2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Flyin6]

This thing looks like it was parked overnight somewhere in Detroit!

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[Stan H]

Keep all your removed parts , just incase they are needed at some point. Put that old radiator up in a safe space ✨️

 

[Flyin6]

Keep in mind that at this point in the installation, I do not know if the larger (by 1" thickness) radiator will work with the supercharger. I am taking the chance that it will, given the apparent benefits. However, since things are squeezed tightly in that small space, I may remove it in a future step.
I accept that I may have to do some custom fabrication to make the radiator fit, but I feel that is well within the realm of being possible.
We'll see...

 

[Flyin6]

No work on the Gladdy today...been a long one
Daughter decided to have a baby at 0600...ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR!!!!!!!!!

 

[legacy_etu]

No work on the Gladdy today...been a long one
Daughter decided to have a baby at 0600...ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR!!!!!!!!!

Wow, well best wishes to her and the baby. Hopefully all went well.

 

[Flyin6]

Wow, well best wishes to her and the baby. Hopefully all went well.

It was pretty incredible from first sign of labor pain until delivery was around 40 minutes. She is great, and the baby boy is perfect.

 

[Flyin6]

With any degree of luck at all, I should complete the mechanical phase of the upgrade well before the ECM returns. HP Tuners only acknowledged receipt of the ECM a couple of days ago.

 

[legacy_etu]

It was pretty incredible from first sign of labor pain until delivery was around 40 minutes. She is great, and the baby boy is perfect.

forgot to add, congratulations grandpa!

 

[Jteakus]

No work on the Gladdy today...been a long one
Daughter decided to have a baby at 0600...ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR!!!!!!!!!

Future garage help!

 

[Flyin6]

Today, I managed to snag a couple of hours. Had to help one of my sons fix his truck. HE leaves tomorrow enroute to attend the US Army Ranger school. That is really going to be tough. He will be in the mountain phase in February, through all the bad, cold weather. I used to wonder how you could make that school any harder. Well, I just figured it out!
So, supercharger stuff: I removed the stock air density thig-ah-ma-gigger and tossed in the 2-bar Ripp-supplied piece.

 

[Flyin6]

And F I N A L L Y I got to bolt in the actual Vortech supercharger unit...Yippee!!!

I know, crappy picture...

 

[Flyin6]

Routing that belt onto the supercharger pulleys (yes, two) was an act intended for Houdini, not a normal human. You can't see anything, so for all I know, I might have the belt routed around the dip stick!
Anyway, the supercharger bolts in very securely with four bolts. After the Houdini belt trick, I bolted in the air pump, which is positioned about 1.5" closer to the driver's side, thanks to that black Ripp bracket

 

[Flyin6]

After that I did a couple of skin grafs to repair the damage to my hands and then reattached most of the things on the top of the motor.
Once that was done, I pulled out the air saw and got after the grill support which needed a couple of recesses carved out to fit the intercooler.

 

[Flyin6]

There really is not much material to remove

 

[Flyin6]

I dressed all that up with a file, taking care to round off all the corners.

Next, I cleaned the whole front end and applied a fresh coat of paint. That can dry overnight and be ready to accept the intercooler tomorrow.

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