RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has selected Bridgestone Dueler passenger and Falken Wildpeak light truck tires as original equipment fitments on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator midsize pickup truck.
FCA is specifying the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S and Dueler H/T 685 on the Sport, Sport S and Overland versions and the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W and Wildpeak M/T on the Gladiator Rubicon version, Jeep's revival of its pickup models of the 1970s and '80s.
The Dueler A/T RH-S is specified in size 245/75R17 for the Sport and Sport S models, Bridgestone said, while the Dueler H/T 685 comes on the Overland model in size 255/70R18.
The Wildpeaks both are specified in size LT285/70R17. The A/T3W is standard on the Rubicon model, while the M/T is optional.
The Gladiator builds on a heritage of tough, dependable Jeep trucks with an unmatched combination of rugged utility, authentic Jeep design, open-air freedom, clever functionality and versatility, best-in-class towing and 4x4 payload, Falken-brand purveyor Sumitomo Rubber North America said.
Built at FCA's Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant, the Gladiator hit U.S. dealer showrooms during the second quarter. An EcoDiesel model is expected to follow in 2020.
Shannon Quinn, president of original equipment tire sales in the U.S. and Canada for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, described the Gladiator as an "iconic vehicle that demands best-in-class tire performance.
"We designed our Bridgestone Dueler tire fitments to enhance the driving experience of each model of the Jeep Gladiator, giving drivers of this unique vehicle maximum capability and versatility."
David Colletti, Falken vice president of original equipment, said Falken's being selected for this vehicle is "quite an honor" for the brand.
This fitment is the second for Falken with Jeep, following the selection earlier this year by FCA of the Wildpeak M/T as an optional OE fitment on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
The Wildpeak A/T3W combines aggressive off-road ability and rugged terrain driving with no-compromise behavior when on the pavement, SRNA said, while the Wildpeak M/T—an optional fitment—offers an optimized variable three-pitch tread pattern to offer on-road handling that complements its off-road performance characteristics.
The Gladiator is the first Jeep pickup since the Comanche, which was sold from 1986 to 1992, but Jeep has had pickup versions dating as far back as 1947.