Jeep Month and Why We’re Fans of the Brand

We’re big fans of Jeep at Black Armour Bed Mats. These trucks have come a long way from a vehicle so light it could be dragged out of the mud of WWII, to a Desert-Rated, heavy-duty Gladiator. The company’s titan trucks have won numerous Truck of the Year awards and you can bet a Jeep is always in the conversation for the most capable vehicle in its class. Here’s why we love these trucks.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave and Willys Models

The Jeep Gladiator has been named 2021 Truck of the Year by DoubleClutch. That’s the second year in a row the Gladiator pickup has received this prestigious award. It’s the Gladiator Mojave to rev to the top of the mount this year, impressing panelists with its killer design, innovative off-road gadgets, and first-ever Desert-Rated badge. Now yes, that honour is awarded to trucks in-house, but it means the Mojave excels in Ride Control and Stability, Sand/Dirt Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, and Desert Prowess. That’s no participation trophy.

Image respectfully borrowed from Jeep.ca

The newly released Gladiator Willys is named after the legendary Willys Overland that spawned Jeep after taking on the aforementioned contract to build the US’s original vehicles for WWII. The Willys is built for off-road capability, featuring 32-inch BFGoodrich KM2 mud-terrain tires, Rubicon cab rock rails and shocks, and a limited-slip rear differential. 

“Gladiator Willys models harken back to the original Jeep lineup while offering an aggressive look and additional increased capability.” – Jim Morrison (not that Jim Morrison; the Head of Jeep Brand – North America).

Resale Value

Last year, automotive valuation experts Kelley Blue Book (KBB) named two Jeep trucks, the four-door Wrangler and its two-door progeny, as the first and third respectively in their list of off-roaders to hold the best resale value after five years of play. KBB estimated that the Wrangler four-door would maintain 57.6% of its value, while the two-door model isn’t far behind, potentially selling for 51% of its original price in the same timeframe.

We’re torn here: protecting the resale value of trucks is our bread and butter, but the Wrangler isn’t one of our favourite models given the manufacturer’s frustrating insistence on covering its bed with a roof and back window.

What’s on the Horizon for Jeep?

Jeep continues to thrive and expand their fleet of vehicles, controversially (to some) making them more accessible, while the rugged models still reign as the brand’s champions. Most of the iconic names are still in production: Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Gladiator, and the upcoming return of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, a three-row luxury SUV expected with Jeep’s 2022 lineup.  

Jeep Bed Mats

To celebrate this behemoth brand and to show our love for their range, we’re proud to sell bed mats that are custom cut to fit all Jeep Gladiators released in the past three years including the Rubicon, Willys, Mojave and Overland. Jeeps are built to last, which makes our bed mats the perfect accessory for one. Custom fitted, 65 pounds of dense, wipe-clean protection, and we guarantee it’ll outlast your truck – that’s our own in-house badge of approval.