2020 Jeep Gladiator Accessories Every Owner Wishes They Bought Sooner

Why Your Gladiator Needs These Upgrades

The Gladiator's fiberglass hard top has zero insulation from the factory. That means heat radiates directly into the cabin in summer, and cold seeps in during winter. Road noise bounces around the interior because there's nothing to absorb it. Wind noise is constant above 50 mph. If you're running a soft top, the situation is even worse — fabric alone doesn't block much heat or sound.

This isn't a design flaw. Jeep built the Gladiator to be tough, modular, and trail-ready. Comfort wasn't the priority. But that doesn't mean you have to live with a hot, loud cabin. The right 2020 Jeep Gladiator accessories solve these problems without adding weight, complexity, or compromising the truck's off-road capability.

Here's what matters: thermal insulation to control cabin temperature, noise reduction to cut down on road drone and wind noise, and practical storage solutions that don't get in the way. These aren't cosmetic upgrades — they're functional improvements that make every drive more comfortable, whether you're commuting to work or hauling gear to the trailhead.

Hard Top Headliner: The First Upgrade You Should Make

If you're only going to make one upgrade to your Gladiator, make it a hard top headliner. This is the single most impactful accessory for controlling cabin temperature and reducing noise. The Jeep Gladiator JT Hard Top Headliner from Hothead Headliners is the only headliner on the market that features a radiant barrier built into the material — no other aftermarket or OEM headliner offers this technology.

Here's how it works: the radiant barrier blocks heat from radiating through the fiberglass hard top in summer, keeping the cabin significantly cooler. In winter, it keeps heat inside the cabin instead of letting it escape through the roof. The multi-layer construction of the headliner also reduces road noise and wind noise — this is a core benefit of the headliner itself, not an afterthought. You'll notice the difference immediately, especially on highway drives where cabin drone used to be constant.

The headliner installs with commercial-grade 3M VHB tape — no drilling, no permanent modifications. You lightly scuff the hard top surface with the included high-grit sandpaper, clean with acetone (which you'll need to supply, since it can't be shipped), then press the pre-cut sections into the recessed areas of the hard top. The whole process takes about an hour. Everything you need comes in the kit except the acetone.

Most owners see a noticeable drop in cabin temperature within the first week, especially if you park outside during the day. The noise reduction is more subtle but equally valuable — you'll notice less fatigue on long highway drives because the constant drone is gone. If you want a premium look, the Microfiber Suede version offers the same thermal and acoustic performance with a softer, more refined interior finish.

Soft Top Headliner: Insulation That Moves With You

If you run a soft top year-round or swap between a hard top and soft top seasonally, a soft top headliner is just as important as a hard top headliner. The Jeep Gladiator JT Soft Top Headliner features the same radiant barrier technology as the hard top version, blocking heat in summer and retaining warmth in winter. It also reduces road noise and wind noise significantly — fabric alone doesn't do much to absorb sound, but the headliner's multi-layer construction makes a noticeable difference.

Installation is straightforward. The soft top headliner attaches to the roll bar with J-hooks and bungees. Hothead Headliners supplies the J-hooks and the bit to install them — everything you need is included in the kit. The J-hooks install underneath the existing roll bar screws, so there's no permanent modification to your Gladiator. Once the J-hooks are in place, the headliner clips in with bungees. The whole process takes less than an hour.

One thing to know: if you put the soft top down, you'll need to remove the headliner first. Removal takes less than 60 seconds — just unclip the bungees and pull it out. It's not a hassle, but it's worth mentioning if you're someone who drops the top frequently. For most owners, the thermal and acoustic benefits far outweigh the minor inconvenience of removing the headliner when you want full open-air driving.

Sunshade: The Set-It-and-Forget-It Heat Solution

If you live somewhere with intense summer sun, a sunshade is one of the best 2020 Jeep Gladiator accessories you can add. The Jeep Gladiator JT Sunshade blocks direct sunlight from pouring into the cabin while still allowing you to see the sky. It works with both hard tops and soft tops, and most owners leave it installed full-time.

The sunshade installs in about 15 minutes and pairs perfectly with a headliner. If you're running a hard top headliner, the sunshade adds an extra layer of heat protection by blocking sunlight before it even hits the hard top. If you're running a soft top, the sunshade dramatically reduces the greenhouse effect that happens when direct sun hits the fabric. Either way, you'll notice a cooler cabin on sunny days.

