Jefe’s Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel

[Jefe1018]

thanks!
did you run silicone around the top and sides?

That’s a brilliant idea. I have not. I need to fix the back of the drivers side, kind of peeling a bit but I think it was from bad initial adhesion.

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[Jefe1018]

It was hot as balls out today…. Anyways got my motobilt vents back from powder coating.

Also… it is kind of insulting we get 0 insulation in these other than some cheap carpet on a $60,000 truck. Since I’ve decided I’d like to retire some day, I didn’t jump on the armorlite wagon quite yet… instead I got more of that sound assassin stuff from Hotheads and added a layer as ironically enough, the lawyers added a warning sign no one can see to let you know you will burn yourself from the floor boards… I know when I drive in the summer after a few hours my feet are burning up! Anyways… pics for proof. I’m sure it’ll help with sound deadening and road noise too.

Note: be generous with this stuff.. I know I was and had two whole sheets leftover.

 

[Jefe1018]

Time for a fuel filter change.

 

[GladiatorPilot23]

Some guys say to cycle the pump before starting 10 times for 30sec for less dry start.

Based on the technical discussions on the FB group called Eco Diesels for the differently enabled.

They posted the ISO lab test and docs was not as good as Ecoguard oil filter for the oil and for the fuel OEM so far was the best.

 

[Jefe1018]

Some guys say to cycle the pump before starting 10 times for 30sec for less dry start.

Based on the technical discussions on the FB group called Eco Diesels for the differently enabled.

They posted the ISO lab test and docs was not as good as Ecoguard oil filter for the oil and for the fuel OEM so far was the best.

I did at least 10 cycles, but no one wants to watch that. I believe the manual only calls for 2 or 3 times though.

As far as the filter, I’ve never run more than 5k on one before, so I’m not too too worried about the hyper performance of a filter that is being replaced so often. Beyond that, the independent test doc’s post shows better or at least just as good filtration than the OEM unit.

 

[Jefe1018]

Hopefully another 32,000 trouble free miles:

 

[JTRDistraction]

I see it's been a few months since you installed the sound assasin mat, and what do you think so far?

 

[Jefe1018]

I see it's been a few months since you installed the sound assasin mat, and what do you think so far?

I didn’t measure before and after in terms of temperature or road noise… I was hoping it would help with floor board temps on long drives in the summer…. I’m sure it helps but it doesn’t fix the problem to be honest.

 

[HAMP]

Intro Comments:

I’ll never financially recover from this.

Jeep's Nickname: tbd

Model Year: 2021
Engine: EcoDiesel 3.0 V6
Trim: Rubicon
Color: Bright White

Purchase dealer: Peterson Jeep - Nampa, ID
Purchase means: Sold order
Delivery date: 10/28/2021

Factory Options:

8.4 Audio
Aux Switches
Tow Package
Remote Proximity
3 Piece Hard Top
Roll-Up Tonneau Cover


LEGEND:
[+] Done
[*] Done but removed, upgraded or didn't work out
[-] Wanted
[/] In Progress

Suspension:
[+] Mopar 2.0 inch diesel specific lift
[+] Terraflex 1.5 inch leveling spacer
[+] Metalcloak Rear Sway Bar Reinforcement & Repair Bracket

Steering:

[+] Fox Performance 2.0 TS Steering Stabilizer
[-] Durotrak Track Bar, Solid Chromoly, Front, JL Wrangler/JT Gladiator
[-] MetalCloak Chromoly Dog-Legged Tie Rod, JL Wrangler/JT Gladiator, Rubicon

Wheels/Tires:
[+] Warn Jackhammer Wheels - 17 inches
[+] 37/12.5R17 General Grabber ATX tires

Engine/Misc Mechanical Parts:

[+] MBRP Filter-Back Exhaust System XP Series 3" With Turn Down


Drivetrain:


Armor:
[+] Whiteknuckle Off-Road Rubicon Rail Compatible full dimple plated sliders
[+] Rugged Ridge Arcus Bumper
[+] M.O.R.E Rubicon Bed Steps
[+] Rokblokz XL front mud flaps
[+] Supreme Suspensions - Universal Heavy-Duty Multi-Function Hitch Skid Plate with D-Ring Shackle Mount
[+] Rugged Ridge | Rocker Guard Body Armor 11651.75

