top of page
DIY Articles
The Muddy Ruttzz Gazette

DIY - Getting The Job Done!


Jeep Death Wobble Fix: Dynatrac Ball Joint Install (Nuclear Option Part 6)
If you are battling the dreaded front-end shimmy, a Dynatrac Ball Joint Install is often considered the "Nuclear Option" for a reason. Unlike standard factory units, these ProSteer heavy-duty joints are built to handle the added leverage of larger tires and off-road abuse. The beauty of this system is that they are rebuildable on the vehicle. Once you press them in this time, you’ll never have to use a ball joint press on those knuckles again.
9 min read


MetalCloak Track Bar Install: The Nuclear Option for Jeep Death Wobble
When you’re dealing with a Jeep Gladiator or Wrangler shaking itself apart, sometimes you have to stop chasing small fixes and go nuclear. That is exactly what I’m doing in Part 5 of my Death Wobble series. Today, we are performing a MetalCloak Track Bar install to replace the thin, hollow factory unit with something that actually has the "beef" required for heavy off-road use.
8 min read


Ultimate Jeep Sector Shaft Brace Fix: Ending the Death Wobble
I didn't realize how much a steering box could flex until I started chasing the death wobble on this 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Today, we're beefing up the steering to stop the shake. Welcome to Muddy Ruttzz. This is part 4 of our series, and while no single part is a "silver bullet," this Jeep Sector Shaft Brace is a critical piece of the puzzle.
By the time we finish this build with Metalcloak and Dynatrac components, this Gladiator should drive better than the day it le
9 min read


MetalCloak Upper Control Arm Install: The Ultimate Jeep Death Wobble Fix
When your Jeep starts shaking like a 7.0 on the Richter scale, you know you need a permanent Jeep Death Wobble Fix. After installing a Mopar 2-inch lift on my 2022 Gladiator, the steering became flighty. This happens because lifting the vehicle alters the suspension geometry, specifically pushing the caster angle out of its ideal range.
8 min read


How to Install a Jeep Gladiator Rear Track Bar to Fix Death Wobble
When you’re fighting the dreaded "Death Wobble," most people focus entirely on the front end. However, you can’t have a rock-solid front end without a stable rear. Installing a heavy-duty Jeep Gladiator Rear Track Bar is one of the easiest ways to start your teardown and build-up process.
6 min read


Attacking Jeep Gladiator Death Wobble: The Nuclear Option
If your steering wheel is shaking so hard it feels like a 7.0 on the Richter scale, you’re in the right place. While I am performing this build on my 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, the components and geometry principles involved in the "Nuclear Option" apply directly to:Jeep Gladiator (JT) * Jeep Wrangler (JL & JK)
The Goal: Stop "guessing" with steering stabilizers and address the root cause by replacing weak, plastic-seated factory parts with heavy-duty, solid steel alternat
7 min read


How to Install 3-Piece RJ45 Connectors: A Pro Guide for DIY Networking
If you’ve ever struggled with standard one-piece plugs, switching to 3-piece RJ45 connectors will be a total game-changer for your home office or media closet. After 40 years in the sheet metal trade, I’ve learned that having the right system is better than having raw speed. These three-part systems—consisting of the main housing, a spacer, and a loading bar—allow you to maintain the tightest possible twists in your Cat6 cable.
7 min read


How to Build a DIY 2.5Gbps Home Network and Tame Your Wiring Closet
Whether you are a retired sheet metal worker like me or just a frustrated homeowner, building a DIY 2.5Gbps Home Network is the best way to get the speeds you are actually paying for. Most modern homes have a "rats nest" of wires hidden in a closet, but they aren't utilized. By moving away from "all-in-one" ISP boxes and installing dedicated multi-gigabit hardware, you can future-proof your home office and eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones.
10 min read


Jeep Differential Fluid Change: Step-by-Step Guide for JK, JL, & Gladiator
Call it the pumpkin, rear end diff or center section, performing a Jeep differential fluid change is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can tackle in your garage. Whether you are running a classic JK or a newer JL or Gladiator, the differential is the heart of your drivetrain. Keeping the gears and clutch packs lubricated with fresadd ons were installed on the cars as soon as they roll off the car carrier and non-negotiable. Pitre KIA my local KIA dealer dropped them
10 min read


