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

[ColoradoGlad]

Added Front Trail Camera.
Shopped for the best camera I could locate and made all the other cables.
Overall video quality is "ok", but obviously not the same as the HD rear camera.
I figured for as much as I would use the front camera, and what it is for, this worked out well. (The actual video from the camera looks much better than the picture I included)
Used Alex Tech wire sleeving on all the wire for a factory look. This stuff is GREAT!

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[mgw750]

How do you like those step sides?

I normally don't like side steps but the wife wanted (needed) them. These I found I liked cause they fit real tight to the bottom and cleanup that unfinished look. They are by no means sliders but they are mounted in 4 locations so the ate sturdy. Also the were cheap, like $260 off ebay. They are an oem style.

 

[Whiskerbiscuit]

Like this? There’s lots of pics on their website.

thank you! thats awesome! feel bad for someone that rear ends one of these... what brand is it? I think I missed that.

 

[Sarge502]

Mounted an Element Fire Extinguisher to my bed side JCR Molle panels.

Custom fabricated Molle inserts and mount by Gorman Precision made my mounting placement finally achieveable

 

[Jorgeperezjr]

Installed Apex autoLYNX swaybar disconnect on my Willys. Will test out at the Badlands Jamboree. Nice piece of engineering. Thanks @Chris93Si

 

[LostViking]

Newb here, so just getting started on my 2022 Willy's

Today, I installed Weather-Tech mudflaps front and rear,
and Quadratec door sill protectors front & rear

LV,

 

[Markpod7]

I normally don't like side steps but the wife wanted (needed) them. These I found I liked cause they fit real tight to the bottom and cleanup that unfinished look. They are by no means sliders but they are mounted in 4 locations so the ate sturdy. Also the were cheap, like $260 off ebay. They are an oem style.

Awesome im looking at the same ones! Glad you reccomend!

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZLB17G8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought it as a result of them stating specific Gladiator compatibility (which it does have), but after getting bombarded with ads after purchasing (always happens), it seems like there are other options that should be compatible. To give it a short review:

* Installation was not super difficult, but I'm quite familiar/comfortable with routing the wires involved. Specifically, I already had a dash cam hardwired to a couple leads in the mirror housing area - a 12v constant and 12v acc. Since I replaced the dash cam with this, I just reused those tapped wires. Removing the factory mirror wasn't too difficult, you have to pop off the original by twisting which feels uncomfortable at first, but didn't seem likely to break anything.
* Routing the rear camera wire is the trickiest depending on where you mount it. Mine is currently on the roof-mounted cargo rack so I ran it out through the gap in the freedom panels. The wire is way longer than necessary and can't easily be trimmed.
* The screw provided to attach their mirror to their bracket/arm (not sure why it's two pieces, bad design imo) sucks. I ended up swapping it with a matching hex head screw that allowed me to torque it down much better, otherwise it kept backing out which made the mirror wobble.
* The orientation of the mirror cannot be flipped, and since it's wider on the bottom, your sunvisor will likely hit it at any reasonable position of the mirror. I have to first push the visor forward all the way, then lower, then swing back out.
* Similarly, if you have adaptive cruise control and because the front camera is fixed, the acc housing blocks a portion of the view. There are other models with detached front cameras which seems like a better option imo.
* Rear camera performance is pretty decent. I know the review on Amazon says it sucks, but I wouldn't go that far. I think it runs at 20-25fps, so there is a *slight* stutter, but my use-case is just to be aware of vehicles behind me when the RTT is installed. I still use side mirrors to confirm - it's just to know if someone is coming up behind me on the freeway (e.g. if I'm in the left lane). In bright sunlight it is slightly washed out, but I can still generally see traffic.
* Glare/visibility in the mirror itself is a bit of a mixed bag. Since my RTT blocks the rear window (that's the whole point), it blocks most of the direct light into the mirror. Still, with that in mind - I pointed the mirror down, toward the rear seats, and it's more or less not impacted by sunlight, other than the camera feed/view itself.

