FIRECRACKER RED Gladiator JT Club

[Desert Outlaw]

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[Desert Outlaw]

 

[legacy_etu]

Thanks again. Just bought my first gladiator today! 2023 diesel Willy’s in firecracker red w/ red hardtop. (In avatar). Stoked.

Hey, congrats man. You've been around here for quite some time talking about what you were looking for, I didn’t think you’d ever buy one! In fact I didn’t recognize you for the new picture in your profile without the smashed ass end TJ.

 

[Dave-in-RI]

Hey, congrats man. You've been around here for quite some time talking about what you were looking for, I didn’t think you’d ever buy one! In fact I didn’t recognize you for the new picture in your profile without the smashed ass end TJ.

Thanks! Yeah it was a painfully long wait. I’ve added a Bedrug and Fas-top Traveler (softtopper + tonneau that store together in the bed at the same time, with rail system; don’t have a pic with them all yet. I keep the topper down and use the tonneau, but it’s there if I need it.) Doing my first oil change & water drain on it tomorrow, which I’m unreasonably excited about ha.

 

[1945gpw]

Thanks! Yeah it was a painfully long wait. I’ve added a Bedrug and Fas-top Traveler (softtopper + tonneau that store together in the bed at the same time, with rail system; don’t have a pic with them all yet. I keep the topper down and use the tonneau, but it’s there if I need it.) Doing my first oil change & water drain on it tomorrow, which I’m unreasonably excited about ha.

How do you like the bed rug? I ordered one, just haven’t put it in yet. Was a lot lighter material than I was expecting. Hopefully it holds up

 

[johnchabin]

How do you like the bed rug? I ordered one, just haven’t put it in yet. Was a lot lighter material than I was expecting. Hopefully it holds up

It’s quite durable.

 

[Dave-in-RI]

How do you like the bed rug? I ordered one, just haven’t put it in yet. Was a lot lighter material than I was expecting. Hopefully it holds up

I, too, was disappointed by how thin the materials were compared to my expectations and having seen one last in 2004; felt cheaper than I remembered. I then asked myself if there was a better option for my needs/wants even if thin, and I don’t know of one and will likely treat this as disposable if it wears out. Once you crawl around in there with the flat padded floor, especially under the cap when it’s up (and sides rolled up), it’s instantly a “no going back”. I’ll throw a tarp on it for dirt work and should be able to easily clean out any spills over the tarp. It’s really nice under the tonneau, too, to slide a bag etc inside; feels like a trunk. The Fas-Top instructions (typed and videos) did not match each other or the parts in the kit, which required a call (they’re that bad), but I’m glad for the reasons— continued tweaks to their brackets and parts to make them better. I’ve put the tie down hooks all down the rails, too, and can hang things via carribeaner (sp?) clips or cargo net, ropes, etc; can also get a bolt-on rack, cargo bags, etc.. The Bismarl canvas they use is crazy heavy duty. I was able to get more wrinkles out by pulling sideways etc., but figuring out all the tricks required watching their install videos for multiple vehicles (maverick, Chevy, etc) cause they don’t say them all in each. It’s like engineers made it and don’t feel the need to explain what isn’t obvious.

Oh yea, for the Bedrug, I’m gonna round the edges of my 2x4 bed divider / sheet good platform so it doesn’t abrade and rip. I bought plastic wood in cardinal red, so it won’t rot or warp or need painting / leave paint eventually.

 

[legacy_etu]

Thanks! Yeah it was a painfully long wait. I’ve added a Bedrug and Fas-top Traveler (softtopper + tonneau that store together in the bed at the same time, with rail system; don’t have a pic with them all yet. I keep the topper down and use the tonneau, but it’s there if I need it.) Doing my first oil change & water drain on it tomorrow, which I’m unreasonably excited about ha.

That’s great and looks sharp with the painted top. I went back and forth on that but ultimately decided I didn’t want to spend the money on that option. If I got the deal you did I would have added it though. Jeesh, 23k off is ridiculous. That dealer must’ve been sooooo happy to finally get that unit off their lot.

I thought you were looking for one of the upcoming fun colors?

 

[Dave-in-RI]

That’s great and looks sharp with the painted top. I went back and forth on that but ultimately decided I didn’t want to spend the money on that option. If I got the deal you did I would have added it though. Jeesh, 23k off is ridiculous. That dealer must’ve been sooooo happy to finally get that unit off their lot.

I thought you were looking for one of the upcoming fun colors?

