Stealth Rubicon Gladiator

[syreeves]

Yes I debated limited slip vs lockers.

limited slip won’t pull me out of a deep snow bank. I do some serious snow driving as I coordinate snow and ice management during storms for my business

Joining late. I have to tell you that engaging lockers is a bit of a process. You have to shift into low, then trigger the switch which takes a couple of seconds for the computer to go through its checks. My point is that it is not a convenience flip on/flip off thing. Thats all. The 4WD system is pretty good as is without lockers and works in 4HI - I use this for getting out onto backwoods lakes for ice fishing and a few other similar situations. Only time I ever needed 4LO and lockers (in snow) was when I slid off the edge of a fire trail in deep snow. Lockers helped to get back out onto level ground.

Anyway - you'll love the Rubicon. If you want to stealth mode it for most average citizens just remove the hood decals, change the wheels and paint the front and rear hooks black. Most people would then just see a Sport model ...

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[HouseOfWolves]

Any reason to not build out a diesel sport and add lockers front and rear to be super stealth.

That... add the steel Mopar bumper, and a winch and call it done.

 

[NachoRuby]

Joining late. I have to tell you that engaging lockers is a bit of a process. You have to shift into low, then trigger the switch which takes a couple of seconds for the computer to go through its checks. My point is that it is not a convenience flip on/flip off thing. Thats all. The 4WD system is pretty good as is without lockers and works in 4HI - I use this for getting out onto backwoods lakes for ice fishing and a few other similar situations. Only time I ever needed 4LO and lockers (in snow) was when I slid off the edge of a fire trail in deep snow. Lockers helped to get back out onto level ground.

Anyway - you'll love the Rubicon. If you want to stealth mode it for most average citizens just remove the hood decals, change the wheels and paint the front and rear hooks black. Most people would then just see a Sport model ...

You can lock the rear in 4hi by simply turning Stability Control off at a stop, and then pressing the lock switch. Also, not to beat the tazer thing to death (it's in enough threads already), but it allows you to lock with the push of a button, without the song and dance, even in 2hi.

 

[The Crusader]

I'm a big fan of the debadged look. I have a Sport diesel on order. Aftermarket lockers would make it super stealth. I could be wrong, but I think the Sport has larger openings in the grill for diesel cooling. I'm considering a solar panel for the hood and the Sport hood has more room for the larger wattage panel. I'm not a fan of the red stitching and red dash either. To each his own.

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

Who does that? LOL
I missed it if you explained why somewhere else. Didn’t like how it looks?

1. Didn't like the way it looks compared to simple, classic hood.
2. Mojave hood made or iron. Well, ok - steel. But it is heavy compared to aluminum hood and I prefer less weight with hood so I could offset weight additions from winch, bumpers, etc.
3. I hate fake things. Like fake vents.
4. Mojave hood is taller and restricts view compared to Sport hood.

 

[WILDHOBO]

1. Didn't like the way it looks compared to simple, classic hood.
2. Mojave hood made or iron. Well, ok - steel. But it is heavy compared to aluminum hood and I prefer less weight with hood so I could offset weight additions from winch, bumpers, etc.
3. I hate fake things. Like fake vents.
4. Mojave hood is taller and restricts view compared to Sport hood.

Speaking of the rubicon hood, the vents aren’t fake. They aren’t intakes though. They’re for passive engine heat dissipation. But they’re not fake. I can’t speak to the Mohave hood though. Nor can I dispute the desire to shed extra weight. All valid.

 

[monrizzle]

If I am not mistaken... the JTR comes with 285/70/17s. Why change a perfectly good capable AT tire for something less capable? IMO

 

[dcmdon]

I think the OP is overthinking things. Remove the Rubicon decals and badging and call it a day.

I don't see the wisdom in spending money to replace the OEM wheels with steelies made in China. If you want more stealth, find someone with a Mojave and swap wheels with them.

As a Mojave owner, I think the wheels are the least attractive part of the package. I'd love to swap for some rubicon wheels with the polished fronts.

As for the tedious locking process, a Tazer solves that problem. Come to a stop and push the locker button and you are done.

