WesleyPipes' Build Thread

[WesleyPipes]

2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon X - High Velocity

Purchased 01/25/2025

~$65K Sticker - Purchased for ~$48k

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[WesleyPipes]

01/27/2025 - 2 Days after purchase

Picked up and installed a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta studded tires, as I was sliding all over the place with the stock 33s.

Upgraded to 35s on the stock set up and they fit great. Huge ice/snow driving upgrade jumping over to the Nokians.

• LT315/70 R 17 121/118Q
  up to 100 mph max load 3200 lb

The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta LT3 winter tire offers exceptional winter grip and driving stability combined with strong structure and superb durability for demanding winter use.

 

[Aleph]

01/27/2025 - 2 Days after purchase

Picked up and installed a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta studded tires, as I was sliding all over the place with the stock 33s.

Upgraded to 35s on the stock set up and they fit great. Huge ice/snow driving upgrade jumping over to the Nokians.

• LT315/70 R 17 121/118Q
  up to 100 mph max load 3200 lb

The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta LT3 winter tire offers exceptional winter grip and driving stability combined with strong structure and superb durability for demanding winter use.

looks good! What are your future plans for the truck?

 

[WesleyPipes]

looks good! What are your future plans for the truck?

Thanks Man!!!

I've got an older 100 Series Land Cruiser right now that I use as a 4x4 offroad rig (I still love this vehicle, but it has it's limitations). I am building this up to replace the Land Cruiser, so I wanna throw some 37s or 40s on it at some point with a mild lift. Then I want to get a good set up to put my iKamper rooftop tent above the roof/bed. Of course a winch and some other recovery gear, along with skids, better rock sliders will all happen along the way. I figure it will take me at least a year to build this Jeep out.

 

[WesleyPipes]

02/07/2025 - 02/08/2025

Had a spray in bed liner put in by Auto Armor of Alaska. Looks like they did a pretty damn good job, I'll see how it holds up over time.

Installed Rokblox XL mudflaps in the front and back. Front tires were kicking up a ton of dirt/rocks all over the door hinges, door handles, and rear fenders. Needed to do something here before this was all destroyed.

Installed Rock Stopperz Paint Protection Film over the door hinges..... This should really come from the factory or another solution from the factory. I can't believe how chipped up my door hinges got in a week. I'll order some touch up paint and do my best to fix the chips, then either reapply this or some other solution over the hinges.

Installed a Rough Country Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover. Pretty impressed with the build quality of the tonneau cover for the price and I am comparing this with BAK brand I have on my other truck. I'll see how this holds up over time, but I would recommend it to folks looking for a hard tri-fold tonneau. Eventually I want to do something different over the bed, maybe a Smartcap, but I can't make up my mind just yet.

Installed one of the Amazon.com storage kits for the interior. Huge improvement for $10 or something. Now I need to find something I like for the doors, as I am not a fan of the netting.

Spent pretty much a whole day getting it all set up. It's coming along!

 

[WesleyPipes]

04/12/2025 - 04/13/2025

BIG WEEKEND FOR THE GLADIATOR!!!

Installed the 4" ReadyLIFT Terrain Flex Max 4-Arm Kit with Falcon 2.1 Shocks https://www.readylift.com/2020-2023...lex-max-4-arm-kit-with-falcon-2-1-shocks.html

I highly underestimated how long it would take to install the lift kit, as it took me almost two full days working off of jack stands. How I wish I had a lift in my garage!!! Install was pretty easy overall and I was able to complete it by myself, except for when I needed someone to stand on the rotor to put the new coil springs in. The kit came with all new Falcon shocks which ride pretty firm, but I don't have much body roll at all with this kit.

Installed a Falcon 2.1 Steering stabilizer at the same time as installing the lift kit:
https://teraflex.com/jl-jt-falcon-nexus-ef-2-1-steering-stabilizer-stock-tie-rod.html?gQT=2

Installed an Adams Front Drive Shaft:
https://www.adamsdriveshaftoffroad....iveshaft-oem-flange-style-extreme-duty-series

Both the steering stabilizer and front drive shaft were extremely easy to install.

Threw on a new set of 37" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires, with Black Rhino Sentinel Wheels this weekend as well.

I think that just about covers the weekend...... I bought a 5th 37" tire for a spare and I need to mount that under the bed and hopefully get it to fit, as I have seen it is doable on the forums here.

 

[WesleyPipes]

Add on to the last post.....

Also installed a Tazer Mini and the extension cables from the computer under the dash.

Everyone should buy one of these and definitely get the extension cables, as it was a giant pain in the ass fitting my hands under the dash to pull out the wiring!

Photo of the new wheels below:

 

[Aleph]

01/27/2025 - 2 Days after purchase

Picked up and installed a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta studded tires, as I was sliding all over the place with the stock 33s.

Upgraded to 35s on the stock set up and they fit great. Huge ice/snow driving upgrade jumping over to the Nokians.

• LT315/70 R 17 121/118Q
  up to 100 mph max load 3200 lb

The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta LT3 winter tire offers exceptional winter grip and driving stability combined with strong structure and superb durability for demanding winter use.

How much did the Hakkapellitas cost you and where did you get em up there?

I’m about to move to Anchorage this summer and seriously considering studded Hakkas for the winter since I don’t have the full time 4WD

 

[WesleyPipes]

How much did the Hakkapellitas cost you and where did you get em up there?

I’m about to move to Anchorage this summer and seriously considering studded Hakkas for the winter since I don’t have the full time 4WD

Hey, good luck on your upcoming move!

I got them at Anchorage Point S off the Old Seward Highway. I want to say they were $1,500 for a set (Best price in town by far), as they were having buy 3 get 1 free at the time of purchase. There is a huge rush on studded/blizzak tires when winter hits, so plan ahead if you want something specific.

I still need to keep the vehicle in 4WD most of the winter with the studs on….. Just a heads up there. Depends on if you live at elevation or just in the Anchorage Bowl for your tire/4WD needs.

 

[WesleyPipes]

06/07/2025

Added an Alu-Cab Contour Canopy Topper to the bed of the Gladiator and took off the Rough Country Tonneau Cover a few weeks ago.

Put the Alu-Cab Contour on myself at the house and it was quite a bit of work to get it moved on there. Just large and awkward.

Also installed my iKamper rooftop tent over the top of the Alu-Cab. Had to move this over from the roof of my Land Cruiser for the install.

I still have to wire up the lights for the Alu-Cab, so I have to do a little searching on the forums for good spots to tie in the lights.

 

[Aleph]

Thanks for the duck at the Fred Meyer!
Just moved here last month. Let me know if you plan on camping/wheeling anytime and need a buddy!

 

[WesleyPipes]

Thanks for the duck at the Fred Meyer!
Just moved here last month. Let me know if you plan on camping/wheeling anytime and need a buddy!

You bet man!!! My wife saw you parked next to us when we came back out of the store and said, "Look at that, they parked right next to you!" So she had to throw a duck on your Jeep!

I just got back from doing a week long trip out to McCarthy/Kennecott Mine, hence the late reply back. No cell reception out there.....

I'll give you a shout if I get a trip planned coming up sooner than heading out to Jim Creek in October, or let me know if you want to check anywhere out.

Have a Good One!

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