Alu-Cab Canopy Camper

[Steven_B]

Any word on how stiff they are? Progressive rate?
Do coils from one lift usually fit others? I have a JKS 3” lift.

They are progressive like their other coils and since they are 3" lift, they should work with your existing system.

Looks like its a 400-700lb rear spring.

https://dasmule.com/collections/rec...t-3-high-capacity-coil-springs-gas-and-diesel

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[Marine2947]

Dialing in my setup has been a constant evolution over the past 10 months of owning my Canopy Camper, but I'm really happy with my recent suspension mods and re-gearing to 4.88 (a game changer). Here's what I've done:

Mopar 2" lift
Dobinsons rear 2" heavy duty coil springs (C29-245V) 880-1210 lb. load
Hellwig rear sway bar (7779)
Yeti Steer Smarts XD adjustable front track bar (75040002)
Yukon 4.88 gears (from stock 3.73)

On stock Sport S suspension I had major body roll doing something as simple as pulling into an elevated driveway at an angle. Driving over railroad tracks or any minor bump was bone-jarring. Now the suspension absorbs the same bumps and body roll is way less noticeable. Very happy with the Mopar lift and combination of Dobinsons springs and Hellwig sway bar.

Biggest game changer by far has been re-gearing to 4.88. I haven't seen 7th or 8th gear since I had the camper installed. Now I'm easily shifting to 8th and running 2100 RPM at 65 MPH. Super happy with the throttle response in lower gears.

Also installed Warn Epic Jackhammer wheels with BFG All Terrain T/A KO2s (LT285/70 R17 121R Load Range E).

Inside the camper is still a work in progress. I have the full Bedrug, ARB twin compressor mounted to the trail rails with an 813 Fabrication & Designs mount and a home-built birch box that holds a Battleborn 100AH LiFePO4 battery and hides all my wiring. I also carry an ARB 50 Qt. fridge and I'm planning to install a slide. On the roof I have 2 100W rigid solar panels. All of my electrical components are detailed in my wiring diagram. Interior pics to follow this spring.

I cannot say enough how much I love my setup. The Canopy Camper is amazing.

What size tires are your running?

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Steven_B,

Trying to formulate plans. If I had my way, yes, I'd like an Aux tank where the spare goes now. Something like the huge fuel tank for the spare location on an LC200. Or a custom water tank to keep the weight low.

Mostly, I just wanted to see how it looked with a 37 on a bumper carrier. Without a tire on the back, the ACCC looks a little........camper-ish for me. With the spare on the door it seems more like an integrated unit. Yes, this is all about looks.....at the moment, but having a huge tank underneath along with the current LRA tank would be great. This would be overkill for anything I ever plan to do, but just having fun brainstorming design ideas.

Insider issues that can be caused by putting it there behind the axle. I’ve talked to long range America previously a while ago about this. Due to Covid it messed up their plans for the diesel. Blast update was probably next year. Myself looking underneath the truck I find it difficult to find a place for the diesel. For the gasser it’s a excellent solution.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

They are progressive like their other coils and since they are 3" lift, they should work with your existing system.

Looks like its a 400-700lb rear spring.

https://dasmule.com/collections/rec...t-3-high-capacity-coil-springs-gas-and-diesel

We ended up getting the Clayton Triple rate springs. Yet to install as we are waiting on Falcon to build our shocks. Seems like they are having production issues. Anyhow the springs are 190/280/360lbs / inch. only for the rear though.

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-35-triple-rate-rear-coil-springs-2020-jt

 

[Steven_B]

We ended up getting the Clayton Triple rate springs. Yet to install as we are waiting on Falcon to build our shocks. Seems like they are having production issues. Anyhow the springs are 190/280/360lbs / inch. only for the rear though.

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-35-triple-rate-rear-coil-springs-2020-jt

Honestly, I think those coils would be a bit soft for my application. The Camper with awning alone is over 600lbs, then add the interior and water tank. Plus all the diesel emission crap ads a lot of weight over the gasser Gladiator.

So far what I have seen on the market for a spring that can handle the weight is Dobinson and AEV. OME is also working on rear springs for camper equipped Gladiators with a 800lb and 1200lb rear spring option. But massive delays have occurred so who knows when ARB will release the OME kit.

I should have my AEV high capacity front and rear springs by the end of March. I will let everyone know what I think when I get them installed.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Honestly, I think those coils would be a bit soft for my application. The Camper with awning alone is over 600lbs, then add the interior and water tank. Plus all the diesel emission crap ads a lot of weight over the gasser Gladiator.

So far what I have seen on the market for a spring that can handle the weight is Dobinson and AEV. OME is also working on rear springs for camper equipped Gladiators with a 800lb and 1200lb rear spring option. But massive delays have occurred so who knows when ARB will release the OME kit.

I should have my AEV high capacity front and rear springs by the end of March. I will let everyone know what I think when I get them installed.

I’ll do the same with the Clayton’s. Also have a diesel with the ACC and Goose interior/water tank etc. once finished with build need to weigh the thing.

biggest issues with others available is the are only made for a 2.5” lift. I’m at a 3.5” with Teraflex RT3 LT. That said Teraflex mentioned they would have a HD doing option next year as well.

