Finally got my Gladiator

[ShadowsPapa]

Him and I both have loaded overland automatics with factory tow so I’ll tell you my experience.

I’m not sure. They are awful. I can’t find the pic, but you should have seen mine on the stock overland suspension when pulling a loaded Uhaul 6x12. It weighed about 5k lbs and was evenly loaded. It was sagging badly. The tow capacity on mine is 6k lbs. Same trailer and load, it rides evenly on the Rubicon LE springs.

I may have to chat with you a bit.
My trailer with car loaded is just about 5,000 pounds. It could be 4900 but then I'm figuring I carry a jack, spare on the trailer, tie down straps for the car, etc. Best to be safe and assume 5,000 pounds ready to go. Tongue weight last trip was 525 pounds. Truck sat level, the rake was gone. It could have been a tiny bit lower in back, but many pics make it look level. The rake was gone for sure.

I am going to post more about things I'm thinking about doing differently for the new one. I've learned a lot, there's a lot more people here with more experiences than ever before, more people have tried more things............ we've all learned and I'm not one to think "I did it perfect the first time, why change now".
I do need to take this 2020 back to bone stock. That's how they want it, that's how they are getting it.
But - will I put things back on the new one exactly as I had them before? Maybe - but maybe not all things.

I have pictures here from waaaay back showing how I put about 400 pounds of concrete block on a platform in the rear receiver and how badly the rear sagged. Yes, that was a little bit back from where the trailer ball would be for tongue weight, but not THAT much, and it wasn't the 500 pounds of the trailer tongue.

8 blocks, assuming 50-60 pounds each, that's 480 pounds tops. Granted the 2 blocks are behind where the ball would be, but the front 6 are almost centered about where the ball would be so it's not that far off. That is probably simulating a tongue weight of about 525 pounds since the blocks are about 50-60 each and two of them are behind or further back than a ball would be so have more leverage on the truck's suspension.

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[NC_Overland]

I may have to chat with you a bit.
My trailer with car loaded is just about 5,000 pounds. It could be 4900 but then I'm figuring I carry a jack, spare on the trailer, tie down straps for the car, etc. Best to be safe and assume 5,000 pounds ready to go. Tongue weight last trip was 525 pounds. Truck sat level, the rake was gone. It could have been a tiny bit lower in back, but many pics make it look level. The rake was gone for sure.

I am going to post more about things I'm thinking about doing differently for the new one. I've learned a lot, there's a lot more people here with more experiences than ever before, more people have tried more things............ we've all learned and I'm not one to think "I did it perfect the first time, why change now".
I do need to take this 2020 back to bone stock. That's how they want it, that's how they are getting it.
But - will I put things back on the new one exactly as I had them before? Maybe - but maybe not all things.

I have pictures here from waaaay back showing how I put about 400 pounds of concrete block on a platform in the rear receiver and how badly the rear sagged. Yes, that was a little bit back from where the trailer ball would be for tongue weight, but not THAT much, and it wasn't the 500 pounds of the trailer tongue.

8 blocks, assuming 50-60 pounds each, that's 480 pounds tops. Granted the 2 blocks are behind where the ball would be, but the front 6 are almost centered about where the ball would be so it's not that far off. That is probably simulating a tongue weight of about 525 pounds since the blocks are about 50-60 each and two of them are behind or further back than a ball would be so have more leverage on the truck's suspension.

I just got lucky with the LE springs. It was shortly after I bought my 2020 and it was just a good local deal. I didn’t realize that I struck gold with the LE springs. I’m not sure if the LE coils or Max Tow are better, but that sag pic looks how mine looked on the stock Overland suspension. Those overland springs sucked to remove. Hopefully, re-installing is easier.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I just got lucky with the LE springs. It was shortly after I bought my 2020 and it was just a good local deal. I didn’t realize that I struck gold with the LE springs. I’m not sure if the LE coils or Max Tow are better, but that sag pic looks how mine looked on the stock Overland suspension. Those overland springs sucked to remove. Hopefully, re-installing is easier.

