Upgrade suggestions

[AC12]

Howdy!

Let me first just say that I am in love with my Gladiator, and I have been bitten by the upgrade bug. I have a 25 Texas Trail in anvil and it's fully stock. The only things I've done are upgrade to LEDs, add a Bullet Point Picatinny Rail system, headliner, and add some front speakers. While these aren't anything related to how the truck will handle, I have felt their impact.

I am looking for some suggestions on what I should start looking into as far as upgrades are concerned. I will primarily use our truck for driving in sand and mud and will venture out to some areas to do some light rock crawling in the future. What do you guys suggest as far as what I should look into doing? I'm trying to add what I can to get the most fun out of our little guy, but still keep it manageable financially. Can't believe I just mentioned that.

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[Zachanadandy]

Slippery slope, but the stock shocks are mediocre at best and they limit suspension travel. Manageable financially is a hell of a wide range depending on your circumstances. The 1st upgrades I do to every Jeep are shocks and tires. Of course I want bigger tires so then suspension comes into play. My Mojave was on 37s and a 2" spacer lift by 1100 miles. To me that was a very manageable start. $550 for the lift and got a crazy deal on the tires at only $422 for all 4 shipped to the house. I actually sold the take off 33s for $600 as they were like new.

 

[AC12]

Slippery slope, but the stock shocks are mediocre at best and they limit suspension travel. Manageable financially is a hell of a wide range depending on your circumstances. The 1st upgrades I do to every Jeep are shocks and tires. Of course I want bigger tires so then suspension comes into play. My Mojave was on 37s and a 2" spacer lift by 1100 miles. To me that was a very manageable start. $550 for the lift and got a crazy deal on the tires at only $422 for all 4 shipped to the house. I actually sold the take off 33s for $600 as they were like new.

You, sir, have my attention.

So you're thinking spacer lift and tires? I was looking into the shocks as well!

I was thinking of keeping the wheels that came on my Texas Trail since I do like them. Would a 2" lift with 35s look alright? If I can swing the tires soon, I could get a decent price for mine since they only have 1,100 miles on them and look brand new.

 

[Stan H]

Howdy!

Let me first just say that I am in love with my Gladiator, and I have been bitten by the upgrade bug. I have a 25 Texas Trail in anvil and it's fully stock. The only things I've done are upgrade to LEDs, add a Bullet Point Picatinny Rail system, headliner, and add some front speakers. While these aren't anything related to how the truck will handle, I have felt their impact.

I am looking for some suggestions on what I should start looking into as far as upgrades are concerned. I will primarily use our truck for driving in sand and mud and will venture out to some areas to do some light rock crawling in the future. What do you guys suggest as far as what I should look into doing? I'm trying to add what I can to get the most fun out of our little guy, but still keep it manageable financially. Can't believe I just mentioned that.

Personally I would start with a 8" lift a bed Bob and a Hemi 1025hp Demon motor swap coupled to a set of 43" tires and a set of Dana 60 axles geared down to 5.13. Rip the rear seat out and put a dog bed on one side and a tool box on the other, get a rack and a RTT and a set of Decked slide out drawers . ...lol

Okay I was joking.
Start at 2-3 inch lift if ya feel compelled.
But drive it stock for a while and see what ya really need it may just be better shocks.

 

[SaiintNick]

Slippery slope, but the stock shocks are mediocre at best and they limit suspension travel. Manageable financially is a hell of a wide range depending on your circumstances. The 1st upgrades I do to every Jeep are shocks and tires. Of course I want bigger tires so then suspension comes into play. My Mojave was on 37s and a 2" spacer lift by 1100 miles. To me that was a very manageable start. $550 for the lift and got a crazy deal on the tires at only $422 for all 4 shipped to the house. I actually sold the take off 33s for $600 as they were like new.

Your Jeep was actually making you money on the tires. Thats how I always see it.

 

[Zachanadandy]

You, sir, have my attention.

So you're thinking spacer lift and tires? I was looking into the shocks as well!

I was thinking of keeping the wheels that came on my Texas Trail since I do like them. Would a 2" lift with 35s look alright? If I can swing the tires soon, I could get a decent price for mine since they only have 1,100 miles on them and look brand new.

A 2" lift and 35s looks great in my opinion. The mojave shocks are the only good shock Jeep has ever installed from the factory. In a non-mojave I'd but a spacer kit and shocks. Even bilstein 5100s are a huge improvement over the stockers and provide 2-3" more suspension travel on the 1-3" lift version. The digressive valving does tighten up the ride, which I like but some find a little harsh on road. There are other options in the $400-700 range that ride softer. Metalcloak rocksport reds are great but they add so much droop you'll need a front driveshaft. Fox 2.0s are a good option too.

 

[berb]

Ok, so this may sound over kill, but here we go.

Based on what you said, sand and mud, I would recommend 2 MUST haves.

1. A Wench to pull yourself out of the inevitable mud hole that you're going to get stuck in. I am not doubting your abilities. Everyone gets stuck at some point. This will also lead to you needed a new bumper that can handle the wench.

2. MUD Tires. Not all terrain, but actual Mud tires. Tires are everything when it comes to snow, sand and mud.

3. As far as the lift. The Bigger the Tires the less likely you will get stuck. 2" will work, how you get those 2" doesn't matter you just need the space to fit the 37's. Offset spacers will help with turning radius to avoid the tire rubbing on the wheel well.

Saving money is great, but when you get stuck out in the middle of nowhere, all that money you saved will be spent on a recovery company coming to get you out of the mud.

My point you can spend the money now or later, it is your choice.
Have fun with the build.

 

[Gvsukids]

A Wench

I agree, but the winch will also change the stance of the front end.

 

[berb]

I agree, but the winch will also change the stance of the front end.

See that’s the problem. He needs a wench. Which affects his stance which leads to more money being spent on a leveling kit.
Thus the black hole we all live in.

 

[Stan H]

See that’s the problem. He needs a wench. Which affects his stance which leads to more money being spent on a leveling kit.
Thus the black hole we all live in.

The one with the giant cyclonic sucking sound ??

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