Aonarch
Well-Known Member
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I bought my Gladiator on a whim. I actually originally thought they were ugly looking, until I saw one lifted with bigger tires. My lifestyle calls for a pickup. I ride motorcycles and love doing home improvement projects. I was looking at buying a used truck just to have in my driveway, but they were so overpriced for something in nice shape without a million miles. So I decided to just buy a new Gladiator instead. I did think about a Ranger, but you can't beat Dana 44s and the convertible aspect of the Gladiator. I've already owned a Tacoma and a FJ Cruiser. I think it is ridiculous that the Tacoma hasn't really been updated in 16 or so years. So that was a hard pass.
Day 1: Taking delivery
Barely fits in my garage
Hilarious that Jeep still uses these dinky 1993 era antennas. I haven't noticed a drop in signal, but I'm in a major metropolis.
Went ahead and swapped out the factory fill oil after a few hundred miles. I heard they use a synthetic blend so it had to go. Went with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-20 and a Wix HD filter. Oil changes are so easy on these.
Next was upgrading to LED bulbs thanks to recommendations here. I want to go with Morimoto headlights soon. I have friends at The Retrofit Source here in Atlanta. I highly recommend them.
Next was Lift Kit Version 1.0, a Teraflex 1.5" spacer kit for the front. Super easy to install, took me 2 hours taking my time and drinking a few beers. This lift is just temporary to get rid of the ugly rake that the Max Tow has and to better fit my 35s coming up here in a few pictures.
Level installed, much better!
Woohoo! Picking up my wheels and tires that I ordered from the local Tire Rack Distribution Center.
Having a truck bed is awesome.
Happiness!
Just ever so slightly larger....
BFGoodrich KO2 315/70/17 with OZ Rally Raid wheels. I am so glad that I went with a 35 tire and not 33s like I originally was thinking. These Gladiators are designed for 35s.
Next Up
I'll be driving from Atlanta to Montana this summer.
January 15, 2022 Update
Here is my mod list to date:
Day 1: Taking delivery
Barely fits in my garage
Hilarious that Jeep still uses these dinky 1993 era antennas. I haven't noticed a drop in signal, but I'm in a major metropolis.
Went ahead and swapped out the factory fill oil after a few hundred miles. I heard they use a synthetic blend so it had to go. Went with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-20 and a Wix HD filter. Oil changes are so easy on these.
Next was upgrading to LED bulbs thanks to recommendations here. I want to go with Morimoto headlights soon. I have friends at The Retrofit Source here in Atlanta. I highly recommend them.
Next was Lift Kit Version 1.0, a Teraflex 1.5" spacer kit for the front. Super easy to install, took me 2 hours taking my time and drinking a few beers. This lift is just temporary to get rid of the ugly rake that the Max Tow has and to better fit my 35s coming up here in a few pictures.
Level installed, much better!
Woohoo! Picking up my wheels and tires that I ordered from the local Tire Rack Distribution Center.
Having a truck bed is awesome.
Happiness!
Just ever so slightly larger....
BFGoodrich KO2 315/70/17 with OZ Rally Raid wheels. I am so glad that I went with a 35 tire and not 33s like I originally was thinking. These Gladiators are designed for 35s.
Next Up
- Bilstein 5100 shocks (In the mail)
- Bilstein Steering Damper (In the mail)
- Mopar Extended Lower Control Arms (In the mail)
- Rubicon Front Springs 340/343 (In the mail), will pair with 1" Teraflex spacer
- Daystar .75" Rear Spacer (In the box)
- JScan the tire size and turn on LEDs (Waiting on SWB cable to ship)
- Rubicon OEM rocksliders
- Mopar Steel Bumpers
- Morimoto Headlights
- LED Taillight Housings
- LED Turn Signal Housings
- Tonneau cover
- Livernois Tune (Once they release 2021 MY)
- Sway bar quick disconnects
- New/Used 35 to throw on the spare wheel
- Overlanding setup (Tent, rack, etc)
- Winch
- Hood decal
- Magnusson Supercharger
I'll be driving from Atlanta to Montana this summer.
January 15, 2022 Update
Here is my mod list to date:
- Rugged Ridge HD Front Bumper
- Rugged Ridge Front Skid Plate
- Warn EVO VR-S 10k Winch
- Amazon LED Lights all around
- Mishimoto Catch-Can
- Rival Hood Struts
- Mopar front air deflector
- Gorilla Glass windshield
- Amazon stubby antenna
- Fab Fours rock sliders
- DV8 bedside sliders
- Clayton Offroad 2.5" Ride Right + Lift Kit
- Bilstein 5100 shocks and steering damper
- JKS Quicker disconnect sway bar links
- Mopar extended front lower control arms
- Synergy Manufacturing HD Drag Link
- 17" OZ Rally Raid Wheels
- 315/70/17 BFGoodrich KO2 T/A Baja Champion C Load
- Bestop Tonneau cover
- Napier bed tent
- Mopar grab handles
- Mopar door sills
- Kenwood KFC speakers
- Livernois Motorsport engine and transmission tunes
- Mishimoto Intake
- Rock Jock Drive Shaft Spacer
- Mopar Trailer Brake Controller
- Threedom S+ Keyfob
- Hardtop
- Rugged Ridge HD rear bumper (If it fits in my garage)
- LED headlight and taillight assemblies
- Chopped Rubicon front fenders with Rugged Ridge chop light kit
- Eaton e-lockers front and rear
- 4.88 gears
Sponsored
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