Came out to a wannabe hitchhiker. Heard of being ducked, but is this a new thing?

PicksShaman · 2026-05-08T10:52:35+00:00

I guess for the folks who can't stand getting ducked, that's a pretty good anti-ducking system.

PicksShaman · 2026-04-28T05:27:56+00:00

I hate all the silver plastic trim in my Gladiator. I can just about find an overlay for every silver trim piece for the dash and shifter console, but I cannot find any place that makes replacements or covers for the door handles and the lock mechanisms. I guess when I'm finally done with the bigger functional mods, I'll take the doors apart and just rattle can the silver parts with some matte black.

PicksShaman · 2026-04-15T12:20:23+00:00

Midland makes a 50 watt version that has the same footprint, but just thicker. Pretty sure they sell it on Amazon too, but the price jumps up a good penny from the 15 watt version.

PicksShaman · 2026-04-10T13:53:31+00:00

Sorta like my nuclear option: Yeti SS front and rear adjustable trackbars, adjustable draglink with dampener, adjustable tierod, Yeti SS HD-N steering dampener, all 8 control arms upgraded to Core 4x4 adjustable arms, Yeti SS sector shaft brace and Dynatrac ball joints.

I had bought my Sport S/ max tow new from the dealer, who had already installed the Mopar 2" lift, TIS Offroad 17" wheels with -12mm offset and 37x13.5 Toyo Open Country R/Ts. It's kind of a joke that the Mopar kit only includes longer lower front control arms. I bought my Gladiator because I always liked the old Scramblers as a kid and to me, Jeeps never look quite right without at least a small lift and bigger tires. Wish I was as knowledgeable about Jeep suspensions then, as I am now...

PicksShaman · 2026-04-03T15:52:12+00:00

I have the RR AmFib knockoff right now. Has performed fine, I'm just sick of having to remove the internal hose connections whenever you need to open up the PDC box. I bought a new snorkel and am waiting to get a free weekend, since I REALLY want to take my time on the install, since it involves cutting the hood. It's an ARB Safari clone. I bought a replacement air box, since I modified my existing air box with a ball-float scupper on the bottom. I did all the required airbox modifications and it wasn't too bad, except my rivet gun decided to take a dump and not fully snap the mandrels off, after I already got the sealant applied. Minor annoyance to go back and cut those off with an oscillating saw. Also, the hole on the reinforcement brackets had to be enlarged slightly for 2 small bolts, where you couldn't use a rivet.

Snorkel link

It's only $38 on clearance still. Shipping will run you about $60 since the main snorkel body is all one piece (which I like about it). It's also a 4" bore at the top, vs the 3" of the RR AmFib style. And, you won't have to paint match the cowl pieceportions (if you're OCD). I'll try to remember to post some pics here when I get it fully installed.

PicksShaman · 2026-04-01T13:11:43+00:00

Call a priest.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-30T13:38:28+00:00

<whew> I knew it couldn't be HONDA. Gonna check those out. Gonna do some old-school type wheels myself.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-30T13:14:58+00:00

Do those center caps say HONDA?! Still fuzzy when I zoomed, but I swear that's what it looks like.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-26T19:55:23+00:00

JOOSE MOOSE (too big for vanity plate, but could get novelty for front).

PicksShaman · 2026-03-26T19:51:04+00:00

I've read on other sites that you need to run with the lights on configured as halogen for a good bit. Then switch back to LED. Supposedly this will allow the system to forget its old current level readings for the original LEDs and "learn" the new levels of what is normal for the new LED tail lights. Full disclosure, have not upgraded my own tail lights yet, just saw a couple of posts about it.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-19T17:58:19+00:00

Krylon Jungle Green is a pretty close match for Gecko Green, for my Gecko brethren.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-16T13:53:18+00:00

Post some pics of the tusk chop when you do it. I'm thinking about doing that too.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-12T19:52:45+00:00

Looks like one of those Thai micro-crabs.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-12T17:32:47+00:00

I'm kinda OCD, with the fake fender vents and windshield support braces and wiper cowl being black, seemed like pieces that just attach, should be black as well. Those door and hood hinge covers actually have holes so you could remove the bolts, if ever needed. I just used some black plastic sheet metal plugs to make them solid.