The mesh design maintains visibility — you can still see the sky and clouds, which is part of the appeal of driving a Gladiator in the first place. The sunshade doesn't interfere with opening or closing your hard top or soft top, though you may need to make slight adjustments when swapping tops seasonally. For most owners, the sunshade stays in place year-round. It's one of those upgrades you install once and forget about, but you notice the difference every time you get in the truck on a hot day.

Sound Assassin: For the Quietest Possible Cabin

Here's the truth about noise in the Gladiator: the headliner's multi-layer construction already reduces road noise and wind noise significantly. That's a core benefit of the headliner itself — not just a side effect. But if you want to take noise reduction as far as possible, Sound Assassin is the next step.

Sound Assassin is a supplemental product that works on top of what the headliner already does. It absorbs vibration and blocks sound transmission through the floors, doors, and firewall. The biggest application is the floor — that's where you'll notice the most improvement. Sound Assassin floor packages eliminate the low-frequency drone that comes through the floorboards on highway drives, especially with larger tires or aftermarket exhaust.

Installation requires removing the carpet, but the process is straightforward. You cut the Sound Assassin sheets to size and press them into place on the floor, door panels, or other areas where you want to reduce vibration. Hothead Headliners sells Sound Assassin in Half Floor Packages, Full Floor Packages, and individual sheets. For floor kits, they recommend a Heavy Duty Roller (sold separately) to ensure proper adhesion. For hard top applications, a complimentary seam roller is included.

Sound Assassin is for owners who want to do everything possible to eliminate cabin noise. If you're someone who takes long road trips, hauls heavy loads, or just values a quieter ride, it's worth the investment. But start with the headliner first — that's where you'll see the most noticeable improvement in both heat and noise. Sound Assassin builds on that foundation.

Installation Tips: What You Need to Know

One of the reasons these 2020 Jeep Gladiator accessories are so popular is that you can install them yourself in a weekend. No shop required. Here's what you need to know before you start.

Hard Top Headliner Installation

The hard top headliner attaches with commercial-grade 3M VHB tape. The process is simple: lightly scuff the hard top surface with the included high-grit sandpaper, clean with acetone, then press the pre-cut sections into the recessed areas of the hard top. Make sure you're working in at least 70°F — if it's colder, follow the Cold Weather Installation Instructions included with your kit.

Press with firm pressure and hold for a few seconds to get the tape to adhere properly. The entire installation takes about an hour. Hothead Headliners includes everything you need except acetone, which can't be shipped. You can pick up a bottle at any hardware store.

Soft Top Headliner Installation

The soft top headliner attaches to the roll bar with J-hooks and bungees. Hothead Headliners supplies the J-hooks and the bit to install them. The J-hooks install underneath the existing roll bar screws — no drilling, no permanent modifications. Once the J-hooks are in place, the headliner clips in with bungees. The whole process takes less than an hour.

Sunshade Installation

The sunshade installs in about 15 minutes. It attaches to the existing mounting points in your hard top or soft top. Most owners leave it installed full-time, but you can remove it if you want full sun exposure. The sunshade doesn't interfere with opening or closing your top.

Sound Assassin Installation

The biggest prep for Sound Assassin is removing the carpet. You don't need to remove interior panels unless you're adding Sound Assassin to the door panels specifically. Removing seats and the center console is optional — it makes the job easier, but it's not required. Once the carpet is out, you cut the Sound Assassin sheets to size and press them into place on the floor. For best results, use a Heavy Duty Roller (sold separately on the Hothead Headliners site) to ensure proper adhesion.

For detailed installation guides, visit the Hothead Headliners installation page. They have step-by-step instructions for every product.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is an incredible truck, but it's not perfect out of the box. The right accessories solve the comfort issues that come with a bare fiberglass interior — heat, noise, and lack of insulation. A headliner with radiant barrier technology is the single most impactful upgrade you can make. Add a sunshade for extra heat protection, and consider Sound Assassin if you want the quietest possible cabin. All of these products are made in the USA, install in a weekend, and ship fast from Idaho. You don't need to spend thousands on upgrades — just focus on the ones that solve real problems.