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The Ultimate DIY Guide: Building a Gladiator EcoDiesel Overlanding Rig

  • Writer: Muddy Ruttzz
    Muddy Ruttzz
  • Nov 13
  • 7 min read

The Philosophy of the Purpose-Built Rig

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts, let’s talk philosophy. I generally see two types of Jeep builders: Guys with unlimited budgets building show ponies, and DIY weekend warriors like us, focusing on a true 'purpose-built' daily driver/off-road rig. Whatever kind of rig you’re building—mall crawler, rock crawler, or overlander—the Rubicon trim is a great platform to start with, as it comes stock with lockers, sway bar disconnect, and more, putting you way ahead. As a seasoned DIY mechanic, I know that even the best vision will evolve during the build process. That's the beauty of a customizable vehicle; it grows with us as we become more adventurous. Jump To The Complete List of Mods I have installed on this Gladiator.


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A Long Time & Lots of Money to Take This Gladiator From Daily Driver To Trail Ready

Welcome to Muddy Ruttzz. I’m done building this Gladiator. It took 3 1/2 years but I think I really found a combination of vehicle and parts that makes this 2022 Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel a great daily driver and a very capable off-road vehicle and overlanding rig. In this article I want to show you the parts I installed, tell you why I chose them.


Silver Jeep Rubicon on sand dunes, side view. "RUBICON" text on hood, logo on door. Clear blue sky; "Outdoor Adventure Muddy Ruttzz" logo visible.
2022 Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel at White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Highway drive one day, offroading the next.

Why the Gladiator EcoDiesel Overlanding Platform Works for Us

This Gladiator is actually my wife’s vehicle, which I bought after she commandeered my Wrangler Willys EcoDiesel (the story of the two Jeeps!). Jeeps other power plants tend to be underpowered when larger tires and accessories are added. That Is why I chose the 3.0 Liter Ecodiesel.


Jeep 3.0L EcoDiesel engine in a gray car with hood open. Visible battery, cables, and parts. "Outdoor Adventure" logo at bottom left.
I waited years for Jeep to come out with a diesel motor equipped Wrangler. Unfortunately The Ecodiesel is not being produced any longer.
White Jeep Wrangler parked on a driveway with roof rack and muddy tires. "WILLY'S" and "Jeep Wrangler" text on the side. Trees and garage seen.
2020 Wrangler Willys Ecodiesel. I love this vehicle and if I wanted it for myself I had to buy my wife the Gladiator. The Steelies are a big part of this Jeep's build.

This particular build had to tick all the boxes: Rubicon, diesel motor, and the tow package. This specific Gladiator EcoDiesel Overlanding platform is the sweet spot because of the engine. The torque and fuel economy of the EcoDiesel are a game-changer for long trips from Las Cruces to Colorado, giving us confidence and less time at the pump. Full disclosure: I tow my Xventure XV-3 off-road trailer on most trips, but even without the trailer, this rig is designed to tackle high-mountain trails like those in Ouray.

A Jeep Gladiator and Xventure XV-3 off-road trailer are parked at a desert campsite. Camping gear is visible and the trailer has a Roof Top Tent opened up on top. There is a clear blue sky above.
This was our camp day 1 at Death Valley when we explored Chloride Cliffs. The Power and Torque of the Ecodiesel tows my Xventure XV-3 easily up and over off-road obstacles. It is a pretty amazing combination for overlanding.

Xventure Trailers are made in the USA by Schutt Industries and are built to Military Standards. Check their Website for more information of the most durable and versatile off-road trailer you can buy. Schutt Industries

Hardware Deep Dive: The Mods That Matter

Photos below show a few of the parts that have been installed on the Gladiator and each has a link to the install video.



Optimal Ride Balance: Lift and Tires

Garage scene with red lockers covered in stickers, a Jeep parts crate, and a table with coils. Text: Parts Crate with Mopar/Bilstein.
The Mopar Lift Kit is delivered in this very cool crate. Perfectly designed to accommodate the extra weight of the 3.0 Liter Ecodiesel Motor. This is my original garage and studio. I have upgraded since. See my install article & video.

The 3.0 Liter EcoDiesel adds 300 to 400 lbs of weight upfront. Combined with the heavy Warn bumper and winch, we were constantly hitting the bump stops. We needed a lift specifically rated for that extra nose weight. We chose the 2-inch Mopar/Bilstein kit. Sure, we could have gone higher, but this kit was the perfect compromise for the daily commute, towing, and maintaining factory safety standards and ride quality.


Four stacked black tires on pavement, sunny day, rocky beige wall in the background. Text: "MUDDY RUTZZZ Outdoor Adventure."
Possibly the most perfect Daily Driver/Overlanding Tire there is. Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T 35x10x17 Pizza Cutter size tires have been a game changer for the Gladiator.

The most noticeable upgrade was the rubber. We replaced loud, worn-out 35-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers with the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T "Pizza Cutter" tires (255/85/R17). This narrow profile helps the tire footprint lengthen when aired down, giving us incredible grip in the loose rock around Ouray without needing huge, wide tires. It’s a dual-threat highway and off-road tire perfect for a daily driver/overlanding rig.


