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Gladiator Down

Hawse Fairlead License Plate Mount

While installing my front bumper I started to wonder where to put the license plate. I have a synthetic rope winch, so it uses the Hawse-style fairlead. I did a quick Google search for a bracket and low and behold Fishbone Offroad has the fix.

Fishbone’s Hawse Fairlead License Plate Mount stows away the fairlead while giving you a safe place for your license plate. It bolts directly to your fairlead, and flips up with its integrated hinge to access your winch line. This is a black powder coated aluminum setup, and is just the part I needed. No rust, no drilling, and it hides my winch line. Nicely done, Fishbone Offroad!

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2020 JT Gladiator Review

2020 JT Gladiator Review

Can’t decide if you like the JT Gladiator?  Keep reading for our Pros and Cons review.

Thanks for joining us here at Fishbone Offroad.  We’ve had our JT since May 2019 and there are definitely some things that we are just crazy for, and others that really make us cringe.  Hopefully we can help you figure out if this is the right Jeep for you, as we walk through and talk about what we love, is sort of so-so, and what was a total miss.

A lot of us here talked a bit about this review and one thing that each of us shared was that we disliked the way it looks out-of-the-box stock, especially the wheels.  It doesn’t really flow and the tire size and wheel design doesn’t characteristically fit. That being said, we LOVE it lifted and we would go so far as to say that it’s a must-have first purchase before any other aftermarket part.

Our package cost us $46,000, and at that price, it was hard to justify purchasing it when there are ½ , ¾ , and 1 ton base model trucks on the lot, what with the tow rating of up to 4,500 pounds and payload, 1,600 pounds.  Speaking of, the bed is 60” or so, which just briskly brushes the standard truck bed length of 68”. It’s a contender, for sure, but our previous points, again, made it hard to justify.

So then what did we buy and why should you buy in?


Firecracker Red Sport S, Automatic Transmission, Spray in bed liner, freedom top, trailer tow package, cold weather package, 7” touchscreen display w/ the alpine audio system, and the all-weather slush mats.  The list and the prices will be in the comments below, but this ran us $46,025, starting from $36,745. Compare that to a 2020 RAM 1500 which starts at $31,895, and then build from there. And since I’ve mentioned the RAM, it can tow about 3,000 pounds more, load about 1,000 pounds more, and has the option for a V8 or diesel engine.  The JT, however, as of now, runs a 3.6L V6.

So then why take the dive: Ask yourself which do you want first, a Jeep or a Truck?  Do you want a Jeep but need a truck? Or do you want a Truck but need a Jeep? It’s a strange crossbreed.  The price doesn’t make it the ideal truck, and because of its length and departure angle, it’s really not the best Jeep either.  The wheel base is great for off-road use, especially with a lift and larger tires, but the departure angles are just terrible. If you needed a truck, and for the price of the JT, there are amazing alternatives. That being said: It’s amazing how much attention this thing gets.  People are drawn to it and it gets noticed everywhere it goes. You cannot fly under the radar with this Jeep. This is definitely the vehicle to go crazy with your color selection! At the end of the day, you’re buying something that’s universally cool. We love it, you’ll love it, your kids will love it, your neighbors will, their friends will, and everybody you pass on the road will love it and take second looks, especially if you dive in and load up on the massive and prominent aftermarket scene.

So I mentioned kids loving it, so let’s talk about what we found in that regard.  It’s actually pretty decent! Car seat installation was easier and quicker than some SUVs, as told by our resident Professional Car Seat Installer and Parent of Two: Jamey.  Space was a little tight in the back but they didn’t seem to mind. But overall, his 2 and 5 year old LOVED it, and it’s the only vehicle they want to drive and be driven around in.  They called it the “Jeep Truck” and the “Smiles per Mile” were amazing. It was perfect for the Saturday soccer game and the Sunday grocery shopping.

Which is a perfect segue way to talk about the bed and the JTs length overall.  It’s very convenient having the spray in-bed liner for small trips to the store, what with the additional friction holding everything in place.  Its overall length is 218” and it fits in a standard garage without any problems. Ours has a 3.5” lift and 37” tires and as you can see here [pic] there was still no issue there either.  It’s a very comfortable ride.

