THE ROAD CHOSE ME

GLADIATOR OVERLAND BUILD

"Preparing a warrior to do battle around Australia"

STORY & IMAGES BY DAN GREC

After setting my sights on Australia for my third major Jeep expedition and selecting the newkid-on-the-block Gladiator, it was time to get down to work and turn my shiny new Jeep into a house on wheels ready to tackle everything Australia has to offer. For decades Australians have had access to vehicles with turbo diesel engines which make Americans turn green - including the much sought after diesel JK.

In a strange twist of fate the JT Gladiator is now available in North America with a torque monster 3 liter turbo diesel, while in Australia my only choice was the 3.6 petrol engine with the 8 speed automatic.

A fully-loaded white Rubicon was available on the lot, and with covid uncertainty and the looming chip shortage I jumped on it, purchasing the first new vehicle of my life.

Driving back to Dad’s place that evening I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face, though I was more than a little intimidated at the prospect of tearing into the new vehicle. The build

From the outset I knew the modest payload of the Gladiator would be the biggest limiting factor in all my plans. Once loaded with enough fuel, water, food and gear to safely cross the Simpson Desert, precious little payload will remain for luxuries, and each and every kilo of additional weight has been carefully scrutinized.

To start off I shed some weight in the form of most of the backseat, and all the speakers and trim that lurk behind. In the bed I did away with the factory

tauno cover, and for the first time I had a good look at what I had to work with.

I was more than a little timid to really cut and drill into the brand new vehicle with only 150kms on the clock, and simply decided to go for it. On my second day of ownership, I cut a hole in the bonnet to mount the snorkel, and on day three I drilled holes in the roof to mount the roof rack. There’s nothing like jumping in the deep end.

Dad and I immediately got to work designing and building a huge locking storage cabinet to fill the now vacant space behind the driver’s seat, made from lightweight aluminium tubing and covered with plywood and automotive carpet. Inside the cabinet I have a ton of storage for sensitive electronics and camera gear as well as a slew of charging ports to keep multiple batteries topped off for quick change-outs.

Knowing the completed Gladiator will be very close to its maximum legal weight rating, suspension choice is critical. AEV have been at the forefront of suspension design for the Wrangler for over a decade, and their latest 2.5” Dual Sport offering for the JT Gladiator now has the option of heavy lift springs designed to carry a constant weight of 220-260kg+, ideal for my needs.

In factory trim the Rubicon is already extremely capable, and with long term reliability and durability absolutely essential, there is no benefit to modifying more than absolutely necessary. Superchargers add heat and increase loads through the whole drivetrain, while oversize tires add weight, decrease fuel range and increase wear and tear on steering and suspension components. In short, those modifications have no business on a long term expedition, and I never considered them.

Of course I also need to keep things legal in Australia, so I have chosen only a very modest tire size increase to 285/70R17 and mounted the Yokohama X-AT rubber to Mopar steel wheels. The wheels I’m running this time are actually the simple spare that comes from the factory even on the top of the line Rubicon.

While a wedge-style camper on the bed would create modest interior living space, I wanted to get back to basics and have a simpler and lighter vehicle than I did for my lap around Africa. Each modification and addition bring with it a maintenance and upkeep burden, and I just wanted less of all that.

Rather than a camper or traditional roof top tent that raises the centre of gravity and compromises handling, I wanted the real Aussie experience, so I have chosen to use a simple swag.

To cover the bed of the gladiator I had a custom canvas canopy made, a very lightweight and durable solution to keep out the sun and dust.

I can’t help but love the fact it’s simple and it works, the ultimate mantra for all modifications and accessories.

I will need around 1000km of range to tackle some of the bigger desert crossings, so the addition of an auxiliary petrol tank was a must. The amount of space underneath the Gladiator is enormous, and The Long Ranger have specifically designed a 70L tank for the Gladiator that fits perfectly. The dual filler neck means I can fill either tank at any time, and even the HD version with an extra bash plate welded to the bottom does not hang lower than the stock petrol tank. Together Dad and I completed the install lying on our backs in the shed, which was straightforward following the comprehensive instructions provided.

