A Gladiator That Changes With the Job
Whistler is our 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel, used for shop work, overland travel, and product development. Its bed layout has changed as we have tested storage, mounting, and enclosure ideas.
The photos document those different stages: an open rack carrying camp equipment, drawers and slides extending over the tailgate, and the Load-Bearing Enclosure (LBE) with exterior accessory mounts. Use them to compare layouts and access, then check the current components for your own truck.
Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon JT
Powertrain: 3.0L EcoDiesel, 8-speed automatic
Bed Systems: Rack, modular storage, and LBE development
Role: Shop truck and development vehicle
Compare the Open Rack and Enclosed Layouts
The earlier rack configuration carries equipment above the bed rails while leaving the load visible from the sides. Later photos show the LBE providing an enclosed upper storage area and mounting surfaces for accessories.
Those arrangements serve different packing needs. Start with the items you carry most often and decide which need enclosed storage, which need quick access, and how much bed space you want available for hauling. Whistler’s gallery records several answers to that question over time.
An earlier open-rack configuration with camp equipment packed above the bed rails.
Whistler with the LBE open and the rear cargo system accessible.
Build the LBE From the Bed Rails Up
The Gladiator Load-Bearing Enclosure mounts through AAL’s Bed Rail Attachment System. Install that rail system first, following the current instructions.
The enclosure uses 3mm aluminum panels with steel supports, locking latches, and seals designed for weather protection. Its gas struts hold the opening panel up for access. The photo shows how the open enclosure and the equipment below it share the rear working area.
Plan the complete combination before ordering. Bed racks, side MOLLE panels, and rooftop-tent brackets are configuration options on the current bundle page.
Bring the Bed Storage Into Reach
The development photos show red Milwaukee Packout cases, metal storage drawers, and sliding trays extending toward the open tailgate. The open rear view makes it easier to see what can be reached without climbing into the bed.
Plan around that access when choosing a layout. Check the travel of each drawer and slide, the tailgate’s opening path, and the equipment you need first at a stop. Fridge handles, lids, wiring, and ventilation also need room around them.
The gallery includes prototypes and earlier parts. Confirm the current product dimensions and mounting combination before reproducing a photographed setup.
Drawers and slides extended over the tailgate during development of the bed layout.
Recovery equipment mounted along the LBE’s side panel in an earlier photographed configuration.
Use the Outside for Equipment You Need to Reach
The LBE photos show equipment mounted along its sides, including recovery tools and a first-aid kit. Exterior mounting gives those items their own locations while keeping the enclosed storage available for other gear.
Choose mounts for the specific item and panel, then check clearances around doors, the tailgate, and nearby accessories. If you are adding a tent, confirm its mounting pattern against the LBE Rooftop Tent Brackets. The slotted brackets are not compatible with every tent.
See the Load-Bearing Enclosure
This short AAL product overview shows the enclosure and its construction. It complements the build photos without turning this page into an installation guide.
For another view of the equipped truck, watch the Gladiator LBE visual tour.
A Different Gladiator, a Different Job
AAL’s four e-bike transport clip documents a customer Gladiator using an LBE and 12-inch bed rack. It is a separate build, offered here as an example of another layout. Confirm your rack, mounts, equipment weight, and vehicle limits for the load you plan to carry.
Recorded Build Specifications
Vehicle
- Platform: Jeep Gladiator JT
- Trim: Rubicon
- Engine: 3.0L EcoDiesel Turbo
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Driveshafts: JE Reel
Suspension
- Lift: Teraflex Long Arm
- Shocks: Falcon 3.3
- Springs: Teraflex Overland Rear Springs
Wheels and Tires
- Tires: Nitto Ridge Grappler
- Size: 38×12.5R17
- Wheels: Teraflex Nomad
- Offset: -12mm
Build Priorities
- Lightweight components
- Modular, organized storage
- Long-distance travel and exploration
- Easy conversion back to an open truck bed
Questions About Whistler’s Bed Setup
What Does LBE Stand For?
Load-Bearing Enclosure, AAL’s bed enclosure for the Jeep Gladiator JT.
Do I Need the Bed Rail Attachment System?
Yes. The LBE instructions require the JT Bed Rail Attachment System to be installed first. Follow the current installation guide and have a second person available for the enclosure installation.
Do All the Photos Show the Same Configuration?
No. Whistler is a development vehicle. The galleries include an open rack, enclosed layouts, and prototype storage components from different stages.
Are the Pictured Accessories Included With the LBE?
Check the selected bundle contents. Racks, MOLLE panels, tent brackets, and the equipment attached to them are separate configuration choices.
Can You Help Plan a Similar Gladiator?
Use the questions button above the main photo. Include your model year, bed layout, fridge dimensions, equipment list, and whether you need space for a tent, bikes, or regular hauling.
Products Used in This Build
Bed Storage and Development Gallery
These photos document the open-rack and storage-development stages.
Whistler Build Archive
Exterior, LBE, interior, and trail photos from multiple stages of the build.
