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

[ChrisNLA]

I stopped by NTB yesterday to see about getting those same tires; they'll sell me a set of four K03's for the price of K02's. He asked if I want the RWL inside or out, I said, "I'm old skool, let's go RWL out !!". He smiled and asked what I was driving, I pointed out the window. A younger worker was there and goes, "Yeah....letters out, for sure.".

I definitely go white letters out on some things.

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[J Sierra]

Under hood lights

 

[NC_Overland]

Today I took it in for it's first oil change. Well, first for ME. When I bought it in November, the dealer (non-Jeep) told me they changed the oil. I posted previously about how I do not trust used car dealerships, even company branded ones, not only private.

I have the Mopar Care package, I've had it with my past two Jeeps, a 2005 Liberty Renegade (wife's Jeep) and a 2017 Renegade (unfortunately, mine....traded in for the Gladiator).

When the tech was finished, he brought it around and saw me sitting outside drinking a cup of coffee and vaping. He walked up, all smiles, and asked, "This your Gladiator ?" I said yes. He said he "played a little game with it in the back.". Concerned, I asked, "Whatchoo talking 'bout, Willis ?". He was like 20-21 years old, he had NO idea what I was referencing because he repeated his name. (Some here may not, either).

He said while he had the hood up, he was asking everyone to guess what mileage it had. There was guesses of 5,000 miles, 15,000 miles "first oil change", etc.. He said when he told him it was a 2023 and had 42,000 miles on it, they were shocked. He said, "This is the cleanest engine I've EVER worked on on a Jeep with this many miles !!". I said, "I recently retired, I spent like 3 hours cleaning everything.". He said it looks brand new. I said that was my intention. I told him I even repainted the faded symbol on the windshield washer cap with a black fat Sharpie. He said, "No way !!" and re-popped my hood. "Looks brand new factory !!". While he had the hood up, I asked, "Did you drip oil anywhere ?" Proudly he goes, "No sir !! Take a look. It's still fresh !!". I guess "fresh" is a nowadays term for "clean", I don't know.

Truth be told; that's the way I am. I'm one of those guys that if I go to the range, it doesn't matter if I fire 2 rounds or 200, when I get home I break it down and clean it. Same with my vehicles; keep 'em clean. Some people swear by dirty weapons and dirty vehicles "they run better" and all that. Nah. Clean is better. You get to stay ahead of things. Get them dirty, then go clean them. Illogical to leave them dirty.

When I wash my Jeep(s), I give the engine a going-over. If you stay on top of it, it's easy. Added bonus, you can detect any leaks or cracks before they get out of hand or you see puddles in your driveway.

Weird you had faded lettering. The engine bay on my 2020 still looks new. I don’t even think about it, but it does catch some people by surprise. Living in the south helps. We don’t get all the salt spray, but my dad always kept his clean and now I do as well. He had a frontier with 240k miles on it and the engine bay looked new. Same with his 200k mile Ram.

 

[Mud Pie]

Yep, the windshield washer bottle logo was faded out, like it was rubbed raw or something. Struck me as odd, also. Why that ?? Everything else was pristine. I have a fat Sharpie, carefully did a couple coats letting each dry. I thought it, too, would rub off, nope.

It's the attention to the little details that make it look good.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Under hood lights

What are the bolted flanges around the hood vents?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yep, the windshield washer bottle logo was faded out, like it was rubbed raw or something. Struck me as odd, also. Why that ?? Everything else was pristine. I have a fat Sharpie, carefully did a couple coats letting each dry. I thought it, too, would rub off, nope.

It's the attention to the little details that make it look good.

I don’t think it’s possible to keep it looking like that in the mountain west. I think I’d need to remove the valve covers to even attempt to clean them.

 

[Mightytalldude]

I don’t think it’s possible to keep it looking like that in the mountain west. I think I’d need to remove the valve covers to even attempt to clean them.

I've got Moab red sandstone between every body panel, Colorado granite rocks in every frame hole, and Texas heat that baked it all to a solid form.

 

[J Sierra]

What are the bolted flanges around the hood vents

They are S&B hood scoops

 

[WILDHOBO]

I've got Moab red sandstone between every body panel, Colorado granite rocks in every frame hole, and Texas heat that baked it all to a solid form.

Yep. And because those stupid cam sensors’ gaskets leak terribly (yes I replaced both seals), the valve covers have collected all of that dust on the oil.

 

[WILDHOBO]

They are S&B hood scoops

Nice clean install. Any issues with water getting in? Or do they have some kind of diaphragm? I assume the lights were secondary, and they provided a nice mounting point? Or did they come with them?

 

[NC_Overland]

Yep, the windshield washer bottle logo was faded out, like it was rubbed raw or something. Struck me as odd, also. Why that ?? Everything else was pristine. I have a fat Sharpie, carefully did a couple coats letting each dry. I thought it, too, would rub off, nope.

It's the attention to the little details that make it look good.

I’d guess someone let a strong degreaser set on it too long. I just use simple green so I don’t have to worry about anything. Then I let it idle after I rinse it off to dry itself. It also does kind of a steam clean effect.

 

[J Sierra]

led's are rock lights from Amazon. There are plugs for rain, have not had any problems in 4 years. Keep in mind I am in Tucson, rains like end of the world then in 10 minutes the sun comes out.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I’d guess someone let a strong degreaser set on it too long. I just use simple green so I don’t have to worry about anything. Then I let it idle after I rinse it off to dry itself. It also does kind of a steam clean effect.

I’ve never tried it. I’m always worried that some small leak somewhere would allow the chemicals to get into the engine.

 

[WILDHOBO]

led's are rock lights from Amazon. There are plugs for rain, have not had any problems in 4 years. Keep in mind I am in Tucson, rains like end of the world then in 10 minutes the sun comes out.

That makes sense. It would be tough in an area where it’s often wet from messy snow melt on roads. They’d need to be closed all winter. But I bet they help a ton getting more air into the engine bay in a hot area like Tucson. Nice mod.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’ve never tried it. I’m always worried that some small leak somewhere would allow the chemicals to get into the engine.

I don’t spray water right on the computers, but it’s fine. They’re designed to be pretty water proof. I’ve done it on countless vehicles.

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