Matts Ugly Truck

[Matts4313]

Im going to use this thread to chronicle my amazing toy affectionally known as the Ugly Truck!

I started planning this build in my mind 2 years ago when the Bronco was announced. That was going to be my forever truck, until I rode in one and realized the back seats are to small and the availability is to scarce. So all of my build parameters got switched over the Gladiator with one adjustment. All the important people in my life (lady, friends, kids) keep telling me the Gladiator is the most ugly truck on the market.

So I am leaning into to it! Meet my "Ugly Truck"; she's going to be epic.

'21 Sport S, Max Tow, 2" Mopar lift (its actually 3.5 inches, I measured), several other options.

My plan over the next week:

• Custom Tires/Wheels
• Custom Retro Decal Package
• Insane Audio JL3001
• Kicker L7T + SRQ box + Planet Audio amp + Kicker speakers
• Side Steps
• PRP Marine Grade seats
• Orange accents throughout the vehicle
• Oracle LED Head/Tail lights
• Bedliner
• Toolbox
• Stubby bumper (eventually)

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[Matts4313]

A picture of first time doors off, and the after math of my custom build tear down started yesterday:

 

[Matts4313]

Alignment sheets. One on the left was done the day I picked it up - roughly ~45 miles. The one on the right this morning (a few days later) with just under 1400 miles. Driving from Tennessee back I could tell they didnt do a great job on the alignment the first time.

Because firestone has the lifetime deal with alignments, I will probably go back in a month or so.

@Wkyfiregladdy

 

[Jocww]

You think it will go back out of alignment in a month?

 

[Jefe1018]

I was excited at lunch with my co-workers a few days after placing the order on my JT. One of them goes "Oh nice a Jeep, but you didn't get the ugly one did you?" :D

 

[Matts4313]

You think it will go back out of alignment in a month?

It went crazy out of alignment in just 3 days according to those sheets. Ive heard there can be issues when you get a lift when it comes to alignment. Getting them to check it is free and they are literally 3 minutes from my home. So its no big deal to pop in on a random morning and have them do it again.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Bahaha. I commented on your reddit post. Thought that picture looked familiar! Coming along nicely!

 

[Matts4313]

Got the rims installed, the dash painted and mounted. A bunch of little things I didnt mention yet - stubby antenna, Lange Coyote mirrors, Dart-kicker speakers in dash, PRP seats, etc

 

[Matts4313]

Tonights project is painting the underside of the side steps logo orange. I also have white bed liner for the top side of the steps, but I am 99% sure I am not going to do it after all. It only took about 15 minutes to realize how hard the rims will be to keep clean, I think I want my steps black not white.

EDIT: Here is the finished product

EDIT2: They didnt send me all the proper hardware, so this is as far as I can get until I get more nuts and bolts to secure the rails.

 

[mtudb24]

Great looking build!

 

[Matts4313]

Gross, rainy, cold day today. Didnt get much done. Just installed speakers into the rollbar and got the side step mounted.

Also painted a trim piece on the bumper, so I will post a picture when thats installed.

 

[Matts4313]

Here is the before/after of the bezel I mention

ed. Still waiting on the retro decals and sub box. The last project I can do until then is the tool boxes and bed liner... which I am dreading.

 

[Bunchahoopla]

Got the rims installed, the dash painted and mounted. A bunch of little things I didnt mention yet - stubby antenna, Lange Coyote mirrors, Dart-kicker speakers in dash, PRP seats, etc

Good job on the seat install! Looks nice!

 

[Alans17]

I was excited at lunch with my co-workers a few days after placing the order on my JT. One of them goes "Oh nice a Jeep, but you didn't get the ugly one did you?" :D

I’m sure he meant the Renegade

 

[Dark_Iron_Mojave]

Here is the before/after of the bezel I mention

ed. Still waiting on the retro decals and sub box. The last project I can do until then is the tool boxes and bed liner... which I am dreading.

What was your method for painting these? 200 grit sandpaper, primer, then paint? I've read a lot things on here, but trying to get a direct method from someone who has done it.

I just picked up my Gladiator on Wednesday and this was one of the first things on my to-do list after I ordered.

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