ArmyVet
Member
- First Name
- James
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2021
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 12
- Location
- Rhode Island
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Sport
- Build Thread
- Link
- Occupation
- Director of Talent Acquisition - US Navy
- Thread starter
- #1
This is my first Jeep and I will be documenting the journey here. The name 'Sandy Cane' comes from one of the greatest songs of all time; Google it if you have to!
I am a medically retired Army Sergeant currently working for the Navy, so I am going with an Army theme as a friendly jab at my Navy coworkers. Beyond that, the intent for this is to build a truck that has everything we need for Rotary service projects (from road cleanups, to storm recovery, to repairing code violations at the homes of Veterans and seniors who are unable to do them themselves). This will also be the tow vehicle for our mobile kitchen, a converted pop-up camper that allows us to do fundraisers and feed-the-hungry type events with just a few minutes of setup.
Our Rotary club also runs the best car show in Rhode Island every September at Fort Adams, so the truck will need to be functional AND show worthy. Luckily the things we need from a service truck overlap in many ways with overlanding, recovery and other tasks that have plenty of products already developed for the Jeep community.
I'll be going slowly as budget allows, will be doing 90% of the work myself (not any lift associated work if we get to that point) and will possibly get a YouTube up and running for the truck to show off the upgrade progress and document service projects and shows we participate in. Who knows, maybe in time we'll snag a donor or two to help with various parts of the build. Hey, we can all dream right?
The base vehicle is a 2020 Gladiator Sport I actually found on Carvana of all places. Finding one in the color I wanted without all the high end stuff we don't need for this type of work truck was hard to find elsewhere. It only had 6,000 miles and already had some extras like a basic Harbor Freight type winch that will work for now, with an upgrade in the future.
The one change I am not going to document here is the Rough Country floor liners, no point since they were so simple to put in. Future changes will have their own posts and I will try and keep a running log here of what has been done, and what I plan on doing.
Vehicle delivered: December 30, 2020
Completed:
I am a medically retired Army Sergeant currently working for the Navy, so I am going with an Army theme as a friendly jab at my Navy coworkers. Beyond that, the intent for this is to build a truck that has everything we need for Rotary service projects (from road cleanups, to storm recovery, to repairing code violations at the homes of Veterans and seniors who are unable to do them themselves). This will also be the tow vehicle for our mobile kitchen, a converted pop-up camper that allows us to do fundraisers and feed-the-hungry type events with just a few minutes of setup.
Our Rotary club also runs the best car show in Rhode Island every September at Fort Adams, so the truck will need to be functional AND show worthy. Luckily the things we need from a service truck overlap in many ways with overlanding, recovery and other tasks that have plenty of products already developed for the Jeep community.
I'll be going slowly as budget allows, will be doing 90% of the work myself (not any lift associated work if we get to that point) and will possibly get a YouTube up and running for the truck to show off the upgrade progress and document service projects and shows we participate in. Who knows, maybe in time we'll snag a donor or two to help with various parts of the build. Hey, we can all dream right?
The base vehicle is a 2020 Gladiator Sport I actually found on Carvana of all places. Finding one in the color I wanted without all the high end stuff we don't need for this type of work truck was hard to find elsewhere. It only had 6,000 miles and already had some extras like a basic Harbor Freight type winch that will work for now, with an upgrade in the future.
The one change I am not going to document here is the Rough Country floor liners, no point since they were so simple to put in. Future changes will have their own posts and I will try and keep a running log here of what has been done, and what I plan on doing.
Vehicle delivered: December 30, 2020
Completed:
- Ripped out the previous owners rigged wiring job for the add-on lights they already had, installed a Rough Country MLC-6 and and reran the wiring to clean it up and make it safer. This one I will document soon because I ran into a few small issues I let Rough Country know about and I want to track and see if any changes are made in the future.
- Rough Country Floor Liners - again, not posting a separate update. My only note would be that I had to remove the underseat storage to put the back mat in, and then put it back in order to get the mat to sit correctly.
- Uniden Pro 520XL CB with a 15-watt Bearcat external speaker and a Pyle PSP8 PA speaker - Deciding how to mount. Either a @Quadratec quick disconnect mount or wait and budget in an overhead MOLLE panel from MPS.
- MOPAR Class IV Hitch so I can tow the kitchen without putting a hole in the bumper - when I can find one in stock somewhere at a decent price.
- Rack for project tools and supplies - I am digging the Fab Fours Overland rack, but the @RebelOffRoad XPLOR in all black would look great, and with all the options it has can mount everything we need for our projects, lots of lighting to keep our volunteers safe along the roads, maybe a 270 awning for hot or rainy days, etc.; but that being said, no decision has been made yet. This is one of the most expensive parts of the project so I'll be basing the decision on a lot of factors. Personal side note: If I won the lotto I would put an AT Habitat topper on there and then figure out how to mount everything else to it. If you don't know what this is, google Black Rhino Gladiator SEMA 2019.
- Wheels - Black Rhino Armory are the closest I've seen to my old basic hmmwv wheels and they look sharp as hell in all black. Can't tell from the pictures how close the desert sand is to Gobi color on the Gladiator but that might look nice as well.
- Tires - Probably KO2s, we need safety in all road conditions including water, mud and snow while still getting decent mileage on the highway.
- Exterior LIghting - more of it, on top, underneath, on the sides and back, anything to made it visible and keep people safe.
- Tool storage for hand tools, power tools, yard tools, chain saws, etc.
- Extra fuel - Prefer the jerry can look to stay military, haven't seen a great option for the Gladiator yet but maybe I can rig something from a Wrangler
- Seat Covers - For the shows, and for protection; I like the PRP Customs looks, can keep it clean and tactical. Not stuck on anything yet though
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