2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Bandit’s Lair]

I am starting to consider something offered by a company called 74-Weld...

Cryptic……

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[Hootbro]

Cryptic……

Think portals

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Think portals

I’ve seen a little on those but haven’t researched thoroughly. To my understanding they’ll make the width wider. That’s the reason I just bypassed looking into them too deep.

 

[MSFTMatt]

I’ve seen a little on those but haven’t researched thoroughly. To my understanding they’ll make the width wider. That’s the reason I just bypassed looking into them too deep.

And $$$$$

 

[Rcoe]

And $$$$$

And long term reliability.

 

[Hootbro]

I’ve seen a little on those but haven’t researched thoroughly. To my understanding they’ll make the width wider. That’s the reason I just bypassed looking into them too deep.

Also gives you more ground clearance lift without having to redo a suspension change. Like mentioned, it ain't cheap either.

 

[Flyin6]

Yes, Portals

When: Down the road

Wider: yes

Lift: Yes, about 4"

More ground clearance: Yes. with 35" tires you can drive over a 5-gallon bucket at the differential and not touch

$$$+$$$: Yes, about $20K

Reliable: Yes, very (74 Weld)

Harder on ball joints

But, actually makes the axle stronger and more resistant to breakage

Gear reduction: Yes, 1.22:1. So if you have a 4.10, you now have a 4.56 (Close), and 4.10 gears are about the strongest in the D44.

I saw a video of a Jeep on the Rubicon with portals. Whole different world. He was having no difficulty. I also saw the RockSlide Engineering Jeep with portals do the Rubicon and got very few scratches and gouges on the undercarriage.

Looks: Kinda goofy

Do I like them: Yep, about a 7/10 at the moment.

https://motorsports.74weld.com/jeepportal/

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Only $20k? Pshhhh that’s about 2/3 of the price of my Gladiator.

 

[RougeShot12er]

Yeah, I would hard pass on portals unless you are turning this into a dedicated trail rig now. Even then, bobbing the bed would probably make sense before jumping into portals.
And I would still question the reliability.
you break one of those on the trail and your not getting replaced parts at auto zone. You’re going to be stuck for a bit.
I think you are just getting antsy to buy right stuff since yours is currently under the knife. Don’t jump into anything you end up regretting.

 

[Flyin6]

Yeah, I would hard pass on portals unless you are turning this into a dedicated trail rig now. Even then, bobbing the bed would probably make sense before jumping into portals.
And I would still question the reliability.
you break one of those on the trail and your not getting replaced parts at auto zone. You’re going to be stuck for a bit.
I think you are just getting antsy to buy right stuff since yours is currently under the knife. Don’t jump into anything you end up regretting.

Good advice on waiting.
Regarding the whole portal thing, it is new and exciting, and the next step in pushing the Jeep to be the off-road world-dominating leader I believe it to be.
First of all, I am nowhere near as talented a driver as I see in a lot of you folks on this forum, so there's that. But being a bit longer in the tooth than most of you, I don't want to wait too long to try the next thing.
Once I figure out whether I'm going with a 40" tire or staying in the 38" range, I want to get this new motor out on the Kentucky Adventure Trail and see what it has to offer.
Oh, and if I actually buy portals, I wouldn't have enough money left over to put a couch and a bed in the garage where I would then be living!

 

[RudeJeepin]

Oh, and if I actually buy portals, I wouldn't have enough money left over to put a couch and a bed in the garage where I would then be living!

Buy the couch and bed first. Then next month buy the portals. Be repared.

 

[Flyin6]

Buy the couch and bed first. Then next month buy the portals. Be prepared.

Bed is optional...
Lucky for me, I was a soldier for decades. I can sleep leaning on a doorframe if I need to, or in a cockpit, on the ground, or in a briefing while listening to the safety officer...

 

[Flyin6]

Well, I guess I committed...

Set of 40" Cooper STT Pro ordered

 

[Flyin6]

This just happened:

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

This just happened:

How did your tires fall off??!! Never had that happen on a Jeep before.

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