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Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken”

In your experience, are PPF’s worth the money to help protect the paint?


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HCoopo

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Hello fellow Gladiators,

This will be a simple ongoing journal for my JT. First time gladiator owner. I had a 2018 JL Rubicon in 2018 that I had for three years as a daily driver. It was a lease and my biggest regret was not buying it out at the end of the lease. I was doing a lot of commuting at that time in Florida and also had a need for a truck at the time.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_2820

I started getting the Jeep itch again recently. My wife and I currently have a 2023 Kia Sportage in a 2022 Lexus NX 350h. So I was initially looking at the cheapest base model gladiators I could find. I bought a 2021 stingray gray Willys from Carvana. However, I ended up returning it due to some undisclosed wear and tear, including some sketchy wearing of the mud tires that were worn every other tread. I then put a deposit on a new 2024 firecracker red gladiator sport S that I found for a good deal in KY. However, a day after this, I discovered this new color for the 2025 gladiators that I had never seen before. Ever since I saw a fathom blue nighthawk online, I knew it was going to be the color that I wanted most. Fast forward a week later and I pulled the trigger on a Texas Trail Edition fathom blue JT outside of Dallas that fit everything that I was looking for at a reasonable price. The week long negotiating and then the wait for my truck to get delivered to East Tennessee was excruciating. But after two weeks of owning it, I can say it was worth the wait. I can’t express enough how beautiful this color is, especially in the sun. You really just have to see it.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1467

My goal for the build was to try to blend looks plus functionality. In all reality, this will be a daily driver for me. I do work from home so it should help me keep the miles low. My goal is to also be able to use it for trail riding and light to moderate off-roading.
Initially, I installed some all-weather floor mats from rugged Ridge, which have a nice aggressive look. I also installed a screen protector for the interior and hinge protectors from RockStopperz to protect from rock chips. Next was a soft, roll-up tonneau cover from Rough Country.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1461

Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1483

Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1482

Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1481

Next step, was to address the roof. I’ve always liked the look of the body colored hard top the best. But I was contemplating a soft top because of a number of reasons, some good others not lol, I never took the full roof off my hard top JL that I had back in Florida. I landed on a compromise. I purchased the BestTop Sunrider and have been able to use it for one day so far. Even though it’s expensive, I’m happy with my decision so far (also warning, the great instructional video on quadratic for the Sunrider is using an older model with Z clips. I was following the video and got halfway through the install before I realized the video was for an older model and had to take the unfinished top back off the jeep and put it together before you can install it to the jeep frame).
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1499

Next step, was the exciting part. I’m sure you all know the feeling. I had never owned or even driven a jeep with a lift and bigger tires. I was really worried about significantly altering the driving ability and feel of the truck. After a lot of reach search, I landed on a 2 inch AEV spacer kit to avoid making big suspension and geometry changes. And after changing my mind for the millionth time, I’m currently keeping the stock wheels on the truck. I will likely eventually get some fuel rebel bronze wheels but for now I’m deciding to put that money instead to a full frontal PPF in the near future. I’m not usually a fan of black wheels, but I actually like the look of these with the dark paint. So I decided to go with 35 inch Mickey Thompson Baja legend EXP tires. I can honestly say I was shocked with the results. I never believed I would say this. But the set up now actually drives a good 20% better overall than the truck stock. To be fair, it did have 32 inch mud tires on it. However, I’m shocked at how smooth these tires drive. And that’s coming from somebody who’s daily driver was a Lexus lol. I haven’t gotten a chance to take them out on the trail as they were just installed last night. But the on road experience has been nothing short of amazing so far. With the lift, I had the shop throw on these step rails so I didn’t get yelled at by my wife for the tires lol.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1492
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1497
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1507
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1505


Included is my best bud Aussie, Bruno, for size comparison.
This will probably be about 90% of my aftermarket changes for a while. I’ll be getting a buff and PPF in a couple weeks. I also have some LED bulbs to install to replace some of the exterior light halogen bulbs. Eventually, I will probably switch to aftermarket wheels and will consider upgrading the sound system as it is the non-alpine upgraded sound system. I’m also planning on removing the Texas Trail Edition decal and replacing it with “Kraken” in bronze letters. Let me know if you have a favorite decal site that you use for your jeeps!
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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First pic touching gravel! Lol not much by the railroad tracks but hopefully a lot more off pavement to come.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1510
 

Camaroboi13

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My favorite color to date. If they brought back the diesel in Fathom, I’d be all over it.
 
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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My favorite color to date. If they brought back the diesel in Fathom, I’d be all over it.
Thanks! I like your baby blue accents with the white on your rig.
 

MudderNuker

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Cool color!
 

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HCoopo

HCoopo

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Cool color!
Thanks! Stingray gray is one of my favorite colors too. How do you like your rocktrix wheels? That’s one of the wheels that I had been looking at in bronze.
 

