Overland Jeep Gladiator Build Plan - Australian Expedition Preparation
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2021
- I talk more about the specs of my Jeep Gladiator - the engine and transmission I've chosen for this expedition around Australia. I also do the first thing that EVERYONE should do to their overland vehicle, and I get cracking on the modifications, reducing weight!
Support my work on Patreon & get exclusive details on my upcoming expedition:
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Books I've published about my expeditions around the world:
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❱ The Road Chose Me Volume 2: Three years and 54,000 miles around Africa
375 pages of misadventures, stories, characters, politics and more from driving all the way around Africa!
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❱ 999 Days Around Africa: The Road Chose Me
75 page full-color photography book from each of the 35 countries I visited in Africa
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❱ The Road Chose Me Volume 1: Two years and 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina
265 pages of adventure, inspiration and antics from driving the length of the Pan-American highway
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❱ Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Misconceptions and Misnomers
Everything you need to know to undertake your own Overland Expedition in West Africa
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❱ Work Less to Live Your Dreams: A practical guide to saving money and living your dreams
The tips, tricks, ideas and perspectives I've learned to save the money I need to live the life I want
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#Overland #JeepGladiator #Australia - Навчання та стиль
Dan ,the best part of this build will be the time you spend with your dad . Once they are gone you miss them forever . Looking forward to following along on a common sense build .
This is a guy living his best life, and whatever you have to say about how he does it, he’s doing it, and you probably aren’t. Keep going Dan, and good luck with the build and trip. Hope to one day do Vancouver(home)>Tuk>St John’s>Key West>San Diego>Vancouver.
Go for it, the Dempster Highway is absolutely breathtaking, you'll never forget it as long as you live!
Dust seals and canvas are not words you should use in the same sentence.
I have a wallaby track canvas canopy on my Triton. It’s all of 25kg and does a great job of keeping the sun and rain off my kit. It does an okay job of dust because it’s sealed all around with zips and Velcro. Having said that, after a week in the outback the tub is still a dust bowl because dust still manages to seeps in.
Lol I thought the same thing
I appreciate the fact that you kept your eyes uncovered for the sake of us feeling personally connected to you. But if you are driving into sun please protect your eyes and wear sunglasses 😎 or use the visor.
12:55 I would recommend you use a sheet of plastic instead of wood. It's more durable, doesn't rot it's thinner and lighter. If you are concerned with the rigidity you can sandwich two sheets of thin plastic with a thin sheet of foam, honeycomb (metal or plastic) or MDF or plywood.
If you prefer, they sell those sandwich sheets already assembled. Look them up, I've heard them been called composite sheets or boards.
PVC Foam board is the ticket. Super light and ridgid. Can be glued with PVC cement Comes in various thicknesses too suit the task.
Enameled or glassed redwood ply also works great there, is secure, can have things mounted to it and can be removed easily.
I just got my Gladiator back with its tray and canopy from Mits Alloy, The upgrade weight package is being done as well, but the parts problem is all over the country so its slow but ill get there soon love the video mate
Excited to see the transformation
Looking forward to this build!
I hope you keep pumping out videos on the build! Thanks for the update!
Awesome video! I can’t wait to see the final product.
I can't wait to see this finished product, love all the detailed and information packed videos!
Wow I’m a huge fan of your channel and this just makes it soooo much better!!! I can’t wait to see what you do!!
Where are you going to sleep Dan? Please explain that in a video.
Thanks for the inspiring videos. Please keep ‘em coming!
I think the build should be; slap on some mud terrains, toss a tent and cooler in the back and hit the road.
Very exciting!
Really looking forward to this build and your Australian travels. Yep for remote travel in Oz diesel does make more sense, but I also have a 4lt petrol engine, so besides extra tanks I’m really keen to see how your travels go . Good luck getting parts Dan , the last 12 months has been a waiting game
It's cool that you get to spend time with your father.
Looking forward to this build and seeing what you come up with. Hope you figured out your suspension already, because mine is officially on back order until august. Looking forward to the next vid!
You put lot of effort I am glad your viewership is going up.
Wow! Just bought a Rubicon Gladiator as well ( 6 speed manual 😎) can't wait to see your build!
Looking forward to following along - a 3 month trip around Australia is in my list of things to accomplish in the next few years. Happy to support your Patreon site!
Cheers Peter!
I have the same vehicle you just purchased, I have 40k miles on the clock and it’ runs great, I can’t wait to see all your adventures through Australia.
You keep getting it right, Dan. A lot of the folks modding their ‘overland’ trucks would do well to listen. We’re a couple of hundred pounds below US GVWR in our 4Runner when everything is full. So nice not to worry about accelerating wear via something that you have 100% control over.
