Tips on a new build (2022 JTR)

[texanincolorado]

I'm coming to the Gladiator world from a '98 Cherokee that I've been wheeling for about 6 years. I am an adult with my own kids, but my father and I have done a ton of 4x4 trips to CO and Utah in my '98 Cherokee. As he is getting older, we decided to split the cost of a newer jeep so that we can keep making memories with more comfort and reliability. I'm pulling together my "build plan" so I figured I would ask you guys.

I am starting with a lift, tires, and bumper/winch.

Lifts - I am leaning towards the AEV dualsport lift with 2.5 in springs. Should I add track bars too? I'll be running moderately challenging trails in Moab and Colorado, doing overlanding style camping trips, and hauling a dirt bike on a rear hitch carrier. I want to be able to fully flex 37s. Any other lifts I should be considering?

Tires/Wheels - 37 inch BFG KO2s are my plan. I learned recently that they are "small" 37s but I really like the tires. I've also seen some milestars which seem to have mixed reviews.

Bumper - I am sensitive to aftermarket bumpers that fade / rust. I plan to keep this jeep for 10+ years. I am leaning towards OEM or ARB. Does anyone else have comparable quality? I'd love the AEV bumper but the gucci pricetag is tough to swallow. I'm looking for something simple and functional that retains the factory LEDs if possible.

Lights - I'd like to add a few lights round lights. Does anyone have a recommendation on quality LEDs? I don't want to buy cheap Chinese ones, but some of the name brand seem pretty dang expensive.

Skids/Rock rails - How do the rock rails perform? With how long the truck is, I'm thinking they'll get some use.

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[Gvsukids]

Bumper - I am sensitive to aftermarket bumpers that fade / rust. I plan to keep this jeep for 10+ years. I am leaning towards OEM or ARB.

OEM metal bumper can become a stubby.

Skids/Rock rails - How do the rock rails perform? With how long the truck is, I'm thinking they'll get some use.

OEM are excellent. Multiple layers and bedlined.

 

[Deadpool392]

I would also recommend looking at the @Clayton Off Road lift kits, they have something for every budget. I bought my JTR in Nov. 2020 and waited to lift it until I figured out what my needs/wants were. I went with the 3.5 overland plus kit and paired it with Bilstein 5160 shocks, so far it has been great on road and I will be getting it off road next month.

I currently have the KO2’s in 35 and will be going up to the 37’s soon, while they are undersized they are one of the lightest tires for that size. Since I am not going to immediately regear Ilike that. On my previous 2010 JKU I had 37’s and it was geared 5.13, it worked great but I am hoping with the 8 speed auto I won’t need to regear, at least not soon.

AEV makes quality products, so does Teraflex, Metalcloak, and rock krawler; you can’t go wrong with any of them for a lift.

As a separate question, I am also planning a summer wheeling trip with my son and father to Moab, any suggestions?

 

[texanincolorado]

OEM metal bumper can become a stubby.


OEM are excellent. Multiple layers and bedlined.

I am really watching facebook market place for an OEM take off, but I think I am leaning towards the OEM stubby with some sort of bracket for lights. Great to know on the rock rails.

 

[texanincolorado]

I would also recommend looking at the @Clayton Off Road lift kits, they have something for every budget. I bought my JTR in Nov. 2020 and waited to lift it until I figured out what my needs/wants were. I went with the 3.5 overland plus kit and paired it with Bilstein 5160 shocks, so far it has been great on road and I will be getting it off road next month.

I currently have the KO2’s in 35 and will be going up to the 37’s soon, while they are undersized they are one of the lightest tires for that size. Since I am not going to immediately regear Ilike that. On my previous 2010 JKU I had 37’s and it was geared 5.13, it worked great but I am hoping with the 8 speed auto I won’t need to regear, at least not soon.

AEV makes quality products, so does Teraflex, Metalcloak, and rock krawler; you can’t go wrong with any of them for a lift.

As a separate question, I am also planning a summer wheeling trip with my son and father to Moab, any suggestions?

