New Gladiator, what to do?

[brsnow2585]

I'll echo all the comments about ' just drive it for a while' maybe give it a good wash, park it in the driveway, crack open a cold one and sit in the garage and look at it. It'll tell you what it needs. I ordered my '22 pretty spartan, just what I wanted originally, have only added a few bits that either weren't available at the time or I didn't think of. I'd definitely recommend a zautomotive tazer, to bypass some of the annoying nanny 'fearures', but also can help with things later if you decide to build it up later, it's about 5 minutes and 1-2 zip ties to install, plug and play

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[brsnow2585]

Oh, another thing. Kick off your shoes and drive it barefoot, it'll tell you a lot if you listen and feel it

 

[oldironsights]

Oh, another thing. Kick off your shoes and drive it barefoot, it'll tell you a lot if you listen and feel it

OUTSTANDING!
I thought I was the only one.
Thanks!

 

[KX L]

I failed to state that these miles are mostly interstate, traveling @ 62 mph.

oldironsights out........................

I hope and pray you're at least respectful of the rest of us and stay in the right lane except for passing.

You do 62 in a 60/65 mph Interstate here in Missouri all around St Louis you're going to be passed by nearly everyone. I respect you're choice to to try to maximize MPG and hope to hell you respect my choice to go faster to stay with the flow of traffic--generally 75-80 on every road here.
State patrol and the all the local police are usually doing 75 so if you just stay behind them you're good to go.

At least once a week I'll be in a situation of a completely full Interstate and get stuck behind a row of at least 7 vehicles in the farthest left lane because one asshole refuses to move right. Vehicle after vehicle make these dangerous sudden maneuvers to try to get past him on the right when there is a minimal gap to do so. Most of these slow drivers are completely clueless, but I would say about 20% of them know exactly what they're doing because they're passive aggressive pricks.

 

[Stan H]

I hope and pray you're at least respectful of the rest of us and stay in the right lane except for passing.

You do 62 in a 60/65 mph Interstate here in Missouri all around St Louis you're going to be passed by nearly everyone. I respect you're choice to to try to maximize MPG and hope to hell you respect my choice to go faster to stay with the flow of traffic--generally 75-80 on every road here.
State patrol and the all the local police are usually doing 75 so if you just stay behind them you're good to go.

At least once a week I'll be in a situation of a completely full Interstate and get stuck behind a row of at least 7 vehicles in the farthest left lane because one asshole refuses to move right. Vehicle after vehicle make these dangerous sudden maneuvers to try to get past him on the right when there is a minimal gap to do so. Most of these slow drivers are completely clueless, but I would say about 20% of them know exactly what they're doing because they're passive aggressive pricks.

And what of the overly aggressive and false sense of emergency crowd that has to do 80 in a 65.
Kill a innocent family member or even worse a child because of some stupid self absurd careless prick driver thinks he is the only vehicle on the road and He cant stand that vehicle actually doing the speed limit then lets see how it works out for you in court.
I was a officer for 10 years I dont give a rip what everyone else does or current of traffic if your the cause of an severe accident You Will Pay the Piper

 

[oldironsights]

I hope and pray you're at least respectful of the rest of us and stay in the right lane except for passing.

You do 62 in a 60/65 mph Interstate here in Missouri all around St Louis you're going to be passed by nearly everyone. I respect you're choice to to try to maximize MPG and hope to hell you respect my choice to go faster to stay with the flow of traffic--generally 75-80 on every road here.
State patrol and the all the local police are usually doing 75 so if you just stay behind them you're good to go.

At least once a week I'll be in a situation of a completely full Interstate and get stuck behind a row of at least 7 vehicles in the farthest left lane because one asshole refuses to move right. Vehicle after vehicle make these dangerous sudden maneuvers to try to get past him on the right when there is a minimal gap to do so. Most of these slow drivers are completely clueless, but I would say about 20% of them know exactly what they're doing because they're passive aggressive pricks.

I spent over forty years working alongside of city & state LEO's rescuing commercial vehicles along city streets & interstates.
The work was very dangerous where I was hit several times.
Every one of those strikes were due to excessive speed.
Two of my 13+ traffic stops were due to carrying excessive speed.
Luckily, I only had to pay for two of those.
I had over a dozen driver training classes;
Some from local agencies & others federal.
I still have a CDL to transport passengers & cargo.
Just no hazmat. I was a mechanic; NOT a driver.
Some of my tows were 99 feet long.

The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions in an ideal vehicle.
I have struck many critters;some BIG. Most small.
It takes more time to stop from 70 than it does @ 62, & then there is the latency of response as we age.
This 5100 lb Glad with it's 284 HP does not handle as well as my new Compass or my old 4700 lb, 400 HP F150 with its IFS.
I adjust my speed accordingly.
I travel in the right lane, & remain in said lane for legal & safety reasons.

