Berserker
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2017
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 75
- Reaction score
- 170
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Website
- www.youtube.com
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
- Build Thread
- Link
- Thread starter
- #1
Yesterday I took my Gladiator to Kansas Rocks where I've wheeled JKs for years. I wanted to see how capable it is and understand how cognizant I need to be of the breakover angle. The Jeep exceeded my expectations. I went in thinking I was driving a sled (conjuring memories of my "Big Guys Drag Small Jeep" videos). The Gladiator Rubicon was a "brute" on the trails. Its deep gearing had an abundance of torque in 4-lo, so much that I don't regret not waiting for the eco-diesel. The long wheelbase gave confident stability on hill climbs, more than I ever felt in a JK or JL. It maintained its perch when off-camber and the tires bit into everything. It was a "point and go" experience. Meticulous tire placement and planning cut down on underbody contact with rocks but it did occasionally happen. So what's next? 35's for sure and a 2.5" lift to give me that extra bit of clearance. I'm also looking at full aluminum skids, not for bashing but for gliding. Early on a branch got lodged between my driveshaft and exhaust and was wrapped in between my transmission cooling lines. Skids will keep silly things like that from happening. I will be taking this JT on trips throughout the western US and although in its current form it can do 95% of the trails I'll be on, it's the unexpected I'll need it to conquer.
I'll document my build in this thread and discuss my reasoning behind what I choose to do.
In this video, I talk through what I learned wheeling my Gladiator and what my initial build plans are.
I'll document my build in this thread and discuss my reasoning behind what I choose to do.
In this video, I talk through what I learned wheeling my Gladiator and what my initial build plans are.
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