luxurious Overland, and off-road-ready Rubicon, the Gladiator is an extremely adaptable model. Can’t decide between luxury and robust off-road performance? The Mojave has you covered with all the comfort and convenience amenities you would expect, along with high-performance shocks, 33-inch off-road tires, a 400-watt inverter, and more. The 2023 Gladiator trims top out with the High Altitude, a well-rounded luxury 4×4 that takes the Overland trim to the next level with 20-inch gloss black wheels, Nappa or optional McKinley-trimmed leather seats, a sport suspension, heavy-duty Dana 44 wide axles, and sport shocks absorbers.
With nine trims to choose from, including a limited edition Freedom model designed to honor the country’s military veterans, Jeep makes it easy to find a model to satisfy every customer. But what if you’ve got more specific feats of automotive strength in mind? The Jeep brand is supported by a large network of aftermarket equipment suppliers who are always inventing new parts, components, and accessories that can transform a stock Gladiator into any adventure vehicle you can imagine. Let’s look at some of the top aftermarket accessories for the 2023 Gladiator and see just how easy it is to customize this adaptable Jeep model.
Smittybilt XRC GEN3 12K Comp Series Winch
If you’re planning to tackle some hardcore off-roading in your 2023 Jeep Gladiator, outfitting the pickup with the right gear is essential. This is especially true when it comes to a winch, which can be vital when surmounting rocky terrain or rescuing your Gladiator—or your friend’s—from an unforgiving spot. Both the Gladiator Freedom and Rubicon come standard with a winch-capable steel front bumper, but there is no factory option for a Jeep winch itself. That’s where the Smittybilt X2O Comp Recovery Winch comes in.
Recently redesigned to offer unbeatable performance, the XRC GEN3 winch is powered by an industry-best seven-horsepower motor, 98.5 ft of high-strength synthetic rope, and a boasted 12,000 lbs rating. This waterproof winch comes complete with a remote control and built-in flashlight, allowing drivers to conduct vital rescue operations well after the sun has gone down. Forged steel gearing makes for unbeatable speed and durability, and a new internal rotor with specialized silicon steel means a low amp draw and less stress on your vehicle’s electrical system. The Smittybilt XRC GEN3 12K Comp Series winch isn’t cheap—at $590 for the 9.5K version and $1,338 for the 12K size—but there’s no putting a price on the sense of safety and security it’ll add to your next off-the-grid adventure.
Mopar Two-Inch Lift Kit
A lift kit is one of the most popular aftermarket modifications for Jeeps. These kits are about more than appearance; they add some real utility to off-road vehicles, giving them the added height necessary to vault anything in their path. This is especially true of an off-road pickup like the Jeep Gladiator, which, owing to its longer-than-average wheelbase, can be prone to bottoming out when surmounting a steep hill or other such obstacles. A two-inch lift kit can go a long way in alleviating this issue, improving the Gladiator’s breakover and approach angles and making for a less stressful ride altogether. There are plenty of aftermarket suppliers offering lift kits for the Gladiator, but when you’re looking for the best, it’s tough to do better than Mopar.
Serving as the primary OEM accessory seller for Stellantis brands—which includes Jeep—Mopar has a major leg up on the competition in terms of quality components. Of course, this sort of quality comes at a price, with the Mopar two-inch lift kit ringing in at around $2,500, but it’s still a modest price to pay for the bump in functionality that such a kit can provide. Manufactured by the company’s Jeep Performance Parts division, the two-inch lift kit includes longer springs that improve ride height and clearance, as well as 2.5-inch diameter Fox Shocks, longer control arms, and a sway bar. Backed by Mopar’s stellar reputation, drivers can tackle the trail knowing that the lift kit system has undergone extensive testing for durability and corrosion resistance. While you can easily find cheaper aftermarket lift kits for the Gladiator, this is one area where we would recommend splurging for the brand name.
Extang Solid Fold 2.0 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
As Jeep’s first pickup (since the Comanche was discontinued in 1992), Gladiator owners face a problem encountered by few other Jeep drivers: how to outfit the truck bed. Tonneau covers are one popular option, protecting the truck bed while carrying plenty of ancillary benefits. Tonneau covers can improve a vehicle’s aerodynamics (and thus, gas mileage) while also reducing the risk of theft and providing an extra layer of protection against the elements. While the Gladiator does come with a few basic tonneau cover options direct from the factory, those seeking an upgrade might want to look into something like the Extang Solid Fold 2.0 hard folding truck bed tonneau cover.
The hard, three-part folding cover provides excellent security and is made from resilient automotive-grade polymer panels, protecting against UV damage, dents, and scratches while seamlessly matching the Gladiator’s aggressive style. The Solid Fold 2.0’s watertight seal allows drivers to transport even the most delicate materials without having to worry about contamination or water damage, which essentially turns the Gladiator’s five-foot bed into an extension of the cabin itself. Best of all, the Solid Fold 2.0 is covered by a three-year warranty, comes fully assembled, and can be easily installed by a single person.
Undercover SwingCase Truck Bed Storage Box
If you’re looking for a little in-bed security but don’t want to compromise on storage space with a tonneau cover, there are plenty of alternatives. Among them is the Undercover SwingCase truck bed storage box—a perfect complement to the Gladiator’s bed, providing storage for up to 75 lbs of sensitive cargo. From tools and trailer accessories to sporting goods, emergency supplies, and more, the SwingCase provides a weather-resistant storage option while having a minimal impact on truck bed storage volume.
This is all thanks to the SwingCase’s novel design, which, as the name implies, allows it to swing out 180 degrees to be loaded or accessed and then swing flat against the side of the bed, freeing up space for other bulky items you might be trying to bring along for the ride. Lockable, made from truck bed-grade ABS plastic, and designed to accommodate one unit on either side of the truck bed, the SwingCase can be quickly installed with six self-tapping screws.
AMP Research Black BedXtender
If there’s been one complaint about the Jeep Gladiator, it’s with the pickup’s bed size. While many of the industry’s most popular pickups are available in a variety of bed sizes, Jeep has taken a simpler approach, opting for one five-foot option. While this five-foot bed is fine for most applications, those who believe bigger is always better might be underwhelmed by the truck’s cargo volume. That’s where aftermarket accessories like the AMP Research Black BedXtender come in.
Available for under $300, this truck bed extender system adds two feet of enclosed cargo space to the Gladiator with a tapered V-shaped design. Simply fold down the tailgate, install the AMP Research Black BedXtender, and you’ll be able to haul longer equipment, tools, and supplies with ease. The BedXtender is crafted from high-strength T6 aluminum alloy tubes coated in a durable powder finish with a blacked-out design that perfectly matches the Gladiator’s sporty aesthetic.
Outfit Your Warrior
With the right set of aftermarket accessories, the Jeep Gladiator can go toe-to-toe with any off-road pickup on the market. Customization has always been a big selling point for the Jeep brand—a tradition extending to new models like the 2023 Jeep Gladiator. It’s nice to see the brand once again offering a pickup model after an almost 30-year absence, and especially nice to see aftermarket suppliers gearing up to outfit the Gladiator with all the parts and accessories drivers have come to expect. From protective tonneau covers and heavy-duty winches to bed extenders, storage options, and more, the Gladiator provides the perfect canvas on which drivers can create the off-road vehicle of their dreams.
While we’ve covered some of our favorite essentials in this list, a quick internet search will turn up a plethora of other innovative new offerings like LED light bars, fender liners, off-road tires, weather-resistant floor liners, and door hanger brackets, to name a few. The 2023 Jeep Gladiator gives drivers the perfect excuse to dive into the world of off-road accessories and see what possibilities they can imagine.
