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.

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

Didn't have time to complete the Wolfbox camera install over the weekend. However, I did complete -

• Fender Armor Plates from Owl
• Windshield edge protection idea from Owl

I opted to go with the simple textured design on the fender armor plates because I think it flows better with the textured black trim pieces from the factory. Anyways, a pretty boring update, but it is still progress.

 

[Rupert]

Added anything more? Let’s see it brother.

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

Over the past weekend, I installed the SeaDek Seatback Foam, from Owl. Since my Grenadier is fairly new, I haven't scratched the cargo area up yet, so I was onboard with protecting any part of the area that I could. The stuff looks great and if you didn't know better, you would think it was factory. I like this idea enough, that once I fully equip the cargo area, I will consider using SeaDek to cover the exposed plastic trim.

I also received the Base Plate from Goose Gear and got that installed. I think it took me longer to unpackage the base plate than it did to install. I'm now waiting on the Drawer / Refrigerator System to arrive.

And finally, I had a chance to work on the Wolfbox camera install. Since I was running the Rear Camera, GPS, and Power Cables, I also ran the Front Camera cable from the mirror down the a-pillar into the passenger footwell. I will finish running the front camera cable someday. I used the 67 Designs mount so I could have a cleaner install. If you have read anything about the install, then you already know that routing the rear camera cable from the rear door into the cargo area is the hardest part.

I will also mention that when I was prying the factory rearview mirror off, the whole mirror arm came free. Very easily, like it was barely holding on... Freaked me out at first, but was easy enough to put back on. This was my first experience with a European mirror mount style, so I watched this video as a sanity check. As part of the install, I had already removed the trim piece that surrounds the factory front camera so I went ahead and removed the factory front camera box also just to make the reattachment of the mirror arm easier. And one final note, I lowered the overhead console tray and tucked in the excess Wolfbox cable there for a final dressing of the excess cable.

My 2 cents on the Wolfbox - The quality of the rear view is great, and in theory, the view to the rear should be greatly improved. However, in my case, the glare is so bad on the mirror, that I can barely make out the camera view. I've actually turned off the display and am just using it like a normal mirror during the day. The wider mirror does increase the rear view, so if you aren't interested in having the recordings, just replacing the factory mirror with a wider one might be a better solution? I ordered the anti-glare protective film from Wolfbox and will see if that helps. Also in my case, I plan on installing the Bison-Gear Under the Roof Shelf, so having the rearview camera function as needed will be important to me.

 

[TCMColorado]

My experience with the Wolfbox mirror is that glare is very much a problem if you have the mirror positioned such that it is at the correct angle to use as a standard mirror with the power turned off. But if I turn the mirror down a couple of degrees the glare is eliminated. The down side is that you have to reposition the mirror if you want to use it with the power off but the view using the rear camera is so much better that I rarely power it off to use as a traditional mirror.

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

My experience with the Wolfbox mirror is that glare is very much a problem if you have the mirror positioned such that it is at the correct angle to use as a standard mirror with the power turned off. But if I turn the mirror down a couple of degrees the glare is eliminated. The down side is that you have to reposition the mirror if you want to use it with the power off but the view using the rear camera is so much better that I rarely power it off to use as a traditional mirror.

Thanks for the tip - that helped make the camera view usable

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

Greetings and Happy New Year to "Fans of Earl", or FOE for short. I obviously haven't posted in a while, but I did add a few things here and there over the holidays. I'll list things out from lamest to kind of cool order.

• Bison-Gear Under The Roof Shelf and Chair Storage Shelf - I like having these small, upper shelves to stow soft items that aren't always used, like jackets and towels. It also makes a great spot if you want to carry the Safari Window bag. The Chair Storage Shelf is meant for a Front Runner chair, which I have 2, so I bought 2 shelves. Optionally I can stow other small items there. You have some flexibility on how you position the Chair Shelf(s). I have mine in the center, butted up against each other. With all of the shelving empty, I do get a minor rattle on bumpy roads, so I'm going to relocate the shelves to the outer edges, which will leave room to mount a fire extinguisher between them. Obviously, this kills the illumination from the overhead light, so I will use a cheapy magnetic mounted light. I like being able to move it around according to my load, so I don't have plans to hardwire one in. If you are interested in this setup, Bison-Gear is currently offering a package deal that is an $80 savings.
  
