2022 Gladiator - the Black Widow Build

[WhiskeyRebel]

I was checking out what was left after the sales and ran across two of these Black Widows in North Dakota of all places. I live in MT.

So, there is this dealer with two of them pretty tricked out for 59K on one of them and almost 63K on the other. They are built on Sport S trims. BUT, they were asking 80K for them 18 months or more ago AND they both have the Max Tow package with the extra wide Dana axles and the 4.10 ratio.

My first thought was I don't think so but then I took a look and thought hey, not bad. Still way too much for me, but that 59K price on the Blue one and how it's accessoried is right there where Rubicons and X's were not all that long ago...

So, here is the window sticker https://www.christiancdjr.com/api/l...8&accountId=christianchryslerdodgejeepramcllc

One was 63K Yellow and one was 50,060 the hydro blue. My first thought was I don't think so, but then I looked at the hydro blue one and was like, wait a minute that's Rubicon and Rubicon X MSRP pricing maybe a bit lower. AND they both have the Max Tow packages on them with the wide Dana's and 4.10 Gears, a lift with Fox underpinnings. AND they were asking 80K for them 18 months ago... The Black widow package is supposedly 28K. So here it is

Dealer website https://www.christiancdjr.com/exoti...ladiator-1d9914e90a0e087f3f65f5cf351c66b4.htm

Monroney (window sticker) https://www.christiancdjr.com/api/l...8&accountId=christianchryslerdodgejeepramcllc

I like the Blue for the Max tow package and the LED light package along with the 8.4 Nav. They already sold a red one over the last few weeks. 23's have NO incentives on them so the dealer it eating a great deal... I love the Yellow color, but lean toward the Blue for price (under 60K) and still has a NEW warranty.

Of interest, and I do NOT think they did this, but one option from the Black Widow people is to go up to 4.88 gears. I'm pretty sure they went with the 35's and the 4.10's but not positive. It's got the Fox shock system from Black Widow. The seats are custom upgrades

No lockers is about the only thing between this and true hard core off roading equipment wise. And if you got the bucks to get this, then that would likely be no problem. But for upfitted like it is and someone else doing the work, you likely could NOT get the same for that price.

Food for thought. Under other circumstances and a decade fewer years on me and I coulda been tempted.

Black Widow Package

3" Suspension Lift System
Fox Adventure Series Shocks
Front End Alignment
Steering Stabilizer
20" Black Off Road Wheels
35" Premium Mud Terrain Tires
Whipple Transmission Calibration
Black Wheel-to-Wheel Side Steps
20" LED Light Bar
Painted Fender Vents
Stamped Steel Hood Replacement with Vented Inserts
Black Widow Bumper
Tinted Front Windows
Black Widow Custom Stitched Headrests
Red LED Interior Lights
Accent Paint (Painted Suspension Components)
Black Widow Spider Windshield Decal
Fender Spider Decals

Options from Black Widow site.

• 3.5" JKS Suspension with FOX 2.5 Remot Resi Performance Elite Shocks
  35" Premium All Terrain Tires
  22" Wheel & 37" Tire Upgrade
  4.88 Axle Ratio Upgrade
  Full Length State Compliance Bumper
  Power Running Boards
  Custom Stitched Leather Seat Covers
  Front License Plate Bracket
  10,000 lb Winch
  Paint Options:
  Full Matte Paint
  Full Gloss Paint
  Black Hi-Hat Paint

Meets all FMVSS standards & comes with a 3-Year / 36,000 mile warranty.

That seems like quite the deal to me. They are basically giving the Black Widow package away.

A couple of minor, exterior differences from mine, such as the side step and no bedliner. Mine also came with 37's. I have a tow package, but not the max tow, so no gear change on mine. The MSRP sticker came to $55.5k a couple of years ago.

As you mentioned, having lockers would be nice, but I'm ok without them (for now).

But the advertised price is attractive!

Sponsored

 

[Redfour5]

I was checking out what was left after the sales and ran across two of these Black Widows in North Dakota of all places. I live in MT.

So, there is this dealer with two of them pretty tricked out for 59K on one of them and almost 63K on the other. They are built on Sport S trims. BUT, they were asking 80K for them 18 months or more ago AND they both have the Max Tow package with the extra wide Dana axles and the 4.10 ratio.

