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

[JTdiRtyD]

Finally got around to installing the Clayton adjustable front track bar. Stupid easy to do, I don't know why I was procrastinating so much. Still need to install the rear, but I also don't really need the rear done, I just bought the pair to have the pair.

I was going to install the Steer Smarts brace until I realized I need a 42mm socket... so thats been ordered.

Also need to get around to installing the ext rear brake lines. Need to do that before June 19th.

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[Janster]

So how was the trip?

It was fun….lots and lots of walking. We were in a VRBO right above the Matador Restaurant. We did all the ‘things’ people recommend…. Sumter, USS Yorktown, Carriage ride, Ghost tour, speakeasy tour and boat tour around the harbor. The Jeep sat in the parking garage all week ($24 a DAY and would reset every time you’d leave). It was cheaper to Uber to places that were longer than walking distance. Lots of very neat history……and the neat historic homes. Didn’t get to any ’fancy’ restaurants (didn’t have reservations). We were happy just eating at the pubs. 10 hour drive to get there on a Sunday and 12 hour drive home on Thursday. Jeep did great!! I’m still impressed with the Falken’s in the wet weather.

 

[JCappy]

It was fun….lots and lots of walking. We were in a VRBO right above the Matador Restaurant. We did all the ‘things’ people recommend…. Sumter, USS Yorktown, Carriage ride, Ghost tour, speakeasy tour and boat tour around the harbor. The Jeep sat in the parking garage all week ($24 a DAY and would reset every time you’d leave). It was cheaper to Uber to places that were longer than walking distance. Lots of very neat history……and the neat historic homes. Didn’t get to any ’fancy’ restaurants (didn’t have reservations). We were happy just eating at the pubs. 10 hour drive to get there on a Sunday and 12 hour drive home on Thursday. Jeep did great!! I’m still impressed with the Falken’s in the wet weather.

That's awesome. You definitely hit some of the highlights. You can't go wrong with any of the pub food either. Glad you had a great trip and made it back safely. I will be headed back from Charleston tomorrow and right now I am at Lake Marion staying at my sisters. This was from last night.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

I've had a dead pedal on my Wish List since I bought the Gladiator. My last 4 vehicles had them, so when I found this one didn't, it was put on the "gotta get" list; I thought it was idiotic that Jeep forgot such a simple thing. My first couple drives, I put my left foot out for the dead pedal, purely out of habit, and my foot dangled.

But then I noticed something; I didn't miss it one bit. Then one ride I figured out why. None of my old skool 1950's era Willys had them. I started driving my 1954 Willys M38A1 around 1975 when I was 14. My "go-to" habit for my left foot with all my Jeeps (when not shifting, of course) was to pull my leg up, close to the seat, my foot flat on the floorboard. It was always perfectly comfortable for me. I found myself going back to that routine with THIS Jeep. Didn't even realize I was doing it until I paid attention, it came naturally. Even on drives that are 2+ hours; I don't miss it.

The dead pedal is still on the list, but no longer a "gotta get" item.

Until I installed my pedal I also pulled my left leg up and tucked it by the seat with my foot flat on the floor. However, being 6’2 that puts my knee above my seat level and so my thigh is not straight out when I’m sitting, but rather crooked up at an angle.

Found that was putting pressure on my hip bones and messing with my left hip when I got out the seat. If I could raise my seat up so my left leg was at a right angle and my thigh straight out I’d probably be happy as a clam.

But that would out my head somewhere up in to the Freedom Panel and level with the top of the windscreen I feel. So it’s a non-starter.

But yeah, I imagine a dead pedal is not something all folks would notice or miss.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

Yeah I dont get the "need" for the dead pedal. Maybe its bc I have long legs and want more room, but I prefer being able to stretch my leg out(even then I touch the firewall as sort of a dead pedal).

The firewall is just out of reach for me to rest my foot on. Maybe if I was another inch taller. So my foot just dangles without a dead pedal if I stretch it out, which isn’t comfy.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Yeah I dont get the "need" for the dead pedal. Maybe its bc I have long legs and want more room, but I prefer being able to stretch my leg out(even then I touch the firewall as sort of a dead pedal).

I'm totally with you on that one. But I think we're in the minority. People looooove their dead pedals. I think they're just in the way.

 

[Mightytalldude]

I'm totally with you on that one. But I think we're in the minority. People looooove their dead pedals. I think they're just in the way.

Can't have one, manual, so the clutch pedal takes up that space.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Can't have one, manual, so the clutch pedal takes up that space.

