Another Gladiator build....White JTRD

[VA6489]

Between world events delays in parts coming in and a family emergency.... I finally have all the parts in house. Mid May there will be a 4 day press to install the new suspension.

Sponsored

 

[VA6489]

Installed Artec 4 link front and rear suspension. Cutting OEM mounts off was a bear. 3 1/2 days with two old guys and a lift. End result is an amazing ride. Gone is the tendancy to wander and dart all over the road. The lack of cross talk between the front and rear is very noticable. Bumps seem softer and cornering is also improved. Was going to upgrade to Coilover, but after thsi I think just a good set of King Smoothies will eb perfect.

 

[VA6489]

Looking toward the future and long overland trips. I think I have come up with an aux fuel tank design. Size 48inx17inx5in. this comes to about 16.5 gallons. Some say this is a big tank ok genius where do you mount it? This is the fun.

The front wall of the Galadiator bed is simple sheet metal Cut the verticle section of the bed out saving the C channel top piece to allow for the tank to pertrude forward 1.5 to 2 inches. Flange moutns on either side and the top with studs on the bottom to bolt thru the bed. To the driver side a small cube to house the filler neck adding an additional gallon (+ or -) Use a gavity feed with a check valve to the filler neck.

How this works, Fill the OEM tank full. Then fill the Aux tank. the check valve in the OEM filler neck keep the Aux tank from over filling the Main tank. as the main tank fuel is used the check valve is opened automaticly and aux fuel is allow to refill teh main tank. this process keeps going until the aux tank is drained. Dash board fuel gauge will read full until the aux tank is drained and the main tank level decreases.

The beauty of this system is the Aux tank doesn't need to be filled. You can run on just the main. When a longer range is required fill both tanks and enjoy. The bed is larglely still available. Weight is forward of the rear axle. No more Jerry Cans for long trips.

I am getting an average of 25 mpg with my diesel = about 350 to 400 miles to empty. Add another 17 gallons to that and my range is now 700-800 miles.

Weight emply likely around 50 lbs. Full (diesel) around 118lbs.

Cost estimate $800-$900.00.

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

Installed Artec 4 link front and rear suspension. Cutting OEM mounts off was a bear. 3 1/2 days with two old guys and a lift. End result is an amazing ride. Gone is the tendancy to wander and dart all over the road. The lack of cross talk between the front and rear is very noticable. Bumps seem softer and cornering is also improved. Was going to upgrade to Coilover, but after thsi I think just a good set of King Smoothies will eb perfect.

Long really do make a big difference, especially when the lift and tires get taller. Is the rear truss all from artec or did you have to adapt it to work with that specific diff?

 

[VA6489]

Long really do make a big difference, especially when the lift and tires get taller. Is the rear truss all from artec or did you have to adapt it to work with that specific diff?

The ride quality is night and day different on long arms. Rattle Wagon has a Semi Float D60 rear. ARTEC does make a axle side mount for Dana 60 and now Dana 80s to work with their triangulated kit. Only down side is it takes forever to get them to deliver their kits/parts. ( promised 30 day, actual 3 months)

A side note, they say their front crossmember ( transmission X member) will not work on the JT.... Total rubbish. The supplied cross member works 100%. . Their kit supplies a triangulated mount that bolts to the frame ( Assuming it is gas powered) that is not required. There are no instructions supplied in their kit either. You have to ask for them, in my cae several times. Their website doen't carry the info specific to the kit. If you buy one, I can forward the kit instructions (3parts) to you.

Cheers

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

The ride quality is night and day different on long arms. Rattle Wagon has a Semi Float D60 rear. ARTEC does make a axle side mount for Dana 60 and now Dana 80s to work with their triangulated kit. Only down side is it takes forever to get them to deliver their kits/parts. ( promised 30 day, actual 3 months)

A side note, they say their front crossmember ( transmission X member) will not work on the JT.... Total rubbish. The supplied cross member works 100%. . Their kit supplies a triangulated mount that bolts to the frame ( Assuming it is gas powered) that is not required. There are no instructions supplied in their kit either. You have to ask for them, in my cae several times. Their website doen't carry the info specific to the kit. If you buy one, I can forward the kit instructions (3parts) to you.

Cheers

Thanks, hopefully I'm done with the suspension for a while (EVO long arms this past winter)! Hopefully Artec gets the customer service/supply side down, they have a good product.

 

[VA6489]

The evolution continues. Getting a deal on a set of D60 full floats. Will be selling the current set up.
D44 built and a d60 semi float all 5x5.

 

[VA6489]

Wheel and tire day.
Battle Born Wheels....... I was prepared for the usual struggle trying to seat the outer bead as I have had on just about every other set of bead locks. Surprise! Once the inside bead is on the outer bead just falls into place literately! Both the rim and the ring have a chamfer on them to make sure the tires bead sits where it was designed to. I expected hours per wheel and in stead was rewarded with mounting 4 tires and wheels in 3 hrs and 45 minutes. Yes they are expensive compared to the array of commercially available cast wheels, but quality is not cheap. Battle Born is a Veteran Owned small business and the owner actually answers the phone! I called Friday to confirm the mounting procedure and did not leave a message thinking I will call back later. To my surprise Chris called me! Who does that in this day and age !?!

The rims are designed for a 0.750 inch thick bead. placing the ring on ad starting all the bolts I only had to make 5 passes torquing down the fasteners before the mounting process was done. the rings are very thick and have recessed holes for the mounting hardware. much harder to break a bolt on the trail. I am also trying out their valve stems. Linky:
RPV STD LENGTH
This innovative, patented fast deflation tire valve allows you to quickly deflate your tires in a matter of seconds. Here’s how it works: Unscrew the valve stem cover and place your preferred pressure gauge onto the valve. Now simply slide gate cover out and watch your air gauge real-time as the...

Many of you know I do not often recommend a manufacture, however if you are considering beadlocks for you build, check them out at https://www.battlebornwheels.com/. Quality company, veteran owned small business who cares.

 

[VA6489]

just wanted to post this up. take note of how easy it is to seat the outer bead.

 

[VA6489]

New tires and wheels just back from balancing

 

[rharr]

Installed Artec 4 link front and rear suspension. Cutting OEM mounts off was a bear. 3 1/2 days with two old guys and a lift. End result is an amazing ride. Gone is the tendancy to wander and dart all over the road. The lack of cross talk between the front and rear is very noticable. Bumps seem softer and cornering is also improved. Was going to upgrade to Coilover, but after thsi I think just a good set of King Smoothies will eb perfect.

are you retaining the def tank for this setup?

 

[VA6489]

No DEF tank, no EGR, none of that foolishness in this rig.

Sponsored