Another Gldiator build

Steady work on the build.
Dual battery set up in now in and functional.
Dual band radio is located, just need to plumb the antenna then program
ACCUAIR ECU is installed wiring to begin Friday. 4 ride height sensors, main power, and associated power distribution for the control pad and compressor.
Saturday start the hard parts install. Tank, compressor and air springs.

Lots to do in the next three days.

Which dual battery set up did you go with?
 
Which dual battery set up did you go with?
Genesis dual battery under seat vs under hood. Not a lot of room under the hood for extra battery. The system is not cheap, I have used it before in the JKURR and it worksed great supplying all the extra power I needed for accessories to include a ARB fridge.
 
Next years project maybe....

View attachment 10670
The Tray in the picture came back with a 15K quote plus shipping and tarrif tax....

Reble has on that come out to 10K plush shipping

 
Accuair installed this weekend.
Big thanks to @3VOLVE for the assist.
This was a full two day install.dirctions are fairly straight forward but the wiring diagram is a little lacking.

Had a little trouble on initial start up. That "spare" fuse as per the directions is really important and needs to be installed as it is the ingition trigger to the system.

Last big rock before heading to California in August.
 
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Accuair and instructions. They give you just enough to be dangerous. I guess the Gov Nazis got in the game when it comes to certification of a lift kit. Needs to be safe and .... stupid proof... because people today are well, stupid. Previous edition of this system was much more user friendly and programming as very intuitive. Due to new regulations most of the programming now is limited AND you have to use the APP to make any adjustments to the presets. I did find some workarounds for programming. Initial programming had some height issues and a bit of unexpected interference. Once the new system is programmed it is programmed and you can only fine tune it unless, you pull a ride height sensor. This basically deletes the programming allowing you to reprogram. Some things learned:
1) Start with the bag full up. Raise each individually
2) Allow tank to fill and compressor to stop.
3) Press the program and ride height selection1 simultaneously to start the process. The learning process takes about 5-7 minutes to program max height and max drop. from there it give you 50% of suspension travel as Ride height (#2).
4) Select any ride height but #2 and drive the system will automatically set ride height 2.
5) Remote start doesn't activate the ride controller. You have to press the brake and "start" the vehicle.
6) With the high steer and aftermarket steering gear, you can not maneuver in the full dump position.


On road ride:
Initial suspension system was aftermarket coils with "heavy duty" triple rate coil in the rear. Empty this was a but stout as expected. Add a steel full height rack, soft topper cap and an awning and that ride soften considerably.

Air ride. The ride is much softer than steel springs and a little bit floaty. Likely caused by a lack of rear sway bar. Small bumps are less noticeable while bigger bumps are still a distraction. Overall the ride quality has improved noticeably. I can wait to hit Potts and see how this whole thing works off road.

The evolution continues...

Cheers
 
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This has been the problem with our world. My 60s Jeep CJs I could fix with a hammer and a screwdriver and maybe duck tape. Today I need a computer to read the computer to tell me which computer is screwing up and which sensors to look at and start the process all over again.
 
With the Cali adventure coming up I am looking at a removable storage platform for the Gladiator. I have a large Fridge freezer that fits better in the bed then the rear seat. Figuring on putting in a platform base to attached the fridge slider to and build a pull out next to it for the stove and pantry. Since I carry the spare in the bed I will have to get creative to mount the propane tank for the Blackstone. I have a design in my head and will likely start on it this week. Figure coat the wood base with epoxy to preserve it from moisture and paint it. when not adventuring I can pull the assembly and store. Still working out how to secure it maybe some nutserts.
 
With the Cali adventure coming up I am looking at a removable storage platform for the Gladiator. I have a large Fridge freezer that fits better in the bed then the rear seat. Figuring on putting in a platform base to attached the fridge slider to and build a pull out next to it for the stove and pantry. Since I carry the spare in the bed I will have to get creative to mount the propane tank for the Blackstone. I have a design in my head and will likely start on it this week. Figure coat the wood base with epoxy to preserve it from moisture and paint it. when not adventuring I can pull the assembly and store. Still working out how to secure it maybe some nutserts.

Thought you might like this idea.

1749605092033.jpeg
 
Update on the Rattle Wagon Suspension.
ACCUAIR is an interesting company to deal with. On one hand they state that any modification of their system voids all warrantees, and on the other they are willing to replace a bag at no cost to include overnight shipping.

Baseline suspension is a Clayton 3.5 lift. Add to that the ACCUAIR Diesel specific 4 inch lift. Right out of the box there is a fitment issue with the front air springs. The factory bump stop is not removable AND requires to be cut down by almost 2 inches for the air Spring to fit in the pocket correctly. The Air spring as I am told has it's own internal bump stop. This become an issue later.

Trying to get the system as installed level at each setting proved to be rather difficult as the ACCUAIR control arms bind due to not having a good flexible joint on the ends. The typical rubber bushing works well for road use and in short travel suspensions but when this one is flexed the bushings tend to bind the suspension up.

