RCC's Gladiator Build

[wayoflife]

I am on the fence as to what to do about repairing it. I really enjoy the functionality of having a bed but the length is problematic sometimes as I am sure you know. So I am trying to decide if I repair it or I bob the bed around 6-8 inches. Bobbing it seems like a bad idea because it would only help with about 10% of the off-roading we do.

Yup, the length can be a pain to deal with for sure but for me, 10% seems generous and hard for me to justify. If anything, there are times I wish my bed were longer. For that, I personally am happy to keep things as is.

 

[Billy Joe]

I got sent a few videos. Looks like my Gladiator is alive again. Looking forward to picking it up next week.

This is one bad JT. Thanks for sharing.

 

[RCC]

I got my new Evo bumper installed today. Will get the lights wired in tomorrow and figure out what to do for a license plate light.

 

[Bear_JT]

That looks really good! I like that bumper.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Looks great! Does the plate fold down with the tailgate?

 

[RCC]

Looks great! Does the plate fold down with the tailgate?

Yes Evo made a pretty neat bracket that attaches to the bottom of the tailgate and plate moves with the tailgate. It seems like it took me alot of adjusting to get it right but Im pretty good at fouling things up.

Eddie made a really good video showing it.

 

[RCC]

Recently was working on trying to figure out a good solution for a license plate light after going to the Evo stubby bumper. They make a really nice bracket that folds with the tailgate but I found it impossible to install lights without them hitting the bumper. Fortunately I own a CNC plasma table so I made a solution.



And yes the wire for the light has been secured.

 

[RCC]

The decked system and half rack are gone. Getting ready to drop it off this week for the trailing arm suspension.

 

[Lperdue]

Hey for your build what did you do to run a trans/oil pan skid after your hemi conversion.

 

[RCC]

Hey for your build what did you do to run a trans/oil pan skid after your hemi conversion.

Nothing was done. It’s been wheeled for almost a year with no issues. That being said I’m hoping to get a skid plate to protect the oil pan while it is getting the rear suspension done.

 

[Lperdue]

Nothing was done. It’s been wheeled for almost a year with no issues. That being said I’m hoping to get a skid plate to protect the oil pan while it is getting the rear suspension done.

Ok thanks for the info. If you get a chance can you take some pics of how they got a skid to work.

 

[RCC]

Some progress pics of my trailing arm suspension install. Bubba has had to reengineer the kit some to deal clearence issues.

 

[RCC]

 

[WJCO]

What was the purpose of all that frame work?

 

[RCC]

What was the purpose of all that frame work?

To allow the shocks to tilt in at the top and gain some more clearance at full articulation. Frame and Evo shock brackets were modified to make more clearance.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Woah! Serious work being done. Looking badass!

 

[RCC]

I got my JT back today. Now I have a few weeks of putting all of the stuff back on it so we can leave for Colorado at the end of the month.

 

[JT@623]

I got my JT back today. Now I have a few weeks of putting all of the stuff back on it so we can leave for Colorado at the end of the month. View attachment 393685

Some serious badassery there

 

[benatc1]

Looks great man!

 

[Jsouder53]

What an awesome rig!