Sponsored

Glad Grandpa Firecracker Red LE Build

SleepyJeep

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
53
Messages
814
Reaction score
794
Location
OH
Vehicle(s)
Mini Cooper S, Firecracker Red Gladiator LE
I did have a question about the decked storage system - I feel like it takes up a lot of space and the storage space you get in return is only a smaller percentage of the space taken in the bed... do you feel that way or does it just look that way in the pictures?

I do like how it fits but I also feel like it is not the most efficient? :whatsgoingon:
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
Pat2Alaska

Pat2Alaska

Well-Known Member
First Name
Patrick
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Threads
26
Messages
997
Reaction score
1,732
Location
Le Mars, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
21 Hydro-Blue Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
IT Jedi
Pat - I've been following this thread with some interest, as I was looking at both the Decked system and the Upper Decker. If you install the Upper Decker, can you fit the trail rails under it? I'm trying to go as multipurpose in the back as I can while minimizing the permanent alterations. At this point, I may end up spending more for a Diamondback cover as I've seen a configuration with a rack installed on top, and I think it doesn't require drilling to install. I still have to do more research here as well.
You canā€™t use the rails with the Upper Decker. I had to remove all of them. The Diamondback looks like a nice option, just seems too expensive.
 

Gatorized

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2019
Threads
6
Messages
1,674
Reaction score
1,546
Location
ME/NH
Vehicle(s)
ā€˜06 CRV, ā€˜14 Mazda3, ā€˜20 JTR (Gator)
Could you modify a bolt that fits the rail system for the gas shock mount? Thereby keeping the rails installed?
 
OP
OP
Pat2Alaska

Pat2Alaska

Well-Known Member
First Name
Patrick
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Threads
26
Messages
997
Reaction score
1,732
Location
Le Mars, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
21 Hydro-Blue Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
IT Jedi
Could you modify a bolt that fits the rail system for the gas shock mount? Thereby keeping the rails installed?
You might be able to remove the end cap from the rail that bolts into that spot?

796D63A3-596D-41F5-90B4-8215A3599D6C.jpeg
 

theDECKEDguy

Summit Sponsor (Level 3)
Joined
Jun 10, 2019
Threads
8
Messages
80
Reaction score
85
Location
Ketchum, ID
Vehicle(s)
Tundra
Yesterday I installed (almost completely) the Ace Engineering Upper Decker. Since I was doing it myself, I used the ratchet straps to my garage ceiling to raise & lower. Worked great!

9553E0F4-EEFF-4080-87D9-4CA4F4BBCC40.jpeg
I first had to remove most of the Decked System. If you are getting both, I would still suggest fully installing the Decked System, then disassembling it to install the Upper Decker. Doing it this way will ensure everything fits right when you reinstall after the Upper Decker. If you have the Trail Rails, you must remove them completely. The front because the hinges install where it would be. I thought the sides would be ok but no, you need the hole in the back to install the gas shock. There is already a nut zert there for the rail end, so I just used that bolt for the top of the shock bracket.
91D490BE-C713-4E8F-84F3-6129F1AF6910.jpeg
34208F5D-B053-4B10-A9B7-682CF1AD45C0.jpeg

Before you install any of the nut zerts, look carefully at the thickness of the bedliner if you have it. The front ones were ok but the place where the latch catch goes had extremely thick bedliner and I ruined two of the M4 zerts before I figured out I needed to cut some of it out. Iā€™m still trying to find M4 zerts, seems nobody near me carries them.....
84C87E08-243C-411C-B424-F7D5ADDC889B.jpeg

The overall install was not simple, but definitely doable if you have some mechanical ability. There were no instructions with the Upper Decker. They do have an install video that is pretty good so I watched that and referred to it during the install. I couldā€™ve paid better attention to exactly where the seals should be installed. I followed the video but still have a few gaps on the front & rear. After the install I was able to reinstall the Decked System without pulling the Upper Decker off. I am able to store some things between the two, i.e. my bag jack. @ACE Engineering @theDECKEDguy
7936A127-B113-436D-92FD-4A469EDCC57E.jpeg

7B5A101F-5B57-4C23-B703-699B3415894C.jpeg

A132F05C-3C6B-4B61-B574-66415673F1A0.jpeg
C2E320CA-15F9-43A0-A5E7-15899DE9FFED.jpeg
2FE7629E-07B4-46F4-B32A-C4753F5AB09E.jpeg
5E527711-C6F5-478C-A85F-2F951D3627D5.jpeg
7835EEDA-90F9-464C-AD86-463EB758C0B4.jpeg
CB55810C-3F6F-4F3E-B27B-D7A8DBB67433.jpeg
179406BA-EE6C-405D-B54E-7E37272DF624.jpeg
B0F53465-F010-4B39-81F6-F906A50562BA.jpeg
FF437211-7BFC-4CC4-9E34-B92880E2DD1D.jpeg
E525137C-6371-46CF-83F5-4B959A2AFD6D.jpeg
Stoked to see it all finished. We look forward to seeing it all loaded up.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Pat2Alaska