My first thought was I don't think so but then I took a look and thought hey, not bad. Still way too much for me, but that 59K price on the Blue one and how it's accessoried is right there where Rubicons and X's were not all that long ago...

So, here is the window sticker https://www.christiancdjr.com/api/l...8&accountId=christianchryslerdodgejeepramcllc

One was 63K Yellow and one was 50,060 the hydro blue. My first thought was I don't think so, but then I looked at the hydro blue one and was like, wait a minute that's Rubicon and Rubicon X MSRP pricing maybe a bit lower. AND they both have the Max Tow packages on them with the wide Dana's and 4.10 Gears, a lift with Fox underpinnings. AND they were asking 80K for them 18 months ago... The Black widow package is supposedly 28K. So here it is

Dealer website https://www.christiancdjr.com/exoti...ladiator-1d9914e90a0e087f3f65f5cf351c66b4.htm

Monroney (window sticker) https://www.christiancdjr.com/api/l...8&accountId=christianchryslerdodgejeepramcllc

I like the Blue for the Max tow package and the LED light package along with the 8.4 Nav. They already sold a red one over the last few weeks. 23's have NO incentives on them so the dealer it eating a great deal... I love the Yellow color, but lean toward the Blue for price (under 60K) and still has a NEW warranty.

Of interest, and I do NOT think they did this, but one option from the Black Widow people is to go up to 4.88 gears. I'm pretty sure they went with the 35's and the 4.10's but not positive. It's got the Fox shock system from Black Widow. The seats are custom upgrades

No lockers is about the only thing between this and true hard core off roading equipment wise. And if you got the bucks to get this, then that would likely be no problem. But for upfitted like it is and someone else doing the work, you likely could NOT get the same for that price.

Food for thought. Under other circumstances and a decade fewer years on me and I coulda been tempted.

Black Widow Package

3" Suspension Lift System
Fox Adventure Series Shocks
Front End Alignment
Steering Stabilizer
20" Black Off Road Wheels
35" Premium Mud Terrain Tires
Whipple Transmission Calibration
Black Wheel-to-Wheel Side Steps
20" LED Light Bar
Painted Fender Vents
Stamped Steel Hood Replacement with Vented Inserts
Black Widow Bumper
Tinted Front Windows
Black Widow Custom Stitched Headrests
Red LED Interior Lights
Accent Paint (Painted Suspension Components)
Black Widow Spider Windshield Decal
Fender Spider Decals

Options from Black Widow site.

• 3.5" JKS Suspension with FOX 2.5 Remot Resi Performance Elite Shocks
  35" Premium All Terrain Tires
  22" Wheel & 37" Tire Upgrade
  4.88 Axle Ratio Upgrade
  Full Length State Compliance Bumper
  Power Running Boards
  Custom Stitched Leather Seat Covers
  Front License Plate Bracket
  10,000 lb Winch
  Paint Options:
  Full Matte Paint
  Full Gloss Paint
  Black Hi-Hat Paint

Meets all FMVSS standards & comes with a 3-Year / 36,000 mile warranty.

That seems like quite the deal to me. They are basically giving the Black Widow package away.

A couple of minor, exterior differences from mine, such as the side step and no bedliner. Mine also came with 37's. I have a tow package, but not the max tow, so no gear change on mine. The MSRP sticker came to $55.5k a couple of years ago.

As you mentioned, having lockers would be nice, but I'm ok without them (for now).

But the advertised price is attractive!

Right at MSRP, but MSRP in 23 was the highest it's ever been, but still I agree with you and a bedliner is one of my required boxes to check.

if you are in the market for those kinds of after market items including a lift, tires wheels the front bumper AND warn winch and the paint job inside is pretty sweet too along with the custom seats. You just gotta go there and get it. I have the AMP power steps on my Ram 2500 and they were 2700 alone. And they loaded those Sport S's up with the accessories including aux switches. And the max tow package is nothing to sneeze at...

 

[KTMojave]

Christmas 2024 -

Recently, I had the opportunity to climb out of my cozy cab, into a rainstorm, to unlock a gate. While fiddling with the less than reliable padlock, I noticed that my Daytime Running Lights looked sad and dingy. For some reason, this really bothered me and therefore I made the all important impulse decision that this needed rectifying.

