What's this bracket for and can I cut it off

[Gizmo]

I bought this 22 Gladiator a week ago and I'm starting the personalize process. Behind my passenger side front tire is a good sized bracket hanging down . Its bolted on to another bracket that looks to be welded to the frame . I did not notice it until I removed the dealer installed steps. The Gladiator is a 2022 Sport S Max Tow. I have not noticed it on any other Gladiators but I have only been watching lately. I was in the process of unbolting it and found a couple of the long bolts can not be loosened enough without hitting the inside of the body . One is against the pinch weld and another just a little higher. I loosened them both as far as possible and what it comes down to is a sawzall to finish the job . I figured before I am at the point of no return I had better ask what the heck this thing is for .. I wil have to cut the bolts off or lift the body so I figured I had better ask as I am not lifting the body ..

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[svc707]

yup, cut the bolts

 

[Gizmo]

I had just found a thread I was just reading . Normally I search first but was in a hurry being I have most of the bolts out except the two that will get cut .. Thanks for confirming my thoughts svc707

 

[legacy_etu]

I bought this 22 Gladiator a week ago and I'm starting the personalize process. Behind my passenger side front tire is a good sized bracket hanging down . Its bolted on to another bracket that looks to be welded to the frame . I did not notice it until I removed the dealer installed steps. The Gladiator is a 2022 Sport S Max Tow. I have not noticed it on any other Gladiators but I have only been watching lately. I was in the process of unbolting it and found a couple of the long bolts can not be loosened enough without hitting the inside of the body . One is against the pinch weld and another just a little higher. I loosened them both as far as possible and what it comes down to is a sawzall to finish the job . I figured before I am at the point of no return I had better ask what the heck this thing is for .. I wil have to cut the bolts off or lift the body so I figured I had better ask as I am not lifting the body ..

It’s for crash protection. Specifically , it’s there to prevent the front wheel from being folded back under the body in a front end collision which can cause a rollover.

 

[Gizmo]

Well I guess I will leave it on at least until I put 37's on it and see if it effects them. I will deal with it then but if it has any effect on tires it's gone . Thanks for the info

 

[Minty JL]

Well I guess I will leave it on at least until I put 37's on it and see if it effects them. I will deal with it then but if it has any effect on tires it's gone . Thanks for the info

I have 37x13.5s and my tires clear it no problem

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Mine is staying, as is the one on our Wrangler - reason?
I love my wife more than I care about the looks of a freakin dang bracket that seems to be a problem simply because it annoys.
So far no one has really complained about functionality with different tires, not that I've seen.

 

[Gizmo]

I have 37x13.5s and my tires clear it no problem

thats good to know . It just looks like hell but I will deal with it if thats the case vs legal BS if in accident .. Thanks Minty JL and ShadowsPapa

 

[BearDog]

Hmmm....my '20 doesn't have that. If it did, I would've cut that sucker off as soon I as got it home the first time...but that's just me.

 

[Gizmo]

I tend to think It will be cut off eventually . It may not be effective on a 37" tire anyway campared to the little Max tow tires.

 

[Minty JL]

Hmmm....my '20 doesn't have that. If it did, I would've cut that sucker off as soon I as got it home the first time...but that's just me.

It was add mid 22MY if memory serves me right

 

[The Bean]

It was add mid 22MY if memory serves me right

yeah sometime between April and June of 2022 after the IIHS tested a wrangler which ended up rolling over. IIHS noted that was the first time a vehicle had completely rolled over during a test. As far as clearance goes, I’d say it’s far enough back that most tire sizes people run will never be an issue.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Pretty sure my buddy still has that on his '22 Gladiator, on 37s, with a Metalcloak lift. Wheels it all over the country - no issues with that little bracket.

 

[MMMojave]

Put WeatherTech mudflaps on and you wont see it and you wont slings rocks on thebside of the Gladiator… win win..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I tend to think It will be cut off eventually . It may not be effective on a 37" tire anyway campared to the little Max tow tires.

They are on Rubicons with 33" tires.

Put WeatherTech mudflaps on and you wont see it and you wont slings rocks on thebside of the Gladiator… win win..

Yup!

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