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

[Balor]

Finished my McMaster-Carr Trail Rails install. Waited for the bed rug to be delivered and I might not have even bothered with the rails had I ordered the bedrug first. Oh well.

All are 4' sections of powdercoated unistrut. Sides are full height, and the front piece I went with narrow, or half-height channel. They were powder-coated, but I hit them with flat black paint anyway. All parts were from McMaster-Carr, and I can post a parts list if anyone wants it.

Coltron I would like to see the list and thanks for sharing.

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[RudeJeepin]

This disappointing message is aimed at the Battery OEM’s out there…That is just a completely ridiculous price for a battery…let’s see, there still made out the same lead and soaking in the same acid as they were a F’n 100 years ago! At least if you’re going to continue down this path of rabid greed, try to manufacture something that will out live the same product that was built 20 years ago.

But their greed drives them to not only sell for more, but sell more also. So they are actually designed to die even fast then before. That makes it a double win in their pocketbook.

 

[Freems]

Coltron I would like to see the list and thanks for sharing.

Ditto, nice work.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This disappointing message is aimed at the Battery OEM’s out there…That is just a completely ridiculous price for a battery…let’s see, there still made out the same lead and soaking in the same acid as they were a F’n 100 years ago! At least if you’re going to continue down this path of rabid greed, try to manufacture something that will out live the same product that was built 20 years ago.

Even if they were made using the same materials and technology, and they aren't - not even close - the costs of materials fluctuated wildly in recent years. There's EPA rules on heavy metals processing and protections.
Then there's the fact that these aren't the same as batteries 100 years ago. Very different technology, absorbent glass mat isn't the same as the lead acid battery in a glass case 100 years ago. If we relied on those batteries, they'd be extremely heavy, very large, and not have near the capacity you demand today. You'd have to keep putting distilled water in them as well.

And then we can also blame the modern vehicle with all of the parasitic draws.
I've got two classic cars without all of the parasitic draw - or are they without? I put more modern radios in - the sort that keep time, and keep your station presets........ and they kill the batteries over a few months time of winter storage so I have to keep battery tenders on them or have dead batteries because of 1980s radio technology in those cars.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I didn't even know Jeep had an app.

Lazy sales guy - they are supposed to explain it, help you get it set up and show you how to use it. Then when the free trial period dies - you forget it all again.

 

[Freems]

Even if they were made using the same materials and technology, and they aren't - not even close - the costs of materials fluctuated wildly in recent years. There's EPA rules on heavy metals processing and protections.
Then there's the fact that these aren't the same as batteries 100 years ago. Very different technology, absorbent glass mat isn't the same as the lead acid battery in a glass case 100 years ago. If we relied on those batteries, they'd be extremely heavy, very large, and not have near the capacity you demand today. You'd have to keep putting distilled water in them as well.

And then we can also blame the modern vehicle with all of the parasitic draws.
I've got two classic cars without all of the parasitic draw - or are they without? I put more modern radios in - the sort that keep time, and keep your station presets........ and they kill the batteries over a few months time of winter storage so I have to keep battery tenders on them or have dead batteries because of 1980s radio technology in those cars.

Sorry, I was on a COST rant…I get the parasitic draw and the 100 year thing was a exaggeration to comfort my whining about $377.00 battery!

 

[WanderingTrail]

Sorry, I was on a COST rant…I get the parasitic draw and the 100 year thing was a exaggeration to comfort my whining about $377.00 battery!

It's okay, I just helped (means paid for, lugged them down into the hold, and installed them, then pulled the old ones up and out for core charge) in my Father in law shrimp boat. 4 marine boat batteries at $500 each. I feel your pain and so does my back.

Ron

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Sorry, I was on a COST rant…I get the parasitic draw and the 100 year thing was a exaggeration to comfort my whining about $377.00 battery!

I used to buy ordinary, top of the line (non-AGM) batteries for under $100. Now a battery just for my javelin, non-AGM, almost 200 bucks for a quality battery.
OTOH, some of those are selling a brand and getting a premium because of the name on it, and the warranty. The warranty costs money, but they tack it onto the battery cost.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Are you routing the winch cables to the inside of the frame rails or to the outside?

Really neither. I tried to lay under to get pictures and immediately got sicker than crap (I can no longer lay under cars work on them with my inner ear issue)
The winch cables go to the engine bay sort of along the top inner part if the frame and then go up right away, so they don't actually follow the frame at all other than to get under the grill and radiator.

