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

[Stan H]

Your Rubicon will do just fine, and you won’t get any body damage on Fins and Things.

I did Fins and Things as my first trail in my 1947 cj2a truck conversation the first time I took it to Moab. my 47 has open differentials and the frame stretch gives me just over 103 wheelbase. My 18 year old grandson took my 47 on Fins and Things that year as his first rock crawling trail, and had never driven a manual before. Of course, the 93:1 crawl ratio in my 47 helps…

The last section on Fins and Things that turns right and crawls up and back on two parallel fins is the only section that gives folks pause, but there is an alternative route that takes you back to the pavement just before the right turn up the last fin section. My wife hates the last fin section, so we always take the alternative route to pavement.

If this is your first time in Moab, you might want to avoid Poison Spider and Metal Masher…two popular and fun trails…, as you might not have the ground clearance to keep from scraping the bottom on a couple of obstacles. There is also a difficult section going to Poison Spider at the top of the initial switch backs that I doubt you will like with a stock rig. IMHO, you really want taller tires and some lift for these two trails, but not needed Fins and Things and a ton of other fun trails.

You can also do Elephant Hill…one of our favorite trails…without risking body damage in a stock rig, and IMHO, it’s a ton more fun than Fins and Things. Here again, I did this trail in my 47, and thought I might have trouble climbing out the last section without at least one locker, but never slipped a wheel. With lockers, your Rubicon won’t have any trouble, just don’t run with lockers on all the time, only when needed…which is rare on most trails.

Good advice

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[bill61]

Don't know until I get them.

I hope so. $60 for plastic plugs seems to be high.

 

[ICG1941]

I did a quick wash for mine. Just took delivery this morning on my 25 nighthawk. I sold my other Willys 2 years ago and have missed it ever since.

 

[MudderNuker]

I added the Harbor Freight version of that ladder! Not very swanky but it gets me into the bed of the truck real easily.

Didn't know HF had something like this. I think pricewise I did great as I paid $39 on sale.

 

[bill61]

Didn't know HF had something like this. I think pricewise I did great as I paid $39 on sale.

That is right at what I paid at Harbor Freight. Amazon had them for around $60 or $70 if I remember correctly.

 

[agoldxj]

Are they aluminum or something?

It’s machined from black Delrin, so plastic. Wish they made a square one for the hole by the rear tire.

 

[Cwg33]

Finally got around to installing Armorlite flooring. I can’t imagine how tough of install this is without removing seats, etc. Luckily I was installing leather seat covers so had everything out anyways.

 

[WILDHOBO]

It’s machined from black Delrin, so plastic. Wish they made a square one for the hole by the rear tire.

I’m not sure it would work with the metalcloak rear swaybar reinforcement there though. As it surrounds that square hole. Lots of us use those to very effectively prevent breaking swaybar frame brackets.

 

[Supazuk]

replace that manual jack with an air assist hydronic with foot pedal control…$120 off Amazon…and you will add so much more capability to your Harbor Freight press. i also built a brake press about 10 years ago out of scrap steel that was a game changer as well…and now you can buy a brake press from a number of sources…. I use my press at least once a week in my shop.

harbor Freight now sells a brake press for that press,

 

[WILDHOBO]

harbor Freight now sells a brake press for that press,

For the 12 ton? That’s super cool. Thanks.

 

[Supazuk]

For the 12 ton? That’s super cool. Thanks.

I have had it in my buy list waiting on a super coupon haha

I also want the air over hydraulic jack for it

 

[WILDHOBO]

I have had it in my buy list waiting on a super coupon haha

I also want the air over hydraulic jack for it

I love the brake. I’m a little concerned about the 20 ton air jack on a 12 ton rated frame. Do you have the 12 ton press? It might get returned. The shaft that does the actual pressing mushroomed on the very first use.

 

[Shibbyjeep]

Finally got around to installing Armorlite flooring. I can’t imagine how tough of install this is without removing seats, etc. Luckily I was installing leather seat covers so had everything out anyways.

I did mine last week and didn't remove the seats. Wasn't too bad.

 

[Jteakus]

Did a test run of the awning in my yard before leaving on trip. Zips right to the tent, I dig it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Replacing the transmission crossmember, cleaning up a little after what I’m hoping was a former trans pan leak before I replaced it. It was leaking, but I’m hoping the output seal on the trans isn’t also leaking. If it is, that’s not getting messed with right now. When I pull the transfer case and tranny someday, it’ll hopefully be with replacements standing by in a pallet. For now cleaning up to see if the leak is a former leak. I ended up deciding just now to pull the transmission mounts and brackets down as well. Just to be able to clean them below me instead of above me.

Anyone know the torque specs for the transmission mounts, meaning the four bolts that go up into the transmission? It’s not going to be high. They were not hard to get out.

So far pics…

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