I'll check out the clayton line up more closely. I am familiar with the brand and understand they are high quality. With regards to tires I am trying to stay with stock gears so I am being mindful of the tire and wheel weight. I had KO2s on my Cherokee and I was always very impressed with their durability. I've been looking at some method wheels that are pretty light. I'm hoping the combo won't weigh a ton more than the stock setup.

First off, no matter what you do in Moab you're going to make some awesome memories:

-Top of the World is probably my favorite although it has gotten a lot harder over the past few years and it is a bit of a drive out of town
-Hells Revenge is iconic and the way it starts is very memorable. If you've never wheeled on slick rock, I think you have to try out that trail. You go up steep slick rock right out of the parking lot. Downside is it is close to town and there will be other people including people in rental side-by-sides.
-Poison Spider is also awesome - it has bypasses on most obstacles so you have a choice as to how hard you want to make it. You'll see other people but not nearly as many as the trails right outside town
-Underrated scenic drive - the trail from Potash Rd to Jug Handle Arch - it is absolutely beautiful and an awesome place to sit and have a beer while the sun goes down. Rarely see anyone else there. Would definitely recommend it as a somewhat hidden gem.
-Schaffer trail is another scenic drive I would recommend. It has a section with wild switchbacks down into a valley. Totally awesome.

Be sure to get a cup of coffee and a pastry at Moab Garage. There's also a burger joint called "Milt's Stop and Eat" which I think is fun. Food options in Moab aren't the greatest, but that is a solid spot and it is nearby Hells Revenge.

 

[KevinC]

Lift. Not even going to go there.
Tires. The KO2's are what I run in 37x12.50x17. They are lighter than the 285-70-17 Falkens that come standard on the JTR/M. The sidewall carcass has improved over the years. That used to be a weak link back in the days of old. I feel it's a good all around tire.
Bumper. I have the OEM steel. I like it a lot. My next choice would be an ARB
Lights. As you have found out, prices are all over the place. Quality name brand lights are going to cost. There is a reason. A $35 cheap China knock off that you have to replace every year will still be cheaper after 10 years. IDK, it's hard to spend my money on lights that seldom get used.

 

[texanincolorado]

Lift. Not even going to go there.
Tires. The KO2's are what I run in 37x12.50x17. They are lighter than the 285-70-17 Falkens that come standard on the JTR/M. The sidewall carcass has improved over the years. That used to be a weak link back in the days of old. I feel it's a good all around tire.
Bumper. I have the OEM steel. I like it a lot. My next choice would be an ARB
Lights. As you have found out, prices are all over the place. Quality name brand lights are going to cost. There is a reason. A $35 cheap China knock off that you have to replace every year will still be cheaper after 10 years. IDK, it's hard to spend my money on lights that seldom get used.

Agreed on the tires. I am pretty much set on those. I've had them on the Cherokee forever and they have taken an absolute beating on rocks. I'm hoping that with some method wheels my whole package will be the same or lighter weight.

I don't think we need lights, but my dad wants two round ones on the bumper. It is half his jeep and we are splitting the mods, so I'm just trying to find the best solution for him.

 

[HooliganActual]

@texanincolorado I'll throw you a curve ball regarding lifts. When I bought my 2020 JTR, there weren't a lot of lift options out there. AEV and Clayton were the only two and neither had even started producing the taller or HD versions. So I had an "epiphany", I reasoned that this is a truck and there is a shop here in town that builds trophy trucks for desert racing and such; so I figured I'd go talk to them and see how they would do a Gladiator.

Now mind you, I currently own two JKUR's, one with an AEV Dualsport and one with a MOPAR lift and am familiar enough with them. But this shop suggested ICON, which I decided to put on my JTR. I have been extremely happy with it and think it rides better. In fact, I'm contemplating swapping the AEV on my 2016 JKUR over to an ICON.

Here's what I like about the ICON setup: it can be done in stages and there are 8 stages to choose from. If you want to start out small, moderate or full, there is a kit avaialable (8 of them). And if you started at say a stage 4 and later wanted to move up, you just add the parts that turn it into a stage 6 (for example).

I'll admit that they are proud of their products; I believe the Stage 6 which I am running is now around $4300. However, I think it's the best offroading suspension I have ever run in 40 years of wheeling and more than enough Jeeps to last a lifetime.

