2023 Mojave Gladiator Build - Metalcloak, ARB, Fox, RSI, Warn, Solis, 813 Fab...

[cajun]

Well, I finally got around to taking some pics of phase 1 completion. 2023 Mojave 3.6, added:

• Metalcloak 2.5" Gamechanger (with stock shocks)
• Metalcloak tie rod
• Metalcloak HD drag link
• Fox ATS Steering stabilizer
• RSI Smartcap
• ARB Full length Bondi front bumper and skid plate
• ARB Full length rear bumper
• Warn Evo 10S
• ARB Intensity Solis 36 spot/flood combo aux lights
• 813 Fab molle panels for full bed
• Toyo Open Country RT Trail 35 x 12.50

I have a couple thousand miles on it now, and I love it. Only thing I would consider doing differently is tire size. The 35s look small to me, but i was not prepared to regear a brand new Mojave, but might be in future phases. Prior to the lift and steering upgrades, I noticed some sloppiness in the steering and mile lane wandering, and following mods, I have experienced none to my utter shock.... it drives better than stock. With the lift and larger tires, I saw about 5" of lift in front and 4.25" in rear, inclusive of all the added weight (front added about 250 lbs and rear a bit more with cap and bumper). I was able to re-use Mojave factory skid in addition to the skid that comes with the ARB bumper, but had to mount it a bit lower and fashion some spacers.... I commented on that process in another thread.

Hope you all enjoy, and if you have any questions, I would be happy to help provide info.

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[Hootbro]

I think the tires look fine. Nice setup!

 

[antwon412]

You got 5 inches of lift out of an advertised 2.5 inch kit?

That is such BS. I don’t understand how companies get away with that garbage.

 

[aFatBird]

You got 5 inches of lift out of an advertised 2.5 inch kit?

That is such BS. I don’t understand how companies get away with that garbage.

Tires add to the total lift btw. So he got a net total of 5 inches.

 

[MojaveLawyer]

Well, I finally got around to taking some pics of phase 1 completion. 2023 Mojave 3.6, added:

• Metalcloak 2.5" Gamechanger (with stock shocks)
• Metalcloak tie rod
• Metalcloak HD drag link
• Fox ATS Steering stabilizer
• RSI Smartcap
• ARB Full length Bondi front bumper and skid plate
• ARB Full length rear bumper
• Warn Evo 10S
• ARB Intensity Solis 36 spot/flood combo aux lights
• 813 Fab molle panels for full bed
• Toyo Open Country RT Trail 35 x 12.50

I have a couple thousand miles on it now, and I love it. Only thing I would consider doing differently is tire size. The 35s look small to me, but i was not prepared to regear a brand new Mojave, but might be in future phases. Prior to the lift and steering upgrades, I noticed some sloppiness in the steering and mile lane wandering, and following mods, I have experienced none to my utter shock.... it drives better than stock. With the lift and larger tires, I saw about 5" of lift in front and 4.25" in rear, inclusive of all the added weight (front added about 250 lbs and rear a bit more with cap and bumper). I was able to re-use Mojave factory skid in addition to the skid that comes with the ARB bumper, but had to mount it a bit lower and fashion some spacers.... I commented on that process in another thread.

Hope you all enjoy, and if you have any questions, I would be happy to help provide info.

LOVE the build, Cajun!

Can you send me that link to that skid plate post? I think I want to do the same to mine, since yours looks sharp with it on! Thanks!

X

 

[cajun]

Tires add to the total lift btw. So he got a net total of 5 inches.

This is accurate. The tires went from smaller OEM 33's to larger Toyo 35's, on factory wheels. This accounts for the extra lift. Honestly I was expecting the weight of the new bumpers, winch, cap, etc to offset some of that lift, but those Metalcloak springs are heavy duty and barely budged

 

[cajun]

LOVE the build, Cajun!

Can you send me that link to that skid plate post? I think I want to do the same to mine, since yours looks sharp with it on! Thanks!

X

Thanks!!! Link to the post is here: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/arb-deluxe-bumper-winch-options.57194/post-1224636

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[KevinC]

I like how your build is going, good quality parts make a huge difference.

37" tires and 4.10 is very doable, but with the weight you are carrying it was probably a good idea to stay in the 35" range.

 

[Bocephus!]

