Adding an extra axle with driven wheels to any type of vehicle is no easy task. But the folks at Next Level have done the job of converting a normal Jeep Gladiator into a 6x6 beast perfectly. And we don’t say beast lightly. The standard Gladiator is already the biggest Jeep available with four full size doors and a five foot truck bed. However, the conversion process makes the Jeep truck 6x6 not only one of the longest vehicles on the road, but one of the longest 6x6 trucks as well, longer even than the G wagon 6x6 which started the whole trend. But of course, it doesn’t stop there. The Next Level Gladiator is improved in every single way starting with a more luxurious interior, a bulkier exterior, and bigger wheels just to name a few changes. At the same time, Next Level offers a good number of different powertrain options which, from diesels to fire breathing Hemi V8s and everything in between. But before we uncover all the interesting and bespoke details, have a quick look at the examples currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The company that builds the Jeep truck 6x6, Next Level, has been operating for not more than a few years. And yet, its first creation, the Gladiator 6x6, has already made headlines. But then it would be difficult not to. The Jeep Wrangler is already revered as the most capable off road SUV one can buy straight from a dealership. At the same time, the Gladiator with its truck bed and four doors is the Wrangler flagship. So, by building upon such an impressive base, Next Level was bound to attract a ton of attention. And thanks to its quality of work, that attention was quickly justified. The Jeep Gladiator 6x6 sports a much more luxurious and bespoke interior than most of its competitors, including those that came from Hennessey Performance. And even more impressively, the 6x6 system in the Jeep is much more advanced than that in any other popular conversion, all for the fraction of the price most 6x6 trucks go for. All that resulted with a healthy amount of demand and Next Level is still making the 6x6 Jeep two years later with no sign of stopping.
Virtually all 6x6 conversions get a reupholstered interior with higher quality leather and a few more stitches here and there. But what Next Level has done with the seats in the 6x6 Gladiator, is just that, next level. Starting with the seats, they are now a combination of leather and alcantara. But the padding pattern is inspired by the Daytona seats found in most Ferraris with alcantara being used on the ribbed part adding to the visual complexity. Add to that the contrasting stitching, Next Level embossing on the head rests, plus brushed metal plaques, and the seats look like nothing short of art work belonging in a substantially more expensive vehicle. Moreover, the alcantara extends to the arm rests, door trim and the dashboard making the Gladiator’s interior look more bespoke than ever. But despite the expensive materials, the Jeep truck 6x6 still looks like a purpose built off roader. The transfer case shifter is still in its place, as well as the locking differential buttons, only in this case, they affect more than four wheels. As far as the equipment goes, it all depends on what trim level the customer orders as the base so nobody is forced to pay more for optional equipment they don’t need which is another great thing about Next Level’s builds.
Another testament of Next Level’s quality of work is the fact that the Jeep truck 6x6 still looks like it came out of Jeep’s factory. However, that’s not to say it looks boring. Even the size of it alone is enough to turn heads. The Gladiator 6x6 is around 31 inches longer at 244” total. To put that into perspective, the longest SUV on the market right now is the Escalade ESV, and that only measures 227” in length. Moreover, all the extra metal that goes into the Gladiator 6x6 is also useful as it now includes an 8-foot bed instead of the factory 5-foot. And while we can’t say for certain how much taller it became, from the looks of it, the suspension alone added at least five inches. But the new 20” wheels that look like they belong on a military truck, sporting 37” tires certainly did their part in making it more difficult to climb inside this giant. The 6x6 Gladiator also gets a ton of new details and accessories like the new metal bumpers with the front one featuring an integrated winch, plus a huge roof mounted LED light bar. Next Level stickers can also be seen from every angle and the taller ride height does an excellent job of revealing those new Fox monotube shocks. Ultimately, the Next Level Gladiator doesn’t look tacky or even vulgar, which is a rare find in the world of 6x6 conversions, and even more impressively, it looks like it’s supposed to exist.
More often than not, when manufacturers do 6x6 conversions they usually install the biggest engine they can fit inside the chassis and virtually never offer a more sustainable drivetrain option. And while the Jeep truck 6x6 could be ordered with a 707 horsepower Hellcat V8 for an extra $70,000, the standard Jeep engine remained an option. The base engine was the 2 liter inline four with 270 horsepower, and the 3.6 Pentastar with 280 horsepower was next in line. A 3 liter diesel with 375 horsepower recently will likely be the most popular option as it has by far the most torque. And while the 6.4 Hemi V8 would usually be a more tempting option, it demands a $45,000 premium. But regardless of which engine the customer goes for, the Gladiator retains the six wheel drive system. And it’s a sophisticated one as during normal driving, the power goes only to the rear axles with a 50:50 torque split between them which helps lower the fuel consumption. The front wheels will only engage once you play around with the different off road modes, giving you the 6x6 system only when you need it. Also, mentioning lower fuel consumption might sound odd when talking about such a vehicle, but the Gladiator 6x6 did gain almost half a ton over the standard model for 2.5 tons total so every bit of fuel saved counts.
With a starting price of $135,000, the Next Level Jeep truck 6x6 is one of the cheapest six wheel drive conversions out there. And considering what you get for the money compared to its competitors, it’s one of the best ones as well. Granted, you don’t get a fire breathing V8 for that kind of money, even the standard 6.4 Hemi boosts the price to $180,000, but the diesel unit provides the same torque output plus it burns much less fuel making it the much smarter option. That said, even at $180,000, the Gladiator is half the price of a Hennessey Silverado 6x6, and that’s even less powerful. Unfortunately, we can’t say how much these will go for on the used market as they rarely go up for sale. But it’s only a matter of time before one pops up here at Exotic Car Trader so make sure to take our search engine for a spin every once in a while.
Ultimately, the Jeep truck 6x6 is one of the best value for money six wheel drive conversions available. That’s down to a sophisticated four wheel drive system, a luxurious interior, and a wide range of engines, all for a fraction of the price other 6x6 conversions go for. Not to mention that the extra axle fits the Gladiator better than most SUVs and trucks. Now, if you are looking for a new luxury vehicle or something to have fun with on the weekends, consider buying it through Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection, Exotic Car Trader makes the buying process extremely safe as well as convenient. The same goes if you sell a car with the help of Exotic Car Trader, only in that case you save even more of your time.
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