  
• Lensun 90W Flexible Solar Panel, Hood Mounted - I installed the panel to the hood and ran the cables into the cabin and left coiled up under the rear seat. Although I opted to purchase the MPPT Controller with the panel, I did not complete the connection as I opted to go with a Redarc BCDC charge controller that has solar input. More on that below.
  
  
• Wolfbox Front Camera - I had left the front camera cable positioned in the passenger footwell knowing I would be tackling the solar install at some point and would route the cables at the same time. So this has been completed and the camera will work great on "steps" and other hard to see ledges.
  
  
• Genesis OMEGA Dual Battery System - First a little history: Genesis has a really slick dual battery system for the Jeep. It was on my wish list for when I outgrew my Bluetti power station. As I was just about to pull the trigger on a Victron setup, Genesis released a kit for the Grenadier. It looked super clean and used all factory mounting points, so I chose to go this route. Also, I know their setup will be cleaner than anything I can workup in my garage so it was worth the small expense above the equipment costs. Additionally, I made the choice to go with an off-brand LiFePO battery and inverter. I am curious to see what the longevity and performance is and willing to risk the small investment. Now for the install experience...
  
  I'm an idiot and didn't pay close attention to their install video. Their prototype vehicle didn't have any options that required the additional LittleFuse block on the passenger side. They use those mounting points for the plate that holds the busbar and Redarc Smart Battery Monitor. I contacted Genesis and Shane responded immediately. I sent him some pictures of the area and he said he will start working on some options. He even came back with that he will likely trade his Grenadier for one that has the extra auxiliary switch pack. Without me prompting, he stated that he would ship me out a fix once they figure it out. Based on the quality of their other products, and his immediate response, I'm not upset. I lost a little time, but I also got to know the electrical setup a little better so some good came out of it. So, I had to jerry-rig up a solution to put the car back into daily driver use.
  
  As of now, I didn't install the inverter and solar charging isn't working. I may not have crimped the connectors correctly when running the Lensun cable. I haven't investigated it yet. Also note that the Wattcycle battery barely fits the space. The forward piece of plastic trim doesn't fit as a result. So, I would not recommend it based on the size, but I'm leaving it for now. I will be doing a backseat delete in the near future so I will likely need to rearrange some stuff anyways. Plus, I am curious to see what Genesis comes up with.
  
  When viewing the picture, yes it is messy, remember it is all temporary. If you put the seat down, it looks great!

 

[ppearman]

"Their prototype vehicle didn't have any options that required the additional LittleFuse block on the passenger side. They use those mounting points for the plate that holds the busbar and Redarc Smart Battery Monitor. "

I was going to order one of these too as it looked very clean, but noticed in the pictures that he didn't have the additional fuse block, so went another route.

 

[TCMColorado]

Does the Genesis system provide any features that are not present if using the GP Factor mounting kit and Redarc BCDC?

https://gp-factor.com/collections/i...-alpha-50-mounting-kit?variant=44134330663085

 

[theWhiskeyRebel]

From a quick glance at the GP-Factor kit, here is what I see is different. Note for ease of typing, I will refer to GP-Factor as GPF and the Genesis Omega as GO. All comments on the GO kit refer to "now" and not the potential location fix for the busbar and Redarc Smart Monitor.

• GPF includes 50A charger compared to GO's 25A
• GPF does not include the Redarc Smart Monitor
• GPF's mounting plate looks easier to install.
• GPF does not include a busbar - cheaply remedied with a quick visit to Amazon, plus you can mount it where it makes sense. The GO kit uses the mounting points occupied by the second LittleFuse box, so I have the busbar & SM resting on-top of the OMEGA lid.
• GPF kit is to be used with the removal of the factory AUX battery and CTEK unit. It also reuses slots on the LittleFuse box. The GO system is better suited models without the factory installed AUX battery.
• I believe both kits have "clean" wiring setups from the BCDC Charger, based on their use case.
• Neither system includes the ability to mount a fuse box, like BlueSea. You will either have to have your own mounting solution or use cables with inline fuses for all of your accessories.

Side note: Agile Offroad has a Universal Mounting Plate that would be large enough to mount the Charger and the Smart Monitor. Possibly the busbar also?

If I had the Factory Aux Battery, going with GP-Factor's kit seems like the winner. As it stands today, if you don't have that 2nd LittleFuse box, the Genesis Omega would be a clean setup. If you are in-between, I would lean towards getting the Agile Offroad plate and figure out how I would wire it all together.

Hope that helps?