Another Gladiator build....White JTRD

[VA6489]

New to me Gladiator 2021 JTRD. The Jeep started life (with me) with a 3.5 Clayton lift and EVO springs. Very clean and low mileage. has front trussed 4.10 gearing on "Gas axles". Will have both axles up for sale this spring if anyone is interested. Came with a Warn EVO winch but the line is toast. Master pull line is on the way to replace.
We started out on a rough spot, blew up a rear end traveling across country, dealer replaced the full rear axle and it blew up again due to faulty maintenance. Batteries ended up dead and that was enough for now. Once that was straightened out been driving it to work each day. Not bad averaging 19.9 -20.2 mpg on a 120 mile round trip to the Pentagon each day. XPD fuel additive works well!

Goal is a daily driver and Rocklander machine. Heading to the Rubicon and Fordyce next August.

Mod list:

ECGS D60 semi float rear axle (4.56 ratio E-locker). It was on sale and I can still use the wheels on it.
Fusion D60 front axle (4.56 ratio E-Locker)
BFG 39 on Method Bead grip wheels. Installed
EOC full delete. ECU with Tow tune, full exhaust.
Next Venture aluminum skids with UHMMW
Next Venture adventure front bumper (Alum) BD fog lights
Next venture hi clearance rear bumper (Alum)
PSC big bore steering with hydro assist
ACCUAIR air suspension 4 inch lift (Ride height) Replacing the Clayton/Evo springs.
BD LP9 pro lights up front.

All of this is in house, the build will start when the temps get a wee bit warmer. This morning it was 7 degrees in my garage.

Pictures to follow.

Thinking of the Rock Krawler upper triangulated suspension link to rid the rear track bar.

Cheers

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[Camaroboi13]

I’d be mad if I were only getting 19mpg on a diesel.

Sounds like the start of a nice build. I’d love to have the 4.10s but it’s not worth the price for me. Someone will jump on them though.

 

[CyberShanks]

Curious what consists of a rear end 'blowing up'? I traded in my diesel on the new Gladiator. Was getting ~19 with my 2010 Cummins (it was slightly modified), now getting around the same with the Gladiator. Not going crazy with a build on it at this time, already have 2 built Jeeps in the garage next to it. Good luck with your build, will be nice to follow it.

Jim

 

[n0arp]

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of sale did you find on the ECGS D60 semi float rear axle (4.56 ratio E-locker)? Can the E-locker be wired up to the factory switch?

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I’d be mad if I were only getting 19mpg on a diesel.

Sounds like the start of a nice build. I’d love to have the 4.10s but it’s not worth the price for me. Someone will jump on them though.

Winter blend diesel fuel impacts economy quite a bit. I haven't had my JT in the summer yet, but my BMW X5 diesel would see 25ish average in the summer, but 21ish average in the winter. Right now with the JT on winter blends I see 20ish average with 35s.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Winter blend diesel fuel impacts economy quite a bit. I haven't had my JT in the summer yet, but my BMW X5 diesel would see 25ish average in the summer, but 21ish average in the winter. Right now with the JT on winter blends I see 20ish average with 35s.

I don’t know what winter blend diesel is. I average 22.5-23mpg on 4.5” lift and 37s all year long.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I don’t know what winter blend diesel is. I average 22.5-23mpg on 4.5” lift and 37s all year long.

Yeah it's an unfortunate part of living in cold areas. Winter blends and longer idle times to let vehicles warm up means big drops in mpgs.

 

[Gladi8r_22]

New to me Gladiator 2021 JTRD. The Jeep started life (with me) with a 3.5 Clayton lift and EVO springs. Very clean and low mileage. has front trussed 4.10 gearing on "Gas axles". Will have both axles up for sale this spring if anyone is interested. Came with a Warn EVO winch but the line is toast. Master pull line is on the way to replace.
We started out on a rough spot, blew up a rear end traveling across country, dealer replaced the full rear axle and it blew up again due to faulty maintenance. Batteries ended up dead and that was enough for now. Once that was straightened out been driving it to work each day. Not bad averaging 19.9 -20.2 mpg on a 120 mile round trip to the Pentagon each day. XPD fuel additive works well!

