Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Build 4.5 Rock Krawler Suspension on 40's & Flat Bed Conversion | Inside Line

We've been making some big changes to our 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon build. From suspension mods to chopping up our bed, we will break down the why and how it all works in this video.
Nitto Trail Grapplers: www.nittotire.com/light-truck...
Rock Krawler Suspension: rockkrawler.com/4-5-adventure...
Fox Shocks: www.ridefox.com/family.php?m=...
JE Reel Driveshafts: reeldriveline.com/product/201...
Dynatrac Axles: www.dynatrac.com/hard-core-pl...
00:00 Introduction
00:05 Why change lifts?
00:45 Control Arm Problems
01:38 Rock Krawler 4.5" Adventure X No Limits JT Suspension Upgrade
05:32 Measurements
05:53 Off-road performance
06:25 40x13.50R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers
06:48 Suspension Differences
08:42 On-road driving
11:14 MITS Alloy Tray Bed Mods
14:02 Wrap up
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[@michaeldriggers474]

That is the coolest looking gladiator, it reminds me of the Australian with the flatbed love it

[@DUNEATV]

I have a 2024 Wrangler Rubicon XR but I just love the Gladiators also! Wish I could afford both! Lol

[@chrismarinock520]

The discounts on the 23 gladiator are so big you probably can. 😊

[@stephencarbajal5657]

You should have taken advantage of the deals you can get for gladiators right now.

[@DUNEATV]

@@stephencarbajal5657 Yes, many of my friends did! I however wanted the Wrangler! 🍻

[@blakemarchand6650]

Me too.. 😔

[@buelahland]

I have both. 🎉🎉🎉

[@TheHitSquadOffroad]

Most try to keep their JTs with low center of gravity, but I’ve e been running the Rock Krawler 4.5 Pro-X for almost 3 years and love it on the trails and on road. I’m running KM3 39s while most of my buddies with JTs are running 3.5 lifts and 40s, but I still seem to have more clearance on the trails. When you pair the Rock Krawler lift with long travel shocks it does wonders in articulation for a mid arm kit. Most people don’t realize that RK arms usually have bends to provide more clearance compared to kits with straight arms and the 4 link rear is a game changer.

[@CovertOutdoors]

Like the bed mods! Well done.

[@chrismarinock520]

I watch ALOT of offroad content on KZbin. And I just want to say I find you videos the most professional and having the most information out there. Are you planning any content from EJS this year? Fingers crossed.

[@DrivingLine]

I don’t think I’m making it this year, but that could change.

[@paulcharpentier5613]

I still wheel my 64 cj-5. Thing is unstoppable

[@bobbymuy989]

Yet again, another great video. Keep them coming. Have a great day!!

[@cardenasrc51]

Love it! Bed looks great!

[@leroymoore76]

love the flat bed and canopy. and plus love the jeep. it all looks great. good job

[@OverYonderOffroad]

Killer build Ali and great video!

[@That_Guy_Outside]

Absolutely love it

[@jasonlovell3934]

I had the same problem with the bushings wearing out on the control arms on our LJ. Metal cloak makes arms with the same kind of flexible joint as the rock krawler.

[@BirdDogOffRoadAdventures]

That is one sick build!

[@pattkinder612]

Sick build.😎 👍

[@bleon2368]

Great video, very detailed content as always…

[@justinmoore4088]

Great video and I think the JT's bed looks so much better with the chop!

[@jeepn0811]

Sick Gladiator

[@1gx619]

Honestly, it looks really freakn badass!!! Someday I think I’d like to do the same to mine

[@vacayooper4728]

Just Empty Every Pocket. Nice jeep.

[@tslucam]

I like the head ache rack chop. I know there are components in the the way but I would have chopped it further so it matched the body line of the jeep without the top. Because Jeep!

[@boostdtalon]

I love the flat bed. I would look at it for my Gladiator,if my J20 didn’t have one already.

