The SEMA Show is turning out to be quite exciting. Jeep is taking part, obviously, and has come with a concept targeted at hard-core mountain bike enthusiasts. The automaker, along with Mopar, has transformed the 2020 Gladiator pickup truck into a fun concept vehicle for serious mountain bikers. But, what’s catchier about this concept is the number of storage spaces in the customized truck bed. Oh, and also, there's a built-in hot dog machine. How about that!

What’s Different On The Outside?

Called the Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept, this truck comes loaded with 20 Jeep Performance Parts. Mopar has installed numerous equipment on this Gladiator, making it one of the most unique models we’ve seen. The truck comes painted in the K-9 Blue (Being a Top ‘DOG’ Concept, can we call it ‘Canine’?) shade on the outside. This truck concept comes with a pair of JPP five-inch LED lights installed at the base of the A-pillars.

The stock bumper is swapped for a JPP Rubicon unit which holds a concept two-inch steel grille guard. This is inspired by the J6 Concept that the automaker unveiled at the 2019 Easter Jeep Safari event held at Moab, Utah. An exclusive JPP 8,000-pound-capacity Rubicon Warn winch is mounted atop the bumper that includes 100 feet of Spydura synthetic rope.

The hood features custom Mopar latches with the Jeep Willys logo on it. Perhaps that is why Jeep unveiled the Willys Gladiator a couple of days before showcasing this example. A fully-functional snorkel is also installed so the engine can breathe comfortably during hardcore off-roading or water wading.

The automaker has also equipped JPP rock rails with two-inch steel tubes welded on it and looks similar to the grille guard up front. The Top Dog Concept also features a JPP two-inch lift kit with FOX shocks for better ground clearance during off-roading. This setup is complemented by 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch JPP beadlock-capable aluminum wheels. To accommodate these big tires comfortably, Jeep also installed steel “high-top” fender flares. At the back, the truck comes with another JPP Warn winch.

How Is It On The Inside?

In the cabin, Jeep has continued with the blue color theme. The seats are wrapped in Katzkin leather with blue contrast stitching. This pattern can be seen on the armrests and steering wheel, too. The truck comes with black door sill guards that feature a raised Gladiator logo. Jeep has installed Mopar stainless-steel pedal covers with black rubber pads on the pedals. To wrap it all off, the Gladiator Top Dog features Mopar all-weather floor mats throughout the cabin.

What So Special About This Concept?

The standard cargo box is replaced with a custom PCOR flatbed storage system. First up on the driver’s side, there’s a battery-powered refrigerator and electric hot-dog roller grill stand. The passenger side of the system features pull-out drawers to store tools for the mountain bikes. It features several interior storage shelves, and exterior lighting switches so you don’t have to go inside the cabin for every little thing.

Jeep and Mopar have also mounted dual concept exterior task lights on each side along with a set of traction mats for vehicle recovery and extraction. These, by the way, are also attached to the storage racks. You can hold two Trek mountain bikes on top of this solid rack structure on the roof. Given that the truck rides on a lift kit, it would be nearly impossible to get them down without any assistance.

Jeep has taken care of this by equipping a foldable ladder in a roll-out storage drawer above the rear-mounted winch. Apart from this, there are two rack structures above the cab area that offer additional storage space for tools and equipment.

What Powers The Jeep Top Dog Concept?

There are no changes under the hood. It is powered by the same 3.6-liter, V-6 Pentastar engine that does duties in the many FCA products. The engine cranks out 285 ponies and 260 pound-feet of torque. Although the engine comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission is offered as optional. This concept comes with the latter.

Final Thoughts

Jeep introduced a lot of interesting concepts when the Gladiator was about to be launched. In fact, the 2019 Easter Jeep Safari event held in Utah saw only Gladiator concepts and not a single Wrangler. All those concepts were very impressive, but this one takes the cake. Although it’s targeted at bikers, it serves very well as an overlanding vehicle, too.

This is one concept that should be offered as a package for people who love to trek. If that’s a far-fetched thought, at least all the accessories should make it to Mopar. A lot of stuff used here is customized for the concept, but Jeep and Mopar should seriously consider making them official accessories for the Gladiator.