Rubi Rhod - A 2020 Gladiator with flair for the overland-dramatic

[Rubi_Rhod]

Also, to compliment the camper to come, the Cascadia VSS Hood Solar kit came in and got installed.

Made some room on the panel I made for the Trigger unit and got it on. Was pretty easy and trouble free. Which is really the goal. I’ve never really had much problems with need for more power than what I get off a USB pack and perhaps a few uses of the inverter. So this should keep me more than topped up. Will also put in the always on fuse tap for the cigarette lighter so that all works and is available.

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[Rubi_Rhod]

Also, got the ?’s engine in and pleased that its a strong runner.

It’s all setup to be a toad, so will tug it behind on roams local to the area as its wicked fun and great to head from camp to town. It’s got a big tray back too so firewood hauls for the night are super easy and way fun.

I was hoping to say I’d be up and at em this year, but will do some outings and just invest in my gear as it’s getting built and get this test and tuned for some long excursions out.

I started all this right as things got weird with the pandemic and between it and the Jeep, really got me motivated for some awesome adventures to come.

 

[Trailman]

Is that a Roam ice chest I've seen in some pictures? Is it the 65qt? How do you like it?

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

Is that a Roam ice chest I've seen in some pictures? Is it the 65qt? How do you like it?

It’s a Driftsun 45. Its been awesome! It was my first rotomold. Absolutely solid cooler. I got this one for its soft carry straps (easier to pull and tug vs hard plastic pop outs), vent release (can open it once cool) and the rubber latches have a nice ring on them to pop it off.

It works a champ. I’ve precooled it with a bag of ice, and had frozen some foods to cook at camp and after a few days in the July sun, the core was still frozen solid. It was actually a burden as it froze everything together. I was quite impressed chipping my breakfast out.

I basically fill it with 3 bags to start, and give it a couple days and then keep it topped off with about a bag a day or every other day as constantly eating the ice, or filling it with hot cans and such to cool. For a dark colored cooler sitting in the back of my truck under the Moab sun for a week, I was super impressed. I’d love a plug in refer, but for a 1/4 the price this cooler is hard to beat especially as I constantly go to the gas station anyway to fill up its not at all spendy or inconvenient to ice it up. I was skeptical but handily outperforms my old Igloo Extreme cooler.

 

[Trailman]

It’s a Driftsun 45. Its been awesome! It was my first rotomold. Absolutely solid cooler. I got this one for its soft carry straps (easier to pull and tug vs hard plastic pop outs), vent release (can open it once cool) and the rubber latches have a nice ring on them to pop it off.

Awesome, thanks! I'll check it out.

I just have the old Coleman that everyone has tucked in their garage somewhere. Its fine for an overnight but drops off quickly in a multi-day trip. Like you I'm not moving toward the Dometic fridge or anything like that anytime soon. Cost aside, I also don't want to install a power bank, and I like keeping the truck bed ready for use (don't want to mount anything semi-permanently).

 

[Jaydebe]

Exterior

• While LEDs would be very nice, I see a lot of wet snow and sub zero temps. So a hot halogen will keep lenses clear for now. Will investigate replacement headlamps like the KC Gravity Pro headlights once more money becomes available.

Living at a resort, having the factory LED's had me worried based on all of the feedback about LEDs and snow/cold weather.

We literally has some form of snow from T-day until almost March 1 and on top of the mountain where I live (Snowshoe is opposite of most resorts as the village is up top); I had ZERO issues with my headlights the whole winter.

Now, the only exception to this was freezing rain / super wet snow in which even our other car's headlights (non-LED) had build up too.

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

Living at a resort, having the factory LED's had me worried based on all of the feedback about LEDs and snow/cold weather.

We literally has some form of snow from T-day until almost March 1 and on top of the mountain where I live (Snowshoe is opposite of most resorts as the village is up top); I had ZERO issues with my headlights the whole winter.

Now, the only exception to this was freezing rain / super wet snow in which even our other car's headlights (non-LED) had build up too.

Yeah, Ive not heard as many complaints as I had thought there would be. So figure this might get added back on the list as the halogens are just passible for adequate. No sense planning for the unlikely as those heavy slushy cement snow days are just gonna happen, but the day to day glad it's not a problem at altitude.

 

[Blue Ridge]

Bumper and winch update!

Went with the Rugged Ridge Venator full length. I’ll be keeping it to 35” tires, so the full width was appreciated. It hugs the body tightly and really sharpens it all up.

If I may bump your thread and ask, how are you liking this front bumper? My finger is hovering over the "buy now" button on it but I'm not planning on running a winch. At least no time soon. Is there a plate or cover for the big open area on top if you just run the Venator bumper alone?

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

If I may bump your thread and ask, how are you liking this front bumper? My finger is hovering over the "buy now" button on it but I'm not planning on running a winch. At least no time soon. Is there a plate or cover for the big open area on top if you just run the Venator bumper alone?

I still quite dig it. Haven’t seen another out in the wild, so still feels fresh. Haven’t noticed any wear or tear despite my aggressive field excursions.

No plate or cover is available. You can run it open but looks like it’s missing something. If you were crafty, im sure you could box it out for smaller objects, put an ammo box there, or as its fairly flat, stick a sheet of ABS underneath. The top plate comes off with a couple screws so its not too terrible to try a few things.

 

[Rubiwoo]

Where did you get the garbage bag and how does it connect?

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

Where did you get the garbage bag and how does it connect?

I got it on Amazon a couple years ago. Its from Offroading Gear. Similar to the Trasharoo, but was a little less, a little nicer pockets and not out of stock.

It’s just strapped over the tailgate.

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

The day has arrived!

Picked up from Montana and got home and added a basic awning, Gzilla rain fly poles, and what were the tube cross bar mounts, turned them into hooks for attaching hammocks to.

Also gutted and cleaned the gear bags and bins to make more room. All in all, couldn’t be more thrilled!

 

[Mjolnir]

The day has arrived!

Picked up from Montana and got home and added a basic awning, Gzilla rain fly poles, and what were the tube cross bar mounts, turned them into hooks for attaching hammocks to.

Also gutted and cleaned the gear bags and bins to make more room. All in all, couldn’t be more thrilled!

Welcome to the GFC club!

Best part is ladder is optional IMO. Love the Tangerine. Make sure to check out the LED lights that are made for the GFC to place inside the bed/tent itself!

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

It was time to go up!

Did the Mopar 2”, which netted me 3” of lift front and rear, after the 3/4” spacer was added to the rear to compensate for the weight of the camper and gear.

All in, pretty happy woth the kit and the ride. Lots of room to improve the kit and upgrade stuff, but in the end was a good deal and a factory part. Can’t complain.

Install was smooth and had it in myself after little more than half a day.
While maybe not totally needed, I also went in and did the adjustable trackbar from Yeti. I do believe it to be completely overkill for my intentions, but the price difference wasn’t too off, and legitimately this thing has gotta be 2 or three times the weight of the stock bar. It also was the only one that had that reverse thread coupling thingy to allow it to be adjusted in place. So win in my book.

 

[Dennis K]

Nice build...
I looked through your posts and didn't find, but what, pray tell, are the aux tank side mounts???
Possible link?

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