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

[atxatxatx]

Removed my Mopar tri-fold hard tonneau cover, then installed the Truxedo Elevate TS rails and the Literider roll-up tonneau cover.
This is to allow me to use the Yakima Overhaul HD bed rack (which I've only now finally got the parts for after a super long lead time).

Tmrw I'll install the Yakima kit.

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[Trauma PA]

Well a busy last couple of days.

First I installed the Rough Country 2.5” leveling kit.
The install went fairly smooth yesterday. I’ve done several suspension lifts over the last few years so this was pretty easy. I used my Ryobi 1/2” impact wrench to loosen the control arm and track bar bolts. Worked like a charm and was less taxing as in past installs I had to use brute strength and a breaker bar. The install of the front bump stops within the coil was a little tricky but was much easier than when I installed the bump stops from the Mopar kit when I lifted my JL. As in past installs, I worked one corner at a time (removed one wheel at a time) as this is what has worked best for me. The injection molded spacers seemed pretty sturdy and they went in easy. The Rough Country front shock extensions are not as beefy as I’d like. Because of this, I used the much beefier AlloyUSA shock extensions that I had from a previous leveling kit. They were the same length, just a thicker and stronger metal. My first impressions are this is the best $99 I spent on my Jeep. Going into this, I wasn’t sure how the truck was going to look, especially with 33s. Well IMO, the truck now looks very proportionate and the gap between the top of the tires and the edge of the fender flares is perfect. I was prepared to step up to 35s if need be but I see no need at this point. I was also considering changing out my shocks to either the Fox 2.0 or the Falcon 2.1s but I am quite happy with how it drives with the JL Rubicon (the shock that comes exclusively on the Willys) mono tube shocks. Now that the front is done I have a better gauge for how to proceed with the rear. I ordered a Daystar 3/4” spacer and will see how things go with that. Right now, with only a brief 10” drive, I don’t see a need for a new adjustable front track bar or for the slightly longer Mopar lower control arms. Now this might change with a little more driving but I will keep those as options if my mind changes. My other concern was the potential for rubbing given I was keeping my stock Willys wheels and I am happy to report that I did not experience any rubbing whatsoever with full lock.

Next, I installed the Rugged Ridge Venator front bumper. This was a fun yet frustrating project. The instructions aren’t the greatest. They need to be updated, especially the part where you install the factory fog lights to the fog light brackets. Perhaps some actual pictures would make it clearer as to which bracket you use and the orientation of the bracket. Overall I am very pleased with the bumper. It is very solid and IMO looks much better than the factory front bumper.

Today I had the front windows tinted and I cheated on my Gladiator. I stopped and looked at a Ford Bronco Big Bend with Sasquatch package. I have to admit I was somewhat smitten by the Bronco. It is a beast in person. Please don’t judge me ?

Tomorrow I will be installing the Daystar 3/4” rear spacer that arrived today from Amazon as well as my X-Bull 10,000 lb. winch with synthetic line.

Here are a few pictures that I took over the last few days.

 

[StitchGrau]

Got the front windows tinted to match the rears.

And got the bed Line-X'ed!

 

[bmbrboi]

Worked like a champ. Took all of 20 minutes. No hyperflash, no errors...

DRL, turn, and Parking Lights:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H6YPB8N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EEI9LLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I picked up the same DRLs. I was hesitant to get the turns signals due to hyperflash. Glad to know its a non-issue.

 

[shrinkhead]

installed swing cases!!!! Let’s see if the clicking mechanism holds them in place when wheeling

 

[Jerhemi]

installed swing cases!!!! Let’s see if the clicking mechanism holds them in place when wheeling

Are they water tight? Looking for something to store straps in.

 

[Hootbro]

Are they water tight? Looking for something to store straps in.

I have been running a Swing Case for over a year now and have had no water intrusion. I put my extra straps , hitch accessories and recovery gear in it and nothing has remotely gotten to them element wise.

 

[ospreyfe55]

Here are pictures from over the Independence Day weekend with the recent MOPAR Satin Black Grille upgrade. https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-satin-black-grille-82216097

This week I returned the Mopar hard tri-fold truck cover and called the 4WP National Sales office to order the Truxedo Sentry CT truck bed cover.
https://truxedo.com/sentry-ct/2020/jeep/gladiator



Also I installed the MOPAR Door Sill Guards.
https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-door-sill-guards-82215551

What Lift and Size tires are you running? I love the look of your stance.

 

[awraynor]

Well a busy last couple of days.

