Aonarch's 2021 Sport S Max Tow

[Aonarch]

Did some light wheeling. Tried to keep it light at least. This Fire Service road was in rough shape, super rocky, rutted out, with a few big mud bogs.

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[Aonarch]

Pretty handy. I love the stat that the Gladiator fits 94% of motorcycles in the bed.

 

[Aonarch]

I installed the Mopar grab handles, but unfortunately the rears don't fit with my soft top. I'm also not a fan of them, because at 6'2" they get in the way entering and exiting the vehicle.

I also installed the Gladiator sill protectors. They look fine, but don't protect much.

 

[FitfulGoat]

How are the Bilsteins?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Installed the Mopar extended LCAs, they are heavier (Thicker steel) and .25" longer.

Installed the Daystar .75" rear spacer and Bilstein 5100 shocks.

I have a super handy trick for the rear springs. I used a paint pen to mark where the alignment nub goes on the spring mount and on the rubber isolator itself. I also zip ties the upper rubber isolater to the spring, so it didn't fall off or move.

I ordered the BleepinJeep alignment plates, but for now I adjusted toe and straightened the steering wheel with good ole tape measurers and levels.

I installed the front Bilstein shocks too, but I didn't take any photos.

One thing... I have an extra set of rear sway bar links coming tomorrow. Even with a 1.5" lift in the front, the factory sway bar links are a no go. The sway bar is at an extreme angle. I'll install the extra rear set up front tomorrow

I thought I was the only one who used levels and tape measures that way. People wonder why I keep bundles of tie straps and rolls of wire around......

 

[Aonarch]

How are the Bilsteins?

They are great. The truck definitely rides firm, but is not jarring. Stock it rode so soft and would get unsettled on bumps. No more of that. The steering is excellent too. Has a nice feel and is accurate. KO2s certainly help as well. I read today that the 2022 models will have 35" KO2s as a factory option, obviously to compete with the Bronco.

I highly recommend Bilstein 5100s. I've had these, 4600s, and sport car shocks on multiple vehicles with great success.

 

[Aonarch]

I thought I was the only one who used levels and tape measures that way. People wonder why I keep bundles of tie straps and rolls of wire around......

Tried and true!

Now I wouldn't use this method with my 911 though...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Tried and true!

Now I wouldn't use this method with my 911 though...

Uh, no. Then I'd have to wonder if there'd even be room for the tape measures to fit under the body to the other side.
My one car isn't as bad as yours would be, but the headers and other stuff get in the way so I can't really get an accurate reading.
And I figure anything that can go as fast as that thing can - I don't want a tape measure doing the measuring.
But with the JT - I can measure almost as high as midway up the tires, front and rear, pretty accurate for a Jeep truck.

I also like the lifts you show in a pic in your first post. Wish my place was as clean and organized!

 

[Aonarch]

Boutique oil, check.

I also used the Bleepin Jeep alignment plates to set toe. I had a bit too much toe in so I set it to a smaller amount of toe in. Pretty straightforward.

I didn't take a picture but that is what they look like. You still use two tape measures. But if you wanted to, you could use string as well.

 

[Aonarch]

Installed a Mishimoto catch can. It's a nice piece and was easy to install. It comes with a remote drain tube by the front of the drivers pinch seam.

 

[Aonarch]

Going on a cross country road trip here in two weeks. I've been hunting for the last items that I need.

I finally was able to find a matching 5th tire to throw on my spare.

Ordered the Bestop Rolling Tonneau cover. Pretty hard to beat the price vs competitors that are more than double in cost.

Then, fingers crossed, found a truck bed tent in stock. Summer time, supply chain shortages, and the Overlanding craze has made certain things hard to come by.

 

[Aonarch]

Installed Kenwood KFC-XC3 speakers. Took maybe, maybe, 20 minutes. Super easy.

Ordered them from Crutchfield, which is a great shop!

I don't want to go down the stereo rabbit hole, so hopefully this will be fine for a while.

 

[Aonarch]

Spent time figuring out how to set up my new Napier Backroadz Truck Bed Tent. Setup wasn't bad at all. I'm glad I practiced though in broad day light versus at night tired after an all day drive.

Installed the Bestop Tonneau Cover. It's a quality piece. Install was easy enough, but the instructions could be more clear. Just a few words would of helped in certain spots, like which end to align.

 

[Aonarch]

Not a huge mod, but it should have a major impact to comfort.

I went with the Desert Does It, Seat Jackers and installed the 1" piece for the front seat base.

Painless install. You do need a E14 socket though, so grab one before installing.

I was looking into aftermarket seats like a Recaro or a Corbeau, so hopefully this solves my complaints about the stock seats not having any thigh support. I'm 6'2" btw. They also have seat slider extenders if you need more leg room and seat slammers if you are tall.

I was thinking of going with the slammers since im a little low on head room, but since I sit up closer than most to the steering wheel, my head doesn't hit the roll bar. I am a track day junkie with my 911 and E30 Rally Cross car, so I always sit with my wrists able to lay on top of the wheel. I have about one more adjustment to go until I max out the slider aft.

So if you are reading this and had similar compliants to me, go check out Desert Does It.

 

[FLGladiator]

Looks awesome, wheels, shocks and all. I've been looking for the LE springs and have had no luck finding anything other than just Rubicon springs at allmopar com. Do you have a specific part number? How did you find LE springs? Also did you put the 1.5" teraflex leveling with the springs?

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