My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon

hardknoxgarage · Aug 14, 2024

As a long time daily TJ driver, I was finding myself (as my family grew), that I was running out of room. It was limiting the distance we could travel due to lack of space. It couldn't be a daily driver and a crawler anymore (I know so sad

), so when I retired my 2003 TJ Tomb Raider Edition to full time rock crawler weekend warrior, I started looking for my first ever "modern" Jeep. It was such an exciting new chapter. If you want to check out more of my TJ build, you can find me on IG @TombRaider_Wrangler or YouTube.

BUT..... this is where I will share much of what I've done and plan to do with the Gladiator. I wanted to get the JT over a JL because I enjoy having the bed for picking up parts, plants, antiques... you name it. I enjoy fixing it.

So - 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon in Granite Crystal Metallic purchased new to me in 2023.

Here's what she looked like shortly after purchasing - it didn't take me long to get to cracking on building her. Although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous... I've never worked on anything this new before

.

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_7254_jpg copy

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_7004

And where she sits as of now!

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon new 3

BUILD LIST (As of August 2024):
Suspension: MetalCloak 3.5" GameChanger
Half Rack: KB VooDoo Fabrications ProX CrossBars
Roof Top Tent: Roof Space 2
Light Bar: KC HiLites Gravity Titan
A-Pillar: KC HiLiTES Flex Era 4's
RockLights/Hood Beams: DCS Lighting
Air: MORRFlate
Brakes: R1 Concepts
Wheels: Fuel 17" Covert Candy Red
Tires: Nitto Ridge Grapplers 37x12.5x17
Winch: Warn Industries VR EVO 10
Bumpers: Mopar Steel
Programmer: Tazer Mini
Flooring: ArmorLite
Windshield Defense by Racing Optics

arosen1997 · Aug 14, 2024

hardknoxgarage said:
As a long time daily TJ driver, I was finding myself (as my family grew), that I was running out of room. It was limiting the distance we could travel due to lack of space. It couldn't be a daily driver and a crawler anymore (I know so sad ), so when I retired my 2003 TJ Tomb Raider Edition to full time rock crawler, I started looking for my first ever "modern" Jeep. It was such an exciting new chapter. If you want to check out more of my TJ build, you can find me on IG @TombRaider_Wrangler or YouTube.

BUT..... this is where I will share much of what I've done and plan to do with the Gladiator. I wanted to get the JT over a JL because I enjoy having the bed for picking up parts, plants, antiques... you name it. I enjoy fixing it.

So - 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon in Granite Crystal Metallic purchased new to me in 2023.

Here's what she looked like shortly after purchasing - it didn't take me long to get to cracking on building her. Although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous... I've never worked on anything this new before .

And where she sits as of now!

Looks good, welcome to the club!

hardknoxgarage · Aug 14, 2024

After going through 3 different suspension setups on my TJ, I knew @Metalcloak was what I wanted on the JT.

The 3.5" GameChanger was exactly the direction I wanted to go.

Albeit, a very snowy and dirty picture - this suspension is exactly what the name states... a game changer. Seen here are the Duroflex Control Arms and Dual Rate Springs.

One day I'm hoping to bump up to their 4.5" Lock-N-Load Long Arm Kit.

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_5257

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_1681

hardknoxgarage · Aug 14, 2024

arosen1997 said:
Looks good, welcome to the club!

Thanks! Happy to be here!!

hardknoxgarage · Aug 14, 2024

My goal is to get some proper Rockers as the ones I currently have are too bulky for my liking. Same with the front bumper. The Mopar steel one I have is good (much better than the plastic) but I'm hoping to put on one that's a bit more stronger, winch friendly, and customizable (like this one).

hardknoxgarage · Aug 14, 2024

Anyway.....back to the story.

First winter I had the JT - lots of snow wheeling. I'm from RI and snow can be hit or miss. We either get a ton or not much at all. This winter there was a good amount of storms

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_8070 copy.JPG

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_1717.JPG

Jeep Gladiator My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon IMG_1766_jpg.JPG

My suspension performed great, seriously such a smooth ride and performance (didn't get many pics/videos as it gets slippery out there), but one thing I did realize is I'd like some new tires next time winter rolls around. Taking suggestions on what you like! I've always been a BFG gal so I'll probably aim towards getting the KO3's once they come out in 37's.

