What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[HooliganActual]

Went from this:

To this:

It's the CoverKing Topliner. Full disclosure though, I am waiting to do the rear part of the shell until later in the week. My Rhino Rack Backbone should show up mid-week and I figure I will just wait to install the rear section of the Topliner and drill the holes for the Backbone while its all down on the ground.

I have to say, the Topliner is really nice. (Begin RANT)Their instructions left a lot to be desired though. The instruction sheet was literally a blank piece of paper with a URL on it that sends you to a YouTube video. I mean, come on, if the intent was to be "greener", you've already wasted a sheet of paper to print the URL on. The most important piece of information needed for the install is a GOOD diagram for the placement of the adhesive and the fairly decent video gives a very small picture-in-picture shot of the placement. They could have filled up the rest of the sheet with an actual diagram. Ooof!! Rant over....

Seriously though, having only installed the Topliner on the Freedom Panels so far, I kind of think Jeep/FCA/Stellantis/"whatever they call themselves today" should offer this, as a package option. I know they offer something similar but it is not full coverage.

BTW: Getting a lot of projects knocked out in anticipation for Overland Expo West. Planning to camp at the event and might even wind up with my rig in a booth (if it gets approved). Either way, it should be a good time!

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[Silverator]

Today (actually yesterday) :

- Terraflex Uinta bedrail system
- cmmoffroad RAM mount for iPAD mini Nav system
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 for Sat communication
- MORRflate multitire (4) Inflation / Deflation kit with TenSix compressor

- The Terriflex Uinta was a breeze to install after I tapped out all the bed liner clogged holes 6mmx1.0 tap. I really like it. Very beefy, and the moveable tie down points are sweet. Def. worth it. I made a pseudo wheel chock for my dirt bikes with an extra pair of tie down points.

- After obsession with Nav options and how to mount them, I ended up going with the cmmoffroad passenger side mount to the grab bar for an iPad mini. 2 minutes to install, clean, sweet, super simple to remove for day to day and unobtrusive for the passenger. There are a ton of dash and other options out there, and for me, this was the best. Now that I've seen their design in person, I will order ccmoffroads A Pillar mount for my phone and the Garmin asap. I have used the RAM mounts on dirt bikes for years, and they hold up spectacularly. The iPad mini 4 with cell/wi-fi is a nice size and doing the trick so far. Will start out running GAIA GPS.

- Also spend a lot of time researching airing up/down - weighing the (often) expensive options and getting it done smoothly and effectively. The MORRFlate stuff really does seem to be where things are headed. I will not mount it to the vehicle. It will reside in a couple of rubbermaid bins that will either ride in the back seat or get strapped down in the bed with the Uinta bedrail system.

Overall a good day. Took it out and did some navigation on the local NorAZ trails in the afternoon. Good times! Next up......front bumper and winch. Still confused with all the options out there. May hit up Summit for their recommendations.

PS - I tapped out those holes the RIGHT way - the way my machinist father showed me when I was a kid - by hand. Not how some of the install videos show with an impact wrench. I read several comments about broken bolts, stripped out holes, etc.. Do it right, and I experienced NONE of that. Oil the tap, clear it once or twice depending on how much bed liner crap has built up in the hole, and it's as strong as an ox.

 

[Freems]

I'll take the angry grill off your hands!

Trade for a stock grill (any color)?

 

[Summitsearcher]

Today (actually yesterday) :

- Terraflex Uinta bedrail system
- ccmoffroad RAM mount for iPAD mini Nav system
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 for Sat communication
- MORRflate multitire (4) Inflation / Deflation kit with TenSix compressor

- The Terriflex Uinta was a breeze to install after I tapped out all the bed liner clogged holes 6mmx1.0 tap. I really like it. Very beefy, and the moveable tie down points are sweet. Def. worth it. I made a pseudo wheel chock for my dirt bikes with an extra pair of tie down points.

