2021 Mojave Overland Build…Almost there!

[Backcountry ADV]

Finally took the plunge on a rack/RTT set up. Here’s a few pics for reference.

Backstory: I wanted a hard shell for ease & quickly setting up/breaking down for backcountry hunting and overlanding. I wanted a tight (compact) footprint. It had to work with a tonneau cover too. Aluminum Hardshell was a strong preference for durability and additional mounting options atop.

Components:
RTT: 23Zero Armadillo A2 (Aluminum) 62
Awning: 23Zero Peregrine 270 (not in pics)
Rack: RCI 12” x 46” for 5’ bed
Cover: BAK X4s Black Edition Tonneau
Bed: JCR Off-road Bed Molle Panels

Rig: Basic Specs
‘21 Gladiator Mojave
Clayton Off-road 3.5” Overland Plus Suspension
Fox 2.0 IFP Shocks (Falcon’s were forever backorder)
Icon Vehicle Dynamics 17x9 Wheels Bronze
37’s Yokohama Geolander M/T 37x12.50R17
Fab Fours Front Bumper
10k Synthetic Winch
Rigid Lighting
Rockslide Engineering Rockslide Steps with LED lighting
JCR Bed Molle (Full Set)
Viair 2Gal Tank (Underbed Mounted) with Continuous Compressor Set Up
Indeflate Dual Inflation/Deflation Set up
MaxxTrax, Rotopax, etc.
BAK X4S Tonneau Cover

Overall Height of RTT and rails on top: 84”

**Mods Required - Had to put a couple bends in 2 Tent Poles (To Clear the Back of the Cab) pics coming later. Easily Done. 10 minutes tops.

Still Need to Fabricate Awning Mount to Clear the RTT Lid when opening. Currently CAD Designing the articulating brackets to adapt. (It’ll cantilever away & up from Bed Rack to clear the RTT lid & maintain height for 6’7” or more under to allow standing & moving around including tailgate area.) I’m planning to take these to market as RCI & 23Zero don’t have a solution yet due to the new Armadillo tent designs just being released this year.

Overall, I’m super pleased. Excellent fit & finish & solid. I’ll get some better pics on the trail but here’s a few for reference. Cheers! #overlanding #jeepgladiator

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[John in the Woods]

That’s a great looking setup. You and I are headed to almost the same destination. I wanted to keep my Mopar tonneau, so I went with the KB Voodoo MAX rack. I have a Roofnest Condor Overland to go on top. Like you, I wanted the aluminum case so it could take a trail lashing. Love the aerodynamic look on the 23Zero.

I’ll definitely be watching how you design those brackets. I’ll have the same issue with the Roofnest case when it opens. I’m mounting up those last pieces when I get to Florida early in January.

Thanks for the info and the inspiration.

 

[Backcountry ADV]

That’s a great looking setup. You and I are headed to almost the same destination. I wanted to keep my Mopar tonneau, so I went with the KB Voodoo MAX rack. I have a Roofnest Condor Overland to go on top. Like you, I wanted the aluminum case so it could take a trail lashing. Love the aerodynamic look on the 23Zero.

I’ll definitely be watching how you design those brackets. I’ll have the same issue with the Roofnest case when it opens. I’m mounting up those last pieces when I get to Florida early in January.

Thanks for the info and the inspiration.

Thanks for the kind words. I just picked up my new King Ranch and once I get the BDS suspension, wheels/tires, etc all lined out on it for DD then the Gladiator can get some more attention! I’ll be working on a 3D design idea for the Awning brackets to take to market as no one has solved the problem with the latest RTT’s that cantilever sideways for the awning mounts.

I’ve had this rig in the mountains for some camping with my son, hunting backcountry Elk and Mule Deer and it’s unbelievable how accommodating they are with a self sufficient set up. The 5.13 Re-Gear made all the difference in the world and the Rockslide Steps give me incredible clearance. It goes over stuff I wouldn’t imagine taking my F-150’s even with 4-6” suspension and 35’s. Truly a remarkable build for getting off-grid! Keep us posted on your build too.

 

[Backcountry ADV]

A few more pics of the build in it’s “natural habitat” adventuring beyond pavement and concrete jungles!

 

[Backcountry ADV]

What are you towing with the hitch?

I have a small 8x12 Enclosed Trailer I utilize for my Adventure and Dirt Bikes/Dual Sports. It’s built out for all the gear and a few shelves up front plus the tie downs. I typically pull it with my F-150 King Ranch but occasionally like that I can move it around with the Gladiator.

I also typically leave the hitches in my rigs as I’ve been rear-ended multiple times over the years and they tend to protect major damages. They’ll straight wreck most cars hoods/front grille areas and push them underneath the rear rather than smashing tailgates and rear bumpers on my rigs. Most of my F-150’s are on BDS 4-6” Suspensions and 35’s. Just habit at this point but it also looks cool with the drop hitches…

 

[MojaveLawyer]

A few more pics of the build in it’s “natural habitat” adventuring beyond pavement and concrete jungles!

Sweet looking rig!!!

Which mounts are you using for the dual pods near the A-Pillar? I have some that are rinky dink and am currently in the market looking for some steadier ones. Thank you!

 

[Backcountry ADV]

Sweet looking rig!!!

Which mounts are you using for the dual pods near the A-Pillar? I have some that are rinky dink and am currently in the market looking for some steadier ones. Thank you!

MOPAR A-Pillar's. Solid as a rock and spots for multiple lights. I run the Rigid 3" Cubes, one set up top in bright white Spot with the yellow lens cover and one set of Spots (Clear) on the sides as more ditch/terrain lights with a ton of additional light. I also have a set of the Midnight Series Diffused Spots in the bumper which are ridiculous for driving lights paired with my Oracle LED headlights.

