2022 Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel Build

[NC_Overland]

Nice build. I just ordered the same Body Armor rear bumper and I haven’t installed it yet. I see that you have it and installed cube lights in the holes for them. What lights did you install? Any tips for installation and/or wiring? Thank you.

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[n0arp]

Been a while. I put together a new kayak carrying setup today and thought I'd post an update because I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

We've been carrying a Feathercraft K2 (skin on frame) tandem in the Yakima CBX18 in my previous pictures for a couple years. It's a pain to put together, to the extent that we generally avoid using it and didn't pull it out once during our recent 8,000 mile trip covering multiple coastlines, bays, lakes, and rivers. It might not have been an issue to put together once and cartop for a few weeks assembled, but we couldn't reasonably cartop it with the CBX18 up there so had to assemble and disassemble with every use at the launch site. I'm going to list it and my K1 (which I don't carry with me due to space constraints) for sale soon. When we're at our annual site up in the PNW (that we spend a few months per year at) with direct bay access, we have been using a Northwest Seascape 2. Again, we can't reasonably cartop it with the Yakima and that limts where we can launch it.. After a lot of consideration, we decided to go to a couple singles that can be be turned into a catamaran and also sailed. We picked up a pair of EasyRiders Eskimos - a 15' and a 16' - in amazing condition considering they're 22 years old. Came with all the gear to cat them, as well as amas and sailing gear. Working on some custom fitted covers that can keep the UV off them.

I ordered a $350, off-brand, knock-off "Calliert" brand rack and mounted it on the cab. It's not as nice as the Rhino I have on the cap, but it's a quarter of the price and does the job. I ended up cutting it down short enough that I can still open my Sunrider top and sanded off the obnoxious bright white logos.

I grabbed a Yakima Deep Space 10 box for $300 off Marketplace and bolted it down to the center of the Rhino Rack.

Then I bolted some 3030 extrusion through the racks, and mounted Thule Hullavator Pros to them. And added some under-hood kayak straps.

Now I can pull the kayaks down to chest height for unloading and only have to lift them that far for loading. The whole system is a game changer for practicality and ease of use. Loaded them up and went for a 130mi drive, getting 19mpg, which combined with other recent changes, is the best I've seen in a very long time. Maybe ever.

Those other changes were swapping out worn/cupped 40x13.5 Toyo M/Ts on the Traction Double Beadlocks for fresh 40x12.5 Toyo R/T Pros on Icon Recon Pros. Between the 30lb/corner weight reduction (and what is essentially a street-legal outer beadlock tire shops will actually touch) and the rolling resistance improvements, we're seeing 2-3 extra mpg even with the kayaks up there.

Total height is 8'5" with the kayaks.

 

[n0arp]

I had to take the awning down for this setup, though I can try test fitting it below the extrusion and see how far the passenger cap door can open. Not sure if it's worth the 70lbs when I can just use a tarp, and might leave it off.

 

[caryt]

Question on the RT Pro's, are they Quite and smooth running? Any snow use, freeway driving?

 

[n0arp]

Question on the RT Pro's, are they Quite and smooth running? Any snow use, freeway driving?

I only have about 350 miles on them, and no winter weather yet. About half those miles at 70mph on the freeway.

Love them so far. They're much quieter and smoother than I remember the M/Ts being when new and Toyo claims them to be better or equivalent in every metric, per their website. The M/T is a 20 year old design, and these came out maybe a year ago. We'll see.

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