"JEEP" tailgate badge mods?

[Renegade]

You'll find an array of 'issues' if you go with AEV (I am a huge fan of theirs! this isn't bashing). I honestly can't recall everything that arises but I wanted a certain look without spacers. I know it does have something to do with the largest width tire their wheels can handle along with 37s, etc. I am totally botching this response. Along with uneven tire wear, etc. I will get better details tomorrow as I am visiting a local expert. I know their setup will work for some, but not all. In any case, they are Fuel Enduros on 37" Nitto Ridge Grapplers with a 2.5 inch lift.

For what it's worth, my initial email inquiring about a new wheel was to AEV and then the dealership parts manager (he's way competent; not even comparing him to others). They were working together and couldn't make it work.

I think someone is misinformed on the AEV wheel issue. AEV has made new wheels specifically for the JL (+25 BS) which should also work well for the JT.

Sponsored

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

You’re killing me.... I’m debating taking the Rubicon stickers off as well... I like the clean not badge/sticker look.... but can’t commit to removing them just yet.
Pretty sure it is because I have yet to see another Rubicon in my area yet

I get it. Once you do it, my experience is that you will never go back. If, and this is a giant if since you already know you like the 'look', you don't end up enjoying it, it's a simple and relatively cheap fix. I also look at it this way, which I enjoy... The Jeep people 'in the know' already know you have a Rubicon without the badges and those who don't will ask you about it if you're stopped (great conversation) or stare at you in traffic (kind of flattering).

My wife uses our XK Overland as her daily driver (2007, super low miles) and just last Thursday she had someone in our kids' school parking lot ask her what she was driving (They knew it was a Jeep but nothing else). Turns out it sparked a good conversation, she met another parent and they asked all sorts of questions about Jeep since they are thinking about purchasing a JL. Interesting nonetheless.....

Funny: On the flip side, I was driving back from the Midwest over the Memorial Day weekend and I saw a Rubicon in West Virginia who doubled up on Rubicon stickers on the hood. He definitely wanted everyone to know he had a 'super duper' Rubicon. Or, on second thought, it's a special edition Rubicon built just for him, I need to confirm. [ on hold with Jeep right now, will update soon].

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

I think someone is misinformed on the AEV wheel issue. AEV has made new wheels specifically for the JL (+25 BS) which should also work well for the JT.

My wheel: (Fuel Enduro)

Size: 18" x 9"
Offset: -12mm
Backspacing: 4.5"

AEV: (Pintler & Others for JL/JT)

Size: 17.5" x 8.5"
Offset: + 25mm (You incorrectly identified this as BS)
Backspacing: 5.77"

My Tires: (Nitto Ridge Grapplers 37x12.50R17)

With regards to misinformed, I never said it couldn't be done. I actually mentioned the look I desired, which I also believe most reasonable Gladiator owners would want. Please describe in detail what the aforementioned means for tread wear and where the tire sits in relation to the vehicle (knowing there's a 2.5" lift installed)? If you're okay with the results, by all means proceed.

 

[cajun charlie]

Before and after removing my Gladiator and Jeep badges... PITA, but looks so clean

@Sinister_JTR What did you do with the "Trail Rated" badge area?

Thanks,
Carl

 

[cajun charlie]

So clean!

@Hawkeyes3312 What did you do with the tailgate badge area?

Thanks,
Carl

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

@Hawkeyes3312 What did you do with the tailgate badge area?

Thanks,
Carl

@cajun charlie

The LE badge and JEEP badge are still present. They will be gone the next time I head over to the dealer. For some strange reason I thought I might like it, but to no avail!

Thanks,

Derek

Edit: Actually we left them not because we thought we would like it, but rather because we were forced to leave the Trail Rated badge so we figured it wasn't going to be completely de-badged regardless of the situation. Trail Rated will have to stay due to the indent surrounding the badge....

 

[Oilburner]

Could we get some dimensions to locate exactly where those holes are located? Thanks!

 

[cajun charlie]

@cajun charlie

The LE badge and JEEP badge are still present. They will be gone the next time I head over to the dealer. For some strange reason I thought I might like it, but to no avail!

Thanks,

Derek

Edit: Actually we left them not because we thought we would like it, but rather because we were forced to leave the Trail Rated badge so we figured it wasn't going to be completely de-badged regardless of the situation. Trail Rated will have to stay due to the indent surrounding the badge....

My plan is to remove the JEEP from the tailgate. Change up the colors and replace. I was hoping someone could give me some insight as to the removal of the JEEP badge. I know there are supposed to be pins on the back side of the J and P. Just wondering about the difficulty of the removal.

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

My plan is to remove the JEEP from the tailgate. Change up the colors and replace. I was hoping someone could give me some insight as to the removal of the JEEP badge. I know there are supposed to be pins on the back side of the J and P. Just wondering about the difficulty of the removal.

May I ask where that information regarding pins comes from? If that's true, and please confirm, that would mean that there will need to be some sort of repair that would need to take place if one truly wants a complete de-badge. I ran into an issue on my XK a long time ago where I actually needed to take it to the body shop for repair and paint. It wasn't expensive, but this would be the whole tailgate.

 

[cajun charlie]

May I ask where that information regarding pins comes from? If that's true, and please confirm, that would mean that there will need to be some sort of repair that would need to take place if one truly wants a complete de-badge. I ran into an issue on my XK a long time ago where I actually needed to take it to the body shop for repair and paint. It wasn't expensive, but this would be the whole tailgate.

Debadged tailgate. Pic by @Idtattoo

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

Debadged tailgate. Pic by @Idtattoo

THANK YOU!!! Mine is NEVER coming off!

 

[cajun charlie]

I de badged the tailgate today. I used a few fasteners I had laying around from my 4Runner I parted with for my gladiator. I had to trim two of the wings off the one to get it to fit in the hole left by the Jeep logo. The passenger hole is a oval and the fastener fit perfect but the driver hole was round and needed some persuasion.

@Idtattoo Did you use any special tools to remove the "pinned" letters of the badge? How difficult would you say it would be to re-install the letters after they are removed? I'm hoping to remove, change the colors, then re-install.

Thanks,
Carl

 

[LongTimeListener]

@Idtattoo Did you use any special tools to remove the "pinned" letters of the badge? How difficult would you say it would be to re-install the letters after they are removed? I'm hoping to remove, change the colors, then re-install.

I imagine it'd be a challenge to get them perfectly straight again, unless you're good at that sort of thing.

 

[cajun charlie]

I imagine it'd be a challenge to get them perfectly straight again, unless you're good at that sort of thing.

@LongTimeListener Utilizing the pins in the first and last letters will greatly aid in the alignment when re-installing since they can only "go in" one way. A plastic torpedo level to "plumb" the taller letters (J & P) and a straight edge to keep them "level" across the bottom. I plan to take a pic and add in dimensions prior to removal.

 

[Jellygladiator]

Yeah stamp the tailgate, one more reason to delay build

Sponsored