Fab Fours Overland Rack Adds Storage to Project American Gladiator

AS SEEN IN OUR JULY/AUGUST 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now!

Storage Solutions for Gladiator Owners

Tread magazine’s American Gladiator has come a long way, and if you’ve been following along, you already know we haven’t been taking it easy on this build. What started as a solid platform has slowly turned into a do-it-all rig that can handle daily driving, weekend cruising, and getting out into the dirt when it’s time to unplug.

Up to this point, we’ve laid down a strong foundation. The Skyjacker 2.5-inch lift kit gave us te height and clearance we needed to step up into a set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in 37-inch Kenda tires, which completely changed the stance and capability of the truck. From there, we added Attica 4×4 front and rear bumpers for protection and a more aggressive look, followed by Wilwood brakes to bring everything to a stop with confidence. Out back, Air Lift helper bags level things out when the bed gets loaded, and inside, the JL Audio system made sure the soundtrack matched the build.

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But here’s the thing; once you start actually using a truck like this, you realize pretty quickly that capability isn’t just about suspension and tires. It’s about how you carry your gear.

That brings us to this issue.

We’re stepping into the overland side of things with the addition of a Fab Fours overland rack for the Gladiator. If you’re into kayaking, camping, or just loading up for a weekend trip, you already know that bed space disappears fast. Coolers, gear bags, tools—it all stacks up quickly. This rack changes the game by opening up a whole new layer of usable space above the bed.

Right out of the box, we were impressed. The packaging was solid, the hardware was organized, and everything about the design just made sense. The install itself? Straightforward. No guessing, no fighting parts that don’t want to line up. It’s a true bolt-on setup that you can knock out in the garage without turning it into a full weekend project.

What really stood out was the build quality. The steel is thick, the welds are clean, and the powdercoating is no joke. It has a deep, durable finish that looks like it’ll hold up to real use, not just parking lot duty. Once installed, the rack feels like it belongs on the truck and not like an afterthought.

Functionality is exactly what this build needed. Whether it’s strapping down a kayak, mounting recovery gear, or just freeing up bed space, the Fab Fours rack gives the Gladiator a whole new level of versatility.

Sources

Fab Fours —803-416-1100 —www.fabfours.com

Fab Fours Overland rack — Here’s how we last left our American Gladiator—sitting on a 2.5-inch Skyjacker lift and 35-inch Nitto tires. Good, but not good enough!

The 37×12.50R22 Kenda Kleaver R/T tires wrapped around our 22-inch American Force wheels were the first upgrade on Project Gladiator, instantly giving it a more aggressive stance and a bold, show-ready presence.

Now we can move to the opposite side and repeat the process.

This bracket mounts to the factory-threaded holes at the front of the bed, under the back window.

The hardware to mount this bracket comes with this kit, so be sure to use the washers provided.

Using a ½-inch socket wrench, attach the tube assemblies to the base assemblies using the provided three 5/16-inch yellow zinc steel bolts, flat and lock washers, and nuts.

Next we can place the rear assembly between the tube assemblies.

Using a ½-inch socket wrench with a 3/16-inch Allen wrench to attach six 5/16-inch stainless steel button head bolts with flat and lock washers and nuts.

Using a ½-inch socket wrench and 3/16-inch Allen wrench, we loosely installed six 5/16-inch stainless steel button head bolts with flat and lock washers and nuts.

Using a ½-inch socket wrench and 3/16-inch Allen wrench, she installed the two 5/16-inch stainless steel button head bolts with flat and lock washers and nuts.

With the Fab Fours overland rack fully installed and the 22-inch wheels wrapped in 37-inch Kenda Kleavers, our American Gladiator now has the stance and storage to back up its do-it-all attitude.

A closer look at the Fab Fours rack with a kayak mounted shows just how functional this setup is, with plenty of mounting points and tie-down locations to secure gear no matter where the road, or water, takes you.

Coming up in the next issue, we dive deep into the world of tube doors, as well as adding some fun patriotic graphics to project American Gladiator. Stay tuned!

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Chris Hamilton

Chris Hamilton is an automotive journalist, editor, and lifelong truck enthusiast with extensive experience covering custom truck builds, fabrication, performance upgrades, aftermarket products, and a ...