2020 6MT Gobi Gladiator on 40's

[nbennettksu]

A little about where this truck started to where it is, and whats planned. I had never been a Jeep person and I'll admit, I didn't do enough research or I'd probably have started with a Rubicon instead of a Sport. That being said, this journal really has three parts. The first iteration where I didn't know sht, the second iteration--before the collision, and the second iteration--after the crash.

The weekend I got it, my kid and I went to some light trails down here in south FL, JW Corbett WMA. The first thing I did was change the headlights.

Within a month of owning it, I purchased an 'off the shelf' Tereflex 4.5" lift with Falcon shocks, a (please dont judge me) Rough Country double stabilizer, Rubcon steel bumper, Black Rhino 17's and crappy Atlas Paraller 40" tires, Yukon 5.13 gearing, Rough Country 12s winch:

I built this thing to use on trails here in south Florida, as I hunt backwoods in the everglades and I need a vehicle capable of getting in and out. I went to some soupy places, and well, got stuck. The front and rear open diffs on full display. My friend has a vid where front and rear just stop turning and it bogged down. Cue the Eaton front and rear lockers.

Even aired down before getting stuck, lol. Trying out two trail compressors, the Milwaukee won.

Along with lockers, I put on RCV front shafts. That C-clamp for the FAD helped us invent new words:

Next, added some extra lighting and the pod mounts. Hooked up a switch panel thats in my grab handle (Lasfit maybe?) and wired the lockers and swapped out the fenders to KBD poly; thinner and less wide from the bulky stock.

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[nbennettksu]

After the fenders, the mods really started going on. Front Antirock, RPM Steering 2.5" steering bars, Falcon adjustible front stabilizer, 1.5" spacer for the front suspension to level it out, 1.75" wheel spacers all around, front truss and Motobilt fr/r diff covers. Did a new flex test; couldnt tell you what it was, but picked up a few inches. Mostly from the antirock and new fenders.

By now, we really started to use this more and more, the weather was changing, so that meant camping and hunting trips.

Then it was time for proper wheels and tires, Nitto Trail Grappler (later shiddy Parallers) and KMC Grenades. Oh, and somewhere along the lines, I did Motobilt sliders with the side-step PC'd in clear:

We get a ton of rain in south Florida...

Somewhere along I debadged it. I do this to everything, I'm weird like that.

Kept it like this for a while, until I didnt.

Whole front refresh! Front and rear adjustable Tereflex upper control arms (the off the shelf lift had fixed uppers), New bumper? Send it! Krashfab frame chop front bumper and a Warn VR Evo 12000. Updated Grille to the 25+. Also added GK knuckle lights and yellow Baja Designs S1's and twin yellow LP6:

This setup was good enough for my first trip to Windrock. 700+ miles driven up, not trailered, four days of wheeling blues and blacks, and the 700+ mile trek back. Solid as a rock, and fell more in love with this thing than ever.

 

[nbennettksu]

Windrock was Thanksgiving week last year. The truck stayed like that for the most part until March. I took it out to pick up some beer, it hadnt been used much, I rotate a coupe cars. On the way back, on my residential street, a lady ran a stop sign and I couldnt stop in time. I was only going about 20 but she lurched right out in front of me last second. I was truly baffled at first glance, I thought it was just the weak alum knuckle that took a shit, but no, damage was done.

Luckily, Danny at Trailhunters isnt so far I should have forked out the rest and just done Dana60's. This decision will likely haunt me for many, many years. Anyways, we went with the beefed up Spicer Advantek Ultimate Dana44. No more RCV's for a while...

RCV for Advantek has an 18 week lead time, I'm three weeks into that painful wait. In the meantime, I've switched out to RPM steering front and rear trackbars, and I am replacing my lower control arms with their adjustable LCA's--all polished aluminum. Beautiful look. My off the shelf Tereflex lift were fixed LCA's. I've added a Tom Woods front driveshaft, my OE one had some knocks on it from Windrock.

This is basically it now, I've switched out the rear bumper to EVO High n Tight PC'd in clear like the front bumper and side armor. Also, we added the upgraded knuckles to Reid Racing.

Don't be fooled, that swamp water gets every bit of 3' plus.

This is my other project and why things don't get moved on as quickly on the jeep. I have two cars that split my money and two kids that take my time. I also wouldn't have it any other way.

