Jeep’s Most Popular Gladiator Upgrade Is Finally Available From The Factory

The 2027 Jeep Gladiator 35-inch Tire Launch Edition adds a factory lift, 12.9 inches of clearance, and upgraded hardware on Willys, Rubicon, and Rubicon X.

2027 Jeep Gladiator 35-inch Tire Launch Edition

Photo by: Jeep

Brian Potter

By: Brian Potter

Oct 27, at 4:56am ET

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Jeep is making its most popular aftermarket upgrade a factory option. The 2027 Jeep Gladiator 35-inch Tire Launch Edition ships with 35-inch all-terrain tires straight from the Auburn Hills assembly line, something Gladiator buyers have had to do themselves until now.

The limited-production package is available on Willys, Rubicon, and Rubicon X trims. It pairs the larger tires with bronze-accented styling and off-road hardware built specifically around the bigger footprint.

What The 35-Inch Tire Package Changes

2027 Jeep Gladiator Sarge

2027 Jeep Gladiator Sarge

Photo by: Jeep

The tires wrap around bronze-painted, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and the package brings a 1-inch factory suspension lift to make room for them. Jeep paired that lift with a 4.56 final-drive ratio, heavy-duty Dana axles, and performance brakes to keep the Gladiator composed at low speed on rough terrain.

Ground clearance rises to 12.9 inches. Approach, breakover, and departure angles improve to 46.7, 23.3, and 26.7 degrees, respectively.

A full-time 4:1 transfer case rounds out the mechanical changes, giving the truck a factory-calibrated setup instead of a mix of aftermarket parts.

Jeep CEO Branden Coté tied the package directly to owner behavior. "Gladiator customers continue to personalize their vehicles to tackle bigger adventures, and 35-inch tires have consistently been one of the most popular modifications," Coté said, adding that the edition delivers "the capability, confidence and distinctive look they want straight from the factory."

Highline fender flares and wheel-flare extensions cover the larger tires, while bronze badging, tow hooks, and hood, side, and tailgate graphics mark the truck as a Launch Edition. Rubicon and Rubicon X models get extra hood and vent graphics, and the Rubicon X adds a unique side-door graphic plus a performance hood with its own decal.

Ground clearance: 12.9 inches
Approach angle: 46.7 degrees
Breakover angle: 23.3 degrees
Departure angle: 26.7 degrees
Final-drive ratio: 4.56
Suspension lift: 1 inch

Pricing, Trims And What It Means For The Lineup

Jeep has not released pricing or confirmed how many units it plans to build. The package isn't yet listed on the Gladiator configurator despite being open for order across North America.

The cheapest compatible trim is the Willys, which starts at $47,630 (a $45,635 MSRP plus a $1,995 destination fee) before the package is added.

Putting the upgrade on the Willys changes more than the base price. The hardware and locker setup that makes the package work has historically lived mainly on Rubicon models, so extending it down the lineup gives budget-focused buyers access to the same off-road geometry as the flagship trim.

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The clearance figure also puts the Gladiator ahead of direct rivals running similarly sized rubber. The Ram 1500 BackCountry and Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison both compete in the same off-road truck space, and the Bison's 12.2 inches of clearance on its own 35-inch tires sits just below what Jeep's new package delivers.

The Gladiator keeps its removable doors and open-air layout regardless of trim, a configuration no other midsize pickup currently offers. That stays unchanged with the 35-inch package, which adds capability without altering what has made the truck a draw for buyers who want a true pickup with convertible-like flexibility.