My Do Everything Sarge Green Gladiator Build

[Like-a-virgin]

The day I got my first jeep, I actually tried to purchase this one about 5 months before and it just sat in the showroom, it’s a base sport manual. I finally got a deal I was comfortable with.

first mod was Willie’s wheels and tires

then I did some rocktrix wheels and a/t 35s. A rubicon front bumper and go rhino side rails. I actually really liked when the truck looked this way and some go rhino rear bars to mount my snowboard racks

then I did a Clayton 3.5 ride right kit and some fox 2.0s

After that I did some JBL 6x9 and 2 JBL powered subs under both the front seats.

then… some Katskinz leather seats

And then… I got a rugged ridge xor front bumper and go rhino light bar mount and ipainted them sarge green

And then… I did a rear tire mount and some time in between the 35s picture and this one I got 37s

I then did KBD front and rear fenders and some cheap fender liners I got off Amazon and again somewhere between the pics that don’t have led lights and this one… I got oracle lights that blink yellow and when I got the rubicon bumper I also got led fogs

I then did this body armor number and side guards.

I then did a JBL amp and 3 way component speakers in the front. I do not recommend doing this… also make a jeep sound system sound “good” is really a futile pursuit, with all the noises and air leaks this thing has. And the time it takes to take apart the dash, I’m not sure the returns are worth it. I ran new speakers wires to everything had to use an lci7 and resistors to get everything to play nice with the stock head unit
On

I then did ox lockers front and back. Revolution 5.13 gears and revolution 1350 front and rear driveshaft… Jesus Christ this hurt my wallet.
I also had been running the r/c dual stabilizer and steer smarts sector shaft brace. I got those when i did the 37s

And then… I did some fox 2.5 shocks and fox ats steering stabilizer and switched to JK style mounting and I can’t remember the brand rn but I did aluminum 2.5 ton tie rod and drag link.

I then installed the rock krawler pro-x kit and did Clayton overland+ lower front and rear control arms and had my buddy come burn it on for good measure

most recently I cut up my stock fenders and meshed the cheap Amazon fender liners together and got this. It does the job, and I was looking into aluminum fender liners but I just can’t justify the cost for something I for sure am going to smash up. I have wrecked these fender liners before and I just take them off and beat them back into shape and give them a fresh coat of bedliner and then are good again.

I’m sure I’m forgetting things but for the most part that’s my build so far. And I would like the thank the people who have helped me on this forum with parts advice and general automotive advice and helping me understand how certain things work.

Is there a reason you didn’t buy a higher end model? Sounds like you could have afforded it. Did you want to build up a base to this monster?

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[Like-a-virgin]

Awesome. I thought I was doing good when I put in a rubber bed mat.

My first mod was those cheap red sticker things that go on (accentuate with a tiny splash of color) the window controls in the center of the console. They kept falling off so I yanked ‘em.

 

[818Gladiator]

Is there a reason you didn’t buy a higher end model? Sounds like you could have afforded it. Did you want to build up a base to this monster?

Honestly I don’t know. I didn’t really now how I intend to use the jeep when I purchased it, but I did have a sort of “vision” for the truck when I bought it. I wanted to start with a solid platform to mod with tons of aftermarket support. The gladiator was that. I have been modifying cars for 20 plus years, I have discovered that when highly modifying, that’s relative I guess, its usually best to have a manual and the least amount factory options as possible will help you navigate/circumvent factory “nanny’s” better. And some people spend 100k modifying gladiators. I am nowhere near that, and to me, I have a semi modest build.

 

[818Gladiator]

Also I think you would find ALOT of people on this forum have builds similar to mine, I got a lot of advice from many people on this forum, all I had to do was ask

 

[818Gladiator]

Yep, here's from the repair bill -



I should also say, if I had stopped and left it off immediately when it happened, I may not have needed the transmission, it probably burnt up trying to get down the mountain as I had the Jeep on but in flat tow mode, so that I could use the brakes and not hit the guy pulling me.

Advice such as this I take seriously and kind of proof of what I mean. Someone who knows better that I, or has direct experience with something is giving a solid example of something that can go wrong, so I mod accordingly because I don’t want that to happen to me. I just do what I feel is necessary to not break the truck, a $400 skid plate is cheaper then a $7k transmission.

 

[PackMule]

I’m currently looking into ASFIR JT engine and transmission skid plate but I’m not 100% sure. If anyone has experience with it or suggestions on something cheaper lol and still aluminum lmk

Be sure to check the installation guide thoroughly. I have a diesel set... got them because they were one of the few (only) affordable aluminum (less weight) diesel specific... installation advertised "no drilling". But didn't read the install instructions first.

Turns out on the diesel (might be different on the gasser) you have to remove the front engine mount bolts to bolt it on! In the tight engine compartment I see know way of doing that, at least not with tools I have.

They've been sitting in my garage for a year now. Maybe this spring I'll take another run at it.

I will say they look pretty stout, and wouldn't mind having them on.

