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

[DanW]

I'm going to hook up my Tazer Mini and the security box extension wires for it. I hate getting under there....anyway, for now this is just to be able to turn off and forget that infernal ESS button.

I'm also going to sit and contemplate whether to go with the Mopar lift (Bilstein vs. Fox) or go for the AEV.

I'm gong to call AEV this week to get more info on the ride quality difference between the standard Dualsport 2.5 lift and the heavy duty spring 3.0. If it isn't much, I might just go with the HD. I just don't want a harsh ride. I drove my JL quite a bit yesterday and I do love the soft ride with the Mopar/Fox. The Gladiator with that combo rides even a little better. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

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[Jeeper44mag]

Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

I swear half the fun is planning for the next change!

Luis

 

[chorky]

I'm going to hook up my Tazer Mini and the security box extension wires for it. I hate getting under there....anyway, for now this is just to be able to turn off and forget that infernal ESS button.

I'm also going to sit and contemplate whether to go with the Mopar lift (Bilstein vs. Fox) or go for the AEV.

I'm gong to call AEV this week to get more info on the ride quality difference between the standard Dualsport 2.5 lift and the heavy duty spring 3.0. If it isn't much, I might just go with the HD. I just don't want a harsh ride. I drove my JL quite a bit yesterday and I do love the soft ride with the Mopar/Fox. The Gladiator with that combo rides even a little better. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

I will save you a phone call lol. Already talked with them a lot on that topic. They always say "it's not harsh" . They wont say anything different, but will admit that the HD springs are stiffer than the SD's - and of course this makes sense. Ride quality is SUPER subjective. What is soft to you may be super harsh to me. There is also no valving difference between their two shocks - the remote reservoir versions are only there for continual rapid shock movement and to keep the oil cool so it doesn't get hot and/or aerated and degrade performance. The shocks are good but IMO not the best. They are a digressive shock - meaning they are 'stiff' in the first portions of movement, but then as they get to their limits they become softer. Most shocks are either like this, or just linear - like Fox. You really need an external bypass shock to have a progressive shock feel - meaning soft first then firm the further it moves to its limits. The HD springs (I think) are actually like half an inch or so shorter than the SD springs, but being stiffer they sit taller installed. There have been a couple poeple say the HD springs are so stiff they hardly move - again subjective so who knows what that means. But the SD springs are rated to handle up to 400#'s over GVW. And the HD's up to 700 #'s over. I am on SD's but am in the HD category and it rides really nice (again subjective). I do feel the small bumps 'more', but I dont have that terrible rubicon bounce. And much of that is from the digressive shocks. I am willing to bet if a person slapped on a set of these (https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...-bypass-shock-front-passenger-side-2-3in-lift) the ride would be amazing.

At the end of the day, anything you do to make it handle more weight better, will make it feel 'stiffer'. The two are mutually inclusive. You can't have one without the other. But to sound like the AEV folks - it's not harsh. Sadly that's just the best way to put it.

Before you decide, try to calculate what weight you have 'normally' and what weight you have when fully outfitted for a trip to see where that puts things.

 

[GobiGuy]

Washed it and put a fresh coat of Gtechniq C2 on. The coating makes it much easier to clean, and keep clean. I reapply every 2-3 months.

 

[Mojave20]

Went through the bin that holds the winch remote, work gloves, and rachet straps. We have 2 Flambeau bins that *just* fit under the rear seat (link below). The other bin holds some water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, trashbag, gloves for cold weather.

The Flambeau bin: https://www.amazon.com/Flambeau-Tackle-Super-Half-Organizer/dp/B0060JNORG/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3VJMIKBE52D50&keywords=flambeau&qid=1702560740&sprefix=flambeau,aps,153&sr=8-8

Thanks for posting these. Fits great under the rear middle seat.