So, when anyone asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told them I needed to replace the DRLs on my Jeep. Which of course meant that I would need to upgrade the Headlights, Foglights, and turnsignal lamps so they wouldn't be outdone. So for Christmas, I got exactly no lights.

But having a feeling that my lighting issues were probably not as important as they should be to others, I planned ahead. I bought my wife an expensive necklace breaking our $100 budget that we can spend on each other. Christmas is for the kids y'all. Anyways, she said she felt bad that she didn't get me anything "nice." And being the selfless human man that I am, I told her that I didn't need anything and that she deserved to be appreciated for all that she does for the family, yada, yada, yada. Which is all true and I was happy to let it go at that. But the sinister side of me said that if she commented on it 3 times, it would summon the light fairies and I would be bestowed with new LED fixtures.

Behold, on this latest eve of the new year, as we donned some fancy clothes, my lovely bride wore the new necklace and for the 3rd time, commented on the situation. The deal was struck and I told her if she was feeling bad, that I still wanted to replace my DRLs and turn-signal bulbs. When she inquired how much that would cost, I answered honestly, $14 x 4. As she continued to point out the discrepancy, I casually mentioned that it would look weird and I should probably just upgrade all of the lights. Again, she inquired into the pricing and I honestly answered that I didn't know (I had never calculated tax and shipping so didn't know the exact price.) So I volunteered that I should just do it as I know it would be less than the cost of the beautiful necklace she was wearing. She squinted at me and responded with, "was this your plan all along?" I was outraged! How dare her make such a nasty accusation! She continued squinting at me and I saved the day by saying, "we need to go, we will be late for our reservation."

So, new to the Gladiator are:
- Oracle DRL LED upgraded bulbs
- Oracle front turn signal LED bulbs
- Oracle Side Markers, Tinted
- Oracle Oculus Bi-LED Projector headlights, with heated lenses
- Oracle LED Fog Lights with White Halo
- Oracle Universal Pre-Runner Style LED Grill Light Kit
- Oracle Rear Bumper LED Reverse Lights
- KC Cyclone V2 for Rock Lights, Clear Lenses (x8)
- KC Cyclone V2 to use as Chase lights, Amber Lenses (x4)
- KC Cyclone V2, Under Hood kit with switch.

Hopefully I will get a chance to install everything but the Chase lights this coming weekend. I still need to devise a mounting method for the Chase lights to the Venturous topper

Valentines Day is coming up. Maybe she needs some matching earrings?

well played !!

 

[WhiskeyRebel]

Dear Journal,

It has been a couple of months since my last confession. Unfortunately, there hasn't been much to write about. Life happens and interrupts progress.

Since my last entry, I purchased and installed the Oracle Flush-Mount Taillights. I like the way they look, and it completes the upgrade of the factory lighting.

I also made my own wiring harness for the rock lights (KC Cyclones) and used magnets to mount the lights to the frame. The plan is to connect them to a factory aux switch, but I have not made the connection yet. I've been waiting to figure out how I will mount the chase lights (more KC Cyclones) and then dress up all the underhood wiring at that time.

I have purchased a roof rack from Hooke Road. I don't like how high the rack would be mounted if I use the Rhino crossbars on the topper. I've got an idea how I can mount the rack, I just haven't had time to work it through. This isn't a high priority for me since it will only be used for chase lights and to mount traction boards and a shovel (for now.)

That catches you up to May 1st, 2025.

 

[WhiskeyRebel]

Armor Lite flooring + Seat Covers

First the not so sexy addition of neoprene seat covers from Diver Down (Amazon purchase). We do a variety of activities where we get sweaty, wet, or muddy. I have been protecting the custom leather seats with towels, but they need constant attention to keep them situated. I have always put neoprene seat covers in my Jeeps, so I decided to go this route again to protect the leather. If anybody cares, I can confirm that the Diver Down covers are a perfect fit.

Over this past weekend, I also removed the carpet and installed the Armor Lite floor system. Why? I've never been a fan of carpet in my Jeeps, so I usually pull it and then bedline the inside of the tub. I only recently learned of Armor Lite, so I wanted to give it a try. Their product is a direct swap, which makes it simple in concept, but I found it to be a PITA to install. It took me around 4 hours to remove the trim, then the carpet (easy), install the Armor Lite, and put back in the trim.

