Project Imogene

[USN_JeepJL]

New to the Gladiator club! I think this is Jeep number 13 in the last 19 years but I've never owned a Wrangler... this might be the closest I get. My most recent builds have been named after Jeep trails in Colorado and the Gladiator is named after the trail that connects Ouray and Telluride. The two most recent builds:

The current MJ project:

I sold my '17 Shelby GT350 last fall and put in an order for a 2020 3.0L Rubicon in Bikini... but after 3 months of waiting and after seeing a Hydro Blue JT next to a Bikini JL I changed my mind in favor of the Gladiator. I stumbled on a fully loaded Rubicon only missing a painted hard top. On the dealer lot:

The plan is to build a medium capability offroader that I can use to drive from TX to Moab or Ouray comfortably... And maybe pull the MJ every once in a while (though my Ram will still be the primary tow vehicle). Normally I'd lift the Jeep myself at home in my shop but i'm on a trip right now and the dealer made me a good deal on the installed lift so I went for it. At delivery:

Suspension:
Mopar 2" lift kit
AEV ProCal Snap
Clayton track-bars F+R

Steering:
Fox 2.0 steering stabilizer

Wheels/Tires:
Nitto Trail Grappler 37x12.5x17
Stock Jeep optional wheels
Spidertrax 1.75" spacers
Gorilla black acorn style lug nuts

Recovery/Armor:
Warn Zeon 10S winch
Mopar winch mounting plate
Factor 55 Flatlink
Factor 55 haws fairlead

Exterior:
Mopar roll up tonneau cover
Mopar sun bonnet
Mopar cab cover
ARB Intensity 7.25" driving lights

Interior:
Launch Edition red stitched dash

Near Future Plans:
4.88 gears (waiting to instal)
Paint the hard top body color

The Launch Edition dash:

Factory tonneau cover:

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[Jake]

I thought Launch Edition trucks had matching roof paint, maybe I’m wrong about that. Anyway hope you enjoy your new ride. Looks nice.

 

[USN_JeepJL]

I thought Launch Edition trucks had matching roof paint, maybe I’m wrong about that. Anyway hope you enjoy your new ride. Looks nice.

Oh it's not a Launch Edition, they weren't available in hydro blue. I just ordered and installed LE dash panels. Jeep part numbers: 6AC241R3AA and 6AC261R3AD. I like them better than the gray painted panels that were originally there.

Loving it so far!

 

[Jake]

Oh it's not a Launch Edition, they weren't available in hydro blue. I just ordered and installed LE dash panels. Jeep part numbers: 6AC241R3AA and 6AC261R3AD. I like them better than the gray painted panels that were originally there.

Loving it so far!

Gotcha

 

[jurfie]

Oh it's not a Launch Edition, they weren't available in hydro blue. I just ordered and installed LE dash panels. Jeep part numbers: 6AC241R3AA and 6AC261R3AD. I like them better than the gray painted panels that were originally there.

Loving it so far!

Looks nice! Apparently you got lucky getting a Hydro Blue Rubicon with the grey dash panel as they're shipping them with red now, from what I understand; unless you got the Saddle interior (hard to tell from your pics).

 

[Ezekielg1]

Just out of curiosity why are you installing the whee spacers?

 

[USN_JeepJL]

Looks nice! Apparently you got lucky getting a Hydro Blue Rubicon with the grey dash panel as they're shipping them with red now, from what I understand; unless you got the Saddle interior (hard to tell from your pics).

Thanks! I do have the red stitched interior. It definitely didn't look bad with the grey but a red dash would definitely have been out of place.

Just out of curiosity why are you installing the whee spacers?

They're currently installed. I needed them to clear 37's on the stock wheels as they rub at full lock.

 

[Jeepaholic]

Loved your WK build and used it for inspiration on my own. And I followed the XJ builds on another forum as well. Can’t wait to see the JTR. My JTR is untouched, waiting to go to EJS in a few weeks to look at some JT’s in person. Good luck with this one.

 

[USN_JeepJL]

Loved your WK build and used it for inspiration on my own. And I followed the XJ builds on another forum as well. Can’t wait to see the JTR. My JTR is untouched, waiting to go to EJS in a few weeks to look at some JT’s in person. Good luck with this one.

Oh wow, that WK is clean! Love the Pintlers. I'm about to build another WK... this time for my Dad. Hope it turns out that clean. I'm jealous of EJS! I'll make it back again sometime. Maybe next year. I have to get the MJ done first though.

 

[USN_JeepJL]

Perfect day to take off the Freedom Panels!

I had another 37 Nitto mounted on the factory spare wheel. It "fits"... for the most part. The tire had to be forced between the frame rails a bit. If I were to remove or trim the heat shield on the left side I think it would fit perfectly. Either way its up there!

The right side. You can see the tread is a little deformed where I used the tire-iron to help the tire slide up between the frame rails:

On the driver-side you can see that the tire sits about a half an inch to the right due to the heat shield... I think I can trim the back half which should allow the tire to sit evenly between the frame rails and make getting it up there easier.

It only sits about an inch maybe inch and a half lower than the factory spare

I also threw on some Mopar pedals and door sill guards:

 

[USN_JeepJL]

Also, trying to decide if I like the current wheel setup. I think I'd like the tires to sit a little more flush but can't decide.

 

[JT_Jeff]

Also, trying to decide if I like the current wheel setup. I think I'd like the tires to sit a little more flush but can't decide.

Great looking JTR! I have the same wheels and have slight rubbing at full lock with my 35 K02s. Like you, I want functional but tires under the flares as much as possible. 1st world problems...

 

[USN_JeepJL]

Great looking JTR! I have the same wheels and have slight rubbing at full lock with my 35 K02s. Like you, I want functional but tires under the flares as much as possible. 1st world problems...

Thanks! haha, yeah, I wish the Spidertrax spacers were about half the thickness that they are. I'd run without them but the rubbing was annoying. I really like the factory wheel look so I might end up going with Quadratec Hardrock wheels as they are similar and would bring the tires back in a bit. We'll see.

 

[Jeepaholic]

Also, trying to decide if I like the current wheel setup. I think I'd like the tires to sit a little more flush but can't decide.

Wheels are the hardest decision for me. I love my factory wheels, but wish they were a bit wider. I’m not a fan of wheels sticking out, even that far. I’m waiting to see the new AEV wheel when it comes out before I make a final decision.

 

[JT_Jeff]

[QUOTE="Jeepaholic, post: 461784, member: 23304"I’m waiting to see the new AEV wheel when it comes out before I make a final decision.”[/QUOTE]
I had not heard this! I’m looking forward to seeing the new wheel too. My JK had Pintlers and I really liked them but wanted something different for the JT.

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