That very first NECESSARY mod

[AstroZombie]

I like my local station for my morning commute at 0300 I didn't fin much on I like when my last car had a trial hell, the trial on my JT expired and i never used it

my service was a birthday gift and its lifetime. I think it was paid in full. We have a special number we have to call to transfer to new radiots. That usually costs like $99

Sponsored

 

[GROGG]

I would like to know for those of you who have Rubicon, what was something that you guys felt was a necessary mod?

Aside from tires and a lift.

What improved your overall experience with your Rubicon?

I’m planning to keep mine stock for about a year, take it on a couple of trips, and then see what my limitations are for the vehicle.

Would love to know your guys input.

Mojave, Willys, and Sport trim are welcome for inputs too!!!

22 Gladiator Rubicon.
Right out of the gate was a set of running boards for my "short ass" wife. Then stubby antenna and a canopy followed by an off grid Geo Pro 12 rk trailer and air bags.

 

[Badunit]

22 Gladiator Rubicon.
Right out of the gate was a set of running boards for my "short ass" wife.

I installed a set of the Mopar running boards to stop gravel from being thrown at my hinges and rear fenders. I don't go rock crawling so didn't really need the rock sliders.

 

[Supazuk]

I installed a set of the Mopar running boards to stop gravel from being thrown at my hinges and rear fenders. I don't go rock crawling so didn't really need the rock sliders.

Kinda Funny 8 months in and now on to my second round of mods, factory running boards coming off for rock sliders arriving today

 

[pvn.jt24]

Kinda Funny 8 months in and now on to my second round of mods, factory running boards coming off for rock sliders arriving today

I’ll most likely be keeping the OE rock sliders on for the meantime.

May look for another set of decent looking sliders with steps. Once I’m lifted 3-4”, definitely going to need those steps.

Running boards look too weird to me.

 

[ttn333]

Love my Mojave. But I wish it had more payload!

We all wish we had a higher payload.

 

[Sweetums]

If you need more payload then you didn't just buy the wrong truck, you bought the wrong class of truck.

 

[Gvsukids]

Skid plates

For what?

 

[Sweetums]

For what?

Whipping mad skids in the parking lot, of course.

 

[bill61]

My first mod is Rock Slide Engineering steps. I can’t believe how much they went up in cost but they protect the paint from rocks and door dings and make it so easy to enter and exit.

 

[ttn333]

If you need more payload then you didn't just buy the wrong truck, you bought the wrong class of truck.

I got the right truck with the right compromise for my use. I didn't purchase a work truck. I wanted a very capable trail rig. Full size will carry more but won't work so well on narrow trails and isn't as trail worthy comparatively.

 

[ArizonaJeeper]

For what?

Moab

 

[davidgarner]

I just bought my Gladiator Rubicon, but have been modifying jeeps since 1982, so I already have a plan. I won’t even see or drive my new Gladiator until April when we get home from our winter trip, so I have time to get everything delivered to my shop before I get home. Below are the Gladiator mods in order of installation:

1. ARB Twin - I already have this from my current jeep, so simply bolt in installation under the seat. I need one this big to air up the motorhome MPT81 42 inch tires when I hit the highway from trails. Used an ARB single for years with good success for just the jeep.
2. DV8 Spec series stubby front bumper. This is the second item, as it’s an easy install that allows me to tow the Gladiator behind the motorhome. I also like that this bumper has a 20” light bar inside the bumper, so will install the light the same time as the bumper.
3. Warn Zeon 10S winch. The 10S on my 2014 has over 120 winch pulls (mostly on others) and still going strong, so I just like the Warn winch. Easy install, so might as well get it on before the lift.
4. Rock Krawler lift with 4 link rear - installed these lifts before and I like them. It will likely void my warranty on the rear axle when I weld on the 4 link cradle, but since I rebuild axles, I don’t really care about the warranty since I want this specific lift.
5. Baja Boss 37 inch tires - Been running these for years, and these will be on KMC 549 wheels. I always get the tires after I install the lift. I also buy these from Discount Tire so I get free rotation and balancing.
6. 37x10x17 spare Tire…I hope. I will run this in stock location, so want a narrower tire…just need to find one in the 10 inch width…Ugh. I’ve never damaged a 37 inch Baja Boss, so never used a spare on the trail, so think I just need a spare that is 37 inches tall.
7. Under body skid plates. These are required on trails like Rubicon (IMHO) for the engine, trans and transfer case. I’ve never used the gas tank skid, but have had to remove my stock gas tank skid on my 4 door jeep in the past to remove 3 inch dents using my 4 post lift as a press with a piece of 4 inch pipe. Takes a few hours, so not a big deal. Not sure the stock gas tank skid can get punctured without dropping off a rock hard, so still undecided on the gas tank skid since the stock one might be up to the job.
8. DV8 rear bed skids. Jeep should just come with better protection here. I like how the DV8 8 tucks tight against the bed For maximum clearance.
9. Rear seat delete. I don’t need the rear seat and would rather have the storage. My wrangler has the rear seats out and a platform for more storage on top and under the lids, so this is a common modification for my jeeps. I will probably build myself since my fabrication work is quality.
10. Lots of little things that will come up that need to be addressed, like lower shock skids, etc.

The right mods for your build will likely be different than others, as your use case for your jeep will be different than others. For example, you might not be interested in running the Rubicon Trail in your Gladiator, so might not need as much lift, 37 inch tires, belly skids, etc. Being realistic about your use case will likely save you money on your build. With that said, these responses will give you some good ideas to consider.

Your mods will also depend upon your available cash. Some folks can just buy it all at once and start installing, others will be spread out to meet their budget, which requires more planning to meet your use case.

Enjoy the build process. It’s always a blast…just expensive.

Rick

I just put the Clayton adjustable rear track bar on my Mojave. I fit a 37x12.50x17 spare with zero problems. Fit right in there.

 

[RudeJeepin]

If you need more payload then you didn't just buy the wrong truck, you bought the wrong class of truck.

In all honesty, most of us probably would of been better served buying a half ton. But then we'd want it to do 3/4 ton stuff, then...

If I'd really put serious thought into want vs need vs use case, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel would of been the better choice. Especially since we had a JLURD already. That being said, I love my Gladiator and it does everything I want it to.

 

[aFatBird]

If I knew how nice PSC steering felt I would of done that first. Actual first additions were headliners and a camper shell.

Sponsored