Jeep Gladiator Postal Truck: Honoring the Past with Today’s Engineering Excellence
Morgan Olson, the American company known for its walk-in “step van” delivery vehicles, has created quite a buzz by revealing its new Kestrel work truck, which is built on the Jeep Gladiator platform.
Unveiled alongside Morgan Olson’s well-known C250e electric delivery truck at this year’s National Postal Forum (yes, it’s a real event — we had no idea either), the Kestrel is notably smaller than their traditional step vans. Despite its compact size, the company promises it delivers the same “uncompromising commitment” and “long-lasting performance.” What’s especially noteworthy is that, according to an official statement, the Kestrel is highly versatile and can be customized not just for delivery purposes but also for use by police and medical teams.
Unsurprisingly, the unveiling of the Kestrel has sparked numerous comparisons to the U.S. Postal Service’s longstanding partnership with Jeep—especially the iconic DJ-5 model—which ended back in the 1980s.
The Kestrel, weighing in at around 5,000 pounds, is still powered by a naturally aspirated V6 engine.
Morgan Olson has deliberately preserved the Gladiator’s cab comforts and safety features by leaving everything forward of the B-pillar untouched. However, behind the cab, significant changes have been made: the rear bench and truck bed have been removed to accommodate a versatile aluminum service box. Despite including multi-level shelving and shutter doors on both sides, the lightweight aluminum construction helps keep the Kestrel’s curb weight around 5,000 pounds—comparable to the entry-level Willys or Sport Gladiator models.
The Jeep’s 3.6-liter V6 engine remains unchanged, retaining its original output of 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is well-suited for the Kestrel’s needs, as the vehicle sheds much of its original weight while the added aluminum service box likely balances out the overall load.
The Kestrel reportedly retains the factory-spec Gladiator’s 137-inch wheelbase (JT platform), though it is about eight inches shorter in overall length. Its maximum payload capacity is around 1,700 pounds—roughly 600 pounds more than the Sport, High Tide, or top-tier Mojave models. Pricing, however, takes a sharp leap: according to a post on the Jeep Gladiator Forum, the Kestrel could cost fleet buyers upwards of $80,000 due to development expenses—over $25,000 more than the Mojave and nearly double the Willys’ MSRP.
Can Be Customized for Emergency Service Applications
According to Morgan Olson’s Joe Rudolph, a key driver behind the development of the Kestrel is the increasing demand from large U.S. corporations for “smaller applications for their delivery and service needs”—essentially, more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles. This need inspired the design of the customizable service box, which can be adapted for use by law enforcement, fire departments, and other first responders. Depending on the industry, the V6 engine might also be modified to better suit specific requirements.
Interestingly, the Gladiator’s versatile design—offering both left-hand and right-hand drive configurations—means the Kestrel could potentially be sold not only in the United States but also in international markets, if it goes into production.
The Kestrel name was inspired by the bird of prey, chosen to reflect the vehicle’s “bold and agile” design as well as its reputation for “precision and efficiency.”
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