- After obsession with Nav options and how to mount them, I ended up going with the ccmoffroad passenger side mount to the grab bar for an iPad mini. 2 minutes to install, clean, sweet, super simple to remove for day to day and unobtrusive for the passenger. There are a ton of dash and other options out there, and for me, this was the best. Now that I've seen their design in person, I will order ccmoffroads A Pillar mount for my phone and the Garmin asap. I have used the RAM mounts on dirt bikes for years, and they hold up spectacularly. The iPad mini 4 with cell/wi-fi is a nice size and doing the trick so far. Will start out running GAIA GPS.

- Also spend a lot of time researching airing up/down - weighing the (often) expensive options and getting it done smoothly and effectively. The MORRFlate stuff really does seem to be where things are headed. I will not mount it to the vehicle. It will reside in a couple of rubbermaid bins that will either ride in the back seat or get strapped down in the bed with the Uinta bedrail system.

Overall a good day. Took it out and did some navigation on the local NorAZ trails in the afternoon. Good times! Next up......front bumper and winch. Still confused with all the options out there. May hit up Summit for their recommendations.

?! Those bed rails are expensive. Look awesome but just too expensive for me to justify taking build money from something else. Just not enough money for this rig.

 

[313IFD]

Installed the @TeraFlex rear geometry correction brackets.
First drive - it feels less harsh and less hoppy in the back end and more planted. Maybe I'm imagining things, but it also feels like the Jeep rolls easier when coasting. Pinion angle thing maybe.

It's a pretty good workout to install, and I had to use a ratchet strap to pull things together to get the last LCA bolt in, but it's not awful. The right tools sure help. For example, torquing to 111 plus 90 degrees is easier when you can run that 90 degrees with the impact.

The only reason I can figure the smaller bolts are there is to perhaps prevent the span from bowing out under duress.

They're easier to get in with the wheel off, but you need the vehicle back on the wheels before you tighten the control arm bolts.

Since Mo was so clean and sparkly I drove him down to the far side of the front yard for a glamor shot.

I need a front yard that I can drive to - super jealous.

 

[Summitsearcher]

I need a front yard that I can drive to - super jealous.

Like mine?

 

[Silverator]

?! Those bed rails are expensive. Look awesome but just too expensive for me to justify taking build money from something else. Just not enough money for this rig.

I hear ya. Just Empty Every Pocket..... Not many options unfortunately. Still, I'm happy with the quality and ruggedness of them. And I agree completely, not enough money to get the rig where I want it. I've only had it a month, and I'm already overwhelmed at how much I've spent on tools, recovery, misc., etc..

 

[Summitsearcher]

I hear ya. Just Empty Every Pocket..... Not many options unfortunately. Still, I'm happy with the quality and ruggedness of them. And I agree completely, not enough money to get the rig where I want it. I've only had it a month, and I'm already overwhelmed at how much I've spent on tools, recovery, misc., etc..

Yep , by the time I do the Clayton, tires and side steps like @ShadowsPapa, I’m pretty much tapping out of this financial wrestling match and calling uncle.

 

[Lunentucker]

I need a front yard that I can drive to - super jealous.

Been here ten years now, and I'm nowhere near finished making it better, but it's coming along.
70 acres total. 2 miles of ATV/waling trails in the woods, stocked pond, food plots on the perimeters to attract wildlife. My last five bucks and I lost count on turkeys have come from the "yard".
My biggest buck lifetime was December 2019 and shot from the porch.

Wildflowers have been a fun and challenging project. They do very well mixed in the food plots and along the steep pond banks for beauty, erosion control, and lowered maintenance effort.

Eagles, ospreys, bears, bobcats, coyotes (unless I see them first),waterfowl in winter, and more.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Where did you get 5x5 plywood? Today's project was to do this with a 4x8 sheet, but now holding off to hear where you got 5x5.

I've only seen it in Baltic birch - for projects, cabinetry, etc. - not at home centers. The Woodsmith Store may have it.......
Baltic birch is best for making drawers, cabinets or things where you need no gaps, better fastening, etc.
I've bought it to make drill press table fences, accessories for my table saw and such where I needed a finer plywood. I've not bought 5x5 sheets, though. Find a good lumberyard or a store that caters to woodworkers, cabinet makers, people like that.