 

[MojaveLawyer]

MOPAR A-Pillar's. Solid as a rock and spots for multiple lights. I run the Rigid 3" Cubes, one set up top in bright white Spot with the yellow lens cover and one set of Midnight Series in Diffused Spots on the sides as more ditch/terrain lights with a ton of width. I also have a set of those in the bumper which are ridiculous for driving lights paired with my Oracle LED headlights.

Thank you so much for the reply and the info! I just purchased these of ebay, and can't wait for the swap! I'm gonna look into the Midnight Series lights, since I do intend to swap out to the Fab Fours Stubby! Thank you so much again!

 

[Backcountry ADV]

Anyone else using their rigs for hunting/exploring?

 

[NotAnotherG]

Finally took the plunge on a rack/RTT set up. Here’s a few pics for reference.

Backstory: I wanted a hard shell for ease & quickly setting up/breaking down for backcountry hunting and overlanding. I wanted a tight (compact) footprint. It had to work with a tonneau cover too. Aluminum Hardshell was a strong preference for durability and additional mounting options atop.

Components:
RTT: 23Zero Armadillo A2 (Aluminum) 62
Awning: 23Zero Peregrine 270 (not in pics)
Rack: RCI 12” x 46” for 5’ bed
Cover: BAK X4s Black Edition Tonneau
Bed: JCR Off-road Bed Molle Panels

Rig: Basic Specs
‘21 Gladiator Mojave
Clayton Off-road 3.5” Overland Plus Suspension
Fox 2.0 IFP Shocks (Falcon’s were forever backorder)
Icon Vehicle Dynamics 17x9 Wheels Bronze
37’s Yokohama Geolander M/T 37x12.50R17
Fab Fours Front Bumper
10k Synthetic Winch
Rigid Lighting
Rockslide Engineering Rockslide Steps with LED lighting
JCR Bed Molle (Full Set)
Viair 2Gal Tank (Underbed Mounted) with Continuous Compressor Set Up
Indeflate Dual Inflation/Deflation Set up
MaxxTrax, Rotopax, etc.
BAK X4S Tonneau Cover

Overall Height of RTT and rails on top: 84”

**Mods Required - Had to put a couple bends in 2 Tent Poles (To Clear the Back of the Cab) pics coming later. Easily Done. 10 minutes tops.

Still Need to Fabricate Awning Mount to Clear the RTT Lid when opening. Currently CAD Designing the articulating brackets to adapt. (It’ll cantilever away & up from Bed Rack to clear the RTT lid & maintain height for 6’7” or more under to allow standing & moving around including tailgate area.) I’m planning to take these to market as RCI & 23Zero don’t have a solution yet due to the new Armadillo tent designs just being released this year.

Overall, I’m super pleased. Excellent fit & finish & solid. I’ll get some better pics on the trail but here’s a few for reference. Cheers! #overlanding #jeepgladiator

Hoping mine looks this good when it grows up. Until then, I just got the same RTT last weekend. Do you have that pic on how you bent your cab side window props? Great looking rig ??

 

[Backcountry ADV]

Hoping mine looks this good when it grows up. Until then, I just got the same RTT last weekend. Do you have that pic on how you bent your cab side window props? Great looking rig ??

Let me see if I can find the pic. It’s a simple 2 bend set up that offsets the rods to clear the roof. If not, I’ll be able to snap one Sunday or Monday. I also worked with my local shop to design, fabricate, Line-X, and install a killer rack adapter and mounting plate that allows you to run the 23 Zero 270 Awning on the rack while not interfering with the tent lid opening. It created a quickly removeable design as well as near infinite adjustability for the awning. I’m in the testing phases now and looking to see if a 2.0 version is required for some additional updates. Thus far it’s been perfect!

Thanks for the kind words. It’s been a project for sure but it’s also created so many memories and trips with my son and family it’s been worth the investment!

 

[Backcountry ADV]

Hoping mine looks this good when it grows up. Until then, I just got the same RTT last weekend. Do you have that pic on how you bent your cab side window props? Great looking rig ??

Found an older pic but this should get you an idea. Let me know if you need more info. Happy to help!

 

[Backcountry ADV]

Here’s a quick update on the Gladiator Build. As mentioned, once the RCI rack and 23Zero USA RTT (Armadillo A2 Aluminum version) was added I had no clearance nor solutions for mounting the 23Zero USA 270 Deg Awning System.

After searching the interwebs and a million pics/companies I decided to set out to collaborate with a local shop to design and fabricate an easy to install solution for the clearance and adjustments needed to properly install/mount the awning.

Here’s a few pics of the Rack / RTT / And Awning System we designed.

For those in need or interested, we will be offering these as a bolt on solution. I’m in the patent process currently and will have these ready for market shortly.

The finished product looks factory finished and has worked flawlessly as well as being solid.

**First 3 pics are the clearance and problem with all the current available direct mount brackets for an awning and this rack/RTT Design.

Additional pics are the solution!

 

[Backcountry ADV]

A few more pics of the project and current status.

Phase 3 is about to start. - Installing a dual battery/power supply system. Area Lighting. Solar Panel(s). Fridge and Various Camping Upgrades.

Parts to come:
RedArc Inverter
RedArc Solar Panel
RedArc Power Management
RedArc Battery Isolator

IceCo 37 - 35 qrt Fridge Freezer (in the garage)
IceCo Power Supply - Magnetic for the Fridge/Freezer (in the garage)
IceCo 80w Portable Solar Panel - backup only (in the garage)

Baja Designs - S1’s and S2’s for area lighting and chase lighting
Baja Designs - Rock Lights for under canopy and under Rack/RTT

 

[Brandon Glads]

Nice build !

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