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

[Jteakus]

Last trip I had the tires ALL in the fenders so I made some more room. Motobilt highline fenders with Metalcloak liners. A lot of work to make them play well together. Now to blow it all apart and get it to powder coat.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Installed door cup holders. Haven't actually used the yet, but they seem ok. Drives side doesn't block the mirror but the passenger one blocks a little bit, but not enough to matter. The shorter you are the more it will block.

I also got some updates on the half rack enclosure. Panels are wrapped and test fit. I'll be picking up the revised rear door panel today after work. Should have it all finished up and installed by this weekend.

Also tested my battery box setup with the air comp. It works. The MORRFlate 10six PRO draws about 90amps on startup and 62-65amps consistently, with 62amps at 15psi and 65 at 35psi. Burned up about 7ah of battery to air up the 35s.

And now that I tested the batt box, I'm probably going to rip it all apart and mount it in the back seat area because this setup takes up more room in the bed than I would like. I never can make up my mind.

Hey I use that same monitor for my home battery setup. It works fairly well. Mine is on a 600 AH system though.

 

[Pliny]

Popped open the front diff, pulled the locker sensor, and then filled it and the five sensors that came in the repair kit for the rear diff with the epoxy potting compound.

Creating an idiot proof depth stop for the drill bit took most of the stress out of the procedure.

That little nub of the drill bit is all that is needed to drill the three holes in each sensor housing. Pretty much zero risk as far as damaging the circuit board inside the sensor doing it like this. After letting the epoxy set up for 4 hours, cleaned the exterior of the sensors with acetone. Now need to let them fully cure for another 24 hours.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Got a few more things knocked out this morning before I need to go to work.

Artec engine skid is on. ASFIR fuel filter skid is on. Rear diff cover is on.

I was not anticipating such a huge change in engine vibration transferred into the cab from the skid plate but certainly got it. I don't know if it's the harmonics of the rattly engine just bouncing back up into the cab off the aluminum or the fact the frame near the motor mounts is now tied into the cross member further back but it's a definite increase in NVH. Not a deal breaker but can't say I'm pleased by this discovery.

Carved out some more time.

Rear chromolys in. Rear RK upper triangulation kit in. Lower arms in. Pinion angle dialed. Rear brake lines extended.

Considering adding another 1/2" spacer to the front but that only leaves me with 3.5" down travel. I foresee new shocks (even though I just bought these) and driveshafts in my near future.

Also ordered an HD rear Antirock. I'll need to extend the ABS lines and realistically the rear coils probably won't stay seated much further so I'm going to be looking for some coil retention system if nothing else.

With the axle pushed forward I'm rubbing the factory front disconnect skid. I also foresee going to an Antirock up front at some point but for now I'm just going to trim it.

Anyway time to pack up, heading out for a shakedown late tonight. Plan to do some casual wheeling all day tomorrow to see if any issues come up.

One step closer to Moab in October.

 

[Jteakus]

This Jeep is looking good! You will have no problems in Moab.

 

[MrBones]

Finally got the Homelink to pair with my garage opener after 18 months trying.

 

[Shibbyjeep]

This Jeep is looking good! You will have no problems in Moab.

I strongly second that comment

 

[professorkx]

I added a 12 volt plug in the bed. I selected 12 volt because the 400 watt 120 volts was not enough to charge my Bluetti power station that I use to run the fridge at night and when we are away from camp while over-landing.

I also wired the lights in my chase rack and connected to an open Aux switch.

 

[drewcnit]

I updated the cowl piece under the wipers, with a piece from Distinction Applied, now the windshield bumpers on the hood, the grille, and the cowl all match. Also removed my bug/stone guard from the hood.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Finally got the Homelink to pair with my garage opener after 18 months trying.

It took me a bit to figure out as well.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Surprisingly enough I've got too much bump stop for the 40s. Looks like I can take a solid 2" out of the front. Only place the tires rub is just the slightest kiss on the front control arms.

Ran it up the Mesabi Trail as well for my trail badge. I've run the TJ up it before but never expected to get the Gladiator up it. Some tight squeezes. Dropped on the factory rock rails a couple times and bent the left one up, dented the cab. Used every skid plate. Worked flawlessly otherwise. Surprisingly never smacked the hitch.

Oh, and the front coil rubs the steersmarts brace. Don't hear it, but it's making contact. I suppose could be a result of pushing the axle forward. Might address it. Might not.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Oh and either hit the valve stem on a rock or branch just perfect to push the cap in and depress the stem. Stopped for lunch and the woman pointed out a hissing sound and it was down to ~3 psi. Wrenched the cap off with some pliers and topped it up. I bought these wheels before I planned on ever wheeling it very hard. I do like them but they're pretty susceptible to damage. I think in the future if I'm going to be wheeling for a full day it might be worth popping the obd2 dongle in and changing the target psi to trail pressure so I get a warning if it happens again. Just lucky I didn't lose the bead in an inconvenient place.

Then again I have the opposite problem most on this forum seem to have. We got back to camp and the wife said unprompted "you should buy beadlocks."

 

[Mightytalldude]

Sometimes you need some suds.

 

[Rusty PW]

Surprisingly enough I've got too much bump stop for the 40s. Looks like I can take a solid 2" out of the front. Only place the tires rub is just the slightest kiss on the front control arms.

Ran it up the Mesabi Trail as well for my trail badge. I've run the TJ up it before but never expected to get the Gladiator up it. Some tight squeezes. Dropped on the factory rock rails a couple times and bent the left one up, dented the cab. Used every skid plate. Worked flawlessly otherwise. Surprisingly never smacked the hitch.

Oh, and the front coil rubs the steersmarts brace. Don't hear it, but it's making contact. I suppose could be a result of pushing the axle forward. Might address it. Might not.

Had the same problem with the SteerSmarts brace. I used a die grinder with a burr bit and a air sander to it. Plus I moved my axle back a little.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Had the same problem with the SteerSmarts brace. I a die grinder with a burr bit and a air sander to it. Plus I moved my axle back a little.

Damn I'm surprised you were able to take that much material off of it. I'll take a look.

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