“I’m not trying to break axles, but I want to get to the places that 95% of people don’t ever get to see in their life. We’ve seen a lot of them in one year owning the Jeep.”

We love helping owners build out a custom off-road truck or SUV that matches their passion. The parts are cool, but it’s the experiences we get from off-roading that drive us. That’s why it’s so fun to help off-roaders like Kenny take their truck to the next level. When you combine quality off-road parts with a driver who is determined to build, learn, and push their vehicle and driving skills to the limit, good things happen.

Going Gladiator

Kenny grew up in the country running four-wheelers hard and developing a passion for motorsports that led him to drag racing at a young age. The joy of the great outdoors and off-roading never left him, so when he found a partner who shared his passion and they settled down to start a family, they knew their “settling” would include frequent camping, scenic views, and a chance to show their children a world outside the filtered reality of a television or smartphone screen. 

Kenny’s 4Runner worked well enough, but it just wasn’t growing with them. Once it was loaded with all the gear, wife, kids, and a muddy dog tracking up the carpeted interior, space was lacking. He had owned several Jeep Grand Cherokees over the years and enjoyed them, but they didn’t do great off the road. He wanted a reliable go-anywhere, do-anything ride that gave them plenty of space for trips, a lot of utility, and the ability to build it up to face any challenge they wanted to take on. Jeep’s new pickup truck, the Gladiator, was the perfect choice.

“I’m a big planner, so I knew what my main mods were going in.”

Fortune Favors The Prepared

Kenny wasn’t sold on the Gladiator right away. Let’s be honest–it looks…different. For a guy who was ready to prioritize function and utility over appearance, he found a lot to love in the iconic Jeep lines translated into pickup form. The day after driving his Gator Gladiator off the lot, he put on a set of Black Rhino Armory wheels and B.F. Goodrich KO2 AT off-road tires, then he got to work researching his first big mod.

A Not So Phrygian Cap

After the 4Runner, Kenny knew he needed a dry place to carry equipment, cargo, and a muddy 70-pound dog in comfort without worrying about upholstery. It needed plenty of space, the strength to hold up a rooftop tent, and the durability to last. RSI SmartCap checked all those boxes. While researching the best place to get them in the United States, he found us. 

Located only an hour away, we were close to home, he liked what he saw about us on websites and forums, and when he called, we were ready to help. When he called, SmartCaps were quickly heating up thanks to their quality engineering, stainless steel panels, and a finished product that was “Forged in Africa” to conquer some of the harshest landscapes on the planet. Companies were having trouble getting them, drivers were clamoring for them, and we had one in stock. Kenny bought our demo model of the SmartCap EVOa Adventure. He got a good deal, we got a new customer, and from a guy like Kenny, that means a lot.

“I’m not trying to break the bank to have a certain look. If I can make it, I will, and if I can save money, I will.” 

Builders Build

Just about every off-roader turns a wrench on their build at some point. That’s half the fun, right? Kenny takes it to the next level. His rural upbringing and motorsports background gave him plenty of experience working on vehicles, a familiarity with tools, and made him a good hand with a welder. His Jeep is filled with custom mods he fabricated himself, from roof racks to bed storage, and even a custom jerrycan pump for filling up with an extra five gallons of gas on the trail in minutes–no muss, no fuss. When a guy like that comes to you when he needs aftermarket parts, you’re doing something right.

Creating The Rubiator

Kenny’s Gladiator, affectionately named the Rubiator–a combination of Jeep‘s popular Rubicon trim package and the unstoppable robot of Hollywood fame–is fully customized in every sense of the word. There are parts he’s built you won’t find anywhere else and custom parts he’s further modded for utility that fits the challenging demands of his off-road lifestyle. There are still plenty of upgrade highlights for the Rubiator sports that you’ll find at our US-based warehouses and installation centers.

• Rough Country Traction Boards - Traction boards can be one of the best values in recovery. When your wheels dig in a little too deep or the trail is too sloppy, a good set of boards gives your tires the grip they need to transfer power to the ground and pull you out of trouble.
• Rugged Ridge Arcus Front Bumper - Featuring a stamped steel design and stubby design, the Arcus gives you a strong mount for a sturdy winch while also getting out of your way for more aggressive maneuvers over rocks and through dips over some of the roughest trails you can find. Kenny added a hoop and light tabs to beef up its look and add extra illumination for low-light conditions.
• Baja Designs LP6 Pods - Baja Designs have long been a part of the off-road community because they deliver reliable, efficient aftermarket lights that give you the lumens you need when and where you need them. The LP6 pod design is one of their most popular choices because it’s so versatile. Whether you need driving, cornering, flood, or spotlights, there’s a pod combination that fits your build so you can off-road better when the sun goes down.
• Trigger Six-Shooter Wireless Control System - When you start adding lights and custom electrical components, you want a reliable control system. Eliminating the need to run custom wiring under the dash, Trigger’s system uses a small, magnet-mounted RF control system to give you control from your cab, cap, or campsite. It’s a great upgrade for any off-roading vehicle, but it’s especially handy at a family campsite when you may need more light periodically but don’t want to go traipsing back and forth to the cab.
• Rugged Ridge Snorkel - A lot of Jeep owners add a snorkel to forge deeper mud and water. That’s not Kenny’s style, but desert driving is. An aftermarket snorkel relocates the air intake higher, which means less dust for a cleaner air filter. That means his Jeep has deeper breaths for more power, but he admits it does look pretty sweet too.

Where The Rubiator Is Heading Next

Kenny doesn’t carry around a big bucket list. If you couldn’t tell, he’s a guy who plans then does, rather than waiting. That’s how he ended up with 25 Jeep Badges of Honor…in one year, a total that some accomplished off-roaders won’t meet in a lifetime. Right now, he’s looking forward to a week-long winter trip to Breckenridge, pulling an RV then pushing the Rubiator’s limits, then a visit to Moab to replace footage lost to the ether, which the Rubiator’s Instagram followers are anxiously waiting for.

Are You Ready To Push Your Limits

We’re proud to offer quality parts, fair prices, and the professional advice that helps any off-roader get the parts they need and get them on their truck. If you need help, give us a call, and one of our experts is ready to show you the old-school customer service that impresses guys like Kenny when they do need a pro. Order your aftermarket off-road parts, accessories, and gear from Offroad Alliance today.