2025 Sport S Build

[Dustan]

Hello everyone, I'd like to start a thread for my gladiator for infomations and review of things I buy or build. This will be used and abused in the mountains in colorado and not hanging out at a mall.

2025 Sport S

Completed
Clayton 3.5" overland plus lift
Alloy Ion Style 171 17x9 0 offset
kanati overland rtx 37x12.50r17
tonneau tri fold Cover
OEM Rock Rails
5.13 gears
Gear and tire size reprogramed and GPS verified.

In Progress
Russian 1/2" baltic birch plywood for the following projects
DIY 100% rear seat delete
Bed drawer system

Incomplete
bed rack for RTT
RTT
Power system, have 12v 100ah lifpo4 and 100 watt solor panel just need a 1500~2500 watt inverter.
Lockers front/rear, Eaton looks like.
Rock Jock Currectlync High Steer Knuckle Kit
Teraflex Rear Sway Bar Kit
Front sway bar disconnects, Maybe JKS? Do I need the anti rock system.
Front stuby bumper
Rear bumper
LED headlight upgrade and offroad lighting.

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[Sandman 4x4]

You may want to consider getting Max Tow package for the higher payload rating. A reg Sport S will have under 1,100 lbs. start adding all that plywood and extra equipment and passengers will get you overloaded quickly!

 

[Dustan]

Working on the platform today and got a big portion done. Just need the front 2 pieces and the bottom front pad that lays on the carpet. Using kreg dowl tool and wood glue. Thinking of a Raptor liner or some of that marine-grade carpet for a covering. Once done I'll weigh it and see, thinking about 75lbs.

 

[Dustan]

More done today, just need to install a center brace and cut the doors and drill for the bolts. It doesn't need a center brace but never know how much weight will sit on it. It's pretty light I's say around 50lbs.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Let me re-fraze that. Ok the weight you loose removing the rear seat will not be entirely offset from the plywood so you will gain payload. But if you’re doing all that excellent work by the way, why not do so with a Max Tow? Unless you have already bought the regular payload Sport S. I know with mine we have a 1,044 lbs payload rating. That after adding three adult passengers with me, at 200 lbs each the full load of a weeks clothing had the rear settled low enough to warrant my headlights to be lowered.

 

[Dustan]

Let me re-fraze that. Ok the weight you loose removing the rear seat will not be entirely offset from the plywood so you will gain payload. But if you’re doing all that excellent work by the way, why not do so with a Max Tow? Unless you have already bought the regular payload Sport S. I know with mine we have a 1,044 lbs payload rating. That after adding three adult passengers with me, at 200 lbs each the full load of a weeks clothing had the rear settled low enough to warrant my headlights to be lowered.

Yes I already have the truck so no going back anytime soon. I do not carry passangers so it will be just me and some gear. I need to look at my sticker and get a total (GVW) but with the gear i'm looking at I don't think I'll be over 1000lbs. I will be weighing everything and making a list as I go. I could also take it to a scale and get it weighed.

 

[Dustan]

Found my Window sticker, also looks like I have a 1050lb payload. I paid $38999 for it.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Nice deal! Mine has MSRP of $51,400, I paid $36,400. Has mostly the same except no tow/switch package, headliner, or optional wheels. We love it.

 

[Dustan]

So question for you guys that have had issues after re-gearing. I had my truck geared from 3.73 to 5.13 and after a bad whining came on around 45mph on the cost. The shop told me they wanted to replace the rear gear set. So after a few weeks they did. They called and said it still whines and they wanted to replace the bearings just to be sure it wasn’t a new bearing that was bad. Yesterday they called and said the noise is still there and they think it’s the transfer case. They never mentioned the front or touched it since the first swap. They are trying to pinpoint the noise to an axle by removing the drive shaft separately from front to back. Idk what that will accomplish but ok. Before all this no noise was present on stock, with the lift or the tires that was done in stages. What do you guys think? Truck has 2800 miles and they have had it almost 2 weeks combined so getting a bit frustrated here.

