Jay61
Member
- First Name
- Jay
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2023
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 48
- Location
- Leesburg GA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018JKUR 2023 JT Rubicon
- Occupation
- Attorney
- Thread starter
- #1
THE TRUCK
Well, I recently purchased a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon in "Granite Crystal Gray" as the foundation for my build. Due to the "stop sale order" on both standard transmission and diesel versions I had to get the gas automatic transmission version. I knew I was going to be a little bit heavy when the build was done so the first bit of attention was directed towards the suspension.
I have always been a fan of Australian off-road suspensions so I went with the Dobinsons HD 3-inch lift. If you are going to be heavy you really should check these out. The rear springs are 1,100 lbs rated and the three-way reservoir shocks are a beast. The other components look like they were engineered for a Mack Truck more so than for a Jeep. I like BFG KO-2 tires and I wanted 35 inch tires so I swapped out the rims for the 8 1/2 wide MOPAR rims to handle those tires.
I replaced the front bumper with the ARB "Stubby" bumper upon which is mounted a WARN Zion 10k winch. I run a lot of electronics "in cab" and always have a phone charging too, so I did away with the stock battery system and installed the Genesis Dual Battery System, which I have run on my other Jeeps in the past and it has never let me down when I was out in the "wilds". The batteries I decided upon are the Odyssey Group 25 AGM in 100ah. One of the benefits of this system is that it deletes the small "golf cart" battery that comes stock on the Gladiator and deletes the auto stop/start gizmo they put on these new Jeeps.
The places I go and the things I do in my off-road vehicles always has me wishing for more fuel. So, I installed the LRA (Long Range America) Auxiliary Fuel Tank which gives me an extra 17 gallons of fuel with just the flip of a switch. I also ordered an AEV snorkel with a pre-filter, ARB Diff Covers, Diff Breather Tubes, an electronics accessory bar for the dash so that I can use RAM mounts for all my electronics. I also am installing a number of USB and 12v outlets for my various in cab electronics (Pads, Garmins, InReach, Phone, etc...). Which are in hand now and will be installed when I pick up my truck this coming week from the camper install. While I was getting my camper installed I decided I needed to upgrade my brakes, so I had Ashville Vehicle Outfitters (where I am getting my camper installed) upgrade my brakes with the Power Brake, which is a heavy-duty off-road brake system developed in South Africa where a lot of vehicles are heavy and off-road all the time.
THE CAMPER aka MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME.
I am 62 years old and have been hunting, fishing, exploring and camping out of vehicles from Alaska to the Everglades and over to Baja and Northern Mexico since I was 16. I have always slept in the bed of the truck, a sleeping platform in the vehicle, a ground tent or a roof top tent and at my age I wanted something easier to set up and break down, comfortable and largely self-contained. When I stumbled across the Alu Cab Canopy Camper I found what I have been looking for since the 1970s. The only problem was they did not make them for the Gladiator, and I wanted a true, solid axle four-wheel drive. I was on the verge of importing an older Land Cruiser "Troopy" for my build when I read that Alu Cab had a canopy camper in the pipeline for Gladiators. I hit the road and found a few on Gladiators and checked them out firsthand and I knew then, that is what I was going to get.
I ordered one for my Gladiator and started the installation using AVO (the closest alu cab dealer to where I live in southwest Georgia). It has the 270 Shadow Awning, the Shower Cube, the 13 Gallon onboard water tank, a pump for the tank with a hose and adjustable "shower head". I also with the 100ah Renogy Lithium Ion Battery for the "House Power", the Redarc 30 DC/DC charger/solar management system, a 200w solar panel, a 1,500 Redarc inverter and the Dickinsons Propane Heater. I am sure I am leaving out a lot. I also went with a Goose Gear plate and the driver side drawer system and storage bin. The photos of the camper installed were sent to me by AVO. It also has mosquito netting and shades that are attached via velcro.
There will be more modifications to come. I will be testing it out this coming week in the mountains of N. Ga, NC and Tennessee and will probably stop by the Jeep Invasion in Pigeon Forge next weekend. I might re-gear depending upon how it handles (probably will be to 4.88). I also am debating a front drive shaft replacement with the Adams two-part drive shaft. I am also on the lookout for a replacement rear bumper with a tire carrier that will let me still use my towing ability for a lightweight trailer if I need to (light weight skiff or boat for fishing). I am also thinking about possibly doing a 2/3 rear seat delete and putting in Goose Gear plates and fridge slide for the fridge/freezer to free up more living space in the future, but I want to see if that is going to be necessary first. I am planning a trip to the North West Territory, the Yukon Territory and Alaska in the near future and will probably be getting the StarLink Mobile System which will probably require me to add more battery power.
I am going to be ordering some molle panels for the interior of my cab, specifically the American Engineering one for above head, in cab for mounting my GMRS radio and a CB (both in hand right now). I will also be adding lights up front for illumination on those trails where you haven't reached the camp site before the sun goes down. I have no doubt that I will be adding stuff to this vehicle until the day I die or get too old to get out there, it is a Jeep after all.