The final version of our truck was delayed by my wise wife’s suggestion that we see where we like things before we committed to a design. We’re progressing nicely now having gotten a Goose-Gear floor plate and 60% delete. Working out the tie-down locations for our boxes, dog kennel and fridge as we speak. After that it will remain modular as our needs progress.
Very excited to see what upgrades you do to the jeep, how you do them, how you decided on them and of course the cost of them.
what joy designing and building exactly how you want. so cool
I have got lot of hope on you mate as i will be buying gladiator next year and your trip with gladiator will make my mind up to buy it or not if it performs well.
Great to see how start with the Gladiator build, it’s alway nice to start with lowering the weight of the truck 🤪
Cool your dad was getting involved ... but NOW! Time for some C.A.D. ... Cardboard Assisted Design. ... that flat spot on the back wall of that seat delete would be a good spot to mount future dual battery features and/or power plugs for the cameras and such? Just a thought.
From what I understand, the Gladiator tailgate is pretty well known for allowing dust in (it has significant gaps). You may want to consider trying to find a way to seal that up. Having said that, refrigerators need to "breathe," so that may be an interesting problem to solve if the refrigerator will be in the bed and the bed is sealed. Maybe it would make more sense to put the refrigerator in the cab where the 60% seat used to be?
Which ute doesn't suck dust in through the tailgate? Unless it's modified and sealed aftermarket they all suck in bucketloads of dust.
@@praetorian6476 Which is a good reason to put the fridge in the back seat.
Can relate the feeling of changing to auto after manual. Our latest is auto (not a Jeep, shhh) and petrol and can relate the thinking for extended fuel range. Looking forward to your mods and outcomes👍
Its worth looking up Vicroads weighbridge sites - the ones where they do random truck inspections. They weighbridges are left on outside those activities, and free.
I did the same thing. My Tacoma had 600 miles on it when I started tearing into it. The scariest was cutting into the body mounts and welding in a new plate to clear the bigger tires.
I don't mind drilling and grinding to make it do what I want it to do
Looking forward to seeing your ideas and progress.
Yay!
If you replace any wood surface with marine starboard, you’ll save weight and avoid any humidity and mild issue. It’s used in boats extensively.
Might it be more efficient to put the fridge in air conditioned, insulated space? Or....another idea...perhaps you can reroute the air exit flapper valves (wherever they are) to exit THROUGH your kitchen and out the bed, rather than wasting that cool air.
Top shit. Cheers 🍻
Removing that seat belt reel on the right rear seat will get you another couple kilos. 😃
it will cause computer problems ?
Pity you can not go higher with the roof panels that can be removed, which is a huge advantage for the Gladiator that you can go through the cab up and and safe even more weight if you go canvas, to utilize it the way you like etc. It is a super choice to do modifications with out taking the vehicle apart.
Plenty of options for GVM upgrade ( springs, shocks ), in Oz... EFS suspension, Dobinsons suspension, ARB Old Man Emu suspension. Just to name a few. All Aussie made. Some in Melbourne ( ARB ). Dobinson are in QLD. Plenty of aftermarket stuff for 4x4 mods, designed and made here in Oz. Hope that helps Dan... looking forward to your build 👍
Cheers! For sure I have a ton of options, but I need to finish the build out and weigh it before I can choose which option is the best.
When i bought my g!adiator, i had the dealer add a 2 inch lift and 35 inch tires. I like the 35s because i didnt want to regear the truck.
Wow, not much road noise!
Someone down in the comments mentioned having your refrigerator inside to reduce the heat load, at least while you are driving. Something to think about especially if you situate it next to the cabin air exit.
I'd love to buy that subwoofer from you, I have a new Gladiator and mine doesn't have one. Not sure if it makes sense to ship to Canada though. Love your channel, really glad you have a Gladiator, can't wait to see your build!
Greetings Dan 🚜👍❤
Hello Dan! U'll find driving an auto in technical terrain, u'll b 2 footing it. 1 foot on the brake and 1 on the gas. I've been paying attention to these trucks and u mite want to check the frame where the cargo box meets the cab. Apparently its a weak spot.
Only when fitted with shocks that are too long for the springs, same on any ute/pick up.
Be sure to gusset the frame after the rear cab Dan. People are 🌮 ing them there. Its a quick plate mig weld on the outside of each frame rail. Have a great trip.
ua-cam.com/video/9PwQLmZ3l0Q/v-deo.html
Thanks. Given I won't be running Dana 60s.. or 37 inch tires.. or even 35 inch tires... and I won't be installing a heavy canopy.. and I won't be adding any weight behind the rear axle.... I don't think this applies to me and my use cases.