Sandman 4x4

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I have always loved wheels in either one of three ways. Basic black, matte or glossy, polished aluminum specifically forged to keep weight down, or color matched to the body color. I never spend on aftermarket unless lighter than stock or any others. The forged are lighter and stronger, but expensive, but weight, especially unsprung wheel weight is the enemy of performance and efficiency. You throw on some 33+ tires on any wheels bigger than 15-17”, is like strapping an extra 50 lbs on each end of the axles, that requires bigger shocks to help control them.
 
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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Some updates for the Kraken. I had a full frontal PPF applied. Now, I won’t have to worry about small rocks chipping or bug guts destroying the paint. This is my first PPF I’ve had with a vehicle, so I will keep you posted if I have any issues with it. Time will tell if the investment was worth it… because it was not cheap lol. When they applied the PPF, I had them go ahead and take off the Texas Trail decal as I have a bronze Kraken decal on the way. This will be applied directly over the PPF.
then, just last night, I finally got around to swapping out my halogen bulbs for LED lights. I replaced the bulbs in the headlights, daytime, running lamps, fog, lamps, and reverse lights. I am not mechanically inclined at all and with a manual socket wrench this only took about an hour and a half. What a big difference! The total cost was only around $100 to replace all of these bulbs. Compared to how much Jeep wants for LED replacements of the daytime running lights or headlamps is ridiculous.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1582
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1678
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1679
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1680
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1681
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1683
 
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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Here’s some pics from a rainy trip to my parents up near Cookeville. My parents have about 63 acres and get a lot of run off waterfalls with heavy rains. Did some “rock crawling” on a road that had been washed out from the creek rising about 6-8’.
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1608
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1610
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1614
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1621

My dad showing how deep this wash out is for reference
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1626
Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_1627
 
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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Jeep Gladiator Fathom Blue ‘25 JT “The Kraken” IMG_0896

Me and the pups enjoying a beautiful spring day in the Smokies
 

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Sandman 4x4

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Some updates for the Kraken. I had a full frontal PPF applied. Now, I won’t have to worry about small rocks chipping or bug guts destroying the paint. This is my first PPF I’ve had with a vehicle, so I will keep you posted if I have any issues with it. Time will tell if the investment was worth it… because it was not cheap lol. When they applied the PPF, I had them go ahead and take off the Texas Trail decal as I have a bronze Kraken decal on the way. This will be applied directly over the PPF.
then, just last night, I finally got around to swapping out my halogen bulbs for LED lights. I replaced the bulbs in the headlights, daytime, running lamps, fog, lamps, and reverse lights. I am not mechanically inclined at all and with a manual socket wrench this only took about an hour and a half. What a big difference! The total cost was only around $100 to replace all of these bulbs. Compared to how much Jeep wants for LED replacements of the daytime running lights or headlamps is ridiculous.
IMG_1582.jpeg
IMG_1678.jpeg
IMG_1679.jpeg
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IMG_1681.jpeg
IMG_1683.jpeg
Nice job with the LED’s, can you list the bulbs you used and any resistors you needed. Now all you need is to aim much lower than halogen bulbs, so you don’t blind oncoming drivers.
 
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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Nice job with the LED’s, can you list the bulbs you used and any resistors you needed. Now all you need is to aim much lower than halogen bulbs, so you don’t blind oncoming drivers.
The best part is no resistors needed. Simply just switched out the bulbs. No issues thus far. Here's the links:

