How to Build a $106,000 Gladiator with Zero Regrets!

How hard is it to build a $106,000 Gladiator? Pretty easy actually. I break down the full cost of everything on my Gladiator and tell you what was sponsored and what was not and would I buy it again or purchase with my own money.
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[@StickyVinylz]

Absolutely amazing rig, Matt! Thanks for the support and we are super glad that you like your custom vinyl ❤❤❤❤

[@mattlewandowski73]

That is why I love my Tacoma's ARE bed cap I have a full cap with windoors. I can add a cargo boxes behind the windoors to organize gear, or build a camp kitchen, or dedicated tool cabinets for work, etc. (though such cabinets would greatly reduce the space I have in the bed for sleeping)

[@bobbyc167]

Excellent video Matt, and epic build. I really like that it’s function and purpose over name brand. I’m looking into getting a Gladiator and doing a little research ahead of time on what to do, what not to do, worth it, and not worth it purchases. I really appreciate the open and honest opinion and reviews. As such, I have a few of your videos saved for future reference.

[@DunnageGarage]

Great video. Looking forward to meeting at Moore Overland Expo.

[@katherinefrost5808]

Amazing build, and I love watching your overlanding videos. However, watching this gave me that ah-ha moment of what happens when sponsors help you (and all the other KZbinrs) build your rigs. It is very clever advertising.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks! Yes it's definitely a thing.

[@robertkoch1327]

I disagree with your assessment of the Baja S-1 lights, I put a set of ambers in my Warn Elite front bumper, and they make a HUGE difference in fog , rain, and dusty conditions. We have frequent foggy mornings up here in NWA, and I’ve been very happy with them.

[@dalekarraker6851]

Howdy Again - I really value your inputs and experiences. I get some great ideas for changes in things I've already done, or ideas for things I'm considering. Some things I don't agree with you on - it doesn't mean you're wrong or I'm wrong, it just means that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of options for building a Jeep. Only limitation is imagination and budget. The only advice I would offer to anyone is to build their Jeep for what they ARE going to do, not what they MIGHT do, and then build toward that within your own budget. Love your vids - be safe and hope to meet you along the road sometime.

[@recoveryonegarage]

I absolutely fawn over the Build you have created in your Gladiator, My tire choice is Different being a BFG KM2/KM3 faithful. i have a very similar mindset on Practicality and utilitarian Mods over Flashy add ons.

[@DestinationArkansas]

The topo decals are freaking awesome. Will def be getting some for my JK!

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

I don't know about others here, but if I spent $106K on a gladiator, even this one, I would definitely have regrets.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

That’s ok.

[@trailtothevoid]

Woop woop, Sticky Vinylz! They make super great stuff! (He did the Rhinos and hood text on mine, and will end up doing more in-time.)

[@StickyVinylz]

Thanks for the love and support!

[@dougstdig]

What wheels, width & backspacing are you running? Did you change the wheel width when you upgraded to 38x13.5’s? Also, did you upgrade your axle shafts? Thanks in advance.

[@kraigteeling7420]

Great video as always. What is up with the gun mount?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks. It’s a magnet. Not sure what you mean.

[@christopherpearce1930]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures I imagine the magnet is probably pretty strong, but I have a hard time believing it would stay there in an accident. Ever consider something full kydex with a trigger guard? I assume that’s what the other commenter was getting at.

[@paraengr0770]

Very thorough walk through of your upgrades, well done!! You have mentioned in several of your videos about a diesel heater that you use, can you hang a link for it, thanks again for all the information you have provided.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Check out my recent video on Winter Camping. It's in there.

[@JarradShaw]

Love those lights ❤. Lol, thanks Matt for talking about them.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

The S1s?

[@JarradShaw]

The flush rear ones. The oracles.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@JarradShaw Very welcome.

[@stevenbaker1371]

What size is your Harbor Freight recovery case? I went today to buy one (got the xtr3) and was not sure which one to get that will fit in that spot. Thanks for all you do!

[@brian_hamlett14]

Just watched this Video and I work for Ford and Am a Ford guy! But I Love this Gladiator and would Buy one… Everything about this Truck I would have done…Color is Awesome to… Just got our New 2dr Bronco in almost the same color!! Great Job Matt.. Love It!!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

thanks!!

