First Post - What Upgrades for My New JT Rubicon

[Soulfa535]

Hey everyone! I was able to purchase my first Jeep last week. I had been eyeing the Gladiator Rubicons for the last few years, and I was finally able to pull the trigger. We were able to take it out on some trails last weekend and we had a blast.

I’m looking for advice on what upgrades I should try to tackle first. I have a budget of $6~7k. My main uses will be getting lost in the desert with my family and occasional trips to Moab. It will also be my daily driver, but my commute is only about 5 minutes.

Here are a few thoughts I have so far:

• Suspension Upgrade: I’ve been mulling over ~2.5” suspensions lifts. I’m not sure if this is the best way to go and what tier ($$$) I should be looking at.
• Tires: I’m leaning towards 35” tires. Thoughts?
• Wheels: Some of the lift kits that I’ve looked at required 4.5” backspacing but it seems I can run 35” tires on the stock wheels. I’m not sure if the wheels are just a red herring right now and money could be spent better elsewhere.
• Skid Plates: Are there specific skid plate options that you think are essential beyond what the factory installs?
• Recovery Gear: Any must-have recovery gear you’d recommend?
• Suggestions: Include anything you think I have missed. I’m sure there is a bunch.

I appreciate any insights or recommendations you have! I’m looking forward to hearing your suggestions.


Thanks in advance!

-David

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[Gvsukids]

Hey everyone! I was able to purchase my first Jeep last week. I had been eyeing the Gladiator Rubicons for the last few years, and I was finally able to pull the trigger. We were able to take it out on some trails last weekend and we had a blast.

I’m looking for advice on what upgrades I should try to tackle first. I have a budget of $6~7k. My main uses will be getting lost in the desert with my family and occasional trips to Moab. It will also be my daily driver, but my commute is only about 5 minutes.

Here are a few thoughts I have so far:

• Suspension Upgrade: I’ve been mulling over ~2.5” suspensions lifts. I’m not sure if this is the best way to go and what tier ($$$) I should be looking at.
• Tires: I’m leaning towards 35” tires. Thoughts?
• Wheels: Some of the lift kits that I’ve looked at required 4.5” backspacing but it seems I can run 35” tires on the stock wheels. I’m not sure if the wheels are just a red herring right now and money could be spent better elsewhere.
• Skid Plates: Are there specific skid plate options that you think are essential beyond what the factory installs?
• Recovery Gear: Any must-have recovery gear you’d recommend?
• Suggestions: Include anything you think I have missed. I’m sure there is a bunch.

I appreciate any insights or recommendations you have! I’m looking forward to hearing your suggestions.


Thanks in advance!

-David

Might not want to get lost as that can lead to death. Make sure someone knows where you are going. Bring a recovery vehicle along and have a kinetic rope.
Otherwise, enjoy the vehicle for a while before making upgrades.
Why such a large lift with only 35" tires? You can fit 35's with just a 1.5" lift.
$5-6000 can disappear quickly when upgrading.
Factory skids are sufficient for much of what you will do.

 

[Soulfa535]

Might not want to get lost as that can lead to death. Make sure someone knows where you are going. Bring a recovery vehicle along and have a kinetic rope.
Otherwise, enjoy the vehicle for a while before making upgrades.
Why such a large lift with only 35" tires? You can fit 35's with just a 1.5" lift.
$5-6000 can disappear quickly when upgrading.
Factory skids are sufficient for much of what you will do.

I thought getting lost was half the fun.
Seriously though, many people do not heed that advice and thing can spin out of control quickly.

Through my constant lurking of the forum over the last week it seemed like I could get away with a 2.5" lift without having to change out a drive shaft. I'm not sure if that is true or not. A few of the adjustable lifts looked like they would be simple to move to 3.5" later on down the road. It seemed like a good clearance/money ratio. I'll start looking for a good kinetic rope.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Figmo]

You've got the lockers and they will get you out of the vast majority of "situations" you might get yourself into.

But on any vehicle that I intend to take on solo offroad adventures I always prioritize a winch. A winch has saved me (and others) many times.

If you go in a group, you can kick this can down the road for a while. But whenever I'm alone, that winch gives me a warm sense of security that just makes the day so much more enjoyable.

 

[Minty JL]

Welcome to the party

 

[Soulfa535]

You've got the lockers and they will get you out of the vast majority of "situations" you might get yourself into.

But on any vehicle that I intend to take on solo offroad adventures I always prioritize a winch. A winch has saved me (and others) many times.

If you go in a group, you can kick this can down the road for a while. But whenever I'm alone, that winch gives me a warm sense of security that just makes the day so much more enjoyable.

I am a bit of a hermit. I'll add this to the list.

 

[Vtur]

You've got the lockers and they will get you out of the vast majority of "situations" you might get yourself into.

But on any vehicle that I intend to take on solo offroad adventures I always prioritize a winch. A winch has saved me (and others) many times.

If you go in a group, you can kick this can down the road for a while. But whenever I'm alone, that winch gives me a warm sense of security that just makes the day so much more enjoyable.

I often goes solo and you're spot on. Just got to be careful when out in the desert as there's usually nothing to hookup on.

 

[JimF51]

I did minor things to mine, first, while I thought about what I wanted.. Some black accents for hinge covers, shortened the stell bumper, hyro struts for the hood. I removed the radio antenna, put matching badges on both sides. Installed a soft top (always felt Jeeps should be convertibles), steps and 1.5" leveling kit. It will get 35's on AEV wheels early next week. A winch after that. Have recovery gear.

I think a lot of people throw a bunch of money at it, sometimes not thinking it through, and a few regret some of it, later. Just my $.05

 

[Another_Jeep]

$6-$7K can be used up pretty quickly.... 35s fit on a Rubicon without a lift, try looking at 35x11.5 size (believe they fit on OEM wheels). The Rubicon has some factory skids, but i would suggest an Oil pan / transmission skid plate. Recovery gear like kinetic rope, soft shackles and winch /winch bumper . This will give you more time to see and research what other upgrades you need. Like I've read on forums: start using the JEEP and learn how to use it.. then see what upgrades you need.

 

[Jchap1987]

spend 1 hour searching this forum. You’ll find all the info you need

 

[TheOpa]

If someone is taking their Gladiator off road at all, this is the first thing I always recommend. Inexpensive, easy to install yourself with simple hand tools, but one of the single best investments I have made. I found out about these when I needed to repair both sides of mine after limping home from an off road park. Bonus that @Metalcloak is a supportive sponsor of this forum.
https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator-rear-sway-bar-reinforcement-bracket.html

 

[Figmo]

I often goes solo and you're spot on. Just got to be careful when out in the desert as there's usually nothing to hookup on.

I don’t want to drift too far off topic but there is just about always something to connect your winch too. Just sometimes takes more work, thats all.

I’ve jammed the hi-lift into a crack. Seen guys use land anchors. Heck, even heard of guys burying their spare out on the dunes and using that.

Never ceases to amaze me just how creative the human mind becomes when faced with a 10 mile hike out in scorching sun (or freezing cold up where I live)

 

[overlander-zack]

First thing I normally do is build a toolbox or tool roll with general tools and some specific to the vehicle.

Lots of options out there but I’ve gone with a factor 55 recovery kit.

Happy wheeling!

 

[ASU_Greg]

2.5” Metalcloak with OE tires works very well! Never been denied a trail yet. I found some Rubicon Recon wheels, and required no spacers!

 

[Greg_L]

I'd suggest just leave it alone and try it out totally stock. Your Rubicon is very capable. Then after some experience you can decide where to start dumping money.

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