The RME4x4 Gladiator Rubicon

[Greg@RME]

Hey folks! I'm Greg, live in Colorado and have been a longtime Jeep owner. I run a forum called RME4x4 (Rocky Mountain Extreme) and also own a 1948 CJ2A.

First off, this is the first time I've ever bought a brand new vehicle.... those that know me know I usually buy used vehicles, sometimes projects, and build them up. I finally have the chance to buy new and choose all my options! I was lucky to have my JKU paid off when I listed it for sale and I've also been saving money up for sometime, planning on replacing it. More than likely, this will be the only time I buy new.

I figured I'd start at the beginning and document this one from the get go. I ordered my Gladiator at my local Jeep dealership in Grand Junction, CO. I selected a Rubicon and added quite a few options. I put my $500 down to get the process started on May 11th, 2019 but my order didn't go in until the next business day, May 13th. My salesman estimated a 6-8 week build time at that point.

Here's what my build looked like on the Jeep site after selecting my options. I really wanted the body color Gobi, but I'm impatient.... and selling my JKU left a huge hole in my life. I choose White, just like the JKU. The price is MSRP, I should be about $5k less than that and get it under invoice, as that was the deal. I added quite a few options, the 8 speed automatic, Cold Weather package, LED lighting, Aux switches, bed liner, Alpine stereo, Safety Group, etc, etc.

So now it's a matter of waiting, but we can still make plans... I want to run around 3" of lift and 37's, to help with the breakover and departure angles. My plan is to build it up in Stages and compare the different stages until the final setup.

I've been a fan of Teraflex and like supporting the local businesses, so I plan to run their suspension with Falcon shocks. I have a set of new AEV Salta wheels and I'm planning to mount a set of 37" BFG's on them. I plan to add a Warn Zeon 10 for recovery and eventually some aluminum bumpers and sliders. I loved my last ARB dual air compressor, so eventually one of those will get added too. Probably some Baja Designs LP6 lights and perhaps some kind of bed rack for mounting the RTT when I don't want to take the OUT adventure trailer. I want the Gladiator to remain freeway friendly, so we can drive to amazing places (Baja!), but capable enough to get us thru nearly anything.


Stage 1; Stock, 33" Falkens, stock suspension (Fox 2.0 shocks), stock bumpers & sliders.

Stage 2; Teraflex 1.5" leveling kit, Falcon 2.1 shocks, AAL High-Line fenders and inners, 37" KM3's and AEV Salta wheels.

Stage 3; TBD

Stage 4; TBD

Stage 5; TBD


So that's the plan!

Sponsored

 

[Greg@RME]

I picked it up on July 15th!

 

[Greg@RME]

Alright, going to do a photo dump of the Gladiator. I want to document this thing from the get go, so hold on!

 

[Greg@RME]

Well, first trip in the Gladiator is in the books! I towed the OUT to Gunnison, CO for the first Rocky Mountain Overland Rally and the drive out climbs some pretty decent elevation between Montrose and Gunnison. The OUT isn't too heavy, but it does have a lot of rolling resistance with 35" BFG KO2's. I was trying to make up some time on the drive out and didn't take it easy on the steep, switchback climb and still saw 15 MPG with the trailer. On the way back down, I saw 17.5 MPG which is IMO pretty decent for pulling a trailer!

 

[Greg@RME]

Some small mods to the Gladiator, nothing crazy.... yet. Don't worry, big mods are coming soon!

I dislike the massive whip antennae that came from the factory, so it got replaced with a 7" tall Rydonair antennae from Amazon. I've used these before and despite their size, they still get good reception.

I also found a storage tray on Amazon that drops into the lower center console storage area, adding more usable organization. So now there are 3 separate compartments inside the console.

The rear seats have a pretty large storage area underneath, it has quite a bit of room.... but not enough for a 20# CO2 tank. I bought a 10# aluminum tank after test fitting it and it fits perfectly. The way the storage area is built with the seat down, the tank is secure in it's place. I'd like to add a ratchet strap to it, just as another layer of security in case of a rollover or accident, so the tank can't go flying around inside the cab. I was able to fit my ARB tire plug kit, a bag of hand tools, a spill kit, air hose and other items on the other side.

I also dropped off the AEV Salta wheels at the local powder coat shop.... big plans for them. I'll hold of on revealing the color until they're done, which will be a few weeks!

I've ordered some other parts that will be a big part of the build, you'll see them soon enough.

 

[Greg@RME]

Finally had the first real offroad trip in the Gladiator. I have to say, I'm super impressed with the way this thing rides. IMO the Fox 2.0 shocks that come on the Gladiator are valved too lightly, but the coil springs, control arm lengths, push-button disconnect sway bar and even the 33" tires all make for one decent riding 4x4. We did scrape the trailer hitch a couple times, the undercarrige once or twice, but that was it. The San Juan mountain trails are rougher than I've seen them, LOTS of runoff moving material down the mountain and washing the roads out.

