German Overland build to explore Europe - EcoDiesel

Hey to all,

Since quite some time we watch you Americans on YouTube doing overlanding and trail stuff. First (3-4 years ago) we wanted to get a Wrangler Rubicon, but due to CoVid and short work we did never buy one.

time passed, we bought a house (again) and got this sorted… we were still watching these videos and found as well some stuff from European overlanders.

by the way, we are Steffi and Simon and our current dog Iva (Belgian Malinois).

then, last year, we finally pulled the trigger on a 2022 Gladiator EcoDiesel in Overland trim (the only available trim and engine in Europe).
It had 15 miles and was parked 2 years in a dealer show room. The price was really decent…
We are happy with the Diesel, as it has much better torque than a gasser. Only issue for us is, it’s not a Rubicon… so we are looking to get a set of Rubicon axles…(only possible from US).

To get started we installed some parts:
2.5inch lift,
falcon 2.1 shocks,
Steersmarts steering,
35inch K02‘s on 17inch rims

As there is a lot of technical regulation with German TUV, we are rather limited in options, especially suspension related.
in addition we got a bed rack from TuwaPro and a roof top tent, to allow first trip to Cote D‘Azur and from there to Spanish Pyrenees and Spanish desert Monegros last year in autumn.

At Pyrenees we could test off-roading, as the „roads“ if we want to call it roads, we’re really bumpy, mostly walking speed and rain washings of half meter and such.
It was first time for us driving really off-road and it proved the decision to get into this, was just right.

Few days later we were in desert and during night it went to be 5 degrees Celsius or even lower.
Here we encountered that the labeling of our cheap Amazon sleeping bads
We were freezing quite a bit



…some impressions below.

During winter we made some decisions and installed onboard air from Epic adventure in BC, and initiated a bigger change on the camping stuff:

We ordered an Alu-Cab ModCap with Camper roof.
This will allow us to sit inside when it’s raining (what we could not do in Spain) and have an awning (you can not get the Canopy or ModCap without it over here).

Before we have the install week (07 April), we will upgrade the springs to AEV high capacity in rear. And already installed longer steel braided brake lines.

During winter I made up some wood in local forests and hauled quite a few loads with the Gladi. We saw the rear sagging a lot, this as well why H

Yesterday we starting building the floor plates for the Cab.

thanks to @cug we got a perfect „how-to“ - really good help.

As well don‘t want to spend 5000 euros on „cabinets“ from goose or so, we build some stuff ourselves:
Ordered 8020 Aluminium profiles to make some plattform for the fridge and as well want to have some seating Plattform in front of the water tank coming with the ModCab.

still taking measurements for the height of the stuff and then we need the width of the cab from inner rails for the „bench“

We will install a 2nd battery with charge booster to power all accessories. (Already laid it out „below“).

Hello from Belgium (though I’m an American only here for a few more months).

I love seeing European overland rigs, especially from the humble beginnings. You’re doing well, thus far.

I want an Alu-Cab so bad, but now that we know we’re leaving soon, I’ll wait until we get back to the states. Hope you enjoy yours!

There’s a Jeepers Jamboree Europe in NE France, near Luxembourg and Belgium…though this years is probably sold out already. That could be a neat week or so for you to try and attend one year? I only heard about it a few weeks ago and it’s in April I believe so surely it’s fully booked by now.

I look forward to seeing your progress and adventures!

Cheers!
- Kenny

Jeeping in Germany- how cool!

I lived in Mein Sondheim, near Kitzengen, and flew out of Gibelstadt for years. I am so fond of Barvaria. I wheeled a Chevy K5 Blazer there in the forests, but I do not really like off-roading here in the States.

I do recall the strict (oppressive) government regulations regarding modifications. Good luck with that. I wonder how it is driving something like a JT on those crazy Autobahns.

I know of a nearby shop that may be able to find/ship Rubicon axle assemblies to you. They do Dana 60 swaps now and again and may have used assemblies lying around.

