Looking for some advice on a build.

[Old School Life]

Hello everyone. I am recently retired and finally getting back into lifting a vehicle. I have a 2020 Sport S, non max tow. 8 sp tranny. 3.73 gearing. Plans are to install a Clayton 3.5 Overland lift and Fox shocks which is being deliver soon. 35" General Grabber X3 on Quadratec retro CJ rims. Yes, I know a 3.5 Clayton lift on 35's leaves a lot of space between the tire and fender, but I am old school and like the look. Adams front driveshaft definitely is on the list. Future upgrades will possibly be re-gearing to 4.10- 4.56 due to occasionally pulling a boat trailer. My question is what else must or should be done once I do the initial upgrades to my gladiator? I will off-road and beach drive with my gladiator but no rock crawling. Any advice would be truly appreciated. Thanks!!

Sponsored

 

[22EcoDs]

Sounds like a great build, 37s are overrated and heavy. You have lights and recovery gear? On board air, comms, lockers or truetracs? Steering upgrade from Clayton ?

 

[Old School Life]

Lights will be installed some time done the road. (KC Hi-lights) Lockers will be considered when I pull the trigger for the gearing. Obviously want to the mechanical's done before cosmetic stuff. Pre-runner frt bumper and bed tire holder. Love the desert pre-runner look.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Sounds like a great build, 37s are overrated and heavy. You have lights and recovery gear? On board air, comms, lockers or truetracs? Steering upgrade from Clayton ?

37" BF Goodrich KO2s weight about as much as Falken 33s.

Not overrated. The standard in oversize tires. BFGs have great highway manners to boot.

You will definitely want to regear.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

My question is what else must or should be done once I do the initial upgrades to my gladiator?

Once the basics are covered, it's entirely up to you... The possibilities are endless though since you said "retired" I would consider some drop steps to go with your lift and tires.

BTW, I'm assuming CA.

 

[Old School Life]

Once the basics are covered, it's entirely up to you... The possibilities are endless though since you said "retired" I would consider some drop steps to go with your lift and tires.

BTW, I'm assuming CA.

I think I'm still in good enough shape that drop steps are not needed. LOL Only 55 yrs old. And CA ?

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

I think I'm still in good enough shape that drop steps are not needed. LOL Only 55 yrs old. And CA ?

You got it whipped retired at 55!
Orange County CA or FL?

I'm 53 with a 3.5" lift and 37s. No retirement in sight and could definitely use some drop steps.

 

[Old School Life]

You got it whipped retired at 55!
Orange County CA or FL?

I'm 53 with a 3.5" lift and 37s. No retirement in sight and could definitely use some drop steps.

Orange County NY. About 60 miles north of NYC (Hudson Valley area) Did 33 yrs LE. 22 NYPD , 11 in connecticut. I kinda want to stay away from 37's. If I ever consider them, it would be the BFG's or the Generals. The truck is my DD.

 

[22EcoDs]

37" BF Goodrich KO2s weight about as much as Falken 33s.

Not overrated. The standard in oversize tires. BFGs have great highway manners to boot.

You will definitely want to regear.

Would you argue that a lighter tire at that size would sacrifice something? Strength in the sidewall, less dense rubber compound? Wouldn't expect you to run into those issues playing in the sand diesels turn 37s with no issues, it's a different story on the 3.6.

The grabbers are a great tire.

 

[CerOf]

I would recommend a winch. You can go anywhere with a winch.

 

[Old School Life]

Would you argue that a lighter tire at that size would sacrifice something? Strength in the sidewall, less dense rubber compound? Wouldn't expect you to run into those issues playing in the sand diesels turn 37s with no issues, it's a different story on the 3.6.

The grabbers are a great tire.

No arguments there. Since this is my first build in a long while, want to test the waters on 35's. Yes, the 3.6 is no comparison to a diesel but working with what I have. Still have a child in college, other toys plus living in expensive NY I not planning on upgrading my Glad for a while.

 

[Old School Life]

A winch will be considered. Right now, I'm looking to find out what basics must be done when lifting a jeep. My Glad is not my first jeep but I am more expirenced in lifting Toyota's and Chevy's.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Would you argue that a lighter tire at that size would sacrifice something? Strength in the sidewall, less dense rubber compound? Wouldn't expect you to run into those issues playing in the sand diesels turn 37s with no issues, it's a different story on the 3.6.

The grabbers are a great tire.

The context from the OP is: offroad, beach, no rocks.

35" Grabbers are likely heavier than 37" KO2s and you were complaining about weight. KO2s also come in 35 and 33.

And diesels should be regeared with 37s. At least 4.10s Any towing or offroading should be 56s.

 

[Ted Striker]

Don't really see the point of a 3.5" Clayton lift if you're only going to go 35's, especially if you're only doing light off-roading and beach. Clayton under-reports their lifts (as do some other manufacturers), so you're going to get more than 3.5" of lift. My 2.5" Clayton lift almost netted me 4".
35's are going to look incredibly small underneath.

I also don't see a point in lockers if you're not going to use them either, although I do agree with re-gearing and with 35's (if you're really set on that), I would go no lower than 4.56.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Orange County NY. About 60 miles north of NYC (Hudson Valley area) Did 33 yrs LE. 22 NYPD , 11 in connecticut. I kinda want to stay away from 37's. If I ever consider them, it would be the BFG's or the Generals. The truck is my DD.

Oh yeah, forgot that one, lol. Orange County Choppers. It's all coming back.

I recommended a tire that also comes in 35s, lightweight, Great road manners, and surprisingly good traction for an A/T in the light stuff.

Diesel or gas you'll want a re-gear if your going up more than one tire size.
Some diesel owners like to think they don't need a regear to go bigger tires, but based on what subjective criteria? If you want to stay consistent with factory RPMs at a given speed, thus keeping the drivetrain wear in harmony with all the engineering that went into it, you have to regear.

Sponsored