The Evolution of Venom

[PDelena]

So this is my third Jeep. The first was a leased Cherokee back in the 90's, the second was a 2021 JLU (that was a bit too small for our camper), and now we have the 2022 Jeep Gladiator Overland. Super excited to start piecing together my dream Jeep.

The first thing we absolutely needed to take care of was the bed. As campers we tend to carry quite a bit of "junk" with us (my wife's word, not mine). We needed a bedrug to keep stuff from sliding around and a cover to hide our junk from the elements and prying eyes.

Bedrug BRJ20SBK Bed Liner for 20-22 Jeep Gladiator JT | Quadratec

Bestop 19280-35 EZ-Roll Soft Tonneau Cover for 20-21 Jeep Gladiator JT | Quadratec

Once we had the tonneau on, we decided to go for a ride. OMG. The Freedom Panels are a PITA. Immediately after our first ride without them I ordered the Bestop Sunrider to match the tonneau. What a difference this makes!

Bestop 52454-17 Sunrider For Hardtop Black Twill For Use w/Hard Top Superseded From PN[52452-17] Sunrider For Hardtop

Now that the basics were done, it was time to start the blackout process. Unfortunately, only one of my ordered pieces has arrived, so today we added the black grille trim kit. Loving the new look already.

Mopar 6KM36TZZAA Grille Trim Kit for 20-21 Jeep Wrangler JL with Trail Camera and Gladiator JT | Quadratec

A few small pieces came in the mail today so I did some light interior mods. I removed the visor warning decals and added a touchscreen protector (not pictured) and some cup holder inserts (not pictured).

CupHolderHero Premium Custom Interior Non-Slip Anti Dust Cup Holder Inserts, Center Console Liner Mats, Door Pocket Liners 21-pc Set (Gray Trim)
Gladiator JT Center Control Touchscreen Protector, HD Clear Tempered Glass 9H Scratch Resistance (for 8.4" Screen)

Sponsored

 

[PDelena]

Was going to cut a board to fit in the bed of the Jeep but decided against it. I was worried the board would give me issues with the bedrug no matter how well I sanded the edges. Instead I ended up picking up a Haul-Master Ratcheting Cargo Bar from Harbor Freight (while I was there for something else.)

(Picture coming soon)
Ratcheting Cargo Bar (harborfreight.com)

 

[PDelena]

looking amazing

Thanks!

 

[jeepers29]

Was going to cut a board to fit in the bed of the Jeep but decided against it. I was worried the board would give me issues with the bedrug no matter how well I sanded the edges. Instead I ended up picking up a Haul-Master Ratcheting Cargo Bar from Harbor Freight (while I was there for something else.)

(Picture coming soon)
Ratcheting Cargo Bar (harborfreight.com)

I love those bars. I have 2 of them in my M416 trailer.

 

[jeepers29]

So this is my third Jeep. The first was a leased Cherokee back in the 90's, the second was a 2021 JLU (that was a bit too small for our camper), and now we have the 2022 Jeep Gladiator Overland. Super excited to start piecing together my dream Jeep.

The first thing we absolutely needed to take care of was the bed. As campers we tend to carry quite a bit of "junk" with us (my wife's word, not mine). We needed a bedrug to keep stuff from sliding around and a cover to hide our junk from the elements and prying eyes.

Bedrug BRJ20SBK Bed Liner for 20-22 Jeep Gladiator JT | Quadratec

Bestop 19280-35 EZ-Roll Soft Tonneau Cover for 20-21 Jeep Gladiator JT | Quadratec

Once we had the tonneau on, we decided to go for a ride. OMG. The Freedom Panels are a PITA. Immediately after our first ride without them I ordered the Bestop Sunrider to match the tonneau. What a difference this makes!

Bestop 52454-17 Sunrider For Hardtop Black Twill For Use w/Hard Top Superseded From PN[52452-17] Sunrider For Hardtop

Now that the basics were done, it was time to start the blackout process. Unfortunately, only one of my ordered pieces has arrived, so today we added the black grille trim kit. Loving the new look already.

Mopar 6KM36TZZAA Grille Trim Kit for 20-21 Jeep Wrangler JL with Trail Camera and Gladiator JT | Quadratec

A few small pieces came in the mail today so I did some light interior mods. I removed the visor warning decals and added a touchscreen protector (not pictured) and some cup holder inserts (not pictured).

