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

[RudeJeepin]

Opened a can of worms. At 70k miles the original Fox Rubicon shocks KS were starting to show their age. Damping was starting to fade and one shock was barely wet and one had a moist trail of oil coming out of the outer shaft seal.
Decided to add the Clayton Diesel 1/2" spring. Like the ride, seems well matched to the factory rear springs. 4 new Rancho RS7MT shocks that are designed for a lift. I matched the compressed length with what my diesel Rubicon could stuff. I'll need about 1/4" more bump stop all around.
Did Clayton's steering stabilizer relocation kit along with a Rough Country N3 stabilizer.
All in all I'm pretty happy. There's more in my JTRD Journey thread.

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[Cattywumpuss]

Got some running boards installed. Was a tad more fiddly than I was hoping but after doing the passenger side the driver’s side took about a 1/3 of the time.

Pleased with how they look and I climbed up after and made the suspension bounce to see if they were going to fall off!

 

[yoda13]

Changed my stubby antenna to one a little longer so I would have to listen to the road announcers when my team is on the road. I guess I spend too much time further out in the sticks these days…

 

[Wmkresse]

Got the radio installed. Midland MXT275 and it’s the Jeep edition. Shockingly it was the cheapest option due to being on sale. I wired it into the Aux 4 button and seems to work great so far. Ran the antenna up to the front cowl and put it with my lights. Ended up putting the box under the seat.

 

[Mud Pie]

Got the radio installed. Midland MXT275 and it’s the Jeep edition. Shockingly it was the cheapest option due to being on sale. I wired it into the Aux 4 button and seems to work great so far. Ran the antenna up to the front cowl and put it with my lights. Ended up putting the box under the seat.

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That's EXACTLY how I plan on wiring mine up, except I plan on using AUX 3 (already have offroad lights wired to AUX 1, so the active lights will be in a row, not upper left, lower right. Yeah, I'm kinda anal.). My base unit will be tucked way up under the dash, unseen.

I'm waiting on parts to come in today. For the AUX wiring stub-outs under the dash, I plan on wiring in a cigarette lighter socket with an 12" lead for two reasons; I don't have to snip the original MXT275 plug so I can easily unplug and use the radio elsewhere and I can also use the socket for something else by unplugging the radio. Multi-purpose. Velcro strap the socket up and away until needed.

I also bought a RJ45 socket with rubber cover. I tested the radio with the socket and CAT6e extension cable to make sure it works. It does. My intent is to mount the socket in the removeable panel under the steering wheel. I figure that panel is the cheapest to replace in case I don't want the radio anymore. This way I can unplug the handset and put it in the console, but be able to plug it in without having to crawl under the dash. I can even plug it in while underway.

Yeah, I over think everything.

 

[Shibbyjeep]

Installed my Morimoto fender chop lights today. Yesterday was the first free oil/rotate.

Now you need their headlights.

 

[AndyJeeps]

Now you need their headlights.

I might do them eventually for looks, but I actually am pretty satisfied with the stock halogens as functionality goes. They are plenty bright and mine were adjusted just right from factory.

 

[RudeJeepin]

...mine were adjusted just right from factory.

That reminds me, I probably need to adjust mine.

Recently added new front springs that raised it up 1/2" or so. I'm sure I need to compensate for the new ride angle.

 

[BourbonRunner]

.
That's EXACTLY how I plan on wiring mine up, except I plan on using AUX 3 (already have offroad lights wired to AUX 1, so the active lights will be in a row, not upper left, lower right. Yeah, I'm kinda anal.). My base unit will be tucked way up under the dash, unseen.

I'm waiting on parts to come in today. For the AUX wiring stub-outs under the dash, I plan on wiring in a cigarette lighter socket with an 12" lead for two reasons; I don't have to snip the original MXT275 plug so I can easily unplug and use the radio elsewhere and I can also use the socket for something else by unplugging the radio. Multi-purpose. Velcro strap the socket up and away until needed.

I also bought a RJ45 socket with rubber cover. I tested the radio with the socket and CAT6e extension cable to make sure it works. It does. My intent is to mount the socket in the removeable panel under the steering wheel. I figure that panel is the cheapest to replace in case I don't want the radio anymore. This way I can unplug the handset and put it in the console, but be able to plug it in without having to crawl under the dash. I can even plug it in while underway.

