Gladiator Gets the Sawzall Treatment with Big Plans
Watching YouTubers destroy cars is, unfortunately, fairly common. However, this Gladiator is getting chopped for reasons other than clout.
Watching automotive YouTubers destroy cars is not uncommon in the slightest. Sure, many are having a good time at the expense of a vehicle that was likely on its way to the scrapper anyway. However, recent trends have expensive cars, trucks, and SUVs being destroyed for the sake of shock value. It’s transparently about garnering attention. If that works for you, that’s great. We aren’t here to stand on a soapbox and tell you what to do or what you should and shouldn’t watch. What were are here to do, though, is bring you a sigh of relief in this world of destruction. It may seem a bit odd to offer relief by way of a Jeep Gladiator getting cut up. However, we promise there’s a payoff here.
Phil Kockerbeck owns this Jeep Gladiator and runs the Youtube channel Down2mob Overland, where he goes on offroading adventures and documents them as he does. In order to turn his Gladiator into the ultimate offroad vehicle, some substantial modifications have to be made. For example, cutting the entire back half of the frame off.
“I was not scared before. I wasn’t. Now I’m scared! This just got real,” says Kockerbeck.
Though he is quick to joke about cutting it because he decided he wanted a Wrangler instead of a Gladiator, there is an actual reason for making this cut. Kockerbeck is commissioning a full tube rear-end replacement to help transform this Gladiator into the ultimate overlanding machine. Instead of the usual truck bed, his Gladiator is getting outfitted with a Bison Overland Camper. This isn’t just an offroad vehicle; it’s his home for extended periods of time!
Was the cut really necessary?
Simply put, yes. Though Kockerbeck and crew could likely fit the Bison camper to the factory frame, this choice was made for a specific reason.
“As you can see, this piece here is wider than the stock frame. This means a 40-inch spare is going to fit underneath there. Actually, as big as a 42-inch spare. Why did we do this? Elsewise, with the camper on, the spare would have to be on the roof or the on back of the camper. That’s 160 pounds in the wrong spot,” explains Kockerbeck.
Though it may seem a bit extreme, there is a method to the madness after all. Those concerned about this action voiding the warranty needn’t worry any longer, either. This is not the first warranty defying modification to this Gladiator. After an offroading incident that destroyed his front axle, Kockerbeck switched to two Dana 60 axles with lockers. Additionally, a set of Beadlock wheels with 40-inch offroad tires have been added.
Overall, we think this project is awesome. Though it hurts a bit to watch a nice new Jeep’s frame get hacked up, we can see the bigger picture that Kockerbeck envisions. It’s going to be one sweet adventure mobile when it’s finished. Frankly, we can’t wait to see the final product! Be sure to follow along with this build on the Down2mob Overland channel!