Well, I recently purchased a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon in "Granite Crystal Gray" as the foundation for my build. Due to the "stop sale order" on both standard transmission and diesel versions I had to get the gas automatic transmission version. I knew I was going to be a little bit heavy when the build was done so the first bit of attention was directed towards the suspension.
I have always been a fan of Australian off-road suspensions so I went with the Dobinsons HD 3-inch lift. If you are going to be heavy you really should check these out. The rear springs are 1,100 lbs rated and the three-way reservoir shocks are a beast. The other components look like they were engineered for a Mack Truck more so than for a Jeep. I like BFG KO-2 tires and I wanted 35 inch tires so I swapped out the rims for the 8 1/2 wide MOPAR rims to handle those tires.
I replaced the front bumper with the ARB "Stubby" bumper upon which is mounted a WARN Zion 10k winch. I run a lot of electronics "in cab" and always have a phone charging too, so I did away with the stock battery system and installed the Genesis Dual Battery System, which I have run on my other Jeeps in the past and it has never let me down when I was out in the "wilds". The batteries I decided upon are the Odyssey Group 25 AGM in 100ah. One of the benefits of this system is that it deletes the small "golf cart" battery that comes stock on the Gladiator and deletes the auto stop/start gizmo they put on these new Jeeps.
The places I go and the things I do in my off-road vehicles always has me wishing for more fuel. So, I installed the LRA (Long Range America) Auxiliary Fuel Tank which gives me an extra 17 gallons of fuel with just the flip of a switch. I also ordered an AEV snorkel with a pre-filter, ARB Diff Covers, Diff Breather Tubes, an electronics accessory bar for the dash so that I can use RAM mounts for all my electronics. I also am installing a number of USB and 12v outlets for my various in cab electronics (Pads, Garmins, InReach, Phone, etc...). Which are in hand now and will be installed when I pick up my truck this coming week from the camper install. While I was getting my camper installed I decided I needed to upgrade my brakes, so I had Ashville Vehicle Outfitters (where I am getting my camper installed) upgrade my brakes with the Power Brake, which is a heavy-duty off-road brake system developed in South Africa where a lot of vehicles are heavy and off-road all the time.
THE CAMPER aka MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME.
I am 62 years old and have been hunting, fishing, exploring and camping out of vehicles from Alaska to the Everglades and over to Baja and Northern Mexico since I was 16. I have always slept in the bed of the truck, a sleeping platform in the vehicle, a ground tent or a roof top tent and at my age I wanted something easier to set up and break down, comfortable and largely self-contained. When I stumbled across the Alu Cab Canopy Camper I found what I have been looking for since the 1970s. The only problem was they did not make them for the Gladiator, and I wanted a true, solid axle four-wheel drive. I was on the verge of importing an older Land Cruiser "Troopy" for my build when I read that Alu Cab had a canopy camper in the pipeline for Gladiators. I hit the road and found a few on Gladiators and checked them out firsthand and I knew then, that is what I was going to get.
I ordered one for my Gladiator and started the installation using AVO (the closest alu cab dealer to where I live in southwest Georgia). It has the 270 Shadow Awning, the Shower Cube, the 13 Gallon onboard water tank, a pump for the tank with a hose and adjustable "shower head". I also with the 100ah Renogy Lithium Ion Battery for the "House Power", the Redarc 30 DC/DC charger/solar management system, a 200w solar panel, a 1,500 Redarc inverter and the Dickinsons Propane Heater. I am sure I am leaving out a lot. I also went with a Goose Gear plate and the driver side drawer system and storage bin. The photos of the camper installed were sent to me by AVO. It also has mosquito netting and shades that are attached via velcro.
There will be more modifications to come. I will be testing it out this coming week in the mountains of N. Ga, NC and Tennessee and will probably stop by the Jeep Invasion in Pigeon Forge next weekend. I might re-gear depending upon how it handles (probably will be to 4.88). I also am debating a front drive shaft replacement with the Adams two-part drive shaft. I am also on the lookout for a replacement rear bumper with a tire carrier that will let me still use my towing ability for a lightweight trailer if I need to (light weight skiff or boat for fishing). I am also thinking about possibly doing a 2/3 rear seat delete and putting in Goose Gear plates and fridge slide for the fridge/freezer to free up more living space in the future, but I want to see if that is going to be necessary first. I am planning a trip to the North West Territory, the Yukon Territory and Alaska in the near future and will probably be getting the StarLink Mobile System which will probably require me to add more battery power.
I am going to be ordering some molle panels for the interior of my cab, specifically the American Engineering one for above head, in cab for mounting my GMRS radio and a CB (both in hand right now). I will also be adding lights up front for illumination on those trails where you haven't reached the camp site before the sun goes down. I have no doubt that I will be adding stuff to this vehicle until the day I die or get too old to get out there, it is a Jeep after all.
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