Since this seems to be the catch all thread. I picked up a new toy this week. 1999 with 91k miles. Appears to have a 2" suspension lift of some sort along with front and back bumpers. Installed new wheels today, got a winch to put on tomorrow.
Looking forward to joining in on the fun soon. I'm convinced I need a Jeep Gladiator Overland or Rubicon. I'm test driving on July and ordering.
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I'm starting to do some mental planning around the idea of a Gladiator build in the next few years.. I'm thinking Diesel Rubicon as a base, and aside from the obvious mods, I would want to pull the truck bed and replace it with a flatbed tray.. I would want to bob the rear some so the tray does not extend quite so far. The JKU overhang is ~30", and the Gladiator ~50", and I like the proportions of the JKU much better. Then again, going to a flatbed will probably really improve the departure angle, so the 50 inches may be less of an issue. Then I'd want to build an Australian style camping 'box' to go on back that can be removed relatively easily..
The first is Ronny Dahl's Landcruiser that is essentially the idea I would recreate on the jeep platform:
There are some Australian companies that are starting to import their prefab stuff, but I would prefer to work with a good welder / fabricator to design my own around my camp setup / gear.. And would probably start pretty basic for the box interior, and add to it over time, as I use it and find what works.
I know I'm at least a couple years away, mainly because I want to do a van build first, and that will be a multi year build.. Year one will be primarily the interior conversion and build out, then year two would be a 4x4 conversion (plan to do it all myself).
Hell, there are also some pretty cool campers made in Australia and South Africa, for the tray-back style rigs, and those are starting to be imported as well. By the time I'm ready, I would probably explore those options as well.
I'm starting to do some mental planning around the idea of a Gladiator build in the next few years.. I'm thinking Diesel Rubicon as a base, and aside from the obvious mods, I would want to pull the truck bed and replace it with a flatbed tray.. I would want to bob the rear some so the tray does not extend quite so far. The JKU overhang is ~30", and the Gladiator ~50", and I like the proportions of the JKU much better. Then again, going to a flatbed will probably really improve the departure angle, so the 50 inches may be less of an issue. Then I'd want to build an Australian style camping 'box' to go on back that can be removed relatively easily..
The first is Ronny Dahl's Landcruiser that is essentially the idea I would recreate on the jeep platform:
There are some Australian companies that are starting to import their prefab stuff, but I would prefer to work with a good welder / fabricator to design my own around my camp setup / gear.. And would probably start pretty basic for the box interior, and add to it over time, as I use it and find what works.
I know I'm at least a couple years away, mainly because I want to do a van build first, and that will be a multi year build.. Year one will be primarily the interior conversion and build out, then year two would be a 4x4 conversion (plan to do it all myself).
Hell, there are also some pretty cool campers made in Australia and South Africa, for the tray-back style rigs, and those are starting to be imported as well. By the time I'm ready, I would probably explore those options as well.
Lofty plans.
...I'm leasing this thing, may buy it in the end if I'm that hooked. But I can't stomach the cost. If I was burying, I'd honestly look at the Ranger or Colorado trucks in 4whl.
I have 2 toy/project cars. Hell, wife debated divorce over the second one. I'm not pushing my luck so I can keep racecar.
...I'm leasing this thing, may buy it in the end if I'm that hooked. But I can't stomach the cost. If I was burying, I'd honestly look at the Ranger or Colorado trucks in 4whl.
I have 2 toy/project cars. Hell, wife debated divorce over the second one. I'm not pushing my luck so I can keep racecar.
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If I go that far, it would be the intent that it would be my last 4x4..
There was a pretty cool Ranger out with us in Moab.. Sponsor truck, but it had a service body and was decked out pretty nicely, I'll see if I have any pictures.
Edit: Here, it was one of teh BDS suspension rigs.. It's in this video. So am I, if you watch (3:08).. I was in front of them most of that day. Actually, you can see Jared's truck at about 4:48 too.. From the drone shot (in the backgeround).
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