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

[Jeepmonster]

I've used Goo Gone and other removers, but I keep coming back to De-Solv-It. Never had issues with paint (clear coated) surfaces. For foamy adhesives, just let it soak a bit.

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[WILDHOBO]

I've used Goo Gone and other removers, but I keep coming back to De-Solv-It. Never had issues with paint (clear coated) surfaces.

Thanks. I’ll pick some up. It goes in first thing in the morning, so next time.

 

[Freems]

I actually have that same one I think. It’s definitely 3m. I used it for some of it. Ran out of time and didn’t get every single bit, but enough that the body shop doesn’t need to charge me hours of labor for that cleanup. Took it out and sprayed/sponged off the dirt on the rockers and pinch welds. It’s going to need some serious tlc. You can really see the weird ways it curled in and bulged out on the passenger side. Driver side pic is for comparison.

It will be interesting to see how they repair that with the pinch seam that close…I don’t want you freaking out but it may need a new tub, the body guys can do some really creative pulls these days. Is your RSE bent where it meets the body sheet metal at the footwell of the doors? Have you put a straight edge on it to check?

 

[Jeepmonster]

Cleaned up the Jeep today. I thought I would try the Chemical Guys' Hydro Shield plastic coating. I'll be happy if it keeps the fender wells black for a couple weeks. I sprayed and rubbed some on the steel bumper and frame, and they look great. Even drove it through a car wash. Most other stuff I've tried haven't lasted very long (maybe a week).

I put a new potentiometer knob for my bass control and added a nylon washer (as a bezel), which makes the bezel look similar to the one for the 12v socket.

 

[Rusty PW]

Hit both ends of the crack with a small triangle file, inside and outside of the windshield, angle both of your small file scratches towards the bottom of the windshield, it should run both ends to the bottom rubber seal. Not too deep on the scratches. This will keep it out of your vision path until you can do the repair.

I'm calling the insurance guy tomorrow. Have coverage for broken windshields.

 

[WILDHOBO]

It will be interesting to see how they repair that with the pinch seam that close…I don’t want you freaking out but it may need a new tub, the body guys can do some really creative pulls these days. Is your RSE bent where it meets the body sheet metal at the footwell of the doors? Have you put a straight edge on it to check?

No straight edge necessary. The slider failed catastrophically and pushed the rocker in.

Thankfully all of those pieces are replaceable. The plan is to cut out the three rear rocker pieces, basically everything but the front fender piece. Then replace them with mopar patch panels. Thankfully those pieces are steel, so it’s easier to cut and weld in a patch. It sucks, but it could be worse. Plus the bed skin on the drivers side is being replaced. The shop has already seen it. I also thought tub as soon as I saw the damage, but thankfully it doesn’t look close to that bad. In fact it’s better than I thought it would be. Getting the steps off made it look better than I expected.

Here are some slider pictures during the removal yesterday.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Goo Gone is citrus based, and I tried it. Not very effective. Heat works best, but it’s slow going. The wheel worked in a few spots, but I’m tired. No body shop expects this much prep receiving a broke ass truck. So good nuff. No rear bumper, no bed sliders, no spare, all accessory wires removed from the bed (it needs to be removed) and rockers cleaned up pretty well. I need to remember to throw the rear plate in so I don’t get a ticket driving it to the shop in the morning.

My father in law loved Goo Gone, in fact there are several cans still in the cupboards in the garage. But I'm not that big on it, it works ok on less nasty stuff.
I've used this on really nasty stuff.

It sticks around and doesn't dry out/evaporate very fast. Does tend to leave a residue behind, but washes off with soap and water easily.

 

[WILDHOBO]

My father in law loved Goo Gone, in fact there are several cans still in the cupboards in the garage. But I'm not that big on it, it works ok on less nasty stuff.
I've used this on really nasty stuff.

It sticks around and doesn't dry out/evaporate very fast. Does tend to leave a residue behind, but washes off with soap and water easily.

No question. Goo gone is good for price tags and similar. Not amazing on industrial stuff. I’ll look for that one.

 

[Freems]

No straight edge necessary. The slider failed catastrophically and pushed the rocker in.

Thankfully all of those pieces are replaceable. The plan is to cut out the three rear rocker pieces, basically everything but the front fender piece. Then replace them with mopar patch panels. Thankfully those pieces are steel, so it’s easier to cut and weld in a patch. It sucks, but it could be worse. Plus the bed skin on the drivers side is being replaced. The shop has already seen it. I also thought tub as soon as I saw the damage, but thankfully it doesn’t look close to that bad. In fact it’s better than I thought it would be. Getting the steps off made it look better than I expected.

Here are some slider pictures during the removal yesterday.

That is GREAT news!!!!

 

[WILDHOBO]

That is GREAT news!!!!

I’m very much hoping it comes together that way. Since tubs can’t be purchased, unless from a scrap yard. And mines probably in better shape than most of those.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That is GREAT news!!!!

These are the parts Benny helped me find when it had just happened. And I was pretty worried it needed a tub as well.

#2
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-body-side-aperture-front-panel-right-68302714ac

#3
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-b-pillar-outer-panel-right-68302718ac

#4
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-body-side-aperture-rear-panel-right-68346522ac

- Benny

 

[Freems]

No straight edge necessary. The slider failed catastrophically and pushed the rocker in.

Thankfully all of those pieces are replaceable. The plan is to cut out the three rear rocker pieces, basically everything but the front fender piece. Then replace them with mopar patch panels. Thankfully those pieces are steel, so it’s easier to cut and weld in a patch. It sucks, but it could be worse. Plus the bed skin on the drivers side is being replaced. The shop has already seen it. I also thought tub as soon as I saw the damage, but thankfully it doesn’t look close to that bad. In fact it’s better than I thought it would be. Getting the steps off made it look better than I expected.

Here are some slider pictures during the removal yesterday.

a nice piece of 3/16” steel formed and attached on top of the new patch panels also might be a good investment as well, Metal Cloak, Fishbone just to name a few have good looking ones, zirtnuts install. I’ve helped a friend install a set on his JT, they look good and will help keep those pesky rocks away from this soft exposed area.

 

[WILDHOBO]

a nice piece of 3/16” steel formed and attached on top of the new patch panels also might be a good investment as well, Metal Cloak, Fishbone just to name a few have good looking ones, zirtnuts install. I’ve helped a friend install a set on his JT, they look good and will help keep those pesky rocks away from this soft exposed area.

I’m putting frame mounted sliders on. So far Evo looks like a good candidate.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I’m putting frame mounted sliders on. So far Evo looks like a good candidate.

I was looking at the Metal Cloak flip step setup for awhile. Liked the idea of having at as a step most of the time. Then being able to flip it up for harder trails.
https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator...hspBDTgrypKzI9L-5plWvlvOUPUODpdl7LyjK_IZuAbeg

 

[WILDHOBO]

I was looking at the Metal Cloak flip step setup for awhile. Liked the idea of having at as a step most of the time. Then being able to flip it up for harder trails.
https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator...hspBDTgrypKzI9L-5plWvlvOUPUODpdl7LyjK_IZuAbeg

They look nice for sure, but it appears that they go through the pinch weld like the rock slide steps. Don’t get me wrong. They survived 5 years of heavy wheeling, but I’m not going through this again. The next ones will be frame connection only. I still stand by what I’ve said in the past about the RSE steps being tough. But I guess I pushed them past their limit.

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