DOUBLE black diamonds are a symbol recognised all over the world. From extreme enduro trail bike riders to Olympic-level downhill skiers, those two black diamonds at the start of the trail indicate this track ain't like the others. It'll push them to their limits. Beyond what most would consider achievable, and offer ultimate bragging rights to all who conquer it. It's no surprise that in the land of extreme off-road Jeeps, Aussie-based Double Black Off Road (DBOR) has that same reputation for taking things to the next level.
What you're looking at is one of the biggest and baddest Jeeps in the country. A 2021-plated Gladiator Rubicon with some insane modifications in places you'd never expect, and factory gear in places that'll surprise you. The perfect platform to show off not only how capable the Gladiator is from the factory, but how Double Black Off Road can bolt together an even better version.
UNDER THE SKIN
FOR Jeep-heads, what's hiding under the skin here should be of no surprise. To everyone else, following that Rugged Ridge AmFib Snorkel down through the guards leads to the same 209kW 3.6L V6 and eight-speed auto combo found in all current Aussie-market Jeeps. From here, the Rubicon badge kicks things down a gear. The 'Rock-Trac' 4x4 systems sports an epic 77.2:1 crawl ratio thanks to lower 4:1 gears in the transfer case; the base model Jeeps make do with a paltry 2.72:1.
Power is sent front and back through DBOR-tweaked driveshafts to heavy-duty Dana M210 and M220 axles, a serious upgrade over the M186 and M200 axles found in non-Rubicon models. In true Rubicon fashion, both front and rear diffs have 4.1:1 diff centres wrapped around factory lockers, providing serious crawl control compared to the 3.45:1 and open diff combo in the lower tiers. But that's about where stock ends.
This story is from the July 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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This story is from the July 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON