Happy but Nervous

[mtbjeeper]

Here is a pic of my new-to-me 2020 JTR 6sd.

I’m really happy because I’ve wanted one for a really long time, and when I finally got it wow was I surprised at how sweet it drove! The clutch and mechanisms are so much tighter, smoother and quieter than my 2018 JL that it feels like I’m in an automatic. Additionally, the steering and suspension are, for lack of a better word, amazing for what the vehicle is.

So here’s why I’m nervous: it went under the knife this week for the lift and some other goodies. I know from experience with my JL that this can be a real rabbit hole trying to get good drivability back.

My JL has about 80% of its road manners back. I’m ok with that because it is more set up for off-road and is fairly heavy. I’ll take that as a win, but it was not easy getting to that point.

I hope that with everything I’ve learned I can head most of the gremlins off at the onset of the build but at night I can hear that rabbit hole calling my name.

I only drove the gladiator about a week before it went to the shop and I was really tempted to not touch it, but I don’t have to tell you guys how sweet they look with a lift and a little more rubber. Too tempting, so I jumped back in.

Looking forward to sharing pics of the build and stoked to be part of the group.

Cheers - Mike

Sponsored

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Congrats, Nice rig, Yes, sir. Its a very deep hole!! Get a shovel. J/K.
Its not too bad. But this is coming from someone who's put two completely different lifts on mine in less than 8 months until I was satisfied. That's half the fun, the other half is keeping the Mrs. ok with it.

 

[Janster]

I have no experience with these coil spring animals....but I've been down that rabbit hole with a 92/94 YJ project (35's, Dana 44's, & still street legal) about 15+ years ago - back when 'death wobble' actually meant it....

You'll be fine..... You've got a great truck to start with. Unless you're literally 'under the knife' and cutting it up.... well...... you can't go back to stock. But for everything else, you can always go back to stock (keep your old parts) if you're not happy. It'll keep you busy trying to remedy & troubleshoot. More mods...more $$, but more fun!! Afterall - Just Empty Every Pocket!

It's all FUN !!!

Welcome!!

 

[mtbjeeper]

I have no experience with these coil spring animals....but I've been down that rabbit hole with a 92/94 YJ project (35's, Dana 44's, & still street legal) about 15+ years ago - back when 'death wobble' actually meant it....

You'll be fine..... You've got a great truck to start with. Unless you're literally 'under the knife' and cutting it up.... well...... you can't go back to stock. But for everything else, you can always go back to stock (keep your old parts) if you're not happy. It'll keep you busy trying to remedy & troubleshoot. More mods...more $$, but more fun!! Afterall - Just Empty Every Pocket!

It's all FUN !!!

Welcome!!

Thanks! Looking forward to the ride.

 

[Minty JL]

Welcome to the party homie!

Sorry for your bank account in advance........but you already knew this

 

[ttn333]

I wouldn't be too worried. I drove my brand new jtr from Wed. to Sat. when I installed a new clayton suspension. I had parts waiting for it before it was delivered. Had a couple little issue but it was my amateur install and easily fixed. I had tightened everything up while the wheels were off the ground. Just had to loosen it up and retighten with wheels on the ground.
I'm also on my third iteration of the build on a '21 jtr. That's what makes it fun. Keeps the truck fresh.

 

[WestwallNF104A]

Here is a pic of my new-to-me 2020 JTR 6sd.

I’m really happy because I’ve wanted one for a really long time, and when I finally got it wow was I surprised at how sweet it drove! The clutch and mechanisms are so much tighter, smoother and quieter than my 2018 JL that it feels like I’m in an automatic. Additionally, the steering and suspension are, for lack of a better word, amazing for what the vehicle is.

So here’s why I’m nervous: it went under the knife this week for the lift and some other goodies. I know from experience with my JL that this can be a real rabbit hole trying to get good drivability back.

My JL has about 80% of its road manners back. I’m ok with that because it is more set up for off-road and is fairly heavy. I’ll take that as a win, but it was not easy getting to that point.

I hope that with everything I’ve learned I can head most of the gremlins off at the onset of the build but at night I can hear that rabbit hole calling my name.

I only drove the gladiator about a week before it went to the shop and I was really tempted to not touch it, but I don’t have to tell you guys how sweet they look with a lift and a little more rubber. Too tempting, so I jumped back in.

Looking forward to sharing pics of the build and stoked to be part of the group.

