First-Time Jeep Owner w/ Bright White JT Rubicon

[AUAlum2000]

Two weeks ago, I traded in a beloved 2016 Ford F-150 for a lightly-used 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. She is beautiful, and the break-in period—she’s breaking me in and not the other way around—has been a joy. I missed driving a manual, and getting my sea legs back on a weekend trip to the mountains in North Carolina was a treat. She was made for the Blue Ridge Parkway, and she turned heads everywhere she went.

The prior owner swapped stock shoes for 33 x 12.5 Ironman All Country M/Ts on 20” KMC XDs, on what looks to be a 4” FOX lift. (I haven't measured and don't quite yet know how.) I would prefer 35s or even 38s on there, but the proportions look nice, especially with the width of the rubber.

Immediate plans include:

*** Exploring other phone-Mount options other that the $25 one I installed.​

​

*** N-Fab nerf bars, which are in the process of being shipped and will be (hopefully) installed without incident by me. (I suck at stuff.)​

​

*** Mopar grab handles, currently en route.​

​

*** A stubby antenna, because the stock rig is too “whippy.”​

*** Exploring other top options -- full soft top? bikini-type top? I really wish someone made a soft top that folded all the way back and didn't stack up in a man-bun.​

I also plan on building some sort of carpeted/padded wood box for the Freedom Panels to stay in the bed and keep them protected and accessible. Dealing with the bag is a pain in the butt, and a slide-in/slide-out panel box would be tremendous. If anyone has built that sort of thing, let me know — otherwise, I’ll share my trials and errors as I go.

While I’ve been skulking around in the shadows, soaking up your knowledge and ideas from all sorts of threads, I do have a few questions:

*** The Sirius/XM reception goes out a lot more frequently than in my old F-150. Does anyone else have this issue? Where is the receiving antenna, anyway? Are there any fixes?​

​

*** What does everyone do for door and panel storage?​

​

*** Has anyone had issues with tire pressure sensors being quirky? And has this affected any other systems, such as the 4WD or FCW?​

​

*** Water protectant for the leather seats —Scotchgard? Any preferences?​

One of the best things so far has been the sense of community on the road. I look forward to exploring that community off the road as well. I look forward to getting to know folks.

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[FloridaJT6MT]

Great looking rig! The Sirius antenna is on top of the roll bar. I don’t use mine, I just stream through CarPlay. As for a door panel, I’m eventually going to build this door holder that another forum member shared:

 

[XJADDICTION]

Two weeks ago, I traded in a beloved 2016 Ford F-150 for a lightly-used 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. She is beautiful, and the break-in period—she’s breaking me in and not the other way around—has been a joy. I missed driving a manual, and getting my sea legs back on a weekend trip to the mountains in North Carolina was a treat. She was made for the Blue Ridge Parkway, and she turned heads everywhere she went.

The prior owner swapped stock shoes for 33 x 12.5 Ironman All Country M/Ts on 20” KMC XDs, on what looks to be a 4” FOX lift. (I haven't measured and don't quite yet know how.) I would prefer 35s or even 38s on there, but the proportions look nice, especially with the width of the rubber.

Immediate plans include:

*** Exploring other phone-Mount options other that the $25 one I installed.​

​

*** N-Fab nerf bars, which are in the process of being shipped and will be (hopefully) installed without incident by me. (I suck at stuff.)​

​

*** Mopar grab handles, currently en route.​

​

*** A stubby antenna, because the stock rig is too “whippy.”​

​

*** Exploring other top options -- full soft top? bikini-type top? I really wish someone made a soft top that folded all the way back and didn't stack up in a man-bun.​

I also plan on building some sort of carpeted/padded wood box for the Freedom Panels to stay in the bed and keep them protected and accessible. Dealing with the bag is a pain in the butt, and a slide-in/slide-out panel box would be tremendous. If anyone has built that sort of thing, let me know — otherwise, I’ll share my trials and errors as I go.

While I’ve been skulking around in the shadows, soaking up your knowledge and ideas from all sorts of threads, I do have a few questions:

*** The Sirius/XM reception goes out a lot more frequently than in my old F-150. Does anyone else have this issue? Where is the receiving antenna, anyway? Are there any fixes?​

​

*** What does everyone do for door and panel storage?​

​

*** Has anyone had issues with tire pressure sensors being quirky? And has this affected any other systems, such as the 4WD or FCW?​

​

*** Water protectant for the leather seats —Scotchgard? Any preferences?​

One of the best things so far has been the sense of community on the road. I look forward to exploring that community off the road as well. I look forward to getting to know folks.

Nice Rig!! Congratulations!!

 

[Dryfly24]

Congratulations, she’s a beauty! I just joined the tribe too and couldn’t be happier about it. I don't think I’ve ever had anything I’m enjoying as much as this truck.

 

[Moonshineheadache]

Congratulations! I'm partial to the color as well...was never interested in white before, but the contrast with black accessories is very sharp and it sure does stay looking cleaner longer than other colors I've owned.

 

[AUAlum2000]

Great looking rig! The Sirius antenna is on top of the roll bar. I don’t use mine, I just stream through CarPlay. As for a door panel, I’m eventually going to build this door holder that another forum member shared:

That door storage option looks great -- and it doesn't use too much lumber given the current cost thereof. I've been thinking about that as well, and definitely need to make it a priority.

In the meantime, the Freedom Panel storage box is the next build for me. It would have padding or carpeting in each panel slot to ensure that the panels are protected, a bungee across the front to ensure they don't slip out, and rubber feet to ensure it doesn't slip around the truck bed. Excuse the crude MS Paint rendering, but it would look something like this:

 

[FloridaJT6MT]

That door storage option looks great -- and it doesn't use too much lumber given the current cost thereof. I've been thinking about that as well, and definitely need to make it a priority.

In the meantime, the Freedom Panel storage box is the next build for me. It would have padding or carpeting in each panel slot to ensure that the panels are protected, a bungee across the front to ensure they don't slip out, and rubber feet to ensure it doesn't slip around the truck bed. Excuse the crude MS Paint rendering, but it would look something like this:

Looks like a great solution. I used to have a hardtop JL before my JT. I actually bought a freedom panel bag, I think from Quadratec or Amazon, that was just a zip up bag that had soft material inside to keep the panels from scratching each other. Worked great and wasn’t too costly if I remember. Just an idea, but if you do build that, would love to see some pics once it’s done!

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