2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Tripp]

question about the front bumper:

Does it look right in natural aluminum, matching the beadlock rim, or should I paint it black to match the grill?

I think you should paint it black. I feel like the natural aluminum stands out to much. That’s the only part of your build I don’t love! But, that ls just my opinion which is worth what you paid for it!

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[Flyin6]

I think you should paint it black. I feel like the natural aluminum stands out to much. That’s the only part of your build I don’t love! But, that ls just my opinion which is worth what you paid for it!

My wife would strongly agree with you!

That, and my tow vehicle is rocking that blacked out theme, so they would match.

Oh, and folks, since this thread is pretty large, I'll do a reader's digest of the Hemi swap here and do a detailed posting on another thread I created over in the "Swaps" section.

 

[Jteakus]

I like the aluminum.
The charger sounds horrible

 

[Jteakus]

Looked at pics again, changed my choice to black

 

[RudeJeepin]

question about the front bumper:

Does it look right in natural aluminum, matching the beadlock rim, or should I paint it black to match the grill?

I'd go black, then leave the fairlead and anchor points aluminum for just a bit of contrast.

Damn that charger sounded rough. Something is definitely wrong.

 

[Jaxmax]

Black bumper, and everything else other then the fairlead, perhaps even go to a black shackle or one of the shackle attachment devices in black that go right onto the fairlead and protect your winch line from UV and crud......Jack

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Black on the bumper. That way you can leave your mark when you smash rocks with it on the trail.

 

[Flyin6]

Thanks for the input genemens! I had this nagging feeling while installing it that it should be black. I was proud of it being lightweight aluminum.

On another note, the full write-up for the Hemi swap will happen here:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/starting-a-6-4-hemi-swap.107964/#post-1731534

I'll do the Reader's Digest version on this thread. Thinking of all the mods coming in the future, this thread is going to be really L O N G.

 

[spanishmack]

...and this is the reason I am not going to run this supercharger:

Wow. I've never had a supercharger on a vehicle but I had a Vortex 25 jet boat with twin turbo charged 300 HP Rotax engines and they definitely sounded nothing like that.

 

[Flyin6]

Wow. I've never had a supercharger on a vehicle, but I had a Vortex 25 jet boat with twin turbocharged 300 HP Rotax engines, and they definitely sounded nothing like that.

I actually have owned a number of supercharged vehicles, including one with a Vortech V3, which is the unit in the video. Nothing I owned has ever sounded like that.

 

[Flyin6]

Update on my conversation with RIPP Superchargers.

Chris, the sales manager, has been great every single time I have dealt with him. He is very likely one of the keys to their success.

He spoke with the owner, who also remembered the first turn of events. They offered to allow me to return the kit for a substantial refund. I will not receive all of my money, but I feel this is right. Had I pursued it a couple of months ago, while I was just sitting on the fact that the thing was making all that noise, they would have been much more generous. But since I am outside of the 90-day return policy window, they are making an exception for me.

So well done RIPP! Even if I had two consecutive failures, they still stand behind their product.

 

[Hootbro]

Update on my conversation with RIPP Superchargers.

Chris, the sales manager, has been great every single time I have dealt with him. He is very likely one of the keys to their success.

He spoke with the owner, who also remembered the first turn of events. They offered to allow me to return the kit for a substantial refund. I will not receive all of my money, but I feel this is right. Had I pursued it a couple of months ago, while I was just sitting on the fact that the thing was making all that noise, they would have been much more generous. But since I am outside of the 90-day return policy window, they are making an exception for me.

So well done RIPP! Even if I had two consecutive failures, they still stand behind their product.

Glad to hear. All things considered, better than a poke in the eye.

 

[Flyin6]

The 6.4 Hemi swap is in its initial stages. The parts are in, and the engine is mostly prepped. The hydro-guide hood is at the paint shop. Plans are to begin next week with the actual install.
I will post a reader's digest version here and cover the actual details in another thread focused on the process.
Up for discussion and still in the air is the subject of tires/gears and axles.

Earlier, I thought I'd just go with 40" tires because of the 5.13 axle ratio I currently have, but the more I dig into it, the more uncertain I am about that. The 40" tires are much heavier. That, along with the "push-through" of a Hemi engine in low range, will necessitate bigger brakes. There is also increased risk of grenading the smallish diff and gears, which I believe are the weak links in the drivetrain now.
If I decide to stay with a 37"-38" tire, then I will have to switch to either a 4.56 or a 4.88 ratio...Hmmm...

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