I would suggest you do the same.

oldironsights out

 

[KX L]

My current (somewhat ordered) list is:
- Rock sliders or steps
- Lift (how high? pucks?)
- Rigid inner door pockets (though I'll keep the netting too)
- Sun net
- (eventually) Trail doors

What's missing? Any tips on where to start?

I agree with so much that has been recommended.

Expensive but the Rock Slide Engineering Gen 3 rock sliders/steps are fantastic and especially necessary if you lift the vehicle at all.

I have LoD front and rear bumpers. As I realistically only spend about 5% of my time off road full length bumpers can prevent serious front suspension repair. As stated you'll need a winch---and I went with the Harbor Freight Badlands 12,000 pound synthetic.

I have added side marker LED lights which replaced the fake cove heat exhaust. The difference is unbelievable. My start up routine is to press the button to turn off the stupid start stop and then turn my lights on. When I shut down there is a loud beeping until I turn off my lights if I forget. So far it's been Marine idiot proof.

When you're trying to look at street signs or operating off road at night you definitely need LED lights. I'm one who hates the look of most, the noise, and the reduced gas mileage because of them. So I installed the stealth LED lights you can see at the top of the windshield. Haven't had any issue with it blocking my sight. The outside lights are about 20% better but as most rarely use the lights I use my full bumper argument for stealth.

The weather tech window deflectors are great for leaving the windows open an inch to let heat out of the interior and ensure rain is deflected out of the interior if it rains while you aren't around.

I put 35" inch tires on my stock Mojave wheels and have had zero issues with them rubbing while off road.

I hate the very small Jeep lettering on the back so I went old school with large white ones.

Again I went with LED rear lights and turn signals for enhanced visibility. I added a plain bumper guard for the 2" tow opening. It is seriously worn down and I love it.

Again so many others have mentioned the need for an air compressor---I think you will NEVER be able to use just an air pump to pump all four tires back up to 34psi from the 20-24psi you should deflate to for off road driving without hours of work. I recommend you try it with just one tire before you ever think you'll be able to do it. Please let all of us know how that works out---because as usual I can be completely wrong.

I can't imagine the noise for the people that install a single or dual air compressor inside the vehicle. Too many times I have someone with me when it's raining and I have to fill the tires with air to get back on the highway.

So my dual air compressor is mounted on the drivers side just inside the tailgate. You can see the airhose right next to it but I also have the speedflate system which allows you to airdown and fill all four tires at once.

Further back in the bed of the truck is my recovery kit which is pretty big but that's just because I added things as I could afford them.

I also have a fully adjustable mount for the 2" hitch so I can tow almost anything at the right height with either a 1.5 inch or 2" ball.

And finally I always carry Jumper Cables

Other than the wiring of the air compressor to the front battery I did all the work myself which obviously saves a ton of money.

 

[JonMN]

I have made several mods since purchase. But the first thing I did was have Xpel applied; partial hood, fenders and grill surround. Hate rock chips and winter here is pretty tough.

My favorite free mod was taking off that third (middle) headrest in the back!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions in an ideal vehicle.

Did you know that's not always the case? Maybe for interstates, but many states determine speed limits based on what most drivers are doing. In fact, there's a big article about states starting to change their ways on that - just on our local WHO TV channel and FB pages yesterday I believe.

 

[oldironsights]

Did you know that's not always the case? Maybe for interstates, but many states determine speed limits based on what most drivers are doing. In fact, there's a big article about states starting to change their ways on that - just on our local WHO TV channel and FB pages yesterday I believe.

LOL
I live in Mississippi!
Mississippi is not known as progressive.
Some may even say regressive.
Taxes are low, so I am happy.

 

[Mr Miami]

Go drive it.

The most basic Sport model will do 95% or more of obstacles anyone is willing to take their daily driver through straight off the showroom floor.

I would agree with you with just one caveat; if you are doing any kind of climbing up hills or even in some nasty mud, tires would be my only strong recommendation if getting too far off the beaten path. On my '16 Willys JKU, even with the upgraded tires they included, I had the dealer install the tires I wanted before I ever left the dealership. Since the tires were absolutely new with the little dimple things still on them, I was able to sell them for almost half of what the cost of the upgraded and taller tires cost. I was a happy Jeeper with the tires.

 

[Mr Miami]

LOL
I live in Mississippi!
Mississippi is not known as progressive.
Some may even say regressive.
Taxes are low, so I am happy.

Reminds me of a cartoon I saw:

A guy from Mississippi was driving in New Jersey and was involved in an auto accident and pronounced dead at the scene. When his body was returned to Mississippi, he was pronounced day-ed.

 

[Hootbro]

When I lived in Arkansas, we appreciated Mississippi because we would be dead last in a lot of metrics if not for them. They made us shine.

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