Building an Overland Bed Rack for my Jeep Gladiator!

Hey guys! This past week i have been busy working on my DIY Offroad truck bed rack for my 2020 Jeep Gladiator. This project only cost me around $130, so it is a great DIY option for those of you who are looking to add a bed rack to your Jeep truck or any other truck for that matter.
My main reason for this rack is to mount "overland" accessories, and a Rooftop Tent over the bed. I do not plan to go "full overlander" with this Gladiator Build, but i do plan to incorporate some "adventure" upgrades.
So far, we have added the 2" IRO spacer lift, 37" XATs, Falcon Shocks and stabilizer, Core4x4 front control arms, 7SC bumper, Warn Evo winch, Diamondback cover, Iceco Fridge, and a lot of other great stuff.
I installed a Diamondback HD bed cover not too long ago, and i love it. With the DB cover, it means that i cannot mount a tent directly on top and still open the panels. There are no current vendors making a rack that would work, so i got to work and started building my own rack...
Here are some helpful links:
Bed Rail channel nuts: amzn.to/2GBwKeJ (I bought 2 packs and sourced the hardware locally)
Plastic toppers for the cut ends of tubing: amzn.to/37FFE6M
1x2 Rectangle tubing: (Get the longer runs locally) amzn.to/31gnJRW
3/16" Flat Stock: amzn.to/37LAjeg
Superstrut from Homedepot for the side bars.
You could get fancy and use aluminum for certain parts of this job, and it would be lighter, however the price will increase and it might not be as strong.
With this new addition, it is now time to install our new rooftop tent! Im excited for that video since this is all new to me. Ive never installed a tent, nor have i ever slept in one. I really like how this Jeep Gladiator build is coming together, and we still have alot of other upgrades and mods planned for it!
Thank you for watching, and i will see you guys soon!
#jeepgladiator #diy #overlandupgrades

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Hope you guys enjoy the video! Now.... how in the world are people lifting a heavy tent up there 😂. Stay tuned for the next video for the exhaust giveaway winner.

[@shooterg2071]

So I just mounted my cvt denali on a trailer. It's like 265lbs or something packaged. Once you open it and prep... taking all the parts and stuff out it's much lighter. Two of us did it. Stood it up laid it against the rail and pushed it on... easy.. you'll be ok

[@henryblen334]

You could hook a winch and pulley to one of your trees and lift it.

[@WanderToGetLost]

Me and the wife lifted ours on our trailer build. Took a bit, but we got it.

[@donnaskin]

Should definitely get a Rooftop tent Hoist ceiling system best investment ever. 👍

[@702cyco]

Look into moku tents

[@henryblen334]

I start to respect you more each video. At first I thought you were another guy just trying to get internet viewers. I’ve realized I was wrong, you know what your doing, and you try to help people. Kudos, there are not many people like you left

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Henry Blen thank you

[@shooterg2071]

2nd that!

[@enderwiggin9091]

@@shooterg2071 Ill come in 3rd. Love the positivity and ambition buddy

[@GoChangeYoLife]

That's awesome! Looks great! I made my own as well. But, I had to do it twice. I made it cab height because I wanted to be able to fully open my trifold cover. initially used steel and welded it all together, but then realized how heavy an all steel cab height rack is. So, I switch to C channel aluminum. Turned out pretty good. Gonna make a mid height like yours as a second rack. Love your videos!!!!! Love seeing people do their own work. Keep them coming!

[@whywoulditellyoumyrealname4598]

Great design and execution. Just a small suggestion would be a drain hole for the vertical supports for condensation or rain/snow that might get in and cause some rusting

[@mikel6787]

I need to watch more vids here on how to weld !!! Kick ass build man!!

[@tousyt7545]

That Welder has paid for itself! fine work, looks great!

[@mikehoffman3690]

You should consider adding some black weather strips on the bottom of the cross members to protect you bed lid when it is opened. You may have some issues opening the fridge with the front lid opening limited.

[@travismerrix4391]

Looks great can’t wait to see it with the tent on top

[@rickmarquart3277]

Great job Ben! Always smile when Cassie shows up. 👍🏻

[@lenstockton7467]

Great job on the bed rack Ben. Can't wait to see it all loaded up.

[@veldonbailey9290]

Looks awesome and can’t wait to see the tent! Killer mod!

[@emilyhayton8392]

It looks great Ben! You have skills

[@tjoh016tj]

Always super helpfull in all your videos. Warping my fragile little mind with your mods.

