Just in time for SEMA360, Mopar has transformed a 2020 Jeep Gladiator into a custom off-roading beast for serious mountain bikers. The Gladiator has been equipped with Jeep Performance Parts and custom accessories.
“Loaded with nearly 20 Jeep Performance Parts, we built this go-anywhere Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept for passionate mountain bike enthusiasts,” said Mark Bosanac, Head of Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA – North America. “Across the entire Jeep lineup, we offer more than 500 quality-tested, factory-backed parts and accessories.”
The Gladiator concept is painted K-9 Blue and takes the moniker of Top Dog Concept from the recent Jeep contest to find the Jeep Top Canine. The winner of that contest was Bear, a melting pot of a pup that has black lab, collie, chow chow, and standard poodle ancestors.
At the front of the truck is a JPP Rubicon bumper that holds a 2-inch steel grille guard that is inspired by the Jeep J6 concept. A JPP 8,000-pound-capacity Rubicon Warn winch sits on the face with 100 feet of Spydura synthetic rope.
The truck’s hood is latched with custom black Mopar hood latches that feature the Jeep Willys logo. A JPP snorkel and JPP 5-inch, off-road LED lights are installed up front as well.
Gladiator’s sides are protectedly JPP rock rails that have been customized with welded two-inch steel tubes, similar to the front grille guard design. Custom black door sill guards have a raised Gladiator logo on them
Mopar has altered the bed of the Gladiator, removing the traditional cargo box and replacing it with a custom PCOR flatbed storage system. On the passenger side of the storage system, pull-out drawers securely store tools and supplies that mountain bikers need when out on the trails. Interior storage shelves, exterior lighting switches, and extra power supplies are within reach. On the driver’s side of the storage system, a battery-powered refrigerator and electric hot-dog roller grill stand ready for post-riding activities.
A second JPP Warn winch is installed at the rear truck. Just above the rear-facing winch, a roll-out storage drawer carries a foldable ladder used for access to the dual bike rack.
Above the cab, two rack structures allow for additional storage space for tools and equipment. A set of dual concept exterior task lights are mounted on each side of the vehicle and vehicle recovery traction mats are located at the top. On top of the rack structure, a dual bike rack is the home of Trek mountain bikes.
“Built to handle the demands of an active lifestyle and offering one-of-a-kind open-air freedom, Jeep Gladiator is the perfect canvas for Mopar to push the envelope even further with the addition of an array of Jeep Performance Parts,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. “Mopar’s new Top Dog Concept results in even more clever functionality and versatility for Jeep Gladiator.”
The Jeep Top Dog Concept features a JPP 2-inch lift kit with FOX shocks, 17-inch JPP beadlock-capable aluminum wheels, and 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires. Steel “high-top” fender flares provide additional clearance at all four corners.
The concept is driven by FCA’s 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Mopar has carried the exterior color of the Jeep into the interior with a blue and black instrument panel that lives alongside black Katzkin leather seats, armrests, shifter boots, steering wheel, and the parking brake handle accented with blue stitching.
Mopar stainless-steel pedal covers with black rubber pads are fitted to the accelerator and brake pedals. The company’s all-weather floor mats installed throughout the cabin area.