CupHolderHero Premium Custom Interior Non-Slip Anti Dust Cup Holder Inserts, Center Console Liner Mats, Door Pocket Liners 21-pc Set (Gray Trim)
Gladiator JT Center Control Touchscreen Protector, HD Clear Tempered Glass 9H Scratch Resistance (for 8.4" Screen)

Question for you about your tonneau. I just recieved my trifold Bestop tonneau in Twill. Before I even opened it I put my fingers in one of the grab locations and it feels like vintl. I have a twill sunrider on my JK and that is a twill with a canvas/fabric feel. Have thet changed the twill to a vinyl feel or did they sent the wrong one in the correct box?

 

[PDelena]

Question for you about your tonneau. I just recieved my trifold Bestop tonneau in Twill. Before I even opened it I put my fingers in one of the grab locations and it feels like vintl. I have a twill sunrider on my JK and that is a twill with a canvas/fabric feel. Have thet changed the twill to a vinyl feel or did they sent the wrong one in the correct box?

The underside appears to be heavy duty vinyl. The twill is only on the upper side.

 

[jeepers29]

The underside appears to be heavy duty vinyl. The twill is only on the upper side.

Thanks, I will go ahead and unpack it. I did't want to unpack if it was the wrong thing.

 

[PDelena]

Today my Threedom JT Gladiator Key Lock Caps arrived. Quickest install ever. I went with the plain black.

 

[PDelena]

Today was a small but satisfying day of mail delivery. Got my JoyTutus' All Weather Protection Floor Mats and Jeep Koozies today. Now my floors can get muddy and our drinks won't drip on our shirts/laps. Nice.

JoyTutus All Weather Mats

Jeep Logo Koozies

 

[PDelena]

Today is a big day. The decals came in. Got them from Southern Spur Vinyl & Design. Love them!

 

[PDelena]

Gotta love Amazon. Just when you think you've gotten your fill of deliveries for the day, they show up with something else. This was a small addition that I saw on YouTube. Figured it was pretty cheap so I'd try it out. Looks good to me.

8PCS Door Screen Protector Cover and Door Trim Lock Covers

 

[PDelena]

The front bumper appliques came in the mail today. Pretty simple install. Just pop out four rivets, unscrew one bolt and then pull out the piece. Took all of about 10 minutes.

FRONT BUMPER APPLIQUE, RIGHT - MOPAR (6BU58TZZAA)
FRONT BUMPER APPLIQUE, LEFT - MOPAR (6BU59TZZAA)

I also got the Hooke Road Dead Pedal today. What a fun lunch break I had today.

Hooke Road Dead Pedal

 

[PDelena]

I was going to wait until the weekend to do this one, but I figured it was a slow day PLUS if I did it today, I'd have tomorrow free. That being said, today I installed the RedArc Tow-Pro Elite Brake Controller (purchased from RedArc). The install was fairly easy. My wife did the coloring of the letters. In person the switch looks black and white. In the pictures you can see where she worked on the plate. Hey, as long as it looks good in person. As far as where I installed the unit itself, I googled the heck out of this and settled on the location shown in the picture.

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO'S DOING THIS: DO NOT PUT IT HERE. THE DASH PANEL WILL NOT REATTACH.

I ended up using double-sided tape and attaching it to the dashboard panel. It sits pressed up against the bar and does not move at all. The only caveat is that I have to remember it's there if I ever take that panel off again.

 

[PDelena]

A small update today while I wait for the lights and tint. Another step in the blackout process. Replaced the white Gladiator nameplate on each side with custom nameplate decals from VIP Auto Accessories.

Jeep Gladiator Nameplate Decal

 

[PDelena]

Ordered these Oracle LED lights to get rid of those crappy halogens. Think I might have gone a bit overboard. Eh, at least I'll be able to see in the dark soon.

Oculus™ Bi-LED Projector Headlights
ORACLE 7443 18 LED 3-Chip SMD Bulb (2 cool white, 2 amber)
ORACLE Lighting Rear Bumper LED Reverse Lights
ORACLE Lighting High Performance 20W LED Fog Lights
ORACLE Sidetrack™ LED Lighting System
Skid Plate with Integrated LED Emitters
ORACLE Lighting Flush Mount LED Tail Lights

Also scheduled the tinting and ceramic coating.

Sponsored