Love the build ! also looks a lot like my Rubicon Build

 

[cajun]

I like how your build is going, good quality parts make a huge difference.

37" tires and 4.10 is very doable, but with the weight you are carrying it was probably a good idea to stay in the 35" range.

I agree.... its just my OCD making those 35s look small, but it drives great and I do LOVE it.

 

[cajun]

Love the build ! also looks a lot like my Rubicon Build

thanks!

 

[Flyin6]

I like how your build is going, good quality parts make a huge difference.

37" tires and 4.10 is very doable, but with the weight you are carrying, it was probably a good idea to stay in the 35" range.

Respectfully I completely disagree. 4.10 and 37" you would have to be going downhill at 70 to see 8th gear. My AEV JT470 came stock with 4.56 and 37" tires and the gear was WOEFULLY inadequate. I had to install 5.13 to finally be able to use 8th gear.

Or did I miss something? As in the truck in question has a diesel? If so my bad ;-)

 

[Warped]

Respectfully I completely disagree. 4.10 and 37" you would have to be going downhill at 70 to see 8th gear. My AEV JT470 came stock with 4.56 and 37" tires and the gear was WOEFULLY inadequate. I had to install 5.13 to finally be able to use 8th gear.

Or did I miss something? As in the truck in question has a diesel? If so my bad ;-)

Huh? My JL370 from AEV (4.56) runs just fine in 8th gear with the 37s. I would never say that it was inadequate, let alone "woefully in adequate". Would 5:13s be better? Sure, but I find my gearing well made for it and the rocks, streams, hills, dirt, sand, etc that the JL370 has been through.

A friend of mine has the standard gearing for a Sahara (3.73?) with 37s. I was surprised at how well the automatic handles it, but his is strictly a pavement princess. I would not recommend that gearing, but 4.10s should see 8th gear on flat land.

 

[KevinC]

Respectfully I completely disagree. 4.10 and 37" you would have to be going downhill at 70 to see 8th gear. My AEV JT470 came stock with 4.56 and 37" tires and the gear was WOEFULLY inadequate. I had to install 5.13 to finally be able to use 8th gear.

Or did I miss something? As in the truck in question has a diesel? If so my bad ;-)

Huh? I respectfully disagree with your disagree (I'm having fun, don't get upset)

I have 37x12.50x17 BFG KO2's on stock 7.5 wheels. 3.6 Gas. At 55mph I am in 8th gear. Even on slight hills if I feather the gas to maintain speed it will stay in 8th. Granted I'm in Florida and everyone will say we don't have hills here. So, yes I've ventured out of state and traveled I75 and I95 North. A cruise speed of 72mph I will stay on 8th until a hill and it will then drop down to 7th. Never seen 6th except on a couple of bigger ones.

 

[Flyin6]

Huh? My JL370 from AEV (4.56) runs just fine in 8th gear with the 37s. I would never say that it was inadequate, let alone "woefully in adequate". Would 5:13s be better? Sure, but I find my gearing well made for it and the rocks, streams, hills, dirt, sand, etc that the JL370 has been through.

A friend of mine has the standard gearing for a Sahara (3.73?) with 37s. I was surprised at how well the automatic handles it, but his is strictly a pavement princess. I would not recommend that gearing, but 4.10s should see 8th gear on flat land.

We can easily agree to disagree. I have a thread on this forum about all that, some 20 pages long where we beat the subject to death, resurrect it then kill it again. I stand firm on what I said. Stemming from my experience with my JT, 4.56 and 37's was awful. Always shifting all over and never in 8th on the highway except going downhill. I imagine 4.10 and 37's would be really bad.
But isn't this subjective? What you think is OK (Up and down shifting all the time) I consider untenable. No way to objectively measure what is OK or acceptable, right? And for me these little V6 gassers have minimal power and pushing a tall heavy 37 at highway speeds (for me) was a nightmare. And I only went across the United States in it, so I literally have highway experience from the Atlantic to almost the Pacific time zone.

Another point: Not apples to apples. I am commenting about a JT (heavier) while you responded with experience from a more aerodynamic and lighter JL. Not the same animal, so how do you qualify your comments exactly? Not calling you out just pointing out facts that prevent an actual comparison. Equals flawed information. GIGO (Garbage in = garbage out) as we say in aviation.

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