Alpine Warthog · Aug 15, 2024

Welcome, I wholeheartedly support the BFG All Terrain KO2s for pretty much everything but mud. If you're a mudder at heart, they aren't great in the deep stuff, but for everything else I love mine. The KO3s are new so I don't know much about them

How do you like the KC light bar? How bad is the noise coming off of it? Considering it for my build as well

RubiNewbCB · Aug 15, 2024

I've been a subscriber (SaltySeabee) for a minute on your YT channel. Welcome to the fold. Great looking JT and great selection of MODs.

djthumper · Aug 15, 2024

Great looking JT! I have been following you on IG for a while.

vst · Aug 15, 2024

Nice build! I recently got some 37“ Mickey Thompson Baja boss AT‘s they have been great smooth and quiet and 3 peak rated

hardknoxgarage · Aug 15, 2024

Alpine Warthog said:
Welcome, I wholeheartedly support the BFG All Terrain KO2s for pretty much everything but mud. If you're a mudder at heart, they aren't great in the deep stuff, but for everything else I love mine. The KO3s are new so I don't know much about them

How do you like the KC light bar? How bad is the noise coming off of it? Considering it for my build as well

Thank you! I really like it! And I personally don’t really notice the wind at all. I do have headliners, maybe that helps diminish wind noise if any at all. It’s a really sweet, high powered setup. The amber dust light has come in super useful and the white beams are crazy bright and crisp.

hardknoxgarage · Aug 15, 2024

RubiNewbCB said:
I've been a subscriber (SaltySeabee) for a minute on your YT channel. Welcome to the fold. Great looking JT and great selection of MODs.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the support!

Sw00per · Aug 16, 2024

TGiF. Catching up on the forum and enjoyed this thread. I will have to follow you journey on IG. After my first trip to Moab last month the trail told me get a lift

.

I am strongly considering MC since they are not all that far from me. How is the driving post lift?

Additionally, I have considered the KC light bar as a potential future upgrade. Hopefully you will share some real use photos on IG. I was lucky enough to stop in just before the release in Flagstaff to see them being packaged up.

Lastly, looking at the MC bumper as well but I really like the "look" of the NV-JLT-08274 which you might consider.

Cheers!

Trauma PA · Aug 16, 2024

hardknoxgarage said:
As a long time daily TJ driver, I was finding myself (as my family grew), that I was running out of room. It was limiting the distance we could travel due to lack of space. It couldn't be a daily driver and a crawler anymore (I know so sad ), so when I retired my 2003 TJ Tomb Raider Edition to full time rock crawler weekend warrior, I started looking for my first ever "modern" Jeep. It was such an exciting new chapter. If you want to check out more of my TJ build, you can find me on IG @TombRaider_Wrangler or YouTube.

BUT..... this is where I will share much of what I've done and plan to do with the Gladiator. I wanted to get the JT over a JL because I enjoy having the bed for picking up parts, plants, antiques... you name it. I enjoy fixing it.

So - 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon in Granite Crystal Metallic purchased new to me in 2023.

Here's what she looked like shortly after purchasing - it didn't take me long to get to cracking on building her. Although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous... I've never worked on anything this new before .

And where she sits as of now!

BUILD LIST (As of August 2024):
Suspension: MetalCloak 3.5" GameChanger
Half Rack: KB VooDoo Fabrications ProX CrossBars
Roof Top Tent: Roof Space 2
Light Bar: KC HiLites Gravity Titan
A-Pillar: KC HiLiTES Flex Era 4's
RockLights/Hood Beams: DCS Lighting
Air: MORRFlate
Brakes: R1 Concepts
Wheels: Fuel 17" Covert Candy Red
Tires: Nitto Ridge Grapplers 37x12.5x17
Winch: Warn Industries VR EVO 10
Bumpers: Mopar Steel
Programmer: Tazer Mini
Flooring: ArmorLite
Windshield Defense by Racing Optics

Very nice build. My daughter had the red Fuel Coverts on her JK and they faded really bad from the sun. I’m wondering if keeping a coat of wax on them may help?

Empty Pockets · Aug 19, 2024

Love the title of this post, since my JT is definitely my first “modern Jeep”. Of the couple dozen or so that I’ve owned over the last 50 years, the newest was a ‘67 Kaiser Jeep Wagoneer (also had a 67 M715 truck). So this is my first Jeep with a AC, coil suspension, power steering & brakes (or disc for that matter), fuel injection………. The second with a heater and a radio (the Wagoneer had a push button AM radio

). Great to finally drive in the modern world!

My First Modern Jeep - 2021 JT Gladiator Rubicon

hardknoxgarage

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arosen1997

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hardknoxgarage

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Alpine Warthog

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vst

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Sw00per

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Trauma PA

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