SOFLO JEEPS MAKES AN ULTIMATE JEEP WRANGLER OR GLADIATOR 6X6

Nobody “needs” a Jeep Gladiator 6×6, or a Wrangler 6×6. But that’s not the point here, as SoFlo Jeeps has enough customers that want one of these badass 6×6 trucks that they have made 15 of them in just over 2 years. The Florida company aims to have better off-road capability, personalization, and quality than the competition, all at a reasonable asking price. Reasonable for a massive 6×6 Jeep, that is.

Company founder Joe Ghattas started his career as an exotic car dealership. He has always loved Jeeps, and often had his personal custom Jeep in customers views. Enough people loved them that he got a few friends together to start making custom Jeeps, and South Florida (SoFlo) Jeeps was born. 

They’ve already made a name for themselves turning base Wranglers into fully custom and wild looking off-roaders that cost just a few thousand more than a Rubicon, but have a totally unique style. Ghattas claims his Jeeps will, “drive right over the Rubicon” in terms of off-road capability, too.

The biggest takeaway from the Wrangler and Gladiator 6×6 models (called the SF6x6 and SF6x6G, respectively) is the level of customization customers have, right down to the engine. A Pentastar V6 model will run you around $120,000, while an EcoDiesel bumps that to $140,000. Where emissions regulations allow, SoFlo will open up the diesel’s exhaust and up the boost, increasing torque to around 600 lb-ft for around $150,000. If you’re willing to pay almost $170,000, SoFlo Jeeps will even create an LS3-powered 6×6 monster for you.

The build process for the 6×6 takes 45 days, which Ghattas tells us is far less than some of their competition, who don’t have the same quality of components or design options SoFlo Jeep’s deep customization choices offer. 

“The first step for the 6×6 is to literally saw the Jeep in half. Then we extend the frame with quarter inch thick steel and overlap by about 19 inches on the original frame,” said Ghattas in an interview with MC&T. “Everything after the extension and the third axle is a fully custom fabrication by us. The spring hats, the control arm mounts, you name it. We do it all custom, ourselves.”

Speaking of that third axle, there’s no cheating with just a rolling axle, or a transfer case that sends power over the middle axle. It’s a true full-time mechanical six wheel drive system. For the first four models, they couldn’t actually find a supplier that gave then a differential up to their standards, so they used an electric motor from a Tesla battery to power the rear axle so all axles would be driven. Ghattas said they throttle calibration was tricky, but they made it work seamlessly. Still, when they found someone who could supply a suitable 6×6 full time drivetrain, they dropped the hybrid system for better durability and drivability. 

Finally, the fill in the gap in the body work with fiberglass on the Wrangler and steel on the Gladiator. The customer can then customize the design to their heart’s content.

“I think the biggest difference between us and most other places is we can do anything you want custom,” said Ghattas. “Any motor you want, any look, any paint, any leather, and do all of that in a reasonable amount of time; 45 days rather than months and months.”

SoFlo Jeeps’ 6×6 customers unsurprisingly include a number of celebrities, like MLB players such as Hassan Whiteside of the Portland Trailblazers and Yankees star pitcher Aroldis Chapman, and Keeping Up With The Kardashians personality Scott Disick.

“I hope our products fill a need, a desire to just have something badass and custom that looks, sounds and feels exactly the way you want it,” said Ghattas. We think they do just that and more.