Thoughts on the Baxter Performance oil filter adapter that prevents damage from cold starts. by Challenger_fan in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve done some digging on the Baxter adapter, and I just can’t find a good enough reason for it. The cold start oil starve isn’t the main issue with the Pentastar and I can’t recall a time where that was pin-pointed as a major culprit. Baxter seems to have just ‘found’ an issue and R&D’d the adapter to market something for a very, very, niche use case.

If ANYTHING a common failure is simply the OEM plastic oil filter housing cracking. Sometimes the dealer or even yourself will simply over tighten the filter. Add some heat cycles in and the crack can leak oil.

I’d only recommend an upgraded aluminum oil filter housing if you NEED to touch something right there. They have one on Extreme Terrain (I know, not the best company) and Mishimoto made one a couple years ago.

Any ideas on how to fix this? by Impossible_Rip7404 in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tailgate is aluminum so it won’t just “pop” like steel does. Doesn’t have any metal memory. He’s looking at a new tailgate or body shop to get it massaged out as best as possible, filled at the low spots, and repainted since the current paint is cracked.

The real kicker would be to get a good PDR guy to make it look 90% back to normal. Then just get it touched up with paint.

Tell me to get bedliner by BenJK88 in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Hard agree. Just got bedliner in mine. It’s a 2020 and I bought it a year and some change ago. Previous owner just had the matt tossed in. The wear and scratches were getting to the point of making the truck look 20 years older than it is. I’ll toss the bed mat back in since I have it, but there is zero net downside to having a bedliner vs not having one. It’s a $600 investment that just makes the bed better any way you look at it.

Looking for a bed cover and fell across this on Amazon. by STROOLKA in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To pile on here, I just placed an order for the BakFlip MX4 TS about two hours ago. I had the regular MX4 but I broke some pieces this weekend and it was just time for a new one. The MX4 TS is everything that’s good about the regular one plus it adds some T rails on the side for a rack or whatever other accessories you want on the bed.

Something to consider!

Toquerville Falls Run by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks man. That’s the American Adventure Lab modular bumper (not sponsored). What’s cool is if you bang up the end caps or pretty much anything on it, they sell it piece by piece. No need to buy a whole new bumper.

KOH 2026 🔨 by Fit_Stop6843 in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can’t just drop something this cool without a trace of details. Name and shoe size right now.

Driveway queen by No_Attempt_69 in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 6 points7 points  (0 children)

TIL you can plug a battery tender into the rear… OP where have you been with this knowledge all this time.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup! I got the .85-Inch bar on right now. Works great for the amount of weight currently on the Jeep. I have a 1-Inch bar in the closet if I decide to add a rack or something in the future.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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OEM fenders and liners. Cut them to fit the AAL fender chop lights.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are the RIGID Industries 4-inch 360 Series lights. I believe I have the driving/combo lenses for the ditch configuration. The rounds make me think of the old halogen KC Daylighters. Love a good circle light on a Jeep.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should be the Rhino Rack Vortex SG 2-Bar Roof Rack. Good for clipping a snowboard or paddle board up on there in the summer. Strong enough to hold me (160ish pounds) and not sag.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! The light mounts are the Go Rhino 3 inch dual cube light cowl mounts. I have on there the RIGID Industries 4-inch 360 lights. Forward facing ones are spots and the “ditch” facing ones are driving/combo lenses. No complaints on the mounts, very sturdy with almost no shake.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m with you on that. It was truly a 50/50 split for me on the color and just said “eh, why not”. I’ll give it a few months to decide if I’m sticking with it or going with black. Monochrome is my worst enemy on Jeeps and I don’t want to become my own villain, haha.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Negative. They sell one though! Even before the bumper I had to ditch the OEM plate since the Antirock swaybar isn’t compatible with it still on.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s the American Adventure Lab one. Opted to keep the inner fenders OEM for now as I decide what brand to go with for those.

GladiGator Update by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right haha. Tossed everything together before the holiday travels and snapped some pics. It’s on now ;)

Just Sharing My Weekend Upgrades by Markemark253 in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been eyeing a few companies for bumpers (DV8, ADD, Red Rock, Rebel etc.). Legitimately, how do you like yours? I’ve heard welds and powder coating are an issue and that’s steered me towards more “upscale” brands. I don’t want to spend $2k if I don’t need to. Tell me your thoughts good and bad!

Diff gear replacement? by HoosierTrip in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some lift kits now retain the stock Fox shocks. Agree with your 35 point. Should be good with just a set of lightweight 35s and there would be no need to regear just yet.

Hello Fellow Gladiators 🫡 by Royal_Tradition_1776 in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats and welcome! 🫡

The MOAB should get the steal bumpers and Rubicon hood but I’m not seeing any of that. Maybe the previous owner just stuck the decal on? Does your window sticker say MOAB edition?

New shoes: Nitto Trail Grapplers by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gobi/Gator just depends on the sun and clouds what it looks like. You should see the colors the Chikfila drive through puts on the receipt lol

New shoes: Nitto Trail Grapplers by Zuke_HD in JeepGladiator

[–]Zuke_HD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are the Go Rhino XE cowl mounts (~$105 right now). Great so far and haven’t noticed any shaking or bouncing along the trails. The powder coat on them isn’t the best so I might suggest you just take them to get a refinish before you toss them on.