Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build

Sunshine92 · Oct 16, 2026

Factory ordered my 2026 Gladiator Mojave X from Thornton CDJR in Red Lion, PA on 3/6/2026 and picked it up on 4/16/2026. First Gladiator and first brand new vehicle.

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260416_182330

My plan was to keep it stock and not do any serious off-roading, mainly just use it for camping trips and hauling my dirt bike.

First additions were:

Rokblokz mud flaps (original size)
Tackform phone mount and wireless charger
Holster (CMM Universal Accessory Mount + Alien Gear ShapeShift Holster)
Tecbaba console cup holder liner
Tecbaba seat back mats
5 year ceramic coating
Krown undercoating

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260519_115515

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260519_115523

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261015_122958

Then my buddy and I decided to give AOAA a try. He has a lifted Suburban on 37s. I brought my 2.5 year old daughter and discovered she likes being on the trails.

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260906_101728

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260906_104701

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260906_120008

After a few trips to AOAA, I decided it was time for a lift and some bigger tires.

Sunshine92 · Oct 16, 2026

I wanted it to fit in my garage, so I decided to go with a 1.5" lift and 35" tires. Had the work performed by Mount Zion Offroad and picked it up last Friday.

Currently installed upgrades/parts:

Clayton 1.5" Overland+ lift kit
JKS shock extension brackets
Adams front drive shaft
Apex AutoLYNX sway bar disconnect
Clayton rear sway bar reinforcement brackets
ASFIR engine & transmission skid plate
Clayton rear lower control arm bracket skid plate
Clayton weld on front lower control arm skids
Dana Advantek front and rear differential covers
AEV front and rear differential skid plates
Method 703 wheels (17x8.5, +25mm offset)
35x11.5R17 Faulken Wildpeak AT4W tires
Mini Tazer

I haven't had a chance to take it offroad yet, but so far I'm extremely happy with how it turned out.

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125533

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125455

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125512

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125519

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125605

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125616

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125847

Got the shop to modify my Rokblokz mud flap mounts so they would fit with the Clayton sway bar brackets. They cut a notch to make it work. Big thanks to this forum for that solution.

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_130006

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125903

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_125748

Sunshine92 · Oct 17, 2026

With this setup I gained approximately 3.25" of lift. It fits in the garage perfectly with no room to spare. I'll have to be careful pulling out if there's snow on the ground.

Before and after:

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260830_173620

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_130249

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20260830_173713

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build 20261012_130346

For shits and giggles, here's a video of me going up The Shaft at AOAA with the Jeep in stock form. I didn't realize it was a black trail at the time. The second half of the hill climb took several tries, but I made it.

WilldWilly · Oct 17, 2026

Great build. It is well thought out.
I love Alien Gear Holsters.

Frankiestoys · Oct 17, 2026

Nice setup with all the right mods … mine is still a work in progress and more of a beach crawler now . Glad to see another 2 nd amendment brother.

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build IMG_0441

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build IMG_6090

BourbonRunner · Oct 17, 2026

Niiiice!

I went with a universal holster with a super strong magnet since my carry piece depends on the uniform of the day. This works with everything from a P365 to a Python .357.

Jeep Gladiator Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build IMG_1144

Janster · Oct 17, 2026

Nicely done!!
I bet your jonezin’ to get back to AOAA…

Did you just get it back from Mt. Zion?
If yes….. and you ordered 1.5” Lift?
I would tend to believe (but could be wrong), those coils will eventually settle down and you‘d get closer to what you ordered.
Every lift kit I’ve ever installed….(coils or leafs), they’re always twice the lift when you first install them.

I have an Alien Gear thumb rest on my canik.

Black Scorpion holsters have been our go-to for our IWB or OWB.
It’s always on my hip…..

Mud Pie · Oct 18, 2026

Nice build !! Best part was from your first post...

Sunshine92 said:
My plan was to keep it stock and not do any serious off-roading, mainly just use it for camping trips and hauling my dirt bike.

Welcome to the Jeep world. :LOL:

Sunshine92 · Oct 18, 2026

BourbonRunner said:
I went with a universal holster with a super strong magnet since my carry piece depends on the uniform of the day. This works with everything from a P365 to a Python .357.

Nice solution for multiple sidearms!

Janster said:
Did you just get it back from Mt. Zion?
If yes….. and you ordered 1.5” Lift?
I would tend to believe (but could be wrong), those coils will eventually settle down and you‘d get closer to what you ordered.
Every lift kit I’ve ever installed….(coils or leafs), they’re always twice the lift when you first install them.

Yeah, the lift has only been on for about a week, so I expect it may settle a little. It will be interesting to see where it ends up.

azmojave · Oct 18, 2026

Now that’s how you break in a new Jeep. Outstanding :like:

Bandit’s Lair · Oct 18, 2026

Color on that is ‘41? My eyes are being funky.

Neomonk21 · Oct 19, 2026

Awesome Jeep! It looks your journey is similar to mine. I put on a 2.5" lift and 35" tires specifically to keep it still a daily driver and to tackle AOAA. So far it's been great. Maybe I'll see you on the trails some day!

Sunshine92 · Oct 19, 2026

Bandit’s Lair said:
Color on that is ‘41? My eyes are being funky.

Correct

Neomonk21 said:
Awesome Jeep! It looks your journey is similar to mine. I put on a 2.5" lift and 35" tires specifically to keep it still a daily driver and to tackle AOAA. So far it's been great. Maybe I'll see you on the trails some day!

Nice jeep! I'll be sure to say hi if I ever see ya, that orange should be easy to spot!

Sunshine92's 2026 Mojave Build

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