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

[RudeJeepin]

That's great to know. My Mr Clean haircut will appreciate that

I wonder how many get that reference? Guess it's probably not quite as obscure as a Kojak hair due.

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[GlennBeck]

I wonder how many get that reference? Guess it's probably not quite as obscure as a Kojak hair due.

Who loves ya, baby?!

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Tires and 50 cal antenna

Grenade Valvestem caps. 🤌

 

[WILDHOBO]

I wonder how many get that reference? Guess it's probably not quite as obscure as a Kojak hair due.

Hopefully everyone.

 

[WILDHOBO]

With the help of a friend who wanted to see how bad the process is, we did the trans fluid change and pan replacement. We took our time, but I’d say it went great. I need a few new exhaust bolts, but that’s no biggie. After all was said and done, it took about 6 quarts. This was not a flush. Just a pan drop, drain, and refill. The factory gasket was leaking, so did not reuse it. I used a new mopar gasket, which appears to be better designed than the original. Did two rounds of torquing, starting at 6lbs, and moving to 9lbs on the second round. Specs call for 8-10lbs. I’m very happy with the PPE pan. Obviously I’ll need to run it for a while to get temp information, but it’s a very nicely built part in my opinion.

No harm, as it hasn’t moved since this project, but in cleaning up I realized PPE had provided longer pan bolts. I installed it with the factory bolts. Oops. So I removed one at a time, in the torque star pattern specified, and retorqued in two phases. It calls for 8-10ft lbs. I used my inch pound wrench and did one round at 8lbs, and one at 116 inch pounds, so just under 10 ft lbs. It gave me a chance to carefully look for any leaks anyway.

Then I replaced all four exhaust flange bolts, as the originals had seen better days.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

From the outside looking in, it does take up more room. But from the drivers seat, when retracted it is as unnoticeable as the rear portion of the hardtop. That may be subjective for those in the ‘mighty tall’ strata.
their are always trade offs - this gives you the sunshade when you need it without the interference opening and closing the Sunrider.
I didn’t realize how much I needed the sunshade until I got this!

It just narrows the opening too much for my liking. You lose some anyway with the sunrider itself, then take more away with the screen roller and attachment. By the time you have both up there, you've lost a good chunk of that open air feeling.

 

[JCappy]

Hopefully everyone.

We are all showing our age.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

Since I can't put parts on, I'm accumulating parts while I wait for the dealer to get my rig back to me. Kudos to Motobilt! Same day shipping on one order and next day on an item I ordered over the weekend.

 

[BHoch]

Looks good. What are the wheels and the tire size?

17x8.5” KMC Lobos 285/75/17 Toyo open country AT3s.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Put it into maintenance mode for a few weeks. Pulling front springs, shocks, and hydraulic bump stops for now. Fox is rebuilding the bump stops under warranty, as they are both leaking. They told me they are in the middle of a seal redesign as a result of this with some customers. While it’s down for the count, will also be rebuilding the RCV axles after 60k miles of service.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

Put it into maintenance mode for a few weeks. Pulling front springs, shocks, and hydraulic bump stops for now. Fox is rebuilding the bump stops under warranty, as they are both leaking. They told me they are in the middle of a seal redesign as a result of this with some customers. While it’s down for the count, will also be rebuilding the RCV axles after 60k miles of service.

Looks like fun! How do you like the Metal Cloak ball joints?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Looks like fun! How do you like the Metal Cloak ball joints?

They’re great, but I screwed up the preload on the passenger side. Beginner ball joint mistakes. So I need to rebuild that one. Oh well. Every project teaches me something.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

While it’s down for the count, will also be rebuilding the RCV axles after 60k miles of service.

Good idea. They take a lot - and especially in your case. Yours is a case of "harder than typical use" and that's a fair number of miles.
We used to be thankful if the boots lasted that long! Modern design has thankfully gotten us past that. Split a boot, kiss that baby goodbye if you did't catch it immediately.

 

[NC_Overland]

I still have to put a coat of wax on it to seal it up, and de-do the trim I got wax all over, but it’s the shiniest it’s been in years. I spent the afternoon buffing out scratches and polishing the paint up. It’s no longer a 10 footer. Not bad for 5.5 yrs old.

I detailed cars in college and I still take care of my family’s cars, so mine always comes last.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Good idea. They take a lot - and especially in your case. Yours is a case of "harder than typical use" and that's a fair number of miles.
We used to be thankful if the boots lasted that long! Modern design has thankfully gotten us past that. Split a boot, kiss that baby goodbye if you did't catch it immediately.

Definitely. New boots aren’t required for this rebuild, and mine are probably fine, but I bought new ones anyway. They’re wear items.

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