Does your Gladiator have the auxiliary switches? Why not just get a locker instead of the full modification of the axles? Definitely look into the MetalCloak rear sway bar upgrade brackets. As well as the Hellwig rear sway bar. Take a look into Apex Autolynx disconnects as well. That helps smooth out the front axle on trails as well. Planning on lifting it? If you do swap out the axles make sure they are from a Rubicon diesel not a gas motor version.
Also if you want to save some money look into T-Nutz they also make the aluminum extrusion etc. Good luck looking forward to the build.
Edit: I did see you went to a 2.5 inch lift. Not sure if the Overland trim has the aux switches in the EU.

Flyin6 said:

Jeeping in Germany- how cool!

I lived in Mein Sondheim, near Kitzengen, and flew out of Gibelstadt for years. I am so fond of Barvaria. I wheeled a Chevy K5 Blazer there in the forests, but I do not really like off-roading here in the States.

I do recall the strict (oppressive) government regulations regarding modifications. Good luck with that. I wonder how it is driving something like a JT on those crazy Autobahns.

I know of a nearby shop that may be able to find/ship Rubicon axle assemblies to you. They do Dana 60 swaps now and again and may have used assemblies lying around.

Click to expand...

I second Bavaria being awesome. Especially the mountainous region.

I’m lucky to have gotten to go to Oberammergau several times in the last 18+ months and it is b-e-a-utiful there! I always say, “it’s western Montana, but with more culture” lol

Flyin6 said:

Jeeping in Germany- how cool!

I lived in Mein Sondheim, near Kitzengen, and flew out of Gibelstadt for years. I am so fond of Barvaria. I wheeled a Chevy K5 Blazer there in the forests, but I do not really like off-roading here in the States.

I do recall the strict (oppressive) government regulations regarding modifications. Good luck with that. I wonder how it is driving something like a JT on those crazy Autobahns.

I know of a nearby shop that may be able to find/ship Rubicon axle assemblies to you. They do Dana 60 swaps now and again and may have used assemblies lying around.

Click to expand...

Hey!
Sounds you had a great time! Good you could enjoy it.
Autobahn is good, if there they are free of traffic, but with the gladiator on 35s I did never exceed 100 mph (160km/h). It’s not a racer.

Yeah, if you can make contact that would be awesome, and if they got something, let’s see.

Free2roam said:

Does your Gladiator have the auxiliary switches? Why not just get a locker instead of the full modification of the axles? Definitely look into the MetalCloak rear sway bar upgrade brackets. As well as the Hellwig rear sway bar. Take a look into Apex Autolynx disconnects as well. That helps smooth out the front axle on trails as well. Planning on lifting it? If you do swap out the axles make sure they are from a Rubicon diesel not a gas motor version.
Also if you want to save some money look into T-Nutz they also make the aluminum extrusion etc. Good luck looking forward to the build.
Edit: I did see you went to a 2.5 inch lift. Not sure if the Overland trim has the aux switches in the EU.

Click to expand...

Hey
There are no aux switches, and I know already these are pricy and lots of work to get them in, but that would be ok.

yeah, the alternative would be lockers locall, but will cost me really a lot of money to get this done here. There are not a lot of shops doing this.
The axles I would swap myself, I think.
Gas and diesel only have the gear ratio different, I think the EcoDiesel 3.73 can be moved over…

just ordered the Metalcloak rear track bar and rear sway bar upgrade last week.
Need to have a look for the apex parts and we thought to maybe upgrade the rear sway bar, but let’s see after first tour

SimonH said:

Hey!
Sounds you had a great time! Good you could enjoy it.
Autobahn is good, if there they are free of traffic, but with the gladiator on 35s I did never exceed 100 mph (160km/h). It’s not a racer.

Yeah, if you can make contact that would be awesome, and if they got something, let’s see.



