MacNobody's Gladiator Build Thread

[MacNobody]

I don't have a name for my Jeep.

I got a 2021 Gladiator after going back and forth between a Tacoma and 2 door JL over the past few years.

It started out like this - some BFG KO2's on factory wheels. I don't know what it was about this truck, but I loved it from day one.

Sponsored

 

[MacNobody]

In March I ordered a Metalcloak 2.5" Game Changer lift and found a Harbor Freight Badlands winch to mount in the Arcus bumper I bought.

While I waited for the lift to get delivered, I installed the bumper and winch on a very cold mid-March day.

I couldn't figure out what I did wrong when mounting the factory fog lights in the Arcus bumper, but I eventually figured it out after taking a break.

 

[MacNobody]

By late March 2025 my lift was finally delivered. Metalcloak customer service is top-notch and it actually shipped very fast, but it felt like forever.

The instructions were very clear and the packaging was great, I had no problems with missing parts or any damage from the transit at all. My JL had a Metalcloak lift on it when I bought it from an old man. I was very pleased when I started offroading it and couldn't wait to get the lift installed.

Finally a break in the cold weather and I jumped on it. I did it alone in my driveway with hand tools so it took me two days, but with careful planning and trying my best to stay organized I surprised myself with how easy it was.

 

[MacNobody]

After getting the lift done, I had to wait a few days for Discount Tire to get the other 2 tires. I took the Jeep out for a quick spin to listen for clunks after lifting it and replacing the driveshaft.

I stopped for a few pictures - it looks like someone has been skipping leg day, but I loved it already!

 

[MacNobody]

I decided on 315/70 17 Cooper STT Pros due to personal experience on my JL and I haven't decided on a permanent wheel yet, but these base steel wheels actually look pretty good. I may be getting some black lugs and keeping them rather than spending over 1000 clams on alloy wheels.

I take a lot of pictures of my Jeep (and my dual sport motorcycles, but that's a different forum)

 

[MacNobody]

For now there isn't anything left that I want to do.

The 4.10 gears turn the 315s perfectly for me, and playing offroad is a dream - the front suspension still have spring tension, it wasn't loose and the ABS and brake lines weren't tight at all. The rear had plenty of room to stuff up into the wheel wells, so when the right rear came off that rock, it was still in contact with the ground when a friend's JLU with a 2.5 BDS lift had the left front and right rear spinning in mid air.

 

[JTGuy]

You have a good start. The list of the future will be a lang one or maybe a constant short one.

 

[Flyin6]

Be careful...Parts begat more parts...;-)

 

[DanJT]

Be careful...Parts begat more parts...;-)

And so and on...

 

[Supazuk]

looks great!

 

[DanW]

In March I ordered a Metalcloak 2.5" Game Changer lift and found a Harbor Freight Badlands winch to mount in the Arcus bumper I bought.

While I waited for the lift to get delivered, I installed the bumper and winch on a very cold mid-March day.

I couldn't figure out what I did wrong when mounting the factory fog lights in the Arcus bumper, but I eventually figured it out after taking a break.

My factory fogs are aimed too high. Was that the issue you had? I'm thinking of stackong washers behind the bottom bolts to tilt them down.

 

[MacNobody]

My factory fogs are aimed too high. Was that the issue you had? I'm thinking of stackong washers behind the bottom bolts to tilt them down.

Yep, and that's what I ended up doing!

 

[DanW]

Yep, and that's what I ended up doing!

Awesome! Thank you!!! Love that bumper, btw. I had one on my JK and so it was a no trainer for the Gladiator!

 

[Zachattack50]

Looks great!

 

[MacNobody]

Not really a "mod" but I put the tent on for the summer camping and a trip to Colorado next month.

Sponsored