Anytime I see the lift question come up on this forum I see MetalCloak, MOPAR, Clayton, AEV, and all of the usual suspects but I think that is because those companies are so closely a part of the Jeep culture that offroad shops don't tend to deviate from them which means that those are the companies that people are familiar with. And before I get "the hate", they are all good companies with good products and I'm not trying to sleight them. I'm just saying that if I had reached outside of MY comfort zone 10 years ago, my current stable would all be wearing ICON suspensions.

Food for thought...Cheers!

 

[texanincolorado]

@texanincolorado I'll throw you a curve ball regarding lifts. When I bought my 2020 JTR, there weren't a lot of lift options out there. AEV and Clayton were the only two and neither had even started producing the taller or HD versions. So I had an "epiphany", I reasoned that this is a truck and there is a shop here in town that builds trophy trucks for desert racing and such; so I figured I'd go talk to them and see how they would do a Gladiator.

Now mind you, I currently own two JKUR's, one with an AEV Dualsport and one with a MOPAR lift and am familiar enough with them. But this shop suggested ICON, which I decided to put on my JTR. I have been extremely happy with it and think it rides better. In fact, I'm contemplating swapping the AEV on my 2016 JKUR over to an ICON.

Here's what I like about the ICON setup: it can be done in stages and there are 8 stages to choose from. If you want to start out small, moderate or full, there is a kit avaialable (8 of them). And if you started at say a stage 4 and later wanted to move up, you just add the parts that turn it into a stage 6 (for example).

I'll admit that they are proud of their products; I believe the Stage 6 which I am running is now around $4300. However, I think it's the best offroading suspension I have ever run in 40 years of wheeling and more than enough Jeeps to last a lifetime.

Anytime I see the lift question come up on this forum I see MetalCloak, MOPAR, Clayton, AEV, and all of the usual suspects but I think that is because those companies are so closely a part of the Jeep culture that offroad shops don't tend to deviate from them which means that those are the companies that people are familiar with. And before I get "the hate", they are all good companies with good products and I'm not trying to sleight them. I'm just saying that if I had reached outside of MY comfort zone 10 years ago, my current stable would all be wearing ICON suspensions.

Food for thought...Cheers!

Thank you for this suggestion. That is a strong endorsement. ICON is highly regarded in Ford world (my DD is an F-150) so I'll have to do some research. I definitely value the opinion of someone who has had multiple experiences with similar platforms and is actually wheeling their jeep. Everyone uses these jeeps differently and I've had a hard time sorting through reviews to understand what is best for my use case.

 

[HooliganActual]

Thank you for this suggestion. That is a strong endorsement. ICON is highly regarded in Ford world (my DD is an F-150) so I'll have to do some research. I definitely value the opinion of someone who has had multiple experiences with similar platforms and is actually wheeling their jeep. Everyone uses these jeeps differently and I've had a hard time sorting through reviews to understand what is best for my use case.

And for what it's worth, here's a shot when I picked it up:

2.5" lift on Toyo R/T 37's. I did have the shop work with Deaver Spring to make custom rear springs to handle the weight of my overlanding build. But you can see the 37's have plenty of room with those Rubicon highline fenders. I have yet to run up into the fender wells.

 

[Hud]

Agreed on the tires. I am pretty much set on those. I've had them on the Cherokee forever and they have taken an absolute beating on rocks. I'm hoping that with some method wheels my whole package will be the same or lighter weight.

I don't think we need lights, but my dad wants two round ones on the bumper. It is half his jeep and we are splitting the mods, so I'm just trying to find the best solution for him.

Wish I had a better photo showing the beam pattern on the lights but you’ll see that I put a film over them 1) to protect them from rocks on the trails 2) cause we were on dusty trails before getting to our destination. All that being said I’m with you on the lights and not needing them that much so I bought some on Amazon… I know you said no cheap brand but I wasn’t about to drop the money on Baja designs at the moment and find it hard to spend that kind of money on something that I so seldomly use. These lights have served me well for a little over a year and have had no issue. I didn’t feel like having the drl so I just wired the “high beam” into the provided aux switches in the JTR. Needless to say, im happy with the purchase of these. The few times me and the guys go out and are still driving into the night they put me up front.

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