KING KONG 7.3L Hemi - 1 tons - Long Arms - 40s *My Dream Gladiator Build*

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I am on Fusion 60’s with 5.13’s. Just got away from my 39” BFG KM3’s to go to the 12.5 RT pros on mine and like I said previous, I love them. I didnt even balance them and they are smoother and quieter than the BFG’s plus around $300 PER tire cheaper. On the gladiator, hitting 8th gear on highway and they fit with 3.5” of lift on the Rubicon

They definitely look good on your rig! So far I like them, but I'm only 300 miles in. Looking forward to see how they do aired down and on the rocks. My last JT had 38x13.5 Falken RT01s and I liked those quite a bit. RT vs RT should be a pretty good comparison.

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[Muddyape]

I'll definitely provide updates and honest reviews as I figure out what works and what needs to be improved. So far I like the skinny 40s. I'm surprised how quiet they are but the V8 does provide a bit of background noise so hard to give a fair opinion on that.

Well I guess not hearing your 40’s over your 7.3 is a pretty awesome problem to have lol. Great looking truck and build. Good on ya

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

Well I guess not hearing your 40’s over your 7.3 is a pretty awesome problem to have lol. Great looking truck and build. Good on ya

Thank you, I'm pretty damn pumped about it.

 

[MaximusTX]

I definitely know this build. I've been on the forums since they JTs came out and your JT is hard to miss! A lot of similarities. Do you know what shock length your running in the rear?

I don't but I am trying to get the actual build sheet from Rebel Off-Road since the build sheet I got from the builder just says "Awesome Suspension Package". I was at Rebel Off-Road TX a couple weeks ago and they pulled up the original order and I completely forgot to ask if they would print it out for me.

 

[verde]

Your Gladiator looks super! Sound like you have realistic expectations for it. Like you said, it's not a buggy.
I did a v/8 conversion to a 1999 Tj in 2000. Chevy 5.7, atlas 4.3, and jet 700r4. 6 inch rubicon express lift with dynatrack dana 60's. 38" SSX super swampers on Champion bead locks. I still have it along with a 2022 Gladiator rubicon. I'm planning on taking the TJ down to a short block and going with aluminum heads and Edelbrock fuel injection system to update the tj. I'm excited about doing an upgrade. Enjoy your Gladiator, it sounds awesome.

 

[Slimypirate]

RubiKong

 

[drewcnit]

I'm curious as to a few things - 4.88 gears on 40s, tons, and all, is that what it was pre-swap and just not adjusting it for now or is that what they recommended?
Also curious as to the transmission choice, usually with that much horsepower, I'm seeing the builds go with a 8HP95 transmission.

No hate at all, just genuinely curious as I'm mid-way through a Hemi swap with my shop.
Great looking build!

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I don't but I am trying to get the actual build sheet from Rebel Off-Road since the build sheet I got from the builder just says "Awesome Suspension Package". I was at Rebel Off-Road TX a couple weeks ago and they pulled up the original order and I completely forgot to ask if they would print it out for me.

It's taking serious investigating to find out how this truck was built. Early build, like late 2019. So, I'm pretty sure I have a 12" travel King 2.5 front and 10" travel King 2.5 rear. I'm not sure the rational for the shorter rear, maybe up travel?

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I'm curious as to a few things - 4.88 gears on 40s, tons, and all, is that what it was pre-swap and just not adjusting it for now or is that what they recommended?
Also curious as to the transmission choice, usually with that much horsepower, I'm seeing the builds go with a 8HP95 transmission.

No hate at all, just genuinely curious as I'm mid-way through a Hemi swap with my shop.
Great looking build!

I chose the tons and ratio. 4.88 because it keeps me just under 2k rpm at 70 mph. The 448 makes more than enough torque to pull our camper and cruise cross country in 8th. Any more rpm and I'm sucking more gas, louder, and no real benefit. I considered a 4.56, but that ratio doesn't exist for the UD60. It's mated to the rubi transfer case so it crawls slow enough. Too much torque though!

The transmission was done with the swap before I got it. Two things: It was a late 2019/early 2020 build so I think AMWs recipe (transfer case adapter plate)/availability had something to do with that. Also, It was originally sent as a 392 engine/trans swap. Rubitrux teamed up with Petty's garage for a short time and stroked the engine to 448 CI. I'm guessing the 8hp75 normally pairs with the 392 and they decided to keep that trans.

Happy to share, I've been trying to figure it all out myself. I've tracked your build, it's sweet!

 

[MaximusTX]

It's taking serious investigating to find out how this truck was built. Early build, like late 2019. So, I'm pretty sure I have a 12" travel King 2.5 front and 10" travel King 2.5 rear. I'm not sure the rational for the shorter rear, maybe up travel?

I contacted Rebel Off-Road yesterday but they wouldn't give me any information on my build. They said I had to go through the original shop that built it and they would call them and ask them to send it to me but I have tried calling them but so far they haven't returned any of my calls. I even asked if they would just send me an estimate with the same equipment so I knew what I had and they wouldn't so that either. Here are some pics of the front and rear setup of mine. I do know that mine was built in March of 2022 as I have the original build sheet from the shop. I would be interested to see where your remote reservoirs are mounted as I don't like how mine are mounted. I have already had one hose clamp break and almost had the reservoir fallout. I know that one the front I get 44inches of flex but I haven't measured the back yet. I love the suspension setup.

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I don't have a great close up but here's a screen shot from the video linked in my original post.

I just finished installing inner fender liners. That video will show how the reservoirs are mounted as well. I had to do a little tweaking to make everything clear.

I dont like the way yours are mounted either! Is the adjuster knob on the bottom?
I'm learning a lot about the adjustability capabilities and working on dialing them in.

I think your reservoirs are on the wrong side of the coilover perch, and upside down.

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I should clarify I think they are ok to run the way you have them, but clearance wise, moving them 180 and back will give you more room/more secure mounting

 

[MaximusTX]

I should clarify I think they are ok to run the way you have them, but clearance wise, moving them 180 and back will give you more room/more secure mounting

No worries, I've run them like this for the last 2 years through multiple trips from Wolf Caves, GSL Ranch, Rubicon and from TX to ID and back so I am not too worried about having issues. The reservoir is mounted upside but on the same side as yours just not as far back. Because it is a diesel there really isn't any room to relocate anywhere else. Not sure why it is upside down except maybe to help keep the line tight instead just hanging out.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I don't have a great close up but here's a screen shot from the video linked in my original post.

I just finished installing inner fender liners. That video will show how the reservoirs are mounted as well. I had to do a little tweaking to make everything clear.

I dont like the way yours are mounted either! Is the adjuster knob on the bottom?
I'm learning a lot about the adjustability capabilities and working on dialing them in.

I think your reservoirs are on the wrong side of the coilover perch, and upside down.

What shocks are they?

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

Your Gladiator looks super! Sound like you have realistic expectations for it. Like you said, it's not a buggy.
I did a v/8 conversion to a 1999 Tj in 2000. Chevy 5.7, atlas 4.3, and jet 700r4. 6 inch rubicon express lift with dynatrack dana 60's. 38" SSX super swampers on Champion bead locks. I still have it along with a 2022 Gladiator rubicon. I'm planning on taking the TJ down to a short block and going with aluminum heads and Edelbrock fuel injection system to update the tj. I'm excited about doing an upgrade. Enjoy your Gladiator, it sounds awesome.

That TJ sounds very capable! What a fun project

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