Lock out hubs/front driveshaft install.

[Rick Shols]

Yes, but it would "preload" the scenario. Shouldn't need 4WD on the highway. When needing to crawl at the campground just shift to 4Lo FAD disabled. Once unlatched from trailer return to normal operation. ?.

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[Rick Shols]

And as an anecdote, My first Jeep was a '47 CJ2A my Dad brought home from a farm auction. That one was about as basic as can be made. Kept that one as a toy for a long time. Then a '96 XJ two door 2.5/5spd that was not too perplexing. I put 300K on it then I bought this Gladiator which I put in th "Love/Hate" part of my life! We're working through it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Hello. Louis let me fill this in. The factory 3:73's made the Jeep nearly unusable when pulling the trailer. That is unless you like holding it in 2nd up to the higher registers to pull even the average hill here in WNC. This is not a race car and I am an old retired guy thats not interested in going down the freeway 90Mph! The regear made the Jeep useful, actually get to use 6th on the highway when not towing! I tow in 4th/5th and keep it in the right lane @ about 65. It tachs about 2300 @ 70 plus a little in 6th and has at least some throttle response. I may have lost a small bit of mileage, I have gained much more in the usable dept. Towing I average 13/14 Mpg in a neutral/light wind, just running around 19/20. I have averaged 22 on a long, non towing trip on the I state. I run about 73 on the cruise. The issue I am looking to resolve is the already mentioned too high reverse gear when backing said trailer. Darn hard to do without slipping the clutch which I believe is a really bad idea. Hope this clears things up.

I hate to say it, but I’d swap someone for their auto tranny.

 

[Zachanadandy]

If it's literally just for backing into a camp site a few times a year I'd just slip the clutch. Being the clutch is a known issue I think upgrading to a centerforce or ACT would be money and time better spent than trying to give yourself 2Lo. Especially if the 2Lo option effectively disables 4wd even temporarily.

 

[Rick Shols]

Hello, back again! Update, yes I'm stubborn, determined and have time to fool with this. So I found a topic on a Wrangler forum that showed a kit for Dodge RAM 1500 that would allow 2LO without codes etc. The company name is BD or Big Diesel out of BC Canada. I spoke with there techs and they did not know if it will work on the Jeep. They were however very interested in the outcome!
Off to the dealership for some wiring schematics and lo and behold there are a lot of commonalities between the RAM wiring and the Gladiator wiring. As in identical pin outs etc. I'm on the brink of plugging it in and seeing what happens...
My question is this. If I toast the drivetrain module can the truck still get me around? I imagine I'll get a service the 4 wheel drive warning at the very least. Thanks! Rick

 

[Rick Shols]

Back with an update.

Finally installed the BD 2LO kit. The worst part by far was removing the trim panel behind the rear seat to access the DTCM, and yes a few mounts got broken. Went back in OK though. Even though the kit is for a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 P/U it was plug and play for the 2021 Gladiator. Works exactly as described. The control wiring is just long enough to get into the lower dash area for the switch mounting, something to be aware of.

What a difference when backing up the trailer(s)!

 

[MikeNH]

I just used that because they’re fairly typical on single axle dumps (like a f-450, etc).

Just saying that if it was bad before the regear it’s gotta be WORSE after. A larger tire would help.

How on earth would a lower gear make the top high a reverse gear on the manual worse? That isn’t how gears work.

 

[Freems]

How on earth would a lower gear make the top high a reverse gear on the manual worse? That isn’t how gears work.

You make a good point, but if Rick is happy with results…then most of us are happy…plus I learned something new about my FAD and my jscan, thanks Rick.

 

[rharr]

Back with an update.

Finally installed the BD 2LO kit. The worst part by far was removing the trim panel behind the rear seat to access the DTCM, and yes a few mounts got broken. Went back in OK though. Even though the kit is for a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 P/U it was plug and play for the 2021 Gladiator. Works exactly as described. The control wiring is just long enough to get into the lower dash area for the switch mounting, something to be aware of.

What a difference when backing up the trailer(s)!

That is great news thanks for the follow up, so the switch basically disables the fad from engaging the passanger axle shaft into 1 shaft?

 

[Rick Shols]

Yes, you flip the switch before engaging FWD, the relays "trick" the computer into seeing that the FAD is engaged, when it's not. The schematic is very simple, even for me! No codes no fooling with the phone just easy. I've used FWD and disabled FWD several times over the last few days. So far no problems.

 

[rharr]

Yes, you flip the switch before engaging FWD, the relays "trick" the computer into seeing that the FAD is engaged, when it's not. The schematic is very simple, even for me! No codes no fooling with the phone just easy. I've used FWD and disabled FWD several times over the last few days. So far no problems.

Cool, just order the https://us.bddiesel.com/products/2-...019-4wd-2500-2014-2019-4wd-3500-2013-2019-4wd kit and will give it a go when i have everything stripped for my Armorlite install.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Cool, just order the https://us.bddiesel.com/products/2-...019-4wd-2500-2014-2019-4wd-3500-2013-2019-4wd kit and will give it a go when i have everything stripped for my Armorlite install.

Pretty cool.

 

[jc99]

Yes, you flip the switch before engaging FWD, the relays "trick" the computer into seeing that the FAD is engaged, when it's not. The schematic is very simple, even for me! No codes no fooling with the phone just easy. I've used FWD and disabled FWD several times over the last few days. So far no problems.

@Rick Shols Any codes if you scan with an obd reader and jscan) after cycling 2wd to 4wd low and back?

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

I'm actually looking for the DTCM connectors (the blue Male and Female) to make my own harness. Other than pulling my rear seat apart, can anyone provide a picture of the numbers on those M/F blue connectors? If not, I guess I'll just go pull everything apart.

The mopar repair kit doesn't state if it's Male or Female or if the connector itself is included. Besides for $160 I'm more than capable of doing it myself (I make custom harnesses for other projects).

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