Yeah, I over think everything.

FWIW I've read in multiple places NOT to pull power from behind the dash. It can really screw with the CANBUS.

Since the power cable for the MXT275 is fuse protected and the unit is switched internally why not just run direct power to it or at least a fuse-protected cigarette outlet?

Edit: Or more gooder, direct with an Anderson power pole connector inline instead of the cigarette plug.

 

[Mud Pie]

FWIW I've read in multiple places NOT to pull power from behind the dash. It can really screw with the CANBUS.

Since the power cable for the MXT275 is fuse protected and the unit is switched internally why not just run direct power to it or at least a fuse-protected cigarette outlet?

Edit: Or more gooder, direct with an Anderson power pole connector inline instead of the cigarette plug.

Then why would Jeep put that option in there ? I'm not tapping into any wires, the factory wire stub outs are right there, just like the pairs under the hood. Logic dictates it the same thing, only in different locations, for inside or outside the vehicle.

I think the issue may be caused by what is tied into those AUX switches.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Then why would Jeep put that option in there ? I'm not tapping into any wires, the factory wire stub outs are right there, just like the pairs under the hood. Logic dictates it the same thing, only in different locations, for inside or outside the vehicle.

I think the issue may be caused by what is tied into those AUX switches.

Welp, I learned something new today. I had no idea there was an interior pigtail with an additional direct and switched 10a lines plus ground lugs, too. You've just made my wiring project that much easier- thanks! I was dreading running the power lines through the firewall.

 

[Wmkresse]

Welp, I learned something new today. I had no idea there was an interior pigtail with an additional direct and switched 10a lines plus ground lugs, too. You've just made my wiring project that much easier- thanks! I was dreading running the power lines through the firewall.

Honestly they are so easy to get to as well. Tucked right under the glove box with some tape.hardest part was telling the difference from the colors

 

[Wmkresse]

.
That's EXACTLY how I plan on wiring mine up, except I plan on using AUX 3 (already have offroad lights wired to AUX 1, so the active lights will be in a row, not upper left, lower right. Yeah, I'm kinda anal.). My base unit will be tucked way up under the dash, unseen.

I'm waiting on parts to come in today. For the AUX wiring stub-outs under the dash, I plan on wiring in a cigarette lighter socket with an 12" lead for two reasons; I don't have to snip the original MXT275 plug so I can easily unplug and use the radio elsewhere and I can also use the socket for something else by unplugging the radio. Multi-purpose. Velcro strap the socket up and away until needed.

I also bought a RJ45 socket with rubber cover. I tested the radio with the socket and CAT6e extension cable to make sure it works. It does. My intent is to mount the socket in the removeable panel under the steering wheel. I figure that panel is the cheapest to replace in case I don't want the radio anymore. This way I can unplug the handset and put it in the console, but be able to plug it in without having to crawl under the dash. I can even plug it in while underway.

Yeah, I over think everything.

Yea… you went alittle harder than me. I went simple with working it to the pigtail, negative was a post behind the kick panel, beneath where the door harness is. I like the idea of wiring a cigarette light in there, I felt bad cutting the original harness. I planned on putting the controller up under the dash but the real estate just seemed small so I put it under the passenger seat. I ran the cable from the pigtail up the center console, under the seat. I also routed the antenna cable up under the seat from the front of the vehicle, there is multiple pass through under the seat with rubber washers. Good luck with your install!

 

[Tiny]

Over the past week, I've replaced all the halogens with LED lamps. Fogs, headlights, tails.....was sent the wrong turn signal lamps so waiting on those for final button up. Also rerouted the winch power supply and wired new cowl lights up to the aux switch Lastly its finally a stretch of nice weather in Indiana so got the tube doors i got for Christmas on and dialed in. Aside from driving (around neighborhood) with no fenders and loose wiring taped up, looks and functions awesome.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I removed the Quadratec running lights the previous owner put on and installed the newer Oracles. He put them below the camera but I think it looks silly in the middle of the grille. Only complaint is the plastic on the Oracles is very thin. I accidentally cranked down too hard on a zip tie and it broke. I got it sorted but it's worth mentioning if anyone decides to do these.

I originally intended to put them in the hood scoop but decided against it. I may change my mind down the road if I can locate a smaller diameter light but for now this will do.

Anyone want a set of pre runner lights with the grill trim?

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