All in all, forget the truck/jeep differences and all those numbered stats.  The Gladiator is great and performs perfectly as an all-around Jeep-Truck vehicle, thing.  The kids and everybody who sees it loves it and it’s a blast to drive. If you need a heavy duty workhorse for your lawn company, you’d be better off buying a proper truck.  But if you need to be able to run to the store, do some mild towing like a trailer or boat, and want to have a Jeep to customize at the same time, this thing accomplishes it perfectly!  

Our vote:

Utility: 6/10

Jeep: 10/10

Overlanding Jeep:  15/10

Amazing Head Turner: 50/10

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JL/JT Entry Guards

Have you scuffed the entry jam on your Jeep? Sick of seeing the paint slowly leave with every entrance? Fishbone Offroad has the dix for your paint loss with their JL/JT Entry Guards.

Fishbone made their entry guards out of flexible TPU plastic. This plastic is design to resist oil, grime, debris, and added traction. These are a no drill design held on by a sticky 3M adhesive tape. Fishbone’s quality and unique tread grip design shows through on these beautiful Entry Guards.

With all that said, what are you waiting for? Stop reading this and order yours today! – Jay Smalz, 2022

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The Gladiator Bed Tackle Rack is a MUST HAVE Jeep Aftermarket Accessory

The Gladiator Bed Tackle Rack is a MUST HAVE Jeep Aftermarket Accessory

“What we do in life…echoes in eternity.” ​ – Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator)

I couldn’t agree more with the General. Isn’t that why we choose to drive a Jeep?

And when it comes to wanting the very best for (and out of) your Jeep, many owners ​love​ to add accessories. Some to make them withstand the elements, some to simply make them more user-friendly for their specific needs, and many…just to armour them up to last.

This is when ​Fishbone Offroad​ can serve as an excellent resource to help you find what you are looking for. Today we want to share with you the Fishbone Bed Rack, that has been made specifically for the JT Jeep Gladiator. So, without further ado, here’s a bit of background and information that we hope you’ll find useful…and even inspiring.

Let’s talk about the Jeep JT Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize Jeep, made pickup truck, manufactured by Jeep. It was introduced in 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and then became available for sale in the Spring of 2019. It is based on the same platform of the Wrangler JL and is Jeep’s first pickup style truck since the Comanche was discontinued in 1992.

The vehicle was named after the original Jeep Gladiator that was made from 1962-1988 and was known as the J-Series after 1971. The four-door five-passenger midsize Gladiator features exterior and interior styling clues from the Wrangler JL, giving it a familiarity amongst Jeep owners.

The Gladiator launch was an exciting time for all Jeep enthusiasts out there, and it gets even better.

Why do Jeep Lovers love their accessories?

There is no denying that Jeeps are uber-popular. People tend to buy one and keep it for years to come, or at least continue to stick with the famed line. One of the main reasons is the incredible aftermarket accessories that you can buy and install on to your Jeep.

Owners want their Jeeps to look good, withstand the elements, and help them tackle life’s grand adventure. Jeep enthusiasts want only the best, which is why they seek out companies like Fishbone Offroad. We provide accessories for Jeeps that are built by people who actually drive them. So they understand exactly what Jeep owners are looking for.

Fishbone Gladiator Bed Rack (Tackle Rack)

The Fishbone Tackle Rack comes in two configurations, the Half Tackle Rack and Full Tackle Rack and has been declared one of the absolute must-have aftermarket accessories that you can own for your Jeep Gladiator. It fits the 2020 to current JT Gladiator.  The Half Tackle Rack sits high at 12.5 inches off the bed side. While the Full Tackle Rack sits just over 21.5 inches off the side. They our both made from ⅛ inch black powder coated steel with stainless steel hardware…giving you the assurance that this product is made to last.

The rack safely supports 500lbs and can bolt into any existing factory bed rail, or even clamp on to the bedside… making it a flexible option to work for your needs. There are endless possibilities for the use of a Fishbone Tackle Rack that you can add to the Jeep Gladiator, making it a versatile and very useful aftermarket accessory to consider adding to yours.

Our Gladiator Bed Rack is easy to install and comes with everything that you could possibly need to add it to your Jeep Gladiator. It is priced at just $799.99 and is available online​. There are even extensive YouTube videos on the website to help you install the product and gather more information about it!

Who is Fishbone Offroad?