[@redbeastadventures]

Awesome build. Hopefully see you out on the trails at Uhwarrie someday. Waiting for my truck to get here then mods…

[@dadventuretv2538]

Nice. Those flat bed and canopy conversions don’t really work for my uses, but really glad they are out there. I have the Alucab canopy with s RTT (clamshell style) and my set up works well for me. But I love all kinds of mods- to me a mod is beautiful when it fits the owner’s uses. You got me wondering what my numbers are. Lol. So here is a JT Rubicon on Falken Wildpeak AT3W 35s with an AEV DualSport lift with High Capacity 3 inch coils- 18.25 inches to bottom of frame, 26 inches to Rubicon steel rear bumper, 18.5 inches to bottom of front skid. Only thing I might change is to go to 37s. I added the MORE oil pan and trans skid for some peace of mind. Does everything I want it to and I enjoy having to pick the lines of rocks under the rig when I get into some bigger boulders. I am currently teaching my son how to spot and he is learning to help me with this also and learning where the low hanging bits are on a Jeep. I hope by time he is doing this he’ll already know where to put the rocks to avoid the diffs and control arms. Like you said, one thing about going bigger is then to get the same thrill you have go bigger on the trail too, which of course means greater risk and greater effect if it does go wrong. I know if I went bigger I’d be seeking out crazier stuff, so I’m kinda protecting myself from myself by staying where I am. Lol.

[@Tinker3504]

Control arm drops here. 4.5” and 40’s as well. I’ve never been hung up and they never really touch. Look at the angle from the bottom of a 40 to the rock rail and where they intersect…. I have nothing against long arms and would agree that’s always a better play, but control arm drops keep the road manners top notch and keeps me from having any interest in “long arms” vs what we are calling “mid arms” on these.

[@DrivingLine]

Control arm drops definitely improve the geometry for sure. I was honestly surprised at how well it drove like I have it.

[@albertb1702]

Hi Ali, have loved watching you build this thing out - with your last video (and other JT) I was going to ask what happened to this one! I love the flat bed look - though makes me half-expect the next time we see it you'll have modified it as a tactical! ha!

[@heytherebato]

hell yea, americans need to start copying more of the aussie rear beds. very practical

[@chrismarinock520]

I bet you miss your hemi driving that 3.6 The 6.4 in that Gladiator would be sick!

[@DrivingLine]

A V8 would be nice for sure!

[@faronkendle201]

Awesome as usual! who do you have insurance through?

[@DrivingLine]

Geico

[@jonluchessi1643]

I’ve owned now 15 jeeps and I have a current jeep gladiator, and I feel Rockcrawler is really one of the best out there & is my go to company company, you made a good choice, I noticed in your video you’re running three bump stops in the front? You’re also running fox 3.0 shocks is the extended collapsed links the proper length for three bump stops? I want to purchase the 3.0 shocks but the Numbers don’t match on the extended collapsed length for the tallest lift capable, unless your aftermarket axles make up the difference? I feel with the fox shock you should have 4 bump stops, At least on a OEM axle on Rubicon with 4 1/2 inch lift. you have an awesome set up👍

[@DrivingLine]

My ProRock XD 60 front axle is a bit different from stock. Those bump stops that you see are from Dynatrac, not Rock Krawler. I have the front end set up to bump just before the shock completely collapses. I’ve had it like this for the past two years. Works great, and allows me to eek out every last bit of up travel. The only way I would need to add more bump is if I wanted to go to a taller tire or just push the front axle forward a bit. If I went any further forward right now, the differential would hit the track bar.

[@jonluchessi1643]

@@DrivingLine 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@krashnpa]

Super functional build for the trails and overlanding - love it! Do you find the Fox 3.0s limit droop at all? It looks like it flexes out pretty well.

[@DrivingLine]

The shocks work great with the lift. If I want any more travel, I’ll probably move to a coilover and long arm setup. I just don’t feel I need to do that at the moment. Very happy with ride and travel.

[@notoriouslopez1]

Man seeing this really makes me want to trade my Tacoma in to trade. Problem is I’ve already dumped so much money into it and it’s not as capable as this.

[@mattbrew11]

Can you tell me the exact part number on your fox shocks? I have a 4” Rustys kit with their shocks on my eco JT now but ive developed some slop so I want to rebuild the joints and those try those shocks vs the 800 series 2” kind that came in the kit

[@DrivingLine]

Front part # 883-26-082 rear part # 883-26-083

[@mattbrew11]

@@DrivingLine thanks Ali! Love your videos

[@Not_Matlock]

It would probably be overkill, but I would love to see what this thing would be like with portals. They're stupid expensive though.

