WILLYS Edition Gladiator JT Club

[bentrod]

Want to keep your Rubi rock rails but add a step? I went with the Barricade rock rail and after one day I'm very happy. Purchased through Extreme Terrain.

Question - I'm I reading and seeing this right?? You added on the Barricade rock rail AND a Rubi rock rail together?
Looks good!
Just wondering are there any other way to add some sort of step to the stock Rubicon rock rails?

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[canjeep33]

Question - I'm I reading and seeing this right?? You added on the Barricade rock rail AND a Rubi rock rail together?
Looks good!
Just wondering are there any other way to add some sort of step to the stock Rubicon rock rails?

This was the only way to keep the factory rock rails and add a step. Ace Engineering has a similar solution. No pinch weld to be seen, lots of protection if needed, and adds a stepping platform for my wife, kids and short guests.

 

[02sahara]

Did you see much of a difference between the Rubicon shocks and the alleged Rubicon shocks that come with the Willy?

I've got the same setup but added the full 1 1/2" leveling bushings. I think it rides much more planted and firm than the stock willys setup. It turns much better as well, it still rides like a jeep and a truck but I noticed a difference.

 

[FireRoads]

Here's a thread for the Willys edition of the Gladiator that's coming out next Model Year!

I hit a deer driving my taco off road. The damage to the front wasn't bad (radiator, and radiator supports), but all the airbags deployed. They told me the '15 off road had to toss both front seats to replace the airbags. This added thousands to the bill and insurance totalled it. I needed a mid-sized truck to handle the fireroads and slipped roads in the hills of West Virginia. Reviews rated this the best off roading option. I didn't know Jack about Jeeps other than their reputation.

During the test drive I drove it over some parking lot curbs. The front end of my taco would bottom out when I'd do this: The Willys never came close. I got a good feeling.
I called my gear-head friend for his opinion and found out he absolutely loves these things. In the winter we sometimes get lots of snow, and these things shouldn't have any issues.

This is the morning after I drove her home.

But I couldn't leave her this way, so I tested it out on the farm. In fact, I took two trips to the field with my daughter, and a co-worker.

It drove like a dream. My 2WD F150 would struggle a bit, and my taco off road would bottom out. This one seemed bored. The trail of mud it left in the driveway, and road was impressive.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Now I need to find a brush guard.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm brand new to the whole Jeep culture thing. It's still quite surreal.

My youngest daughter let me know that she's already a Jeep girl. I mentioned the removable tops, and she popped it right off.

 

[be77solo]

Had it a couple months now, absolutely loving it!

 

[Jstrick]

Hi All,

New Willys Owner, first time Jeep owner. I absolutely love it. I do have a question. If I wanted to do a simple leveling kit and some 33 or 35 inch tires on the stock wheels. Whats the best setup? Wheel spacers? Thanks!

 

[Motoarch]

Had it a couple months now, absolutely loving it!

That's sexy as f**k

 

[Gladiator Greg]

I'm a little late to the party, had mine for a few months now. Minimal mods, 2.5 inch leveling kit (Rough Country) Decals (Vent, hood, Bed, tailgate), added a second rear tow hook (the lack of symmetry was killing me), Painted all tow hooks (I thought I was being original, didn't know Jeep was doing blue on the Rubicon Hybrid). And the last one, all ready to fish!

 

[Hoover104]

2021 gladiator willys
34.5 inch copper at3 xlt
3.5 inch rough country lift (springs&shocks)
50 inch rough country a pillar mount light bar
Dv8 front and rear slim fender flares
Dv8 inner fenders front
Red rock stubby front bumper
Rough country 9500 lb winch
Z automotive mini tuner
Fox steering stabilizer
Lange coyote off road mirrors
23 inch stubby antenna
Rugged ridge window vents
Sill guards
Drop in bed liner
Gator folding tonneau cover
1.75 inch wheel spacers
RGB halo led headlights and fog lights
Rock lights

 

[Hoover104]

Hi All,

New Willys Owner, first time Jeep owner. I absolutely love it. I do have a question. If I wanted to do a simple leveling kit and some 33 or 35 inch tires on the stock wheels. Whats the best setup? Wheel spacers? Thanks!

