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

[Stan H]

Windshield Bumper Covers just got here too. They’re perfect!!!! Ordered in Granite Crystal with the “Lost Souls” graphic in a matte finish. These turned out just how I wanted them too.

Is there a hole in the covers like the originals

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[Stan H]

Finished the paddle shifter install:

Much maintenance so far this week. Replaced both air filters, did 5 tire rotation, engine oil and filter change, and replaced both batteries. Now trying to adjust the parking brake, because it is merely a suggestion at this point.

How hard was the paddle shifter install.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Is there a hole in the covers like the originals

Nope. That is how it clips down over the bumper. It just covers it. Mine have been eaten up by the sun and I never use them so I figured this would be a decent cosmetic solution. And a good size for a tester on how it would look without breaking the bank.

 

[Stan H]

Nope. That is how it clips down over the bumper. It just covers it. Mine have been eaten up by the sun and I never use them so I figured this would be a decent cosmetic solution. And a good size for a tester on how it would look without breaking the bank.

I have a knick in one of mine from a rock . But I figure I will just buy another set. Or get the covers and cut the holes back out and glue them on.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I have a knick in one of mine from a rock . But I figure I will just buy another set. Or get the covers and cut the holes back out and glue them on.

Do you use them?

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Decided to make use of the backlight on my A-pillar pod lights since they came with it for free. Tapped into the same leads as my fogs (on the bumper) - which means they double as parking/DRL and turn signals.

 

[Pliny]

How hard was the paddle shifter install.

Not too bad.

Taking things apart had trouble with the little two wire connector for the horn. Mostly having to hold the airbag while using a pick tool to get that little connector to release.

This connector on the steering wheel was also difficult.

I just couldn't figure out how the release mechanism was supposed to work. Some sort of lever moved but it didn't seem to make any difference. Ended up getting a small safety pin and inserting the pointy end in to the one end of the housing to get the catch to release enough to be able to get the plug out.

Other than that, just take lots of pictures of the wiring before you start removing the old wiring harness from the steering wheel.

During assembly, I initially overtightened the screw holding the passenger paddle switch in place. Pressing that paddle didn't result in an audible click, so backed it off maybe a quarter turn and then it clicked when pressed just like the drivers' side.

Used Jscan to make the one setting change to set the paddle shifters as present.

I bought this kit: https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/jljtpdlshifter.html

 

[WILDHOBO]

Not too bad.

Taking things apart had trouble with the little two wire connector for the horn. Mostly having to hold the airbag while using a pick tool to get that little connector to release.

This connector on the steering wheel was also difficult.

I just couldn't figure out how the release mechanism was supposed to work. Some sort of lever moved but it didn't seem to make any difference. Ended up getting a small safety pin and inserting the pointy end in to the one end of the housing to get the catch to release enough to be able to get the plug out.

Other than that, just take lots of pictures of the wiring before you start removing the old wiring harness from the steering wheel.

During assembly, I initially overtightened the screw holding the passenger paddle switch in place. Pressing that paddle didn't result in an audible click, so backed it off maybe a quarter turn and then it clicked when pressed just like the drivers' side.

Used Jscan to make the one setting change to set the paddle shifters as present.

I bought this kit: https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/jljtpdlshifter.html

I love that there’s a mopar genuine option for this.

 

[MattHamilton]

I upgraded the sound. Well, I paid for somebody to upgrade the sound.

KICKER 47KEY200.4 SMART 4CH AMLIFIER WITH AUTO DSP 50X4 RMS
KICKER KSS365 3-WAY COMPONENT SPEAKER SYSTEM (dash and knee)
KICKER KSS690 2-WAY 6X9 SPEAKERS (sound bar)
Rockford Fosgate P300-8 SELF POWERED 8" SUBWOOFER WITH BUILT IN AMP (below rear passenger)
METRA JP1010 6.5" FRONT JEEP SPEAKER ENCLOSURES
METRA JP1016 6X9 REAR JEEP SPEAKER CONVERSION KIT FOR SOUNDBAR

I also had the same guy install the Thinkware ARC 700 dashcam.

Kudos to AudioPros in Brantford ON, the install looks VERY clean; way more clean than if I tried to do it.

I had an hours drive in to work this morning where I could really listen and it is so much better. If you can do the install your self, then I can definitely recommend the components for an improvement over stock (I had the 7" non-Apine"). Paying to get it installed, for me, was also worth it.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Keep the paperwork for that Thinkware unit. I had one die on me in about 8 months of use. I think the sun ate it up. It was great when it worked though.

I’ve been loooking at those Kicker dash speakers. Wasn’t sure how “in your face” they’d be with the tweeters positioned like that. Thoughts?

 

[MattHamilton]

Keep the paperwork for that Thinkware unit. I had one die on me in about 8 months of use. I think the sun ate it up. It was great when it worked though.

I’ve been loooking at those Kicker dash speakers. Wasn’t sure how “in your face” they’d be with the tweeters positioned like that. Thoughts?

Thanks for the heads up on the dash cam. Hopefully my "Northern Exposure" sun isn't quite as debilitating as your SoCal exposure

As for the tweeters being "in your face". Physically, I think it's one of those very jeeplike "you either love it or hate it" things. Personally, I like the look a lot - sort of gives a premium look, in my opinion. Sonically, I think having them point into the cab directly can only make them sound better. The Gladiator is not a quiet machine. I definitely heard a difference during the broadcast of the Hockey game on Sirius 91 last night; I was on the highway doing about 120 km/h (about 75 mph) for a bit and never had the volume over 10, and the play-by-play was very very audible. And this morning's drive I listened to FM for a bit and Sirius for a bit: different genres (classic rock, country, even a bit of current pop) and all of them I heard the lyrics with more clarity than I had previously. And the percussion was crisper, louder, cleaner. As an aside, the Pussycat Dolls "Don't Cha" doesn't have as much of a bass line as I remember....

I'm still in my honeymoon phase with this setup, obviously, but yeah, I like it a lot. Hope this helps.

 

[DanJT]

A couple of quick thing,
1. 3D printed plugs for floor drain holes in the factory floor mats.

2. I Found the perfect spot behind the back passenger seat for my battery Charger/Jumper, Everything fit like a glove with no rattling around.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

A couple of quick thing,
1. 3D printed plugs for floor drain holes in the factory floor mats.
2. I Found the perfect spot behind the back passenger seat for my battery Charger/Jumper, Everything fit like a glove with no rattling around.

1. Looks like a better fit than OEM
2. That's where I keep my NOCO Boost - great spot for something I rarely need, but I'll never be inclined to remove to make space for something else.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

2. I Found the perfect spot behind the back passenger seat for my battery Charger/Jumper, Everything fit like a glove with no rattling around.

Isnt that where that super cool Bluetooth speaker is supposed to be? Just asking because I don’t have one either.

 

[WILDHOBO]

1. Looks like a better fit than OEM
2. That's where I keep my NOCO Boost - great spot for something I rarely need, but I'll never be inclined to remove to make space for something else.

That’s where my thin powered 20” sub is.

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