Goal is a daily driver and Rocklander machine. Heading to the Rubicon and Fordyce next August.

Mod list:

ECGS D60 semi float rear axle (4.56 ratio E-locker). It was on sale and I can still use the wheels on it.
Fusion D60 front axle (4.56 ratio E-Locker)
BFG 39 on Method Bead grip wheels. Installed
EOC full delete. ECU with Tow tune, full exhaust.
Next Venture aluminum skids with UHMMW
Next Venture adventure front bumper (Alum) BD fog lights
Next venture hi clearance rear bumper (Alum)
PSC big bore steering with hydro assist
ACCUAIR air suspension 4 inch lift (Ride height) Replacing the Clayton/Evo springs.
BD LP9 pro lights up front.

All of this is in house, the build will start when the temps get a wee bit warmer. This morning it was 7 degrees in my garage.

Pictures to follow.

Thinking of the Rock Krawler upper triangulated suspension link to rid the rear track bar.

Cheers

Looks like a great build list, i noticed you mentioned AccuAir lift, i ran that on mine for about 6 months. This was before an official "Diesel version" was released, Only diffrence was that i had to mount the Air Tank where the Spare Tire goes, no big deal.

Proof of system installed:https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ith-lifts-and-bigger-tires.26812/post-1225588

If you are installing it yourself and your technically inclined your good to go, but i listened to their sales rep and they had me take it to an install shop they "Authorized" biggest mistake i made. I am a technician by profession i could have installed the kit myself, i just didnt not have the space nor the time needed to do it.

Installer damaged the leveling links by over extending the airbags. then when they were calibrating the system they tried to do it while it was on a rack when the install guide clearly says to calibrate on the ground. So all that was not necessarly the fault of AccuAir that was incompetant installer.

The only issue i did have with the design of the AccuAir system itself was the fact that their trackbar & all control arms are not adjustable. So when I was given the truck back after install it had a severe pull to the driver side.

I took it to a highly recommended shop in my area suggested by multiiple Jeep clubs here and they worked on it for a few days trying to align it, they called AccuAir and talked ot them about it. Everything was within spec on the alingment rack. but would still pull. So after much time and even swapping out the front trackbar with a MetalCloak still did not fix it. i gave up and pulled the entire system out and put in the 4.5" Metal Cloak Gamechanger never looked back.

Just saying it has a ton of potential but i think they need to get out and do a little more R&D work, AccuAir purchased Arnott Air systems, and they mostly specialized in lowered vehicles, so they still have a lot to learn about the off road side, at least in my opinion.

Best of luck with your build.

 

[VA6489]

Curious what consists of a rear end 'blowing up'? I traded in my diesel on the new Gladiator. Was getting ~19 with my 2010 Cummins (it was slightly modified), now getting around the same with the Gladiator. Not going crazy with a build on it at this time, already have 2 built Jeeps in the garage next to it. Good luck with your build, will be nice to follow it.

Jim

So mid way to Wyoming from the east coast i developed a rear end howl. Turned out to be a pinion bearing going south. Likely cause was due to some maintenance from previous owner , they replace the OEM yoke with a 1350 style yoke. Likely over torqued the nut and too much pre load.

 

[VA6489]

I’d be mad if I were only getting 19mpg on a diesel.

Sounds like the start of a nice build. I’d love to have the 4.10s but it’s not worth the price for me. Someone will jump on them though.

Jeep is running BFG 39 and a set of flat fenders right now. Mileage is getting better as I learn how to drive her. My commute is in mixed traffic to and from DC in some fairly cold temps of late. Hoping that without the stop and go on a longer trip i can average a bit higher.

 

[VA6489]

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of sale did you find on the ECGS D60 semi float rear axle (4.56 ratio E-locker)? Can the E-locker be wired up to the factory switch?

Black Friday sale had the Semi float at $5400 vs $6400. Factory switch. found an adaptor but he jury is out if it will work.

