The Expedition Overland Odin Is a Jeep Gladiator Ready for Ragnarok
If you’re looking for an off-road-ready pickup truck, it’s hard to compete with the Jeep Gladiator. Especially now that, in addition to the rock-crawling Rubicon, there’s now the dune-jumping Mojave. And just like the Wrangler it’s based on, the Gladiator is a popular platform for customization. Jeep itself has released a few Gladiator concepts, including the recent ‘Top Dog.’ But Expedition Overland’s ‘Odin’ may have one-upped it on the off-road front.
How Expedition Overland turned a Jeep Gladiator into ‘Odin’
Expedition Overland is technically headquartered in Montana. However, the film production company’s employees and cast members (current and former) come from all over. Expedition Overland has filmed inside and outside the US and built a small fleet of vehicles to carry crew and equipment. One of those is a Jeep Gladiator named ‘Odin.’
Expedition Overland’s Jeep Gladiator shares at least one thing with the ‘Top Dog’ concept, Motor Trend reports. That’s the PCOR cargo hold which takes the place of the truck bed. Also, like the concept, Odin has a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 hp under the hood, Automobile reports. But, while Expedition Overland’s Jeep Gladiator follows a similar overall approach to off-roading to the Top Dog, it arguably goes a bit further.
Odin is based on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, which already comes with a host of off-road features. For example, a skid plate, rock rails, electronically-disconnecting sway bars, a winch-ready bumper, and locking differentials. And naturally, it has 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case.
However, in place of the standard Fox shocks, Expedition Overland’s truck has Icon Stage 7 suspension and Icon wheels. The modified Gladiator also has a 2.5” lift kit and a rear air suspension system. And instead of the standard 33” all-terrain tires, it has 37” General Tire Grabber tires.
Odin’s list of add-ons doesn’t end there. It has an AEV snorkel, a Rigid Industries light bar and rock lights kit, AEV differential covers, and two Warn Zeon 10-S winches. Expedition Overland’s Jeep Gladiator also has custom side steps, an extra 17-gallon fuel tank, and an Eezi-Awn roof rack. That’s in addition to the 160W solar panel, chainsaw, shovel, recovery boards, and Eezi-Awn rooftop tent.
How does Expedition Overland’s Jeep Gladiator fare in off-roading and overlanding?
Expedition Overland has been using Odin for over a year as of this writing. But, while its modifications add up to great off-roading potential, overlanding is about more than just that.
So far, this Jeep Gladiator’s driven on the Pan-America Highway. It’s also served as the steed of choice for Expedition Overland’s journey from Mexico to Canada. Odin’s seen Montana, Arizona, and the Altar Desert. As of this writing, it has more than 20,000 miles under its belt.
Odin also serves as the company’s on-road production vehicle. That’s why it has both a battery manager and an Icom dual-band radio on board. So, while it can’t cook hot dogs like the Top Dog, it can travel further off-pavement to get them.
Can you get one of your own?
Expedition Overland’s Gladiator isn’t for sale. And even if it was, it wouldn’t be cheap. A base 2020 Gladiator Rubicon starts at $43,875. The tubular-steel version of the Icon suspension costs $5000 alone.
That being said, almost all of Odin’s parts are off-the-shelf components. The only exceptions are the custom vinyl decals and the CBI side steps. However, other companies make similar products. So, while you can’t get Odin, you can turn your own Jeep Gladiator into something similar.
Valhalla awaits.
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