New Member in Western NC

[deanocraft]

Hey! New member here. I recently bought a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon with the 3.6L and a 6 speed. I love it so far, but have not had much chance to test it out other than pulling a small camper for a few hundred miles. I’m looking to do some more challenging stuff or at least some long fire service rides soon. I probably am not gonna ask the wife to hold my beer while crawling up a rock face, but who really knows what the future will bring…

I like to deer and hog hunt, so that gets me to some isolated spots at times. I’m planning on a new front bumper and a winch, but I haven’t found one that will let me keep the factory LED’s and Rubicon front skid plate yet.

I’m also interested in finding one matching wheel to put my spare on so I can get it in the rotation.

Anyhow, I’m hoping to learn some good stuff while enjoying my new favorite toy.

Dean

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[ORACLElights]

Welcome to the forum!

If you ever decide to play around with lighting upgrades down the road, definitely check out what we’re working on over at Oracle Lighting, we’ve got a few options that pair really cleanly with the Gladiator platform. Always happy to help with questions or setups!

 

[deanocraft]

Thank you, I’ve already been looking into a few options and I believe you guys make a nice light to replace the reflector in my stock rear bumper. I’m not quite ready yet, but soon…

 

[stoneknives]

Hey! New member here. I recently bought a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon with the 3.6L and a 6 speed. I love it so far, but have not had much chance to test it out other than pulling a small camper for a few hundred miles. I’m looking to do some more challenging stuff or at least some long fire service rides soon. I probably am not gonna ask the wife to hold my beer while crawling up a rock face, but who really knows what the future will bring…

I like to deer and hog hunt, so that gets me to some isolated spots at times. I’m planning on a new front bumper and a winch, but I haven’t found one that will let me keep the factory LED’s and Rubicon front skid plate yet.

I’m also interested in finding one matching wheel to put my spare on so I can get it in the rotation.

Anyhow, I’m hoping to learn some good stuff while enjoying my new favorite toy.

Dean

F_Book marketplace picked up a spare for the original alloys, and a set of 5 alloys off a 2023 (different guys) for 160$ total for all.
Just have to be patient and keep looking.

My plan is to have a more street oriented set for most of the year (which is 85% of my driving) and a set of aggressive RT/MT's for hunting season.

Glad you're with us. I got a bunch of family around Murphy.
Henry

 

[deanocraft]

Thank you Stoneknives. I’m in Bryson City. It’s pretty up here. I don’t do the Facebook, but I’ll have the wife conduct a search!

 

[joanny]

Welcome, Dean. Sounds like you picked a great combo with the Rubicon and 6-speed. For the kind of hunting and backwoods exploring you're talking about, a winch is definitely a smart addition. You might have some luck finding a matching wheel in the forum classifieds or on Facebook Marketplace. A lot of people pull their factory Rubicon wheels off early and sell them individually. Enjoy the Gladiator. They seem to have a way of turning "I'll keep it mostly stock" into a very expensive hobby.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

You spelled “winch” right. You’re in there like swimwear!!!! Welcome to the club!

 

[deanocraft]

You spelled “winch” right. You’re in there like swimwear!!!! Welcome to the club!

I’m smarter than I look.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’m smarter than I look.

Well to my knowledge you look kinda like a moose. Nice rack though.

 

[ArcticDreadnought]

Praise the spellenings!

 

[ORACLElights]

Thank you, I’ve already been looking into a few options and I believe you guys make a nice light to replace the reflector in my stock rear bumper. I’m not quite ready yet, but soon…

Just give us a shout when you're ready. You can always use code GLADIATOR10 at checkout to save 10% on your order, too!

 

[smlobx]

Welcome neighbor!

We have a vacation home in Arden, just South of AVL and am up there pretty often. Most of the Forrest Service roads in Pisgah NF are pretty easy as you probably know. There‘s a bunch of trails in Uwharrie NF which is about 3 hours East that has a bunch of trails, some of which are very hard so you can play at what ever level you want.

There’s a great 4x4/overland shop called Asheville Vehicle Outfitters that can help you with just about anything as well …

https://ashevillevehicleoutfitters.com/

 

[deanocraft]

Welcome neighbor!

We have a vacation home in Arden, just South of AVL and am up there pretty often. Most of the Forrest Service roads in Pisgah NF are pretty easy as you probably know. There‘s a bunch of trails in Uwharrie NF which is about 3 hours East that has a bunch of trails, some of which are very hard so you can play at what ever level you want.

There’s a great 4x4/overland shop called Asheville Vehicle Outfitters that can help you with just about anything as well …

https://ashevillevehicleoutfitters.com/

Excellent. That shop wasn’t on my radar yet. Im sure I will eventually get over there. When my tires wear out, I’ll want a lift!

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