Crashnburn80's Supercharged Gladiator Mojave Build

I'll deduct it from your balance.

For my purpose, I agree with the 35s and higher clearance skids.

As to the lights, not the same. This is a very well engineered solution by a high quality USA company that is well renowned for some of the best off road component designs and manufactured in the USA. Not at all the same as Chinese knock off lights. But understand the turn about fair play perspective.

 

Ok, if that’s how you feel. You don’t have to justify your decision to purchase a spacer lift to me.

I will say, a spacer lift, regardless of manufacture, is a compromise when you know there are better options out there.

So, in essence, it is the same. I chose the lights based on a relationship I have with the manufacturer. That was my choice. You choosing the spacer lift when better options exist is the same. You made a choice based on whatever criteria you find important to yourself. It’s okay. I’m okay with my choice, are you? Giving me a hard time about my choice was something you took action on. Again, I’m just poking back.

I hope you don’t see this as negative. I’m just trying to help with some perspective.

We can still be internet pals and share our experiences.

 

Spent some more time tonight looking at the headlights and had some interesting realizations.

The OEM headlights are glare offenders, this is known. But looking at why, FCA placed a diffused optic on the entire low beam projector. Facepalm. A diffused optic is certainly going to create more uplight/glare, but covering the entire optic seems like a strange design decision.




Look how Toyota only added diffusing for uplight on the upper part of the projector on the OEM LED 4runner units and also avoided interrupting the hot spot.


JW J2 vs OEM LED


Side-by-side makes it look like the JW speaker product is superior. Except that diffused optic does such a wide intensity spread that much of the light shown on the left is actually the OEM LED.

Single OEM LED only


Vs single JW J2


Low beam intensity comparison


OEM LEDs are about ~23.5% higher in peak output intensity than the JW J2s, and the J2s are significantly better than the JW J3s. While peak output intensity is critically important, it doesn't tell the whole story. The JW J2s have significantly better color temp at 4600k, while also being heated and higher CRI. However the OEM LEDs have fuller pattern coverage with far better light distribution throughout the pattern, whereas the focused J2s peak intensity somewhat masks that they don't offer nearly as much light throughout the pattern.

Looks like I forgot the OEM high beam pic, but it has a very high intensity hot spot above the low beam cut off with a general flood light around that in the pattern Very much like the OEM Tacoma LED headlights. The J2 on the other hand has a more focused down range high beam without the wide spread flood function, more similar to Morimoto.

JW J2 high beam


The OEM LED high beam has about 24% higher output intensity than the JW J2s.


OEM LED vs JW J2s


Glare pics are always somewhat challenging. But the OEM LED was definitely painful to look at even being above the cut off, while the JW Speaker lights had a much better cut off combined with the lower color temp made them not offensive in the slightest. That diffused optic on the Jeep projector is an eye burner for oncoming traffic.

Jeep OEM LED stable low beam, ambient temp of 64 degrees F.


High beam draw (initial)


The OEM headlights are great in some regards and poor in others. While JW Speaker products offer improvements in some areas, it is at the cost of compromises in others.

 

Oracle is releasing a heated version of their Oculus Jeep headlight. Interestingly the heating elements do not cross the projector lens, which will not obstruct and reduce output. From what I’ve seen, these lights lack proper uplight and I’m not a fan of their active cooling using fans. I’m debating on picking up a pair to evaluate.



https://www.oraclelights.com/collec...for-jeep-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt-heated-lens

 

A friend sent me this yesterday. Blasphemous but I kinda like it.

 

Yes, did't think Ivan drove a Jeep.. lol

 

Ordered my 2022 Sting grey with light grey leather Mojave last week!!! Been loving the Colorado ZR2's ability to move quickly nimbly etc, but the trade value says it is time! I considered a TRD Pro in manual but why buy a truck that is 10k less that will have higher payments due to Toyota being idiots..??.. Anyway I will run the Daystar 3/4 inch spacers with 35's, add disconnects, a Warn stubby and my M8000s winch and call it awesome!! Pretty nice that the factory tires are quality and have fantastic resale to help contribute to the Toyo AT3 replacements, prob cover at least 1/2 the cost.

 

Congrats on the coming Mojave! You won't require spacers to clear the 35s. I've also read that people report the Mojave Fox 2.5 suspension being picky on valving if moved out of the neutral position, as would occur with spacers only and no shock extensions, though that may be for larger spacers. Not that you will want to find matching 3/4" bump stop extensions, especially for those ridiculously expensive front hydraulic jounce bumpers!

 

Thanks! I’ve read the same about the shocks but haven’t come across any ppl that have done this and provided feedback. There was something I on gladiatorforum that indicated Fox said an inch is within safe limits for these shocks. I just want that extra bit of break over clearance! On my current ZR2 with the DSSV shocks there is a similar statement floating around about not moving the ride height but some report an improved and slightly firmer ride. Anyway ya the 35’s will fit without the spacers! I did find the Mojave had a firmer feel than my 2020 Overland in stock form. I of course added a JKS 3.5 kit to with Fox 2.0 shocks and ran it on 34’s. I’m really just looking for the high quality factory suspension that I don’t find myself wanting to mess with much just like on the ZR2. The ability to roll along at higher speeds comfortably is nice!

 

https://instagram.com/stories/juniperoverland/2728707770846322823

 

Screenshot for those not on instagram?

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMUv41ejvHn/

 

2 weeks ago I posted about a terrifying experience losing my OEM LED headlights to heavy snow fall as they froze over and packed with snow on one of the most deadly 2 lane unlit mountain pass highways in the state at night. Only my Diode Dynamics SS3 Max fogs were able to clear the heavy snow and provide life saving limited visibility lighting.

Never again will I put myself in that position. Never again will I run unheated LED headlights in extreme winter conditions. Freshly installed Heated JW Speaker J2s, ready for a long weekend high of 25 F and lows of 11 F. Bring it on.



J2 H4 to JL adapters for PnP

 

Oh yeah thats a butt pucker moment.

Can confirm from traveling over stevens/blewitt/Snoqualmie passes for about 15 years, every weekend towing a 10k trailer. Will not run unheated LED ever.

 

Yeah, Stevens and Blewitt in particular can be super sketch. Especially exiting your vehicle onto the unlit highway with a limited shoulder to clear your headlights in a white out at night with no visibility is asking for a serious accident. I've preached it 1000x, but this was the first time experiencing it first hand due to a miscalculation in judgement, and that will be the last time it ever occurs.

 

I hear ya been in many a white out and the last thing you want to deal with is frozen headlights and a potential deadly encounter because of it

 

Do the 3rd gen Tacoma OEM LED lights freeze up?

 

They should not have this issue. Easy way to tell is drive around like normal when you turn off your truck wall up and put the back side of your finger on the light. Should be slightly warm

 

3rd Gen OEM LED will freeze over. They produce no forward heat. However their shape is less of a snow collecting bucket compared to the Jeep.

 

any good way to heat them? Or what would the heated-LED replacement of choice be?