2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Flyin6]

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.

I don't run my pressures down that low, and I have not experienced any problems so far. I usually air down to 16 but actually ran Engineer and Cinnamon passes at 19. I ran 16 in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Kentucky, but I am not getting all too technical with that top-heavy roof-top tent setup I am currently running.
Your advice is well heeded. I would very much like to take a poke at the Rubicon this or next year and I will no doubt lower the pressures significantly then.

Sponsored

 

[professorkx]

My oldest son bought a new Gladiator in 2022, and immediately pulled it onto my lift in the shop. Three weeks later (and a lot of money) we were headed towards the Rubicon with his Gladiator on a Rk 3 inch X Factor lift with 4 link, 37 inch Baja Boss tires, skids, bumpers, etc. I was skeptical about taking a Gladiator on the Rubicon, but that thing ROCKED the Rubicon. He even tackled Little Sluice without any problem, just went slow and picked great lines. That trip changed my view of the Gladiator capabilities….and now I own one, just won’t get to drive or start mods until I get home in April.

 

[Flyin6]

My oldest son bought a new Gladiator in 2022, and immediately pulled it onto my lift in the shop. Three weeks later (and a lot of money) we were headed towards the Rubicon with his Gladiator on a Rk 3 inch X Factor lift with 4 link, 37 inch Baja Boss tires, skids, bumpers, etc. I was skeptical about taking a Gladiator on the Rubicon, but that thing ROCKED the Rubicon. He even tackled Little Sluice without any problem, just went slow and picked great lines. That trip changed my view of the Gladiator capabilities….and now I own one, just won’t get to drive or start mods until I get home in April.

I, too, am very impressed by the Gladiator's capabilities. I confess, I have not found the truck's limitations although I don't push it all that far. Being more about getting there than the actual route, I bypass the tough stuff in favor of saving sheet metal. The KAT will force me to discover the limitations, I fear, but sa live'

 

[HAMP]

I don't run my pressures down that low, and I have not experienced any problems so far. I usually air down to 16 but actually ran Engineer and Cinnamon passes at 19. I ran 16 in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Kentucky, but I am not getting all too technical with that top-heavy roof-top tent setup I am currently running.
Your advice is well heeded. I would very much like to take a poke at the Rubicon this or next year and I will no doubt lower the pressures significantly then.

I will be attempting the Rubicon this year in the beginning of august. wouldn't mind having a party to run it with me, as it will be the most technical trail I have ever thought of attempting.

 

[Flyin6]

I will be attempting the Rubicon this year in the beginning of august. wouldn't mind having a party to run it with me, as it will be the most technical trail I have ever thought of attempting.

If that was an invite, I'd love to but have an extensive train trip planned early in the September. Have a great run!

 

[professorkx]

I will be attempting the Rubicon this year in the beginning of august. wouldn't mind having a party to run it with me, as it will be the most technical trail I have ever thought of attempting.

Pm me. I am retired as of April 4th and the adventures will begin to be much more frequent. Would love to join…

 

[Flyin6]

Just ordered Yukon forged rear axles, RCV front (FAD) axles, and an Atrec front axle truss.

Now on to the brakes!

 

[professorkx]

Just ordered Yukon forged rear axles, RCV front (FAD) axles, and an Atrec front axle truss.

Now on to the brakes!

I’m familiar with the RCV Units, but not familiar with the stock CV axles that apparently come with the transfer case with the “Auto” position. Are these stock CV axles any good?

I have CV axles on my 47, and checked them when I replaced the chipped ring and pinion two years ago, and they are still tight. Ironically, back in the day, the big thing was to swap these out for ujoint axles, but I never bought into the logic on my two flat fenders. Wondering how the CV axles on the newer jeeps are holding up.

 

[Flyin6]

I’m familiar with the RCV Units, but not familiar with the stock CV axles that apparently come with the transfer case with the “Auto” position. Are these stock CV axles any good?

I have CV axles on my 47, and checked them when I replaced the chipped ring and pinion two years ago, and they are still tight. Ironically, back in the day, the big thing was to swap these out for ujoint axles, but I never bought into the logic on my two flat fenders. Wondering how the CV axles on the newer jeeps are holding up.

Good question.
I doubt they have forged axles, so there's that
And yes, they seem to appear on the clutch type transfer cases.
Oddly, I would thing a true off roader would avoid the "Auto" transfer cases with the clutch that will wear out and fail (Ask me how I know).
I saw those CV axles on a brand new Willeys recently

 

[professorkx]

Good question.
I doubt they have forged axles, so there's that
And yes, they seem to appear on the clutch type transfer cases.
Oddly, I would thing a true off roader would avoid the "Auto" transfer cases with the clutch that will wear out and fail (Ask me how I know).
I saw those CV axles on a brand new Willeys recently

A lot of the Rubicons have these transfer cases now and are still 4:1. I thought that the clutch system was only for the auto, and the other two 4wd positions would not use the clutches…anyone know for sure? If the auto transfer case sucks, there’s always an atlas case…

Our property is in the snow, so I can see the benefit if auto, but of no value rock crawling…

 

[Flyin6]

A lot of the Rubicons have these transfer cases now and are still 4:1. I thought that the clutch system was only for the auto, and the other two 4wd positions would not use the clutches…anyone know for sure? If the auto transfer case sucks, there’s always an atlas case…

Our property is in the snow, so I can see the benefit if auto, but of no value rock crawling…

The way the Case is constructed, the power to the front HAS to go through the clutch. So, I had a big Surburban that I built with 4.88's, 37's and a supercharged LS motor. I killed that auto transfer case, replaced it, then one day it grenaded, as in crunching up metal inside. Both times the clutch was failing. None of that nonsense for me ever again!

 

[Flyin6]

Ordered the brakes

Due to the possible interference issue between the new Borah wheels and the TeraFlex brakes, I opted for a 4-wheel Powerstop Z36 brake upgrade kit.

 

[HAMP]

If that was an invite, I'd love to but have an extensive train trip planned early in the September. Have a great run!

Well, Have fun on your train trip. Never been a fan of trains, always preferred boats, planes and parachutes.

 

[Flyin6]

Doing some catch-up.
Steer-Smart completed along with the other steering stuff

 

[Flyin6]

And after months of waiting the RCV 2-piece axles came in and were installed.

Sponsored