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

[Mojave20]

Washed it and noticed something. I crouched down to wash the front axle and suspension and the steering stabilizer wasn’t attached to the tie rod clamp. The bolt snapped. I didn’t have tools to remove it, and was close to home, so strapped it to the track bar to get home. It’s trashed. Oh well. There are more expensive parts that could break. I had no idea it was broken. That shows how important they are. I put 80 interstate miles on it today with tight turns. No problems whatsoever. It makes me want to look into why they’re even necessary.

Perfect example of what good quality parts and a properly set up front end can accomplish. Companies like Steer Smarts & Metalcloak sell non adjustable dampeners, not needing the dampener to compensate for movement like lower quality parts.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Does that mean they come into play when something “isn’t good”?

They were really intended to mitigate "bump steer" under certain conditions. AMC used them to sort of cover less than ideal steering geometry in the 80s - heck, even my Eagle SX4 has one!

They mask imperfections according to the engineers.

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

I have no idea what’s up with my vinyl wrap obsession, but I’m getting damn good at it.
Also, added the Epic Adventures overhead molle panel. Install wasn’t too bad, since I opted for 3m tape vs drilling.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Perfect example of what good quality parts and a properly set up front end can accomplish. Companies like Steer Smarts & Metalcloak sell non adjustable dampeners, not needing the dampener to compensate for movement like lower quality parts.

I like that perspective. I’ll accept the good quality parts compliment, but properly setup? I did it, so it’s probably properly setup at best.

 

[Mojave20]

I like that perspective. I’ll accept the good quality parts compliment, but properly setup? I did it, so it’s probably properly setup at best.

Nothing wrong with that. At 80 down the interstate with no dampener I’d say thats a good measurement that you “probably” have the setup close.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Nothing wrong with that. At 80 down the interstate with no dampener I’d say thats a good measurement that you “probably” have the setup close.

So many people here have SO much more solid axle experience than I ever will. Thanks for that. If something goes out of adjustment, say toe, does a stabilizer help partially mitigate anything? Or is it simply there to smooth things out?

 

[DanJT]

So many people here have SO much more solid axle experience than I ever will. Thanks for that. If something goes out of adjustment, say toe, does a stabilizer help partially mitigate anything? Or is it simply there to smooth things out?

More of a band aid to mask the existing problem!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is from Norm Layton -
Owner Sweptline Products
Crew Chief, 4540 Motorsports
Dodge Power Wagon Restoration and Jeep modification.

 

[agoldxj]

So I'm confused. You spend all that time eliminating the black with green to then turn around and eliminate green with black.

Been staring at my wife’s HVY JLU that I did this to and thought it would look good with all the green. It think it came out great.

 

[JCappy]

Been staring at my wife’s HVY JLU that I did this to and thought it would look good with all the green. It think it came out great.

I definitely like it. I was just shocked you did something to cover up some green compared to all of the green you have been adding over the past few months.

 

[Mojave20]

So many people here have SO much more solid axle experience than I ever will. Thanks for that. If something goes out of adjustment, say toe, does a stabilizer help partially mitigate anything? Or is it simply there to smooth things out?

Toe is a pretty straight forward setup on the Gladiator. I follow the 1/16” toe in. Others will go I’ve seen up to 1/8” out. It’s a preference some have based on how they want their vehicle to feel. Understeer and oversteer are drivers preference. A solid front axle will want to push toe out. Yes the stabilizer will help absorb some of the bump steer that can’t be adjusted out of our trucks.

 

[69charged]

Did my first oil change after the 6 free ones. Pretty straightforward. And a tire rotation.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

A solid front axle will want to push toe out.

True of IFS as well - of course depending on other factors such as scrub radius and so on.
Solid axle is really no different in steering from IFS - except on rough or bumpy roads.

Some who have made massive chances to tires and wheels have to adjust tow accordingly. (to account for different diameter tires, they have moved to degrees, not inches)

 

[Mojave20]

This is from Norm Layton -
Owner Sweptline Products
Crew Chief, 4540 Motorsports
Dodge Power Wagon Restoration and Jeep modification.

Couldn’t explain it better.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

Washed it and noticed something. I crouched down to wash the front axle and suspension and the steering stabilizer wasn’t attached to the tie rod clamp. The bolt snapped. I didn’t have tools to remove it, and was close to home, so strapped it to the track bar to get home. It’s trashed. Oh well. There are more expensive parts that could break. I had no idea it was broken. That shows how important they are. I put 80 interstate miles on it today with tight turns. No problems whatsoever. It makes me want to look into why they’re even necessary.

I drove for 2 years without mine. That said, I had much beefier components up front than stock.

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