Beach Truck Build

[flrunner]

Intro

Purchased my first Jeep in May, 2022. A Gladiator Sport S (no max tow) in Silver Zynith. A photo from purchase day:

And here's the current state of things (6/25):

I live in Florida, and the goal is to make this truck perfect for beach days, beach driving, and generally fun to ride around our (small) town. It's not a daily driver.


Mods/purchases completed

• 13" rubber antenna
• Spray in bedliner
• Bestop All Weather Trail Cover
• Shade Idea Sun Shades
• 1.5" Terraflex Leveling Kit
• Mojave takeoff wheels and tires (33" Falken Wildpeak AT)
• Lomax hard trifold cover
• K Source Scooter mirrors

Planned mods/purchases

• Armorlite floor replacement
• Seat covers (marine vinyl or something else very water resistant)
• A full-length bikini top

Thinking About

• A topper of some sort (Agri-cover Outlander?)
• A true lift (maybe once the toddler has an easier time climbing in)
• Replacing the stock sidesteps
• LED replacements

Sponsored

 

[flrunner]

Photos from the spray-in bedliner. Very happy with how this turned out.

 

[cafecito]

I have a Mopar hard tri-fold tonneau cover I have been pondering swapping out for a rack eventually, if you're interested.

Replacing my Mojave wheels is also on my list of things to do. Maybe we should keep in touch?

 

[flrunner]

I have a Mopar hard tri-fold tonneau cover I have been pondering swapping out for a rack eventually, if you're interested.

Replacing my Mojave wheels is also on my list of things to do. Maybe we should keep in touch?

I've been leaning towards covers that give full access to the bed, but if I change my mind (which seems to happen daily at this point) I'll let you know, thank you!

I already found the Mojave rims from another owner nearby, just trying to figure out tires. I just keep going back and forth on exact size and brand.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

my 2 cents about tonneau covers. I had a Bakflip MX4 on a previous truck and LOVED it. For the Gladiator, I went cheap and bought below from Amazon and I wouldn't recommend it. Cost about $600 (so I saved $400) but it is not water proof and the panel closest to the cab doesn't open so you don't get full bed access.

If I could do it over, I'd get the MX4. I like the solid covers for a quick work surface.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

BTW, I like the silver. I almost bought one but it didn't have max tow option

 

[RustySeatbelt]

Looking at your list, I can't recommend the armorlite flooring enough. Ive had mine to the beach both before and after, and it's so much easier and nicer to clean out with the armorlite vs trying to vacuum out the carpet. Honestly, it's one of those mods I never put a lot of thought or stock in before getting it, but I absolutely love it. You'll definitely be glad when you get it done.

 

[Klicht87]

I've been leaning towards covers that give full access to the bed, but if I change my mind (which seems to happen daily at this point) I'll let you know, thank you!

I already found the Mojave rims from another owner nearby, just trying to figure out tires. I just keep going back and forth on exact size and brand.

I have the Willys Silver Zenith...nice color. I went with the Truxedo Prox15 roll up tonneau cover because the material matches my soft top. It's very low profile and maybe leaks a little bit in the corners but not crazy.

 

[flrunner]

my 2 cents about tonneau covers. I had a Bakflip MX4 on a previous truck and LOVED it. For the Gladiator, I went cheap and bought below from Amazon and I wouldn't recommend it. Cost about $600 (so I saved $400) but it is not water proof and the panel closest to the cab doesn't open so you don't get full bed access.

If I could do it over, I'd get the MX4. I like the solid covers for a quick work surface.

MX4 has come recommended from several folks, definitely leaning that way. Being able to use it as a work/whatever surface is definitely one of the main reasons I'm looking at hard covers. That + water proofing.

 

[flrunner]

Looking at your list, I can't recommend the armorlite flooring enough. Ive had mine to the beach both before and after, and it's so much easier and nicer to clean out with the armorlite vs trying to vacuum out the carpet. Honestly, it's one of those mods I never put a lot of thought or stock in before getting it, but I absolutely love it. You'll definitely be glad when you get it done.

I honestly think this is the mod I am most excited about. For exactly the reason you mentioned

 

[Orange01z28]

You're going to want 35s minimum, probably 37s tbh

 

[ScottBeach]

Air compressor for air up after leaving the beach. I use mine a lot.

 

[flrunner]

You're going to want 35s minimum, probably 37s tbh

I've got a 3 and a half year old that has enough trouble getting in and out of the truck as it is...I worry about lifting it enough to fit 35s or larger.

 

[flrunner]

Air compressor for air up after leaving the beach. I use mine a lot.

Do you carry one with you in the bed? I've never aired down driving on the beaches here with an AWD Subaru. But would definitely like to know what I need to be more comfortable in the looser/deeper sand.

 

[JTBurns]

I've got a 3 and a half year old that has enough trouble getting in and out of the truck as it is...I worry about lifting it enough to fit 35s or larger.

You just don't even need to if your goals are a beach runner in FL. 33/34 inch tire is more than good enough to go on the beach and get through a place like Ocala National forest down there. If your goal changes and you want to hit rockier trails, then 35s will be more necessary

Also with 3.73s you have to consider real lifts and gears for 35s, probably wheels too

Sponsored