[@freedomrevival1375]

Thank you for sharing this build! Looks great! Any tips on how to insure a modified Jeep?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

That varies based on insurance company. Give yours a call and call around.

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Hi Matt, I really like the in-depth look at your Gladiator! Which looks amazing by the way 😊. I very much like your setup and how everything is so functional. Thank you for sharing.😊 If you do another QA : 1) Would you consider adding a Long Range Gas Tank 2) Would you consider mounting water tank system? As always I appreciate the OOA Family. Thank you

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I’ll definitely include those questions in my next QA

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thank you 😊

[@wadechit1628]

you gotta come up north. MN superior NF. Hope to see you there!

[@Frostytravels]

on your taillights they make a small box minimal cost to intergrade into the line to imitate the voltage connection to make them work.

[@linework11]

Great build man

[@billspeer6991]

Awesome Rig!

[@stevenjohnson1824]

Matt, love your channel and hope to be able to overland myself soon, Im learning all the do's and dont's from you and Trailrecon!. Can you elaborate on the name or info, or provide a pic of the rotopax water can spout you purchased on Amazon? I looked for it but couldnt find it based on my searches. Also, I guess I am the one Bronco owner who loves it, and I even have the Fab Fours Grumper Bumper (angry eyes) you love so much lol

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks!! It's this one. amzn.to/3TL8fix I did have to modify it by removing the outer collar and then boiling it to make it pliable to get the flange in the rotopax lid.

[@jasonnickel5402]

Love the decals with the raised topo. got a link for that?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Stickyvinylz.com

[@kevinfitch5538]

I loved this video and really take your advice on items for my jeep based off your recommendations. I do about 80% concrete and 20% light off road, what would you recommend for lift and tires for a 22' Jeep JL Sport Unlimited. I wanted something to take to local Jeep Jamboree's. I'm on dialysis and it's hard to get away for trips.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks! I'd do a nice 2.5" lift like my wife has on hers and some 35" Milestar Patagonia XTs or Falken Wildpeak AT3s.

[@kevinfitch5538]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Thanks!

[@dadventuretv2538]

This was a great follow up vid to your last build review. Probably getting the AEV lift this winter and they have a remote reservoir shock option but obviously a lot more- about twice as much. Everything else is exactly the same. All of my offroading is slow speed and will be with this rig. I won’t be getting to places where I can go faster until closer to retirement which will probably be my next rig. I can’t think of the last time I went over about 12 mph, or even wanted to. It is also my city/suburban daily and I drive interstates a lot too. What do you think about the remote reservoir shocks for my scenario. I mean I know they’re better, I just don’t know if I’ll really be getting the use out of them. I’ll spend the money if I’m gonna use it, but I really hate spending money on stuff I don’t need simply to say “look at me, I have the best” of whatever it is. So any insights you might have would be appreciated.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

the shocks make a big difference around town and on the highway too with body roll and hitting hard bumps in the road.

[@dadventuretv2538]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thanks man. Appreciate.

[@diesvincent1904]

Hello, I have two questions, I have Milestar Pats 35's after 10k they have gotten very loud. Have you experienced the same? Your fridge slide do they still make them? I think it's great. Saw your Gladiator at Overland East and that drawer is on the short list.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

All mud tires will get louder as they wear down. Even Pats. Rotate them often. They still make the slide Just call them.

[@Johnny-tt8zc]

What are your thoughts on the sliders. I have a 22 gladiator and bought the barricade sliders, but had to remove the Rubirails. I kind of want them back on but like the deck on the barricades.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

The Ace Sliders are awesome!!! I love them and have beat the crap out of them.

[@RinconPilot]

Check with Oracle, they sent me the LED error correction harnesses for my JL in June. Order says part# FLUSH-TSE. I connected them and cleared the error in the cluster. It has been good for 3k miles...

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Awesome!!! Thank you.

[@tylerjewell9244]

$106,000 but I’d say you maybe paid for half the upgrades.. you’re living the life! Hope to see you out on the trails one day! Jeep looks amazing. How do you like the KC lights? I’m about to install the M rack with the new 9 light from KC on my f150

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks! It's a pretty cool life for sure!! The KCs are great!! love the look and the light output.

