New Toad JT

[kg4rrx]

One of these days I'll get a toad that matches my bus



In August we picked up a 2021 Jeep Gladiator specifically to be used as a toad. I used to tow a F150, and it worked wonderfully because we used the bed as my FC basement storage, but now we can dedicate a single vehicle (and all the bus stuff) to one place. We chose a Jeep for the obvious reasons, and the storage capacity actually rivals the Ford with the cap. The cap is an alu-cab explorer canopy. Made in South Africa, aluminum alloy, and three locking doors for access all way around.



In lieu of framed tow hitch, we opted for tow-capable bumper. We decided on rockhard 4x4 after seeing them in person at the Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. While rockhard was far from the cheapest option, its American made in Omaha and all aluminum. The bumper was shipped to my house and weights around 35 lbs. The winch is a warn evo 10k with synthetic rope.

Mopar makes a quick - connect wiring harness, but its too short for the JT. Rockhard recommended cool tech llc harness, which is spliced into the jeep wires and includes an air gaped switch instead of diodes. I can't say I'm happy with it so far. The switch was backwards from the factory, and the plug in cord provided by them had a short which also caused its own headaches. After several attempts at troubleshooting I finally got everything figured out and the lights were the most difficult item to complete.

Braking system is provided by the Blue Ox patriot 3 that i used on the last two F150s.

Jeeps now feature an auto start stop system so you can save .064 oz of fuel while stopped at a stoplight and make Greta happy. I think its dumb so I added a tazer JL which disabled the auto start stop and unlocked some other neat features.

Also because of the auto start stop system the Jeep has two batteries, the main start battery and a stupid little motorcycle battery that sits underneath the main battery. The little battery is supposed to power your radio when the jeep shuts off. I replaced that whole system with a genesis dual battery kit with two true group 25 batteries and an automatic decombine switch.

We also added enough KC hilites to x-ray deer 4 miles down the road and an iceco refrigerator inside.

[Randy Dupree]

I have seen the jeep and the topper is awesome.
The rest of the stuff i did not inspect but xraying deer has got to be good and the fridge,well yeah!
(i have one in my van).
An engine that dies for any reason when you stop makes my heart stop,i drove a lot of junk in my life and when they quit its never good.
The last time i mentioned that little girl i got moderated for a day,so beware!

[Steelwheels]

Nice Jeep, I’m not a fan of the auto shut off feature, just had a 2023 outback wilderness as a loaner when my car was in the shop. It showed how much fuel it saved maybe a gallon a tank i city driving. I’m not sure if it makes that much of a difference to the pocket book. You gotta think that’s going to wear the starter out sooner. You have the option to turn it off, I left it on.

[Randy Dupree]

My cars idle all the time,how are you going to get into a cold car in the summer in the south,if you don't let it idle?
I leave it running when i go into stores etc.
Dogs inside,doors locked.

[tsdevane]

Originally Posted by kg4rrx

One of these days I'll get a toad that matches my bus

Attachment 84679

In August we picked up a 2021 Jeep Gladiator specifically to be used as a toad. I used to tow a F150, and it worked wonderfully because we used the bed as my FC basement storage, but now we can dedicate a single vehicle (and all the bus stuff) to one place. We chose a Jeep for the obvious reasons, and the storage capacity actually rivals the Ford with the cap. The cap is an alu-cab explorer canopy. Made in South Africa, aluminum alloy, and three locking doors for access all way around.

Attachment 84680

In lieu of framed tow hitch, we opted for tow-capable bumper. We decided on rockhard 4x4 after seeing them in person at the Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. While rockhard was far from the cheapest option, its American made in Omaha and all aluminum. The bumper was shipped to my house and weights around 35 lbs. The winch is a warn evo 10k with synthetic rope.

Mopar makes a quick - connect wiring harness, but its too short for the JT. Rockhard recommended cool tech llc harness, which is spliced into the jeep wires and includes an air gaped switch instead of diodes. I can't say I'm happy with it so far. The switch was backwards from the factory, and the plug in cord provided by them had a short which also caused its own headaches. After several attempts at troubleshooting I finally got everything figured out and the lights were the most difficult item to complete.

Braking system is provided by the Blue Ox patriot 3 that i used on the last two F150s.

Jeeps now feature an auto start stop system so you can save .064 oz of fuel while stopped at a stoplight and make Greta happy. I think its dumb so I added a tazer JL which disabled the auto start stop and unlocked some other neat features.

Also because of the auto start stop system the Jeep has two batteries, the main start battery and a stupid little motorcycle battery that sits underneath the main battery. The little battery is supposed to power your radio when the jeep shuts off. I replaced that whole system with a genesis dual battery kit with two true group 25 batteries and an automatic decombine switch.

Originally Posted by kg4rrx

We also added enough KC hilites to x-ray deer 4 miles down the road and an iceco refrigerator inside.

Nice, Chris!

Timothy

[Kb1jkn]

Nice looking rig Chris, I wondered what one of those would look like with a cap. I like it a lot, and what you have done with it.

[rsteffy]

That is RERALLY nice. I am set to "inherit" my 4 door wrangler back from my son. I'm planning to use it for a while but I really like the Gladiators.
Thanks for sharing.

[Harold,Cat&Sam]

That's just real nice

Now you need a ham radio , citizenship radio and a gmrs radio and you'll be ready for the trails .

[kg4rrx]

Stopped in Slidell, Louisiana last month and got weighed. She's not light...

[ChrisN]

Not sure what your front axle is rated at, but I think it may be 13,200 lbs. You may need to shift some weight to the rear if possible.