2020 JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON

LIGHTING: Heretic Studio 6-series Light Bar 50”, Heretic Studio 6-series, Quattro Ditch Lights, Heretic Studio 6-series Quattro Amber Fogs

SUSPENSION, BRAKES: Clayton Offroad 3.5 premium kit with 3/4 spacers (about 5.25 front, 4.25 rear), Falcon shocks SP2 3.3, Falcon Speedbumps, RockJock 4X4 Antirock sway bars

I’m a professional landscape photographer originally from a small town in Colorado. I grew up on a cattle ranch, so using 4-wheel drive trucks to get through deep snow and mud was a big part of everyday life. As a landscape photographer, I spend a considerable amount of my life in the middle of nowhere, exploring and looking for the next shot. Having a super capable rig is extremely helpful for getting to hard-toreach locations.

My first car was a Jeep Cherokee XJ when I was 15. After that, I had a string of Toyotas for almost 12 years straight. Three 4Runners and an FJ Cruiser. Many of them were pretty well-built. My first build was a 3rd Gen 4Runner. It was pretty budget-minded and straightforward as I was a struggling photographer. But simply being able to explore pretty much anywhere I wanted and the convenience of sleeping in the back was fantastic. I still miss that thing. I finally switched from Toyotas to a Chevy ZR2 Diesel, which was entirely built-out for Overlanding. My wife and I traveled around the U.S. and lived in it (plus a huge tent) for over a year. Between growing up on a ranch, and my dad being the local mechanic, I spent a ton of time in the shop as a kid. Despite that, I’m not much of a mechanic, but I can handle the basics and figure most things out. I recently picked up the Jeep Gladiator JT because I think it might be the most capable Overlanding-style platform out there. While several of my past vehicles were very solid offroad, they were 100% Overlanding-type rigs. I kept finding myself in places like Moab and the San Juans, not able to get to places I wanted to in the conditions I often find myself in. Sure, my modified ZR2, for example, could handle a lot, and I ran medium trails like Hell’s Revenge or Mineral Creek without any trouble. Still, for a photographer, I need to run fairly challenging trails in less than ideal situations. I am always alone; it’s always dark when shooting sunrise and sunset, and it’s often wet and slick during stormy conditions that bring great light that’s perfect for landscape photography.

I TEND TO THINK OF THE ACT OF PHOTOGRAPHING, GENERALLY SPEAKING, AS AN ADVENTURE. MY FAVORITE THING IS TO GO WHERE I’VE NEVER BEEN.”

– DIANE ARBUS

The Gladiator with 39-inch tires is still an excellent Overlanding rig, but more demanding trails that were very challenging in the past with my previous builds are now just ridiculously easy. It opens up the option to quickly do something like drive the Top of the World trail in Moab in the dark without a spotter or even needing to get out of the truck.

I was a huge Toyota fan in the past, and to some degree, I still am. I have always loved Jeeps, but they just weren’t practical for me until now. First and foremost, I just needed more room. Second, in years past, I didn’t have the money to spend on suspension, and it certainly takes a lot to get a solid axle Wrangler to run fast on rough terrain versus an IFS.

Because my wife and I spend most of our time traveling around the U.S. in our RV, it makes it challenging to wrench on the Jeep because there is no garage, big tools, or even a decent place to work. Even getting things delivered is tough when you are moving around. Because of that, I paid to have a lot done that I would normally do myself, like the suspension and PSC steering cylinder assist kit. I still tackled many projects in campground driveways, often on gravel or dirt and often with snow on the ground.

ARMOR, BUMPERS, SLIDERS: RockSlide Engineering Step Sliders, RockSlide Engineering Step Skid Plates, M.O.R.E full belly and sway skids, FabFours stubby front bumper, Custom rear bumper

EXTERIOR MODS: American Adventure Labs high fender kit, American Adventure Labs inner fender liners

RECOVERY GEAR: Warn Zeon 10-S winch, ARB traction boards, Factor 55, Ultrahook, ARB snatch block, ARB snatch strap, GearAmerica shackles, Hi-Lift Jack, Shovels

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION.”

- LOUIS SULLIVAN

Outside of photography, we are also very into mountain biking. I have always wanted a rig that could carry the mountain bikes and still wheel without a rear bike rack dragging on everything. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best setup with that in mind. It worked out great, and with the front mountain bike wheels removed, we don’t lose any departure angle at all and can take them anywhere we want to go.

I really like how my Gladiator turned out, and some of my favorite mods on the Jeep make driving and camping with it more enjoyable. It’s an impressive balance of that “form follows function” mantra.

The GentleTentUSA inflatable RTT has to be my number one favorite mod. I have always wanted a rooftop tent, but the idea of adding 150-200 pounds of weight at the very top has always sounded terrible to me, and honestly, I hate how giant RTT tents look up top. I have been waiting for a super small, lightweight RTT for years, and the GentleTent is nearly perfect for me. At about 50lbs, 6 inches high and 2x2 feet when packed, it might as well not even be up there when wheeling. It’s a great size tent and super comfortable when it’s set up. Not to mention it’s crazy stout in lousy weather.

The Clayton Offroad suspension has to be next. It is just such a quality kit with tons of flex. I had the Mopar kit on before with the idea of keeping the warranty, and the difference between the two, especially for running fast, is just unreal. Not to mention the square control arms can take severe hits and not even flinch.

