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

[Gator Pit]

Motobilt Crusher front bumper installed today! Now to figure out what I want for a winch.

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[Sportsbiz]

Installed Metalcloak hinge steps. Will make it easier to work up top tying down kayaks or whatever ends up on the roof. And they look cool.

Any issues getting the bolts off the hinges? I've read that it can be really difficult. Any tips are appreciated as I'm planning on putting a set on my rear doors.

 

[Rummie]

Any issues getting the bolts off the hinges? I've read that it can be really difficult. Any tips are appreciated as I'm planning on putting a set on my rear doors.

You need to be careful that you don't strip the heads. I used a 24" breaker bar. Then I aligned the bit as straight as I could and hit the bar with a mallet to drive the bit in better. If you don't do that then the paint will stop it from going in all the way and it may slip/strip. Make sure you keep the breaker handle aligned with the side of the Jeep so it doesn't twist the bit out. Keep pressure on the bar pushing towards the Jeep of course. It was the worst part of the job. I was relieved every time I heard the snap of the bolt breaking free. I was thinking that there was a good chance I'd be drilling one out before the day was done.

I did semi-strip one of the replacement bolt heads unfortunately. I was torquing to 19 and got a little misaligned on one. I think it will still back out but I'm just leaving that one alone for now.

I also had to loosen the top hitch bolts quite a bit on two of them in order to install the bracket on the bottom. I had to position the bottom of the step outside of the bracket to install it and then go back to the mallet to get it in place after the bracket was installed.

Overall a very high quality kit as you would expect from Metalcloak.

I considered only doing the back doors. Those are definitely the most useful ones and all you really need. The fronts may come in handy putting kayaks up, but I also decided partly on the look of it.

 

[IamAlan]

The 70's Called.
They wanted their antenna back.
Rydonair RD-RMRNJ 12.8"
As someone else cautioned, the aluminum mounting adapter has black paint on the threads. Clean this off so you get good metal-to-metal contact with the brass insert.

 

[Tuggernuts]

Changed the filter in the mopar intake from KN to AFE Pro Guard 7 cone filter.

I pictured you being older. ?

 

[KurtP]

I pictured you being older. ?

i have a camera that captures you in mental maturity

 

[Barticus]

Picked up snow tires a few weeks ago and finally put the color matched bumper pieces on too. It was nice yesterday so I was able to wash it and get a good pic

 

[NCC1701-D]

Decided to try a few lights on aux switch. Cheap Amazon lights nothing special. Most likely overkill here but it ended up being a lot of fun.

 

[Sportsbiz]

You need to be careful that you don't strip the heads. I used a 24" breaker bar. Then I aligned the bit as straight as I could and hit the bar with a mallet to drive the bit in better. If you don't do that then the paint will stop it from going in all the way and it may slip/strip. Make sure you keep the breaker handle aligned with the side of the Jeep so it doesn't twist the bit out. Keep pressure on the bar pushing towards the Jeep of course. It was the worst part of the job. I was relieved every time I heard the snap of the bolt breaking free. I was thinking that there was a good chance I'd be drilling one out before the day was done.

I did semi-strip one of the replacement bolt heads unfortunately. I was torquing to 19 and got a little misaligned on one. I think it will still back out but I'm just leaving that one alone for now.

I also had to loosen the top hitch bolts quite a bit on two of them in order to install the bracket on the bottom. I had to position the bottom of the step outside of the bracket to install it and then go back to the mallet to get it in place after the bracket was installed.

Overall a very high quality kit as you would expect from Metalcloak.

I considered only doing the back doors. Those are definitely the most useful ones and all you really need. The fronts may come in handy putting kayaks up, but I also decided partly on the look of it.

Thank you for the advice! I have a 24" breaker bar so I'm set there. As for the bit, it is in fact a T50, correct? Double checking as I'd read in another thread how that didn't work and it stripped the bolt. I'm definitely getting these, and like you may likely go with two pairs for aesthetic reasons.

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

PRP custom seat covers have been installed!
What I did today was finally post about em!
I spent the last few months giving em a good break-in along with the rest of the kit that has been installed since the fall.

I absolutely love em. The tweed can be a little “itchy” feeling on bare skin, or through thin shirts, but seems like its just something that’s gotten better with age and a little break-in. I knew that of the material itself, not to any fault of PRP.

They clean up real nice, installed without a lot of hassle (just tossed em in the dryer for a few minutes to warm each cover up and helped stretch it really easily), and really have just made for a cool style in the cabin.

 

[Rummie]

Thank you for the advice! I have a 24" breaker bar so I'm set there. As for the bit, it is in fact a T50, correct? Double checking as I'd read in another thread how that didn't work and it stripped the bolt. I'm definitely getting these, and like you may likely go with two pairs for aesthetic reasons.

You're welcome! It's really not that bad of a job. As long as you don't strip a door bolt!

Yes, it is a T50. As long as you have a good quality one and use the mallet method you should be fine. Watch the bolt carefully and be ready to back off immediately if it starts to strip. I had a couple of them start to feel as if they were stripping. But it was mostly just paint coming off and very little metal damage. I stopped immediately, repositioned the torx, and pounded it in again. You will see the T50 move into the bolt head when you use the mallet. It can be a little tricky holding it correctly aligned and hitting it at the same time. I just took my time and it worked out fine.

Good luck! They are very functional and look great.

 

[IamAlan]

Thank you for the advice! I have a 24" breaker bar so I'm set there....

My son-in -law calls his the “Warranty Buster 3000.” ?

 

[Jonny A]

Dead pedal and seat rail mounted flashlight installed.

 

[Texan]

Swapped out my Max Tow flares for Rubicon flares w/led's.
Can't really tell from these pics, but the Rubi fenders are 2K Raptor lined and 2K SprayMax clear coated

.

Essentials:

2K Raptor Lined:

2K SprayMax Cleared:

 

[JTzntz]

Swapped out my Max Tow flares for Rubicon flares w/led's.
Can't really tell from these pics, but the Rubi fenders are 2K Raptor lined and 2K SprayMax clear coated

All it took was 2 cans of each for all 4 fenders? How does the texture look compared to the factory textured plastics?

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