Hey
There are no aux switches, and I know already these are pricy and lots of work to get them in, but that would be ok.

yeah, the alternative would be lockers locall, but will cost me really a lot of money to get this done here. There are not a lot of shops doing this.
The axles I would swap myself, I think.
Gas and diesel only have the gear ratio different, I think the EcoDiesel 3.73 can be moved over…

just ordered the Metalcloak rear track bar and rear sway bar upgrade last week.
Need to have a look for the apex parts and we thought to maybe upgrade the rear sway bar, but let’s see after first tour

Click to expand...

Yea, I lived in Deutchland for over five years and absolutely loved it. I did notice a big change there after the reintegration of East Germany. I got medevaced from Afghanistan to Landstuhl to recover and while there, although I loved it, I noticed the Germans were definitely "cooler" and not as friendly as I remember. Nevertheless, it remains one of my very favorite countries and people in the world.
I'll check out the shop to see what they have and report back...

Signing Spock said:

Hello from Belgium (though I’m an American only here for a few more months).

I love seeing European overland rigs, especially from the humble beginnings. You’re doing well, thus far.

I want an Alu-Cab so bad, but now that we know we’re leaving soon, I’ll wait until we get back to the states. Hope you enjoy yours!

There’s a Jeepers Jamboree Europe in NE France, near Luxembourg and Belgium…though this years is probably sold out already. That could be a neat week or so for you to try and attend one year? I only heard about it a few weeks ago and it’s in April I believe so surely it’s fully booked by now.

I look forward to seeing your progress and adventures!

Cheers!
- Kenny

Click to expand...

Kenny,
Doing the NATO thing??
Sounds like you are about to return to the home team...
Safe travels!

SimonH said:

Hey
There are no aux switches, and I know already these are pricy and lots of work to get them in, but that would be ok.

Click to expand...

VOSWITCH makes a panel that fits int eh factory aux switch location and gives you 6 switches vs 4, and still looks clean and OEM. Cheaper and easier to install and easier to wire in your accessories compared to the OEM aux switches.

https://www.voswitch.com/Voswitch-J...rent-and-Gladiator-2020-Current-p1350843.html

JTdiRtyD said:

VOSWITCH makes a panel that fits int eh factory aux switch location and gives you 6 switches vs 4, and still looks clean and OEM. Cheaper and easier to install and easier to wire in your accessories compared to the OEM aux switches.

https://www.voswitch.com/Voswitch-J...rent-and-Gladiator-2020-Current-p1350843.html

Click to expand...

yes I know, that is a nice one, and maybe we go for this one, would help with the planned Epic overhead molle panel and its electrics as well.
thanks bringing me back on this idea, I just installed one in a friends Gladiator before winter.

Flyin6 said:

Kenny,
Doing the NATO thing??
Sounds like you are about to return to the home team...
Safe travels!

Click to expand...

Yup, I love Europe and especially Germany. But I’m happy to be coming home for a bit. With little ones, it’s tough to thoroughly enjoy all the amazing places as much. Hopefully will come back in 6+ years and do more cool things when they’re older and can appreciate everything.

Signing Spock said:

Yup, I love Europe and especially Germany. But I’m happy to be coming home for a bit. With little ones, it’s tough to thoroughly enjoy all the amazing places as much. Hopefully will come back in 6+ years and do more cool things when they’re older and can appreciate everything.

Click to expand...

It is a great experience for the kids. My oldest son lived with me in a small town in Germany. He played on their soccer team, ran with German kids, and became fluent in the language. Another of my boys is over there at this very moment. You will come to miss aspects of your time there, but, you are American at your core, so welcome home!

Flyin6 said:

It is a great experience for the kids. My oldest son lived with me in a small town in Germany. He played on their soccer team, ran with German kids, and became fluent in the language. Another of my boys is over there at this very moment. You will come to miss aspects of your time there, but, you are American at your core, so welcome home!

Click to expand...

Oh yes don’t get me wrong, my oldest (8) is liking most things here, but when my wife and I want to go to a historic place or something, my kids don’t care really lol my 3 year old especially hahaha