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Rummie

Rummie

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At work now, but I love seeing gator builds. I think I am going with the Armorlite floors or a bed rack next. Here is my pig.

IMG_0557.jpg
Good looking Jeep!
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RyderGear

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2020 Gladiator Mojave (Manual)
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CEO Ryder Gear LLC
Took delivery last month. I wanted a Gator Gladiator so I figured it was time to buy before I couldn't get a new one anymore. Found a loaded one on the lot in Texas and had it shipped to Florida.

Our goal is to have an off roader that can tow our camper easily. We have a JKU currently that we have taken all around the states a few times. We recently bought a T@B 400 Boondock camper and it's at the limits for the JKU. It actually tows it surprisingly well, but we can't take anything extra along or we will be a good bit over the legal limits. The Gladiator is going to be the perfect fit for us. The JKU will go to our soon to be 16 year old.

We intend to take the camper to destinations and explore from there. It's not an off road camper, but it has a kitchen, a/c, shower, etc. All the comforts of home.

The current JT options as delivered:

View attachment 119892


First things planned:
Remove bumper wings
Install mirrors for doors-off driving

Ordered and on the way:
Metalcloak 3 1/2" Gamechanger with Rocksports
Artec full aluminum skids
Rebel Off Road full height XPLOR rack and aftermarket trail rails
Wheel Vintiques smoothies - ordered with 4" of backspace but may change to 4.25" - January delivery at best
Maxtrax

Will order:
37" NItto Trail Grapplers
Some sort of bed management - maybe Decked, maybe just Molle. Not sure yet.
Assorted gas & water cans, etc.
ARB Dual on board air
Winch (of course!)

Gonna do some mods to the camper as well. We ordered it without the graphics so my wife can design some custom art that ties in the gator color.

This is as it arrived.

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Here is our JKU with our little camper. We are putting flat fenders on the JK at the moment. Also re-gearing.

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Looking forward to taking the Gladiator on it's first trip!

We will be in Moab in the spring if this covid crap doesn't shut it all down again!
Love my GATOR GREEN Gladiator!

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Rummie

Rummie

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Updated mods. Pictures will be coming soon.

Metalcloak 3.5" Gamechanger w/Rocksports
Metalcloak front driveshaft
Metalcloak hinge steps
Metalcloak rockers and flip steps
Icon 1 3/8" rear coil spacers
Artec truss/gusset and lca skids
Artec full aluminum skid plates
Artec Differential covers
Dana 5.13 gears
RCV axles
Chromoly rear axles
Wheel Vintiques smoothies - 17x9 with 4.25" backspace
Nitto Trail Grappler 37x12.5
Warn 10k winch
ARB dual air compressor fire wall install
Rebel Offroad XPLOR full height rack - getting modifications currently
Custom aluminum bed cover being built
Custom locking brackets for holding accessories on rack
 
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Rummie

Rummie

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Love your Gator build. I was also looking at the Wheel Vintiques Smoothies but am going with the STeel spare wheel look. I am sticking with skinny tires (35x10.5 or 35x11.5)
Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build tempImageEwMq9
That's a good option also. I considered it as well. Either way will look great.
 
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Rummie

Rummie

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Current look.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0608.JPG
 
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Rummie

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Temporary fitting of rack on back to get measurements for custom deck cover. Will be doing some other mods to it as well.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0609.JPG
 
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Rummie

Rummie

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Your Jeep looks incredible! Can't believe they discontinued this color.
Thanks! I agree. It's my favorite color by far. I'm kinda glad they discontinued it in a selfish way. Makes it a bit more special.
 
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Tested out the doors-off mirrors. Lange Coyotes. They worked great. No vibrations so far but I haven't been to freeway speeds. They are very convenient since you leave the black block installed on the cowl. You can use them with a hand screw or a hex screw to hold them in place. Apparently the hand screws don't always hold well. I used the hex for mine. The mirror is convex so you get a really good field of vision.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0667.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_0668.JPG
 
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Rummie

Rummie

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Gears.

Went to 5.13 gears. There will be endless debate on what gears to get with 37s. Most choose 4.88 or 5.13. I chose 5.13s for a few reasons. Heavy wheels. Heavy tires. Camper. Trips in the mountains. Little time spent on the freeway when not pulling the camper.

I love the gears. While I could drive with 4.10 and 37s it is a lot more fun to do so with 5.13s

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6845


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6861


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Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6867


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6875
 
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Rummie

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Axles.

Had Artec axle strengthening added front and rear. Trussed and gusseted.

Yukon chromoly shafts in the rear.

RCV with FAD in the front.

Artec Diff covers.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6965.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6964.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6940


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6942


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6963.JPG
 
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Skids.

Artec aluminum skids.
Artec LCA skids.

I chose Artec because of weight saving and a design with very little to catch on things. You only gain about 10 or 15 lbs total compared to stock due to removing the heavy steel gas can skid and replacing it with aluminum. Aluminum is softer and will take more damage with a beating but can always be pounded back into shape if need be.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6973.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6980.JPG


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6982.JPG
 
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On-board air.

I went with an ARB dual air compressor. I chose to have it installed on the firewall behind the fender on the driver's side. We used a Grimm Off Road install kit.

I chose this location because I did not want it in the cab or in the bed. In the cab is just too noisy. Normally my wife sits in the cab while I air us back up. This thing is way to loud to do that with an under seat mount. I will be utilizing my full bed and didn't want to take up any space back there.

The downside of the install location I chose is that it is more susceptible to taking a bath if you are doing serious mudding. That probably won't be a problem for me. If it looks like it's going to be an issue we'll put in some protection of some sort.

Currently I only have the single point to attach a hose. I have plans to improve upon this system in the future.

Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6833


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_6837


Jeep Gladiator Gator Green Rocklander Build IMG_3429.JPG
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