Overland rig built off lower trims?

[zy1337]

Hello,

I have been on the market for a new truck and I've been debating between an Toyota Tacoma off-road trim vs a Gladiator Sport S.
I am not posting this in the "Vs" section because at this point I am basically set on the Gladiator route.

At this point I need to figure out which trim to get, and coming from Toyota's (owned and built-up a SAS'ed first and a second gen's) I am used to going aftermarket for basically anything.

The Sport S trim is as far as I am willing to go with basics, which means suspension, tires, lockers at the very least.
I was planning on running 35's with the toyota (looking at 37's with the gladiator), bumper + tired carrier, bed rack + tent + usually camping gear.

If I had gone the tacoma route, I would have regeared with 35's - not sure if it will be needed on the gladiator, I've seen people not regearing with 37's but I'm not sure what ratio came with their trim - at this point I will say that I open to re-gearing, especially as I will be adding lockers which will be a great time to do any re-gearing if any.


Generally speaking, the reason I am going with a Rubicon is the fact I would be replacing tires at the very least and possibly some of the suspension. So cost wise, I am able to start with lower priced vehicle and add-on on the go.

I am wondering if the strategy I've had with Toyota's in the past would apply here.

Cheers

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[Steven_B]

I went with the Sport S Ecodisel for my build. Knowing that I would swap out the suspension and install ARB Air Lockers, no reason to spend the extra money on the Gladiator. I know, some of you will point out the extra low range, but where I live (Western Washington) the extra low range doesn't do much in the mud and snow.

I would have gone with just the Sport, but if I remember right, you couldn't get the diesel. Also, the only options I wanted were power doors/locks, heated seats for the pup and myself, and the LED lights.

If all goes as of plan, you'll see my JT in a booth at the Overland Expo West and Mountain events.

 

[Erievon]

You can build any of the trim levels up to whatever you want honestly, depending on what you're willing to replace. The world is your oyster, and really trim level is setting up your interior/options if you're going all out on suspension and driveline replacement.

The Rubicon comes with front and rear lockers and sway disconnects and 4:1 crawl ratio in the transfer case, and 4.10 gears. All other T-Cases are 2.something:1. But this is all replaceable aftermarket, and if you know you're replacing the Rubi extras, no, don't pay for them up front. But if you're happy with the factory lockers and axles, and just plan to lift it a bit, this is a great package to start with.

The Max Tow package on a Sport S will give you 4.10 gears and the wider axles from the Rubicon, just without the lockers, 4:1 Trans Case, sway disconnects, and Fox Shocks. This is a good place to start unless you plan to swap to 1 ton axles, at that point don't bother with even the Max Tow package.

Want a well optioned truck inside, but plan to go HAM on aftermarket suspension and driveline? Find an Overland.

 

[zy1337]

Thank you both, great feedback.

I've got a few bids in already - window stickers are difficult to read but the one I liked has Dana 44 axles and a 3.73 diff. It doesn't say "Max Tow" but there is a trailer-tow package, and trac-lok.

Finding the right options can be a bit tricky, I didn't really care for the tow package but it almost looks like these are part of the Sport S package. Again those stickers can be difficult to read.

 

[Erievon]

Thank you both, great feedback.

I've got a few bids in already - window stickers are difficult to read but the one I liked has Dana 44 axles and a 3.73 diff. It doesn't say "Max Tow" but there is a trailer-tow package, and trac-lok.

Finding the right options can be a bit tricky, I didn't really care for the tow package but it almost looks like these are part of the Sport S package. Again those stickers can be difficult to read.

All models come with Dana 44s. And if its 3.73s, it's not the Max Tow package, just regular tow package.

 

[zy1337]

I see, thank you. So the Dana 44 that come with the Max Tow package must be the wider ones then. I had completely forgotten about those.

 

[Free2roam]

Check out SLC Jeep for your build. Ask for Elliot. I've referred a couple people to him 8% off invoice. Worth at least talking to to see what they can do for you. Guess it all depends on where you're located.

 

[HorneyBadger]

And yes, regear for 37's!

 

[Jaxmax]

The Max Tow axles are wider and are 4.10 gears, and can have a rear locker, I get where you are coming from, one thing that is expensive but a lot of overlanders say they would perhaps get is the diesel for the torque and extended fuel range. Do some goggling on overlanding, I looked a lot and some real overlanders, that travel all over the world, would not get the low sulphur diesels we have, would not go much bigger then about a 33" tire and would consider steel rims.
Some countries dont have the best diesel but they all have gas, steel rims you can probbly buy any where and can be welded and beat back into shape, and lastly the large tires, just draw attention to your vehicle and will be hard to find in remote places, overlanding fairly close to home the above does not apply......Jack

My jeep is getting set up to sleep in rear of bed with cap, porta pottie, water , stove and sink, (has to be self contained) but I am not an overlander but would be able to if I wanted, I'm a turkey hunter and surf fisherman, and sleep perhaps five nights a year in truck, so yes I'm a POSER!

 

[zy1337]

Thank you, that makes sense


@Free2roam I checked their inventory, I didn't see any MT but I will give them a call.

 

[Free2roam]

Thank you, that makes sense


@Free2roam I checked their inventory, I didn't see any MT but I will give them a call.

Order it. They will do custom orders.

 

[zy1337]

The Max Tow axles are wider and are 4.10 gears, and can have a rear locker, I get where you are coming from, one thing that is expensive but a lot of overlanders say they would perhaps get is the diesel for the torque and extended fuel range. Do some goggling on overlanding, I looked a lot and some real overlanders, that travel all over the world, would not get the low sulphur diesels we have, would not go much bigger then about a 33" tire and would consider steel rims.
Some countries don"have the best diesel but they all have gas, steel rims you can probbly buy any where and can be welded and beat back into shape, and lastly the large tires, just draw attention to your vehicle and will be hard to find in remote places, overlanding fairly close to home the above does not apply......Jack

My jeep is getting set up to sleep in rear of bed with cap, porta pottie, water , stove and sink, (has to be self contained) but I am not an overlander but would be able to if I wanted, I'm a turkey hunter and surf fisherman, and sleep perhaps five nights a year in truck, so yes I'm a POSER!

I have to agree on the topic of tires, I'm not set yet but I'll clarify that true overlanding as in week-long trips will be more occasional - it will be mostly used on week-ends, camping trips. I am into astronomy and I carry a bunch of equipment to remote dark sky areas. I probably end up on somewhat technical trails more often than week-long trips outside of the country. I miss my SAS'ed first gen on 37's which was something I had completely given up on when I was considering the tacoma route.

As far as the engine, I may have overlooked this a few months ago when I first considered the Gladiator but I don't remember seeing a MT option for the diesel models. MT to me is all about having fun driving more than a control thing while off-roading, I grew up in Europe and stick shift is all I have known; AT's are great for commuting in the LA traffic but luckily that Gladiator will not be used as DD.

 

[zy1337]

Order it. They will do custom orders.

Hmm, what's the typical lead time on custom Jeep's?
I considered doing a custom order for the Toyota and they asked 4-6 months which would screw up the season.

 

[zy1337]

As it turns out you cannot select the Max Tow package when the manual transmission.
I didn't call the dealer to double check, but the builder on the Jeep website doesn't allow you to select Max Tow the Manual Transmission, at least not on the Sport S trim.

 

[Free2roam]

Hmm, what's the typical lead time on custom Jeep's?
I considered doing a custom order for the Toyota and they asked 4-6 months which would screw up the season.

8-12 weeks. Plus or minus. That's what I got from SLC Jeep

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