Anyway, on the power steps - my wife asked me "how did you get those lifted onto the truck?"
I told her - I used stuff I had laying around. I slid them onto the truck after lifting them once onto milk crates with lumber scraps stacked to get the tops of the stack to about 1/2" below the step mounting brackets.
I unbloxed them, set them onto cardboard on the floor to keep from scratching them (they already had scratches on them from the factory). I left the packing material in the boxes for strength and support, taped the boxes closed, laid the boxes on their sides - one on each side of the truck.
I then sat the steps on the laid down boxes and bolted on the extensions.
Setting milk crates next to the truck, I stacked wood blocks until the height was just right, then lifted the steps onto the stacks.
I could then pretty much just slide the steps into place, aiming the bolts into the rocker panel pinch weld holes. Once pushed into place, they were self-supporting.

A couple of comments on the steps, mostly the harness, switch bracket and the trim pieces you stick to the body -

The harness is almost too short on the right side. It's a real stretch to get from battery area back to the hole in the floor where the harness leads go up to the door switches. It works, but barely. On the Wrangler, I added length to the ground connection to reach the chassis ground.
On the JT - it's tight getting the positive lead to anything while the ground more than reaches the chassis ground.
On both the JLU and JT, I struggled to get the circuit board connection plugged in on the right side step. On the JT the wires are really stretched at the connector. I may extend the power lead a few inches so I can work the harness back farther and take some stress off the connector.
I hate wires pulled like these are - for one thing, it distorts the seals around the individual wires in the connector, leading to less sealing against water, not to mention the stress on the wires themselves.

The switch bracket is made for the U.S. Army's armored vehicles, I swear. What is it, 10 gauge steel? On the Wrangler, it digs into the factory fat wiring harness that goes behind the left kick panel from the dash. Similar on the JT. And with my wife having the seat forward, she's already bumped the switch which has little detent and is easily moved - turning them off. It bolts to the dash structure using the same screw that secures the OBD port bracket to the dash, so anything large plugged into the port could interfere. It's just not a great setup.

The instructions for the trim pieces say "1 3/4" (1.75") down from the door seal". I think they mean "SILL" but many people improperly pronounce it "seal" so maybe that's where that comes from. Anyway, 1 3/4" down from the door SILL, or flat part of the rocker panel makes more sense - but that's a rounded, radiused bend, so it's up to interpretation. I have found you are better off about 1 7/8" down from the flat top of the rocker panel (door sill).
1 3/4" barely puts the rubber bead between the top edge of the step and the Jeep's rocker panel. 1 3/4" works, just don't make it any less or you'll be disappointed.
I used a STRONG 1 3/4" and it worked ok. Looks fine.
Anyway, they say "door seal" - likely they mean door sill because the seal is way up in there.
You can see the tape I used to indicate 1 3/4" (1.75") down to line up the top of the trim piece you attach before the steps go on.

For anyone new to automotive body terms - rocker panel is the part that runs the length of the vehicle, between front and rear wheels, the top of which is usually the door sill, the lower portion is typically pinch welded or spot welded to the floor pan.
The term seems to have originated back in the 1920s. Maybe when a vehicle got hung up on something it rocked on them LOL
Jeep Wrangler style bodies have a different construction and multiple panels all meet in that area. It's less defined.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yep , by the time I do the Clayton, tires and side steps like @ShadowsPapa, I’m pretty much tapping out of this financial wrestling match and calling uncle.

No kidding! 5 grand worth of power steps between our two Jeeps........... ugh.
I didn't need heavy rails in my JT's bed so I bought the aircraft rails - aluminum, lower profile, maybe spent about $150 - $200 counting fasteners.
It helps that I made a lot of the smaller stuff for mine like the wiring stuff under the hood, did the snow plow install myself. (and that's why we didn't get any real snow this year)

I think mine is finally about where I want it for a while. My wife's JLU is to the point anything else will be some little nickel or dime thing, some convenience accessory for the inside. She like's them kept simple. I'll get a level II charger for it and wire that in, but that and a nice spare tire cover, that will be it, I'm sure.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Been here ten years now, and I'm nowhere near finished making it better, but it's coming along.
70 acres total. 2 miles of ATV/waling trails in the woods, stocked pond, food plots on the perimeters to attract wildlife. My last five bucks and I lost count on turkeys have come from the "yard".
My biggest buck lifetime was December 2019 and shot from the porch.

