My first Jeep - '22 Rubicon - Mod List

You guys got me hooked.. the Jeep community has been fantastic. I came from modding vehicles for track and handling, but after totaling my 2020 5.0 Mustang (now project car) I decided to switch to slow, off-road focused. Shopped around for some mid size trucks, and after watching a plethora of videos on YouTube, the Gladiator was calling my name. Shopped around and found a used, unmodified 2022 Gladiator Rubicon and proceeded to immediately mod it.

Being new to off-road I wanted a vehicle that would be capable stock, with headroom for future mods when I have a feeling for what type of driving I'll be doing most which led me to the Rubicon trim level to get lockers and the creature comforts to start. Any tips for finding trails in New England would be much appreciated. I have a Class VI road map for NH, and have done the close (within 1 hour) trails on OnX Offroad, and I'm a sucker for exploring random roads and getting lost, but I know there's some gems out there that I'm blind to.

I'm a big fan of rock crawling and get a lot of inspiration from the other builds I've seen tearing up the trails.. but with that, my mod list so far:

Polished Method 709HD wheels 17x8.5 0mm offset
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires in 37x12.5
AEV 2" puck lift (will upgrade later, only to fit 37's now)
ETL Ind. Fender Flare Extensions (MA inspections are a stickler for tire poke)
Evo Quarter Pounder bumper
Warn Zeon 12-S winch w/ Factor55 FlatLink
AAL Fender chop DRL's
Baja Designs LP6 DOT headlights
Nacho Quatro Supreme 100 spot lights + Supreme 80 flood / spot
Oracle Smoked tail lights
Diode Dynamics Hitch / 4th brake light
Desert Does It Seat Slammer
ASFIR Engine + Trans skid plate

Yes.. a lot of the initial mod budget went to lights, but after getting rear ended with serious injuries I like seeing and being seen, but don't worry.. full suspension will be next.

Fun fact, very shortly after taking it home, I did the MA Bell trail in western MA with temporary plates still on it because I was still waiting on paperwork lol but, thanks for reading!

Ps - I hate the salt as much as you.. will be washed asap but I don't mind the texture for the pictures.

- Greene

Nice JT.

If you off road with those rims. Be prepared for the lips to get some rock rash. Mine is all torn up.

Rusty PW said:

Nice JT.

If you off road with those rims. Be prepared for the lips to get some rock rash. Mine is all torn up.

Click to expand...

Thank you, I have a little rock rash already on one but thankfully they have the replaceable ‘beauty ring’ if it gets too bad.

Not sure if your list is in order but I’d move those skids on up there towards the top. Good lookin rig!!

Greene,
I just bought a 2022 Rubicon Gladiator as well. I plan on using mine as a deer lease vehicle in South West Texas. I will leave it there in an insulated con ex box.
I went over your list and had to research to learn about the Baja design lp6 and the Nacho quarto supreme 100's. They have very good spec's from what I can tell. Do you find yourself going between flood and spot much?

I have done many mods as well including Diode Dynamic's Elite max headlights. You can turn low and high beams on at same time.

I went with the Ridgid Industries 50" E series pro spot/driving combo above the windshield, and 2 DSS spot, and 2 DSS flood for ditch lights. They each have 3 led's that shine out to to the side. I have the factory aux switches but I'm already using 3 of them so I am waiting on the Voswitch jl400 to switch them. It mounts in the drivers grab bar. I'm mounting these on the Zroads pillar mounts that also have 4 pod mounts built in. I'm hoping it will wow me when I get it all installed.

I put the AEV Saltia wheels with 35x 12.5x 17 Toyo m/t's. Maybe 1/2" to 3/4" poke. I need the ten ply tires for the mesquite thorns on the ranch. So did you notice a change in performance when you went with the 37''s?

Verde

Interested in your front rack & how you mounted it.

The feeder on the front is mounted on a front receiver hitch. Hitch had to be modified some. The Warn winch plate interfered with the hitch. The BAM front skid plate had to be notched around the receiver hitch tube.. I also have a rear receiver hitch so I can mount it on front or rear. I have it wired to an auxiliary switch.

Verde