Another Build Thread - Unnamed ‘20 JT Sport

[Jbuff02]

Hello there. Long time listener. First time poster.

I traded in my full-size Silverado and picked up a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport in Black on Halloween 2023. In the end, I will not be doing any rock crawling or hard core trails, as I'm in Northeast Indiana. This will be my daily driver and will see some fire trails and farm fields. I plan on doing the 2 inch AEV spacer lift and Geo-correction brackets with Rubicon takeoff suspension that I acquired for next to nothing. I can't decide between the AEV Salta XR in black onyx or a set of 20 or 19 hole stock steel wheels. These will be wrapped in either 37x11.5r17 Nitto Recon Grapplers or 37x12.5r17 of an unknown tire, primarily for aesthetics because I prefer the look over 35's. I have the 3.73 gears, and am aware I will need to regear soon after mounting the 37's. Rubicon fender flares or Quadratec Baja flares will be installed to assist with tire clearance. Additionally, I will be adding a Fox adjustable steering stabilizer.

Most of these decisions have been made based off of hours of reading on the forum, so I am more than open to anybody's input. This is my first gladiator and third Jeep, but I have been out of the game for a while. Long story short, I will be ordering and purchasing most of these items to arrive at my house before returning from a work trip mid-March so that I can do four day jeep-build-a-thon.

My questions and concerns:

Does anybody see any major flaws in my plans?

Does anybody run 37's on a Sport with the stock steel wheels? If so, do you require a spacer?

I do little towing, as I have a family full size truck, but can't decide if 4.88 or 5.13 gearing would be best for my use. Indiana is pretty flat and I do a bit of highway driving.

Lastly, if anybody has any pictures of Salta's or Black steelies on 37s on a Sport, I'd love to see them to hopefully make up my mind!

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[Jbuff02]

Replaced the Mopar side steps for some Rubicon take-off rock rails.

 

[Jbuff02]

-AEV 2” spacer lift arrived with geometry correction
-Got a call from @Discount Tire that my 37x11.5R17 tires are in
-Fifteen52 Metrix in Carbon Grey arrive tomorrow
-Quadratec Baja Fenders Flares and Besttop Granite inner fenders have been in the garage waiting

now just to find the time to install it in a day!

 

[Discount Tire]

-AEV 2” spacer lift arrived with geometry correction
-Got a call from @Discount Tire that my 37x11.5R17 tires are in
-Fifteen52 Metrix in Carbon Grey arrive tomorrow
-Quadratec Baja Fenders Flares and Besttop Granite inner fenders have been in the garage waiting

now just to find the time to install it in a day!

Thank you for your business, we greatly appreciate your support. The Fifteen52 Metrix HD are a nice choice of wheel and should look great on your Jeep.

 

[Jbuff02]

Appreciate that @Discount Tire , working with you guys through the forum was hassle free, easy going, and super helpful. Keep on keeping on!

Thank you for your business, we greatly appreciate your support. The Fifteen52 Metrix HD are a nice choice of wheel and should look great on your Jeep.

 

[Jbuff02]

Got the 37 inch Nitto Recon mounted up!

 

[Discount Tire]

@Jbuff02 Wow! those 37's look huge! Gonna look awesome!

 

[Jbuff02]

It’s a bummer when you go to install your @ORACLElights Flush mount tail lights and there’s no mounting screws and the factory ones aren’t compatible. You’d think for the price it would be included . Able to tell me what I need to buy @ORACLE Terry ?

 

[ORACLE Terry]

The instructions call for using the factory screws. I have done several and the factory screws are exactly what I used. They are designed to use the factory screws. Might want to adjust where the light sits in the cavity for the tail lights. I checked with our technicians and had never seen that. Let me know how I can help.

 

[Jbuff02]

Haha I’m sure I was just too worried about stripping the threaded insert, as I was already having buyers remorse. They just looked far more fine than the factory. Thanks for the quick reply @ORACLE Terry . Will just go full send once the kiddos get to bed.

 

[ORACLE Terry]

Haha I’m sure I was just too worried about stripping the threaded insert, as I was already having buyers remorse. They just looked far more fine than the factory. Thanks for the quick reply @ORACLE Terry . Will just go full send once the kiddos get to bed.

Go just a slight less than full send...but good luck and let me know how it goes.

 

[Jbuff02]

Got the Quadratec Baja Flares and 37s mounted up. Air dams removed for clearance. Also put front Rubicon springs to level her out. I have the AEV spacer lift ready to go, just debating on how realistic the height is for me right now and the three kids in car seats in the back.

 

[Jbuff02]

Short but productive time in the garage this afternoon. Used the ECRI for the first time to change tire size, fog lights with high beams, hood alarm and what not. Pretty straight forward and user friendly, aside from some of the plugs to disconnect! A few bloody knuckles on blind reinstallation.

Removed the “Sport” and “Gladiator” decals today with no hesitation. Love the cleanliness. My 5 year old fought me on the side Jeep emblem so it’ll stay for now to humor him. Also removed the tailgate dealer vinyl to find somebody scratched the heck out of the previous one. Lots of paint touch up to do there.

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