I really, really wanted bikini but didn't see it happening, and then my daily driver had so much stuff break at the same time I couldn't wait and hope. I "rationalized" it by going for a diesel, and figured red was a good midlife crisis color, too On the Jeep website, there were 3 (three) new red diesels with red roof and red fenders in the entire country: one in NH, one in TN, and one in FL. I also connected with the only 2 remaining all red Max Tows, both in Arizona, but I went with diesel and a better deal plus easier to get. I connected with all three, no one would lower the price, and then one of the dealerships bought the Jeep, put it in their rental fleet, and marked it as used. I put a deposit on it the same day, ha. Problem was I'm in RI and it was in TN, and they wouldn't let me buy it remotely w/ Docusign-- they said I had to come down, no exceptions. Turns out they were 2 hours outside Nashville, so it was a flight, a connector flight, and then a rental car 2 hours to get it, but with the crazy price and "this might be the last 3 ever available", I went for it. Did the back and forth trip in a day, and paid a hauler $900 to drive it up a few days later. Got me out of the house at least. I would've driven it back but didn't like the idea of a 24 hour drive at similar RPMs for break-in (even if the diesel says no break-in needed), and couldn't leave my wife w/ our kids in good conscience. I hadn't driven a diesel and went solely on this forum, but oh man is it way more fun to drive (I had driven a gas one). It's not scary fast but definitely smile fast, and the power band at low torque is such a new way to experience a car (my first diesel). And I get 30mpg highway (like 30.4 after a couple hours), low 20s around town (errands etc), and so that feels better than 20 with a tailwind in a bikini blue. I saw a bikini JK go by and I liked the color but wouldn't trade the diesel now that I've had it (i'm up to around 1500 miles; had 140 when I got it). I can appreciate the blue from afar. To get 30mpg in a shoebox with wheels and 32" Mud Terrains is a smug feeling I don't think I'll get sick of. Costs like $60 to fill it, which isn't bad either. Haven't towed anything yet, but that should be great, too. It's got heated steering wheel and seats and all sorts of others in a last-edition package. It's a 2023 but was delivered to the dealer in January, so it only sat for 8 months and they took a bath on it. I dont think there was anybody that far removed from a major city willing to pay sticker. Works for me!

 

[1945gpw]

I really, really wanted bikini but didn't see it happening, and then my daily driver had so much stuff break at the same time I couldn't wait and hope. I "rationalized" it by going for a diesel, and figured red was a good midlife crisis color, too On the Jeep website, there were 3 (three) new red diesels with red roof and red fenders in the entire country: one in NH, one in TN, and one in FL. I also connected with the only 2 remaining all red Max Tows, both in Arizona, but I went with diesel and a better deal plus easier to get. I connected with all three, no one would lower the price, and then one of the dealerships bought the Jeep, put it in their rental fleet, and marked it as used. I put a deposit on it the same day, ha. Problem was I'm in RI and it was in TN, and they wouldn't let me buy it remotely w/ Docusign-- they said I had to come down, no exceptions. Turns out they were 2 hours outside Nashville, so it was a flight, a connector flight, and then a rental car 2 hours to get it, but with the crazy price and "this might be the last 3 ever available", I went for it. Did the back and forth trip in a day, and paid a hauler $900 to drive it up a few days later. Got me out of the house at least. I would've driven it back but didn't like the idea of a 24 hour drive at similar RPMs for break-in (even if the diesel says no break-in needed), and couldn't leave my wife w/ our kids in good conscience. I hadn't driven a diesel and went solely on this forum, but oh man is it way more fun to drive (I had driven a gas one). It's not scary fast but definitely smile fast, and the power band at low torque is such a new way to experience a car (my first diesel). And I get 30mpg highway (like 30.4 after a couple hours), low 20s around town (errands etc), and so that feels better than 20 with a tailwind in a bikini blue. I saw a bikini JK go by and I liked the color but wouldn't trade the diesel now that I've had it (i'm up to around 1500 miles; had 140 when I got it). I can appreciate the blue from afar. To get 30mpg in a shoebox with wheels and 32" Mud Terrains is a smug feeling I don't think I'll get sick of. Costs like $60 to fill it, which isn't bad either. Haven't towed anything yet, but that should be great, too. It's got heated steering wheel and seats and all sorts of others in a last-edition package. It's a 2023 but was delivered to the dealer in January, so it only sat for 8 months and they took a bath on it. I dont think there was anybody that far removed from a major city willing to pay sticker. Works for me!

love the paint match! Special ordered my diesel last year and couldn’t be happier. Such a funner driving experience compared to the gas.. We went to Colorado with a camper trailer this summer and my dad was driving a gas gladiator with a similar size trailer pulling through the mountains. There’s no comparison between the two. There was a 10mpg difference and I could accelerate up the steep highways much faster leaving several miles between us.

Ordered an ARE camper shell a few weeks ago so will be installing the along with the bed rug. Should be pretty nice

pretty fun with the windshield down too!

 

[JeepDaddyJT]

zoom zoom

 

[jeepkevin]

Getting the wife's JT fixed up. Daily driver and light duty use for now.

Did a simple 2.5" front spacer and 1.5" rear with Mopar lower arms and front shock extensions. Got a set of the XR wheels and 315 tires with 2k miles. Did the ebay front bumper and black friday 12k badlands and added rope and fairlead. Still have the Metalcloak front track bar and bump stops to install. I think I'm gonna add a 1/2" front spacer, just a touch low in the front. Want the little fender extensions too.

Drives almost stock, just the feel of the wider tire.
'

 

[Terry B]

Looking good

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

Getting the wife's JT fixed up. Daily driver and light duty use for now.

Did a simple 2.5" front spacer and 1.5" rear with Mopar lower arms and front shock extensions. Got a set of the XR wheels and 315 tires with 2k miles. Did the ebay front bumper and black friday 12k badlands and added rope and fairlead. Still have the Metalcloak front track bar and bump stops to install. I think I'm gonna add a 1/2" front spacer, just a touch low in the front. Want the little fender extensions too.

Drives almost stock, just the feel of the wider tire.
'

Looks great. I see in your signature you have a F-550 motorhome, I saw one the other day, that thing is a beast!

 

[Redruby]

Is the 5500 a Rossmonster? If so how do you like it?

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