Adventures of Hodor, A Gladiator Build Thread

[camodog]

Edit: Updated title. We decided a while back to name the truck Hodor and the camper Bran. So I thought it was a good time to change the title.


I have never done one of these before. But I figured I should document my experiences of building up the gladiator and what works and what doesn’t.
There are so many keyboard cowboys and just bad info out there that I wanted a good reliable place and 1st hand results of building a gladiator.

We aren’t rock crawlers and we aren’t mall crawlers either. More like two people and their dogs that like to get away from the city and explore somewhat remote places. Could be a long weekend or a couple weeks at a time.

Not “overlanders” or “Instant Grammers (well, I got suckered into joining the Gram, so don’t hate too much” or “you tubers” trying to get you to smash that like button and subscribe to get more videos.

The current build:
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
2” Mopar lift
37x12.5R17 BFG KO2 on Method Racing Wheels 17x8.5"
Alu-cab shadow awning RHS - I already have this, just need the camper to attach it to.
4 gallon Rotopax
4 maxtrax
Hi lift


Future plans:
Camper- Alu Cab Canopy Camper
Snorkle - for the dust, and looks, and super deep water crossings. lol jk - tbd
Sliders - RCI metalworks. I know they are Toyota guys, but they are local and they were great on my 5th Gen $runner - tbd
Skids - RCI again I hope - tbd
Front Bumper with Winch - tbd
Other misc items I can’t think of right now

Sorry for the lack of pics. The Gladiator is in the waiting for supplier parts stage in Toledo.

The inspiration pics

 

[camodog]

Bone stock 7/31/2019
My 1st pic, I haven’t even seen it in person yet.

8/1/2019 2” Mopar Lift with 37” KO2 and Method Racing wheels...pics to come

 

[camodog]

Pics holding spot 2
Check out the elevation on the infotainment screen. 14,146’ Does anyone have one higher?

 

[camodog]

Final pics holding

 

[Explorerinil]

Planning on re gearing when running 37’s? I watched a video from TFL truck which did a towing test on the gladiator, it really really struggled. From the looks of the video, if I had one and ran anything over a 35 I would re gear it.

 

[2000LJ]

Mine as it was a year or so ago. Little bigger now

 

[camodog]

I just checked in with Jeep Chat again today.
Still in “D” status. Order placed 4/26 and I am not even in the build queue yet.
Oh well, currently researching wheels. So it helps to pass the time.

As far as a regear, I am almost certain it’ll need it. But before I do I wanna run it up and down I-70 by the tunnel a few times to get a feel for what it’ll need.

The waiting game continues....

 

[moabian]

Ordered 4/27 and have been in D status for a full 2 weeks. Normal D time is 5 days but Jeep chat said it could be in D status for "up to 30 days."

 

[camodog]

Still in D status as of this morning.
But I do have a teaser for the upcoming build.

I am getting a little impatient with Jeep. But I will keep waiting....

Wheels, Tires, Lift, Lugs, TPMS

 

[moabian]

Also still in D...27 days now. I read that they are now saying it can be in D and/or D1 for up to 45 days since some have already passed 30 in D. The consensus seems to be that the steel "winch-ready" front bumper is delaying orders...but there are also reports that it could be the front trail cam...or the bedliner...or who knows. My order has all 3. I ordered my first mod already...the Smartstopstart module. I will also order the Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop as soon as I get an estimated ship date and most likely the Bestop SuperTop for Truck unless something more interesting comes along.

 

[camodog]

I didn’t get the steel bumper group, but I did order the bed liner and trail cam.
So my guess it is either one or both of those.
Or maybe the body match hardtop and fenders....
Oh well. More waiting continues

 

[camodog]

Not much of an update, but was told that build date should be on or around 6/24. That gives me a pick up date of late July.
D1 status.

 

[grogie]

I'm glad to see this thread as I'm wanting to move to a pickup for probably the addition of an FWC. (I currently tow a trailer with an RTT on its lid, behind a very modified Jeep TJ.)

Last Expo West, I stopped by FWC and was told that the FWC Swift for the Tacoma will not fit the Gladiator's narrower bed, and an FWC for a Gladiator was 1-1/2 years away. But another guy made it sound like that fitting the Swift to the Gladiator has yet to be agreed upon, but he's expecting Jeep to sell a lot of Gladiators and thinks that they should. There was also a comment about figuring out how an FWC would work with the Gladiator having removable tops?

Anyway, keep us posted.

 

[Copperhead14]

A Swift in the gladiator would be nice.

 

[camodog]

I did reach out to FWC via email. This is their response:
I will save your e-mail address and let you know if/when we come out with a camper for the new Gladiator.

Thanks again. ?

Hopefully we will have something sooner than later. We plan to buy some type of slide in shortly after getting the truck. But, like all things I want lately, it may be a hurry up and wait situation.