Pat2Alaska

Well-Known Member
First Name
Patrick
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Threads
26
Messages
997
Reaction score
1,732
Location
Le Mars, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
21 Hydro-Blue Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
IT Jedi
36C2C1CE-B345-4D65-B127-26C21AC2DF8A.jpeg
83F6445B-1E45-4FDE-8889-84C20D2220D3.jpeg
0453080E-AD97-4819-9555-93198DE12954.jpeg
New driveshaft today. This is what they replace for the recall!
 

AlwaysRecord

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
99
Reaction score
103
Location
Central NY
Vehicle(s)
JT/MT Rubicon.
Looks great! Seems like a great combo but not thrilled about the gaps in the upper decker and bed, that hardly seems water tight - could probably close the gap with thicker weather striping...... Also not impressed with all the drilling in to the bed for the hinges - is the hardware as undersized as it seems in the photos?
 

JP1

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Mar 29, 2019
Threads
13
Messages
1,507
Reaction score
2,879
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vehicle(s)
2024 JLU Rubicon 4xe
Build Thread
Link
Yesterday I installed (almost completely) the Ace Engineering Upper Decker. Since I was doing it myself, I used the ratchet straps to my garage ceiling to raise & lower. Worked great!
9553E0F4-EEFF-4080-87D9-4CA4F4BBCC40.jpeg
I can already sense a Gantry-Crane is being spec'd for the garage at Casa-de-Pat... :LOL:

EXCELLENT JOB SIR!!! ;)
 
OP
OP
Pat2Alaska

Pat2Alaska

Well-Known Member
First Name
Patrick
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Threads
26
Messages
997
Reaction score
1,732
Location
Le Mars, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
21 Hydro-Blue Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
IT Jedi
Looks great! Seems like a great combo but not thrilled about the gaps in the upper decker and bed, that hardly seems water tight - could probably close the gap with thicker weather striping...... Also not impressed with all the drilling in to the bed for the hinges - is the hardware as undersized as it seems in the photos?
I would say the seal placement is key and even then I would call it more water-resistant. I don't think rain even when driving will penetrate much but powerwashing would, in my opinion. I thought the hardware wasn't adequate when I first saw it but after installing and seeing what the hardware actually needs to do, it is good. Guessing they have engineers that specked it out!
 

Sponsored

Daddy's Toy

Member
First Name
Steven
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Threads
0
Messages
24
Reaction score
37
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 Firecracker Red Gladiator Launch
Back in Colorado for the week!! Woke up to a great surprise!
75227BEF-7B0F-4A0D-A1E4-55AE4F020E2C.jpeg
DB87310D-DCB7-45CD-AB6E-EAFE461F5365.jpeg
6FBCE1EC-6F53-4460-B27E-B43AFDB7796F.jpeg
B7FA64EA-53AC-42EF-85AE-584D9CDA913A.jpeg
2D3E30C5-91F2-4F85-95BC-858D837AF0F5.jpeg
Beautiful snow! Probably a good thing that you don't have the sunrider on currently. Tops off with all the heating elements on may be nice though.
 

steffen707

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Threads
204
Messages
8,621
Reaction score
8,918
Location
Middle Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2001 Jetta TDI RIP, 89' Civic SI, 2019 Pacifica Hybrid, 2020 GLADIATOR SPORT S "GLADYS"
Hey what size rokblokz did you get?
EDIT: nevermind I see you got XLs. you glad with your purchase? I'm just running 33s, and would probably just go with the normal size, but damn they're pricey. Not sure how i feel about the XLs sticking out past the fenders.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Pat2Alaska

Pat2Alaska

Well-Known Member
First Name
Patrick
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Threads
26
Messages
997
Reaction score
1,732
Location
Le Mars, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
21 Hydro-Blue Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
IT Jedi
Hey what size rokblokz did you get?
EDIT: nevermind I see you got XLs. you glad with your purchase? I'm just running 33s, and would probably just go with the normal size, but damn they're pricey. Not sure how i feel about the XLs sticking out past the fenders.
Iā€™m very happy with mine! Really keeps the sides clean and free of rock chips! If your tires arenā€™t sticking out past the fenders the regular would probably be ok. I have the extra long ones too. Combined with the Rockslide Engineering Steps they do a great job and are easy to remove when I go wheeling!
 
 



Top