Lighting:
[+] Oracle Lighting Rear Bumper LED’s
[+] Oracle Lighting Oculus Bi-LED
[+] Oracle Lighting Taillight Set LED Flush Mount
[+] Baja Designs Squadron Pro Driving Combo (using Mopar Mounting Brackets specific for the Mojave and Diesel platform )
[+] Baja Designs Jeep JL/JT Squadron-R SAE Fog Pocket Amber Light Kit
[+] Retrofit Mopar LED DRL and Turn Signals


Exterior:


[-] Rugged Ridge 9-inch AM/FM antenna



Recovery Gear:
[+] Badland Apex 12,000lb synthetic line winch
[+] MotorMic Recovery Strap
[+] Reese Carry Power Tow Strap with Hook
[+] Smittybilt Recoil Kinetic Rope - CC121
[+] Rhino USA Synthetic Soft Shackles

Interior:
[+] Slush mats, MOPAR knock offs
[+] Bulletproof mounting solutions 2 mount holder
[+] Seven Sparta Black Alloy Grab handle
[+] Epic Kraken Air Inflation System with ARB Twin Compressor
[+] Terra Acoustics front speaker upgrade

Comms and navigation:
[+] Baofeng BF-F8HP Handheld radio
[+] Uniden CMX760 Bearcat Off Road Series Compact Mobile CB Radio
[+] Firestik Antenna, 4ft
[+] Firestik Fire-Flex Cable Assembly W/Low-Profile Fire-Ring and Stud
[+] FireStik K-1A Push-n-Twist quick disconnect
[+] Topsy JL Fender Mount CB Antenna Bracket
[+] Jeep Uniqu CMX760 CB Mic + Baofeng Radio holder
[+] CMM JL/JLU Grab Bar Ball Mount


Media from my delivery day:

Wheeling pics:

Is this Toquerville falls by chance? looks quite similar.

 

[Jefe1018]

Is this Toquerville falls by chance? looks quite similar.

The last photo, yes.

 

[HAMP]

The last photo, yes.

@Artsifrtsi showed me what a basically stock JT felt like on that trail and I was hooked on getting back into a jeep.

 

[Jefe1018]

@Artsifrtsi showed me what a basically stock JT felt like on that trail and I was hooked on getting back into a jeep.

Nothing quite like it. The 7 slots, the aftermarket, the ease of gnarly terrain… I don’t care what Toyota or Ford or Chevy or anyone puts out.. just a different feeling all together.

I’m going to be needing to move to a 3/4 ton truck in the next few weeks unfortunately so this build I love so much will be moving on.

 

[bleda2002]

Nothing quite like it. The 7 slots, the aftermarket, the ease of gnarly terrain… I don’t care what Toyota or Ford or Chevy or anyone puts out.. just a different feeling all together.

I’m going to be needing to move to a 3/4 ton truck in the next few weeks unfortunately so this build I love so much will be moving on.

Nooooooo! But i understand, i'm resisting hardcore moving up in truck as we get more and more in to travel trailering around. I'm trying to convince the wife to instead let me get a Class A or Class C to tow the jeep rather than a bigger truck for a bigger camper.

 

[HAMP]

Nothing quite like it. The 7 slots, the aftermarket, the ease of gnarly terrain… I don’t care what Toyota or Ford or Chevy or anyone puts out.. just a different feeling all together.

I’m going to be needing to move to a 3/4 ton truck in the next few weeks unfortunately so this build I love so much will be moving on.

Only reason I had my big 3500 was to pull my dad's trailers around if we needed to move them around. now that he's passed on it was time to get rid of it. But he did leave me a 05 2x4 Silverado 2500HD that's paid off. so, I still have something to move trailers around if need be.

 

[Jefe1018]

Nooooooo! But i understand, i'm resisting hardcore moving up in truck as we get more and more in to travel trailering around. I'm trying to convince the wife to instead let me get a Class A or Class C to tow the jeep rather than a bigger truck for a bigger camper.

Hey brother. Hope you faired the hurricanes alright. I was actually meaning to reach out.

And yeah.. A mid size on 37’s isn’t the best towing vehicle, I’m sure if the heat weren’t an issue because I had a 3.6 the lack of low end torque would be. I’m going to be going Power Wagon and probably eventually an XJ I can build up and not worry about scratching.

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