Ask a Jeep owner what the first modification was, and a lot of them will say tires. Jeep has now decided to stop making them wait on an aftermarket shop. For the updated 2027 model year, the Gladiator pickup gets a limited-production 35-inch Tire Launch Edition, a package that puts oversized all-terrain rubber, a factory lift and revised gearing on the truck before it ever leaves the factory.
The package is available on three trims: Willys, Rubicon and Rubicon X. Jeep has not said how many will be built or what the package will cost, and as of this writing it is open for order across North America but not yet listed in the online Gladiator configurator.
What Comes in the Box
The headline items are 35-inch all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch, bronze-painted wheels that are beadlock-capable. Fitting tires that size to a stock truck normally means rubbing at full steering lock or full articulation, so Jeep pairs them with a one-inch factory suspension lift, highline fender flares and wheel arch extensions. The company has not named the tire brand.
Underneath, the changes are more than cosmetic. The package adds heavy-duty Dana axles front and rear, a 4.56 final drive ratio, performance brakes and a full-time transfer case with a 4:1 low range. Taller tires effectively lengthen the gearing, so the shorter 4.56 axle ratio is what keeps the truck from feeling lazy off the line and on steep climbs. Gearing like this is something owners usually sort out with a second round of aftermarket parts, after the tires are already on.
The Geometry
The extra rubber and lift change the truck's numbers in useful ways. Jeep lists an approach angle of 46.7 degrees, a departure angle of 26.7 degrees and a breakover angle of 23.3 degrees. Motor1 and autoevolution both report ground clearance of 12.9 inches with the package. For context, Motor1 notes that the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, which also rides on 35-inch tires, offers 12.2 inches.
CarScoops points out that the Gladiator remains a long truck, so the improved angles are likely to matter most on open trails and rocky climbs rather than tight, wooded routes. The breakover angle in particular is a function of wheelbase, and a one-inch lift only goes so far on a pickup with a bed.
The Engine Stays Put
Nothing changes under the hood. The Launch Edition keeps the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, rated at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Heavier, taller tires add rotating mass, so the lower gearing is doing much of the work to compensate. Buyers hoping for more power will need to look elsewhere in the Jeep lineup, or to the aftermarket.
A Look That Announces It
This is a special edition, and Jeep makes sure it reads that way from across a parking lot. Bronze shows up on the wheels, the Jeep badging and the front tow hooks, with hood, side and tailgate graphics tying it together. Rubicon models get their own hood and vent graphics. Per Motor1, the Rubicon X goes a step further with a sculpted performance hood with its own decal and unique side-door graphics. Like every Gladiator, the truck keeps its removable doors and open-air layout.
Why Jeep Is Doing This
Jeep CEO Branden Coté framed the package as a response to what owners already do. "Gladiator customers continue to personalize their vehicles to tackle bigger adventures, and 35-inch tires have consistently been one of the most popular modifications," he said. "The Gladiator 35-inch Tire Launch Edition gives customers the capability, confidence and distinctive look they want straight from the factory, backed by the quality and engineering expected from the Jeep brand."
The appeal for buyers is practical. A factory-installed package means the lift, gearing, brakes and tires were engineered to work together and ship under the manufacturer's warranty, rather than being assembled piece by piece at a third-party shop. It also reflects a broader move by Jeep toward factory-built personalization.
What We Still Don't Know
The open questions are the ones that matter most at the dealership. Pricing and production numbers have not been announced, and reports on base trim prices differ between outlets, so it is worth waiting for Jeep's official figures before doing any math. Until the package shows up in the configurator, buyers interested in a Launch Edition will want to talk to a dealer directly about ordering.
