A Fully-Outfitted Jeep Gladiator with Aluminum Body Panels and Armor Galore 

When the new Jeep Gladiator hit the market for 2020, it took the Jeep and light truck worlds by storm. Not only did the new truck offer a renewed way to adventure, but it also brought with it decades of Jeep truck history. But some were skeptical with regard to how it would perform from the get-go. After all, how well could an elongated four-door Jeep with a bed do off road?

Luckily, it ended up doing pretty dang well on and off-road in applications from running to the hardware store to racing some of the toughest off-road races in the world. The Gladiator also gave overlanders and off-road enthusiasts another platform to build upon, while ushering in a new era of performance and aesthetic products for Jeep. One company that has focused hard on developing unique options for the Jeep Gladiator is MotoBilt of Ozark, Alabama. After one look at MotoBilt owner and CEO Dan DuBose’s own built-out 2022 3.0L EcoDiesel Jeep Gladiator Rubicon dubbed “AlumiBOB,” you’ll understand his dedication !

As you may remember, the original Jeep Gladiator came onto the market as a variant of the 1963 Wagoneer. Offered in both rear-wheel and 4-wheel-drive options right out of the gate, the truck progressed quickly with new engine options, bed sizes, and industry innovations like power-assisted brakes and power steering over the years. The Gladiator name was discontinued in 1971, but in its place came the J2000, J3000, and J4000 models. This line of trucks, though renamed and having the J3000 model dropped early on, remained part of Jeep’s lineup until 1987. The final Jeep truck model, which was built on the Jeep Cherokee platform, ran through 1992.

“Dan and his team at MotoBilt have been in full research-and-development mode, which has led to nearly 150 custom products for the [Gladiator], including body armor, brackets, fuel cells, body panels, and even a modified bed.”

For 27 model years, the Jeep truck remained MIA from the industry, except for a concept design released in 2005 that first garnered hope for the model to come back only to fizzle out as years went by with no further moves. But then in late 2018, Jeep caused an industry storm as it debuted the latest addition to its 2020 model-year lineup at the LA Auto Show—the next-generation Jeep Gladiator!

Since the announcement that the new Jeep Gladiator would be hitting the scene in 2019, Dan and his team at MotoBilt have been in full research-and-development mode, which has led to nearly 150 custom products for the truck, including body armor, brackets, fuel cells, body panels, and even a modified bed. And what better way to show off all you’ve created for the truck, while continuing to research and develop more products, than by building your own impressive Gladiator Rubicon?

“When it comes to body armor, this Jeep is fully outfitted with everything from aluminum Jeep JT Gladiator rocker armor and frame-mounted rocker guards to a Tomahawk frame chop front bumper with bull bar, all designed by MotoBilt.”

Off-Road Capability Magnified

Dan’s Gladiator is a 3.0L EcoDiesel Rubicon, which set him up nicely in regard to the truck’s off-road capabilities straight from the factory. But just like any good thing, there is always room for improvement! One such place on the Gladiator is the suspension.

While the stock suspension on the Rubicon version of the Gladiator is fairly capable, and the best you can get from the Jeep factory floor, Dan knew he could greatly improve his truck’s capabilities with the addition of components like a Rock Krawler 4-1/2-inch Adventure-X “No Limits” suspension system, King 2-1/2-inch remote reservoir shocks, RockJock 4×4 Antirock sway bars front and rear, and Steer Smarts YETI XD track bars front and rear. He also opted to upgrade the steering system while he was at it, trading stock components for a PSC Big Bore XD hydraulic-assist steering box, and an all-aluminum Fusion 4×4 1-ton steering kit with a tie rod and drag link.

To beef up the Gladiator for even more off-road fun, Dan added one-piece 1350 CV driveshafts from Adams Driveshaft and Off Road both front and rear, a Fusion 4×4 Dana 60 HP front axle, and a Fusion 4×4 GM 14-bolt rear axle—both with with 4-inch axle tubes. Both front and rear axles were then fitted with 40-spline axle shafts, ARB air lockers, and tall 4.88 gears, while the frontend was outfitted with  locking hubs. If you’ve ever taken your built rig on any moderate to advanced off-road trails, you’ll recognize the importance of this.

Planting the Gladiator to the ground are 20×10 Dirty Life Canyon Race beadlock wheels with a negative-38 offset, which puts the 15/43-20 Mickey Thompson Baja PRO XS tires well outside the truck’s modified wheel wells.

All About That Diesel

Being lighter in weight, as well as boasting better fuel economy in comparison to Jeep’s gas engine offering, the 3.0L turbocharged EcoDiesel in Dan’s truck is rated at 260hp with 442 lb-ft of torque at the stock level. But Dan was convinced he could improve upon these numbers by doing a massive engine build. He also wanted to keep the reliability of the factory diesel engine, so he opted to outfit the Jeep with two things—a Banks Power Derringer tuner and an iDash pedal commander. This tuner can add upwards of 80hp and 144 lb-ft of torque to the EcoDiesel, and features six power levels that are interchangeable on the fly, while the iDash pedal commander connects through the Jeep’s On-Board Diagnostics system to improve throttle sensitivity and reduce factory throttle delay. Talk about more fun!