 

[teamblkdog]

What size tires are your running?

285 /70 R17 Load Range E

 

[Redruby]

My advice is not to do any suspension modifications until the build is complete and actual weight is determined front and rear then spend the money one time for the right equipment

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Honestly, I think those coils would be a bit soft for my application. The Camper with awning alone is over 600lbs, then add the interior and water tank. Plus all the diesel emission crap ads a lot of weight over the gasser Gladiator.

So far what I have seen on the market for a spring that can handle the weight is Dobinson and AEV. OME is also working on rear springs for camper equipped Gladiators with a 800lb and 1200lb rear spring option. But massive delays have occurred so who knows when ARB will release the OME kit.

I should have my AEV high capacity front and rear springs by the end of March. I will let everyone know what I think when I get them installed.

My advice is not to do any suspension modifications until the build is complete and actual weight is determined front and rear then spend the money one time for the right equipment

That would be ideal is a product available world as well as someone starting out from the start with the ACC. Unfortunately the heavy duty stuff is just starting to hit the market.
This said one can easily plan ahead and work out closely what their weight would be without being over sprung. I think the most important aspects of this are to have decent springs and great adjustable shocks. Spring themsleves are inexpensive, some use inner spring airbags. Which I think is horrible on an off-roader. Though helper airbags eventually should be made for this, fingers crossed.

to summarise since I got a little off subject. With an existing build springs are inexpensive. Ensuring from the beginning goodadjustable Shocksseem the way to go. For a purpose build from the start with camper then suspension. It can be planned out as best as possible give available components on the market. Either way as of right now it would be a suspension system then a heavier duty spring and other components as needed.

 

[chorky]

y suspension modifications until the build is complete and actual weight is determined front and rear then spend the money on

Smart move. Probably going to do the same. It's of course tempting to do it now. but making sure you know your weight first is pretty important.

 

[Skullivan]

Just came across this thread...

I happened to install my AEV DualSport kit with the high capacity yesterday. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the kit and how quickly 2 of us were able to put it together. I haven't figured if I can run my stock wheels with BFG 35s yet, AEV says yes on their website but depends on the tire (I'm guessing its gunna be a little too wide). The ride is great though, exactly what I expected. Handles corners and potholes/bumps so much better. Feels like a truck now haha! Actually improved gas milage slightly too, getting 18-19mpg at 70mph.

The GFC alone doesn't put me anywhere close to the 400-700lb range but I also have custom bed deck system, solar, a Dometic refrigerator, and a water tank in the bed. I also plan to be hitch hauling dirt bike/s around with other camping gear most weekends. Excited to see how much easier it will be to drive when loaded up for the weekend! Always felt good crawling before but it was a wobbly boat when it was loaded down on the highway before.

*EDIT - AFTER INSTALLED BFGs*

BTW the BFG 35s fit with no rubbing and no wheel spacers on the stock Rubicon wheels with the AEV DualSport lift.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

I decided I was tired of not having a good enough mount for the tailgate backup camera and did not like losing the rear view mirror, so I had a buddy fabricate a mount to address it.

The backup lines are obviously not correct, but still nice to have, I just need to learn the new limits of it. I will load bikes on it tomorrow to see how it looks since that was my main concern with mounting locations.

The Brandmotion camera is pretty cool. The only negative so far is that it seems that no matter the position, one of the visors will hit it when folding them down. Kind of annoying.

Hey is it possible to post more about the extra brake lights on the Molle panels?

also with the brandmotion I assumed you used the fvmr8886 with the 813 bracket. But did you need an extension for the brandmotion camera?

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Hey is it possible to post more about the extra brake lights on the Molle panels?

also with the brandmotion I assumed you used the fvmr8886 with the 813 bracket. But did you need an extension for the brandmotion camera?

He has a custom bracket for his camera but similar to ours. I did not need an extension for the Brandmotion camera on mine. I did need an extension for the Gladiator tailgate camera.

This is the cable I used for the tailgate camera. I got 15'.
https://www.pasternack.com/fakra-plug-fakra-jack-lmr100-cable-assembly-pe3c8571-p.aspx

 

[Mtpisgah]

Hey is it possible to post more about the extra brake lights on the Molle panels?

also with the brandmotion I assumed you used the fvmr8886 with the 813 bracket. But did you need an extension for the brandmotion camera?

I bought the lights at Autozone or Advanced Auto and the cable extension on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EA6WQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i drilled the molle panels to fit the light mounting holes and then the camper for the wires.

As Jeremy said, the camera bracket was custom before he was making his. The backup camera extension was from Pasternak and the Bramdmotion cable was the right length.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

He has a custom bracket for his camera but similar to ours. I did not need an extension for the Brandmotion camera on mine. I did need an extension for the Gladiator tailgate camera.

This is the cable I used for the tailgate camera. I got 15'.
https://www.pasternack.com/fakra-plug-fakra-jack-lmr100-cable-assembly-pe3c8571-p.aspx

Cool got the tailgate camera running. Just need to do the brandmotion. Did you also loose the SOS function when changing out the mirror.

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