2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Flyin6]

Looks good. Think I'd black out the screws/bolts though. Does the water just stay in the tray and evaporate? And is there a gap in the tray? How does the heat get past it?

The stainless screws would probably look better blacked out, but I'm not all that big on the "Looks" thing, just interested in function. I even considered leaving the louvers in natural aluminum.

The trays have openings in the corners, which will allow water to come out, but I suppose that after a muddy trip, I'd need to yank the four screws and clear out any mud—just speculating, of course, as these things are brand new still.
There is an air gap around the whole perimeter of the trays of 1/2" or more. There is plenty of room for air to pass.
I might note that the factory louvers allow water to enter and have a drain hole on the lower back side, which leaks the water behind the hood mat. That is an odd decision on Jeep's part, but, hey, it has worked well for years.

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[Flyin6]

Then why in The world are the factory ones closed off under that mat
Now I am considering pulling my mat and cutting some holes in plastic

The factory ones are not closed off under the mat. They have a weep hole to drain rainwater onto the foil side of the hood mat.
Yeah, I thought that was pretty strange too!

 

[Flyin6]

Next up, the daggone battery is on the blink! I think I'll switch up to a Lithium again. I tried that once before, but the battery failed. Off to the hunt...

And, getting ready to weld up that new Pritcherd Canyon Barnes bumper.

Psychologically, I think I am subconsciously creating all these minor projects to keep me from jumping into the Hemi conversion I so very much want ;-)

 

[Stan H]

Next up, the daggone battery is on the blink! I think I'll switch up to a Lithium again. I tried that once before, but the battery failed. Off to the hunt...

And, getting ready to weld up that new Pritcherd Canyon Barnes bumper.

Psychologically, I think I am subconsciously creating all these minor projects to keep me from jumping into the Hemi conversion I so very much want ;-)

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/double-battery-anonymous.98801/post-1583315

 

[JT1]

Next up, the daggone battery is on the blink! I think I'll switch up to a Lithium again. I tried that once before, but the battery failed. Off to the hunt...

And, getting ready to weld up that new Pritcherd Canyon Barnes bumper.

Psychologically, I think I am subconsciously creating all these minor projects to keep me from jumping into the Hemi conversion I so very much want ;-)

After your lithium experiment, what battery did you install? Hard to believe it's already failed.. I'd warranty that thing and try again.

 

[Flyin6]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/double-battery-anonymous.98801/post-1583315

Good read.
I am always seeking lower weight options, which the lithium battery offers. The lithium I installed in my Jeep a couple of years ago failed. During the same time, the lithium I have powering the tent also failed. A N D, one of my Renogy lithiums in my truck camper also bit the dust. I think the advertised long life of the lithium is much like the long life fluorescent light bulbs, which all lasted about three months!
Maybe I'll look at an Odyssey...

 

[Flyin6]

After your lithium experiment, what battery did you install? Hard to believe it's already failed.. I'd warranty that thing and try again.

I reinstalled the factory battery.

 

[JT1]

I reinstalled the factory battery.

My stock battery lasted 3 years. The aux started going south so I bypassed it and installed one of the 4 year free replacement AGMs from walmart. 2 years later and it's still going strong. $300 well spent.

 

[Flyin6]

My stock battery lasted 3 years. The aux started going south so I bypassed it and installed one of the 4 year free replacement AGMs from walmart. 2 years later and it's still going strong. $300 well spent.

Same-same, about three years.
I am awful about leaving the JT parked. I use it primarily for adventures and drive my dually as a daily (Crazy, huh?) I didn't even start it for months this year, so that was likely a contributing factor. I ought to wake up and put a cheapo battery tender on the JT between trips.

 

[JT1]

Same-same, about three years.
I am awful about leaving the JT parked. I use it primarily for adventures and drive my dually as a daily (Crazy, huh?) I didn't even start it for months this year, so that was likely a contributing factor. I ought to wake up and put a cheapo battery tender on the JT between trips.

I bought one of the little noco units. The one I bought doesn't have the ability to leave the connector on the jeep permanently (which it sounds like you would want) but they have a ton of options and it's AGM compatible.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W46BX31?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Stan H]

Good read.
I am always seeking lower weight options, which the lithium battery offers. The lithium I installed in my Jeep a couple of years ago failed. During the same time, the lithium I have powering the tent also failed. A N D, one of my Renogy lithiums in my truck camper also bit the dust. I think the advertised long life of the lithium is much like the long life fluorescent light bulbs, which all lasted about three months!
Maybe I'll look at an Odyssey...

Mostly some of the guys was saying and I also seen video basically saying that the JT charges that lithium like an AGM which it was designed for thats why I posted that link because that orange Optima is supposed to have some tech in it that helps solve that problem thats probably why ypur lithium are crapping out.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Mostly some of the guys was saying and I also seen video basically saying that the JT charges that lithium like an AGM which it was designed for thats why I posted that link because that orange Optima is supposed to have some tech in it that helps solve that problem thats probably why ypur lithium are crapping out.

If it's not a lithium made for automotive use as a starter battery, it likely won't have that ability built in. Just going out and generically buying a lithium battery could get you into trouble. It needs to be made as an automotive replacement - not a power supply, trolling motor, or whatever.

 

[Flyin6]

If it's not a lithium made for automotive use as a starter battery, it likely won't have that ability built in. Just going out and generically buying a lithium battery could get you into trouble. It needs to be made as an automotive replacement - not a power supply, trolling motor, or whatever.

Very true!
You can find one hundred lithium batteries for just one that is designed for automotive starter applications.
Anti-Gravity has one, but whew, at nearly $900, it is a hard pill to swallow. Not being independently wealthy, I'll pass on that one.
In the military, we often use a decision tree to make the best decision. When I consider the wanted lighter weight vs the reliability question and the considerable cost, lithium batteries are not the best pick. Having been down this road and taking pause following the recent comments, I'll call it quits early and go with a quality AGM and move on to welding up that new bumper.

 

[Flyin6]

I bought one of the little noco units. The one I bought doesn't have the ability to leave the connector on the jeep permanently (which it sounds like you would want) but they have a ton of options and it's AGM compatible.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W46BX31?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

It's in my cart, thanks for the tip.

 

[JT1]

It's in my cart, thanks for the tip.

If you want one with the harness that stays on the jeep, try this one.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS2...o+1a+battery+tende,automotive,150&sr=1-8&th=1

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