KESTREL Work Truck (Fire Department Gladiator Build) by Morgan Olson -- at the FDIC show

[Chinman]

not sure if this link will work, but this looks sweet. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fdic...s&rcm=ACoAAALvXuwB5FkfCu1gikg3KpPnV_oNWive3vs

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[Lost1wing]

Looks too heavy for a Gladiator suspension. I bet it is close to maxed out.

Looks sharp though!

 

[NotSo Bright White]

Looks too heavy for a Gladiator suspension. I bet it is close to maxed out.

Looks sharp though!

If it is for a fire department, it is overweight! Our moto was, “If there is empty space, we will fill it!”

 

[dross123]

Soooo much better! Also at FDIC...

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Here is there info and specs. I was trying to see what suspension they were using, but this makes it sound like its all factory since they are quoting factory specs. I'm curious how much that rear box weighs.

https://morganolson.com/kestrel-truck-body-info-specs/

 

[BlueScapegoat]

tbf it has at least 2" of room for up travel in the rear

 

[smlobx]

Looks too heavy for a Gladiator suspension. I bet it is close to maxed out.

Looks sharp though!

Dan Grec (The Road Chose Me) us seriously looking into getting one for his next overland rig. If I remember correctly the GVWM has been significantly increased (3000#?) so that doubt the suspension is stock

 

[Woosah]

Here is there info and specs. I was trying to see what suspension they were using, but this makes it sound like its all factory since they are quoting factory specs. I'm curious how much that rear box weighs.

https://morganolson.com/kestrel-truck-body-info-specs/

It’s criminally common for these manufacturers to deliver a custom vehicle to a fire department that is overweight and not legal to drive on the road. This manufacturer shows a payload number of 1700lbs. 4 firemen at a slim 200lbs each, which in my experience is a very conservative number, 800lbs. Add an aluminum box and trays and lighting package, and the remaining 900 lbs gets chewed up very quickly, and that’s not including any gear or tools to fill those compartments. I’m over my payload with just lightweight camping gear by myself no passengers. If an FD is going this route there’s no way they’re not going to fill every nook and cranny with tools & gear. Highly doubtful this will make GVWR unless they show up naked without tools, the numbers just don’t add up.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Soooo much better! Also at FDIC...

Given the weight differential, I think this is probably a better brush truck than the Kestrel but I'm glad to see at least two big upfitters taking on the JT as a base for their products. In my area, Wranglers generally have been the brush truck of choice but a JT makes a lot more sense on a number of levels.

 

[NotSo Bright White]

It’s criminally common for these manufacturers to deliver a custom vehicle to a fire department that is overweight and not legal to drive on the road. This manufacturer shows a payload number of 1700lbs. 4 firemen at a slim 200lbs each, which in my experience is a very conservative number, 800lbs. Add an aluminum box and trays and lighting package, and the remaining 900 lbs gets chewed up very quickly, and that’s not including any gear or tools to fill those compartments. I’m over my payload with just lightweight camping gear by myself no passengers. If an FD is going this route there’s no way they’re not going to fill every nook and cranny with tools & gear. Highly doubtful this will make GVWR unless they show up naked without tools, the numbers just don’t add up.

I guarantee they fill every nook and cranny! I will also bet they never weigh their vehicles as I never did over 35 years. I know ignorance is not a defense but that is all I had.

 

[Woosah]

I guarantee they fill every nook and cranny! I will also bet they never weigh their vehicles as I never did over 35 years. I know ignorance is not a defense but that is all I had.

Not hurling stones at all brother, I live in a glass (fire)house lol. But I may feel some sort of way about the fire service industrial complex and the problems they create for the worship of profits. Ok off soapbox.

 

[NotSo Bright White]

Not hurling stones at all brother, I live in a glass (fire)house lol. But I may feel some sort of way about the fire service industrial complex and the problems they create for the worship of profits. Ok off soapbox.

Not sure what you’re talking about but I worked wildland fire only. Spent numerous nights sleeping with my face in the dirt if at all. If there was room to carry better sleeping bags or more MRE’s, we were filling it.

 

[robinja]

Soooo much better! Also at FDIC...

This bed! But for the 4 door JT... at a reasonable price point. If you ever get a chance to spend time in a Hilux with a drop side bed, it will forever be your go to configuration when you can get it.

 

[D_JT]

Looks too heavy for a Gladiator suspension. I bet it is close to maxed out.

Looks sharp though!

Look at the rear lower control arms. They are still angled downward. Which says its not even close to being loaded down. Half the cab and the entire bed has been removed. That loss of weight allows for the extra weight of the box. Not to mention the weight is more centered over the rear axle allowing for better weight distribution.

 

[Flyin6]

I wonder what they are doing with the rear springs??
Our brush truck is always carrying a heavy load. Additionally, it may be towing a trailer with a Kawasaki Mule on it.
Fire equipment rule: Take the planned weight, double it, and add 50%. There will always be extra stuff on fire trucks as long is there is any space remaining.
I DO NOT see anything akin to a stock Gladdy carrying all the stuff a rural FD will stuff in it. Then there's the firefighters. I'm seeing quite a few "Corn-fed" firemen. Add in four of them with turn-out gear...

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