Project Reverse Mullet

[Shadowmaker]

Well, if there's 3/4" of space with a 37" tire, theoretically, you should have 1/4" of space with a 38" tire. It's an extra 1/2" all the way around, not 1".

More motivation to swap to the 38s

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[TheSolarWizard]

So overall how would you rate the mickeys

 

[Shadowmaker]

So overall how would you rate the mickeys

8 of 10 - I might swap to something else for the summer, but this winter has proven, I will keep them around for next winter as well.

• 3 peak rated - So far they have lived up to the title on the road. Perhaps because of the AT style, they cross snow piles with ease on secondaries and freeways. I feel comfortable most of the time running slightly faster than the slow lane, but do yield occasionally back to that lane as other vehicles can zip past me. Ice - they are darned good, as I can easily stop faster than with the Pats and STTs. Tons of confidence on ice.
• Rain - Living in the PNW, there is lots of rain here. Driving in the ruts on the freeway these tires just don't care. No hydroplaning just grabs the pavement.
• Deep Snow - At 4 psi they are pretty awesome.
• Weight - Weighing in at 80lbs, you notice the difference. On 5.13 gears, the transmission downshifts more often and lost 2mpg over the Patagonias. That could be rolling resistance as well since the tire indeed have more contact. Could be an update necessary to the Tazer? I don't appreciate the heaviness from these tires.
• Balance - This is the part I absolutely hate about these tires. Sometimes, these tires seem out of balance. Not sure if it is flat-spotting or what it is. Local dealer put on a new one, but I am going in again as I think they did not road force balance the tires.

I could see the score coming up, if the balance thing gets worked out.

 

[Shadowmaker]

Third time is a charm - The guys that sold me the tires, did two balances and swapped a tire along the way. Still rode like crap. Said they would swap me out tires if I wanted, but tire prices are higher. Bleh.

Last straw was a local tire shop. They spent an hour working on those tires and wheels. Success!

Along the way spent an afternoon on a mountain top playing in the mud and snow.

 

[aegiscpo]

Two years I have had an ARB dual compressor sitting around my house. The 2781 Smittybilt is just finger scorching simplicity. I was undecided on where to install it on my JKUR then torn on where to install it on the Gladiator. I picked up a Procomp SS-6 and the Grimm offroad compressor mounting kit with SPOD mounting bracket. Took a long time to install as a weekend hack.

Grimm Offroad Compressor Mounting kit - Nice complete kit. I have no doubt this kit will stand the test of time. This kit has a bracket for the SPOD, but I went with a cheaper solution for the moment.

Procomp SS6 - Budget switch kit with some neat features. Downside, it dos not dim.

Fender tabs - 45 degrees in the garage, I snapped a few off when I pulled the fender. Good thing I picked up this kit. Oh..... I snapped a few of these off installing them too, until I hit them with a heat gun.

So how is the ARB compressor holding up in that location? Any issues with water/mud/snow and operating the compressor? I am leaning towards this type install but looking for real world experience/issues/opinions. Thanks.

 

[Shadowmaker]

So how is the ARB compressor holding up in that location? Any issues with water/mud/snow and operating the compressor? I am leaning towards this type install but looking for real world experience/issues/opinions. Thanks.

The Grimm mount really tucks it up by the master brake cylinder. Before the install, that space was clean and dry, I do not expect it to get any worse in there. Air intakes for the compressor are up high. I expect to swim some streams, but it rarely makes it to my door in my neck of the woods. Location wise, my only long term concern will be heat. Seeing people run this compressor up on top the engine, it is probably misguided.

Other great mounting locations are under one of the seats and there are some companies that do bed mounts. I was going to go with 813 designs bed mount, but ended up re-allocating that space. Looking forward to which location you choose.

 

[Shadowmaker]

Towing Update - Recent trip pulled 1400 miles. Our camper weighs in a 3,373lbs, but you know once you get the crap in it, that it is really closer to 4,000lbs+

19' camper, 8 feet wide, tall. Well beyond the recommended frontal area
Elevations went from sea level to 2,800.
Manually rowed the gears on the freeway
Let it shift itself in town
I topped out at 75mph in 6th gear doing around 4200rpm
Magical fuel economy of 8mpg
5.13 gears - sometimes I actually think for this setup you might want 5.38s
Wind works you over at a higher speed

Knowing this, it was quite happy and easy towing at 60-65mph. Fuel economy comes up to 9-10mpg. It revs less. Generally is easier to manage.

I am split on the weight distribution hitch. It is heavy and does not seem to make a huge amount of difference with the AEV suspension.

 

[Shadowmaker]

Trip to Tillamook forest. Collected a badge on Firebreak 5. What a fun trail! Up higher I snagged a tree with the front fender. It is pretty tight for a Gladiator but quite doable.

 

[Shadowmaker]

Crossed over to Cedar Tree for another badge. Too tall to fit
Still good times

 

[Shadowmaker]

March, 2022
After Cedar Tree we did some plain ole exploring.

 

[Shadowmaker]

More March 2022... Mountain driving led to some beach drivin at Sand Lake Recreation Area.

 

[Shadowmaker]

Added a Midland-275 GMRS 15watt system - Gone is the static from my cheapo Baofengs and the antenna is tucked away nicely behind the cab. I installed the head unit under the glove box with extreme double stick tape. Doesn't seem like it will stick around.

 

[Shadowmaker]

It's been a while. 1st Beach, WA

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