Vehicle Modifications

Why Upgrade to the MetalCloak Billet Aluminum Stabilizer Mount? Hey guys, Muddy Ruttzz here. I recently tackled a project on my Jeep Gladiator that started as a simple fix but quickly turned into a "fight." While there is absolutely nothing wrong with the standard steel mount that MetalCloak provides with their steering systems, I managed to make a bit of a mess during my initial installation. Between breaking a U-bolt and bending the bracket, I decided it was time to move t

When you’re deep in the backcountry, the last thing you want to find is that your tire iron doesn't fit your wheel. During my recent project—matching my Xventure trailer wheel upgrades to my Jeep Gladiator fleet—I discovered a safety issue that every Jeep owner needs to see.

Those heavy-duty tie rod ends from your fancy steering kit are usually way bigger than the stock stuff. If you try to slap your old OEM wheels back on, you might find them rubbing or even grinding against those new joints as soon as you turn the wheel. To make Jeep steel wheel fitment work, you’ll want to grab some wheels with at least 4.5 inches of backspacing. That’ll help push the tires out and give them some breathing room from the steering parts.

The Richter scale of 7.0 shaking is officially a thing of the past. After a marathon of installs, "Alignment Day" at B&G Total Alignment in New Mexico served as the final nail in the coffin. A successful Jeep death wobble fix isn't just about throwing money at parts; it’s about restoring the geometric integrity of the front end.

A successful MetalCloak steering system install is about more than just beefy parts; it’s about restoring the steering geometry and eliminating the "cumulative slop" we’ve been researching. As we found with the upper control arms, every pivot point matters.

How deep into the rabbit hole are you willing to go to find a ticking sound? Is it better to ignore the noise and risk getting stranded, or do you tear it all down and pray you don't make things worse? This is my story of trying, failing, and opening a $162 can of worms that cost me more than just money.

If you’re pulling the passenger-side axle on a Jeep Gladiator (JT) or Wrangler (JL), you’ve probably realized there is a major "gotcha" waiting for you inside the axle tube. It’s called the FAD, or Front Axle Disconnect. Many DIYers treat the passenger side like the driver side—just pull it out and shove it back in. But if you do that, you’re going to hit a wall. Or worse, you’ll ruin an expensive inner axle seal. This guide, born out of my extensive "Death Wobble Nuclear Op

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

The Warranty Process With Quadratec And Mopar: Have Patience And Get The Right Person On The Phone

I love the smell of new off-road tires in the morning—it smells like adventure! And this morning, my trusty Jeep Gladiator was getting a fresh set of rubber. After many miles, it was time to say goodbye to the old Nittos and welcome a new era of all-terrain performance.

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.

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

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.

Without the safety feature, there is a risk of accidentally filling it with gasoline. If there are several drivers who refuel your vehicle,

The reason behind my decision to install the Mopar 2" Lift Kit was due to the Gladiator hitting the bump stops after I added a Warn Bumper a

First modification new Jeeps often get are larger tires. The second mod should be installing Jeep tailgate reinforcement to hold the larger

Rock Sliders or Rock Rails are a critical in protecting the vulnerable rocker panels and pinch welds on your off-road vehicle. Rails with a

The facory All-Terrains had to go. What were the largest tires that would fit on a stock Rubicon Gladiator?

Tires are arguably the single best way to upgrade your 4x4 vehicles performance. It immediately increases breakover and departure angles

Something goes wrong you want to be able to cut power to your winch instantly. A simple on/off battery disconnect will accomplish the task.

Rubicon is extremely capable. Install a off-road bumper and winch and you are ready to "self-recover."

I picked up my Wrangler Ecodiesel back in early 2020, and I’ve just wrapped up outfitting it for some serious overlanding adventures. I’ve really focused on making it purpose-built, which means I’ve taken a good look at every part to ensure it’s all about utility and value—no extra weight or costs that aren’t needed. Fun fact: the factory version of the Wrangler Ecodiesel is already about 300 to 400 lbs heavier than the gas engine models. So, without any modifications, just