2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Flyin6]

Here it is...Those 4.5" springs which should have lifted the truck an additional 1" actually lowered it to what looks like a 2.5" lift!
They are not supporting the weight at all.
So my rooftop tent weighs 234, the rack 78, and there's a lithium battery and some other things, call it +300lbs. I do, however, have the heavy rear seat completely removed, which is at least 75 pounds, therefore with just 200ish additional pounds, these springs are collapsed!
The triple rate springs allow the top third to completely collapse and expand only during big droop. The middle third is the "running" section where going down the road, the spring "works." The bottom long coils support the vehicle's weight.
Looking at the picture, the top two sections have collapsed meaning these coils which Terra Flex told me would work, do not.
No, I am not happy, since those coils will have to come back out...

Sponsored

 

[Viper501]

Bummer.

 

[Flyin6]

Well, I guess it is going to be Clayton for the win!
The existing Clayton Overland 3.5in springs were working fine, although it was a bit harsh riding, but at least they carry the weight. So, I am inclined to just toss them back in and dump the Tera Flex springs altogether. I could get the extra 1È I am wanting with either a spacer or by doing the fender chop, or even both...thinking...

 

[Flyin6]

Terra Flex has been really good to work with on this. They will refund the cost of the springs, so all is good. For now I will use the Claytons at the 3.5" height and no airbags. I will then slide in some spacers to front rear to get the front up another 1/2" and the rear back to the stock look )tail end high) to make it all level at mission weight configuration.

 

[Flyin6]

Teraflex springs out and the Clayton overland 3.5's are back in. Those teraflex 4.5" lift springs gave me less than 2.5" lift over stock! Not trashing TF. My Gladiator is heavier and the lighter springs simply cannot carry the load.
Look at the before/after shots...Wow!

 

[Flyin6]

Next, on to the front.
I pulled everything because I needed to adjust the length of the control arms, install new brackets and a whole new steering.

 

[Flyin6]

Those control arm drop brackets are no picnic. Especially working from the floor. But they finally went in:

 

[Flyin6]

I wrestled with setting the caster but finally got it in between 5-6 degrees positive.

 

[Flyin6]

Next I got after the new Rusty's steering components.

THe whole writeup is here if you want the expanded version:
AEV Gladiator Rubicon Part 2

 

[Flyin6]

Borah wheels, all five, now installed
They have 8.5oz of balance beads inside to keep things smooth.
Great wheels BTW...

 

[Figmo]

Borah wheels, all five, now installed
They have 8.5oz of balance beads inside to keep things smooth.
Great wheels BTW...

"Faux-Lock" wheels? Or the real deal

 

[Flyin6]

Real deal.

 

[RodRecket]

Those control arm drop brackets are no picnic. Especially working from the floor. But they finally went in:

Originally and AEV 370 build, didn't the truck have AEV drop brackets on it? Any reason to use TF brackets over the AEV that were already on it?

 

[Flyin6]

When I removed the AEV lift, I also removed the brackets to install the complete Clayton system. I wanted to be able to sell the JT370 system, which I did.
Clayton does not offer the brackets.
I ran into the geometry problems and thus wanted to go back to some correction brackets. I felt the TF kit best addressed that situation, while maintaining the excellent Clayton control arms and track/panhard bars.

 

[professorkx]

Nice build thread. I didn’t have good luck with KM2 tires on the Rubicon, as they kept bleeding air past the bead. I ended up running most of the Rubicon at 29 pounds…yes, it sucked. However, I was not running bead locks, but still, the sidewall shouldn’t flex so much that it bleeds air below 29 pounds.

After the Rubicon, I switched to Baja Boss tires in 37 inch (my son was running these on the Rubicon on his Gladiator), and have run them down to 8 pounds without bead locks without any issues. Hope your KM3 tires are better than the KM2 on the Rubicon.

Sponsored