Build Thread theWhiskeyRebel's Aggressive Overland Build

[theWhiskeyRebel]

Welcome to anybody that takes an interest in following Earl's build progress.

Who/What is Earl?

• I live in the Houston area and when a family member saw my IG for the first time, her first comment was "I love the Oiler blue." I grew up in Austin and some of my earliest football memories are going to games and watching Earl Campbell play. Even a youngster could understand you were witnessing something special. So, since Earl played for the Oilers... Earl seemed like a fitting name.

Vehicle Basics -

• 2025 Grenadier, Base Model in Eldoret Blue, Black Roof, and Steelies.
• Purchased 2025-Oct-08
• I only had 4 requirements: Front & Rear Lockers, additional AUX package, Heated Seats, and steelies.

Usage -

• Earl is an off-roader with a secondary daily driver requirement. Meaning, the offroad capabilities are more important than modern luxuries.
• I enjoy taking trips in the mountains. I'm there for the scenery and solitude. It isn't important to me to challenge my build, but it is important to me to have a build that will take me where I want to go.

What does the build look like?

• Self-recovery is important so I will likely prioritize a winch as the first big expense
• Suspension upgrade of the basics, such as a lift, larger tyres, offset wheels, and appropriate shocks.
• Onboard Air - I permanently mounted a Morrflate system in my Gladiator bed, but I think I can make better use of space by going with an under-seat option.
• For electrical I will transfer my Bluetti power station and Charger 1 from my old Jeep Gladiator. This is enough for me and my current use requirements for now.
• Communications - I have Starlink, Garmin InReach, and hand-held GRMS
• Body Armor - skid plates and rock sliders
• Cargo management is still in the thinking stage. I'm not against a rear seat delete, but for now I'm only concerning myself with the rear cargo area
• Exterior lighting - I prefer to have the bare minimum of exterior lighting, such as forward light bar or bumper mounted lamps. I will also add chase lights to the rear. For camp lighting I've always been happy with a headlamp and something like the Devos Light Ranger.
• Camp Kitchen - I'm pretty happy with the basics like a Fridge, Jet Boil, and a skottle if I'm going to be out for a while. Oh, and my small Nespresso machine and frother because I like to have lattes like the pioneers did.
• Tent or RTT - I typically will plan routes where I pop out to civilization around dinner time and stay in a hotel for the night. When I hit the longer trails, I have been happy with a simple ground tent. However, if the Grenadier is everything I hope it to be, I would likely do a roof conversion to the Alu-Cab setup.

I don't have a deadline for any of this outside of a winch and moving the Bluetti fast charger. Those things need to be in place by spring when I usually take my first trip. In the meantime, I'm just getting acquainted with Earl and researching aftermarket gear.

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

A few interior upgrades were completed this past weekend. The 3 most impactful mods are:

• Cell Phone Mount - went with the Accessory Rail from Owl and repurposed my BulletPoint Mount system
• Ignition Key Hole Light - I used a tiny LED light and tapped it into the footwell courtesy lamp wiring.
• Auto Start/Stop Button Pusher from Grenadier USA

Honorable mentions:

• A-Pillar Grab Handles - Agile Offroad
• OSH Grab Handle - Agile Offroad
• Aluminum Grab Handles - Owl Vans
• Rear Gate Interior Pull Handle - Owl Vans
• Rosen Visors - Owl Vans
• Aluminum Hood Release Handle - Owl Vans
• Hood Badge (Mountains) - Grenadier USA

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

More interior "upgrades" completed over the weekend -

• Folding Tailgate /w Storage Cubby - GP Factor
• Machined Console /w Oversized Cupholder - Grenadier USA
• Rear Gate Interior Pull Handle - Grenadier Works
• License Plate Light Shrouds - Grenadier Works
• LED Light on Rear Door Trim - Amazon Cheapy
• LED Light on GP Factor Tailgate Table - Amazon Cheapy
• Wolfbox Camera, Rear Door

The goal this past weekend was to conquer the task of running the LED light power cables and Wolfbox Rear Camera into the rear of the vehicle. Since I pulled the large, rear cargo panel off, I went ahead and completed running the LED power cable to under the rear seat. I haven't tied it into the battery yet, as I am still deciding how I want to deal with accessory power items. At this point, I'm leaning towards adding a Blue Sea fuse box for low power items that I want tied to constant power, where the item has a manual on/off switch like the interior LED lights.

For the LED lights, I connected them by cutting a SAE Extension Cable (6ft) in half, then trimming to size to splice in each of the light bars. Those 2 legs where connected to a SAE Y-Splitter Cable tucked away inside the rear door space below the GP Factor Tailgate Table. Then I used another SAE Extension Cable (25ft) to run from the splitter, into the rear cargo area trim panels, to final land under the rear seat. Eventually, the excess cable will be trimmed and connected to the starter battery.

I originally planned to use cable and connectors I had on hand, but I still haven't organized my garage since moving recently and didn't feel like going on a scavenger hunt. I was lucky to find a crimper tool and a bag of Solder Seal connectors and a couple of pieces of heat shrink.

And for now, I only ran the Wolfbox Camera Cable to where the Trim Panel meets the Headliner. I used an Electrical Lubricant to run the cables thru the grommets and sleeve into the rear cargo area, so I wanted to wipe down the cable and let it dry before touching the headliner for the next part of the run.