Dan, you'll find out pretty soon that the rear suspension on the gladiator is quite soft.
We've got a 7x5 box trailer converted into a camper trailer, that on the tow bar and the tub full with clothing bags, recovery gear etc.
The suspension sags a fair bit. We'll be looking into getting airbags fitted until we can get our Rubicon gladiator build up for overlanding.
As you said, better wait with upgrading the suspension until you know how heavy the vehicle is actually going to be.
If you put bags in her you may want to reinforce the frame, there have a few bend in the USA once installed
Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of that.
I chose the gas model with the auto transmission because the towing is better wth the auto, and i didnt want to deal with "def fluid" required with diesels.
I°m surprised about Gladiator°s weigths, it°s a bit heavy. Must be interesting if in Oz there is a company who makes a canopy with the features of Ursa Minor cabs. Enjoy the building.
I had the feeling you'll get Alu-cab camper for your Jeep Gladiator
It’s cool your family will be coming with! I may have missed it, but will there be interior sleeping, or will you be tenting?
The 6 speed manual in my 2008 Liberty was good for mpg, but not for anything else. We switched to 2011 Libby with an automatic tranny.
In 1892 Jackie Howe shore 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes at Alice Downs near Blackall in outback Queensland. All with hand shears. A world record which stood until some 58 years later.
That's 1 sheep every 1 min 26 sec without a break. Superman stuff.
What do you think about jeeps 4xe power train for over landing? The 2.0L is small and has a turbo so that makes it complicated…but to be able to drive on all electric without fuel and plug in and recharge the batter when possible or potentially use solar panels to charge the battery seems pretty cool.
Looks like your mate has the CAD work down pat. But if you would like any 3D modelling done for your rear passenger area let me know, would be happy to help!
I would like to see this vehicle on the Canning Stock Road. I think that would be a good test. Best Regards from Belgium, David
Fingers crossed it opens up next year - I'll be there as soon as it does!
If you are ever around Brisbane let us know. Are you going to do fan days out or something like that to get to meet you and your jeep. Long time fan here. Thanks for sharing.
I'm working on something like that for my supporters on Patreon
I bought my Gladiator in Utah, but had to weigh it before I registered it in California. I discovered in California they charge taxes based on how much the truck weighs. Unfortunately I had a full tank of petrol, and me inside. Luckily no modifications.
CA would tax everything if they could even air…
Did you consider a canopy like Mits Alloy? ARB? Redarc? Looks like a fun Project. Cheers! Also, you're in Australia - You need a beer sponsor!
Mate, after many thousands of kms in remote outback Australia, I can tell you the dust that gets into the back is a real bastard. It will come through the gaps in the tailgate, plus you're really hoping if you think a canvas canopy will keep it out. It's why you see the gull wing types of canopy with the rubber seals on the doors on the Aussie utes. I'd love to be proven wrong.
I'm sure dust will be a pain - it was after 90,000kms driving all the way around Africa too...
Saw a twin to your Gladiator today while driving up the Maine coast! Nice
Dan, when your done with this trip, will you be leaving the Jeep in Australia? Can’t take it to Canada!🧐
Current plan is to sell it as soon as I'm done!
My 1965 Unimog 404 is empty 3443KG with the shelter on and a winch an my dieselswap and powersteering. My Maximum weight is 4750KG So 1300 KG to play with. But My goal is around 4000KG.
So yes my unimog doesnt have a weight issue and was only 3000 euro before I restored it now many times more :)
What engine did you throw in? OM617?
@@wolfgangwust5883 Yes 80hp OM617.912
Will you spring for a Sherpa winch! I love mine here in 🇨🇦
Dan, I don't quite get where you will be sleeping in this beast...
bumping this comment because that was my first thought too!
@@jayulreich1462 No offense, but compared to the Africa Jeep I see a downgrade in living space because the Gladiator is a double cab.
In a swag
Probably a roof top tent?
It's an upgrade in the sense that we don't know how it will do so it will be more interesting to watch than if he took the same JKU setup. :D
Will you connect with Ronny Dahl in WA?
I don't think I would be giving up the OE subwoofer. I would figure a way to make it work, especially if I wasn't even sure I needed that space.
How odd, that someone would bother thumbing this vid down...
On my US Tacoma, there is a riveted plate, inside the driver's doorway, giving vehicle weight.
On this modern automatic trans business, I had to accept that too. In spite of enthusiast comments about stick shifts, I've been able to make friends with the weird shift characteristics of the 6 speed auto that Toyota gave me. Crucial to that was getting on one of the main enthusiast websites (tacomaworld.com) for my vehicle, and reading about this transmission's weird shift "logic". I say logic in quotes, because that implies things are rational and sensible!