 

[SRFRAT67]

installed the cross bars that came with the RTT and my surf rod racks, gave it a good wash and detail.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Took some effort with the tremors, holding a grinder straight and true, but got the spare skid plate cut so it will fit between the snow plow frame brackets.
Some may ask - why cut it so narrow?
Because I still have to get fingers in there to install the nuts and bolts that hold the plow mounting bar between the frame brackets, so I had to have some space.
If I get my hands on another skid plate, I'll have it professionally cut with only a notch for access to the bar bolts and nuts.
(so will be keeping my eye open for a spare skid plate to cut. This is one I used with the front receiver, but may not put that back on, undecided. Would rather have a shop cut the plate very straight, leave enough access for the bar bolts, otherwise leave it wider. But this will protect the shock reservoirs for now!)

The brackets sticking down - those are on the frame and a heavy bar bolts between those, 4 bolts each end. (pic of the mount on my 2022)

Frame brackets - and how the shock reservoir hoses had to be re-routed, rearranged, to clear -
I HOPE I don't have too sharp a bend in the hoses!

Experts - opinions, please................

Mojave guys - feel free to comment on the shock reservoir hose routing............

This wire has to go to a pigtail I have yet to install behind the fender liner for sensing right TS and park light.

Black cable and red power wire have to go into cabin, on the driver side, somehow, some way. The black is what the plow control goes to. The red wire will go to the aux switch ACC wire on the passenger side - I hope - if I can find the silly thing.

Wire with the white tag goes to a pigtail I have to install behind the fender liner to connect into the TS/park light

 

[ShadowsPapa]

PS - BIG BIG shout-out to Jerry, @jebiruph, for his help with this project.
I get sick laying working under vehicles, and some of the stuff is just plain so much easier, faster, and safer, with two. getting the bumper back on (while lining things up through the frame and winch plate holes), that sort of thing. Just getting the skid plate on today - that finished me off. I still feel like I'm going to puke and it's given me a crazy headache. (man, do I need a LIFT)
His help was invaluable.

 

[Stan H]

Took some effort with the tremors, holding a grinder straight and true, but got the spare skid plate cut so it will fit between the snow plow frame brackets.
Some may ask - why cut it so narrow?
Because I still have to get fingers in there to install the nuts and bolts that hold the plow mounting bar between the frame brackets, so I had to have some space.
If I get my hands on another skid plate, I'll have it professionally cut with only a notch for access to the bar bolts and nuts.
(so will be keeping my eye open for a spare skid plate to cut. This is one I used with the front receiver, but may not put that back on, undecided. Would rather have a shop cut the plate very straight, leave enough access for the bar bolts, otherwise leave it wider. But this will protect the shock reservoirs for now!)

The brackets sticking down - those are on the frame and a heavy bar bolts between those, 4 bolts each end. (pic of the mount on my 2022)

Frame brackets - and how the shock reservoir hoses had to be re-routed, rearranged, to clear -
I HOPE I don't have too sharp a bend in the hoses!

Experts - opinions, please................

Mojave guys - feel free to comment on the shock reservoir hose routing............

This wire has to go to a pigtail I have yet to install behind the fender liner for sensing right TS and park light.

Black cable and red power wire have to go into cabin, on the driver side, somehow, some way. The black is what the plow control goes to. The red wire will go to the aux switch ACC wire on the passenger side - I hope - if I can find the silly thing.

Wire with the white tag goes to a pigtail I have to install behind the fender liner to connect into the TS/park light

You and Jerry did a very nice and neat and tidy job . Nothing like a job well done to bring satisfaction . Your stuff is always very organized and neat. @ShadowsPapa

 

[Stan H]

So I did the rest of my previous job left undone. Which was to sand Rusty areas ( its all skin surface stuff on welds. ) and rock chipped areas. . I ran out of thd VHT and decided to use what I had on hand which was rustoleum Self etching primer for metal and flat black rustoleum for metal . Does Not have the same gleam and shine of the VHT but I will get a can on the way and go back over the top with the VHT as it requires NO primer.
@ShadowsPapa was correct VHT is top shelf stuff.
First pic is side I done 2 weeks ago with VHT .

 

[Stan H]

I didn't even know Jeep had an app.

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