[@blackLEADrose]

Mat great rig if you have the money but we all have to start from the bottom up due to budget and availability of parts i have a 13 2 door jk with a harber freight trailer works good for me

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yep. I started with a 2008 JKU Sahara

[@ryanholmes8584]

Great rig. How are the Clayton arms beefier than the RKs? Are they solid stock as well?

[@HBrosPerformanceAndOffRoad]

I have not ran Clayton but had zero regrets with RK

[@joseaponte9264]

😮😮😮😮😮.. love how u set up ur rig .. question.. what air compressor u have in ur gladiator now ..?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

thanks! MooreFlate 10-6 air compressor.

[@joseaponte9264]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures .. thank u very much ..

[@PeakDecline]

What mounting plate are you using for the Rotopax?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Just the standard Rotopax mount attached to my bed rack.

[@Bikepro4x]

Do you have the link for the Sticky Vinyls? I’ve been looking for a company to do a topo of a custom area.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

stickyvinylz.com

[@meanokia]

Oracle does have a fix for your taillights now. It’s an additional harness. They will send it out to you. The part# FLUSH-TSE.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Hmmmm. I searched Oracle's website for the part number and it came up blank.

[@splitarrow1]

Where’s you get the magnet gun mount?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Amazon.

[@lhaskins123]

How does the fridge hold up in the bed in the elements like that? Have you done anything to provide more protection?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

The tent serves as an umbrella. It's been back there for a year and a half running full time and it's doing awesome.

[@kenotic]

Hi Matt. Thank you for this video. Could you please elaborate on shelf you built in the back? I would like to duplicate that myself.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I used two of Xtrusion Overland's hinge pieces and then just made a rectangular frame off it

[@kenotic]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thanks man

[@MountainMan677]

We're did you get the bracket for the apache case?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

From Xtrusion Overland

[@ViajandoaloLatino]

Hello. Can you recommend a 2" suspension kit for my jeep JL - Rubicon 4xe. Thanks

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Clayton Offroad.

[@ViajandoaloLatino]

Gracias 🙏

[@rockcrawlinnut]

Really considering the arb twin air comp and mounting it on top of engine. Any suggestions or concerns?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

They make mounts for that. Should work well. My wife’s is under the passenger seat.

[@rockcrawlinnut]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures i thought about going that route then was thinking if i did air lockers then i would have to move it. Then thought maybe under the fender well but didnt really like that idea to much. Found the engine mount and was like yep. Thats what im gonna do. 🤣

[@Fr33Goat]

Completely love the gladiators, maybe one day I can afford one 🤣

[@kengeroo]

sir are,, you able to disclose the exact model# for the SHW drawer ???

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

shwoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-composite-half-bed-drawer-system/

[@DunnageGarage]

What was the name of the hood vinyl wrap company?

[@xisroc]

Sticky Vinylz

[@DunnageGarage]

@@xisroc Thanks!

[@StickyVinylz]

You can find us in all socials under the same name, and the website too. Let us know if you have any questions

[@RaceMentally]

Pew pew mount? Link please

[@jgk200]

Nice! Be cool for a shop to donate a hemi for loooong term testing 😊!!!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Totally agree!!! 😂

[@15jwrangler]

Seems like you really like the mt 02s. But idk if you pay attention to Nate’s videos on dirt lifestyle. But he has blown out like 6 sidewalls on his pats and I’m pretty sure he isn’t going back. Thoughts? He’s not the only I have heard of blowing out side walls. Keep up the vids!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yeah I know Nate and watched his video. Not sure why he's had that issue but I've owned 5 sets of Pats and have never had a sidewall issue. Maybe I'm not wheeling hard enough. lol

[@15jwrangler]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures hahahaha

[@mybrilliantlife9476]

What's the name of that offroad restoration and supply shop in NLR, I've blanked

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

No clue. Didn’t know there was one.

[@mybrilliantlife9476]

old age, I must have dreamed it. love your work @@OzarkOverlandAdventures

[@Joey-ne1zi]

What is the brand of the twin piston compressor? Love what you've done to your rig! And keep the great content coming!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

MooreFlate 10-6

[@seib6324]

👍

[@thesandmanii8109]

Is your 37” spare mounted in the factory location?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

My 38" spare is.

