Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

And here's the full top. I moved the window up to fit the interior layout. I'm starting to like this one, but it is pushing my 8ft. tall garage door. If it was easily removeable like a slide in, I could convert back to my stock hardtop or convertible for my daily driver, and put the camper on for expedition mode! Another nice feature is with the added head room, you can still maneuver and camp in it with the pop top down.

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[JDaPP]

Looks great. I have a JKU with a j30 top and the one thing I wish was being able to open the top up over the driver for that "sunroof" affect don't know if you could shorten it to get a Sunrider or freedom style roof on?

 

[Mules]

Looks great. I have a JKU with a j30 top and the one thing I wish was being able to open the top up over the driver for that "sunroof" affect don't know if you could shorten it to get a Sunrider or freedom style roof on?

One vote for keeping the freedom tops!
Keep the freedom tops and the pop up bed on top pulls down to cover the living area (you can sleep below, but you can't walk around when the bed is down). Loose the freedom tops, extend the bed over the driver, and there is still walking room below.
Driving mode:

Downstairs camping mode:

Upstairs (full top)

 

[kylethompson]

You are putting in a commendable amount of photoshopping into this project. Is this for a commercial product or a one off for yourself?

One vote for keeping the freedom tops!
Keep the freedom tops and the pop up bed on top pulls down to cover the living area (you can sleep below, but you can't walk around when the bed is down). Loose the freedom tops, extend the bed over the driver, and there is still walking room below.
Driving mode:

Downstairs camping mode:

Upstairs (full top)

 

[Mules]

Alright, I can't seem to get everything I want in one package. Here are a few options.

First, keep the Freedom panels and give up some living/sleeping area.

Second photo, loose the Freedom panels, extend the living/sleeping area, and have plenty of headroom. This thing looks like the offspring of a Sprinter van and a Wrangler. Sorry, but it won't fit in your garage.

Third is the compromise. It fits in your garage, has plenty of living/sleeping room (less a bit of headroom) but you loose the freedom panels. Might be able to replace them with a sunroof?

Fourth one fits in the garage and saves the Freedom panels, but a bit less interior room.

 

[Mules]

You are putting in a commendable amount of photoshopping into this project. Is this for a commercial product or a one off for yourself?

It's just a fun project for now, but if there is enough interest, who knows.

 

[mog]

Alright, I can't seem to get everything I want in one package. Here are three options.

I like Option 4 (ya, I know, not on the menu)

Low roof with freedom panels. I'm very bias not so much for being able to remove them (although pretty cool to be able to have a roofless & doorless camper just because the 'other guys' can't do that) but I have a buddy that has spent the last 5+ years complaining about the wind noise on his Earhroamer Jeep, so I plan nothing at the front of the roof, no lights, no racks, etc.
It is a user's desire if you want to stay low enough to fit into a 'normal garage/shipping container' or if more headroom inside is more important. Not only a physical measurement but that can give you much more perceived space if you are stuck inside due to weather or bugs.
I personally would go with fiberglass over aluminum, BUT that is due to my limitations of welding melting AL and never getting a flat smooth, not looking like a beer can finish. More power to you for being able to work with that unforgiving material. There is also the possibility of using composite panels (FRP/foam/FRP) for the major sidewalls and the roof. Very light, very stiff/straight with the benefit of insulation for both temperature and noise.

 

[Mules]

I like Option 4 (ya, I know, not on the menu)

Low roof with freedom panels. I'm very bias not so much for being able to remove them (although pretty cool to be able to have a roofless & doorless camper just because the 'other guys' can't do that) but I have a buddy that has spent the last 5+ years complaining about the wind noise on his Earhroamer Jeep, so I plan nothing at the front of the roof, no lights, no racks, etc.
It is a user's desire if you want to stay low enough to fit into a 'normal garage/shipping container' or if more headroom inside is more important. Not only a physical measurement but that can give you much more perceived space if you are stuck inside due to weather or bugs.
I personally would go with fiberglass over aluminum, BUT that is due to my limitations of welding melting AL and never getting a flat smooth, not looking like a beer can finish. More power to you for being able to work with that unforgiving material. There is also the possibility of using composite panels (FRP/foam/FRP) for the major sidewalls and the roof. Very light, very stiff/straight with the benefit of insulation for both temperature and noise.

