2025 Base Sport Anvil

[NC_Overland]

The Warn 12k fit nice without trimming or shimming with the Rubicon steel bumper and the Warn baseplate. I was just wondering how the Apex would fit. I ha e it on my Silverado and it is awesome. Even the wireless feature works well.

Warn winch plate and Apex 12k.

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[Hootbro]

Sorry if this has been covered, why are you on your 4th Gladiator?

Boredom mainly.

1st one a 2020 I soured on with a intermittent #3 cylinder misfire and cracked hard top after having the back window leak repair.

The next two, my 2021 WILLYS and 2022 Rubicon were bought playing the COVID market high trade in values and still getting below invoice pricing with my Affiliate Rewards and some dealer discounting.

My 2025 Sport Base was mainly wanting the newer interior. In all cases, I had all the vehicles paid off and carried high equity into the next one. Past the initial 2020 purchase, I am maybe out of pocket another $3K-$4k moving between all 4 vehicles. COVID market was a abnormality that facilitated most of it that will probably not happen again.

 

[NC_Overland]

Boredom mainly.

1st one a 2020 I soured on with a intermittent #3 cylinder misfire and cracked hard top after having the back window leak repair.

The next two, my 2021 WILLYS and 2022 Rubicon were bought playing the COVID market high trade in values and still getting below invoice pricing with my Affiliate Rewards and some dealer discounting.

My 2025 Sport Base was mainly wanting the newer interior. In all cases, I had all the vehicles paid off and carried high equity into the next one. Past the initial 2020 purchase, I am maybe out of pocket another $3K-$4k moving between all 4 vehicles. COVID market was a abnormality that facilitated most of it that will probably not happen again.

That makes sense. I thought a lot about it in 21 when I was getting crazy offers for mine but didn’t because the MSRP went up so much. It’s protected my resale value though. lol

 

[Hootbro]

Arts and Crafts day at the house. Got in some primer DANA covers and threw of a few coats of gloss black high temp engine paint. Saved about $150 for the set buying them primer coated vs. finished on Amazon.

 

[Hootbro]

Installed the DANA covers today. Front got TOTAL 75W-90 and rear Amsoil 75W-140 gear oil.

 

[RHINO79]

Those look sweet!

 

[Hootbro]

Those look sweet!

Thanks. Surprised they came out so well. I am usually not so good with painting things and it looking presentable.

 

[Hootbro]

Installed the EVO 1/4 Pounder bumper. Had to install an extra 1/4" spacer set to push the bumper out so the APEX BADLAND winch would fit. Seem it is a slightly bigger winch dimension wise than other common brands.

 

[Hootbro]

Did my first oil analysis on my 2025 Gladiator Sport 3.6L Pentastar. Samples were taken with 6768 miles on the engine with 3292 miles on this oil change interval. Oil used was Quaker State Full Synthetic 5W-30 using a FRAM PH10575 oil filter on a Baxter Performance oil adapter.

Replaced with Quaker State Euro 5W-40 and a Premium Guard PG2500 oil filter.

Decided to try "Oil Analyzers" for the first time but also sent a second sample taken at the same time to Blackstone Laboratories to make the comparison between the two. Below is spreadsheet comparison between the two labs for the results.

Basic take away from either lab results is that it is wearing in normally. Wear metals between the two labs are nominal with some slightly higher number spreads on the additives but they seem to be in expected ranger for the grade and API spec of the oil used.

Main difference and I have heard this before, Blackstone Laboratories does a guestimate on fuel dilution based on flashpoint and Oil Analyzers does a true fuel dilution test and those numbers came in higher than what Blackstone Laboratories estimates

Going forward, I am probably going to use Oil Analyzers for my oil analysis needs at least for this Gladiator.

 

[Hootbro]

Installed the Rival hood strut kit today. One of those mods I underappreciated until I installed one for myself.

 

[Hootbro]

Finished out my winch install with the American Adventure Labs switch mount I received recently. Just a FYI with anybody that tries to use the battery cable cut off switch included with the APEX BADLANDS winch, it will not fit without egging a couple of holes on the switch mount. The Blue Sea Systems 6006 series switches will fit without issue.

 

[Mr Miami]

Had a SmityBuilt 12K winch on my last Rubicon Gladiator and think this one appears to be of better build quality. It is not a WARN but most of the anecdotal feedback on the internet is positive on it.

As to cooling, I have ran high mount winches before on my other Gladiators and cooling was never an issue. With the 24+ models with the grille redesign, there is some like 30% more available air flow so I am not worried about cooling.

Fitting the steel Rubicon bumper, I have heard some people have to trim or cut down the spool engagement handle. You have to dig into that if you want more info.

I think the ones who had to do any cutting or trimming were ones with the Mojave. I have the Rubicon ('24) factory steel bumper and a Grimm winch plate. The Apex 12000 fit just fine without any modifications. Some people did mention the mounting bolts were a bit too short, others said they were fine. Mine were a bit short and a trip to the hardware store took care of that.

 

[Mr Miami]

Did my first oil analysis on my 2025 Gladiator Sport 3.6L Pentastar. Samples were taken with 6768 miles on the engine with 3292 miles on this oil change interval. Oil used was Quaker State Full Synthetic 5W-30 using a FRAM PH10575 oil filter on a Baxter Performance oil adapter.

Replaced with Quaker State Euro 5W-40 and a Premium Guard PG2500 oil filter.

Decided to try "Oil Analyzers" for the first time but also sent a second sample taken at the same time to Blackstone Laboratories to make the comparison between the two. Below is spreadsheet comparison between the two labs for the results.

Basic take away from either lab results is that it is wearing in normally. Wear metals between the two labs are nominal with some slightly higher number spreads on the additives but they seem to be in expected ranger for the grade and API spec of the oil used.

Main difference and I have heard this before, Blackstone Laboratories does a guestimate on fuel dilution based on flashpoint and Oil Analyzers does a true fuel dilution test and those numbers came in higher than what Blackstone Laboratories estimates

Going forward, I am probably going to use Oil Analyzers for my oil analysis needs at least for this Gladiator.

Am I reading this incorrectly or are you using 5w30 and 5w40 oil in your new Gladiator? My 2024 3.6 uses 0w20 oil. If you use different oil yourself, aren't you taking a chance of voiding the warranty on it?

 

[Hootbro]

Am I reading this incorrectly or are you using 5w30 and 5w40 oil in your new Gladiator? My 2024 3.6 uses 0w20 oil. If you use different oil yourself, aren't you taking a chance of voiding the warranty on it?

I understand the risks.

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