First I installed the Rough Country 2.5” leveling kit.
The install went fairly smooth yesterday. I’ve done several suspension lifts over the last few years so this was pretty easy. I used my Ryobi 1/2” impact wrench to loosen the control arm and track bar bolts. Worked like a charm and was less taxing as in past installs I had to use brute strength and a breaker bar. The install of the front bump stops within the coil was a little tricky but was much easier than when I installed the bump stops from the Mopar kit when I lifted my JL. As in past installs, I worked one corner at a time (removed one wheel at a time) as this is what has worked best for me. The injection molded spacers seemed pretty sturdy and they went in easy. The Rough Country front shock extensions are not as beefy as I’d like. Because of this, I used the much beefier AlloyUSA shock extensions that I had from a previous leveling kit. They were the same length, just a thicker and stronger metal. My first impressions are this is the best $99 I spent on my Jeep. Going into this, I wasn’t sure how the truck was going to look, especially with 33s. Well IMO, the truck now looks very proportionate and the gap between the top of the tires and the edge of the fender flares is perfect. I was prepared to step up to 35s if need be but I see no need at this point. I was also considering changing out my shocks to either the Fox 2.0 or the Falcon 2.1s but I am quite happy with how it drives with the JL Rubicon (the shock that comes exclusively on the Willys) mono tube shocks. Now that the front is done I have a better gauge for how to proceed with the rear. I ordered a Daystar 3/4” spacer and will see how things go with that. Right now, with only a brief 10” drive, I don’t see a need for a new adjustable front track bar or for the slightly longer Mopar lower control arms. Now this might change with a little more driving but I will keep those as options if my mind changes. My other concern was the potential for rubbing given I was keeping my stock Willys wheels and I am happy to report that I did not experience any rubbing whatsoever with full lock.

Next, I installed the Rugged Ridge Venator front bumper. This was a fun yet frustrating project. The instructions aren’t the greatest. They need to be updated, especially the part where you install the factory fog lights to the fog light brackets. Perhaps some actual pictures would make it clearer as to which bracket you use and the orientation of the bracket. Overall I am very pleased with the bumper. It is very solid and IMO looks much better than the factory front bumper.

Today I had the front windows tinted and I cheated on my Gladiator. I stopped and looked at a Ford Bronco Big Bend with Sasquatch package. I have to admit I was somewhat smitten by the Bronco. It is a beast in person. Please don’t judge me ?

Tomorrow I will be installing the Daystar 3/4” rear spacer that arrived today from Amazon as well as my X-Bull 10,000 lb. winch with synthetic line.

Here are a few pictures that I took over the last few days.

And I saw the $50K dealer premium someone supposedly paid in LA for a Bronco. Yikes.

 

[Trauma PA]

And I saw the $50K dealer premium someone supposedly paid in LA for a Bronco. Yikes.

Some people just have stupid money. I wish I was one of them ?

 

[paulsoncall]

Finally had a chance to get my new Rugged Ridge Arcus stubby bumper installed today. Kiddo has been sick all week, so had to keep him out of summer camp and stay home with him. But finally snuck away a few hours.

Very straight forward install, and very happy with the quality of it. Winch plate is beefy, and the actual bumper/shell was beefier than I assumed from pics. Think it turned out great.

Only one hiccup, also had some Diode Dynamic SS3 amber fog lights to install, but I received the wrong bracket that wouldn't work with the bumper. They are sending me a replacement, so will report back once those are on. Nice looking little fog lights though.

And now to decide on which winch, if I even want to install one, or just blank off the opening for now. And yeah yeah, I know it would have made more since to install all at once, but it's only eight easy access bolts to remove the whole bumper cover to access winch plate.

And now a few pics and a shower ha.

2.5" Front/2.0" Rear spacer lift is next woohoo, just need to find the time.

Jeep looks nice. You have spacers on those wheels? What kind?

 

[mrgray]

Tried upgrading my lift and it's hella sexy.

 

[Troybilt]

Tried upgrading my lift and it's hella sexy.

Post some pic my friend. Gots to see it

 

[Buckeye Gladiator]

What Lift and Size tires are you running? I love the look of your stance.

Mopar 2.5 Fox
https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-suspension-lift-kit-77072468ac

Mopar Black Rhino 17's
https://store.mopar.com/search?search_str=black+rhino

Toyo 37 MT's

 

[danelizer]

Got my Mopar lift in and installed!

And 33” tires are just fine. I was “scared” they were gonna look dinky. They look fine.

Added a 3/4” spacer to the rear to make up for the added weight. Kept the rear just up enough to maintain some of the rake.

Now I need to get it out of the shop and onto the road for a test drive.

How much additional lift did you get on your Rubicon using the Mopar 2” lift?

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