 

[PackMule]

Honestly I don’t know. I didn’t really now how I intend to use the jeep when I purchased it, but I did have a sort of “vision” for the truck when I bought it. I wanted to start with a solid platform to mod with tons of aftermarket support. The gladiator was that. I have been modifying cars for 20 plus years, I have discovered that when highly modifying, that’s relative I guess, its usually best to have a manual and the least amount factory options as possible will help you navigate/circumvent factory “nanny’s” better. And some people spend 100k modifying gladiators. I am nowhere near that, and to me, I have a semi modest build.

As appropriately noted, I think you started out saying this is your first jeep.
You are officially baptized now!
"The purchase price of this jeep was a down payment for the cost of all the mods".

Doesn't matter if you start with a Sport or a Rubicon, you are still going to spend money... and have fun doing it.

I have a '21 Rubicon JTRD $59,743 out the door with 100k warrantee, and $19, 543 in mods for a running total of $79,286.....but who's counting (Don't tell my wife!)
(Clayton 2.5 Overland+, Fox 2.5 elite, BFG 37's, Smartcap, Sherpa racks, ARB dual twin HP, etc, etc,)

 

[818Gladiator]

As appropriately noted, I think you started out saying this is your first jeep.
You are officially baptized now!
"The purchase price of this jeep was a down payment for the cost of all the mods".

Doesn't matter if you start with a Sport or a Rubicon, you are still going to spend money... and have fun doing it.

I have a '21 Rubicon JTRD $59,743 out the door with 100k warrantee, and $19, 543 in mods for a running total of $79,286.....but who's counting (Don't tell my wife!)
(Clayton 2.5 Overland+, Fox 2.5 elite, BFG 37's, Smartcap, Sherpa racks, ARB dual twin HP, etc, etc,)

when I purchased my gladiator, rubicons where going for $70k out the door here in Los Angeles, I am still under that number I think with all the mods. and it wasn’t easy to find a manual rubicon. However I didn’t know that the axles on rubicons are thicker. The wider track I could live without and that’s all I thought I was losing. I dont know if it will affect the truck as it ages. And here in where I live, jeep won’t align the truck, or really do anything other than oil changes, because it’s modified.
I had a rat get into the jeep and ate the a/c power wire under the fuse box, I couldn’t find the short and ended up taking it to jeep. The dealership lost a bunch of clips and 2 nuts in the engine bay. When I brought it up to them, they said they didn’t do it and it happened because its modified…

 

[818Gladiator]

Also… I have a 2019 Nissan titan 4x4, for work now. It’s lifted on 34s. The Nissan dealer has NEVER said anything about the modifications, has had a couple things done under warranty and alignments at the dealer, no issues, only complements. This has NOT been my experience with Jeep. 3 dealerships, all negative experiences

 

[PackMule]

I just didn’t want my number to be that high at the end also, and when I purchased my gladiator, rubicons where going for $70k out the door here in Los Angeles, and it wasn’t easy to find a manual rubicon either. However I didn’t know that the axles on rubicons are thicker. The wider track I could live without and that’s all I thought I was losing. I dont know if it will affect the truck as it ages.

Yea, you do want to figure out what base level you want to start at that doesn't require throwing out some expensive option, or adding a more expensive add on.

For me, I was tossing between Mojave and Rubicon Diesel. I figured I could add a Mojave-like suspension for way less than adding a Diesel...(or Hemi, or Turbo, or...). The Diesels have the Mojave cast iron knuckles, etc... so that's where I chose to start. No regrets. Lots of fun.

 

[PackMule]

Also… I have a 2019 Nissan titan 4x4, for work now. It’s lifted on 34s. The Nissan dealer has NEVER said anything about the modifications, has had a couple things done under warranty and alignments at the dealer, no issues, only complements. This has NOT been my experience with Jeep. 3 dealerships, all negative experiences

Yup, dealer "service" is a sore spot. But at least with the Jeep you've got tons of aftermarket options, and after your warrantee is over, tons of offroad shops with very capable techs and deep jeep knowledge.
... and this forum!

 

[818Gladiator]

just installed the mountain Offroad engine skid plate. I didn’t want to order the extra $100 mopar brace I would need to run the ASFIR skid.

 

[Brandon Glads]

Great build !

192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1​

 

[mx5red]

just installed the mountain Offroad engine skid plate. I didn’t want to order the extra $100 mopar brace I would need to run the ASFIR skid.

What extra brace do you need for ASFIR? I put one on my gasser and didn’t need anything.?‍

 

[mx5red]

Be sure to check the installation guide thoroughly. I have a diesel set... got them because they were one of the few (only) affordable aluminum (less weight) diesel specific... installation advertised "no drilling". But didn't read the install instructions first.

Turns out on the diesel (might be different on the gasser) you have to remove the front engine mount bolts to bolt it on! In the tight engine compartment I see know way of doing that, at least not with tools I have.

They've been sitting in my garage for a year now. Maybe this spring I'll take another run at it.

I will say they look pretty stout, and wouldn't mind having them on.

Are you talking about the bolts you get at from underneath to mount the “arms” to?

I remember the area being a little tricky to navigate holding the skid and getting the nuts on, but I don't think I needed any special tools besides a long extension.

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