Backing the diesel engine is the Jeep’s factory 8-speed automatic transmission and Rubicon 4:1 transfer case.

“The truck is topped off with a digital camo wrap on the bobbed bed, hood, and side vents, designed by Dan himself …”

More Armor, Better Lines, and a Great All-Around Package

Upgrading an off-road capable vehicle is more than just suspension and drivetrain deep. It also includes lighting improvements, cargo-stowage, body armor, and even body modifications—all of which Dan and his team at MotoBilt continue to develop components for.

One of the first things you may notice on AlumiBOB is the shortened bed. For this effect, Dan outfitted his Gladiator with the MotoBilt aluminum bobbed replacement bed and bed rails, after telling us he found  the bed on the stock Gladiator to be too long for his tastes. Atop this, he added a MotoBilt 8-lug tire carrier rack, Motobed tire carrier Molle panels, and the company’s interior cargo rack he adapted to fit atop the truck’s tire carrier. Other body modifications on the Gladiator include aluminum Highline fenders and aluminum inner fenders up front, aluminum inner fenders specifically built for the bobbed bed in the rear, and aluminum half doors all the way around—all compliments of MotoBilt, of course. The truck also features ClearLidz Freedom Panels.

When it comes to body armor, this Jeep is fully outfitted with everything from aluminum Jeep JT Gladiator rocker armor and frame-mounted rocker guards to a Tomahawk frame chop front bumper with bull bar, all designed by MotoBilt. Other notable additions include a specialty MotoBilt receiver hitch for the bobbed bed, and MotoBilt’s HiLift jack mount Molle panel, while under the hood you’ll find additions like the MotoBilt windshield washer fluid tank relocation kit and ARB compressor enclosure.

Additional lighting on the Jeep includes a Baja Designs Linkable LED light bar, as well as rock lights mounted using MotoBilt’s rock light brackets. The truck is also outfitted with a Warn ZEON 12-S Platinum winch with synthetic rope and a Factor 55 UltraHook, giving Dan and his friends the extra strength to get out of sticky situations with a 12,000-pound pull capacity.

The truck is topped off with a digital camo wrap on the bobbed bed, hood, and side vents, designed by Dan himself that works nicely with the truck’s Sting-Gray paint scheme. Interior upgrades to the Gladiator include an Alpine Restyle head unit, a custom JK Land subwoofer enclosure, and a Switch-Pros switch panel.

Mighty capable and mighty fine, Dan’s Gladiator is one impressive off-road machine—a fact he shows off proudly at events all over the United States. But you don’t have to take our word for it. He’ll continue to show off his truck and his amazing MotoBilt products nationwide. Here’s to hoping you also get to experience this beautiful build in person!

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UPGRADES

2022 3.0L EcoDiesel Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 

Owner: Dan DuBose
Ozark, AL

Chassis & Suspension: Rock Krawler 4-1/2-inch Adventure-X “No Limits” suspension system; RockJock 4×4 Antirock sway bars front and rear; Steer Smarts YETI XD track bars front and rear; King 2-1/2-inch remote reservoir shocks; PSC Big Bore XD hydraulic-assist steering box; All-aluminum Fusion 4×4 1-ton steering it with tie rod and drag link

Wheels & Tires: 20×10 Dirty Life Canyon Race beadlock wheels with a -38 offset; 15/43-20 Mickey Thompson Baja PRO XS tires

Engine & Drivetrain: 3.0L turbocharged EcoDieselL Banks Power Derringer tuner with iDash pedal commanderL Factory 8-speed automatic transmission with Rubicon 4:1 transfer case; Adams Driveshaft and Off Road one-piece 1350 CV driveshaft front and rear; Fusion 4×4 Dana 60 HP front axle with 4-inch axle tube; Fusion 4×4 GM 14-bolt rear axle with 4-inch axle tube; 40-spline axle shafts with ARB air lockers front and rear; Locking hubs in the front; 4.88 front and rear gears

Body & Paint: ClearLidz Freedom Panels; Warn ZEON 12-S Platinum winch with synthetic rope and 12,000lb pull capacity; Factor 55 UltraHook; Baja Designs Linkable LED light bar; MotoBilt Tomahawk Frame Chop front bumper with bull bar and mounts; MotoBilt aluminum front Highline fenders and aluminum inner fenders; MotoBilt aluminum Jeep JT Gladiator Rocker armor; MotoBilt frame-mounted rocker guards; MotoBilt aluminum bobbed replacement bed and bed rails; MotoBilt 8-lug tire carrier rack with Motobed Molle panels; MotoBilt aluminum rear inner fende; rs specifically built for the bobbed bedMotoBilt ARB compressor enclosure, MotoBilt rock light brackets, MotoBilt aluminum front and rear half doors, MotoBilt receiver hitch, MotoBilt HiLift jack mount Molle panel, MotoBilt windshield washer fluid tank relocation kit, MotoBilt interior cargo rack adapted to fit atop the tire carrier, Sting-Gray paint scheme, Digital Camo wrap on bobbed bed, hood and side vents

Interior & Stereo: Alpine Restyle head unit, Custom JK Land subwoofer enclosure, Switch-Pros switch panel

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Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD May/June 2024.