No need for them to 'stretch' it as it is very close to the perfect length for you to leave the front freedom panels on. The length of the bed to the back of cab, is 1727 mm, the back of the cab to the front freedom panels is 1016 mm, for a total of 2747 mm. They list the top as 2815 mm, so within 70 mm (2.7 inches) of being perfect.
Here's a well thought out layout from Goose fit to the Gladiator bed. Buying it would make the build a lot easier, but $$. Just need to add some cushions to sit on top, add a swing table, and build the front bench that sits over the bulkhead/back seats.
The AluCab hangs about 4” over the panels, but they are still easily removable.No need for them to 'stretch' it as it is very close to the perfect length for you to leave the front freedom panels on. The length of the bed to the back of cab, is 1727 mm, the back of the cab to the front freedom panels is 1016 mm, for a total of 2747 mm. They list the top as 2815 mm, so within 70 mm (2.7 inches) of being perfect.
Or just call Alucab and ask them to stretch their Icarus Land Rover conversion kit for the Gladiator.
Icarus Roof Conversion - Roof Conversions - Alu-Cab - South Africa
The elephant in the room with those designs is, it ignores the bed head wall. Until there is a solution to remove the head wall and still have structural stability and use the back seat space; a joined cabin design will not be great.No need for them to 'stretch' it as it is very close to the perfect length for you to leave the front freedom panels on. The length of the bed to the back of cab, is 1727 mm, the back of the cab to the front freedom panels is 1016 mm, for a total of 2747 mm. They list the top as 2815 mm, so within 70 mm (2.7 inches) of being perfect.
Nice Dewalt storage boxes. I love 80/20 builds, nice job. How did you attach the 80/20? To the side rails?When I outfitted my AluCab camper on my Gladiator I considered the GG but it was too limiting and I wanted to be able to remove it easily. I went with 80/20 and some Dewalt boxes. I used the pass through door cushion to create a couch.
Nice rig. Any thoughts about a pass through to the cab?The AluCab hangs about 4” over the panels, but they are still easily removable.
On the cab end, I drilled two holes through the frame and used a t-slot nut and bolt to secure it parallel to the trail. On the door end I extended a frame to the rail and attached with a 90deg bracket.
It would be nice to have it for easy access to the clothes bags, but I think it would be too much hassle worrying about the flex and a gasket keeping it watertight. If it was designed that way like an SUV, it would be different.
You're right and I have an idea. Although removing the head wall would be very cool, I do not want to alter the original truck in any way. A bolt on solution would be great. The head wall is 18" tall, almost perfect size for a bench seat. The back passenger seats in the cab fold down and turn into a bench seat for the camper section. I have to build a filler between the Gladiator folded back seats and the bench seat. There is no roll bar over the back seats, so I increase the head room above the bench seat, and I have a nice bench wrapping down one side and the front of the bed. This picture is pretty close to what I'm saying. Here you can see my dilemma with keeping the freedom tops. Starting the wedge tent too far back and I loose the head room above the bench. This is why I like the full lift up tent vs. the wedge (and keep the freedom tops). The flexible cab/bed split is yet another structural problem with my design, but there's always a solution. I've got a couple in mind.
It would be far easier to modify the Icarus, then start from scratch. I think the width came close to fitting also. Here's a nice video showing the Icarus.No need for them to 'stretch' it as it is very close to the perfect length for you to leave the front freedom panels on. The length of the bed to the back of cab, is 1727 mm, the back of the cab to the front freedom panels is 1016 mm, for a total of 2747 mm. They list the top as 2815 mm, so within 70 mm (2.7 inches) of being perfect.
I think you should spend some effort investigating IF that is really a problem or not. I've seen a bunch of videos of Gladiators in full cross-up, and have never seen that body line out of line.
Great point about twist. Pickup trucks all twist, but the Gladiator is really just a stretched JL. Jeeps are made not to twist, aren't they? Maybe a simple bracket tying the bed rail to the cab rail is all that is needed. Krag added a rollbar, which seemed to resolve the issue. Or maybe there isn't any twist anyway.I think you should spend some effort investigating IF that is really a problem or not. I've seen a bunch of videos of Gladiators in full cross-up, and have never seen that body line out of line.
The @Krag 'Jeep Wagoneer' is a perfect example. Here is someone that has built and test the concept and has not had problems, yet no one post some evidence (photos) of a 'twisted bed/cab' Gladiator when they say it will not work.
Great idea on the seat height alining with the bulkhead. You need them raised off the floor anyway and that is a simple solution. Plus it would allow you to use the 2nd seat row of the Gladiator without modifications.