[@DrivingLine]

They would also make my Jeep incredibly wide. Would be cool to try them out, but I’m not sure my wife would approve another 20k axle investment 🤣

[@OdysseyOffroad]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the joints in those control arms are very similar if not the same as the ones in the Metalcloak kit are they not? Very nice build that thing is a monster!

[@DrivingLine]

You’re correct. The joints are very similar. The Rock Krawler ones just have more misalignment. I think metal cloak was the first to really make this joint known.

[@OdysseyOffroad]

@@DrivingLine yes, i think so. Back when I had my JK and was looking into different manufacturers of suspension metalcloak was the only one I believed back then that had those joints or that style I should say. Much better than Johny joint or hiem joints imo. Way more durable. Love the channel btw always great info. 💪🏼

[@donnwalgamuth4186]

Did i miss it or did you do a regear? Great looking rig!

[@redbeastadventures]

That was going to be my question as well…

[@DrivingLine]

This Gladiator has ProRock XD60s with 5.38 gears. I did a video documenting the axle swap a couple of years ago.

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

While you have a competent aluminum welder, why don't you cut a section out of the headache rack to get it down to the size of the cab, and then re-weld it back in place.

[@DrivingLine]

I honestly just like how it looks without it. He definitely could have made it work. I still have it in case I want to do that down the road.

[@jrg0413]

Hi I’m wandering how tall you are so I can get a feel for how tall the gladiator is. Thanks

[@DrivingLine]

I’m 5’6

[@ohnoadventures]

👍👍

[@charlesboetel1324]

In the rear it is pinion angle, not Castor!

[@DrivingLine]

Correct. I just misspoke. I figured people would understand what I was saying.

[@blakemarchand6650]

Super nice suspension, but would you recommend this suspension for higher speed desert driving in a Jeep ? Nothing super crazy but 45 maybe 50 mile an hour driving through some rocks and small whoops?

[@DrivingLine]

This setup gives you a lot of up travel. I definitely like to drive fast on the trail, but I don’t have any real desert to open it up. Pairing the coils with a good shock will make a big difference. If I was doing a lot of high speed desert, I would opt for the long arms with this suspension height. There are more desert/speed focused kits on the market, but they use coilovers and bypass shocks. They are also way more expensive. I used to live in SoCal and did a good bit of desert driving. I think if you manage your speed expectations, this kit will work well. If you really want to push the limits of the Jeep, I would look for something with a coilovers/bypass option that will offer lots of travel and adjustability.

[@blakemarchand6650]

@@DrivingLine Noted. You’re the man, I would really like to see/benefit from a video of yours reviewing or modding a JL for higher speed desert runs. Here’s the thing I have a non-XR392 live in the desert and like to blast out to my shooting spots at speed I also like to crawl up some trails in the mountains on weekends BUT also daily drive this rig on the highway for work. I’m on stock control arms, stock shock and Clayton 2.5inch springs. I’m loosing my mind with all the choices aha !

[@DrivingLine]

Up travel and shock dampening will be key. A 3.5 lift with a good shock should do everything you want. The guys at Rock Krawler just raced King of the Hammers in a JL. I don’t know the suspension specs on that, but it would be worth looking into for sure. Rock Krawler and EVO Mfg are probably the two companies I would look seriously into.

[@blakemarchand6650]

@@DrivingLine Excellent thanks I will look into that now. Have you heard good about the JKS 3.5 lift ?

[@DrivingLine]

JKS makes great stuff as well, but I don’t think they currently offer a long travel kit for the 392 at this time.

[@TwistedOff]

👍

[@anotheryoutuber_]

miles per gallon? weight?

[@DrivingLine]

I haven’t weighed it, but it gets around 13 mpg.

[@siskavard]

Dude definitely takes two parking spots everywhere he goes

[@DrivingLine]

😂 I do my best to keep it between the lines.

[@siskavard]

You're one of the good ones then@@DrivingLine