Off roading I found up travel in the front to be a problem. Running BFG 39s the tires rub at full stuff. Great for articulation bad for the tire. Normally this would require a bump stop adjustment.... no can do as the bump stop in this kit is internal the Air Spring. The tires touch the fender and trimming is an easy solution. the tires also run the body internal framework not such an easy trimming solution.

Future evolutions will include switching back to the Clayton control arms and making a tab for the ride height control to link to mount to. The rod ends will allow for articulation much better than the Rubber bush end on the Accuair system.

The Air port to air up tires and whatever is very slow to air up 4 big off road tires a second compressor or a bigger single compressor would be much better.

Broken air spring. Amazed at the amount of water within the spring. There is no air dryer in this system, this might be an issue when winter comes. Now I am looking at how to install an air dryer into this system.

Ride quality, Front springs work very well and the spring rate is great providing for a very controlled and smooth ride. The rear, another story there is a tendency to bounce as if the spring rate is not quite enough. I realize air solves this issue btu that also increases ride height. Looking into upgrade shock from them to help adjust compression and rebound.

Off road..... Front flex is an issue. The suspension easily out flexes the ride height sensor calibration and causes an error code on the control pad. When this first happened I thought I broke a sensor. A simple restart cleared the error. Need to look at how to clear this error without a restart. Ride quality is much nicer that the coil over system I had before. But that was also adjustable.

Overall I give this system a 7 out of 10. Great for road work and light off roading or light modifications harder stuff I think I would have gone a different way.
 
Update on the Rattle Wagon Suspension.
ACCUAIR is an interesting company to deal with. On one hand they state that any modification of their system voids all warrantees, and on the other they are willing to replace a bag at no cost to include overnight shipping.

Baseline suspension is a Clayton 3.5 lift. Add to that the ACCUAIR Diesel specific 4 inch lift. Right out of the box there is a fitment issue with the front air springs. The factory bump stop is not removable AND requires to be cut down by almost 2 inches for the air Spring to fit in the pocket correctly. The Air spring as I am told has it's own internal bump stop. This become an issue later.

Trying to get the system as installed level at each setting proved to be rather difficult as the ACCUAIR control arms bind due to not having a good flexible joint on the ends. The typical rubber bushing works well for road use and in short travel suspensions but when this one is flexed the bushings tend to bind the suspension up.

Off roading I found up travel in the front to be a problem. Running BFG 39s the tires rub at full stuff. Great for articulation bad for the tire. Normally this would require a bump stop adjustment.... no can do as the bump stop in this kit is internal the Air Spring. The tires touch the fender and trimming is an easy solution. the tires also run the body internal framework not such an easy trimming solution.

Future evolutions will include switching back to the Clayton control arms and making a tab for the ride height control to link to mount to. The rod ends will allow for articulation much better than the Rubber bush end on the Accuair system.

The Air port to air up tires and whatever is very slow to air up 4 big off road tires a second compressor or a bigger single compressor would be much better.

Broken air spring. Amazed at the amount of water within the spring. There is no air dryer in this system, this might be an issue when winter comes. Now I am looking at how to install an air dryer into this system.

Ride quality, Front springs work very well and the spring rate is great providing for a very controlled and smooth ride. The rear, another story there is a tendency to bounce as if the spring rate is not quite enough. I realize air solves this issue btu that also increases ride height. Looking into upgrade shock from them to help adjust compression and rebound.

Off road..... Front flex is an issue. The suspension easily out flexes the ride height sensor calibration and causes an error code on the control pad. When this first happened I thought I broke a sensor. A simple restart cleared the error. Need to look at how to clear this error without a restart. Ride quality is much nicer that the coil over system I had before. But that was also adjustable.

Overall I give this system a 7 out of 10. Great for road work and light off roading or light modifications harder stuff I think I would have gone a different way.
That is a great write-up thanks for sharing your experience. We have also noticed just how long it takes to fill the off-road tires and managed to get our hands on ARBs new brushless compressor which claims a 50% increase in fill rate. Once we get it installed I'll let you know how it performs. It of course does not use the same wire harness as the old one, because you would not want to make it too plug and play....
 
That is a great write-up thanks for sharing your experience. We have also noticed just how long it takes to fill the off-road tires and managed to get our hands on ARBs new brushless compressor which claims a 50% increase in fill rate. Once we get it installed I'll let you know how it performs. It of course does not use the same wire harness as the old one, because you would not want to make it too plug and play....
Might look at that for a replacement for the ACCUAIR unit.
 
That setup sounds amazing. I’ve been exploring similar builds and found a lot of inspiration in Ute trays and canopies made for tough conditions.


If anyone’s looking into aluminium canopies or storage solutions, I’ve come across this site that has some pretty rugged setups – worth checking out:


They also do custom options, especially for tradesmen or people doing off-grid touring.


Curious to see what others are using for rear setups — drawers, fridges, or full canopies?
 
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