2020 Jeep Gladiator Build/Adventures

[cody93225]

I sold my JKU Rubicon and bought a 2020 Gladiator. I have owned it since February. This is by far my favorite Jeep. The 8 speed is amazing, I also love the ride quality over the stock JK. So far I have changed the springs and shocks (I bought used off a Rubicon Gladiator). Then I added Rubicon rock rails, rear bumper/tow hooks/corner guards, then I put on a set of Rubicon rims and tires. Then I added a smittybilt classic bumper and Warn Zeon 10 winch. It sagged some in the front so I added a teraflex leveling kit. Then I put on some cheap amazon LED Lights, I reused an old relay box I had, put in some cheap amazon switch panel and am adding a VHF. Next step is an electric locker. Ive already put 10,000 miles on this jeep taking it to desert camping trips and all over California. Here is the before and after. I gotta say I actually enjoyed the Jeep more in stock form. 20mpg and 90 on the freeway no problem. Now its a bit beefier, but capable of what I want to do.

 

[cody93225]

If you guys are wondering there is a big difference between the sport and rubicon suspensions. It legit lifts it an inch. I bought this kit for $325 off craigslist while I was coming home from the mojave desert.

 

[cody93225]

The Jeep had come a long ways, but I will show some more pics of its transformation. Again, I bought most things off craigslist. I live in the bay area and bought a set of sliders for $100 from a shop in Sacramento. I also picked up the Rubicon rear bumper and corner guards for $200. I wasn't aware when I bought the corner guards, but they require specific frame mounts that are pricey. The frame mounts makes the entire set up incredibly strong. I have smashed the rear corner hard and it didn't leave a mark. All of this is so easy to put on.

 

[cody93225]

After the sliders and rubicon suspension install I set my sights on rubicon rims and tires. I found this set for $650 on craigslist. My friend gave me a used Falken 285 to use as a spare (so I do have a full size spare). The tires are much bigger than the stock sport tires.

 

[cody93225]

After the tires and another desert trip. I decided I wanted to purchase a winch and winch bumper with my stimulus check lol. Since I do not have lockers, having a winch seemed like the next logical step for now. I was going to get a smittybilt (which I have ran for the last 10 years), but decided to give a budget Warn a chance. The Warn seems like better quality out of the box. We will see as time goes on.

 

[cody93225]

Once I put the winch and smittybilt bumper on the front end began to sag. I also bottomed out the front suspension multiple times in the desert. I decided to go with a teraflex 1.5 spacer lift to take out the rake of the front end. It was a relatively easy install. I did it in the carport of my apartment.

 

[cody93225]

I decided that I wanted to add some lights to my bumper so I wired in my old Water Proof fuse and relay box. I have owned this for five years with zero issues. It has been in 3 jeeps, a chevy k10 and now a gladiator. I was looking at purchasing something newer, but I figured no hurt in using this for now. I had to modify the relay box mount and found a location to install it. I also bought some cheap Amazon LEDs to mount to my front bumper.

 

[cody93225]

Next, I installed a bed rack: I sourced all the parts for like $250 and it makes taking my camping gear around a lot easier. Otherwise just been having fun with it.

 

[cody93225]

I also put synthetic winch line in to try to lighten up the front of the Jeep. This is my first time using synthetic line so we will see how it goes. It is so MUCH lighter.

 

[cody93225]

The most recent thing I did was add Air Lift 100 air bags to the back of the Jeep. The rear swats some when completely loaded. I plan on upgrading the sway bar as well.

 

[cody93225]

I moved my switch panel to the top of the dash and added a Voswitch cell phone and tablet panel. The tablet makes long drives much nicer for the passengers.

 

[cody93225]

I have put 35,000 miles on the Gladiator this year. I didn't have to go to work during the pandemic so I went on as many trips as possible.

 

[cody93225]

I have since bought a Suzuki DRZ 400 and have been doing a lot of enduro riding. The Jeep works as an excellent camper:

 

[cody93225]

To help with the added weight I put on a new Hellwig rear sway bar. This is the second Jeep I have put a Hellwig on. It is one of the best investments I have made on my Jeep. It helps out so much with on road manners it is insane:

 

[cody93225]

I also picked up a set of adjustable Thule bars on Craigslist. I got some use out of them this weekend on my annual Shaver Lake trip. Here is my current camp setup.