Gladiator v2.0
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 8:22 am
I'm not even sure where to begin with the back story on this transition, but suffice it to say that priorities have shifted over time and the current situation is that I'm the oldest I've ever been, and I'm growing weary of the constant maintenance and general ownership burden of having so many vehicles around. Both kids have their own rigs now, and with me always having a tow rig and a wheeling rig (well, several wheeling rigs ), it's just silly when you step back and look at it. Not to mention the fact that in 20+ years of homeownership, I have never parked MY daily driver IN a garage, which is a particular bummer in the winters... So, consolidation was the catalyst here and although I've tried the combination of Jeep and truck before, the plan for this go-round includes a very key element to help ensure success. At least for a little while
We'll start with the basics; she's a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon with the 3.6L gasser and wonderful 8-speed automatic dressed in Granite Crystal paint. Here was the first test fit in the garage to seal the deal:
With fitment confirmed, it was time to get started on making it mine:
The first order of business was to address the most glaring shortcoming from my previous Gladiator ownership experience: entry and egress. To make it right this time, I went with a set of Rockslide Engineering slider steps:
Next up was a complete Teraflex suspension makeover including their super-trick "extended travel" rear suspension setup which replaces the low-hanging rear swaybar and stupid-long links with a torsion style bar that mounts above the frame. I also opted for the Falcon 3.1 reservoir shocks:
At this point, it was looking as though the poor Gladiator had skipped leg day at the gym, but I was stuck in supply chain purgatory awaiting what was previously unobtainium (more on this later):
With a few hours to kill, I spent the time working up a new front winch bumper:
I still have to bend up the hoop and get it welded out, but the overall idea is there...
And that brought us up to speed as of Mother's Day, as I continued to wait for the previously mentioned unobtainium
We'll start with the basics; she's a 2023 Gladiator Rubicon with the 3.6L gasser and wonderful 8-speed automatic dressed in Granite Crystal paint. Here was the first test fit in the garage to seal the deal:
With fitment confirmed, it was time to get started on making it mine:
The first order of business was to address the most glaring shortcoming from my previous Gladiator ownership experience: entry and egress. To make it right this time, I went with a set of Rockslide Engineering slider steps:
Next up was a complete Teraflex suspension makeover including their super-trick "extended travel" rear suspension setup which replaces the low-hanging rear swaybar and stupid-long links with a torsion style bar that mounts above the frame. I also opted for the Falcon 3.1 reservoir shocks:
At this point, it was looking as though the poor Gladiator had skipped leg day at the gym, but I was stuck in supply chain purgatory awaiting what was previously unobtainium (more on this later):
With a few hours to kill, I spent the time working up a new front winch bumper:
I still have to bend up the hoop and get it welded out, but the overall idea is there...
And that brought us up to speed as of Mother's Day, as I continued to wait for the previously mentioned unobtainium