Set up is all preference and what kind of stance you’d like it to have when it’s all said and done. On stock suspension I went to 34.5x12.5 cooper at3 and put on 1.75 inch wheels spacers to prevent rubbing. I’m still running stock wheels as well. I accidentally ordered a 2.5 inch leveling kit from rough country and never used it. still have it if you would be interested in it. I ended up going with 3.5 inch rough country suspension kit and love it.

 

[Jstrick]

Set up is all preference and what kind of stance you’d like it to have when it’s all said and done. On stock suspension I went to 34.5x12.5 cooper at3 and put on 1.75 inch wheels spacers to prevent rubbing. I’m still running stock wheels as well. I accidentally ordered a 2.5 inch leveling kit from rough country and never used it. still have it if you would be interested in it. I ended up going with 3.5 inch rough country suspension kit and love it.

34-34.5 would probably be perfect. I don't want to do a full lift with the kids that already have a hard time crawling in it, lol. I did read that anything over 2 inches on the level requires additional suspension modifications to keep the alignment and tracking correct, any insight on that? I don't need it to sit perfectly level, but getting rid of some or most of the rake I think would look much better. Your Gladiator looks awesome by the way.

 

[Hoover104]

34-34.5 would probably be perfect. I don't want to do a full lift with the kids that already have a hard time crawling in it, lol. I did read that anything over 2 inches on the level requires additional suspension modifications to keep the alignment and tracking correct, any insight on that? I don't need it to sit perfectly level, but getting rid of some or most of the rake I think would look much better. Your Gladiator looks awesome by the way.

yeah I hear that, imo I think 34-35 inch tires with a leveling kit is a perfect stance. Any bigger lift than that and it starts to look like a skateboard a bit lol and any bigger rubber than that and we’ll be looking at regearing . Not sure if you still have your stock mud terrains on but there was a noticeable improvement with road noise and overall ride quality when I put my all terrains on even while being bigger in size so that’s something to look forward to. I was told by the folks at extreme terrain that wheel spacers or trimming the wheel liner were necessary with stock wheels and my 34.5 tires otherwise there would be rubbing. Not sure how true it is but I took that and ran with it for what it’s worth. I believe you’re correct about needing additional mods for a larger lift, my 3.5 kit came with an adjustable track bar. I’m pretty green to suspension stuff tho so I don’t have much insight. I think you’d be pleased with a leveling kit for sure. Could always jack up the front end 2.5 inches to simulate where it would sit with the leveling kit to give you an idea of what to expect. Thanks tho bro! Good luck picking your mods and sends some pics when it’s done! ?

 

[Fishee]

I'm a little late to the party, had mine for a few months now. Minimal mods, 2.5 inch leveling kit (Rough Country) Decals (Vent, hood, Bed, tailgate), added a second rear tow hook (the lack of symmetry was killing me), Painted all tow hooks (I thought I was being original, didn't know Jeep was doing blue on the Rubicon Hybrid). And the last one, all ready to fish!

Seriously? Darn I'm painting mine blue too

 

[Motoarch]

I'm a little late to the party, had mine for a few months now. Minimal mods, 2.5 inch leveling kit (Rough Country) Decals (Vent, hood, Bed, tailgate), added a second rear tow hook (the lack of symmetry was killing me), Painted all tow hooks (I thought I was being original, didn't know Jeep was doing blue on the Rubicon Hybrid). And the last one, all ready to fish!

Are you afraid you'll forget what color it is?

 

[Garemlin]

Hi All,

New Willys Owner, first time Jeep owner. I absolutely love it. I do have a question. If I wanted to do a simple leveling kit and some 33 or 35 inch tires on the stock wheels. Whats the best setup? Wheel spacers? Thanks!

You can fit both 33s and 35s with no level kit. On 35s you won't have much space if you are off-roading. So if that is a concern you may want to do a level kit.

Here is mine with the stock suspension on 33s and stock wheels

Here is 33s with stock wheels, Rubicon front springs and max tow rear springs.

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