 

[Greg@RME]

I did take it to Moab for the first time yesterday, getting some good footage and it's pretty obvious that they're long and low, on the trail. I scraped the rear hitch, the t-case crossmember and the rear lower frame-side control arm mounts a handful of times. Hopefully I'll have my Teraflex leveling kit, Falcon shocks and 37's on soon!

 

[Greg@RME]

I've wanted a Vector Dock in my Jeep since I had my JKU, pretty excited to get one in the Gladiator now! I went with the Curve E-Dock and love it. They're very handy, making access to your phone, camera, radio, tablet, etc quite convenient. The build quality is excellent, too. Always happy to support the local business!

 

[Greg@RME]

Finally towed the Willys CJ2a behind the Gladiator! It was just a local tow test, didn't go on the freeway. I was actually VERY impressed with how it does with a heavy load behind it. I'd guess it's 5,000# total, the Rubicon Gladiator has a tow capacity of 7000#'s. The suspension is pretty soft, shocks are valved VERY lightly so it bounces more than I'd like, it really needs a brake controller but otherwise it's pretty impressive for a V6 Wrangler-based Jeep truck. IMO the 8 speed automatic is a huge factor in how well it tows, getting up to speed the engine rev's pretty high. Once up to speed, it'll run in 6th & 7th gear around 50-55 MPH.

I also really love the gauges on the entertainment system, you can monitor engine temp, trans fluid temp, oil pressure & oil temp, etc.

 

[BullDogge]

Some small mods to the Gladiator, nothing crazy.... yet. Don't worry, big mods are coming soon!

I dislike the massive whip antennae that came from the factory, so it got replaced with a 7" tall Rydonair antennae from Amazon. I've used these before and despite their size, they still get good reception.

I also found a storage tray on Amazon that drops into the lower center console storage area, adding more usable organization. So now there are 3 separate compartments inside the console.

The rear seats have a pretty large storage area underneath, it has quite a bit of room.... but not enough for a 20# CO2 tank. I bought a 10# aluminum tank after test fitting it and it fits perfectly. The way the storage area is built with the seat down, the tank is secure in it's place. I'd like to add a ratchet strap to it, just as another layer of security in case of a rollover or accident, so the tank can't go flying around inside the cab. I was able to fit my ARB tire plug kit, a bag of hand tools, a spill kit, air hose and other items on the other side.

I also dropped off the AEV Salta wheels at the local powder coat shop.... big plans for them. I'll hold of on revealing the color until they're done, which will be a few weeks!

I've ordered some other parts that will be a big part of the build, you'll see them soon enough.

Are all those tanks standard size? Never ran C02 in a rig yet. That was an interesting idea. Would a 15lb fit in there?

 

[Greg@RME]

Are all those tanks standard size? Never ran C02 in a rig yet. That was an interesting idea. Would a 15lb fit in there?

Yes, standard size... I don't know the diameter of a 15# tank, but my 20# tank that I have used for years did not fit under the seat, while the 10# did.

I love CO2, it is very fast and simple... the downside is running out. Eventually I'll add an ARB Dual Air Compressor and quit carrying the CO2 tank.

 

[BullDogge]

The duals go under the hood or where? I have viar in the JK and it never let me down. But was going to try CO2 this time around. The viar gets it done, albeit a little slowly and is loud.

 

[Jake]

Really great picture @Greg@RME I mean wow awesome!

Finally had the first real offroad trip in the Gladiator. I have to say, I'm super impressed with the way this thing rides. IMO the Fox 2.0 shocks that come on the Gladiator are valved too lightly, but the coil springs, control arm lengths, push-button disconnect sway bar and even the 33" tires all make for one decent riding 4x4. We did scrape the trailer hitch a couple times, the undercarrige once or twice, but that was it. The San Juan mountain trails are rougher than I've seen them, LOTS of runoff moving material down the mountain and washing the roads out.

 

[Sladecm]

Awesome! Doesn’t the tray in the center console block your charging port?

 

[Greg@RME]

The duals go under the hood or where? I have viar in the JK and it never let me down. But was going to try CO2 this time around. The viar gets it done, albeit a little slowly and is loud.

Either or, depends on where you want to put it and what mounts are available. I had one on my JKU and it was under the hood, have friends that mounted them under the passenger seat.

Really great picture @Greg@RME I mean wow awesome!

Thanks Jake! That's from Imogene Pass, CO... I should post the trip report on here. That spot is super sketchy to pull out onto, but the photo op is hard to pass up!

Awesome! Doesn’t the tray in the center console block your charging port?

It doesn't block the USB port and the tray actually has a relief for the cord to pass by. Pretty well thought out!

Sponsored