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Rummie

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--------Update Edit--------

List of Completed/in process Mods

On rack full bar
Yakima shower
Quake fender chop
Goosegear full rear seat delete
12v ice maker
100ah Battleborn battery
Redarc BCDC 40 amp charger
Starlink 12v conversion
Metalcloak tie rod
Falcon adjustable steering stabilizer
Metalcloak 3.5" Gamechanger w/Rocksports
Clayton rear 3.5" HD coils
Falcon SP2 3.3 Fast Adjust Piggyback Shocks
Hellwig sway bar
Metalcloak hinge steps
Metalcloak rockers and flip steps
Icon 1 3/8" rear coil spacers
Artec truss/gusset/lca skids
Artec full aluminum skid plates
Artec Differential covers
Dana 5.13 gears
RCV axles
Chromoly rear axles
Wheel Vintiques smoothies - 17x9 with 4.25" backspace
Nitto Trail Grappler 37x12.5
Warn 10k winch
ARB dual air compressor fire wall install
Rebel Offroad XPLOR full height rack - modified to hold Jerry cans
Custom locking brackets for holding accessories on rack
Literider bed cover
Front Runner roof rack
iKamper Mini roof top tent
Genesis Dual Battery kit
Power to tent
Power to bed
Dometic fridge
Wrappon Green toilet
Joolca hot water heater
Bush Company 270 XT awning
Custom aluminum bed tray
Starlink

Some pics:

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_3328 2.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build 239474903_10225358493819005_1869828386284063234_n


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build 273595609_10226307194775936_327489277224550665_n


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_3817.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build 28CFC207-77AC-439B-ABF2-37C7083D2B95


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0943 (1)


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build 171419802_1260380601050903_6269460952239305235_n



--------END EDIT/Original Post Begins------------


Took delivery last month. I wanted a Gator Gladiator so I figured it was time to buy before I couldn't get a new one anymore. Found a loaded one on the lot in Texas and had it shipped to Florida.

Our goal is to have an off roader that can tow our camper easily. We have a JKU currently that we have taken all around the states a few times. We recently bought a T@B 400 Boondock camper and it's at the limits for the JKU. It actually tows it surprisingly well, but we can't take anything extra along or we will be a good bit over the legal limits. The Gladiator is going to be the perfect fit for us. The JKU will go to our soon to be 16 year old.

We intend to take the camper to destinations and explore from there. It's not an off road camper, but it has a kitchen, a/c, shower, etc. All the comforts of home.

This is as it arrived.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0007 2.JPG




Here is our JKU with our little camper. We are putting flat fenders on the JK at the moment. Also re-gearing.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0932.JPG


Looking forward to taking the Gladiator on it's first trip!

We will be in Moab in the spring if this covid crap doesn't shut it all down again!
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That green looks so good. I’ll be interested in how the trailer goes for you behind the gladiator. I’m looking at a trailer of similar size and weight I got a rental trailer last year and towed it with my current Truck(Tacoma on 35’s) and was not happy with it. Now I’m think Gladiator with ecodiesel. But I’m curious to see how the 3.6 does.
 

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How much does the trailer weigh? With 37” tires the JT will struggle towing on the highway with any grade.
 
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That green looks so good. I’ll be interested in how the trailer goes for you behind the gladiator. I’m looking at a trailer of similar size and weight I got a rental trailer last year and towed it with my current Truck(Tacoma on 35’s) and was not happy with it. Now I’m think Gladiator with ecodiesel. But I’m curious to see how the 3.6 does.
The diesel will probably be better in towing but has less payload. We rented an Airstream Basecamp to test out towing behind the Wrangler. About the same weight as our Tab. We pulled it from Florida to Ouray, Colorado. Then pulled it up and over Millionaire's Highway. It definitely put a strain on the 3.6. A big part of that is a 5 speed transmission, 3.21 gears, and big heavy 35s. The fact that it could make it over at all is impressive.

I am gonna guess that the Gladiator with the 3.6, 4.10 (for now) and 8 speed is going to do a pretty good job towing this camper. The camper is about 3000 lbs empty with 3500 max. We have an E2 weight distribution hitch with sway control as well.

I will let you know for certain once we have taken it through the mountains out west.

It's all subjective of course. I don't mind not driving that fast with the camper. It's gonna struggle in the mountains. But it's really the only option for what we like to do. We don't want a big motorhome with a Jeep behind it. Just not our style.

Btw, the JKU tracked a lot better on the freeway with the camper behind it! [edit] Just to be clear, I mean it tracks better than it does without the camper behind it. Not that it tracks better than the JT. [/edit]
 
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How much does the trailer weigh? With 37” tires the JT will struggle towing on the highway with any grade.
3500 max. We will re-gear. Most likely to 4.88.
 
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the JKU tracked a lot better on the freeway with the camper behind it!
Interesting. I’ve been considering a JLU with the diesel but I don’t think we would fit. 2 kids and 2 big dogs take up a lot of space. The trailer will make up for some of the space but it probably mean it goes on every trip.
 
