Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

Happy 4th!!

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[Rubi_Rhod]

Breaking in the 4th with my new camper! Getting expedition (overlanding) ready!

 

[Mules]

Breaking in the 4th with my new camper! Getting expedition (overlanding) ready!

Nice rigs!

 

[Mules]

I was wondering if I could stretch my hard top to cover the bed/cab. And maybe replace the back glass with a door. It’s close but the top is about 1 1/2 inches wider than the bed at the back.

 

[Mules]

This mockup uses a Stretched JL hardtop. The JL's back and two side flush windows can be used making it look OEM. I'm getting pretty intimidated with the amount of fiberglass work, so I called A.R.E and asked when they were releasing a CX REVO cap (Urethane flush mounted windows all around). Although it's not on their website, they said it is now available, so I'm getting a quote.

 

[FitfulGoat]

This mockup uses a Stretched JL hardtop. The JL's back and two side flush windows can be used making it look OEM. I'm getting pretty intimidated with the amount of fiberglass work, so I called A.R.E and asked when they were releasing a CX REVO cap (Urethane flush mounted windows all around). Although it's not on their website, they said it is now available, so I'm getting a quote.

Did they say what the cost was going to be? This bums me out as I have a CX HD already on order!

 

[kylethompson]

Someone from EXPO linked me to your forum and I joined just to follow this conversation.

I love that people are seriously looking into a cab/camper access build. That is the dream. Man, 3/8" of deflection at full flex seems like it could be overcome. I think offroad my K30 box shifts like 6" either way!

I'm in the process of getting a quote for a camper made to my specs by Access MFG. I have seen a few of their Tradesman toppers that I really liked and have a friend who has seriously abused his on dirt roads in baja for a decade, which is what I plan to do. His has held up nicely. Here is a pic of a mojave with one of their toppers, which is kind of the look I'm going for. But I want a cab over pop up with front window, so I can hopefully at some point remove both truck and topper windows and make a pass through with an accordion boot or something like it.

Not my topper - pic stolen from craigslist.

 

[Mules]

Someone from EXPO linked me to your forum and I joined just to follow this conversation.

I love that people are seriously looking into a cab/camper access build. That is the dream. Man, 3/8" of deflection at full flex seems like it could be overcome. I think offroad my K30 box shifts like 6" either way!

I'm in the process of getting a quote for a camper made to my specs by Access MFG. I have seen a few of their Tradesman toppers that I really liked and have a friend who has seriously abused his on dirt roads in baja for a decade, which is what I plan to do. His has held up nicely. Here is a pic of a mojave with one of their toppers, which is kind of the look I'm going for. But I want a cab over pop up with front window, so I can hopefully at some point remove both truck and topper windows and make a pass through with an accordion boot or something like it.

Not my topper - pic stolen from craigslist.

Thanks for the post, and I’ll check them out. I love the barn doors on back.

 

[kylethompson]

Thanks for the post, and I’ll check them out. I love the barn doors on back.

The barn doors or full size flip up door are a must for me. It’s probably heresy to say on a truck forum, but I’m just not a fan of tailgates.

 

[Mules]

Alright, I called a A.R.E. dealer and asked for a quote for the CX Revo. They now confirmed that is is NOT available but the CX Evolve (pictured) is. I got a price of $2240 installed plus tax. Adding the windoors at $150 to $180 per side depending if you want sliders in them or not. It comes color matched and carpeted. Might be a nice starting point for the build. It would be risky to cut up a new hardtop and cap, and would need to strengthen them up first, before cutting for the top expansion and passthrough. I'd rather buy a used hardtop to cut up for my Glad, than cut up my existing one. It would be great if this build was reversible, if I wanted to swap trucks with a Hemi or Diesel Gladiator. Still hoping to find a barn door option that looks OEM.

some day.

 

[mog]

Still hoping to find a barn door option that looks OEM. some day.

Smartcap has a very good looking rear hatch for their EVOc,

BUT unfortunately, when I emailed them they replied that they have no plans to make that option for the US market.

 

[Mules]

Smartcap has a very good looking rear hatch for their EVOc,

BUT unfortunately, when I emailed them they replied that they have no plans to make that option for the US market.

Smartcap has a very good looking rear hatch for their EVOc,

BUT unfortunately, when I emailed them they replied that they have no plans to make that option for the US market.

Makes me want to cry... What a beautiful door. Their Gladiator cap is beautiful and strong enough for an expedition vehicle. We need them to offer the flip up door on the Gladiator!

 

[LostWoods]

Smartcap has a very good looking rear hatch for their EVOc,

BUT unfortunately, when I emailed them they replied that they have no plans to make that option for the US market.

That has to be the best solution I've seen for a rear door because from anyone I've talked to, they as a general concept are either not well sealed or get damaged over time in an off-road rig. There's generally just too much flex between cap and bed so I'm wondering how well their design would hold up.

 

[wingdog]

The above is for JK but they are working on one for Gladiator I think.

 

[mog]

That has to be the best solution I've seen for a rear door because from anyone I've talked to, they as a general concept are either not well sealed or get damaged over time in an off-road rig. There's generally just too much flex between cap and bed so I'm wondering how well their design would hold up.

It appears the door frame is all one piece as part of the cap, so probably a little wiggle room in the weather-sealing in the tailgate area?

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