How to Check and Fill Jeep Power Steering Fluid: Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT
In the old days, power steering was easy: a belt, a pump, and some ATF. Today’s Jeeps use electro-hydraulic systems that generate massive heat, requiring specialized stuff like Pentosin CHF 11S. While the bottle says it’s a 'lifetime' fluid, I’m skeptical. I just had to top off both of my Jeeps because they were below the minimum mark. It begs the question—if this stuff is meant to last forever, where is it going?
6 min read


How To Seal Tubeless Bicycle Tires: Mess-Free Sealant Injector
The Park Tool TSI-1 is the best mess-free tubeless sealant injector I’ve added to my collection. It solves the huge problem of the 'messy' traditional method. I no longer have to pop the tire bead or struggle with makeshift bottles. This tool ensures a clean injection every time, letting me pump up my tires and get back to mountain biking faster than ever.
5 min read


Taming the Dirt: Cheap Desert Landscaping Ideas and Drainage Solutions
Buying a new home in Picacho Hills is an exciting journey, but it often comes with a "blank slate" that can quickly drain your bank account. While builders ensure the front yard meets neighborhood standards, the side and back yards are often left as literal dust bowls. To turn my dirt lot into a functional space without spending $20,000, I had to get creative with cheap desert landscaping ideas
5 min read


Warning: Use Only OAT Coolant Antifreeze In Your Jeep Wrangler Or Gladiator
We all lead busy lives, and sometimes vehicle maintenance takes a back seat. I recently realized I had fallen behind on my own Jeep Gladiator upkeep. The "hidden danger" I discovered is that the coolant reservoir often develops a stain at the "Max" line. If you just glance under the hood, it looks full, but looking closer reveals the actual fluid level is much lower. Proper Jeep OAT Coolant Maintenance starts with a careful inspection of that tank to ensure you aren't being f
4 min read


Mastering Jeep Grille Removal: The Easy DIY Guide
Today, I’m walking you through a procedure that every Jeep owner should know: Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT Grille Removal. This process is identical for both, so whether you’re driving a truck or a classic SUV, this guide is for you.
5 min read


WARNING: Don't Do Your EcoDiesel Oil & Filter Change Until You Read This!
This guide provides the complete, proven maintenance method (all four filters + oil) that ensures peak engine health for your 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel (and Gladiator/Ram models). You’ll see exactly what my quick, 6-minute video demonstrates, but here, we dive into the details. As a fellow Jeep owner here in dusty Las Cruces, NM, I’ve refined this process to be fast, efficient, and cost-effective, allowing me to service my truck every 5,000 miles.
8 min read


Easy DIY: Ecodiesel Main & Auxiliary Battery Replacement Guide (10 Steps)
When it comes to car batteries a 3 year warranty means 3 years and it pays to swap them out before you get left stranded. In this DIY article I will tell you exactly how to swap both batteries and show you with lots of detailed photos to make it easy.
6 min read


The Ultimate DIY Guide: Building a Gladiator EcoDiesel Overlanding Rig
Welcome to Muddy Ruttzz. I’m done building this Gladiator. It took 3 1/2 years but I think I really found a combination of vehicle and parts that makes this 2022 Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel a great daily driver and a very capable off-road vehicle and overlanding rig. In this article I want to show you the parts I installed, tell you why I chose them.
7 min read


DIY: How to Change Dual Washer Valve for a Leak-Free Laundry Room
After pulling my hair out with indecision, I settled on a choice many folks call the "Pizza Cutter" size: the tall and skinny 255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T. The general wisdom says bigger is better, but this narrow profile is engineered to be a premium extreme hybrid all-terrain tire with an E-rated sidewall that promised performance, longevity, and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. Now that we've clocked 5,000 hard miles, including an eye-opening stint at the Ouray
6 min read