[@thesandmanii8109]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures did you modify the rear sway bar or it fit without modification? Thanks

[@jimsulio8636]

Hi nice set up

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Hey, thanks

[@mehdiabderrahmane2439]

You still have your tailgate as you have now SHW drawer? If yes feet together ? You can still open the drawer without touching the tailgate ? (I can t really see on the video and you didn’t talk about) If yes what s the brand of your tailgate ? Thanks for all those very helpful videos that you always do ! 👍🏼

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Still have the tailgate table on the back. We did shim the drawer up about an 1/8 of an inch to clear it.

[@mehdiabderrahmane2439]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Thanks and your tailgate is from MOUNTAIN HATCH ?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@mehdiabderrahmane2439 my original one was. The one I have now is by All Pro Off Road. They are basically the same.

[@thomasshelquist7821]

I would like to know more about the pull out door in your Gladiator back end also the sliding tray for the Iceco I have a Iceco VL 90 Prod would that work for you also. I would like to know more about the Redarc and the inverter plus batteries I would like to add that to my Gladiator also can you please help me with this problem also again I do enjoy your videos. That helps me build my Gladiator to be better than it is..

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

the Drawer is SHW Offroad. The slide is Global Road Outdoors. I had to modify it to work with my VL75. Not sure it would work with the VL90. I have an entire video on the Redarc system install.

[@thomasshelquist7821]

Yes I saw it but it didn't say what size or model it was and the inverter also . I looked at the information below in your video but there was no more info on them every thing but that. In the video you didn't say much on that, all I could hear was Redarc and inverter no more?? Can you help with this problem please 🙏. Thank you very much.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@thomasshelquist7821 Is this the video you watched? The links to the products are in the description. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ2Xgn2Yoc13fMU

[@thomasshelquist7821]

Thank you very much, looks like I have to wait for the inverter and the batteries they are out of stock for now. I did get the Redarc did you buy the wire harness that they offered?? What size of cables did you use for the total install. Again thank you I missed that video, I can't wait to get it installed.

[@thomasshelquist7821]

I do wish I lived closer to you to get good pointers on the whole thing.

[@EigerSummitOffroad]

Jeep is looking great Matt.

[@SuperSilence23]

How did you fit a 38” spare tire

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Clayton Rear Track Bar allows for larger spare. The 38s just barely fit but it does great there.

[@SuperSilence23]

I have 38” nitros and they didn’t fit with tu stock track nar

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@SuperSilence23 I couldn't get my 37s to fit with the stock track bar either.

[@robinemelanson]

What About the Tent?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Tent was covered in the original video. Link is in the description

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

Well sorry GMC but I'd rather Matt's Gladiator any day. You can keep ya $110,000 Hummer... great rig you have there Matt. 👌🏾

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

THANKS!!!

[@Golden-69]

Some people like golf, fish boats, ATV, race car oh and drugs. Oh I know the feeling putting stuff on my truck. It keeps getting bigger and bigger. I have two anther trucks and tell my self no don't do it. It's a addiction and you have to love it. I am not a jeep fan but I do like your and what you have done to it. You should put a 👹 engine in it. You be like Lite Brite Nation. Demon Child.

[@zootruck]

I do respect the gladiator but let's be honest at the end of the day it will never be a Land Cruiser ... Jeeps are cool but Land cruisers are classy and cool. Lol 😂 love you guys very much keep posting the amazing content.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Land Cruisers are cool if they have solid axles. LOL. They are very classy. Thanks!!

[@zootruck]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures that's a low blow... Hahahahaaaa

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Look classy being towed behind a Jeep.

[@dougenyart9243]

Man the parts you are talking about are not designed to last for ever get some of these parts as they go bad just saying same thing with the tie rod ends or the hole thing it's more cost-effective

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Huh?

[@dougenyart9243]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures instead of going out and buying all the stuff you are talking about just get them as you need it

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@dougenyart9243 no one said to do it all at once. This build has happened over a year and half. I didn’t do it all at once. It’s evolved over time.

[@undefeatedgaul3201]

Step one: don’t

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

😂😂😂 why not?

[@hakenkreuz7076]

Your neighborhood is rich 🫵, and you get free stuff too?Must be nice.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

It is very nice!! I worked my butt off to get to this point.