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Interesting. I’ve been considering a JLU with the diesel but I don’t think we would fit. 2 kids and 2 big dogs take up a lot of space. The trailer will make up for some of the space but it probably mean it goes on every trip.
And weigh a lot! :CWL: We found that even if we ran the camper dry we were hitting GCVWR limits. And difficult to keep the hitch weight at a reasonable level.

The defining point for us was when I put the Wrangler on a rum scale at work and found it weighed more than I thought. All of the accessories start to add up and you can be over payload pretty quickly. I have 105 lbs in recovery gear alone not even counting the winch! Crazy! And steel skids are damn heavy (that's why I ordered aluminum this time). We couldn't bring bicycles along, etc, etc, etc.

We ultimately decided that the Gladiator gave us a lot more flexibility.

What trailer are you looking at?
 

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Intech Flyer Discover. Intech calls it a toy hauler. Dry weight is around 2800 pounds. I will mostly use it for hauling gear and bicycles with the occasional hauling of a motorcycle or two. I really like the tip out bunks and it’s full aluminum construction. The only downside is it’s very boxy.
 
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Intech Flyer Discover. Intech calls it a toy hauler. Dry weight is around 2800 pounds. I will mostly use it for hauling gear and bicycles with the occasional hauling of a motorcycle or two. I really like the tip out bunks and it’s full aluminum construction. The only downside is it’s very boxy.
Intech makes nice trailers and campers. If you want to haul gear and still camp in it you are probably looking at the best option out there in the weight range.
 

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That’s what I was thinking. I’ve looked at so many different styles of trailers in the last year or so. Anything the was real off road worthy was just to small or way to expensive. Plus with the interior dimensions big enough to fit a UTV........maybe my wife could get me a turbocharged RZR for Christmas. :giggle: Doubtful.
 

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Front bumper wings removed. Very easy job. Just be sure to look at the bolts when you take them out. Two are longer on each side than the others. Want to be sure to put them back in the correct place (the front).

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0077.JPG
 
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Installed the Rebel Off Road bed rails and full height XPLOR rack.

They were both easy installs. I had to clean out the bed liner that had been sprayed in at the factory from the rail install holes. I chose to use a tap as the instructions called for and was careful to keep it aligned straight. It cleaned out the holes perfectly with no damage to the threads.

The XPLOR rack is an easy install as well. It is a very high quality build and came packaged well. Strangely there were three pieces that needed to be straightened before installing them. They were not damaged during shipping and were packaged well, but somehow must have slipped past QC. It was an easy fix by putting a towel around them and using a vice to hold them for bending back into place. See the pics below.

The instructions are very well written with illustrations to match. The hardware is all packaged and labeled in separate bags. Makes for an easy install. I haven't seen if they put instructions for the install of the standoff mounts for inside brackets in there somewhere. They were not in the main installation instructions. Could be in one of the boxes still. I will check later.

There are only two things I would change about this rack. First, I prefer not to have company logos on my Jeep. In this case I will have the machine shop next door cut/powder coat a plate to fit over the logo cutout. Second, I would prefer the upper corners to angle more like I have seen on some other racks. I will probably just live with that since I love the rack anyway. But maybe at some point I'll have my buddies with the machine shop modify that for a less tall appearance.

Overall an excellent rack. I am happy with my purchase and can recommend it to others.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0086 2.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0090.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0091.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0093.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0095.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0111.JPG

In the picture above you see how the rack attaches to the bed rail. I found it easiest to get the threads started if you get something to put behind the receiver piece to hold it forward. Otherwise it pushes to the back of the rail and it's harder to get started. I just used a small wrench but many things will do.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0115.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0116.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0118.JPG
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0119.JPG
 
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Tires arrived! The wheels are not here yet. Damn these are gonna look good! And get me over bigger rocks!

Nitro Trail Grappler 37 x 12.5 x 17. I have the same but 35s on my JKU and love them.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build FEB348CB-5193-4204-9C51-A06EF9B7B45F


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build 0E78F52D-DE08-46B6-AC04-DE76EDCD65ED
 
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Just a little catch up here. Wheels finally arrived and have been powder coated. I went with Wheel Vintiques Smoothies reversed. 17 x 9 with a 4.25" backspace. They are matte black.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0418.JPG


Installed Metalcloak hinge steps to make it easier for strapping stuff on the roof.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0380.JPG


Wheels, tires, and Metalcloak 3.5" Gamechanger lift are going on at the moment.
 
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Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build 63388914493__723B3817-CDD0-4B47-9886-48174CB6EFE4-preview.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0060-preview.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0059-preview.JPG


Going to try Icon coil spacers in the rear to compensate for extra weight that will be back there and to keep a little factory rake. If it sits too high we'll take them out when the gears get installed in a week or two.
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