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Husband Gladiator and Wife JL build(s)

TTEChris

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I started a similar thread on the JL forums when my wife and I both had them. Since we sold hers, and she has taken over my JL Rubicon I figure I would start a thread here since it will be mostly focused on the Gladiator build and our adventures together.

The day I picked it up
New Gladiator.jpg


A few days later I decided to install a Magnaflow crawler exhaust and delete the spare tire. I will have a bed mount spare in the future.
Magnaflow Crawler tip.jpg


Magnaflow Crawler.jpg
Gladiator Spare delete.jpg


I'm sure I will go through many different suspension setups, but I decided on a Skyjacker 4.5" as my "starter" suspension. It rides fairly well for a basic 4.5" lift, but I'm sure I will end up with coilovers like I did on my JL.
Skyjacker 45 JT.jpg

A little forklift flex test
Skyjacker Flex.jpg
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TTEChris

TTEChris

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Installed a Roam Offroad front bumper to make room for the bigger tires
IMG_20190811_134352_217_resized_1.jpg


Got my 17" Spyderlock Beadlocks back from powdercoat, and my wonderful wife spent the good part of a Sunday helping me mount the 41x14.50r17 Interco Irok Radials on the wheels.
20190811_113744~2_resized.jpg


With the Houston heat and not being at the shop with a lift I had to install the tires on the Jeep one end at a time...
20190811_185610~2_resized.jpg

It's crazy to see how much bigger these 41" Irok's are than my Wife's 40x13.50r17 Maxxis Razr's(They weigh about the same)
20190811_220201~2_resized.jpg
20190811_220210~2_resized.jpg


After cutting the Rubicon rails and ripping a couple of clips off on the front fenders driving to the shop I installed a Quake fender chop/LED DRL kit in the front. I still need to do the rear, but I may wait until some aftermarket liners come out(There is a ton of open space in the rear behind the liners).
20190812_190108~2_resized.jpg
20190812_190120~2_resized.jpg
20190812_190213~2_resized.jpg
 
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TTEChris

TTEChris

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What are you plans for axles? Swapping in 60s?
Once more axles come out we will make that decision. We have wheeled a good bit with our JL on 40s & 5.13s without any issues. I'm fairly easy on the skinny pedal so hopefully they last that long :blush:
 

Benbean66

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I started a similar thread on the JL forums when my wife and I both had them. Since we sold hers, and she has taken over my JL Rubicon I figure I would start a thread here since it will be mostly focused on the Gladiator build and our adventures together.

The day I picked it up
New Gladiator.jpg


A few days later I decided to install a Magnaflow crawler exhaust and delete the spare tire. I will have a bed mount spare in the future.
Magnaflow Crawler tip.jpg


Magnaflow Crawler.jpg
Gladiator Spare delete.jpg


I'm sure I will go through many different suspension setups, but I decided on a Skyjacker 4.5" as my "starter" suspension. It rides fairly well for a basic 4.5" lift, but I'm sure I will end up with coilovers like I did on my JL.
Skyjacker 45 JT.jpg

A little forklift flex test
Skyjacker Flex.jpg
How does that exhaust sound? I know I the past some aftermarket systems made the 6cyls sound bad in their attempts at a V8 sound.
 

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TTEChris

TTEChris

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How does that exhaust sound? I know I the past some aftermarket systems made the 6cyls sound bad in their attempts at a V8 sound.
It sounds nothing like a V8. It sounds like a slightly deeper/throatier Nissan/Infiniti V6 if that makes any sense.
I wish my wife would let me buy a V8 as that is the sound I wish it had :beer:
 

spazzyfry123

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Looking good. Like those front fenders a lot. Interested to see what you do with the rear to match.
 
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TTEChris

TTEChris

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Looking good. Like those front fenders a lot. Interested to see what you do with the rear to match.
If I have the free time tomorrow I will be deleting the lower half of the rear as well. I just hope the aftermarket comes out with some rear liners in the near future.
 

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Can that quake kit be added if I don’t opt for factory LEDs?



Installed a Roam Offroad front bumper to make room for the bigger tires
IMG_20190811_134352_217_resized_1.jpg


Got my 17" Spyderlock Beadlocks back from powdercoat, and my wonderful wife spent the good part of a Sunday helping me mount the 41x14.50r17 Interco Irok Radials on the wheels.
20190811_113744~2_resized.jpg


With the Houston heat and not being at the shop with a lift I had to install the tires on the Jeep one end at a time...
20190811_185610~2_resized.jpg

It's crazy to see how much bigger these 41" Irok's are than my Wife's 40x13.50r17 Maxxis Razr's(They weigh about the same)
20190811_220201~2_resized.jpg
20190811_220210~2_resized.jpg


After cutting the Rubicon rails and ripping a couple of clips off on the front fenders driving to the shop I installed a Quake fender chop/LED DRL kit in the front. I still need to do the rear, but I may wait until some aftermarket liners come out(There is a ton of open space in the rear behind the liners).
20190812_190108~2_resized.jpg
20190812_190120~2_resized.jpg
20190812_190213~2_resized.jpg
 
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TTEChris

TTEChris

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Can that quake kit be added if I don’t opt for factory LEDs?
It mounts the same, the only thing that may be an issue is the lighting function. The plug is the same, but I believe the LED package has more wires in the actual harness(I could be wrong on that just going off memory.) I want to say the American Adventure Labs set works without a hitch on the non LED package, but with the LED's it requires an extra harness.
 

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TTEChris

TTEChris

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Chopped my rear flares to match the front. I hope the aftermarket comes out with some rear liners in the near future.
Chopped Flares.jpg
 

TheSolarWizard

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It mounts the same, the only thing that may be an issue is the lighting function. The plug is the same, but I believe the LED package has more wires in the actual harness(I could be wrong on that just going off memory.) I want to say the American Adventure Labs set works without a hitch on the non LED package, but with the LED's it requires an extra harness.


I called them and they said they will work perfectly fine without factory LED setup.

On your rear wheel wells.. I had my F-150 sprayed with linex and it held up well. Could that be an option or are the liners adding some type of structure?
 
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TTEChris

TTEChris

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I called them and they said they will work perfectly fine without factory LED setup.

On your rear wheel wells.. I had my F-150 sprayed with linex and it held up well. Could that be an option or are the liners adding some type of structure?
There are some electrical connectors/fuel hoses etc in the fender well that I would like covered long term.
 

WhatExit?

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Once more axles come out we will make that decision. We have wheeled a good bit with our JL on 40s & 5.13s without any issues. I'm fairly easy on the skinny pedal so hopefully they last that long :blush:
Looks great. I'm amazed at the tires - size and tread - you went with but they do look badass. What about gearing? You mentioned 5.13 gears on your JL - did/are you swapping out the gears?
 
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TTEChris

TTEChris

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Looks great. I'm amazed at the tires - size and tread - you went with but they do look badass. What about gearing? You mentioned 5.13 gears on your JL - did/are you swapping out the gears?
Thanks!

I'm waiting for the upgraded axles for the Gladiator to become available, but while I'm waiting I may go to 5.13's and weld on an Artec front Axle armor kit. Our JL on 40s and 5.13s has help up well without it, but better safe than sorry.
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