Took it to Jeeps and Java over the weekend:
We had a good time. It reinforced that I don't understand a lot of the visual modifications that people do to these and Wranglers, but there's an ass for every seat and I'm glad people are having fun.
Friday, I put the doors back on and cleaned it for the first time in a couple of months. Also used Cerakote on the cowl panel and am very impressed.
Cowl panel before:
After:
I was as surprised as you. That's why I had put it off for months. There was one line left at the bottom, and it came off easily. It probably helped that I had just returned from a 40ish minute drive in the sun in 90+ degree temps.
I finally grew a pair and ripped off the window tint strip from the windshield. The previous owner of my truck must've been much shorter than me.
I wish I had done this months ago. It was beyond annoying.
I also did some paint touch up, readjusted the doors-off mirrors, installed a glass...
Mine became more and more naked over the weekend. The Freedom Panels had been off for a while. Friday, my wife and I removed the rear section of the top for the first time. Sunday, I removed the front doors and (after this pic) added doors off mirrors.
I'm leaving the rears on for now since...
The Gladiator is my 122nd vehicle, so I won't bore you guys with photos of past relationships. The current fleet is fun, though:
'85 Saab 900S 4dr/5spd, and '93 Mazda RX-7 R1
The same 900 and my wife's '23 Hyundai Elantra N:
'91 900SE Turbo Convertible:
'14 Chrysler Town & Country S...
Same here. I was helping a friend move a bunch of stuff from the back of his old property. You can't really tell how steep this incline is in the photo, but I was thankful to be in the Jeep instead of the 2WD 1-ton that it replaced.
I regularly drag old cars around on my open BigTex car trailer. The first one to go behind the new used JTR was a friend's 914.
The tow capacity is why I wanted a Rubicon or MaxTow, and sadly wouldn't get a manual. I'm very happy with the truck so far.