Installation notes:

> The Armor Lite isn't very flexible by design. So, aligning it to the carpet mounts is a fight with the trim around the center dash trim. I even had the pieces sitting in the sun while I took out the trim and carpet.​

​

> I have Seat Jackers installed in the front and ultimately, those made this more difficult. The Armor Lite doesn't fit perfectly around the blocks, so when re-installing the door trim, the trim doesn't sit level where the Armor Lite is bunched up around the blocks.​

​

> when doing the rear floor, it is best to start with the sections that slide under the front seats and then fitting the rear portion is easy.​

End result? I really like it. What makes the install difficult is the rigidness of the product, which is what you want in the end. Would I do it again over bedlining the inner tub? Yes.

 

[WhiskeyRebel]

Rear Seat Delete -

I like the idea of using the rear seat area for trips, but my family refuses to sit on the floor and use bungee cords as seatbelts. However, I'll be taking a solo trip soon and decided to remove the seats and purchase a prebuilt platform.

Because the seat delete will be temporary, one of my "must haves" is easy installation / removal of the platform. Obviously another is cost. Last on the list is weight.

There are several mfgs to choose from, but for me it came down to Goose Gear and Cargo Dog. Goose Gear is stupid expensive in my opinion. I had purchased the bottom plate for my wife's Bronco and was disappointed when I received it based on what it is versus the price. So, I landed on Cargo Dog because I like the height of the platform, and the seemingly better access to storage below.

Unfortunately, the Cargo Dog isn't going to work out. I think it is a fantastic product, but here is why I decided to not use it. 1) I'm tall and drive with my seat in the furthest back position. In this position, the CD doors will not open, so you would have to move your seat(s) if wanting access. This isn't a big deal if you don't need routine access to the cargo space. 2) I have replaced the door nets with Unofficial Use Only door pockets. The depth of the door pockets prevent the doors from closing with the CD installed. Removing the door panels, then the pockets defeats my criteria for ease of install/removal. The CD will not be installed. Note, this is not a criticism of the Cargo Dog product. This happens to be a problem with my particular setup and use case.

Now, as luck would have it, I was watching a YouTube video where the "influencer" was checking out products at one of the Expos. The influencer was discussing a rear shelf idea for Gladiator rear seat deletes, but the company also has the platforms. They are very similar to Goose Gear but at half the price.

Because I'm running out of time before my trip, I contacted Mark from Back Seat Delete to check availability and fitment. As luck would have it, he was just a couple of days away from having new inventory. And you can see in his product pictures that the example vehicle had deeper door pockets similar to mine.

He has options for a Full (meaning the top platform is one piece), a 60%, and a 40%. I would prefer the Full, which is less expensive, but opted for getting both the 60% and 40% so I have options for seating arrangements if ever needed.

Back Seat Delete happens to be about an hour away from me, so Mark generously arranged to meet me half-way so I could get the product in time to install before my trip.

My observations - the quality of the BSD is every bit as good as Goose Gear. It is extremely lightweight because they are made from Birch. Install is super quick (reuse 4 of your seat bolts). The product was preassembled (unlike GG), so you pull it out of the box and bubble wrap, put it into place, and secure the 4 seat bots (2 per side).

Now, in my case, because the Armorlite floor is thicker than the carpet, I struggled a little to get the bolts in. Actually, I only got 3 of the 4 secured. This isn't a big deal to me because it is a temporary install. For a permanent install, I would either replace the factory washers with thinner ones or replace the bolts and washers.

Oh, and Mark was thoughtful and brought along a Rear Wall Shelf and Overhead Moly Panel in case I wanted either. I did take the Shelf, but don't have a need for the Moly Panel although I think it is a cool product.

No pictures this time. I couldn't get a good pic, and the ones on their website are an accurate representation.

So, for my upcoming trip, I'll move the fridge into the cab along with the Bluetti AC180 and Bluetti Charger 1. If I have time, I'm going to turn the BSD Rear Wall Shelf into a charging station for the gadgets I take with me. If I get a chance, I'll make a post, with pictures of course.

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