NorCal Gladiator Folk?

[Roboworks4u]

I see you are semi local, do a day trip isn't a big deal. I'm so used to people calling Fresno "norcal" that I automatically was thinking better plan more time!

I only remeber one challenging spot, but there was a bypass. Obviously you would also need to either enter or exit gate keeper depending on which way you drove the route.

Are you on at least 3.5" and 37s? @Gvellas left a fair amount of zinc (full undercloak skids) on the rocks when we did Loon to Tahoe a couple of years ago.

I'm only about 70 miles from the Look Lake entrance. I currently run a 3" JTS lift with 37s. I could use some additional skids on my sled.

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[CrazyCooter]

I'm only about 70 miles from the Look Lake entrance. I currently run a 3" JTS lift with 37s. I could use some additional skids on my sled.

I couldn't compare your rig with my personal experience other than watching/listening to Greg's drag..........My JT is on 38's, but I would never take it through Rubicon when I have a perfectly capable 5 linked YJ on 35's that does it with ease.

These trucks are BIG!

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

I couldn't compare your rig with my personal experience other than watching/listening to Greg's drag..........My JT is on 38's, but I would never take it through Rubicon when I have a perfectly capable 5 linked YJ on 35's that does it with ease.

These trucks are BIG!

I've been into the Rubicon several times in my JT on 37's. I actually enjoy having a little more of a challenge; with this wheelbase I have to pick some very different lines than I take in the SWB Jeeps, Suzukis, Toyotas, and Pinzgauers I've always driven the trail in.

 

[Roboworks4u]

I've been into the Rubicon several times in my JT on 37's. I actually enjoy having a little more of a challenge; with this wheelbase I have to pick some very different lines than I take in the SWB Jeeps, Suzukis, Toyotas, and Pinzgauers I've always driven the trail in.

Thanks Geoff, what kind of lift, tires, skid plates, rock sliders, etc do you have on your JT? Just curious what kind of setup other JTs are running on the Rubicon trail.

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

Thanks Geoff, what kind of lift, tires, skid plates, rock sliders, etc do you have on your JT? Just curious what kind of setup other JTs are running on the Rubicon trail.

I have a diesel Rubicon with a Frankenlift: 3" RockKrawler Diesel front springs, 2 inch rear spacers with Airlift airbags in OEM rear springs, Icon CDCV shocks, MetalCloak sector shaft and track bar braces, Apex 2.5-ton tie rod.

Tires are 37x12.50R17 Yokohama Geolandar G003 mud-terrains on 17" Icon Rebound Pro wheels.

Armor includes the Metalcloak front bumper, Bestop Granite rear bumper, Ace Engineering rock sliders in conjunction with the OEM Rubicon rock sliders, and every bit of Metalcloak's skidplating that's available for the belly pan and axles.

The armor has done its job and held up well; I've only managed to bust a taillight. My wheels are all chewed up, but who cares? The rock sliders and bumpers have had many fresh coats of paint squirted on them to keep rust at bay, but everything is still mostly straight.

I'm happy that other than a 5mpg sacrifice on the highway and the huge weight increase (mostly offset by my lighter wallet) the Jeep's performance on-road has not been adversely impacted. It still steers with 1 finger, tows my travel trailer effortlessly, and is comfortable on long road trips.

 

[earthemigrant]

Hey all it’s me that new guy from Modesto nobody knows because he is new. I’m really not that bad. I promise.

 

[Tulbox]

I have a diesel Rubicon with a Frankenlift: 3" RockKrawler Diesel front springs, 2 inch rear spacers with Airlift airbags in OEM rear springs, Icon CDCV shocks, MetalCloak sector shaft and track bar braces, Apex 2.5-ton tie rod.

Tires are 37x12.50R17 Yokohama Geolandar G003 mud-terrains on 17" Icon Rebound Pro wheels.

@ Rubicon4wheeler

You indicate you have the Eco Diesel on 37's and you pull a trailer. I was wondering how big and what kind of weight is the trailer. I also have the Eco and just got 37's, but still need the 3" lift this summer. I am wondering what gears you may have gone to as I am still using the 3.73. If I go to 4.30 it will be back close to stock RPMs but thinking about 4.56 which would raise my RPMs by about 200-250 which might be better for towing my 6k lb RV trailer.

(still trying to figure out how to do reference and quotes )

 

[CrazyCooter]

I personally liked 37's and 3.73s for everything I did towing all over the western states at 11,000-12,500 lb combined until we got a wider/taller RV. Then I felt like I wanted 5% deeper gearing for when towing into a headwind to prevent dropping into 5th gear under a heavy load. My goal is to tow on the flats in 7th (1st OD), rolling hills 6th(direct), and save 8th(2nd OD) for when I'm unloaded at higher speeds.

3.92's wasn't an available option, so I went 4.10's knowing I was going to jump to 38's and that would balance it all out. I wasn't happy when unloaded on the worn 37's, but it was tolerable. I can't imagine going 4.56 or 4.88 like some people do on 37's! 3.73's on the OEM tires was already kind of deep and made the truck feel laggy? The diesel seem to really like to be loaded vs revved?

It's been almost 5 years and 35k miles on the 38's 4.10's, we have towed all over the country in some of the roughest mountainous areas, and I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Tulbox]

Thanks, Nice to know as it gives me some info from someone who has been there. Just confirming, was the mentioned 11,000 - 12,500 lbs, gross weight or just the trailer weight? (I am presuming it is gross)

 

[CrazyCooter]

Thanks, Nice to know as it gives me some info from someone who has been there. Just confirming, was the mentioned 11,000 - 12,500 lbs, gross weight or just the trailer weight?

Trailer weights are usually between 3,500 and 6,000. Truck weighs 6,250 curb full of fuel. the 12,500 is gross combined.

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

I have a diesel Rubicon with a Frankenlift: 3" RockKrawler Diesel front springs, 2 inch rear spacers with Airlift airbags in OEM rear springs, Icon CDCV shocks, MetalCloak sector shaft and track bar braces, Apex 2.5-ton tie rod.

Tires are 37x12.50R17 Yokohama Geolandar G003 mud-terrains on 17" Icon Rebound Pro wheels.

@ Rubicon4wheeler

You indicate you have the Eco Diesel on 37's and you pull a trailer. I was wondering how big and what kind of weight is the trailer. I also have the Eco and just got 37's, but still need the 3" lift this summer. I am wondering what gears you may have gone to as I am still using the 3.73. If I go to 4.30 it will be back close to stock RPMs but thinking about 4.56 which would raise my RPMs by about 200-250 which might be better for towing my 6k lb RV trailer.

(still trying to figure out how to do reference and quotes )

I still have the stock 3.73 gears and on flat highway it'll idle along in 8th gear just fine until there is a significant headwind or I start climbing into the mountains. I've found no need to even consider regearing it. I haven't weighed my trailer but my calculations put it around roughly 4,000lbs. My Gladiator is particularly heavy, having been weighed empty on a CAT scale at 6,400lbs.

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