Zapper
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Michael
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2024
- Threads
- 12
- Messages
- 46
- Reaction score
- 69
- Location
- Okanagan, British Columbia
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Sport S
- Thread starter
- #1
I thought I'd start a build thread for my 2021 Sport S. Its pretty basic, but it fits my needs and my budget and should be a good platform to build what I want.
My last vehicle was a 2006 Jeep Commander, which I had built out as an overland/extreme roadtrip vehicle. The Commander was fantastic, except for the Hemi sucking so much gas, and the annoying fact literally everything needed to be built custom as there is very little aftermarket for them. I'm super thrilled to be able to get on Amazon or wherever and actually see bolt-on accessories!
My general use is long road trips with the ability to avoid hotels, motels and restaurants. I like to camp but I tend to get antsy unless I'm with friends and want to hit the road quickly.... so generally I drive a long day and then pull off into a forest service road and set up from there. Doing any sort of rock crawling while solo is a bit too risky, so although I would love a Rubi I don't need all that capability. I also have to drive for work once or twice a month in all kinds of weather which is a 500 mile round trip, so having the ability to pull off in a park, make a meal and maybe nap is a good thing.
To build up the Gladiator I'll want to add in most of what I had on the Commander:
1. Mild lift (probably just a levelling kit)
2. Tires/wheels
3. Rooftop tent (I kept the autohome one I had)
4. Extra gas
5. Some sort of slick organization system for the cargo area
6. Ham radio install
7. APRS tracker (ham based location and short messaging)
8. Mapping solution (I used Gaiagps on an Android stereo on the old truck)
9. Solar charger and house battery for lighting, ham radio, etc while camped
10. Decent solution for water storage
11. Fridge/Freezer
I'll probably add a few things that weren't realistic options on the Commander, like a winch bumper and some nice armor.
Here's a pic of the Commander and here's a pic of the very stock Gladiator starting point:
My last vehicle was a 2006 Jeep Commander, which I had built out as an overland/extreme roadtrip vehicle. The Commander was fantastic, except for the Hemi sucking so much gas, and the annoying fact literally everything needed to be built custom as there is very little aftermarket for them. I'm super thrilled to be able to get on Amazon or wherever and actually see bolt-on accessories!
My general use is long road trips with the ability to avoid hotels, motels and restaurants. I like to camp but I tend to get antsy unless I'm with friends and want to hit the road quickly.... so generally I drive a long day and then pull off into a forest service road and set up from there. Doing any sort of rock crawling while solo is a bit too risky, so although I would love a Rubi I don't need all that capability. I also have to drive for work once or twice a month in all kinds of weather which is a 500 mile round trip, so having the ability to pull off in a park, make a meal and maybe nap is a good thing.
To build up the Gladiator I'll want to add in most of what I had on the Commander:
1. Mild lift (probably just a levelling kit)
2. Tires/wheels
3. Rooftop tent (I kept the autohome one I had)
4. Extra gas
5. Some sort of slick organization system for the cargo area
6. Ham radio install
7. APRS tracker (ham based location and short messaging)
8. Mapping solution (I used Gaiagps on an Android stereo on the old truck)
9. Solar charger and house battery for lighting, ham radio, etc while camped
10. Decent solution for water storage
11. Fridge/Freezer
I'll probably add a few things that weren't realistic options on the Commander, like a winch bumper and some nice armor.
Here's a pic of the Commander and here's a pic of the very stock Gladiator starting point:
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