The Invictus Offroad Molle liners are also a favorite. Not only do they provide a ton of extra storage in the cabin, which is hugely lacking, but they also help with temperature regulation and road noise.

MISCELLANEOUS GEAR: ARB Dual Air compressor, 813 Engine compressor mount, Tazer mini, Access tonneau cover, Rotopax fuel canisters, Front camera relocation, Speedflat inflation system, Rear muffler delete for clearance

DRIVETRAIN: Nitro 5.13 gears, Adams 1350 driveshafts front and rear, PSC big bore steering cylinder assist kit, Artec truss/gusset front axle, RCV onepiece front axle shafts, Synergy tierod and draglink, Metalcloak diff covers and skids, Clayton FAD skid

WHEELS / TIRES: 17x8.5 TR Beadlocks, 39X13.50R17 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires

Moving the front camera down into the new bumper is a surprising favorite mod as well. I liked having the front camera at its stock position, but it works even better in the new position much lower in the front bumper. I love being able to come over a steep hill when wheeling alone, hitting the mute button twice to turn on camera view (thanks, Tazer Mini), and seeing exactly where the trail is. I use it all the time.

Considering how often we are out shooting after dark, the Heretic Studio lights have been a gamechanger. With a 50” light bar that is literally too bright to look at even in daylight and six small ditch/fog lights (on top of the LED headlights and AAL fender lights), and it’s pretty much like driving during the day. I can’t tell you how much time it saves us every week.

Last but not least, the TR Beadlock wheels with Rapid Deflate Valves are fantastic! Considering we are out exploring at least a few times a week and constantly needing to air down, these are hard to beat. Without having to hook anything up, we can deflate each tire from 30psi to 10psi in under 30 seconds. Considering I usually run at about 25 psi and go to 10 for dirt roads, it’s about 20 seconds per tire. Maybe 2 minutes total for all four tires. I normally just have my wife watch the dash and tell me when it reads 10, so I don’t even have to use a gauge.

Besides always thinking about the crazy mods like 1-ton axles, engine swaps, and dual shock kits, how the Gladiator sits right now is pretty close to where I want it. I do plan to add a rear Antirock sway bar in the near future and cast-iron knuckles.

GEAR STORAGE, ORGANIZATION, ROOF RACK, BED RACK: Front Runner, Outfitters roof rack, RCI Offroad bed rack

ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATION, IN-CABIN ACCESSORY MOUNTS: Invictus OffRoad molle roof liner system, Midland MXT400 GMRS radio with external antenna, Uniden PRO401HH Handheld CB

CAMPING GEAR: GentleTentUSA Inflatable Roof Top Tent

BY PREVAILING OVER ALL OBSTACLES AND DISTRACTIONS, ONE MAY UNFAILINGLY ARRIVE AT HIS CHOSEN GOAL OR DESTINATION.”

– CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Exploring Colorado’s mining roads is my all-time favorite kind of off-roading, and the Gladiator is just the perfect rig to do it in. There are simply so many trails, and the scenery is stunning. The trails are typically rugged and steep, and many have extreme exposure. We are often camping at above 9,000 feet, which means it can be below freezing at night. It’s a fun challenge to see how far you can get in the spring when the snow is still melting off.

I haven’t been on any super challenging trails with the Gladiator, at least by serious Jeeper standards. We find ourselves on trails rated 6 or 7 all the time that most people would consider very hard. Chinaman Gulch and 21 Road are two examples here in Colorado. Still, my Gladiator is closer to an Overland-style adventure rig than a hardcore rock crawler. That said, some 9-rated trails like Pritchett Canyon and Triple 7s are on the list for this spring.

I recently ran Pritchett Canyon, which has a 9 trail rating, in the JT. Pritchett is probably the most challenging trail I’ve been on. The Jeep did great, and I didn’t need to winch or work super hard to make most of the obstacles. The length of the Gladiator helps with stability and my confidence in maneuvering through and over hurdles. I definitely needed the 5+ inches of suspension lift, 39-inch tires, and the custom high clearance bumper, though. The only trail damage was a busted taillight and some very scratched-up rockers.

As a full-time landscape photographer, exploring remote locations that are several hours away from the nearest highway and no cell phone service is part of the job. Being overprepared is crucial for me with emergency food and water, extra gas, shovels, winch, tons of tools, extra fluids, flashlights, and warm clothes. But it’s the Garmin InReach that’s the most important contingency gadget we have on the trails. The Garmin personal locator beacon (PLB) allows us to send for help or text from anywhere is the most critical piece of safety gear we carry.

We regularly come across people that are stranded and stuck. They are almost always unable to deal with the situation and would be in serious trouble if someone didn’t come along to help them out. Also, they need to know their rigs and their limitations, especially if they’re alone. Most of the vehicles we have helped out are just not capable enough for the terrain they’re on and the destinations they’re trying to reach.

Some epic trips to very remote destinations are on our radar. As soon as the borders are open, a trip to Alaska and Mexico will happen. I once rode a motorcycle to Alaska a while back, and I have driven most of the way through Mexico, but I am dying to take the Jeep JT back to both areas and get off the beaten path. A trip from Pakistan to China on the Karakoram Highway is also high on the list, but maybe not with the Gladiator.

IT IS THROUGH LIVING THAT WE DISCOVER OURSELVES, AT THE SAME TIME AS WE DISCOVER THE WORLD AROUND US.”

— HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON