Be honest — who else bought a Gladiator and said ‘I’ll keep it stock’… then immediately ordered parts? 😂

[Spirits]

In 2020 bought the Willys for my wife and did not plan on any upgrades.
After taking her jeep off road for the first time I decided that some mods where needed.
One time off road my wife was complaining that I would hurt her jeep so I decided she needs her own jeep and the Willys will be mine.
She now has her own stock Rubicon and the Willys is highly modified and we now have a trailer and f250 to pull it.
Last March we spent 35 days traveling to Vegas, Sand Hollow and Moab's Easter Jeep Safari.
Never thought I would take it this far.

Nice looking Willy's!

Sponsored

 

[Bacardiac]

Added geo correction brackets up front and the rock krawler triangulated 4 link in the rear next. Then 3.5" metalcloak springs and their flipped drag link and raised front track bar mount. Shocks will be next.

Does the geo correction bracket and triangulation 4 link make that big of a difference? I have the 3in fab tech lift with dirt logic shocks and core 4x4 control arms and track bars. I was thinking of doing the steering next, any suggestions?

 

[Zachanadandy]

Does the geo correction bracket and triangulation 4 link make that big of a difference? I have the 3in fab tech lift with dirt logic shocks and core 4x4 control arms and track bars. I was thinking of doing the steering next, any suggestions?

The 4 link made a huge difference. Much smoother suspension travel without the head toss when you hit a bump or dip at an angle. Best bang for the buck mod I've done. I like the metalcloak crossover steering but you need to make sure you have enough bump stop to keep it from rubbing on the frame.

 

[Gizmo]

Its way to damn ugly to leave stock . I would of never bought one if I didn't know what I could change so I could put 37s and a small lift on it .

 

[Brad.Clarkston]

You obviously haven't been to a MO Starbucks, 4lo is mandatory.

 

[cb4017]

When I bought my 21 Sport Max Tow, pretty quick I had the Mopar Performance Lift under it, 33" tires and a few other things.

This Mojave will stay essentially stock. At 72 I think my days of crawling under a Jeep, installing lifts or whatever are coming to a close. At the wife's request I will probably install Jeep running boards. I also like how running boards protect the sides of the Jeep from rocks, gravel, mud, etc.

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it, LOL.

 

[Gladiatorguy]

Define 'stock' My truck is three years old now and no plans to go more extreme than this. Level kit in front and stock 33" wheels and tires from a Rubicon. Does what I need it to do. Also front discos, winch in plastic bumper and a bed cover. The rock rails are 'stock' from a Rubi and the bed rocker rails are same style as stock

What winch/mount/kit did you use for the plastic bumper? Trying to avoid adding extra weight of a steel bumper.

 

[Gladiatorguy]

You wouldn't believe how quiet it can be in the truck, when you take the easy path. The loud high pitch squeal, coming from the right side only shows up at challenging moments.

I seem to have that same squeal. I think the fix is prohibitive. Live with it.

 

[Stan H]

I seem to have that same squeal. I think the fix is prohibitive. Live with it.

I usually just leave it on the coach watching TV

 

[Gladiatorguy]

24 JT Willys. Stock running gear. So far, adequate while keeping most unwanted noises to a minimum (see previous post). Added an electronic trailer brake controller and 12v power to the rear of the bed. Also fabricated some custom brackets to fit over the bed sides so I can use my roof rack cross bars over the bed. They are low enough to reach bike and ski racks without needing a ladder, and still keep the OEM roll-up tonneau cover in place. Also better aero. Looking at options for better bed lighting and maybe some off-road lights. Hate the Firestone MT tire noise, but they seem pretty capable in most conditions, including snow. Not great on wet pavement. I will probably replace them with something different when the time comes.

 

[ChrisNLA]

What winch/mount/kit did you use for the plastic bumper? Trying to avoid adding extra weight of a steel bumper.

Here is my thread about it:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/another-winch-in-a-plastic-bumper.63853/

Since this is a custom job, there are a few plates you can use for this project that will work with a little ingenuity.

I just realized I didn't post a lot of in process photos. Or I forget where. If I remember I'll add some more tonight. I took plenty.

 

[Brad.Clarkston]

Hate the Firestone MT tire noise, but they seem pretty capable in most conditions, including snow. Not great on wet pavement.

That about sum's it up for me as well, great in sand & snow sucks turning off streets on wet pavement over 35mph.

I'm looking at Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT255/85R17 (35X10R17) E/10PLY BSW as my next set.

 

[Gladiatorguy]

That about sum's it up for me as well, great in sand & snow sucks turning off streets on wet pavement over 35mph.

I'm looking at Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT255/85R17 (35X10R17) E/10PLY BSW as my next set.

The MT BBs get good reviews. A little heavier than some others. I think Es would be too harsh. Looking at MT BB A/T 285-75-17 SL for a better ride. Only mild stuff. No harsh off-roading due to better half’s strong advise.

 

[Badunit]

Depends on what you consider to be stock vs mod. Soon after purchase I added running boards to keep the gravel and rocks from taking paint off my hinges. I hadn't planned on doing that. The only other things were the Mopar long control arms, max tow rear springs, and a better steering gear to make the steering acceptable. I hadn't planned on those either.

Edit: Oh yeah, I regeared to 4.56 too. Duh.

 

[CrazyCooter]

The first round of mods......Lift, tires/wheels, Sunrider, CB, HAM radio, antennas/mounts, Tazer, tonneau cover, bedrug, and a few other things were in the shop at least a month before the truck was delivered. I pretty knew what I was looking for and got started right away.

Sponsored