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-Chipsets-Extremely-Reverse-Upgraded/dp/B0728DYR9H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OV1495Y8OBKG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GgyQjhxT9JgmC8i6VrclD7EneOaFesJ276UaQqBYMeH2TS9c6kFBUkw0a20yNlJjhmSySz0ID5Aa-YWlOt-lX_R4Pna1QSKPXServkfvHqoF8SSKoGkKPZk8_dkHH0Br20i0KQ9Ucx4eOcZ5e5d32FzBVeqqNpkGRM53IteV_ic-or1I9elII2jBT1uzwTUK1h9E4c7ySmtuBhyvNUdO_5AN1fN17PnsTaWwaEYM2ucI3UlGDWNOeK_6I3I6nDXDW5ZKbhcv_XSkbw7xDg3467vu9ps9Wk-6SINHoPamu_4.qJKAOBEW0iLBDWRce-gxohfzCUPoETEwPBJDzqtNcp0&dib_tag=se&keywords=AUXITO+912+921+LED+Bulb+for+Backup+Light+Reverse+Lights+High+Power+2835+15-SMD+Chipsets+Error+Free+T15+906+922+W16W+Bulbs,+6000K+White+Daytime+Running+Lights+(Upgraded,+Pack+of+2)&qid=1747831629&s=automotive&sprefix=,automotive,189&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Alla-Lighting-PSX24W-Xtreme-Chipsets/dp/B01A1YU2TS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SJT8HOWVGPJW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dNfI8eAp4kwzbjV59vsz0Gjr8D5t-iuQe8yNptTFvzU1YcWG57vgCVWpcZiZRQ6th0-JfH1iLcJEbi1Kob6HFFHETxM0bs-XhxVb5zQWxIYwbm4myU8rJakzUhf8tw5IPfRAH0VrsScCIJyyVFbtzVlxiCE4aZn4x8BFnwQwgOGrhi_BGsz7UeYP3e-y5ageHRKvesqD6vf9hlCcl5LJLkdt6Y3S0mcenHWkpCr0_yJVHUdu_uNKp2WyHl_VPXeGmijw6QCDFV1w4LlvgNTv0vp8FfhMz5mNogo9egMfCY8.976gd3e_sWND4i99zD425PfqRDH3c51o24QNbf-jnhA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Alla+Lighting+CANBUS+2504+PSX24W+LED+Fog+Lights+Bulbs+12276,+6000K+Xenon+White+Xtreme+Super+Bright+80W+High+Power+Chipsets12V+Replacement&qid=1747831701&s=automotive&sprefix=,automotive,348&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-H13-9008-Bulb-Replacement/dp/B0CLGXSRV8/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cS2opYVYGWkp_rIWv-wfOzu6Ttais0AvXcaDvAidp9jvH8RXpAZCDqQmkwg9twz2knPaaDvNgfqJd58tN1X5LPq06mOOQGvZWYm8vey1d58vQGNyLBcOK5owPiUD3fEYyVBtbc21L2xuPZJAA0sT8BtdixXkS4BbPHDnzLvOeCGTyhzKkXjvZZZ_mJ13_UyAqw2x5YlhVdeYsOekd76FK8E1HJii0bdRM9hgKeBscsNkqO3uEgxkql8TEEghWWfRmTt2BfcqlpY_rOx_JMzoibtS3MulCkTyAnDkOwRAWlk.XcVzvt1XrDFljoY34oMb9kE6bJXe6FSetLMHZbnulo0&dib_tag=se&keywords=BEAMTECH+H13+Bulbs,+9008+Fog+Light+Bulb+6500K+30mm+Heatsink+Base+CSP+Chips+Small+Size+Fog+Light/off+road+bulb+Of+2&qid=1747831725&s=automotive&sr=1-1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Alla-Lighting-7443-Back-Up-Reverse/dp/B07H6YPB8N/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Al5H657x83ECdYfrph9TPjGO4ckLhuwzr1ft_utQ_DmZ5N-Yj8l5G4GVsyN43z9CxQwIDgIEOJRNCNBCe5VzNMlg3k3_Lj1zu65wFdEgaCbh6Uayrg_B3LGuvb0M1qdUHFpieeh7PkGkWFjbnxZIwsOosJ7FuTfpS68IU-5X7ta7BYYUXWk9FSz-8JHdi0TmJeam9Jhj2ntgzjwR91yi4xDaq1tvifMqVDjuF7VZReMI8vcgQnKbCI0623IKlzvcWoTL-nVXaA40BM8AvCN7akgloFSCzZK8txEIoSHxc7c.cQxvHPDK1lf3BjM44B-VGK8lVDivq0W5GVyJ7lnl-uA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Alla+Lighting+2800lm+T20+7440+7443+LED+Bulbs,+White+Reverse/Signal/Brake+Tail/DRL+Lights+7444+7443LL+7441+W21W+6000K+Xenon+Xtreme+Super+Bright+12V+5730+33-SMD+Upgrade&qid=1747831748&s=automotive&sr=1-1&th=1

Let me know if these links don't work!
 

Sandman 4x4

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Links work fine. But every item shown says it doesn’t fit 2024 Gladiator. I have the factory LED’s everywhere except the headlight and front DRL and turn/park lights.
 
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HCoopo

HCoopo

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Links work fine. But every item shown says it doesn’t fit 2024 Gladiator. I have the factory LED’s everywhere except the headlight and front DRL and turn/park lights.
I checked specifically just now with the beamtech headlights and it gave me the same answer. To verify, I purchased the H13 9008 model. It went in smoothly and have had no issues.
 

Sandman 4x4

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I checked specifically just now with the beamtech headlights and it gave me the same answer. To verify, I purchased the H13 9008 model. It went in smoothly and have had no issues.
Thanks for clarifying that, I’m about to spring for new bulbs and not sure what to buy. I’ve used MORIMOTO in the past, but they’re over $200 now. The Sylvania Silver Star Ultra are about the same as those you posted, that I’ve also used with decent results, but are still not LED’s. Weird how Jeep built mine with LED’s everywhere but headlights,fog lights and front fenders?
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