Essential Protection: Bumpers, Winch, and Armor

We prioritized off-road insurance with the Warn Elite Full Width Bumper and 10,000 lbs Zeon Winch. Made in the USA and airbag-compatible, this bumper offers stout protection and essential tow points. The winch, a sizable investment, is non-negotiable for solo recovery. Beneath the axles, we added Spicer Performance Diff Covers before heading to Ouray, providing excellent protection over the stock stamped-steel covers.


Off-road vehicle climbing rocky terrain with mud-splattered tires. Rough landscape in background. "Outdoor Adventure Muddy Ruttzz" text visible.
Good View of the Warn Elite Bumper, Warn Zeon Winch, Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T's and the Spicer Diff Cover visible below.
Person wearing gloves holds a metallic differential cover. Text reads "Bombproof Your Dana Diff: Spicer Performance Differential Cover Installation."
Armored up diff covers are essential for off roading and provide a slew of benefits including adding rigidity to the axle. I simple and inexpensive upgrade any DIY mechanic can handle. See the install video here.
Life-Proofing the Build: Covers and Comfort

Since the Gladiator is my wife's daily driver, accessibility was key. The Mopar Rock Rails with a Step provide protection to the rocker panels while offering a slight step-up. The Truxedo Tonneau Cover adds convenience and security to the bed cargo. Finally, the BulletPoint Mounting Solutions on the dash allow quick mounting of essential electronics, like the phone and Garmin Navigator.

Jeep with Truxedo Tonneau Cover in a dirt area. Text: "High Quality, Easily Installed..." Logo: Muddy Ruttzz. Trees in background.
Truxedo Tonneau Cover - One of the very first mods to the Gladiator. I installed it especially to make the Gladiator more useful for my wife. 400 lbs can be loaded on it if spread out and if you have the means to tie it down. There are rails and racks available that allow use of the Tonneau cover at the same time. See my video review here.
GPS device in a car interior with a Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions holder. Dashboard details visible. Background shows garage tools.
Bullet Point Mounting Solutions (Amazon) have worked out well and there are many options for mounting all types of gear. I sometimes use a Gopro that is mounted using them. It is the standard ball mount.

There Are A Couple More Mods Need Mentioning

  1. Towing a trailer required the installation of a Trailer Brake Controller to operate the electric trailer brakes on my Xventure XV-3 off-road trailer. I chose the Mopar trailer brake controller. Little bit tricky install and I am always a little nervous removing dash panels.

  2. Under the hood I added a Winch Electrical Disconnect for safety. With the winch leads connected directly to the battery there is always power present. The disconnect solves that problem.

  3. Rigid Industries Drive Lights, D Series Pro Surface


Dashboard with a Mopar Trailer Brake Controller knob, highlighted by a red arrow. Text notes installation challenge. Mood: instructional.
Mopar Brake Controller replaces the 12 volt outlet

Winch Electrical Disconnect switch in a vehicle engine bay. Text describes its safety function and marine-grade quality. Red arrow points to switch.
This switch isolates the winch. It is a heavy duty marine grade switch. Available on Amazon.
Jeep front with Rigid Industries D-Series Pro lights. Arrows highlight lights. Warn Elite bumper. Text: "Outdoor Adventure Muddy Ruttzz."
I installed these the night before we went to Alabama Hills.

The Entire List Of Mods I Installed On This Gladiator

  1. Mopar/Bilstein 2" Lift Kit with Reservoir Shocks

  2. Warn Elite Full Width Bumper

  3. Warn Zeon 10,000 lbs winch with Synthetic winch line.

  4. Factor 55 Flat Link tow hook.

  5. Spicer Performance Diff Covers installed front and rear axles.

  6. Mopar Trailer Brake Controller

  7. Bullet Point Mounting Solutions Dashboard Phone and accessory mounts.

  8. Truxedo Tonneau Cover.

  9. Mopar Performance Rock Rails with a step.

  10. Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T 35x10x17 Pizza Cutter size tires.

  11. Stubby Antenna

  12. Batteries (Main & Auxiliary) replaced at 3 years.

  13. Winch Electrical Disconnect.

  14. Rigid Industries Drive Lights, D Series Pro Surface



Conclusion: The Sweet Spot: Four Takeaways for Your Build


What are the big takeaways after three and a half years of wrenching?

  1. Define Your Purpose: This rig was built for 100% reliable, comfortable daily driving and confident towing/trail capability. That focus kept the build smart.

  2. Budget Fuels Better Decisions: Our budget forced us to vet every part, prioritizing utility (like that Warn Winch) over vanity.

  3. The EcoDiesel Advantage: The torque and fuel economy of the Gladiator EcoDiesel Overlanding setup is a game-changer in the mountains.

  4. The Sweet Spot is Found in Balance: A minimalist 2-inch lift and carefully selected 35-inch tires offer the highest capability without compromising comfort and accessibility.


Call to Action


Did you find the article interesting and helpful? Check out all the articles on The Muddy Ruttzz Gazette for more helpful DIY and Adventure information and don't forget to see my Muddy Ruttzz Youtube channel.




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Stacked Zarges Aluminum Cases sitting next to a Jeep Gladiator.
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