Clover - Rubicon Built for Weekend Adventures and Daily Driver

[TuckerGrover]

A few weeks ago I finally was able to finally buy a Gladiator after a few months agonizing and researching trims and comparing it against other trucks for my use case. Luckily my budget increased a little each month and I snagged this 2023 in Wisconsin for $35,000 before TTL and doc being $37,660 out the door with 16,616 miles.

This thing rides so much smoother than my old YJ, haha.

Within a week, we got a surprise snowfall and I was able to take it for a rip still bone stock and knew the Falken Wildpeaks would be my choice when going larger on wheels.

Today, we upgraded to Black Rhino Chamber wheels in 17x8.5 0mm offset with Falken Wildpeak AT4W 37/12.5/17 tires mounted. Will be adding the AEV 2” spacer lift and geo correction brackets next week to give it a little more space. No rubbing so far and I love the look. Can’t wait for the increase in lift. Will run this until I hate it or the shocks give out. May add an HD spring to handle the OVS cap and RTT sitting in the garage.

I also have the Amazon overhead molle panel ready to be put in this weekend to hold the starlink mini, two GMRS handheld radios (have license), and couple of additional bags for storage.

I look forward to continuing the build report and want to thank those that came before me and share so generously.

(I was going to do a Harker camper, but truck was more than expected and I had to change the build plan to get moving this year).

Sponsored

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Looks good! You’ll like the OvS cap as well. Just take your time installing it. Whoever did mine dorked up one of the clamps and it’s sitting cockeyed now. Going to have to buzz it off because it’s stripped and order a new set of clamps. They don’t sell individuals.

 

[TuckerGrover]

Looks good! You’ll like the OvS cap as well. Just take your time installing it. Whoever did mine dorked up one of the clamps and it’s sitting cockeyed now. Going to have to buzz it off because it’s stripped and order a new set of clamps. They don’t sell individuals.

Very helpful tip. Thank you! Will share how it went once done.

 

[TuckerGrover]

Today was a big day for Clover.

What started as a rainy morning opened up just a little to allow for some garage and driveway building of the OVS Expedition Cap and Topoak Galaxy Pro rooftop tent.

Borrow one of the boards from the tent shipping box to make a floor to work on to save my knees and back a bit. Worked well.

Used clamps to hold it together while I was building to make it easier to line holes up. The hardware is stainless, so had to use anti-seize lubricant and I also used a zip-tie to apply it to the threads as I went along. I only needed help screwing down the alan key bolts on the roof and my wife saved the day.

The kids got curious as to why I was in the garage so long and we got a nice photo memory of the build.

I needed my wife to help with the roof alan bolts and got some neighbors to help me load it onto the bed.

My younger daughter called it, “my house.” She’s gonna love it.

I got the roof rails mounted and called over my neighbors again to mount the tent.

The days project took longer than expected, but I am very pleased with the result so far. Looking forward to taking new photos in the morning under full light to see how we did.

Perfect!

AEV 2” Spacer Lift goes on this upcoming week. I also have an overhead molle rack to get installed.

 

[JLPeekaboo]

Looks good.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Well done!! If you ever decide to wax it use a liquid wax or just a detailer spray. Paste wax sticks to it like glue and does NOt come off easily.

 

[TuckerGrover]

Next, I installed the Amazon overhead molle rack to support the Starlink Mini, handheld radio, flashlight, and whatever else I decide to store with that system. Pretty straight forward install and good videos on YouTube for reference.

Bolts on the outside come with the kit and the Jeep has holes there already. The 4 bolts that hold on brackets for the covers come out and then back in the hold that piece. Finger tightened the most outside panel until bolted into the Jeep and then tightened those down as my final effort.

Starlink Mini just sitting on the rack. I’ll think up something to hold it in more, but I haven’t even heard it rattle yet. Maybe look through the boxes all this stuff came in and see if there is a foam wedge or something I could zip tie in place to secure it better for piece of mind.

Went with two Radioddity handheld GMRS radios (got license) and am hoping they serve my use case for when in a convoy or needing a ground guide. One radio mounted off the dash and the other sitting in a molle holder on the rack.

I like it so far. Seems solid and I don’t notice it when driving. Love the modularity it adds to the cabin.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Can you post a link to that Molle setup for future reference please? And how close is it to your head when in the cab?

 

[TuckerGrover]

Can you post a link to that Molle setup for future reference please? And how close is it to your head when in the cab?

ALMULOO Roof Rack Hard Top Molle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSXRBS8K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I’m 5’9” and I would guess an inch or two. I don’t touch or hit it getting in, so haven’t put much more thought into it.

 

[TuckerGrover]

Got the AEV 2” Spacer Lift with Geometry Correction Brackets installed. Holy cow. Feels like stock and the change from the 37s and no lift to this is massive. The truck just feels like it should now. I can only imagine how impressive an expensive suspension lift would feel.

I’ll run it like this until I decide I need more, or until enough component parts fail to make slow upgrades worth it. Very impressed so far.

My local mechanic installed it for 6 hours of shop time.

 

[ArcticDreadnought]

She's coming together very nicely.

 

[TuckerGrover]

She's coming together very nicely.

Thank you!

I’m at the phase I need to get on some trips to find out what else I’ll need versus what I’d want. Then to sort my old camping gear and see what works in this style of travel. Memorial Day weekend plans already coming together, but I may try to pop out sooner and find some fun.

 

[ArcticDreadnought]

As busy with life and the tinies as you might be, definitely grab stuff for you for 3 days and take the nearest weekend to go figure out exactly the setup you have, what is needed, not needed and/or comfortable; but only for you.

Figure out exactly what you need first, and then pare your haul down to just that. Then you can rebuild back up to allow for the rest of the family, bit by bit.

But definitely go get some dirt, smoke and time under you. Will help immensely with faster planning and execution of future trips. Accept mistakes as they come, and try to keep good notes.

 

[TuckerGrover]

A small step for man, a giant step for a man on 37’s.

This will have many uses to include holding the diesel heater on cold nights.

 

[ArcticDreadnought]

Second picture. OW.

Also, where did you pick this up?

Sponsored