RudeJeepin's JTRD Journey

[RudeJeepin]

That looks like the perfect placement to me. Are you still satisfied?

If your talking about the RedArc trailer brake controller, then yes.
I've used it multiple times and really like it there. I can have my phone plugged into the 12v port and still easily adjust the brake controller.

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[RudeJeepin]

Got the bed lift system worked out.

Loaded the RZR in the trailer and we'll be headed to the dunes for 4 days. It's snug all loaded up, but it's in there.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I beat feet to the big city Friday evening to pickup a few items from Facebook Marketplace.
DiamondBack SE with a Front Runner rack, FR snowboard mount, and extra Yakima rails.

Met another guy and scored a set of Fuel D551 Trophy wheels in 17x8.5 +6 offset, 5.0" backspacing.

I have a set of Thunderer Trac Grip M/T R408 Mud Terrain LT315/70R17 121/118Q D waiting to go on. Just need to get a set of TPMS sensors.

Eventually I'll add a bit of lift. Still deciding on what and how much. Probably end up piecing a kit together to fit my wants.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Old vs new...

New shoes, no lift...@39,100miles...

Poke of 315/70r17 on 8.5 +6mm/5.00 backspacing...

 

[RudeJeepin]

I lived with these tires and wheels for 6k miles so far. Had them in the sand on Oregon and Washington coast. Driven in loads of rain. Recently I got to use them in some pretty wet and heavy snow, as well as packed snow.

I did great at the coast, better than expected in the rain and surprisingly well in the packed snow. The big open lugs did great in the wet heavy snow also, the easily dug and chewed through it.
Look to be wearing well, I've rotated then once at 3.5k or so. Which is when I plan to rotate them most of the time.
Yes, a good 3 peak all terrain would be a better wet/rainy and packed HWY snow type of tire. But all in all, so far I'm relatively satisfied. Now to see how long they will last.

I should look for another wheel, one of them is slightly untrue and I can feel it. Especially since it's on the front after the rotation. Its not bad, but could be better.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Saturday, helped a younger couple,

gave them a bit of a lecture/education, but was nice about it.
Seen a big mountain goat, wasnt really fast enough with my camera, but he's in there.

Had a bit of fun myself.

Sunday at 50,700m I did an oil and filter change along with tire rotation.

 

[RudeJeepin]

After running the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras for 2yrs 8mo the driver side burnt out. I ended up getting these to relpace both sides with.

Here is the new vs old. DS is new (Gold), PS is old (Ultra). Low beams.

Here is high beams.

My phone camera isn't the best at showing the difference, but it's there. Getting some white wash from the cargo trailer that is parked just to the left of the picture.

Here is the OE on DS and Ultra on PS, high beams. More of a noticeable change last time around.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Last month I met up with a nice gentleman that had traded his Gladiator for a Ram 2500. He had a set of the Rampage JK tow mirrors and Thorne Engineering adapters. $20 and few minutes out of my way, figured I couldn't pass that up.

The next weekend we headed to the dunes, had to stop for fuel.

Out having fun with our oldest and his better half's family. We stopped so the little kiddos could play in the sand some.

The mirrors aren't any bigger than what I had before, but the do vibrate way less. The just barely vibrate, almost don't notice, unless you really pay attention. Money well spent in my opinion.

 

[RudeJeepin]

