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

[Alabama Mud Machine]

My buddy that also has a JTR has one of those SoftTopper things. He really likes it, especially for when his whole family goes on vacation, they can pack all their shit in the bed, and zip it up, and it's safe from the elements, and the whole cab space is useable for his wife and 2 daughters. He says he likes the JTR/SoftTopper setup better than his 2017 4Runner (traded for the JTR).

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[Mightytalldude]

Got my delayed work bonus payout yesterday (3 months delayed) and my Bestop rebate showed up yesterday too. Finishing up my minor upgrades. Ordered a pair of S-V.4 LED bulbs to replace the stock halogens, an extra Launch Edition rim plus TPMS sensor to change out the stock steel spare so I can rotate the spare into normal tire rotations, and replacing the stock taillights with factory LED units. Now just have to wait a week or so for everything to ship. Thinking my wife wants to get running boards on her JL soon, so that'll be another purchase soon.

I now have some tubular side steps on order for her JLU. Have to take care of the wife too. We're a Jeep family. =)

 

[sass JT]

I get that there would be a noticeable change in acoustics. I don’t see how it gives a noticeable change in climate control. There’s still a lot of surface area it doesn’t cover. I don’t own them, so you’d know better than I do though.

There has been many people that have documented a viable climate difference, I loved mine in my JKU I previously had... here is just one of many videos.

 

[TRI-JAB]

I built a suspended storage rack for my hard top and freedom panels. Made the frame out of 2x4’s and 3-inch #9 construction screws. It is 68-inches wide x 45-inches wide.

I used 1/2 x 6-inch eyebolts:

Added a support in the front for the top to rear on - there is garage door rubber seal where the top rests.

Added casters so I can move it around when on the ground and a few stops on the side and rear to keep the top from sliding off the platform. I had the netting from a past Grand Cherokee so I rigged that up to provide light downward force on the top in the front and act as a drop of the freedom tops shifted forward

Suspended the platform from the ceiling with ratchet straps rated for 500 lbs each. The ceiling mounts are rated for 400 lbs each.

Used foam under the rear to support the top off the platform:

I only need it high enough that I can pull my Z4 under it. Going to let it hang overnight and put the Z under it tomorrow....

Update: The Z4 fits perfectly underneath the platform. Trust the engineering and fabrication

 

[Sportsbiz]

There has been many people that have documented a viable climate difference, I loved mine in my JKU I previously had... here is just one of many videos.

Definite difference...as a desert dweller this was my number one reason for this purchase. The AC works far less than before.

 

[PhantomChameleon]

Got our Roofnest Eagle rooftop tent loaded onto the JT for the first time this weekend...super solid on our Rebel Offroad rack. Can't wait for all the adventures to come this summer!

 

[Troybilt]

I


Id see about a warranty fix first...as long as they dont try to just repaint those specific spots you may be able to get a better clear coat applied after the warranty paint work is done

This is not caused by a flaw in the paint. It is a result of tiny pieces of metal like break dust getting stuck to your vehicle. They then rust and cause what is known as rail dust. It shows up on white vehicles more than others. I have to clay bar mine once a year in the spring.

 

[NC_Overland]

Yeah, on my white Canyon I used to get them too. Clay bar is probably the best approach, but I'd just hit them with meguires cleaner/wax and a wax applicator and they came right off with a little elbow grease. I used that approach because I'd just go ahead and do the rest of the truck so it was protected.

 

[jimbom]

I've been putting off installing my Hotheads for months because I first wanted to paint the white to compliment them. Here's the first panel done next to an unfinished panel. The paint I chose is Rustoleum Camoflage Khaki, a very matte finish. Durability TBD, but if it is an issue, I'll put a coat of matte clear over it -- probably Spraymax 2K matte.

 

[Sazabi19]

I've been putting off installing my Hotheads for months because I first wanted to paint the white to compliment them. Here's the first panel done next to an unfinished panel. The paint I chose is Rustoleum Camoflage Khaki, a very matte finish. Durability TBD, but if it is an issue, I'll put a coat of matte clear over it -- probably Spraymax 2K matte.

Nice man, show us the end result too of the whole cab if you can.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

The white inside the top bugs me. I hate it. It looks cheap, and unfinished. I plan on painting mine matte black inside. My buddy with the Gator JTR painted his with a Mopar Gator touch-up paint, back in March, and it looks great!

 

[jimbom]

Nice man, show us the end result too of the whole cab if you can.

Thanks and will do. Probably won't get the back done for a week or so.

 

[Gren71]

Installed a Softopper on the Gladiator today. Had one on my 04 Titan that I installed in 06 and still looked/worked great in 2020 so bought another one. Highly recommend if your looking for a bed shell that’s easily removed or able to lower in minutes.

these look awesome with the soft top, not my favorite with the hard top. Still strike me as a great addition

 

[Gren71]

This is not caused by a flaw in the paint. It is a result of tiny pieces of metal like break dust getting stuck to your vehicle. They then rust and cause what is known as rail dust. It shows up on white vehicles more than others. I have to clay bar mine once a year in the spring.

you don’t think that falls into a warranty claim? If its possible to have been caused by the transport of the vehicle Id think it does.

 

[NC_Overland]

you don’t think that falls into a warranty claim? If its possible to have been caused by the transport of the vehicle Id think it does.

It is not a warranty claim. Well, technically, it should have been spotted before the delivery of the vehicle to the customer and taken care of in detail. Its not always rail dust though, you can get it after the fact like I did. I got it worse in winter months. If you get it after the fact, its external contamination in the paint and the dealership and the manufacturer are not responsible.

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