Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

I deleted the rear seat and installed my frig there and ran power from the auxiliary battery that is set up in the back of the Alu Cab that is powered by a 100 amp solar panel to a sealed battery that is also connected to the Jeep battery with an isolator so that In case there is no sun as I’m driving both batteries are being charged, the longest that I have sat without running the Jeep is 1 day and I did not have any power issues,my investment for this set up is under $300.00, hope this helps

Compared to $1500 for Jackery or $1000 for an under hood dual battery system, $300 is pretty impressive!

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[Mules]

Has anyone tried replacing their single truck battery with a Dual Purpose Lithium Ion Phosphate battery like the one below? They have the cold cranking amps needed, can be deep cycled, recharged very fast, are half the weight, and last a long time. It sounds a bit too good to be true. Also has anyone found a 100ah one that fits a Gladiator?

 

[OngsterA]

I deleted the rear seat and installed my frig there and ran power from the auxiliary battery that is set up in the back of the Alu Cab that is powered by a 100 amp solar panel to a sealed battery that is also connected to the Jeep battery with an isolator so that In case there is no sun as I’m driving both batteries are being charged, the longest that I have sat without running the Jeep is 1 day and I did not have any power issues,my investment for this set up is under $300.00, hope this helps

Looks like an effective setup. How are the fused connections set up on the aux battery? Right now my midrange Jackery just doesn't cut it when powering my 35 qt Dometic freezer, doesn't last one night, ugh.

 

[Redruby]

I really don’t understand your question, everything is directly connected to the auxiliary battery

 

[Mules]

Well, as I think about all the cool expensive gadgets coming up, I still need to finish the shell. I’m wrapping the interior panels with automotive carpet.

 

[Mules]

Almost done covering the interior.

 

[Mules]

Since I can walk around inside now, I’m mocking up the layout with cardboard and plywood. Can I really fit a fridge, sink, stove, battery, toilet, 10 gallons of water, and storage back there? We’ll see.

 

[FitfulGoat]

The interior space looks great covered And finished ?

 

[Free2roam]

Well solar set up on mine is getting pieced together. Two 100 watt Renogy panels on top for travel and charging. Get to camp and set up additional two panels for a total of 400 watts. Feeding the two 100ah Renogy batteries. Didn't want to mess with the Jeeps electrical system.

 

[TexasOverlander]

I set up the Jackery 1500 in the rear passenger floor. Have a Dometic CFX35 set as freezer at 7°, and a Dometic 18 set as refrigerator at 38°. Both are strapped to the folded 2/3 rear seat back, and baby seat brackets behind it..

I have the frig plugged into the Jackery 12v plug, and the freezer plugged into Jackery 110v. Keep the Jackery charger plugged into the 110v inverter on back of console. I also have the CFX35 plugged into a 12v outlet that is wired into an Aux Switch.

The fridge and freezer run off the Jackery overnight and the Jackery recharges when my engine is running on trails during day. If I am not driving much that day, or plan to set up camp early, I will use the aux switch to assist with running the freezer during driving and there is less drain on the Jackery.

Depending on hours driving during day and hours camped, the Jackery is at from 35 to 60% in the morning when I brew my coffee in a single cup drip brewer (unplug the freezer for a few minutes to do this.)

Have used this set-up on three extended trips of 5 to 14 days each and have been pleased with how it works.

I bought a couple of 100w solar panels, but have not yet decided if I will mount one or both on top of my RLD canopy, as I seldom leave vehicle sitting during the day.

 

[Mules]

I set up the Jackery 1500 in the rear passenger floor. Have a Dometic CFX35 set as freezer at 7°, and a Dometic 18 set as refrigerator at 38°. Both are strapped to the folded 2/3 rear seat back, and baby seat brackets behind it..

I have the frig plugged into the Jackery 12v plug, and the freezer plugged into Jackery 110v. Keep the Jackery charger plugged into the 110v inverter on back of console. I also have the CFX35 plugged into a 12v outlet that is wired into an Aux Switch.

The fridge and freezer run off the Jackery overnight and the Jackery recharges when my engine is running on trails during day. If I am not driving much that day, or plan to set up camp early, I will use the aux switch to assist with running the freezer during driving and there is less drain on the Jackery.

Depending on hours driving during day and hours camped, the Jackery is at from 35 to 60% in the morning when I brew my coffee in a single cup drip brewer (unplug the freezer for a few minutes to do this.)

Have used this set-up on three extended trips of 5 to 14 days each and have been pleased with how it works.

I bought a couple of 100w solar panels, but have not yet decided if I will mount one or both on top of my RLD canopy, as I seldom leave vehicle sitting during the day.

Thanks a lot! As you point out, if you drive every day and have a Jackery or fast enough charging battery, you can get by without solar. Typical lead acid batteries don’t charge as fast as Lithium, meaning you would have to drive much longer time to recharge.

 

[booneja]

Foam board and a spray in foam? Something like “great stuff” for windows and doors might do the trick.

That would be my suggestion, use the foam board to take the majority of the space, and fill in gaps with low expansion spray foam for windows and doors, then use the same carpet to cover the entire area, keeps things tidy

 

[Mules]

I'm still going round and round with the layout. Pictured below is pretty close to my original idea.

 

[Redruby]

I like it, how did you do the pass thru into the cab?

 

[Mules]

The cushions will lay on top of the pickup bed head wall, so no cutting of the truck. The cab back seats simply fold down, and the cushion platform will fold over the back seats. Rubber seal between the pickup bed headwall and the cab back wall. Here's an old picture from when I was roughing it out. The pass through is a lot bigger now since I trimmed up to the blue tape which you can barely see.

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