 

[VA6489]

Looks like a great build list, i noticed you mentioned AccuAir lift, i ran that on mine for about 6 months. This was before an official "Diesel version" was released, Only diffrence was that i had to mount the Air Tank where the Spare Tire goes, no big deal.

Proof of system installed:https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ith-lifts-and-bigger-tires.26812/post-1225588

If you are installing it yourself and your technically inclined your good to go, but i listened to their sales rep and they had me take it to an install shop they "Authorized" biggest mistake i made. I am a technician by profession i could have installed the kit myself, i just didnt not have the space nor the time needed to do it.

Installer damaged the leveling links by over extending the airbags. then when they were calibrating the system they tried to do it while it was on a rack when the install guide clearly says to calibrate on the ground. So all that was not necessarly the fault of AccuAir that was incompetant installer.

The only issue i did have with the design of the AccuAir system itself was the fact that their trackbar & all control arms are not adjustable. So when I was given the truck back after install it had a severe pull to the driver side.

I took it to a highly recommended shop in my area suggested by multiiple Jeep clubs here and they worked on it for a few days trying to align it, they called AccuAir and talked ot them about it. Everything was within spec on the alingment rack. but would still pull. So after much time and even swapping out the front trackbar with a MetalCloak still did not fix it. i gave up and pulled the entire system out and put in the 4.5" Metal Cloak Gamechanger never looked back.

Just saying it has a ton of potential but i think they need to get out and do a little more R&D work, AccuAir purchased Arnott Air systems, and they mostly specialized in lowered vehicles, so they still have a lot to learn about the off road side, at least in my opinion.

Best of luck with your build.

I have built a few rigs now and know my way around the tool box fairly well. LOL Going to stay with the Clayton adjustable arms and track bars. Looking to mount the tank and compressor in the bed over the fender well.

Installed several accuair systems over the years last was on my F450. 6 bag system on a kelderman parallel link suspension. Built my 4 link on the JK from a motobilt kit so this should be fairly straight forward. Alignment and calibration also should be straight forward. I have a friend with a laser alignment rack that I can use. so I can spend the time necessary to get it right. Also ACCUAIR does customer support fairly well. Just have to deal wiht a time difference.

I have had metalcloak product on a few jeeps , removed them all in favor of something more substantial and less bendy.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Gladi8r_22]

I have built a few rigs now and know my way around the tool box fairly well. LOL Going to stay with the Clayton adjustable arms and track bars. Looking to mount the tank and compressor in the bed over the fender well.

Installed several accuair systems over the years last was on my F450. 6 bag system on a kelderman parallel link suspension. Built my 4 link on the JK from a motobilt kit so this should be fairly straight forward. Alignment and calibration also should be straight forward. I have a friend with a laser alignment rack that I can use. so I can spend the time necessary to get it right. Also ACCUAIR does customer support fairly well. Just have to deal wiht a time difference.

I have had metalcloak product on a few jeeps , removed them all in favor of something more substantial and less bendy.

Thanks for your thoughts

Right on, your golden. Ignore my first rant. Yes, i do agree AccuAir customer support is top notch, i was able to get a personal contact even from one of their techs. he works remote here in California, so time zone was not issue. He was helping me troubleshoot even while he was attending a funeral (dont see that everyday). But once i decided to remove the system, they worked with me on getting a refund. Just wanted to share my experience with them.

Best of luck on your build.

 

[djthumper]

I don’t know what winter blend diesel is. I average 22.5-23mpg on 4.5” lift and 37s all year long.

Everyone is getting winter blend this time of year. You are likely not impacted much because you don't have to let it warm up in idle for so long.

 

[VA6489]

Part of the winter fuel problem is the whole cold weather thing. When it is 7 degrees out and the rig has cold soaked for 12 hours every fluid is the consistency of wet concrete. Take a while to warm up and that take power to do so. Compression ignition is not a friend to cold weather, yes cold air is more dense but this cools the combustion process making it less efficient. In diesel terms , the better it runs the hotter it gets, the hotter it get the better it runs. Half a gallon of heavy weight gear oil in each axle add to this resistance.... take a few miles to warm that up too.

SoCal, cold to you guys is what 65 degees? LOL

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