Upgraded the rear brakes to get rid of the ugly floating caliper:

Thanks for looking.

Bonus, lost a tail light on a back diamond trail in Windrock. Kept it like that for months and months waiting for Motobilt to release their tails, but its still not happened. Went with flush Oracles finally.

 

[Splenda]

Tell me you're in Florida without telling me you're in Florida. (that garage door)

 

[Orange01z28]

I like them both. Makes me realize there's more offroading in Florida than you would think

Gobi is the best color too

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Awesome truck (and the car isn’t so bad either). I love the Gobi color. Feels like I don’t see many of them.

 

[ericw.]

Nice build. Now you have me interested in what Motobilt is coming out with for tails.

Is there a benefit in the 25+ grille and is that a direct swap without modification? Or is it just cosmetic preference?

 

[nbennettksu]

I like them both. Makes me realize there's more offroading in Florida than you would think

Gobi is the best color too

Thank you!

Nice build. Now you have me interested in what Motobilt is coming out with for tails.

Is there a benefit in the 25+ grille and is that a direct swap without modification? Or is it just cosmetic preference?

Thank you very much. Their tails look really nice, but its been a never ending story of them not releasing them. I got bored of waiting and didn't want to get pulled over.

The 25 grill is a straight swap with zero modifications necessary. The updated grill is about 2" shorter. I don't remember who, but a member here, about a year or so ago, did notice 10-12 degree cooler temps; I couldn't remember if it was coolant temp, trans temp, etc, really wasn't paying attention. I did it just for the looks

 

[ericw.]

Thank you very much. Their tails look really nice, but its been a never ending story of them not releasing them. I got bored of waiting and didn't want to get pulled over.

The 25 grill is a straight swap with zero modifications necessary. The updated grill is about 2" shorter. I don't remember who, but a member here, about a year or so ago, did notice 10-12 degree cooler temps; I couldn't remember if it was coolant temp, trans temp, etc, really wasn't paying attention. I did it just for the looks

That's totally understandable to grow impatient in your situation.

Cool well if that ends up being a fact on the cooling benefits, I might just have to order one. lol

 

[DanJT]

For it to be your first Jeep, You definitely did it 100!
Great job. Oh and love the Gobi colors...

 

[BennieD]

Truly a Jeep project!
J-Just
E-Empty
E-Every
P-Pocket

 

[BourbonRunner]

Jeep and BMW ownership, and a ///M Big Sniff at that?

Man, you must really hate your money.

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Jeep and BMW ownership, and a ///M Big Sniff at that?

Man, you must really hate your money.

Repeat after me. “It’s just money.”

 

[Ferd]

Proper 4D M3! Both are 6SPD too!! Both FAST & FURIOUS!!

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

A little about where this truck started to where it is, and whats planned. I had never been a Jeep person and I'll admit, I didn't do enough research or I'd probably have started with a Rubicon instead of a Sport. That being said, this journal really has three parts. The first iteration where I didn't know sht, the second iteration--before the collision, and the second iteration--after the crash.

The weekend I got it, my kid and I went to some light trails down here in south FL, JW Corbett WMA. The first thing I did was change the headlights.

Within a month of owning it, I purchased an 'off the shelf' Tereflex 4.5" lift with Falcon shocks, a (please dont judge me) Rough Country double stabilizer, Rubcon steel bumper, Black Rhino 17's and crappy Atlas Paraller 40" tires, Yukon 5.13 gearing, Rough Country 12s winch:

I built this thing to use on trails here in south Florida, as I hunt backwoods in the everglades and I need a vehicle capable of getting in and out. I went to some soupy places, and well, got stuck. The front and rear open diffs on full display. My friend has a vid where front and rear just stop turning and it bogged down. Cue the Eaton front and rear lockers.

Even aired down before getting stuck, lol. Trying out two trail compressors, the Milwaukee won.

Along with lockers, I put on RCV front shafts. That C-clamp for the FAD helped us invent new words:

Next, added some extra lighting and the pod mounts. Hooked up a switch panel thats in my grab handle (Lasfit maybe?) and wired the lockers and swapped out the fenders to KBD poly; thinner and less wide from the bulky stock.

I like those fender flares. What inner liners are you using with them?

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