2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Flyin6]

Then the bottom arm...

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Since the front axle is resting on jack stands simulating the front end resting on the ground, I torqued all the bolts at one time.
With that out of the way, I installed the collar clamp bolts, which secure the threaded ends of the control arms.

 

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With this long-arm setup, you can no longer use the front skid bar for protection. You can see that it would directly interfere with the movement of the new, longer control arms.

 

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With that all buttoned up, the driver's rock slider was bolted back on, and that essentially completes the installation of the front long arms. YIPPEE!

 

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Before leaving the front, during my final inspection, I noticed the brake lines weren't secured.
Clayton and the factory have them bolted to the actual control arm via a bracket.
I decided to drill and tap a hole to restore it to the factory-intended design.
I like how that turned out.

 

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And with that task completed, I tossed the wheels back on and moved operations to the back half.

 

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Just like the front, I'll do one corner at a time, starting with the right rear.

 

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Here we have the outgoing factory bracket and the new replacement

 

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Here is the scary part. While cutting everything apart, it doesn't look or feel good!

 

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But after spending some quality time with my Dewalt angle grinder, I have this, which is much more pleasing to the eye.

 

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Just look at this pile of scrap metal that used to be a part of my Jeep!

I'd like to make one long cut and remove the bracket. But the better method is to take off a piece at a time, which frees up access to make deeper cuts. With all this being 1/2" from a full gas tank, the pucker factor was quite high.

 

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The passenger rear bracket required me to remove the other rock slider to drill one hole...Bummer
But drill that hole I did!
There is a bunch of hardware securing the aft brackets. Most of it needs to be fished from inside the frame from a slot nearly a foot away!

 

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Iron Rock supplied an ingenious "fish wire" which screws onto the threaded end of a stud. You then "fish" the other end from a nearby opening to the hole you need. Then you simply pull the stud through and attach the nut.

Having done that several times, the first rear bracket was securely mounted.

 

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They seem to have thought of everything. The bracket even incorporates a rub rail that keys into the mount itself.

 

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Next, I assembled the four rear control arms. Man they are long!

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