Wildflowers have been a fun and challenging project. They do very well mixed in the food plots and along the steep pond banks for beauty, erosion control, and lowered maintenance effort.

Eagles, ospreys, bears, bobcats, coyotes (unless I see them first),waterfowl in winter, and more.

I suspect 2 of our houses and my shop could fit into yours, not to mention how many times our 3 acre yard would fit in.......
My wife would be thrilled to no end to live in the middle of a section, no other house in view, surrounded by birds and trees.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Today (actually yesterday) :

- Terraflex Uinta bedrail system
- cmmoffroad RAM mount for iPAD mini Nav system
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 for Sat communication
- MORRflate multitire (4) Inflation / Deflation kit with TenSix compressor

- The Terriflex Uinta was a breeze to install after I tapped out all the bed liner clogged holes 6mmx1.0 tap. I really like it. Very beefy, and the moveable tie down points are sweet. Def. worth it. I made a pseudo wheel chock for my dirt bikes with an extra pair of tie down points.

- After obsession with Nav options and how to mount them, I ended up going with the cmmoffroad passenger side mount to the grab bar for an iPad mini. 2 minutes to install, clean, sweet, super simple to remove for day to day and unobtrusive for the passenger. There are a ton of dash and other options out there, and for me, this was the best. Now that I've seen their design in person, I will order ccmoffroads A Pillar mount for my phone and the Garmin asap. I have used the RAM mounts on dirt bikes for years, and they hold up spectacularly. The iPad mini 4 with cell/wi-fi is a nice size and doing the trick so far. Will start out running GAIA GPS.

- Also spend a lot of time researching airing up/down - weighing the (often) expensive options and getting it done smoothly and effectively. The MORRFlate stuff really does seem to be where things are headed. I will not mount it to the vehicle. It will reside in a couple of rubbermaid bins that will either ride in the back seat or get strapped down in the bed with the Uinta bedrail system.

Overall a good day. Took it out and did some navigation on the local NorAZ trails in the afternoon. Good times! Next up......front bumper and winch. Still confused with all the options out there. May hit up Summit for their recommendations.

PS - I tapped out those holes the RIGHT way - the way my machinist father showed me when I was a kid - by hand. Not how some of the install videos show with an impact wrench. I read several comments about broken bolts, stripped out holes, etc.. Do it right, and I experienced NONE of that. Oil the tap, clear it once or twice depending on how much bed liner crap has built up in the hole, and it's as strong as an ox.

Very nice work.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Been here ten years now, and I'm nowhere near finished making it better, but it's coming along.
70 acres total. 2 miles of ATV/waling trails in the woods, stocked pond, food plots on the perimeters to attract wildlife. My last five bucks and I lost count on turkeys have come from the "yard".
My biggest buck lifetime was December 2019 and shot from the porch.

Wildflowers have been a fun and challenging project. They do very well mixed in the food plots and along the steep pond banks for beauty, erosion control, and lowered maintenance effort.

Eagles, ospreys, bears, bobcats, coyotes (unless I see them first),waterfowl in winter, and more.

Gorgeous property.

 

[chorky]

Been here ten years now, and I'm nowhere near finished making it better, but it's coming along.
70 acres total. 2 miles of ATV/waling trails in the woods, stocked pond, food plots on the perimeters to attract wildlife. My last five bucks and I lost count on turkeys have come from the "yard".
My biggest buck lifetime was December 2019 and shot from the porch.

Wildflowers have been a fun and challenging project. They do very well mixed in the food plots and along the steep pond banks for beauty, erosion control, and lowered maintenance effort.

Eagles, ospreys, bears, bobcats, coyotes (unless I see them first),waterfowl in winter, and more.

Man what an awesome place!!!!

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