Face the Apocalypse Head-On with Face-Swapped Jeep Gladiator Pickup
This supercharged current-generation Gladiator wears the nose of an old J series Gladiator.
Whether you're faced with trying to outrun an onslaught of mildly threatening and remarkably slow-moving zombies like those depicted inThe Walking Dead,or you somehow end up as the last survivor of a global meltdown, this highly customized 2020Jeep Gladiator might be your ticket to survival. Or, at the very least, you'll look pretty cool as society crumbles—or, you know, as you tip-toe through your local Target parking lot before that happens.
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Built by the automotive customization aces at Starwood Motors and topped with the group's signature textured matte exterior treatment, this Gladiator is packed with custom modifications from top to bottom. In fact, those that aren't familiar with its converted bits or the Jeep Gladiator's profile will probably have no idea what they're looking at. The custom build-up is on the auction block starting this Thursday at Mecum Auto Auctions' Tulsa event, which runs through Saturday, June 11.
The most striking update is the Kaiser Bandit conversion which takes the kisser from the original SJ chassis Jeep J-series Gladiator and plants it on Jeep's modern version. In this instance, custom round JK chassis headlights were used, and the front bumper was replaced by an XRC JL unit. AMP Research running boards offer user functionality while also bulking up the flanks to match the rest of the build.
Obviously, a lift was in order and that's taken care of by an Enforcer Stage 1 kit backed by King dual-reservoir shocks that result in an additional 4.5 inches of clearance. Add to that a set of 17-inch Method wheels wrapped in meaty 37x13.5 Toyo ATX tires and the truck's attitude is properly transformed.
Additional touches to keep you prepared in the field include an XRC 9.5K winch and rear bumper with tire carrier, Rigid 50-in. LED light bar and windshield puck lights, and complete audio system by Alpine because how else are you going to spot and scare those zombies? RLD Designs' stainless steel bed cap is also included and is fitted with a roof rack for carrying additional supplies (or Target bags).
Pushing all that additional weight and those oversized tires on and off the roads meant some additional grunt would be needed. Enter the Magnuson TVS1900 roots-style supercharger, paired with 3.73 gearing to help further motivate the Jeep. There is an estimated 425 hp on tap.
Inside, the cabin remains factory issue except for an Overland leather interior treatment and the aforementioned audio system. That means there's still plenty of room to mount your flame thrower button, smoke screen, and laser activation switches, and maybe a footprint-shaped gas pedal. If you're in the market for something completely custom that you'll never have to worry about parking next to at your local Piggly Wiggly, this is your calling. Available through this week's Mecum Auto Auctions Tulsa event.
