2019 Off-Road Expo: Westin Makes A Battle-Ready Gladiator

Westin Automotive is one of the premier bumper and armor manufactures in the industry. With parts covering a wide selection of vehicles, there is always something new to see when they display at a show. The 2019 Off-Road Expo in Pomona, California was no different. Westin brought out a great group of vehicles covering both the Jeep and truck segments. There was, however, one vehicle that took center stage in the display – their Jeep Gladiator. Outfitted with all of Westin’s offerings for the JT platform, this black-on-black example was seriously impressive.

Starting up front, a WJ2 stubby front bumper with skid plate started off the aggressive styling. On top of the bumper was a Westin HDX light bar mount fitted with their single-row LED light. Also mounted to the bumper was a Superwinch Tiger Shark winch, but more on that later.

As you move down the side, HDX wheel-to-wheel nerf steps helped with mounting up regardless of ride height. Out back, a WJ2 rear bumper rounded out the current offerings. Talking with Cameron Quiroz from Westin, the plan is to continue to launch new offerings for the Gladiator through out the reminder of the year, with a goal of the line matching the current offerings for the JL.

The new Westin HDX grill is in the works for Westin's JT product line.

Coming back to Superwinch, the company is now owned by Westin. With 45-plus years of experience, Superwinch is a proven performer in the market. The Tiger Shark TS9500 SR was the winch of choice on Westin’s JT. The Tiger Shark series has units capable of pulling 9,500 pounds, and all the way up to 17,500 pounds. A range of power, from 5.2-6.5 horsepower, is the heart of these winches, while a 3-4 gear planetary system is the driving force.

With two powerhouse brands coming together, one can only expect even better winch-to-bumper integration in the future. There’s also the possibility for vehicle-specific packages that can get you back on the trail faster and easier than ever. Be sure to check out more on Westin’s website and Facebook page.

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Dustin Singleton

Dustin is an internationally published photographer and the founder of IALS Photography. Managing a successful mobile electronics shop led him to become completely entrenched in the tuner scene.
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