[@kevinhagen3231]

Makes me want a gladiator even more.

[@lonniet.2816]

Nice job! I like that you are not afraid to tackle things!

[@00ninja00]

That looks better than the $800 ones sold online!

[@joshtrople1891]

Looks great excited to see the tent on the rack

[@GSTroop348]

I love the rack! I love how you built it so you can put anything on the side of the rack. Can’t wait to see what you do with it next. Plus how it does over time with a load on it.

[@beefiestacorn88]

Ayyyee!! Cool to see you switching it up and building your own rack. Looks good!

[@hesserdude07]

That rack is great. I love the strut idea!

[@nmolinaro62]

That looks great. Well done.

[@josephmcclure6229]

Great job can't wait to see the tent

[@jeffwarren392]

Looks great! Looking forward to the RTT install.

[@yipeeiaye]

Well Sir you killed it! Awesome build and info!

[@jimquigley2382]

Another video, another reminder that I'm glad I found this channel. Good stuff, it looks great!!

[@olehillbillyhumvee6622]

Thank you for the video. I saw a bunch of these truck bed racks, but none of them fit a 2005 Hummer H2 SUT. I decided to just build one for my short truck bed and this video helped so much.

[@PoisonSpyder038]

Excellent work mad respect for doing a your own work and even making your own stuff!! Keep it up 👍

[@jeremykiesewetter4251]

Great job!! Rack turned out awesome.

[@aron6998]

Drill some weep holes at the bottom of your risers even though you have caps water will get in from the adjusting holes but with that said this is a great diy project

[@mdmackey]

Great job!! Looks awesome. Can’t wait to see the tent on top. Keep it up, I really enjoy your channel.

[@DrewPeabawls]

I dig the time lapses in this vid. Keep them coming!

[@ScottyP82]

Thanks for another great video Ben! Looks good. Keep the content coming!

[@SWBCrawler]

Nice work man. Fabrication is an important part of this lifestyle.

[@ronwhite7333]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@brucemartin835]

Great video as always! Better than most aftermarket racks I have seen.

[@raycabrera941]

DIY Rack was creative. Looks great.

[@rogerrichardson4324]

Great job looks better than most my old XJ had no roof rack just holes unistrut is the best keep em coming

[@alexanderdavila4087]

I Love ❤️ Jeeps

[@redbarry2540]

Good stuff, homemade / build it yourself / piece mail it....whatever to get er done. I too did a little homemade job, but more of a utility trailer. Looks good and follows the theme!

[@connorrice630]

Love the idea and the concept!

[@anthonymartinez5144]

Looks awesome. Wanting a gladiator more and more.

[@river86012]

Awesome walk thru

[@ericcarlson3499]

Very cool, hope it works out well with the roof top tent👍👍👍

[@TsupengKalboon]

That is so beautiful!

[@joshmorton8697]

Good looking rack!!! Excited for your next video!

[@Dfts83]

From what I has seen ROAM makes some amazing RTTs!

[@dougjames2777]

Looks good with the horizontal bars... Can hold many useable trail tools. Awesome job!

[@kyleseaver9497]

Sweet little DIY project, great way to save a buck too.

[@jamestait3507]

Great work man. I work in a fab shop so I’m always making something for my Jeep.

[@garrettstilling3115]

Similar to what i built before expo last year, Great Job

[@YAABUGGN]

It’s unique! I like it

[@kyridgejumper]

Really nice looking job. I like the side metal from HD great idea

[@ducks12345678901]

Wow looks really good

[@bucksawlilgoose]

Great job Ben!

[@mgench6572]

Looks awesome

[@jonathanreynolds7506]

Finally one of the first to watch one of you vids!! I really enjoy all your videos. Keep up the great work Ben

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Thanks for watching!

[@ROgletree]

Nice job. It looks great.

[@cmfootball2493]

I love how the JT is coming along. Makes me want to buy another Jeep😂

[@chrisc353]

Awesome idea, I plan on doing something like this myself. One suggestion maybe is to put a small strip of rubber or foam on the bottom of the crossbeam so when you open the diamondback it doesn't knock against just the metal.

[@shanemiller6678]

Rack looks awesome been looking for something to put on mine and love that you can keep the bed cover

[@juancasanova2449]

Great job and video. Thanks 😊

[@michaeldurling793]

Nice job on the rack Ben, looking forward to the RTT install.

[@jeffrypresutti3139]

Great job, Looks good.