Overall I'm happy/surprised with the performance. The mirror itself is sturdy and high quality, and the touch-screen is pretty responsive. Sometimes the mirror/camera turns "off" after powering up in what appears to be a slight glitch with the memory settings (i.e. it thinks you previously had it turned off before starting the vehicle), but it takes nothing more than tapping the screen or pressing the power button to wake it up - it's not actually powered off so it turns on instantly.

If I had a choice to do it again, I would probably look at models that have a detached front camera and are wider at the top than the bottom (or ones that can be flipped/oriented as such).

Felt I should follow-up: another model with detachable front camera went on sale, and after being annoyed by the cut-off view again I decided to get it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C1QVYHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FZFVNM1S07ECT9GT4DDH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Initial impressions are very positive. This is a much thinner profile, with much more adaptability. You can reverse (horizontally/mirror) both the front and rear image, and flip (vertically) the rear. It also has a GPS unit for on screen speed and compass (maybe not super useful but still nice).

Probably won’t get it installed till next week as I forgot to order the hardwire kit, but initial bench test shows comparable if not better camera performance. Touch screen performance is also comparable if not better, and the menu is more intuitive. Honestly wish I went with this first, although I’m not sure if they have a JT bracket. It seems I’ll be able to reuse the bracket from the other mirror, though, as the ball seems to be the same size. Otherwise I’m not sure if/how it will work for the JT.

 

[Dougstdig]

Added some new decals to the rear that accent the front vents. Thanks @pixeldecals for the custom work and outstanding customer service!

Have you tested the SWR’s on that hood/fender mount? I couldn’t get below 3.5ish.

 

[Chuck]

Completed frame work for the rear deck. Used wood I had on hand around the house. I didn’t place a cross brace in the middle as I’ll have 1 large door to open. Going to cut a temporary top for it which will also be the beginning of the template for the finished piece. Used the 2 rear mat clip nuts to hold the taller braces on the sides. The front two are just set on the carpet with some downward pressure. I can grab the side board and push/pull the Jeep to make it rock, so I figure it’s pretty solid!

 

[montechie]

Decided at 2 months old it was time to start cutting and drilling on my JTR:

 

[USMC_1Wire6337]

Decided at 2 months old it was time to start cutting and drilling on my JTR:

I am having panic sweats just thinking of doing something like that. I will probably chicken out and go the cowl route if I do a snorkel. I kind of like the low mount version as a low profile option. If water is covering the hood, I should be simming, not driving.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-...l-gladiator-jt/low-mount-snorkel-system-jl-jt

 

[montechie]

I am having panic sweats just thinking of doing something like that. I will probably chicken out and go the cowl route if I do a snorkel. I kind of like the low mount version as a low profile option. If water is covering the hood, I should be simming, not driving.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-...l-gladiator-jt/low-mount-snorkel-system-jl-jt

It took awhile, but wasn't that bad to do going slow and double checking everything. For me a snorkel is about dust (so far), I'm on dirt roads most of the time and like having the prefilter option. This vid/post was supper helpful for the AEV.

 

[Robrouss1]

@Robrouss1

if you’re talking about the underside bolts, there are 4 on each side. Many steps however only use 3 of them and not 4.

I went and bought 2 more b/c the one side with only 2 was rattling. Once the rain stops I will put them on and I will have all 8. Thanks!

 

[USMC_1Wire6337]

It took awhile, but wasn't that bad to do going slow and double checking everything. For me a snorkel is about dust (so far), I'm on dirt roads most of the time and like having the prefilter option. This vid/post was supper helpful for the AEV.

I hear you. There is a reason I am in IT and not a surgeon though. I would be the doc that would sneeze in the middle of a cut and do a major get sued by the patient oops.

I also like the fact that you can add the high snorkel after and take it on and off as needed. I don't do much in the way of dusty driving, but like the idea of cooler non-engine bay air.

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