Pedders do a gvm upgrade that takes your gvm up to 3050 kg
Dan, can you not mount the rear seat behind the driver so that you have a better weight distribution when travelling alone. The proposed set-up has you and the battery and other stuff all on the driver side.
I have a wrangler and being in the back for long distances is not great. I wonder if putting in tall storage beside the 40% passenger seat will make it extra claustrophobic.
Dying to know your plans for sleeping. Ground tent or a roof top tent above the bed?
How many videos do you do in a week? Do you have a schedule that you try to maintain. Btw - is it hard to go from left side steering to right side steering? I would think it would take some getting used to - I would have a couple of wrecks!
Dan, I was wondering how much weight you can add to the Gladiator before reaching GVWR?
Well you don't have to install the second battery inside the car you can easily install it beside the main one this system available everywhere i already installing it so save this space inside for something else
Same in South Africa. We only get the 3.6 8 Speed Auto JL. Also it comes with a 31" and not a 33" like the US. Oh, and we dont have the Gladiator at all. Only the JL and JLU.
I don't quite understand why the Glad is not available in SA. At first I though it could be because of the cost of converting to RHD, but if available in Aus, why the &@%# can't we get it!
@@philipjooste9075 same here! Didn’t know AUS had them . Now there isn’t a reason why not to
Since you will seldom use the rear passenger seat why not remove it and make as bigger box in the rear and add a smaller seat using the box as a base...all you need is a seat pad and thin back rest...it wont be the most comfortable thing to sit on but it would give you more space...
are you going to add as many security lockers as you did on Sandy?
No, I don't think it's needed for Australia.
How would a canvas covering over your truck bed be secure from tampering of theft?
What are you doing for a sleep solution?
Shame bout that transmission, but at least you know the engine is reliable 👍
wonder what the dash looks like on a rhd can you show a shot is it in mph or just km? is the steering column the same as us? turn sig lever in the same as us or opposite ?
It's only in Kms (no cars here have miles), steering is identical, and it has turn sig on the left.. some vehicles in Australia have been doing that for a while, even though the Aussie standard is for turn signals on the right.
So rooftop tent I'm guessing?
😍😍😍
DOWN2MOB OVERLAND
Please name this vehicle Russell, after the greatest Australian Gladiator to ever live
Or Maximus.
Be mindful keeping electronics down low with river crossings...
Dude, you pulled out your subwoofer?
Do you keep everything that you take out?
For sure, yep. It will all go back in at some point when I "unbuild" the vehicle.
Masarati diesel? 🤔
Then how does the Ecodiesel fit in the Grand Cherokee and Maserati?
There must be differences in those bodies that allow it to fit - maybe the solid axle of the Wrangler/Gladiator gets in the way, maybe the steering box is different - maybe even the transmission tunnel is made in such a way that doesn't allow it. I don't know, but those are all possible.
Im trying to figure out if I can tow my 4,000 pd camper with this same truck?
The Gladiator tow rating in North America is 7,650 lbs, so it's certainly rated to do it!
Recommend you go higher than you think you need to on your lift, the wheel base will limit you otherwise
What happened to the Jeep that you drove across Africa? Hope you still have it?
It's in storage in Canada, waiting for me. I'm working on a suitably epic forever home for it.
As a music person it was painful to watch the sub woofer come out. Excited to see the rest of the build!
I have read, the right hand drive Jeep Rubicon driver foot well is too small and an issue for long drives.
I would agree with that. I test drove one (Wrangler) and I found my feet felt trapped, with hardly any room to move around. Maybe because I am 6'3" it felt worse but would be OK for shorter drivers.
@@spudboy1328 feedback is same from reviews from RHD countries, since this was designed as LHD.
@@spudboy1328 Is that with manual or auto or both.
The one I test drove was an Auto.
What is your jop??
The reason they dont offer the manual is because they are inferior with the low torque of the 3.6 . they are trying to build their image in OZ .
make sure you keep an eye on your frame, Jeep is super cheap with their frames and gladiator frames bend if you put too much weight behind the rear axle
I understand that your experience with Jeep has been great. My question is, when things break, a bug needs sorting out or things need replacing out in the bush, how do you plan on fixing them? I own a Toyota so I genuinely don’t know what part availability is like. I just assume, like most American manufacturers selling small amounts of vehicle here it’s low. I just another did a trip to remote North Queensland and didn’t see 1 Jeep which is why I ask. I had a choice between a prado and a gladiator (although different vehicles) and I didn’t pursue the gladiator because the price of them was high due to a lack of supply. I went with the Prado as this made me concerned. If they struggle to get trucks does this mean parts too?
With diesel you would have lost payload.
All depends whether the mileage would have made up for it
He building same vehicle