Re hood vents - the Mojave hood looks good, but if functionally inferior to the others. Its steel and is a LOT heavier, and the "vent" is fake.

Re snow, the best thing you can do to improve snow performance is put a good set of snow tires on it. Since only one company makes actual snow tires in our size, then the answer is simple

Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3. Its available in 285/70-17 and 315/70-17.

Although I am surprised at how well my Mojave goes through virgin snow with the stock Falken ATs, there is no comparison between my Jeep and my Wife's Volvo on normal unplowed packed snow roads. The Volvo with Michelin X-Ice winter tires is vastly superior.

 

[Cwelroy]

So I will be picking up my Rubicon Gladiator in a couple of weeks. My goal is to not advertise its Rubiconness for various reasons. I bought this for dealing with snow so the first thing to go will be the telltale stock wheels/tires which I am replacing with 285/70-17 Michelin Defender LTX M/S on Tactic D Windows along with a set of Hakka R3 SUV's on the MOPAR Winter steelies. Also, I plan on removing the hood stickers (with a heat gun?). Are there any other obvious badges or signs ? I haven't actually ever seen this truck in Rubicon configuration in my area.

I always take the Rubicon stickers/badges off of my Jeeps. I’m just not a fan of the red accents (went with tan interior on a Gator hat for this reason— no red dash!). I previously had a Wrangler Rubicon Recon that had the same red decals and removed those as well.

Here’s the key since you’re buying it brand new— ask the dealer to take off what you want removed. They’ve always done it for me free of charge before handing over the keys. The only issue here with the Gladiator is the tailgate badge. Get one of those “GLADIATOR” stickers to replace the red-outlined “JEEP” because there are holes that will be exposed by the removal of that badge that you will want to cover up. Hope that helps.

 

[Terminus33]

If theft is a big concern, I’d install a kill switch somewhere.

Won't do anything for those determined people that bring their own flatbed or stealth style repo truck to just snatch it and drag it away on the lift bar and two quick wheel dollies.

To the OP, as others have said just get the Rubi with the plastic bumpers and de-badge the hood. If you are so concerned about theft the hiding it will never work for determined thieves. Your best bet would be quality insurance.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[redrider]

I’m sure a sporty user will gladly trade hoods

And perhaps not. The fake cooling vents are for posers.

 

[WILDHOBO]

And perhaps not. The fake cooling vents are for posers.

The vents on the rubicon hoods are not closed. They DO let heat out. Go through a car wash in the winter and let me know where that steam is coming from if the vents are closed and fake.

 

[InvertedLogic]

think the OP is overthinking things. Remove the Rubicon decals and badging and call it a day.

Agreed. No one not on this forum would see red outlined badges and a red dash and say "that's a rubicon!".

Pull the hood stickers off, and get some good seat covers (like Bartact), buy a TazerJL to allow lockers in any drive mode, snow tires, and call it a day.

 

[NachoRuby]

I'm a big fan of the debadged look. I have a Sport diesel on order. Aftermarket lockers would make it super stealth. I could be wrong, but I think the Sport has larger openings in the grill for diesel cooling. I'm considering a solar panel for the hood and the Sport hood has more room for the larger wattage panel. I'm not a fan of the red stitching and red dash either. To each his own.

Same grille openings on the Rubicon as the sport. All gladiators have larger openings (on the insert) than Wranglers, though. No Red dash on my Rubicon by the way, that depends on external color. The bright colors don't get the Red dash. The others do. I think tan interior gets a grey dash too.

To the OP, as others have said just get the Rubi with the plastic bumpers

The rear bumper is different too. It's steel, even if you order plastic front bumper.

 

[SargeDiesel]

locking front and rear axles

I live in a pretty upscale area. Cars get taken out of driveways and put onto shipping containers within hrs. These aren’t junkies looking for change.

regardless I like my vehicles as low key as possible. I realize Rubicon isn’t a super special trim but in my area the Wrangler Rubicons are dressed up and generally driven by rich kids. Gladiators are virtually non existent here and I just prefer to not stick out more than necessary.

Soundsike $$ would be better spent on a better security system a d really good theft insurance....... but nothing wrong with removing the RUBICON from the hood.. but anything more is overkill... imo

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