First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA

mtbgordon · Oct 18, 2025

Went out yesterday with the wife and a couple to ride the trails at Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Township, PA. This is my 2024 Nighthawk with some suspension and Wheel/Tire upgrades with stock gearing. Going in next week for 4.88 upgrade and a Detroit TruTrac LSD in the front.

I wanted a control to see how capable this was before the upgrade. I was blown away! Don't be afraid to get out there and get your Jeep dirty! I will have some other footage to upload!

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0164

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0161

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0170

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0175

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_7279

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_7284

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0214

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0212

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0216

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0217

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_0218

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_7315

mtbgordon · Oct 18, 2025

Maximus Gladius · Oct 18, 2025

mtbgordon said:
Went out yesterday with the wife and a couple to ride the trails at Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Township, PA. This is my 2024 Nighthawk with some suspension and Wheel/Tire upgrades with stock gearing. Going in next week for 4.88 upgrade and a Detroit TruTrac LSD in the front.

I wanted a control to see how capable this was before the upgrade. I was blown away! Don't be afraid to get out there and get your Jeep dirty! I will have some other footage to upload!

I pushed through water as high as that and the front differential had a nice layer of mud in it. Have a look at your front diff breather hose, it could go higher but it doesn’t. I’d be pulling off the front diff cover and give it a clean.

mtbgordon · Oct 18, 2025

Maximus Gladius said:
I pushed through water as high as that and the front differential had a nice layer of mud in it. Have a look at your front diff breather hose, it could go higher but it doesn’t. I’d be pulling off the front diff cover and give it a clean.

Thank you for the heads up, will take a closer look today as I am cleaning the vehicle up.

Maximus Gladius · Oct 18, 2025

mtbgordon said:
Thank you for the heads up, will take a closer look today as I am cleaning the vehicle up.

Here a couple pics of the one time I did this and a bunch of mud got in the diff.

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_5284

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_5283

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_5285

Jeep Gladiator First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA IMG_5286

GeneralMaximus · Oct 19, 2025

Maximus Gladius said:
Here a couple pics of the one time I did this and a bunch of mud got in the diff.

As much fun as mudding is, im glad we dont have mud out here in the desert. Having to clean out that differential after, would be a PITA.

Maximus Gladius · Oct 19, 2025

GeneralMaximus said:
As much fun as mudding is, im glad we dont have mud out here in the desert. Having to clean out that differential after, would be a PITA.

Yes it was…and the rad by taking off the skid plate, front plastic grill, fan housing, hose out the rad from both sides and all underneath and the transmission heater/cooler and and ….

Alpine Warthog · Oct 20, 2025

GeneralMaximus said:
As much fun as mudding is, im glad we dont have mud out here in the desert. Having to clean out that differential after, would be a PITA.

and expensive. gear lube still isn't cheap... I HATE MUD... But that's mainly PTSD from trying to get the HMMWVs clean enough to pass inspection after being in the field! :angry:

LOL

mtbgordon · Oct 24, 2025

Inspected the diffs before it went in for re-gearing. No issues with water intrusion surprisingly. I am going to drain and refill the transfer case just in case. The vent for my front diff actually goes up above the top of the front shocks not sure if it sat lower on prior models to 2024. On another note 4.88 gears with 315/70/17 tires is perfect. I see 8th gear all the time.

Janster · Oct 24, 2025

GeneralMaximus said:
As much fun as mudding is, im glad we dont have mud out here in the desert. Having to clean out that differential after, would be a PITA.

I never had any problems with mud in the diffs (or tranny, or tcase) but….. All that mud isn’t nice on bearings or seals either.

mtbgordon · Oct 24, 2025

Janster said:
I never had any problems with mud in the diffs (or tranny, or tcase) but….. All that mud isn’t nice on bearings or seals either.

Let’s just say I will avoid the water fording, unless absolutely necessary. Too much cleanup!

First Real Off-Road Shake Down @ AOAA

mtbgordon

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