Another Gldiator build

R3

R3

Member 2025
Blue Ribbon Coalition
VA4WDA
With the Red Jeep moving, It is Offical, a new project is now on the horizon. The goal of this build is more for Exploring, Overlanding and more practical use. Over the past few years in this club I have met some great folks with great builds. Bigger is better? Not always but it does allow you to take on some challenging trails. I have been wanting to go diesel for a number of years and there are lots of options out there. Build a M715, transplant a 4BT, or 4.5 ISL, Commando, WIllys wagon/truck with a 2.8 Cummins, the choices go on.
Recently I had a Gladiator for a rental car out west. Stripped bone stock it was an ok base vehicle. The next build is a 2021 JTRD low mileage one owner diesel with some good base modification. The plan is to build a potent off road explorer that can perform daily duties. Major goal for this build is weight conservation. Aluminum where ever I can vs steel. While I love my Chaos Front bumper on the Red Jeep with a winch it weights in at over 150#. @Fearless her build is running 40s, a very capable rig and the weigh is still under 6000#.

Mods on the list:
- Clean up the emisons stuff that kills diesels.
- Accuair 4.5 inch air suspenson with tuned shocks. later the shocks might be replaces with some custom King smoothies.
- Next venture rear bumper system with hitch reclocation. Feather weight serise.
- PSC 1 ton steering with hydro assist, aluminum steering
- Method Bead Grip wheels with a little less Back spacing (4.5in)
- Nuthouse industries XL truck topper 16 inch height to keep CG lower.

Spare tire mount..... at first it will stay under the bed... looking at options that preserve the bed space for Overlanding.. DV8 has an interestign flip up mount, just need to see if the fridge freezer will fit under.

There might be a re-gear in the works, current is 4.10 with 37inch Baja Boss MTs. thinking 4.56 might be the sweet spot. Have to drive it and see first. So a simple build compared to the big Red Jeep and along with simple means a lower investment of modifications.

Since this is a diesel rig.... I thought the license plate should be "RTL WGN" and maybe a American flag wrap flowing down the side....Stay tuned for more adventures in building as parts are going on order soon.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
R3 said:
With the Red Jeep moving, It is Offical, a new project is now on the horizon. The goal of this build is more for Exploring, Overlanding and more practical use. Over the past few years in this club I have met some great folks with great builds. Bigger is better? Not always but it does allow you to take on some challenging trails. I have been wanting to go diesel for a number of years and there are lots of options out there. Build a M715, transplant a 4BT, or 4.5 ISL, Commando, WIllys wagon/truck with a 2.8 Cummins, the choices go on.
Recently I had a Gladiator for a rental car out west. Stripped bone stock it was an ok base vehicle. The next build is a 2021 JTRD low mileage one owner diesel with some good base modification. The plan is to build a potent off road explorer that can perform daily duties. Major goal for this build is weight conservation. Aluminum whereever I can vs steel. While I love my Chaos Front bumper on the Red Jeep with a winch it weights in at over 150#. @Fearless her build is running 40s, a very capable rig and the weigh tis still under 6000#.

Mods on the list:
- Clean up the emisons stuff that kills diesels.
- Accuair 4.5 inch air suspenson with tuned shocks. later the shocks might be replaces with some custom King smoothies.
- Next venture rear bumper system with hitch reclocation. Feather weight serise.
- PSC 1 ton steering with hydro assist, aluminum steering
- Method Bead Grip wheels
- Nuthouse industries XL truck topper 16 inch height to keep CG lower.

Spare tire mount..... at first it will stay under the bed... looking at options that preserve the bed space for Overlanding.. DV8 has an interestign flip up mount, just need to see if the fridge freezer will fit under.

There might be a re-gear in the works, current is 4.10 with 37inch Baja Boss MTs. thinkign 4.56 might be the sweet spot. Have to drive it and see first. So a simple build compared to teh big Red Jeep and along with simple means a lower investment of modifications.

Since this is a diesel rig.... I thought the license plate should be "RTL WGN" and maybe a american flag wrap flowing down the side....Stay tuned for more adventures in building as paarts are going on order soon.

Cheers
Click to expand...
Thrilled to hear that you stepped in the JT world Rob.
Let me know if you need input on my mods or things I've tried and hated.
-Joe
 
Will do Joe. aluminum is the word for this build... as well as practical. Ideas on tire carriers for 37 i ssomethign I am kicking around. Thouhgts.

The idea with the nuthouse https://nuthouseindustries.com/shop/racks/jeep-gladiator-racks/nutshell-xl-truck-topper/ is to eventually make it a slide in style unit with a full coplment of interior storage for overlanding stuff that can be removed similar to a full side slide in camper... So this leave either the bumper or under bed for the tire to live.
 
If your goal is weight reduction, have you considered doing a bobbed bed? I know Motobilt has a good option. Obviously limits your space in the rear, but just a thought
 
Not an idea you're going to like I'm sure... But carrying a good set of tire repair patches/plugs tools, and spare valves (Colby?) and ditching the spare altogether might be a good option here. Big weight and space saving. If you stick with 37's I was able to stuff Debbie's Nitto 37x12.5 spare into the stock location on her Gladiator... Though it's not full tread anymore (Probably roughly quarter tread left on it)
 
Spaz said:
For awhile, I was running a leveling kit, deskinned inner fenders and 37" Mickey Thompson ATZ tires. With an aftermarket rear track bar, the spare fit in the factory location with zero rubbing.
Click to expand...
Thanks Marc. Going with a set of flat fenders up front likely...options,options...
 
zuke said:
Not an idea you're going to like I'm sure... But carrying a good set of tire repair patches/plugs tools, and spare valves (Colby?) and ditching the spare altogether might be a good option here. Big weight and space saving. If you stick with 37's I was able to stuff Debbie's Nitto 37x12.5 spare into the stock location on her Gladiator... Though it's not full tread anymore (Probably roughly quarter tread left on it)
Click to expand...
Thought of that....but what happens when you shred a tire on the road....not sure there is enough glue and patches to cover that. Plus seen way too many tired sliced on the trail that patches would not help. Small slash a patch will work but spinning it up to 65mph..the balance is going to be a bit off....
 
R3 said:
Thought of that....but what happens when you shred a tire on the road....not sure there is enough glue and patches to cover that. Plus seen way too many tired sliced on the trail that patches would not help. Small slash a patch will work but spinning it up to 65mph..the balance is going to be a bit off....
Click to expand...
It's a definite risk, Especially in the middle of the night on a long road trip, or twenty miles onto the back country, when you just aren't going to be able to find a replacement tire.
 
I have seen many enthusiasts using Bantam trailers (or clones) with oversized tires, towing gear down the highways and trails. I have been thinking about buying one for myself and trying it out for occasions when we will have base camp as a drop point for gear. That will allow me to take everything I need for a long haul, still have some ability to drag a trailer on the trails, but prioritize only essentials one we hit the big rocks.
 
R3 said:
With the Red Jeep moving, It is Offical, a new project is now on the horizon. The goal of this build is more for Exploring, Overlanding and more practical use. Over the past few years in this club I have met some great folks with great builds. Bigger is better? Not always but it does allow you to take on some challenging trails. I have been wanting to go diesel for a number of years and there are lots of options out there. Build a M715, transplant a 4BT, or 4.5 ISL, Commando, WIllys wagon/truck with a 2.8 Cummins, the choices go on.
Recently I had a Gladiator for a rental car out west. Stripped bone stock it was an ok base vehicle. The next build is a 2021 JTRD low mileage one owner diesel with some good base modification. The plan is to build a potent off road explorer that can perform daily duties. Major goal for this build is weight conservation. Aluminum whereever I can vs steel. While I love my Chaos Front bumper on the Red Jeep with a winch it weights in at over 150#. @Fearless her build is running 40s, a very capable rig and the weigh tis still under 6000#.

Mods on the list:
- Clean up the emisons stuff that kills diesels.
- Accuair 4.5 inch air suspenson with tuned shocks. later the shocks might be replaces with some custom King smoothies.
- Next venture rear bumper system with hitch reclocation. Feather weight serise.
- PSC 1 ton steering with hydro assist, aluminum steering
- Method Bead Grip wheels
- Nuthouse industries XL truck topper 16 inch height to keep CG lower.

Spare tire mount..... at first it will stay under the bed... looking at options that preserve the bed space for Overlanding.. DV8 has an interestign flip up mount, just need to see if the fridge freezer will fit under.

There might be a re-gear in the works, current is 4.10 with 37inch Baja Boss MTs. thinkign 4.56 might be the sweet spot. Have to drive it and see first. So a simple build compared to teh big Red Jeep and along with simple means a lower investment of modifications.

Since this is a diesel rig.... I thought the license plate should be "RTL WGN" and maybe a american flag wrap flowing down the side....Stay tuned for more adventures in building as paarts are going on order soon.

Cheers
Click to expand...
Sounds like an awesome project.
 
Rob,

Recommend checking out American Adventure Labs. They have a ton of aluminum products for the Gladiator to keep weight down.

Their overlanding system is pretty impressive.

Jeep JT - Bed Rail Attachment System​


IMG_9569.jpeg


IMG_9568.jpeg
 
Joe Like the set up with the exception it will be hard to access the forward compartment. Other than that it is a cheaper option, would like to know the weight seems like a lot of hardware and parts to make the unit.Much cheaper option that nuthouse. I like the ability to access the forward part of the bed. on Huthouse. Likely will not do the bed slide. Nice idea but If I can access the bed from the sides, it just takes up space.

1730291650420.png

1730291855156.png

1730291895479.png
 
On the spare tire front, I'll say this, and I'm not intending to fight with others experiences.
The distance inside frame rails is 36.5", period. That's measured along a 3 foot distance, front to rear, measurement doesn't deviate more than 1/10 of an inch.
On the Gladiator forums you'll read people saying they got their Patagonia or Mickey Baja Boss to fit.
I call BS.
I've owned both, have a Clayton offset track bar and removed the heat shield.
At 0 psi, yes zero as in no air in tire, they don't fit. Both tires are 36.8 in. So unless someone has suspended the laws of physics, they are using a pryer to squeeze it in or they just let it sit at half insertion. There quite simply is no other explanation.
Being one-handed, I'm not gonna fight a 100 lb + tire INTO its space only to have to fight it back OUT.
If someone tells you their Mickeys fit, I'll give them $100 cash to come prove it.
So yes, get a good repair kit, learn to use it, or store it in bed like I do.
Yes, it sucks.
Choose your risk tolerance.

-73
 
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