 

[DanW]

I will save you a phone call lol. Already talked with them a lot on that topic. They always say "it's not harsh" . They wont say anything different, but will admit that the HD springs are stiffer than the SD's - and of course this makes sense. Ride quality is SUPER subjective. What is soft to you may be super harsh to me. There is also no valving difference between their two shocks - the remote reservoir versions are only there for continual rapid shock movement and to keep the oil cool so it doesn't get hot and/or aerated and degrade performance. The shocks are good but IMO not the best. They are a digressive shock - meaning they are 'stiff' in the first portions of movement, but then as they get to their limits they become softer. Most shocks are either like this, or just linear - like Fox. You really need an external bypass shock to have a progressive shock feel - meaning soft first then firm the further it moves to its limits. The HD springs (I think) are actually like half an inch or so shorter than the SD springs, but being stiffer they sit taller installed. There have been a couple poeple say the HD springs are so stiff they hardly move - again subjective so who knows what that means. But the SD springs are rated to handle up to 400#'s over GVW. And the HD's up to 700 #'s over. I am on SD's but am in the HD category and it rides really nice (again subjective). I do feel the small bumps 'more', but I dont have that terrible rubicon bounce. And much of that is from the digressive shocks. I am willing to bet if a person slapped on a set of these (https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...-bypass-shock-front-passenger-side-2-3in-lift) the ride would be amazing.

At the end of the day, anything you do to make it handle more weight better, will make it feel 'stiffer'. The two are mutually inclusive. You can't have one without the other. But to sound like the AEV folks - it's not harsh. Sadly that's just the best way to put it.

Before you decide, try to calculate what weight you have 'normally' and what weight you have when fully outfitted for a trip to see where that puts things.

I really think that in 95% of my use, the standard duty will more than handle it. I may pull a camper in the 4.5 to 5k weight range (dry), so I was thinking the HD might be desireable. But really, I'm mostly sold on the SD.

In my Wranglers, I like both the AEV (Bilstein and stiffer springs) and the Mopar. So whatever I finally decide, I am sure I'll like it. Right now I am leaning slightly toward the AEV. But I have a month or so to decide.

 

[Gatorized]

We have 2 Flambeau bins that *just* fit under the rear seat (link below). The other bin holds some water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, trashbag, gloves for cold weather.



The Flambeau bin: https://www.amazon.com/Flambeau-Tackle-Super-Half-Organizer/dp/B0060JNORG/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3VJMIKBE52D50&keywords=flambeau&qid=1702560740&sprefix=flambeau,aps,153&sr=8-8

Did you remove the stock box under the seats to put the Flambeau things in?

Nope, they fit right in.

So disappointed - I mis-read your first post and thought you had a storage solution for under the ‘front’ seat accessible from the rear.

 

[MPMB]

So disappointed - I mis-read your first post and thought you had a storage solution for under the ‘front’ seat accessible from the rear.

that is disappointing.

the only thing that we have under the front seats on a continual basis is a little vacuum. One of those cheap AMZN jobs.

 

[SnazzGlad]

Oil change and tire rotation at the dealer yesterday. They do a good job just as long as I remind the service lady 5 not 6. That’s all I say lol. Installed one of these console things. I had an Amazon credit so I gave it a try for 25 bucks.

 

[Rusty PW]

Oil change and tire rotation at the dealer yesterday. They do a good job just as long as I remind the service lady 5 not 6. That’s all I say lol. Installed one of these console things. I had an Amazon credit so I gave it a try for 25 bucks.

Have one of those. Comes in handy.

 

[chorky]

Took a few more pics for funnies of the 'senior tech' repair job on the transfer. Hmm...senior tech huh?

Forgot to put the washer back on - probably lost it.

 

[cranbiz]

Only senior because he has been there the longest. Depending on the dealer, he might have a year of service.

 

[chorky]

Only senior because he has been there the longest. Depending on the dealer, he might have a year of service.

Back in the day when I worked for Ford the senior tech, was the trans guy, he had been there 35 years. Ended up dying from a heart attack one weekend. The next senior guy only did electrical. he was there for 30. Following that it was probably 2 or 3 more that had been there at least 20 years. Now-a-days I think any workplace would be lucky to have someone who has been there more than 5 years. Except the older workers getting ready to retire. Retention is something nobody seems to concentrate on or value anymore.

 

[Rusty PW]

Senior tech having senior moments.

 

[chorky]

Yeah... I debated with myself hard on if it was worth my time and stress level to go back and let them have it. I knew about those bolts the day I got it home. But it is unlikely (not impossible) to cause a problem. It's just unsightly and piss poor work quality and integrity. To me anyway. I also didn't want them screwing things up on purpose because I returned to complain. Yeah yeah, people don't do that right? Well, that's another reason I left Ford and the technician realm. I knew and saw people purposefully doing inappropriate things thinking it would result in the customer returning for yet a different problem.

I have trust issues.....

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