UPDATE: DELIVERED!! Rubicon Diesel: Factory order and Modifications from AEV help with some decisions, tires, wheels, transmission, transfer case

[Sniper]

Need some help with some decisions.

This vehicle will be a secondary vehicle upper midwest, almost 80% to 90% daily driver when I use it, will take it on hunting, fishing, ski, kayak, snow shoe expeditions, I'm 60 years old so this is my most probable last 4x4 and "last hoorah" vehicle wise.

After I order the Rubicon Diesel Gladiator from factory it will go to American Expeditions Vehicles for the modifications. This is the AEV place doing the modifications. https://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/jt-gladiator/


Diesel, it will be my first, any show-stoppers why not?

Hard top and will make a pulley system in my garage to lift it off.

Packages: The 2" lift with 35's the 2.5" lift with the 37's or the 2.5" lift with the 35's?

Transfer case: Pay the extra and get the 4:1 Rock trac?

Tires: Mud or all terrain? I was thinking mud but not sure as to why.

Wheels: I'm considering the Borah Dual-Sport, I liked the bolt pattern is all.

Gear ratio: 4:1 or the 3:73 however the AEV second package AEV JT370 2.5"adds a AEV 4.56 Axle Ratio Upgrade or get custom other from after market?

Fender / flare wise, whats a nice looking, robust after market fender flare to cover the entire width of the tire so it don't stick out past the fender? I was thinking of a flat look I have seen looks combat military -ish?

If I am missing something else please add what else I should do is appreciated.

Thanks!

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[Mac Attack]

Sniper...great name. Am going thru allot of the same questions for my Gladiator build. I'm going diesel...lots of cons and some pros on this forum...but, I want the diesel...cause I'm buying it. 35's or 37's...I'm still undecided...35's make sense...little to no other mods needed...better gas mileage, less weight (very critical for the diesel), less costly and will definitely take you most places....37's look much cooler and will take you more places...more weight to vehicle, more costly, heavier tires. Am going with ATs...better on road and very capable off road. I also am sold on the AEV lift, due to their rep. But, I am not sold on the entire AEV package: Am looking for good Aluminum forged wheels for added strength and weight savings (big cost); aluminum bumpers with brush guards...weight savings, again; the aluminum AMP steps (I'm a little older than you, and think the boss will appreciate them)...and again, looking for aluminum skid plates. My rig is for full time overlanding; most mileage should be off road. Rig will be at or near full weight capacity...ergo, my concern about weight/payload of the diesel. Hopefully this forum will provide you knowledge/skills to take your Gladiator to the level you want and the places you desire...hope to see you on the trail!

 

[Renegade]

The Rubicon diesel comes from the factory with 3.73 gears, and the Rock Trac 4:1 transfer case. The optional transfer case adds a full time 4x4 mode. The AEV Borah wheels are +25 offset and keep the tires nearly under the the flares already. I would do the 2.5” lift and 37” tires if it was mine. Have fun!

 

[OMTBiker]

Unless AEV would be changing out the transfer case, the full-time 4wd transfer case is not available on the diesel.

 

[Sniper]

Unless AEV would be changing out the transfer case, the full-time 4wd transfer case is not available on the diesel.

Help me understand something. If I do not get the rocktrac because not offered, what's the difference from having it or not having it? I see the word full time, so I'm guessing the stock is just a switch to engage?

Thanks!

 

[OMTBiker]

Help me understand something. If I do not get the rocktrac because not offered, what's the difference from having it or not having it? I see the word full time, so I'm guessing the stock is just a switch to engage?

Thanks!

there are now two different versions of the Rocktrac transfer case, the normal part-time and the new full-time. They are both manually engaged. The standard RockTrac is 2Hi-4Hi-4L, the full time is 2Hi-4Hi (auto)-4HI (part-time)-4L. It is the same as the selectrac option on the other models but has a different ratio, 4:1 instead of 2.72:1.

The full-time allows you to leave it in 4Hi auto even when the roads are dry because your are in 2wd and uses clutches to transfer power to the front wheels as needed. It also uses CV joints on the front axles instead of u-joints.

 

[Sniper]

I finally got my Rubicon Eco Diesel Gladiator with AEV JT 370 Package, 2.5 " lift, 37 inch AT KO2 tires, 4.56 differential, painted ceiling, painted dash, fog lights in lower bumper, Warn winch, off road lights, cluster re worked, the rims match nicely. I had to wait for the first front bumper made for the Gladiator from AEV, the ends come off to rock crawl I guess is the reason. I flew into Detroit $163 ticket, Uber $130 to Wixom Michigan at the AEV plant, toured plant, he gave me the keys, didn't say much and I drove away about 4 hours to home.

 

[99ls1tj]

Sweet build! Are you not concerned about blocking airflow to the grille with the bumper and lights? From what I understand, there's already a cooling issue with the diesel.

 

[Sniper]

Sweet build! Are you not concerned about blocking airflow to the grille with the bumper and lights? From what I understand, there's already a cooling issue with the diesel.

I was not aware of the issue, thanks for letting me know. I'll monitor the temp and if it gets too hot let FCA and AEV know and have the lights moved.

 

[99ls1tj]

I was not aware of the issue, thanks for letting me know. I'll monitor the temp and if it gets too hot let FCA and AEV know and have the lights moved.

Just FYI https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/do-not-get-a-mount-on-top-winch-bumper.45795/

 

[cdyoung9799]

Great looking truck!

 

[Sniper]

Just FYI https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/do-not-get-a-mount-on-top-winch-bumper.45795/

Thank you for the link. I've asked my question over there but think I know the answer. If you look he mentions an aftermarket bumper that has an integrated winch which is what I have as opose to a winch that sits on top the bumper. Perhaps this is why I waited 6 months for this bumper as serial number 1 because they improved it. I'll keep monitoring it (my temp and that other thread), thanks again for the heads up!

 

[QuickOne]

Any feedback on any temp issues?

I have a diesel and am also eyeing up this bumper (in the stubby form).

 

[Sniper]

Any feedback on any temp issues?

I have a diesel and am also eyeing up this bumper (in the stubby form).

the ends come off so this bumper is both

 

[QuickOne]

the ends come off so this bumper is both

yuo, I’m aware. Unf they don’t seem to be selling the wide version aside fromthe full AEV vehicles yet.

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