Cheers - Mike

Welcome to the club

 

[MudderNuker]

As long as you keep the new suspension at factory or near factory geometries you should be ok. You didn't specify which lift you got and if it came with track bars and control arms. Anytime you lift, no matter how small of a lift, you are changing geometry. Front axles roll back and to the side. You want to correct that in order to keep a factory like drive. Good luck.

 

[HorneyBadger]

Welcome to the forum! Yea, you didnt mention lift or tire size. At a minimum you will probably need adj LCA's to move the caster back out to 5ish degrees.

 

[mtbjeeper]

Welcome to the forum! Yea, you didnt mention lift or tire size. At a minimum you will probably need adj LCA's to move the caster back out to 5ish degrees.

Metalcloak 3.5 rocklander, full kit, 37s.

I set my JL at 6 degrees which seemed to be the consensus. Worked great especially with the FAD. I believe the gladiator has the same front end as the JL so I was going to 6 degrees again. Is that typical with lifted gladiators or is it lower?

 

[HorneyBadger]

Metalcloak 3.5 rocklander, full kit, 37s.

I set my JL at 6 degrees which seemed to be the consensus. Worked great especially with the FAD. I believe the gladiator has the same front end as the JL so I was going to 6 degrees again. Is that typical with lifted gladiators or is it lower?

Default is usually 4.5-4.8. After front end work, people have increased it to 5.0-5.5. Personally, I think 6.0 is a little too much..

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Congratulations, seems that you have a refined taste for automobiles.

 

[Tsqtomnkaren]

Here is a pic of my new-to-me 2020 JTR 6sd.

I’m really happy because I’ve wanted one for a really long time, and when I finally got it wow was I surprised at how sweet it drove! The clutch and mechanisms are so much tighter, smoother and quieter than my 2018 JL that it feels like I’m in an automatic. Additionally, the steering and suspension are, for lack of a better word, amazing for what the vehicle is.

So here’s why I’m nervous: it went under the knife this week for the lift and some other goodies. I know from experience with my JL that this can be a real rabbit hole trying to get good drivability back.

My JL has about 80% of its road manners back. I’m ok with that because it is more set up for off-road and is fairly heavy. I’ll take that as a win, but it was not easy getting to that point.

I hope that with everything I’ve learned I can head most of the gremlins off at the onset of the build but at night I can hear that rabbit hole calling my name.

I only drove the gladiator about a week before it went to the shop and I was really tempted to not touch it, but I don’t have to tell you guys how sweet they look with a lift and a little more rubber. Too tempting, so I jumped back in.

Looking forward to sharing pics of the build and stoked to be part of the group.

Cheers - Mike

Congrats. Great looking rubi. Welcome to The Forum.

 

[mtbjeeper]

Finally got her back from the shop. Its been over 3 weeks because I was traveling, but she's finally home! I can't believe how good she drives. While I haven't had her on the highway yet, the hour long backroads trip from the shop was amazing. Tight as a drum. Can't say good enough things about Steve's Jeep Country in New Hampshire and Metalcloak Products.

Now it's time to go get high centered and scrape the hitch up!

Very happy to have this vehicle - Cheers!

 

[PuddleJumper]

Here is a pic of my new-to-me 2020 JTR 6sd.

I’m really happy because I’ve wanted one for a really long time, and when I finally got it wow was I surprised at how sweet it drove! The clutch and mechanisms are so much tighter, smoother and quieter than my 2018 JL that it feels like I’m in an automatic. Additionally, the steering and suspension are, for lack of a better word, amazing for what the vehicle is.

So here’s why I’m nervous: it went under the knife this week for the lift and some other goodies. I know from experience with my JL that this can be a real rabbit hole trying to get good drivability back.

My JL has about 80% of its road manners back. I’m ok with that because it is more set up for off-road and is fairly heavy. I’ll take that as a win, but it was not easy getting to that point.

I hope that with everything I’ve learned I can head most of the gremlins off at the onset of the build but at night I can hear that rabbit hole calling my name.

I only drove the gladiator about a week before it went to the shop and I was really tempted to not touch it, but I don’t have to tell you guys how sweet they look with a lift and a little more rubber. Too tempting, so I jumped back in.

Looking forward to sharing pics of the build and stoked to be part of the group.

Cheers - Mike

what bumper is that on your JL?! Oh and yeah I had 37s on my Mojave and some suppoerting bit for it as well. I recently downsized to 315s and am 99% stock. Its too good to mess with imo. And it does everything I throw at it. At most it'll get a 2in mopar lift to support a hemi swap. nut i have decided to against doing a full custom build. IF it ain't broke......

Sponsored