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Dan Grec

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Dan
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Canada
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theroadchoseme.com
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JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Hi Everyone,
It's been another long time in the making, and it's time to kick-off my next major expedition.
I'm setting out to explore all the wild and remote corners of Australia over the next 18 months, in a Gladiator Rubicon I just picked up!

aussie-route-blank.jpg

(My route will have to be flexible because of the wet season in the North, and covid restrictions coming and going)

The plan is to explore all the wild and remote corners I've heard about all my life but I have never seen.
I'll cross the Simpson Desert, drive the old Tele Track up to Cape York, Drive the world's most remote road (The Canning Stock Route) explore Tasmania's wild west coast and a WHOLE lot more!

dan-gladiator-bow-small.jpg

(They didn't let me keep the bow!)


In the past I've documented my two trips on my website - http://theroadchoseme.com
On the first one I drove a little 2-door TJ Wrangler 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina on the Pan-American Highway and then I drove a 4-door JKUR 54,000 miles all the way around Africa, covering 54,000 miles through 35 African countries.
They were both the adventure of my lifetime, let me tell you!
dan-expeditions-small.jpg


I figure I need to get with the times, so on this trip I will document the build of my Gladiator and the trip itself on YouTube.

The first video introducing the Gladiator has just gone live, where I talk about the whys of what I'm doing, and why I chose a Rubicon instead of a different trim level.
The choices here in Australia are different to the US and Canada, which means my decisions are different.
Here's the intro video:


Over the next 6 weeks I will build this into my ultimate house-on-wheels Overland vehicle, and I have a lot planned and boxes have been stacking up for months now.
There will be a second gas tank, drinking water tank, filter and pump, a complete kitchen setup, fridge, front bumper, winch and lighting, aux battery, solar, custom made storage boxes, a roof rack and a canopy over the rear of the gladiator.
I will incorporate a lot of lessons learned from my previous two expeditions, and in many ways each system will be an incremental improvement from what I did previously.
It's going to be a busy 6 weeks.
I'm really stoked I get to build this vehicle with my Dad in his garage, we're going to have a lot of fun together!
I'll post the build of the Gladiator here in this thread, and then when I get underway I'll continue to post details from the expedition itself.

I hope you'll join me for the ride!

-Dan
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John in the Woods

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Great to see you here Dan. I’ve been watching you for years. You, Venture4wd and TrailRecon are the reasons I got my Jeep. Your down to earth insights have already saved me from many blunders. I’ll be watching your build out closely as I start prepping my JTRD for 5 years of post-retirement wandering around North America.
 
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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
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419
Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
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JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Thanks for the kind words and support!

I still can't wipe the stupid grin off my face - I've had this thing exactly a week now and love it.
Driving on the wrong side of the road is taking some getting used to, though sitting on the wrong side of the car is the hardest part for sure. It's difficult to judge where the front corner is, and of course it's much longer than my JK was. The reversing camera helps, though I've never really used one before so I'm still getting the hang of the bendy lines.

In my latest video I run through the entire build plan for my Overland Gladiator:
- I discuss the engine and trans my Jeep has (I was so excited I forgot in the last video!)
- I do the FIRST thing everyone should do when they get an overland vehicle
- Dad and I dig into the modifications, pulling out weight I don't need, increasing my payload!



This build is going to be quite extensive while also being extremely functional. It's just getting started!

-Dan
 
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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
Reaction score
419
Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
Vehicle(s)
JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Today the Overland Gladiator build begins in earnest, and I install a ARB single air compressor.

I have this exact compressor mounted under the hood of my Africa Jeep, it's never missed a beat in 5 years of seriously hard use.
The ARB single makes the most sense for an overland vehicle when we consider payload, electrical use and space consumed.
They're also extremely tough, and I even find a way to mount it under the hood again so it doesn't use up precious cargo volume.



-Dan
 

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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
Reaction score
419
Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
Vehicle(s)
JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
With less than 300 miles on the clock, it's time to cut and drill into my brand new Jeep Gladiator to install an AEV snorkel.
I consider a snorkel an essential upgrade for the kind of overlanding I enjoy - both for the dust protection and increased confidence in water crossings.
In this video I show every step of the process to install the AEV snorkel on your Gladiator or Wrangler.

I was a bit nervous making that first hole in the hood, though with AEV's template and instructions there was no need to be - it turned out absolutely perfect!



I'm working on about 10 things for the build simultaneously, and have just locked in getting the Jeep on display at 4x4 shows in Melbourne and Sydney just as the adventure will kick off!

-Dan
 
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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
Reaction score
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Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
Vehicle(s)
JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Hi All,

I just wrapped up installing a roof rack on my Gladiator, and I chose the Backbone System from Rhino Rack.
I've never run a rack before, and it's primarily so I can bring some toys for enjoyment on this trip.
After way too much research I went with the Backbone System because it bolts right through the hard top and mounts into the roll cage and tub of the Gladiator. That means the weight isn't just sitting on the hard top, it's actually transferred right through.
I genuinely believe this is the best engineered rack on the market, and it feels extremely stout.
I'm confident it will easily handle 18 months of corrugations and tough conditions.

Here's the video where I walk through the entire install, let me know if you have any questions.



-Dan
 
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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
Reaction score
419
Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
Vehicle(s)
JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Hi All,

During my three years around Africa I relied heavily on my solar setup, which was fantastic. I have a lot of electronics to charge, and I enjoyed having a fridge so much I consider solar an essential addition for my overland vehicles. Free electricity just makes sense to me, and it means I can stay in one place for days without having to start the engine.
The primary way I want to improve the Gladiator compared to my Africa Wrangler is to keep the entire build lighter, so this time I've chosen a flexible 100W panel that weighs just 4.2lbs.

In this episode I mount the panel to my Rhino-Rack roof rack, starting the build-out of the entire isolated dual battery setup, which is so far ahead of what I designed and built last time I'm calling it "21st century dual isolated batteries". More to come on that in future episodes.



I still have A LOT of work to do on this build, and something tells me I won't be finished in 2 weeks like I had planned originally!

-Dan
 
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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
Reaction score
419
Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
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JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Hi all,

It's time to start designing and building the rear storage compartment in my Gladiator that will take the space of the 60% rear seat delete.
I'm one again using aluminium (ALUMINIUM!!) tube and plastic corner connectors, which worked flawlessly for me in the Africa build.
I really like this system because it allows someone like me without much woodworking skill to quickly build lightweight boxes for storage.
This system is super light, it's simple, and it works. That is everything I'm looking for!



-Dan
 

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sdk131

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Just wanted to say I am so glad to see you here. I have loved watching all of your vids and truly appreciate your real world "actually been there and done that" advice. Can't wait to see how this progresses! My biggest curiosity at the moment is what you will come up with for sleeping.
 
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Dan Grec

Dan Grec

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
141
Reaction score
419
Location
Canada
Website
theroadchoseme.com
Vehicle(s)
JK Wrangler Rubicon, JT Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Overlander
Just wanted to say I am so glad to see you here. I have loved watching all of your vids and truly appreciate your real world "actually been there and done that" advice. Can't wait to see how this progresses! My biggest curiosity at the moment is what you will come up with for sleeping.
Cheers.
You know what they say.. when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

-Dan
 

sdk131

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2021 Gladiator Sport S w/ Max Tow - Sarge Green
Cheers.
You know what they say.. when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

-Dan

LOL...being an AMerican that can only see Australia on youtube that doesn't help...lol. I envision half of them using Alu-Cab campers and the other half using ground tents. He he....guess I will wait and see. Thanks again for all of your youtube videos. I think i have watched every single one at least twice.
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