That might be part of what's shaped my opinion on them over the years. I've had 20 or so cars and the gladiator is only the second automatic I've owned. So I never got used to the existence of one either. My foot happily rests flat on the floor. Or to the side. Or whatever. It's my foot, it moves.

 

[Kbracken]

Well, it wasn't today, but over the weekend I installed an Auto Start/Stop Eliminator and I can't believe I didn't do it sooner! I used to try and remember every time I started the truck to hit that button but sometimes when you're in a hurry or the wife and daughter are going on and on while every one is loading up, you forget, just to get to stop light and then it shuts off.... Now every time I start the truck, the little light on the button comes on all by itself... It's the little things in life.. LOL

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Can't have one, manual, so the clutch pedal takes up that space.

That might be part of what's shaped my opinion on them over the years. I've had 20 or so cars and the gladiator is only the second automatic I've owned. So I never got used to the existence of one either. My foot happily rests flat on the floor. Or to the side. Or whatever. It's my foot, it moves.

In the Gladi a dead pedal with a manual is in the way, but I've had quite a few manual transmission vehicles that had a dead pedal.

My love for the dead pedal started back when I was doing trackdays. I never used it, NEVER, until I had a guy from expert class ride with me on the track and he pointed out to place my foot on the dead pedal any time it wasn't actively working the clutch. They provide a solid, properly angled surface to place your foot to give you stability during cornering or abrupt maneuvering, which directly translates to better direct control over your body position and the steering wheel. As soon as I started using it my cornering was more precise and smooth as I was staying planted in the seat.

In the Gladi its particularly useful off road to not rock around so much.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

In the Gladi a dead pedal with a manual is in the way, but I've had quite a few manual transmission vehicles that had a dead pedal.

My love for the dead pedal started back when I was doing trackdays. I never used it, NEVER, until I had a guy from expert class ride with me on the track and he pointed out to place my foot on the dead pedal any time it wasn't actively working the clutch. They provide a solid, properly angled surface to place your foot to give you stability during cornering or abrupt maneuvering, which directly translates to better direct control over your body position and the steering wheel. As soon as I started using it my cornering was more precise and smooth as I was staying planted in the seat.

In the Gladi its particularly useful off road to not rock around so much.

A good argument for it. Although I don't feel like I bounce around too much as is.

I ripped a 488 GTB on track a couple weeks ago and I don't recall what I was doing with my left foot

I don't think I've ever owned a manual with a dead pedal.

 

[WambliSka]

In the Gladi a dead pedal with a manual is in the way, but I've had quite a few manual transmission vehicles that had a dead pedal.

My love for the dead pedal started back when I was doing trackdays. I never used it, NEVER, until I had a guy from expert class ride with me on the track and he pointed out to place my foot on the dead pedal any time it wasn't actively working the clutch. They provide a solid, properly angled surface to place your foot to give you stability during cornering or abrupt maneuvering, which directly translates to better direct control over your body position and the steering wheel. As soon as I started using it my cornering was more precise and smooth as I was staying planted in the seat.

In the Gladi its particularly useful off road to not rock around so much.

A dead pedal is one of those things that I never knew I needed, or existed, until I started doing research trying to figure out why my left leg was so fatigued after a few hours driving my Gladiator. This never happened to me before with my other cars since they ALL have a place to rest your left foot (like my wife's CX-70).

I bought a good quality one on Amazon and since then it has been a first mod to every Jeep I own. The difference is night and day.

 

[Sbro2021]

Jeep junk now it identifies as a landscaping truck..

 

[Mud Pie]

Until I installed my pedal I also pulled my left leg up and tucked it by the seat with my foot flat on the floor. However, being 6’2 that puts my knee above my seat level and so my thigh is not straight out when I’m sitting, but rather crooked up at an angle.

Found that was putting pressure on my hip bones and messing with my left hip when I got out the seat. If I could raise my seat up so my left leg was at a right angle and my thigh straight out I’d probably be happy as a clam.

But that would out my head somewhere up in to the Freedom Panel and level with the top of the windscreen I feel. So it’s a non-starter.

But yeah, I imagine a dead pedal is not something all folks would notice or miss.

Well, I'm only 5'6". Well, I was the last time I had my height checked a couple decades ago...and I damn sure haven't gotten taller, I promise you this.

Hiking that leg is a non-issue for us vertically challenged owners.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Well, I'm only 5'6". Well, I was the last time I had my height checked a couple decades ago...and I damn sure haven't gotten taller, I promise you this.

Hiking that leg is a non-issue for us vertically challenged owners.

Right there with ya!!!! Well a couple inches taller but not by much and only if I’m standing straight, but who does that anymore?

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