What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[GlennBeck]

As a longtime overlanding Tacoma guy I was given the "opportunity" to change camps to a Jeep when my Tacoma had a full-on engine /transmission simultaneous rapid unscheduled disassembly on the highway last month. I didn't let that get me down even though I have put 12 years of sweat and tears (swearing) into making the Taco an amazingly capable offroad machine. My 2024 Gladiator Rubicon X, while capable right out of the box, needs some upgrades to be what I want it to be. I only had it a week when I deployed to Africa, so I haven't had the opportunity to add anything yet, BUT, here is my mods list that will be started when I return in mid-December. My wife hates being my "mail room." Let the adventure begin.

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[WILDHOBO]

As a longtime overlanding Tacoma guy I was given the "opportunity" to change camps to a Jeep when my Tacoma had a full-on engine /transmission simultaneous rapid unscheduled disassembly on the highway last month. I didn't let that get me down even though I have put 12 years of sweat and tears (swearing) into making the Taco an amazingly capable offroad machine. My 2024 Gladiator Rubicon X, while capable right out of the box, needs some upgrades to be what I want it to be. I only had it a week when I deployed to Africa, so I haven't had the opportunity to add anything yet, BUT, here is my mods list that will be started when I return in mid-December. My wife hates being my "mail room." Let the adventure begin.

Congrats on the new truck. highly recommend getting a 12k winch. With the weight of that thing, you’ll want the extra power, unless it’s just a decoration. If you plan to use it, 10 is a little small for what weight you’ll be dealing with.

 

[GlennBeck]

Congrats on the new truck. highly recommend getting a 12k winch. With the weight of that thing, you’ll want the extra power, unless it’s just a decoration. If you plan to use it, 10 is a little small for what weight you’ll be dealing with.

Thanks for the advice. I ran a 10k on the Tacoma and it served me well, yet I did considered a 12k on this build. Ironically, I’ve only recovered other people’s vehicles, and those were all mid class trucks where the pull was easy or done as a double line pull for the mechanical advantage. We shall see how this plays out in the Jeep world. “Why pay once when you can pay twice?”

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks for the advice. I ran a 10k on the Tacoma and it served me well, yet I did considered a 12k on this build. Ironically, I’ve only recovered other people’s vehicles, and those were all mid class trucks where the pull was easy or done as a double line pull for the mechanical advantage. We shall see how this plays out in the Jeep world. “Why pay once when you can pay twice?”

The way I look at it, gladiators aren’t far from 6k pounds stock. Once you add the topper, and any other heavy accessories, and want to recover on a slope, big winches are pretty important. And that 10 or 12k power doesn’t become real until you’re on your last dozen or so wraps on the spool.

 

[Rusty PW]

Did the oil change, oil filter change, tire rotation, grease all the Johnny joints. Installed the Core 4x4 steering linkage with Apex tie rod ends. Sent an oil sample to Blackstone.

The tire dolly from Summit Racing really made the tire rotation easy. Put the tire on the dolly. A few pumps on the pedal. Line up the studs to the bolt holes. Push the tire into place.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Did the oil change, oil filter change, tire rotation, grease all the Johnny joints. Installed the Core 4x4 steering linkage with Apex tie rod ends. Sent an oil sample to Blackstone.

The tire dolly from Summit Racing really made the tire rotation easy. Put the tire on the dolly. A few pumps on the pedal. Line up the studs to the bolt holes. Push the tire into place.

I eventually need to get one of those. Looks to make it quite easy. I’m going to keep doing it the hard way as long as I can though.

 

[Rusty PW]

I eventually need to get one of those. Looks to make it quite easy. I’m going to keep doing it the hard way as long as I can though.

I have an extra tire dolly. Summit screwed up my order and I ended up with 2. $100 plus shipping. Still in the box unopened.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I have an extra tire dolly. Summit screwed up my order and I ended up with 2. $100 plus shipping. Still in the box unopened.

Tempting. But I’m sure someone closer to you will make it easier to unload. Thanks though.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Thanks for the advice. I ran a 10k on the Tacoma and it served me well, yet I did considered a 12k on this build. Ironically, I’ve only recovered other people’s vehicles, and those were all mid class trucks where the pull was easy or done as a double line pull for the mechanical advantage. We shall see how this plays out in the Jeep world. “Why pay once when you can pay twice?”

I have the steel line version of the winch (Warn VR EVO 10k) you listed, on my JTRD. So far no problems with the pulling power. I carry a snatch block and the necessary equipment to use it if needed.

that 10 or 12k power doesn’t become real until you’re on your last dozen or so wraps on the spool.

I'm sure you know, but just for clarification, winches are rated at the bottom most (closest to the drum) wrap.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I have the steel line version of the winch (Warn VR EVO 10k) you listed, on my JTRD. So far no problems with the pulling power. I carry a snatch block and the necessary equipment to use it if needed.



I'm sure you know, but just for clarification, winches are rated at the bottom most (closest to the drum) wrap.

Yep. That’s why I said the last wraps. I meant inner wraps of course.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Yep. That’s why I said the last wraps. I meant inner wraps of course.

Like I said, I figured you knew what you were saying. But just figured I'd clarify it for others, since you said last 12 or so wraps in your initial post.
Some of us grew up around this kind of stuff. But nowadays people can easily go out and buy their way into a nice neat stuck with no experience to help them get out.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Like I said, I figured you knew what you were saying. But just figured I'd clarify it for others, since you said last 12 or so wraps in your initial post.
Some of us grew up around this kind of stuff. But nowadays people can easily go out and buy their way into a nice neat stuck with no experience to help them get out.

Totally fair. I probably wasn’t clear enough.

 

[Idlethunder]

I have an extra tire dolly. Summit screwed up my order and I ended up with 2. $100 plus shipping. Still in the box unopened.

I'm coming up on rotation time again, sending you a pm

 

[Rusty PW]

I'm coming up on rotation time again, sending you a pm

This is the tire dolly.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-918070

 

[Freems]

This is the tire dolly.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-918070

One of the best tools in my garage

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