The 2020 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah didn’t happen this year for obvious reasons, robbing us of the usual array of fun Wrangler and Gladiator concepts. Jeep just unveiled one of the vehicles it planned to show off at the event, the Gladiator Farout. It’s an OEM-built Gladiator overlander, and we want it very, very badly.
The Gladiator Farout uses the Gladiator’s new-for-the-2021-model-year turbodiesel V6 engine option — currently the most capable Gladiator engine, producing a stonking 442 lb-ft of torque that’s useful for obstacle clearing and on-road peppiness. It also should get decent mileage: Jeep was a bit cagey, only noting the diesel Gladiator earns 28 mpg on the highway, but that should mean improved overlanding range versus the standard Gladiator V6 that’s rated for 19 mpg combined.
FCA US LLCThe central feature of this Jeep is a rooftop tent that opens and deploys in seconds, providing a 16-foot-long, 7.5-foot high living space that sleeps four. Sadly, we don’t get a shot of the interior, but it purportedly is wood-lined with dark smoke blue leather, plaid flannel seat inserts and dedicated seats and table space.
Off-roading mods for the Gladiator include a two-inch lift kit, 37-inch mud-terrain tires, Fox performance shocks and custom front and rear rock rails. The Gladiator Farout also brings an additional roof rack for extra gear storage.
Jeep did not mention any plans to put the Gladiator Farout into production, but Jim Morrison, head of Jeep Brand FCA America, noted that the vehicle is “an opportunity to gather feedback from (their) passionate customer base.” So if people want it, Jeep may eventually create something similar.
If you can’t wait for Jeep to decide whether to create an overlanding-modded Gladiator, of course, you could always buy an EcoDiesel version and build your own with an aftermarket setup.