The Overland springs were a pain in the backside to get out because they are so long. When I put the max tow springs up on the axle, there was an easy inch to spare while I fought to get the originals out. The max tow springs I had to hold in place or they would have fallen back out while I relaxed the rear suspension.
I guess that shows how "soft" they are - longer yet they don't hold the truck up any higher than the much shorter max tow springs.

 

[Oasis Supernova]

I would like to do this for the right price I really don't want to have to blow a bunch of money on used rims and tires just to turn around and buy rims and tires haha.

LMFAO. True. I'm in the same boat.

 

[JET_83]

I’m so ready for my overland to get here been in I status for a week

 

[JET_83]

I’m so ready for my overland to get here been in I status for a week

NC you ever test drive the HA overland?

 

[NC_Overland]

I’m so ready for my overland to get here been in I status for a week

Don’t get me wrong, I love mine. I’m curious how you feel about the ride after having it for a while. Worst case scenario, if you do see what I was talking about and want to make a change, it’s easy and Rubicon take off suspensions are cheap and plentiful. I’d never done it before, but I was able to figure it out by reading a few threads on here and watching a few YouTube videos. I didn’t even use any power tools other than my cordless impact for removing my wheels because I’m lazy. Haha

 

[JET_83]

Don’t get me wrong, I love mine. I’m curious how you feel about the ride after having it for a while. Worst case scenario, if you do see what I was talking about and want to make a change, it’s easy and Rubicon take off suspensions are cheap and plentiful. I’d never done it before, but I was able to figure it out by reading a few threads on here and watching a few YouTube videos. I didn’t even use any power tools other than my cordless impact for removing my wheels because I’m lazy. Haha

I’m sure I’ll love it, I like a Caddy ride and I won’t be hauling much but I’ll let you know how I enjoy it when I get it.

 

[NC_Overland]

NC you ever test drive the HA overland?

No. It wasn’t out when I bought mine 2/2020. Is that what you’re getting? Mine is loaded, but I’d get 20” wheels, painted bumpers, and wide track D44s.

The 20” wheels might help with the ride and handling , but would be a hinderance when trying to air down for the beach.

 

[JET_83]

No. It wasn’t out when I bought mine 2/2020. Is that what you’re getting? Mine is loaded, but I’d get 20” wheels, painted bumpers, and wide track D44s.

The 20” wheels might help with the ride and handling , but would be a hinderance when trying to air down for the beach.

Nah bud, they don’t offer it in my favorite color, granite crystal, I’m just ready for much better ride quality than my Mojave, this is the worst truck I’ve ever owned sadly.

 

[NC_Overland]

Nah bud, they don’t offer it in my favorite color, granite crystal, I’m just ready for much better ride quality than my Mojave, this is the worst truck I’ve ever owned sadly.

Really? I haven’t driven a Mojave but I’ve always heard they rode and handled well.

I didn’t know you had a Mojave. What issues?

 

[ZoMojave]

Welcome aboard! So, so many wheel and tire options out there. But certainly, easier to seek out new Rubi take-offs as they will bolt right on and fit perfectly with the stock 33" tires without modification. Maybe a simple 1.5" Terraflex leveling kit on the front, and you are good to go!

Keep in mind if you do go for Rubi take-off's, make sure they are off of a 2022 model year so the TPMS will work with your ride.

Enjoy that thing. Get ready for the compliments!

 

[JET_83]

Really? I haven’t driven a Mojave but I’ve always heard they rode and handled well.

I didn’t know you had a Mojave. What issues?

Really bouncy just rides rough and handling is all over the place, it’s veered to the left ever since I bought it, had it aligned several times and the issue is still present, my Rubicon before it actually rode better.

 

[NC_Overland]

Really bouncy just rides rough and handling is all over the place, it’s veered to the left ever since I bought it, had it aligned several times and the issue is still present, my Rubicon before it actually rode better.

That’s interesting. Sorry you have had so many issues. The Mojave wasn’t out yet when I bought mine or I probably would have bought one.

 

[JET_83]

That’s interesting. Sorry you have had so many issues. The Mojave wasn’t out yet when I bought mine or I probably would have bought one.

Trust me you made the better choice.

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