One day when walking from our warehouse to the office an employee noticed something crazy… there was a fish on the roof of the building. It became an office joke as we discussed who would be climbing onto the roof to remove it.

The fish was sort of became our unofficial company mascot and as we went through potential company names, Fishbone kept coming back. It stuck both on the roof and as the name of the company and will now be with us forever.

In short, we are Enthusiasts who use our Jeeps as daily drivers, hardcore offroad rigs and we have gone through the same Jeep build progression that every Jeep owner experiences. This gives us extensive knowledge to help us create the type of aftermarket accessories we know Jeep owners will want, love and need for their current models.

Because of these experiences we make sure our products are jig fitted during the manufacturing process because like you, we want the installation to go as easy as possible. This is why we also give you full instructions on how to install each product and also give you everything that you need to ensure that you can install the accessories easily.

What do we stand for? We want to ensure that we can supply high quality and affordable accessories for your Jeep. What makes us unique is that we want to supply easy to install aftermarket products from Jeep enthusiasts, for Jeep enthusiasts, so that you can continue to get the best out of your vehicles each and everyday.

The Fishbone Tackle Rack is one of the most sought after accessories that you can get for the very recently launched Jeep Gladiator. It is one of those accessories that will continue to enable you to add to your Gladiator and make it more user-friendly than it currently stands today. It is simple and yet effective, and could be a great addition to your Jeep as you continue to add to it.

Thankfully, with YouTube videos and details on our website, you will be well informed on how it could be a great investment to make.

In conclusion

What we have found is that Jeep enthusiasts and owners want high quality and easy to use aftermarket accessories that they can add to their Jeeps. They want their vehicles to be able to withstand any of the elements that are thrown at them and to make them easy to use.

The Jeep Gladiator is back and giving other pickup trucks a run for their money, making it likely to become a strong contender in all aspects of construction, working life as well as being a popular option for Jeep lovers who want that little bit more from their vehicle. For more information about this accessory and others that we can offer, head over to our website.

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JT Rear Bumper Reveal

JT Rear Bumper Reveal

It Starts

Last December (nearly two years ago, now) we started bringing up the JT Gladiator into our weekly meetings.  We started each session with a simple question, “How do we see our brand on this?” Myself and the engineers would draw and draw and draw… Aesthetics, functionality, utility… All of these things we looked at.  We all had opinions, but there was one thing we all approved on: “The utility was up to the driver, but the look was up to us.” So let’s start from the top, or rather the rear, as it were. Of one of the best ways to show the world that you own a 2020 JT Gladiator.

The Tailgate and You

Drivers often prioritize the front or hood of the vehicle.  First impressions are the most impactful, afterall. The problem with this though is that oncoming traffic is fleeting.  Forgetful. Quick. There is by far more real estate on the rear of the vehicle that, if you were in the aftermarket scene, would be far more efficient at forcing stares of envy!  Traffic isn’t getting any lighter after all.

If you read our review, you know that the JT isn’t great at off-roading.  This is simply because of its (too long) length ; a value that has been long agreed to be mastered by the LJ.  So we decided to design a rear bumper that follows our style, but also added the least amount of drag to its utility.  

Introducing our Rear Mako Bumper for the JT Gladiator (Part# FB22149).  Lovers of our Mako series will easily recognize the distinct angles that pull the eye from the front of the vehicle to the rear.  Additionally, we didn’t want the rear to be an object on its own.

We at Fishbone HQ believe that your Jeep is a lot like a tattoo: an extension of yourself.  So when we were developing this bumper, we made sure that it worked in tandem with the rest of the series, while also making an impact worthy of head turning and show stopping!

It’s designed entirely around factory functionality and measurements, meaning it supports your utility first above all else.  Simply put, we made sure to include, hitch, lighting, and power into the design. Combined with the installation instructions that we included with every product, we ensure that you can simply plug and play, meaning less time at home and more time getting stuff done!

Everything you would expect is included: sensor deletes, d-rings, spaces for plate lights.  Whether you have the backup sensor model or not, our one-stop package is there to help you make the biggest impact on the road or trail.

If there is any one thing that we recommend you check out before pulling the trigger, it would have to be our Mako Front Bumper.  We designed the front and rear together, so we can guarantee they look amazing together! Seriously. The best impact is fast, quick, and thoughtful.

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