Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

Drum roll please…

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[Mules]

It fits great! I was a bit worried since it hasn't been on the truck since before I did all the fiberglass work.

 

[ospreyfe55]

Looks Fringin Awesome Man!

 

[Jaxmax]

Looks amazing Mike, I was worried it would look too big but looks like it belongs there. You have set the bar pretty high and we are all a bit vertically challenged….Jack?

 

[Mules]

Thanks everyone. After 15 months of thinking about this day, it's hard to believe it's here.

I'm going for a drive!

 

[Mules]

First test drive to the grocery store accomplished. 50 mph and only a bit of wind noise from the back hatchback/tailgate. I haven’t weatherstripped between them yet.

 

[Mules]

A couple interior shots with the bed platform down.

 

[FitfulGoat]

A couple interior shots with the bed platform down.

How drastically did the acoustics change? Stereo still sufficient?

 

[Mules]

How drastically did the acoustics change? Stereo still sufficient?

It’s pretty quiet and not much different than my original hardtop. I weatherstripped it pretty good. Just a tiny bit of wind noise from the tailgate. No difference in the stereo sound.

Looks like I'll need to find a tailgate weather seal. There's a pretty big gap between the tailgate and bed. Has anyone tried this tailgate seal?

https://tailgateseal.com/JeepGladiator2020.html

 

[Mr._Bill]

It’s pretty quiet and not much different than my original hardtop. I weatherstripped it pretty good. Just a tiny bit of wind noise from the tailgate. No difference in the stereo sound.

Looks like I'll need to find a tailgate weather seal. There's a pretty big gap between the tailgate and bed. Has anyone tried this tailgate seal?

https://tailgateseal.com/JeepGladiator2020.html

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/tailgate-seal.61470/

 

[Mules]

Let’s see if my left over weatherstripping works.

 

[Cbieh589]

It fits great! I was a bit worried since it hasn't been on the truck since before I did all the fiberglass work.

Looks great! I may have missed it but did you factor in the different flex of the cab and bed?

 

[TexasOverlander]

It’s pretty quiet and not much different than my original hardtop. I weatherstripped it pretty good. Just a tiny bit of wind noise from the tailgate. No difference in the stereo sound.

Looks like I'll need to find a tailgate weather seal. There's a pretty big gap between the tailgate and bed. Has anyone tried this tailgate seal?

https://tailgateseal.com/JeepGladiator2020.html

I installed the below from Amazon last summer on the bottom gap. It has held up great for over a year now.
Would recommend it for the bottom portion.

The regular rubber weatherstripping ( similar ro what you show) that I used on the sides of bed next to tailgate and around hinges and latches has been hit and miss. Have tried a few diffeent ones and still need to add pattches and replace pieces as they come off with use. Have not found the perfect solution for the sides yet, but most of dust has been kept out. On really dusty trips, ie. Death Valley, Mohave Desert, etc) , I hang a small strip of thin nylon tarp ( 24"h x 15"w ) from each side top edge of tailgate and tuck it to the sides of bed before closing the hatch.



Papillon Adhesive Universal Rubber Truck Bed Tailgate Gap Cover Filler Seal Shield Lip Weather Stripping Cap Seal Kit(4.25" × 11′ Black)
Return window closed on Aug 7, 2021

 

[Mac Attack]

Let’s see if my left over weatherstripping works.

Kudos to you for sticking with you vision and keeping us informed!

 

[Mules]

Looks great! I may have missed it but did you factor in the different flex of the cab and bed?

I factored in 1/2” flex. Hope it’s enough, but we’ll see. No creaks or cracks yet, but I haven’t been 4 wheeling.

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