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

[NC_Overland]

I finally got it back from the body shop today (old comprehensive claim). It was only two weeks without my Jeep, but it felt like forever. I got my new bed cover on tonight. Bakflip MX4. Soon, I’ll be installing my new bumpers, winch, and aux lights. My Jeep got a fresh Line-X while it was away too. It got damaged in the claim and old Line-X was looking rough from all the loads of rock I’ve hauled in it. I’m glad they redid all of it. I recruited a helper to install my new bed cover. The girlfriend helped me out. It’s easier with two people and she helped with those tedious back bolts.

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[bill61]

I have not changed the engine air filter yet, that's happening this Friday, but it's probably just as bad. The sand pit on Poison Spider didn't help things much either.

I’m a paranoid person with engine air filters as I had one fail to do its job on the first new vehicle I ever bought. I now change them every 10K as they are cheap insurance.

 

[Mightytalldude]

I’m a paranoid person with engine air filters as I had one fail to do its job on my first new vehicle I ever bought. I now change them every 10K as they are cheap insurance.

I'm disappointed to say that I haven't changed it after that trip, but it's on the list for this Friday. I'm usually pretty quick on maintenance, but was between jobs during that time, so money was prioritized where needed.

 

[Mightytalldude]

I need to go the route of @WILDHOBO and get a Corsa dry filter system. I'll add it to my wish list. I'm at 84,300 miles and I plan to keep it until the wheels fall off.

[/QUOTE]
This is the setup I need to run. It's dusty in the RGV normally (minus the 100 year flood). The sound difference isn't bad, although I haven't heard it with that current filter.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I need to go the route of @WILDHOBO and get a Corsa dry filter system. I'll add it to my wish list. I'm at 84,300 miles and I plan to keep it until the wheels fall off.

This is the setup I need to run. It's dusty in the RGV normally (minus the 100 year flood). The sound difference isn't bad, although I haven't heard it with that current filter.
[/QUOTE]
Next time I see you, take it for a spin. I didn’t like the sound with the first filter, but genuinely like it with this one. And it’s doing a fantastic job of keeping the intake spotless.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I’m a paranoid person with engine air filters as I had one fail to do its job on the first new vehicle I ever bought. I now change them every 10K as they are cheap insurance.

If you've ever had an air filter seal fail............ I know of one that failed on a diesel tractor. that poor engine didn't last very long at all. The seal rolled just a bit.
That's an area I always check thoroughly and get really paranoid with when I deal with the filters on my vehicles, especially the truck where it gets into more dirt and dust than my other stuff. Doesn't matter how great the filter is if the seal fails. (especially in some of those environments pictured here - wow.)

 

[WILDHOBO]

Some deep cleaning today, getting rid of the last Moab dirt from last October. New cabin air filter, and getting a few stuck palm branches out from under the Jeep after last Thursday 100 year flood in the RGV. The Harbor Freight foam cannon works really well and a steal at $35.

I’ll cover the flight if you clean mine.

 

[bill61]

If you've ever had an air filter seal fail............ I know of one that failed on a diesel tractor. that poor engine didn't last very long at all. The seal rolled just a bit.
That's an area I always check thoroughly and get really paranoid with when I deal with the filters on my vehicles, especially the truck where it gets into more dirt and dust than my other stuff. Doesn't matter how great the filter is if the seal fails. (especially in some of those environments pictured here - wow.)

Man o man. Sad stuff. Expensive sad stuff.
My failure is a mystery to me as it was a brand new truck I factory ordered and it happened before I reached 20K. Suggested air filter replacement was 25K miles. Mine was just a carburetor rebuild.

 

[brsnow2585]

Sorry to interrupts you ladies and your kerfuffle with Gladiator content.

Anyways, weather warmed up and got around to installing the Rubicon Diesel springs and shocks I picked up awhile back.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/2025-base-sport-anvil.88796/page-2#post-1443555

Netted me about 1.5" of lift in the front and and 1" in the back. Halfway expect it to ride pretty stiff but was pleasantly surprised how smooth it rides. When I put on 33's (285/70/17) with the stock Sport suspension, it was stiff and jarring on some bumps in the road, but that is all gone with this setup now and shows how well properly tuned shocks and springs are when matched with the correct tire size.

Dang...wish we would have met up sooner, I've got a gently abused diesel suspension set I've been trying to pass on. Let me know if you know some buddies looking to do the same.

 

[NC_Overland]

New rear bumper and bed steps/bed sliders. Everything is super beefy. I feel bad for anyone who hits my bumper next time. It would be a much easier job if I didn’t have rear parking sensors. My overland plastic bumper was a pain to disable the parking sensors and wiring harness. My adjustable height saw horses were clutch for assembly and installation. I also took the time to clean everything up good. The last pic is the embed step/sliders bracket. It’s super solid and also bolts into the rear bumper and has another brackets to reinforce where it attaches.

It’s the body armor brand. I wasn’t familiar, but it’s good quality and looks nice. Next up is installing my new front bumper and winch and install my new aux lights.

 

[professorkx]

DIY Rock Lights:

installed 4 Harbor Freight flood 3 inch cube lights under each side of the jeep pointing forward and backwards for better visibility to the sides driving at night, especially in spicy terrain. I’ve used this same method on my Jeeps for over a decade, and they have survived the Rubicon, multiple weeks spent in Moab each year, gravel roads and everything else I have thrown at them, and I’ve never had to replace a light. For less than $20 per light, this is a low budget alternative that puts out great light.

First up was to find a suitable location that didn’t require drilling the frame. The center body mount has a gusset on the front and the rear that has a hole, so I started playing with mounting ideas. I came up with this little bracket. The aluminum bracket was my concept test bracket.

Next, I attached a 3 inch flood cube light to the bracket and played with mounting positions to the center body mount gussets. This is what the light looks like mounted to the first bracket to face forward.

Here is picture of both lights mounted, and I built a little wiring harness that routed each side to the aux switch wires.

Finally, a picture in the shop of the new rock lights. I pulled outside after dark and activated my rock lights, 20 inch light bar in the bumper, cube lights in the bumper and headlights, and my wife commented that it was daylight…my objective. Of course, these can‘t be used on the street, but we spend so much time off pavement that this is a worthwhile upgrade…but not for everyone.

I also live a few miles down a dirt road, and my rock lights are always on driving to/from as this helps me spot the many forest creatures wanting to jump out of the woods and attack my Jeep

Not a huge project, just something I like to add to my jeeps for better visibility to the side that might give others an idea of something they might want to consider. I really didn’t need to weld the bolt to the bracket, I’m just lazy and didn’t want to have to hold the head of the bolt in an awkward position.

 

[professorkx]

Are these the Mopar flares for the JL? Damn County Roads! Looks like you can use some help with the mud.

This is why all three of our new Jeeps are white…takes longer to look dirty…

 

[Splenda]

Installed a K&N drop in filter. Tested my 6000 pound single post lift. It held really well, but I will definitely place the two under body stands under the far side when I do any wrenching on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Installed a K&N drop in filter. Tested my 6000 pound single post lift. It held really well, but I will definitely place the two under body stands under the far side when I do any wrenching on it.

Long day already - at first I thought you meant you needed the lift for the filter install.

 

[Splenda]

Long day already - at first I thought you meant you needed the lift for the filter install.

The Chinese-made lift is rated for 6000 pounds. I was not sure how it would handle the Gladiator. I may have to invest in a couple more under hoist stands. Most lifts are rated at half of what they can lift, but I don't trust this one.

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