[@shack200351]

What would be an extra thought get the guy you get your molle holding systems and put on each side. That way it can add extra strength and functionality.

[@djuell01]

Great Video and Rack!

[@adamseaman7306]

Looks awesome!

[@pweaver8839]

I gotta say, I borrowed your idea here for my F-150 to allow me to still use my tonneau cover. Thank you for the idea!

[@pweaver8839]

Quick question for you, how tall did you make your legs?

[@MrBigshow101171]

Great video. Keep them coming

[@user-de8oi1td2o]

Better than my old Saris rack

[@moabwheeling]

You did an excellent job Ben something you can be proud of . Looking forward to your next one . Looking forward to more videos on Cassie's LJ . Keep up the great work guy's . Until next time take care ,

[@JeepGearGadgets]

I am loving this rack and I am ready to get the tent on!😊

[@JKGearandGadgets]

If someoneeeee didn’t have to work this weekend then we could 😂

[@7CitiesVapesHampton]

@@JKGearandGadgets Let me know if you need a hand, remember your only about 30 mins away from me.

[@tommywainst7171]

Looks better than the aftermarket ones that sit up 5 feet in the air 🤣

[@Xx_Denied_xX]

Sweet! Great idea!

[@Burke_Motorsports]

Tailgate = Best Workbench Ever.

[@garylund5834]

very nice, impressed. Its amazing only a few covers have considered racks in general

[@ftcsumo]

This is awesome. Wish I had the tools and skills to do this.

[@greym6436]

Damn great job!

[@PaulKaiser42]

Looking really good!! Can’t wait to see what it looks like with a tent on there. Thinking about something sort of like that for the back of my yj...in the bed for storage

[@danarteritano1340]

Cool setup!

[@MrsGussDoughboys]

You gave me an idea, using the right angles to bolt and a 12-14 in riser off of those I can bolt a sign up to the length of the bed. Something like 14 x 60 in. I remember that regular pickups used to have a 2x4 hole in the top rail to mount a sign

[@richardchoe8431]

Keep up the great work.

[@nathanwoodard7661]

Sweet build! I think steel-it gray on the rack for sure👌🏻

[@guidok3762]

Great video, thanks for the update! 🇳🇱❤️🇺🇸👍👌✌️💪🥇

[@carlosfcostilla8451]

You make a really good job man!

[@samsoncarr9950]

Love the diy projects. Got some super strut on the back of my jk to carry some gear, shovel, axe, etc.

[@oldmanbuild]

Cool the roof top tent being lowered great concept. This lets the cab blocking some of the wind from hitting the roof top unit (MPG). Plus helps keep a lower center of gravity. Maybe we should call you Picasso, your an artist. Neat design and job but I think like you said you need a little paint. OMB

[@gwflyer67austintx76]

Excellent video and construction. I was thinking about the lower brackets and knew you would round off the corners. If you’re like me I would have lost chunks of arm flesh running into them. Love the look!

[@alexanderdavila4087]

I love this video and it’s amazing 😉

[@danhambrick6331]

That rack looks pretty good for being built in your driveway!Nice job Ben.

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Thank you!

[@jeremynichols1326]

Great looking rack. Id whole lot rather make it myself than pay the several hundred dollar for a bought rack plus that rack fits your needs and a bought rack probably wouldn't have. Great video keep em comin!!!!

[@chrismartin4335]

beautiful

[@TSWorks8617]

Nice build!

[@bennelson9826]

Looks dope ben. Get that tent on ASAP and go up north for some snow!

[@OverlandCitrus]

Nice job I like it

[@ricardofernandez6542]

NICE I was thinking in doing one you just made it easier THANKS I dont want to leave it on permanent I use the bed as a truck & I did not want to spend a lot of money on it GRATE it will be a summer project, Cant wait to see the tent THANKS again

[@roguejk1236]

Love it Ben, another cool custom fab project. One suggestion, throw some tiny weep holes on the bottom of the verticals so they don't fill with water.

[@pedrowatkins6167]

I Like it 😊👍.roof top tent 1st.

[@austinpyatt]

Awesome! Might have to make a rack like this for my buddies Tacoma!

[@aleschef]

Thanks for this video

[@Phil-ek4vr]

NICE work! Also love the RIPP SC hoodie. They were one of my sponsors for Expedition-Awareness.org. Great guys to work with... Work tirelessly trying to dial the JK before my Continental Divide expedition.