70k miles and the factory Fox Rubicon shocks were showing their age. Took me awhile to get shocks ordered. I poured over different specs, mostly the compressed lengths. Decided on Rancho RS7MT shocks. RS77065 for the front and RS77070 for the rear.
On my diesel Rubicon they workout just about perfect. I will add just a touch more bump stop to help protect them on full flex. The shocks are just bottoming out when I really stuff a tire hard, really hard.
While I was at it I added the Clayton 1/2" lift diesel spring, COR-1509150. It really helps with the bottoming out on rough V shaped transitions. Feels like money well spent if you don't want a lift. I ended up gaining just over the 1/2" lift they claimed.
The rear socks are now long enough that the rear spring will unseat when put on a hoist. So I added the Teraflex Rear Upper/Lower Coil Spring Retainer Kit, 4954000. Went in super easy and locks the coils in.
Next up was the Clayton Off Road Steering Stabilizer Relocation Bracket and matching tie rod mount, COR-5209011. I used a Rough Country N3 steering stabilizer, 8730530. It's not a pressurized shock like some stabilizers are. Feels good, maybe just a bit softer than original Mopar stabilizer.
I suggest watching an install video on the relocation bracket and dry fitting all the bolts. Especially the new one that goes through the track bar. Potentially having a 9/16" ream could be useful. I had to beat on that bolt and borrow a buddies 1/2" impact gun. Mine wouldn't get the bolt seated all the way. If I would of used a reamer, it would probably gone a lot smoother.

All in all I like everything. The Rancho shocks ride pretty good. Their great over the smaller, sharper stuff. They could use just a touch more over the big dips in the roads. They are a progressive shock, but I think they could be just a bit more firm as the stroke increases.
They feel real similar to the Fox Rubicon shocks around town and over most stuff on the HWY/FWY. I think the Fox had a bit more control over the really big dips/bumps at higher speeds. But for $75ish each, they are pretty good so far.

 

[kb5zcr]

What did you do with the toolbox that you posted the part number to?

 

[RudeJeepin]

What did you do with the toolbox that you posted the part number to?

After 2 years of trouble free service, I sold it. Came across a great deal on the DiamondBack SE tonneau cover and snagged it. Didn't really need both.
It fit great and I had no issues with it. I'd have no problem suggesting it, if a toolbox was wanted.

 

[RudeJeepin]

5/28/26
Got tagged by a rock on the way home from work. It wasn't too bad when I parked it a week ago.
Guess it's time for a new windshield again, eventually once I get caught up on other things.

I had my old CJ5 for 25ish years, daily commute was 20 to 30 minutes one way for 10ish of those years. Never once had to put a new windshield in it.
This will be windshield number 3 in the Gladiator, counting the original one

 

[RudeJeepin]

6/5/26
I guess I messed up the axle side bushing for the trackbar. Heading out of town, I hit a rumble strip in the center of the highway. Things instantly got violent, steering wheel started jerking back and forth. Let off the gas, slid over enough to get off the rumble strip and things started to settle down. Not full grown death wobble, but definitely the start.
Kinda wondered, since I beat the bolt in then took a big impact gun to it. I thought the bushing had spun, but wasn't sure. The rubber part of the bushing had spun in the outer metal sleeve.

The track bar is out. The bolt was jammed in the inner metal sleeve of the bushing. I'm gonna need some new metal blades for the Sawzall.

Now to wait for the new one. Was hoping to see it today or tomorrow, but I got a notification that it won't be here until Monday.
Gladiator is in the driveway with the front axle on jack stands.

The forecast is chances of rain on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Figured I'd get a head start on it. Should only take a few minutes to put back in.

 

[RudeJeepin]

6/8/26
Had a package waiting for me when I got home from work today. So I measured the eye to eye distance on oe trackbar. Set the Clayton bar to the same measurement, gathered the necessary tools, and stood there listening to the rain.

Fiddle around for a bit and then decided, heck with it. Grabbed a plastic bag and headed outside.

Tossed the trackbar in using the oe metric hardware. Snugged everything up the best I could. Then I took the front axle off the jack stands. Tossed the tools in the front floorboards, jack and jack stands in the back and headed over to the mother in laws.

There, I pulled the Gladiator's nose into the shop and preceded to torque everything down. Put a paint mark on the jamb nut and took it for a test drive.

I headed straight for the section of road with the rumble strip. Did fine. So I turned around, once I got back to the rumble strip I slowed to 20ish. Put the driver tires on the rumble strip and slowly speed up to almost 60. No issues at all.


I think I'll get my hands on a 1.5" or 38mm flarenut cows foot. I think that will work better for torquing the jamb nut if I have to mess with it again.

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