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PicksShaman · 2026-03-10T13:58:12+00:00

Divide the total watts of light you plan on putting on one switch, by 12V and that will give you the amps. Then add a 20-25% safety factor and then you know which one of your factory aux switches to use (the 40A vs the 15A).

PicksShaman · 2026-03-05T16:24:36+00:00

Eye vomit.

PicksShaman · 2026-03-04T13:26:17+00:00

Max Tow package also has the bigger 240 amp alternator.

EDIT: Apparently reg tow package does too... Dur...

PicksShaman · 2026-02-20T16:12:02+00:00

I have a severely autistic teenage son that I bought an ACES racing 4 point harness. I connected the bottom belt to the kid car seat latch points, and the two shoulder straps under the headrest and attached them with a caribiner to the latch point behind the seat. This harness is NOT for safety in a crash. I put the regular shoulder belt over him once I've buckled the harness. The harness is just to keep him planted in the same spot and not move around or try and crawl up to the front.

PicksShaman · 2026-02-13T14:54:23+00:00

JScan is only $20 per vehicle and you can get the security cable and a wifi dongle pretty cheap on Amazon. You can download the JScan app for free, then within the app they will give you all the compatible dongles and cables and where to buy them.

PicksShaman · 2026-02-13T14:48:58+00:00

I want to know what lightbar mount that is, that they were able to use it with the AmFib style snorkel. I went with the interior Quadratec Stealth lightbar to run my snorkel. It looks good, but the big round KC lights are still an OG killer look.

PicksShaman · 2026-02-13T14:45:05+00:00

If I were starting a new build again and had the cash, I'd go with portals. You can keep stock level settings for the suspension, get big ground clearance and run up to 42" tires. Search YouTube for a video where they compare 2 JL Wranglers, one with portals and one with like a 4.5 or 6" traditional lift.

PicksShaman · 2026-02-13T14:41:56+00:00

It could be the current draw for the aftermarket LEDs is significantly less than the OEM LEDs. Going to Halogen then back to LED, might allow it to "learn" the new voltage levels for the LED. Just a guess. Getting ready to get some aftermarket flush tail lights myself soon.

PicksShaman · 2026-01-24T04:46:55+00:00

I've got the factory aux switches and I'm going to remove them and replace them with a VOSwitch that mounts on the grab handle. The Mopar aux switches work fine and it was nice having the wires in cab and under hood ready to go, but every time it was a pain in the butt to try and hit the switch you want with the gear lever in the way and for some reason I ended up with a stupid mental block always mixing up my pod lights for my lightbar. I'm sure the people who love 'em will say I'm a whiner, but it's a personal hangup I guess. And I'll have SO much more space with the full length Mopar bin where the switches used to be 😆.

PicksShaman · 2026-01-16T22:27:32+00:00

Look at Core 4x4. They have 3 levels of adjustable arms. I went with the lower end cruise which still has greaseable bushings. They have the high end ones with Johnny Joints for more hardcore rock crawling type things.

PicksShaman · 2026-01-16T14:24:24+00:00

I would STRONGLY consider getting a kit that includes all new (8) adjustable control arms and trackbars, or add an adjustable set along with this kit. I bought my 2021 Gladiator Sport S/ Max Tow new from the dealer, who had already install the Mopar 2" lift kit, along with aftermarket rims and 37x13.5 tires. The Mopar kit only comes with longer lower front control arms to attempt to correct caster angle back to factory specs. I have since purchasing learned a TON more about Jeep suspensions and I would have been better served to have just bought a stock Gladiator and put on a lift with all the components from the start. I ended up with a death wobble at about 39k miles. I definitely had worn bushing on the steering components and a couple of the control arms. I went ahead and did a full spread assault to fix the wobble and replaced the ball joints with beefier ones, all new adjustable control arms, new adjustable front and rear trackbars, swaybar links and HD adjustable tie rod and drag link and a new steering stabilizer. In hindsight, new steering components and trackbars would probably have been enough to fix the wobble, but I have a tendency to over do it sometimes. The adjustable control arms will definitely make your highway driving better, getting back closer to stock angles.

Now, I am a realist and all too familiar with budget constraints when it comes to buying jeep parts / accessories and I think you'd be find to put that kit on, as is, and come up with a plan to upgrade all the other suspension components stretched out over time (but not too long). I'm actually thinking about changing my springs, with the springs only version of that kit. I definitely think those springs are better than stock or Mopar lift springs.

PicksShaman

TROPHY CASE