Protecting the radiator from pesky kangaroos is a high priority, and again AEV’s latest offering is ideal for my needs. Their EX-bumper for the JL Wrangler and JT Gladiator is made from stamped steel and is extremely light and strong with better looks than factory. The kit even includes a skid plate with provision for an LED light bar stealthily mounted in a hidden slot. Over the years I’ve relied on a winch to save me from my own bad decisions enough times to consider it essential and tucking the Warn Zeon 10-S into the AEV bumper keeps it out of sight. Spotting roos early is the best way to avoid them, so I’m also adding Light force Venom LED driving lights to compliment the low mount light bar.

Of course the devil is in the details for a vehicle designed to be extremely reliable for a long term expedition, and there were a million little considerations that took time to get right. In order to cross the Simpson, I must have a CB radio, which I mounted inside the glovebox to keep it out of sight. Extending the breather hoses is essential for the number of river crossings I expect in Cape York, as is the raised air intake in the form of the AEV snorkel and pre-filter. Not wanting to live out of a vehicle that coats itself in mud, I even added mud flaps to the front to compliment the factory rear covers.

I’m sure clean drinking water will be as essential in Australia as it was in Africa, so I designed a new and improved water system, this time mounted in the bed of the Gladiator. At its heart is a 55L tank straddling a wheel well, connected by a12v water pump to a carbon filter to provide pressurized drinking water and even a shower.

Always looking to improve on my previous vehicles, I’ve incorporated a modern dualbattery setup that includes an efficient all in one DC-DC charger & MPPT Solar charge controller from Renogy Solar. Paired with a lightweight 100W solar panel, the system charges a 50Ah Lithium battery that is half the size and weight of the aux battery I mounted in my Africa JK.

Rather than building interior living space, I opted to maximize outdoor living space in the form of a 270° Rhino-Rack batwing awning with multiple zip-on walls. My route and timing mean I shouldn’t have to deal with too much rain, though I’m sure flies will be a constant problem I’ll have to face.

Preparing and cooking meals is a huge part of my expeditions, and I’m always looking to improve my setup and storage to make cooking more convenient and enjoyable. Designed specifically for the bed of a pickup, the latest offering from Overland Kitchen integrates a large fridge, ample storage, food prep area and two burner stove into a single solidly built and dust-proof stainless steel drawer. The addition of a hardwood cutting board creates a massive workstation that makes meal prep quick and easy.

Final Product

In every way this Gladiator has become the evolution of the Wrangler I designed and built for

Africa, incorporating fixes and improvements across the board. The water system, power and solar, storage and kitchen are all huge improvements on functional and reliable designs that already worked well.

Of course, Jeep’s 3.6ltr Pentastar engine is a huge improvement from my old 3.8, so much so I actually have to be mindful not to break the speed limit for the first time.

Working on the Jeep with my Dad was equal parts enjoyment and frustration, just as I hoped and knew it would be. I’m immensely happy this project became a family effort, and now I can’t look at the Gladiator without thinking of the time we shared in his shed stocked with rusty tools.

After exploring the far corners of the globe across four vastly different continents, I can’t wait to hit the road and explore my birth country, a place I hardly know. 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, custom canvas canopy

Power:

• 3.6 Liter V6 petrol engine • 8 speed Automatic • Suspension and Drive • AEV 2.5″ DualSport RT Suspension + Heavy Load Springs • AEV Steering Damper • Factory 4.10 diff ratios, locking differentials, low range transfer case

Wheels and Tires:

• Yokohama X-AT Tires - 285/70R17 • Mopar Steel wheels

Recovery and Armor:

• AEV EX Front Bumper +

Skid Plate • Warn Zeon 10-S Winch with synthetic line • AEV snorkel with dust prefilter • Maxtrax MKII Recovery boards

Accessories:

• The Long Ranger 70L

Auxiliary fuel tank • 55L drinking water tank, filtration, pump • Lightforce Venom LED

Driving Lights & 20 inch

Lightbar • Overland Kitchen Truck Bed

Expedition Kitchen • Coleman two burner dual fuel stove • Dometic 55IM Fridge • Renogy DC/DC + MPPT

Solar Charge Controller • Renogy 100W Lightweight

Solar Panel • Renogy 50Ah Lithium

Battery • Rhino-Rack Backbone +

Pioneer Platform rack • Rhino-Rack Batwing 270° awning • ARB Air Compressor