Bombproof Your Dana Diff: Spicer Performance Differential Cover Installation
There are a lot of great covers out there, but today we’re talking about the Dana/Spicer Advantek Performance Front Differential Cover (Part #10044799). This part fits the Dana 44 M210 axles found on the Jeep Gladiator (JT) and the Jeep JL Wrangler.
I chose the Dana/Spicer Differential Cover for a few simple reasons: it’s reasonably priced, and who knows your axle better than the guys who built it?
7 min read


How to Bleed Air and Add Fluid to Your Hydraulic Floor Jack for Optimal Performance
A hydraulic floor jack is an essential tool for any home mechanic, but over time, or even right out of the box, air can get trapped inside the system. When this happens, your jack won't perform correctly—it might not lift a load efficiently, or it may slowly drift down after being pumped up.
6 min read


5,000-Mile Diesel Filter Changes: Value Over the 'Made in USA' Label
The core reason I trust quality Doc's Diesel kits is their quality control assurance. They guarantee their filters meet or exceed OEM specifications, regardless of the country of manufacture. I learned this the hard way after a no-name filter failed on me once—you're paying for the confidence that the filter will perform exactly as your engine was engineered to expect.
4 min read


Jeep Gladiator Spare Tire Access: Where Is It- How Do I Get It Down?
AAA is not always available especially if you are off-road. Can you find your spare? Do you know how to access it? Jeep Gladiators and most pickups, store the spare tire underneath the bed. Many vans and SUV's store it under the back of the vehicle in similar way. This article will help you if you find yourself with a flat and need to change a tire.
8 min read


DIY Bilstein Shock Replacement: Mopar Warranty & Your Labor
The Warranty Process With Quadratec And Mopar: Have Patience And Get The Right Person On The Phone
6 min read


Why Steel Wheels are the Best for Off-Roading: A Steelies Setup Guide
You might have seen them on rugged Jeeps and off-road trucks, those no-nonsense, classic-looking steel wheels. In my latest YouTube video, "Why Are Steel Wheels The Best For Off-Road? (Steelies Setup Made Easy)," I dive into why steel wheels for off-roading are a great choice. I get so many questions and compliments on my steel wheel setup, so I wanted to break down the reasons behind my choice and share the details.
5 min read


Mopar Jeep Trailer Brake Controller: DIY Install in 17 Steps (JL/JT)
So, I've got a bit of a thing for Mopar parts. They just fit like a glove, and I love knowing they've been put through the wringer by the ma
10 min read


DIY Car Battery Replacement: Save $$$ (Change Both Batteries in Your Wrangler and Gladiator)
I do a lot of solo remote traveling on my Overlanding trips, I figured it was smarter to replace the batteries now than risk getting stuck.
7 min read


Xventure Off-Road Trailer: Extended Range with Jerry Cans (Diesel & Water)
I installed Jerry cans on my Xventure off-road trailer to carry extra diesel and water for extended overlanding trips. See how I did it.
5 min read


2 Best Tools For Inflating Off Road Tires: CO2 vs Compressor (You Need Both)
This articladdresses a topic that is essential for any off-road enthusiast airing up your tires after a day on the trails. Compressor vs CO2
7 min read


Discover The Manual BAR FOLDER: Unleash This Tools Power (Folding Sheet Metal Easily!)
The tool that my coworkers carried the least but borrowed the most, was my Bar Folder. Bar folders are invaluable for turning flanges, foldi
5 min read


DIY Floor Jack Restoration: A Step-by-Step Guide (Resurrecting a Classic)
If your floor jack fails to support a load or cannot hold itself up it needs to be rebuilt. Even if it does not leak it has internal issues
5 min read


Delete Diesel Discriminator From Wrangler Ecodiesel Fuel Filler Tube
Without the safety feature, there is a risk of accidentally filling it with gasoline. If there are several drivers who refuel your vehicle,
5 min read


How To Save Money Changing Oil & Filters On Jeep 3.0 Liter Ecodiesel
For the price of one Oil Filter from the Jeep Dealer, I purchased four Doc's Filters.Doc's offers a convenient and cost-effective solution.
5 min read
bottom of page