 

[Stan H]

So question for you guys that have had issues after re-gearing. I had my truck geared from 3.73 to 5.13 and after a bad whining came on around 45mph on the cost. The shop told me they wanted to replace the rear gear set. So after a few weeks they did. They called and said it still whines and they wanted to replace the bearings just to be sure it wasn’t a new bearing that was bad. Yesterday they called and said the noise is still there and they think it’s the transfer case. They never mentioned the front or touched it since the first swap. They are trying to pinpoint the noise to an axle by removing the drive shaft separately from front to back. Idk what that will accomplish but ok. Before all this no noise was present on stock, with the lift or the tires that was done in stages. What do you guys think? Truck has 2800 miles and they have had it almost 2 weeks combined so getting a bit frustrated here.

Driveshafts seperate removal will tell the tale. However did anyone check wheel bearings ?

 

[Smash615]

Hello everyone, I'd like to start a thread for my gladiator for infomations and review of things I buy or build. This will be used and abused in the mountains in colorado and not hanging out at a mall.

2025 Sport S

Completed
Clayton 3.5" overland plus lift
Alloy Ion Style 171 17x9 0 offset
kanati overland rtx 37x12.50r17
tonneau tri fold Cover
OEM Rock Rails
5.13 gears
Gear and tire size reprogramed and GPS verified.

In Progress
Russian 1/2" baltic birch plywood for the following projects
DIY 100% rear seat delete
Bed drawer system

Incomplete
bed rack for RTT
RTT
Power system, have 12v 100ah lifpo4 and 100 watt solor panel just need a 1500~2500 watt inverter.
Lockers front/rear, Eaton looks like.
Rock Jock Currectlync High Steer Knuckle Kit
Teraflex Rear Sway Bar Kit
Front sway bar disconnects, Maybe JKS? Do I need the anti rock system.
Front stuby bumper
Rear bumper
LED headlight upgrade and offroad lighting.

Looking good... How do you like the Kanati Overland tires? I'm leaning toward them but curious on your thoughts.

 

[Trauma PA]

So question for you guys that have had issues after re-gearing. I had my truck geared from 3.73 to 5.13 and after a bad whining came on around 45mph on the cost. The shop told me they wanted to replace the rear gear set. So after a few weeks they did. They called and said it still whines and they wanted to replace the bearings just to be sure it wasn’t a new bearing that was bad. Yesterday they called and said the noise is still there and they think it’s the transfer case. They never mentioned the front or touched it since the first swap. They are trying to pinpoint the noise to an axle by removing the drive shaft separately from front to back. Idk what that will accomplish but ok. Before all this no noise was present on stock, with the lift or the tires that was done in stages. What do you guys think? Truck has 2800 miles and they have had it almost 2 weeks combined so getting a bit frustrated here.

Did you get this problem resolved?

 

[Sandman 4x4]

So question for you guys that have had issues after re-gearing. I had my truck geared from 3.73 to 5.13 and after a bad whining came on around 45mph on the cost. The shop told me they wanted to replace the rear gear set. So after a few weeks they did. They called and said it still whines and they wanted to replace the bearings just to be sure it wasn’t a new bearing that was bad. Yesterday they called and said the noise is still there and they think it’s the transfer case. They never mentioned the front or touched it since the first swap. They are trying to pinpoint the noise to an axle by removing the drive shaft separately from front to back. Idk what that will accomplish but ok. Before all this no noise was present on stock, with the lift or the tires that was done in stages. What do you guys think? Truck has 2800 miles and they have had it almost 2 weeks combined so getting a bit frustrated here.

Sound to be they didn’t set the gears properly with correct shims/spacers for correct center gear contact.

 

[Smash615]

Looking good... How do you like the Kanati Overland tires? I'm leaning toward them but curious on your thoughts.

I saw the Kanati team at Jeep Invasion/Pigeon Forge TN in 2024 and their series of tires looked great. My KM2s finally expired so I bought a set of Kanati Terra Commander RTX in 35x12.5x17. Having them installed Tuesday. Going to start a thread for mine once installed.

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