Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT are both exquisite off-roaders with capabilities far exceeding both the skill and courage of most drivers. To Jeep novices, these two models might be difficult to differentiate because they look very similar from most angles. In fact, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart when looking at them from the front.

Since they look so similar, it leaves many owners wondering whether the two models have interchangeable parts. To answer this, these two Jeeps are almost like building kits. They share an ingenious platform that allows you to completely transform them in a matter of minutes. Being able to very simply remove the doors, roof, and even the windshield and drive without them is not something most other cars can offer.

These Lego-like qualities show even in the compatibility of various parts across the JL and JT models, where components like suspension, and doors can be swapped from one model to the other with perfect fit.

Front End Parts

Starting from the very front, the two models are pretty much identical. You can easily swap the Jeep JL steel bumper with the JT-designated bumper and vice versa. The same applies to the front grille and all other front-end accessories. Even the headlights share the same connectors and brackets. Furthermore, the Jeep Wrangler fenders in the front are identical to those found on the Gladiator models. The hood and its hinges are also the same.

The Gladiator and Wrangler are well-known for their removable windshields, and they are identical on both models, so there wouldn't be any issues swapping this part either. This story continues with the removable doors. Whether standard doors or half and rock doors, they are compatible, as the two models have identical door frames.

On the other hand, you have to keep in mind size-specific items, such as the side steps, rock skins, and rock sliders. These accessories are model specific and won't fit properly when interchanged, mainly because of the different rear mounting points but also the fact that the two vehicles are different in length.

Compatible parts:

• Headlights
• Brackets
• Front-end Lights
• Front-end Accessories
• Grille
• Hood
• Fenders, Flares, and Liners
• Doors

Rear End Parts

Where things start to get different is in the rear of the two cars. While some parts are still interchangeable even in the back of these Jeeps, most of them are unfortunately non-compatible. You will find that the rear pair of doors can be swapped but that's about it.

The rear fenders are entirely different, as you might have already guessed based on the different silhouettes of the two models. The same applies to the rear bumper, as well as the tire carrier.

One of the more obvious non-compatible parts is the bed rack. The Gladiator is a pickup truck equipped with a bed, while the Wrangler is a more traditional off-roader SUV that doesn't feature this. Bed racks are only compatible with Jeep Gladiators, and they can by no means be easily swapped in a Wrangler.

Compatible parts:

• Rear Doors

Interior

In the interior, it is a similar story, as with the front end and rear end parts. What you'll find in the front of the JT and JL models will be easily swappable including the trim, steering wheel, seats, controls, and so on. You will have less luck in the back of the Jeeps, where most of the parts are model-specific.

Compatible parts:

• Front Interior Parts and Controls

Roof and Accessories

The JL Jeep Wrangler comes from a factory with a variety of roofs. The standard option is a hardtop with removable panels, and there is also the more interesting, although less practical soft top roof. Between the two options, in terms of practicality, is the last roof specification - a power-operated soft top. In case you'd want to replace the roof, you then have to be careful about which one of the specifications you have. Not all types of roofs are going to be easy to interchange but the hardtop removable panels can be switched front to back between both JL and JT models.

In terms of roof accessories, you can use the same roof racks on both the JL Wrangler and JT Gladiator.

Compatible parts:

• Roof Panels
• Roof Racks

Suspension

You can apply the same rule of thumb on the suspension of these Jeeps as on their body panels; most front-end components are the same, but the rear is built differently. This means that you can swap the front suspension from your Gladiator to a Wrangler and vice versa.

In the rear, both suspensions are different. The Gladiator JT's suspension has been dimensioned to carry more weight, as the Gladiator has a pickup bed in the rear, and owners will often use it to haul heavy payloads. Even the rear brakes on the Gladiator are model-specific.

Compatible parts:

• Front Suspension

Engines

As the two models are built on the same platform, they also share their engines. They both offer a 3.6L V6 VVT engine with 285 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and a 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel producing 260 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. These are identical on both the JT and JL.

On top of this, the Wrangler can also be equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L I4 and a mild hybrid version of the 3.6L Pentastar V6 labeled as eTorque. These two are not available on the JT.

A perk of the Gladiator is that it's been designed to have a far higher payload (1,700 over 1,233 pounds of the Wrangler), and towing capacity (7,650 pounds over 3,500 pounds). As a result, the tow package cooling and alternator aren't the same across the two.

Compatible parts:

• 3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine
• 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel Engine

Identical at the Front, Different at the Back

And here you have it. The Jeep has really made the Wrangler and Gladiator quite similar. As a general rule of thumb, anything from the rear doors of the cars to their fronts can be interchanged. If you require any Jeep parts, head to 4 Wheel Parts, where you'll find everything you need. Whether it's a rear bumper for the newest Gladiator or front fenders for Jeep TJ, 4 Wheel Parts has you covered.