Quadratec 50 for 50 JTe
Single Cab Long Bed Hybrid Jeep Truck
If you’re a diehard Jeep person you’ve probably dreamt about a single-cab, Wrangler-based pickup truck with a useable size bed. The Gladiator is cool, but only comes in a 4-door, short-bed configuration. Push that dreaming a bit more and the Jeep truck would be rolling on 37s, have full armor, custom paint, and a custom interior. And, if you dreamt really big, it would also have impressive fuel economy and nearly silent off-road capability. Well, Quadratec and custom Jeep fabricator Greg Henderson at Unofficial Use Only dreamt really big and created the JTe! Taking it up a notch even further on the cool scale is Quadratec’s initiative, in partnership with Tread Lightly!, for this custom dream Jeep truck to be used to clean up off-road trails across the country.
Quadratec 50-for-50
What Quadratec and Henderson created is the JTe, or Jeep truck 4Xe, a single cab long bed plug-in hybrid with real off-road capabilities. The build has a 50-for-50 theme, to align with its mission with Tread Lightly of cleaning up 50 trails in 50 states over a 24-month period.
What Quadratec and Henderson created is the JTe, or Jeep truck 4Xe, a single cab long bed plug-in hybrid with real off-road capabilities.
The JTe has a full custom paint job, with accent graphics in vinyl.
50-for-50 JTe
This impressive vehicle started life as a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4Xe Rubicon, arguably the most off-road capable Jeep to roll off the assembly line. The cab was then chopped, just behind the front doors, and the rear half removed.
This impressive vehicle started life as a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4Xe Rubicon… The cab was then chopped, just behind the front doors, and the rear half removed.
The cab was then buttoned up using all factory Mopar replacement parts. This included the rear section of the cab, roll bars, and interior panels. A hardtop from a Jeep Gladiator was modified to fit properly on this shortened cab, even retaining full functionality of the freedom panels.
There are few obstacles that could stand in the way of this full outfitted PHEV Jeep.
A hardtop from a Jeep Gladiator was modified to fit properly on this shortened cab, even retaining full functionality of the freedom panels.
The next step was fitting a factory Jeep Gladiator bed. This required some impressive fabrication work. When aligned over the rear wheels of the Wrangler, there was a 10.5-inch gap to the newly closed off cab. Factory sheet metal provides a clean OEM look to the now custom Jeep long bed.
After completing all the body work, the JTe headed off to Red’s Bodyworks for a full custom “Quadratec Green” paint job. Some vinyl graphics help tie the theme all together.
Oracle flush mounted taillights and a rear winch behind the license plate are highlights at the back of the JTe.
More Capability
With all that custom body work and shiny paint, it was impossible to not upgrade the JTe with a full host of Quadratec products and more.
The JTe rolls on 37-inch Nitto Recon Grappler A/T tires wrapped around 17-inch Lynx Trail Gunner wheels in bronze. Also, the truck bed houses a full-size spare tire.
Those big meaty tires fit under the truck courtesy of a Lynx 2.5-inch suspension lift system with adjustable control arms, and work properly thanks to Steersmarts steering components. Quadratec high clearance fenders and Quadratec JL front inner fender liners also help the big tires fit properly.
A full-size spare is mounted in the truck bed.
Up front a Carnivore Series bumper mounts up with a 12k Res-Q winch with synthetic cable. Out back there is a modified JL Carnivore series bumper with a hidden 9k Res-Q winch, with remote solenoid mounted under the bed. The rear winch could be for recovery, but it will more likely pull trash off the trail.
A Lynx 2.5-inch suspension lift enables the big tires to work properly off road.
A custom Lost Canyon bed rack with Jack and Rotopax mounts completes the truck’s looks. It adds some classic style to the build, and it also adds a place to mount some chase lights. Speaking of lighting, the Quadratec JTe has a fully upgraded lighting package throughout. A Quadratec J5 50-inch lightbar mounts up behind the front windshield — a stealthy setup. The OEM headlights got an upgrade to Quadratec Premium LED Projector Series headlights. Out back, Oracle flush mounted tail lamps address one of the Gladiators most prone-to-trail-damage areas, the protruding OEM taillights.
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- The 17-inch Lynx Trail Gunner wheels are wrapped in 37-inch Nitto Recon Grappler A/T tires.
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- The interior is kept pretty stock, but with a few OEM+ touches.
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- Even the headlights have been upgraded.
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- The hybrid battery pack remains in its stock location, but instead of being under rear seats, it is now under the front of the bed.
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- Quadratec inner fender liners help keep a tidy look and some of the dirt out of the engine bay.
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- A Lynx 2.5-inch suspension lift enables the big tires to work properly off road.
Custom Truck, Custom Interior
Of course, the interior needed upgrades to match the clean OEM+ exterior and further the 50-for-50 theme. First up are custom embroidered Katskinz seat covers. To match the sand color seat accents, they painted the passenger side dash plate.
Custom 3D printed lower Unofficial Use Only door storage bins fit in to the doors. To keep storage tidy in the small single-cab truck, custom Overland Outfitters storage bags fit behind the seats.
A massive Alpine 9-inch multimedia restyle system dominates the dash. But, besides those tasteful updates the rest of the JTe’s interior looks factory fresh, even though much of it was custom from factory parts.
To make sure that the interior stays nice when the JTe is out on the trail doing cleanup programs, Quadratec Ultimate Floor Liners finish out the build.
This Jeep truck was built to do trail work and look amazing doing it.
JTe Life
The JTe was on display in the Quadratec booth and also competed in the 2022 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Out of 164 entrants, the JTe made it into the round of 40 against some of the best custom vehicles on the planet. After SEMA Show 2022, the build started its tour with Tread Lightly and has already led many trail cleanups. You’re likely to see it in the Tread Lightly booth at the next off-road event near you and out on the trail doing cleanup work.
A Carnivor series front JL bumper provides a secure mount for a 12k Res-Q winch.
Quadratec JTe
Main Components: 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4Xe Rubicon, Jeep Gladiator Bed, Mopar Body Panels & Interior Trim Panels & Roll Cage
Wheels & Tires: 17” Lynx Trail Gunner Wheels, Nitto 37” Recon Grappler A/T Tires (37×12.5R17)
Suspension: Lynx 2.5” Suspension Lift,
Steering: Steersmarts Steering Components
Exterior Accessories: Carnivore Front & Rear Bumpers, Quadratec High Clearance Fender Kit & Front Inner Fender Liners, 12K Res-Q Winch, 9k Res-Q Winch, Lost Canyon Bed Rack w/ Custom Jack Mount & Rotopax Water Containers, Quadratec J5 50” Light Bar, Oracle Taillghts
Interior Upgrades: Custom Katskinz Seat Covers, Alpine i509-WRA-JL 9” Multimedia Dash Restyle System, Quadratec Ultimate Floor Liners, Overland Outfitters Custom Storage Bag
Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in the TREAD March/April 2022 issue.
