New member with questions

[deanocraft]

I recently bought a 2023 JT Rubicon with the 3.6 and 6speed manual. I’m loving the truck, but I want to change a couple things and I’m looking for advice.

I want to add a winch, and I like the look of a stubby bumper. My truck came with the plastic bumper. The OEM steel bumper looks good to me, but seems a bit expensive! Im wondering if there are takeoff’s available. I have looked at lots of options on the web, but the truck has factory LED’s and I’m having trouble finding a stubby that takes them and will allow use of the Rubicon front skid plate.

I’m also looking for 1 takeoff matching rim to put on my spare so I can get it into the rotation.

I joined this forum hoping to gain some knowledge and hook up with some people who have common interests. I also hoped to find out where all the takeoff parts are sold! I’m not sure how to get access to the members marketplace on here… I can’t find the rules posted anywhere. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it! I’m located in Western NC. A picture of the truck is attached.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

There are hundreds of different style bumpers out there so just have to look around and find what looks good to you. As far as winches there are a few you can go with but a lot are going with the Badlands 12k and hen they go on sale at Harbor Freight.

for take offs and such if you go to “Forums” and scroll down towards the bottom there is a section called “Member Marketplace” pretty sure that’s where the sales are.

 

[deanocraft]

Thank you for the reply. I apparently have not met some criteria to see that section of the forum. It is not visible to me. If it is as simple as a count of my posts, then I’ll just keep posting! I can’t seem to find the forum rules either, so I’m just guessing…

I’m coming from a Ram 1500, and the LED lights on the jeep are awesome by comparison. I have spent some time looking at all those thousands of bumpers. I’m just hoping to keep those great lights! I know some of you rubicon drivers have already cracked the code on bumpers that use those lights. If there is a downside to keeping them, please let me know that as well.

 

[Gvsukids]

I apparently have not met some criteria to see that section of the forum. It is not visible to me. If it is as simple as a count of my posts, then I’ll just keep posting!

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/forums/member-marketplace.62/

You can find a lot of answers by Googling, and adding "Jeep Gladiator" at the end.

 

[deanocraft]

Thanks for the link GVSU. Your Google-fu is the best!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Thanks for the link GVSU. Your Google-fu is the best!

Yep. Get used to that. If there is something to be found Gvsu will find it and post a link. EVERY time!!

 

[DirkG]

Congrats and welcome to the forum

I've been on a lot of car forums and this is one of the best forums for vehicle knowledge and consistent content and information. If you need any info on your Rubicon, this forum should have it. And if not, as you probably know, the Gladiator is basically a Wrangler with a pickup bed, so the sister Wrangler site (linked above) is a great resource as well.

 

[SoCal Gunner]

I recently bought a 2023 JT Rubicon with the 3.6 and 6speed manual. I’m loving the truck, but I want to change a couple things and I’m looking for advice.

I want to add a winch, and I like the look of a stubby bumper. My truck came with the plastic bumper. The OEM steel bumper looks good to me, but seems a bit expensive! Im wondering if there are takeoff’s available. I have looked at lots of options on the web, but the truck has factory LED’s and I’m having trouble finding a stubby that takes them and will allow use of the Rubicon front skid plate.

I’m also looking for 1 takeoff matching rim to put on my spare so I can get it into the rotation.

I joined this forum hoping to gain some knowledge and hook up with some people who have common interests. I also hoped to find out where all the takeoff parts are sold! I’m not sure how to get access to the members marketplace on here… I can’t find the rules posted anywhere. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it! I’m located in Western NC. A picture of the truck is attached.

Take a look at Rock Hard Bumpers with lowered winch plate. They have Aluminum versions to offset the weight of the winch some. They have an integrated skid so you can drop your factory one.
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/category_s/494.htm

 

[deanocraft]

Thank you SoCal. I will take a look.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Welcome to the forum and the veritable insanity of Jeep ownership. Before you know it you'll be seeing a post and then adding THAT to your build even though you never thought of or saw it before. Happens to the best of us. And the worst. And everyone else.

Yes, the Mopar OEM bumpers are pricey but there are usually takeoffs floating around here and places like FB Marketplace. Keep in mind OEM front bumpers for a JL will fit a JT so you may have some luck keeping an eye on the JL forums, too.

Pretty sure you can mod the Rubi skid to match a lot of aftermarket bumpers, too. If you can't find a thread on it @Gvsukids probably can.

I love the stubby look too. I have an Arcus front bumper but if I happened to come across a take off cheaply enough I'd snag it too. https://ruggedridge.com/p/rugged-ridge-arcus-front-bumper-with-overrider-bar/

 

[deanocraft]

Thank you BourbonRunner! I like the look of the Arcus, but it says my OEM LED’s won’t fit.

 

[Gvsukids]

Thank you BourbonRunner! I like the look of the Arcus, but it says my OEM LED’s won’t fit.

If you use the reply button, the other user will be notified.

you can mod the Rubi skid to match a lot of aftermarket bumpers,

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/aftermarket-bumpers-not-fitting-skid-plates.27904/

 

[BourbonRunner]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/aftermarket-bumpers-not-fitting-skid-plates.27904/

Like clockwork!

 

[ArcticDreadnought]

You are just now starting your dive into the Jeep parts ocean.

Use the knowledge you can glean from us, but only after you have had a good, hard think of exactly what you are building up your Jeep to be. Also, most importantly, question WHY you need it.

For practicalities' sake and to keep your money from disappearing down the drain, plan part switches in the order of necessity.

Case in point: the OEM steel bumper is awesome. Managed to snag mine off a guy selling his JL Wrangler steel Rubicon bumper for a cool $150.

But, that steel bumper, for all its toughness and cool factor, is HEAVY. Add to that a winch plate kit and a winch, and you've doubled or possibly tripled the amount of weight on the front of your Gladiator.

That will affect front end droop, how hard your shocks hit, front end braking... you see where I'm going with this.

Plan your moves small and fundamental at first, so you arent playing the constant game of "next problem".

I drive a Mojave, so the issue was simple to fix with mine, as I just upgraded the OEM Mojave springs to OEM MojaveX springs all around. Did wonders for the smoothness of my ride and the control as well.

Plan well, buy once, cry once.

Good luck on your build!

 

[deanocraft]

You guys are awesome!

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