by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
While it did not come with a big ‘you’re welcome’ bow attached for the overlanding community, or neon flashing lights pointing out all its available components, Jeep’s latest concept vehicle certainly could have had both as it recently rolled into view just in time for this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association event and holiday season.
That’s because, based on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, the new Top Dog concept represents nearly everything the overlanding community could want or desire out of a vehicle— as well as a few more things they may not even have considered.
Like an electric hot dog roller to give lunch or dinner an added flavor, or space saving roof racks to carry extra gear and even mountain bikes, as well as a specially designed PCOR storage system that takes the place of the vehicle’s pickup bed.
“Built to handle the demands of an active lifestyle and offering one-of-a-kind open-air freedom, Jeep Gladiator is the perfect canvas for Mopar to push the envelope even further with the addition of an array of Jeep Performance Parts,” said Fiat Chrysler’s Head of Jeep Brand Jim Morrison. “Mopar’s new Top Dog Concept results in even more clever functionality and versatility for Jeep Gladiator.”
Of course, like all Jeep concept vehicles, this one is simply a one-off edition. However, many of its integrated Mopar products either are, or will be, available for your own overland design.
For Top Dog, Mopar engineers most noticeably removed the standard Gladiator rear truck bed and replaced with a custom PCOR flatbed storage system to help expand the vehicle’s cargo carrying capacity . This setup includes numerous passenger side pull-out drawers and storage shelves, as well as that electric hot dog roller and a battery-powered refrigerator on the driver’s side.
Multiple racks above that storage system and the cab provide the extra space that every serious overlander requires, along with the ability to add at least two mountain bikes for extra exploring once that campsite is all set. A folding ladder is easily hidden in the rear storage unit, and allows simple access to the roof.
But while all that storage is great to have on any adventure, no overland set up would be complete without a vehicle that is able to effortlessly travel to wherever those adventures require. For Top Dog, that means utilizing Mopar's 2-inch Suspension Lift complete with Fox Shocks to provide plenty of clearance, along with black aluminum 17-inch beadlock capable wheels wrapped in 37" BGGoodrich KM3 Mud Terrain tires. Protecting the vehicle are concept steel ‘high-top’ fender flares, JPP two-inch steel sidebars and a JPP front Rubicon bumper with a two-inch steel grille guard that took a few cues from Jeep’s J6 concept bumper.
Powering the Jeep Top Dog Concept is the familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 that is one of several current engine offerings for the Gladiator and throws out 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. While the durability of this long-available engine is undeniable, the choice here is a bit strange when considered against the 3.0L ecoDiesel that offers a massive 442 lb-ft of torque — perfect to help any overlander get through even the most difficult of terrain. That Pentastar engine is mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
Additional exterior items include a JPP snorkel, Warn winches on both the front and rear of the vehicle, JPP Five-Inch Off-Road LED Lights and custom hood secured with Mopar latches. The interior, meanwhile, has a color-matched K-9 Blue instrument panel, black leather seats, armrests, shift boot, steering wheel and parking brake all with matching blue stitching, as well as stainless steel pedal covers and Mopar All-Weather Floor Mats.
Jeep normally releases its stable of concept vehicles leading up to Moab, Utah’s Easter Jeep Safari each Spring, however this year has been anything but normal and the brand has instead trickled out a few concept designs over the past several months including the Farout and 392.
And if trademark applications FCA made earlier this year are indication, there may be others to follow soon.
Back on March 6, the automaker applied for trademark protection on the names Apache, Farout, Orange Peelz, Shocker, Tomahawk, and Top Dog. So far, we’ve seen two of those come to fruition.
As far as using Gladiator as a base of many of the new concept ideas, the vehicle not only has been one of the brightest lights for Jeep this year, it also provides a healthy profit to the automaker. Jeep is also quick to note that Gladiator owners, on average, spend more to modify their vehicle than any other in the brand’s lineup. So loading up those new Gladiator concepts with Mopar parts only makes sense.
“Loaded with nearly 20 Jeep Performance Parts, we built this go-anywhere Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept for passionate mountain bike enthusiasts,” said Mark Bosanac, FCA’s Head of Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care. “Across the entire Jeep lineup, we offer more than 500 quality-tested, factory-backed parts and accessories.”