For Option #4, the Alucab Icarus Land Rover conversion top piece (roof top tent with push up bed) is almost the perfect size to fit with the freedom top. It is a few inches too long to fit perfectly, but you could just hang off the back end a bit. Since the side panels and back could be flat, it could work pretty good with composite panels. Good idea.

 

[mog]

For Option #4, the Alucab Icarus Land Rover conversion top piece (roof top tent with push up bed) is almost the perfect size to fit with the freedom top. It is a few inches too long to fit perfectly, but you could just hang off the back end a bit. Since the side panels and back could be flat, it could work pretty good with composite panels. Good idea.

Perhaps just a bit of a 'flair' at the end to blend with the length of the Icarus? Kind of like what the SpaceKaps have.

OR if you can pull off a 'barndoor', then have an enclosure at the top that holds a rollout awning to blend the lengths of the top and sides?

 

[JDaPP]

Could always do something like this:

 

[Mules]

Could always do something like this:

Great video!!! Cut the bottom of an Alucab Roof top tent out and screw it to the top of your fiberglass cap. A small amount of fabrication and almost no painting. This guy did a great job.

 

[Mules]

Sorry about the color being off, but here is a depiction of the Gladiator with a JLU back glass/door. I love the idea of a barn door back for the build, but I don't think my fabrication skills will be up for the task. If anyone has a used/damaged JLU top in the Missouri area, drop me a line, I'm in the market. I'll stretch it lengthwise and up. The trick is to keep the subtle curves matching the sides. Painting it crystal granite will require a seamless body job. The slight curve stops oil canning effect on the sides. If I can't get is smooth enough there is always black texture pain.

 

[ölbrenner]

Could always do something like this:

Great video, but a bit mistitled imo. If you truly want to build it (rather than fitting a very nice fully pre-fabricated wedge tent to a Jeep), and can afford to invest substantially more time to realize substantial money savings:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/

I'm contemplating either a Wrangler or Gladiator build like this. On the JT, you could omit the hard freedom top rear glass; and have emergency direct access to the cab if needed (i.e. when you awake to a bear or the more dangerous and prevalent two-legged intruder).

Having owned many different types of RV's and associated rigs, etc.; my own target goal is a daily driver with worthy off roadability, no trailering, quick turn to/from camping mode for two adults and dog, sleep quarters above ground, and most important in socal it all fits neatly tucked inside the garage at night (crazy HOA rules or offsite storage fees that rival a second mortgage lol).

 

[Mules]

Great video, but a bit mistitled imo. If you truly want to build it (rather than fitting a very nice fully pre-fabricated wedge tent to a Jeep), and can afford to invest substantially more time to realize substantial money savings:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/

I'm contemplating either a Wrangler or Gladiator build like this. On the JT, you could omit the hard freedom top rear glass; and have emergency direct access to the cab if needed (i.e. when you awake to a bear or the more dangerous and prevalent two-legged intruder).

Having owned many different types of RV's and associated rigs, etc.; my own target goal is a daily driver with worthy off roadability, no trailering, quick turn to/from camping mode for two adults and dog, sleep quarters above ground, and most important in socal it all fits neatly tucked inside the garage at night (crazy HOA rules or offsite storage fees that rival a second mortgage lol).

Thanks for the link. This is a great DIY article for building a steel, 8020, and composite rig. Love to see anyone's DIY rigs they built on Gladiators.

 

[Mules]

Here's a DIY Gladiator camper similar to the Tacoma build.

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