What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[Mightytalldude]

Bought a $100 deductible, 8yr/125k mi Mopar Max Care warranty from Tom Winkels.

I keep my vehicles for a while, so extended warranties have always paid off for me on my past Jeep GCs (three of them), ususally based on electronics breaking.

I set myself up with one, different company, but for same reasons, I keep my stuff a long time, plus with Gladiator being so new, with some tested parts with JL, better to cover bases in case with a new vehicle line. Essentially we're all driving test mules for daily drivers.

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[Oscar Indy]

Pulled my tent and awning off the truck and moved to the trailer.

New awning on the truck. Waiting on my hardshell tent.

 

[RSK]

How did you come to select these speakers? I know there’s better models (Infinity Kappa 3.5s). Were you looking for better audio without going top line? I have the Premium system too and it’s ok but I saw this post and started adding both sets of speakers to my cart but then I started seeing the Kappa and other more expensive speakers which I’m not against testing (IF they fit?!). Normally I like JL Audio...did you go with the Infinity’s in dash with higher treble and the JLs in soundbar due to more bass?

Have you explored swapping out the bigger speakers in soundbar or the ones by driver/passenger knees?

WakesurfVT - I basically read a bunch of reviews, blogs, researched posted feedback on the forums and ultimately narrowed the list to JL Audio 350x and Infinity 3022 based on the good reviews and positive feedback. The kappa’s may be better and cost wasn’t really my deciding factor, but didn’t want to drop $500 per pair if not necessary as there are many other things I want for the JT as well. You know, the never ending “JT I need it“ list! My intention was to try both 3.5” speakers in the dash top and send the one I didn’t like back.

Well, I liked them both but differently. The Infinity sounded better up front to me in the dash with better highs/mids. The JL’s had more mids/bass sound to me. Before sending the JL’s back, I decided to try them in the soundbar just to see if there was an improvement. To me it was a noticeable improvement in both areas. Eventually I might convert the knees and soundbar to 6.5”. I’ve thought and researched seriously considering this option. Before going that route, I’m thinking of trying 4” Morel or JL Audio replacing the other soundbar speaker first. Just depends on how much money to spend, time to change out or modify for hopefully an improvement vs it finally sounds pretty darn good. If I can replace 6 speakers (4 done for $120 and 2 more for $150) for under $300 and it sound pretty good, I’ll be done. If the 4” don’t satisfy, I’ll send them back, pull the 3.5” JL’s in the soundbar and put in my daughter’s Renegade. Then start the conversion to 6.5” in the SB and knees. it’s really trial and error until being happy with the changes I suppose. As I said a couple posts back, IMO the 8.4 Alpine head is fine. I feel the output from the speakers is the problem so far. Sure an external amp would help drive it all and that might eventually be what is needed. However, just trying to do it in stages and maybe I’ll be content before spending another $1500 to get there.

So to finally answer your question, my plan was just to try something to improve the muddy sound in the JT and start improving things compared to our JK’s Premium Alpine with 6.5” speakers. I drove the JK today and it still sounds better with the bigger stock 6.5” speakers, but the Gladiator getting closer.

 

[Austingobi]

Covered my licence plate lights with red tape so I can see thru the rear camera when I'm backing up at night

 

[JonRJackson]

Covered my licence plate lights with red tape so I can see thru the rear camera when I'm backing up at night

is that legal? I think TX requires them to be white. But I completely understand why. I’ve been thinking of how to make a cover to allow
Light to the plate but block it from the camera.

 

[Troybilt]

Covered my licence plate lights with red tape so I can see thru the rear camera when I'm backing up at night

Texas Transportation Code 547.322
(f)
A taillamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and mounted to emit a white light that:
(1)
illuminates the rear license plate; and
(2)
makes the plate clearly legible at a distance of 50 feet from the rear.

You may want to rethink this mod. Your choice.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is there some difference in license plate lights - as so far, I've not had a problem. Granted I've not tried to hitch up to my trailer in the dark, but for backing up the driveway, that sort of thing, no trouble seeing via camera.

 

[Troybilt]

Is there some difference in license plate lights - as so far, I've not had a problem. Granted I've not tried to hitch up to my trailer in the dark, but for backing up the driveway, that sort of thing, no trouble seeing via camera.

I did have a problem hooking my trailer up in the dark with the camera. My remedy was to put a 1x1 reflective sticker on the trailer hitch to help find it in the dark. It works great. It really shows up with the reverse lights shining on it.

 

[Oscar Indy]

is that legal? I think TX requires them to be white. But I completely understand why. I’ve been thinking of how to make a cover to allow
Light to the plate but block it from the camera.

I used duct tape and covered all but a small sliver

 

[Austingobi]

Ask for forgiveness not permission

 

[JonRJackson]

Is there some difference in license plate lights - as so far, I've not had a problem. Granted I've not tried to hitch up to my trailer in the dark, but for backing up the driveway, that sort of thing, no trouble seeing via camera.

LED light package? Might be the difference.

 

[Troybilt]

Ask for forgiveness not permission

I am going this route with the front plate law in Ohio. They will no longer be required after July 1st. I decided not to put mine on. If this leads to a traffic stop that gets me busted for my mobile meth lab that is on me.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

LED light package? Might be the difference.

Could be - that's what I wondered - mine has the full LED package.

 

[Oscar Indy]

I am going this route with the front plate law in Ohio. They will no longer be required after July 1st. I decided not to put mine on. If this leads to a traffic stop that gets me busted for my mobile meth lab that is on me.

Same boat. Neither of our rigs has a front plate mounting position... I'll take the ticket if I ever get stopped. Oh well

 

[eaglerugby04]

I am going this route with the front plate law in Ohio. They will no longer be required after July 1st. I decided not to put mine on. If this leads to a traffic stop that gets me busted for my mobile meth lab that is on me.

You should be fine. I drove a car in 2013/2014 for almost a year without a front license plate and never had issues. Dealer never installed it and I just never bothered. I know people that went years without them installed.

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