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

[Mbryson]

I went full HAM and carry the Badlands off-road jack with a 20t bottle jack. Badlands for the Jeep and bottle for the axle if it’s needed. It is a lot of weight but if it’s needed it’s way safer and way more efficient to change a tire out. I don’t really need the bottle jack at this point because I don’t have Super Flex but doesn’t mean someone else we run across won’t need it to get the job done.

I like the compactness and tidy storage of the factory unit. I would like significantly better metallurgy on the loop thingy.

That loop is turdalicious at best.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Oh and I upset my Gladiator today when I stopped to talk to a 4Runner guy about his front bumper. Thought the wife might be interested in it and never saw the company name before so I asked. Just me being diplomatic.

 

[Stan H]

This wasn't today but was this past Saturday. I killed a tire where I don't even like to drive. I don't mind the design of the OEM jack but the JT unit is kind of a pile of dung (at least mine is).

Grumble, grumble. I've been Jeeping since '98. A LOT of days and miles on the trail. Southern Utah isn't usually to rough on tires but I finally killed a sidewall on a sharp edged rock. Changing it here kind of sucked.

I keep a bunch of my broken parts. I don't think I'll keep this tire? Time will tell. I always carry a high lift (some of you hate them, some know how to use them---you have to treat them like they'll kill you because they could). They are not my favorite tool to change a tire. You can make them work but I prefer the scissor or bottle jack for tire changes.


Bounced back to the forum to look up what people are using for alternative jacks to the OEM.


2025 was epic! I hope all have a safe, happy and healthy new year. My wish for you is to have your sidewalls and axleshafts be strong in 2026!

Bottle jack

 

[Shibbyjeep]

This wasn't today but was this past Saturday. I killed a tire where I don't even like to drive. I don't mind the design of the OEM jack but the JT unit is kind of a pile of dung (at least mine is).

Grumble, grumble. I've been Jeeping since '98. A LOT of days and miles on the trail. Southern Utah isn't usually to rough on tires but I finally killed a sidewall on a sharp edged rock. Changing it here kind of sucked.

I keep a bunch of my broken parts. I don't think I'll keep this tire? Time will tell. I always carry a high lift (some of you hate them, some know how to use them---you have to treat them like they'll kill you because they could). They are not my favorite tool to change a tire. You can make them work but I prefer the scissor or bottle jack for tire changes.


Bounced back to the forum to look up what people are using for alternative jacks to the OEM.


2025 was epic! I hope all have a safe, happy and healthy new year. My wish for you is to have your sidewalls and axleshafts be strong in 2026!

I got the AEV base to use incase I have to use my jack at any point. Does double duty, can be used as a wheel chalk if not being used under the jack, I have used it in that use case.

 

[Rusty PW]

I got the AEV base to use incase I have to use my jack at any point. Does double duty, can be used as a wheel chalk if not being used under the jack, I have used it in that use case.

I have one too.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I got the AEV base to use incase I have to use my jack at any point. Does double duty, can be used as a wheel chalk if not being used under the jack, I have used it in that use case.

“We don’t need no stinkin’ Base Plate!!” - Found on tombstone along the Oregon Trail.

 

[ALT2870]

Bought the Badlands 3 ton jack on Black Friday sale. That OEM jack would of never lifted me on 35's without something sketchy. Ended up giving it away.

 

[Dummy SALAPA]

Installed my rachet staps. These are a gift from Christmas and are pretty neat! Installation was easy.

 

[Stan H]

Installed my rachet staps. These are a gift from Christmas and are pretty neat! Installation was easy.

That Carpet is sharp, never work for me had to go with the rubber floor mats for now . Want to get a soft topper before I get carpet . Im open in the back and the dirt work I'm around creates tremendous amounts of clay dust/mud. The carpet would literally be ruined in 1-week tops.
Your roll up is nice.

 

[Lrowe]

Installed my rachet staps. These are a gift from Christmas and are pretty neat! Installation was easy.

John, the JT looks great! Can you tell us who manufactures the ratchet strap? I can see the logo on one of them but can't quite make out the name. Thanks for posting up...

 

[Stan H]

John, the JT looks great! Can you tell us who manufactures the ratchet strap? I can see the logo on one of them but can't quite make out the name. Thanks for posting up...

I want to know if He had to drill the bed and pop out the tail lights and add a nut on the backside ?

 

[Dummy SALAPA]

Thanks all! The carpet is a Bed Rug brand carpet and is pretty tough when it comes to dirt, gravel and even chemicals. I love the Bed rug for its padding as its very friendly to my old knees! Ive had bed rugs in all of my trucks through the years. As for the rachet straps, here is the link, they were cheaper around Christmas. My daughter got them for me. https://www.amazon.com/Maxzina-Retr...het+straps+jeep+gladiator,aps,125&sr=8-6&th=1

They use the existing hole in the bed at the bottom with a T bolt that fastens the bottom. On the top there is already a factory nutsert in the bed and the straps come with a hex screw that goes right in. It mounts up nice and quick. You can do everything from up top, nothing to remove or go up under the bed for. The thing to remember is that the weakest point on these straps would be where they mount to the bed. Its only one small machine screw on the top and a small T bolt on the bottom. ( These could be modified if you wanted to drill into the bed more and add additional bolts.) Light to normal loads would be fine, but if you really wanted to hunker down a heavy load ( Like an engine or something), I would use the factory D rings mounted in the bed with a regular rachet. I dont haul a lot so these work perfectly for me. I want a set for the front of the bed now.. LOL

 

[scgonefishin]

Santa brought me a set of flush mounted tool boxes from Hooke and a set of mounted retractable tie down straps!!!! Thanks Santa!!

 

[SaiintNick]

Santa brought me a set of flush mounted tool boxes from Hooke and a set of mounted retractable tie down straps!!!! Thanks Santa!!

Need a link for the straps please.

 

[scgonefishin]

Need a link for the straps please.

My wife got them on Amazon

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