smlobx
Adventurist
I’m curious about your last statement. Can you elaborate? Do you think that a solar panel will run a fridge for several days If you’re stationary and using the Jeep’s battery? That is my concern.
Dave's Jeep JT Gladiator: The 'Gator
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
I’m curious about your last statement. Can you elaborate? Do you think that a solar panel will run a fridge for several days If you’re stationary and using the Jeep’s battery? That is my concern.
Jimmie Perkins
Adventurist
Been following Dan Grec’s build of his JTR down in Australia (The Road Chose Me) and it’s interesting that the payload for a JTR down under is approx 400lbs higher than the US models. I mean it doesn’t change anything here but food for thought. I think Jeep here in US is being conservative with the GVWR. My understanding is Australia takes GVWR more seriously than here in US as far as keeping an owner honest.
smlobx
Adventurist
I noticed that too. It could be a couple of reasons. One, the Gladiator Rubicon comes with smaller tires (both diameter and width) which may improve the requirements for a heavier loading.
Secondly, the testing parameters are almost certainly different which could result in a higher rating..
Yes. I’ve done it. First in the JL, now in the JT. You just need the right panel and solar controller.
I’m also VERY conservative with my power needs in camp. I’m not using anything on the vehicle other than the fridge. Everything else is off. And you can program your lights etc to NOT come on every time you open a door etc. I’ve got other ways to charge devices etc as well so really, my only real draw when stationary is the Engel. And my 215w panel makes beaucoup juice most days. I also carry a larger Noco jumpstart pack JIC.
YMMV. But I intend to keep my battery and charging system OEM and covered under warranty for as long as possible.
Another small but important mod here, used some surplus Leitner Designs RTT brackets to make anchors for the Force Protector Gear Adapter Shade Panel over the tailgate area.
Now it’s as easy as threading the two grommets (52 inches center to center mounting holes) onto these hard mounted studs, add a wing nut and SHAZAM!
The desert winds may beat me to death with poles and guylines but by Thor’s hammer, that shade panel will stay attached to the truck!
Now it’s as easy as threading the two grommets (52 inches center to center mounting holes) onto these hard mounted studs, add a wing nut and SHAZAM!
The desert winds may beat me to death with poles and guylines but by Thor’s hammer, that shade panel will stay attached to the truck!
Gallowbraid
Adventurist
Nice! I'm looking at doing the same thing using the OEM vinyl flooring from Toyota. Carpet is dumb.
Exactly. It's amazing how tone deaf the OEM's are when it comes to this issue.
Trucks and especially 4WD vehicles should NOT have carpet. If anything, maybe carpet as an option on a top trim level for the "Platinum Longhorn Queen Sierra Ranch" or whatever crowd.
Front passenger. This stuff is TOUGH. As in trauma shear defeating. Much thicker than the cheap OEM carpet.
NOTE: For the “I’d rather Line-X the floorboards” crowd, you can see here how ugly the unfinished floor pan is. HVAC and various electrical runs are visible throughout - you would be putting bedliner OVER those potentially serviceable items and that would not only be dumb, it would look like shit. It would also provide NO noticeable sound deadening and no real insulation from the heat of the V6 exhaust which is 3-4 inches directly under the floorboards on both sides. Armorlite addresses all these issues well.
NOTE: For the “I’d rather Line-X the floorboards” crowd, you can see here how ugly the unfinished floor pan is. HVAC and various electrical runs are visible throughout - you would be putting bedliner OVER those potentially serviceable items and that would not only be dumb, it would look like shit. It would also provide NO noticeable sound deadening and no real insulation from the heat of the V6 exhaust which is 3-4 inches directly under the floorboards on both sides. Armorlite addresses all these issues well.
Drivers side before bolting the seat up. You can see the coverage under the seats here. This large, protected seam area also creates a way for moisture to escape if by chance it somehow became trapped under this layer. I think a single piece of cab flooring would be damn near impossible to handle during install so this modular design works well IMO..
