AEV Gladiator Rubicon

[JR]

I agree, being careful and not hot dogging it goes a long way.

[Flyin6]

Iv ran lots of trails in Moab, on 20psi and lots of side load on the trails.  No bead locks, just good ol tire placement control.

I’ll bet you could get by for a long time with out a real need.  A can of starter fluid might set a bead for $7 bucks vs the expense of wheels

But but but beadlocks looks fetching awesome!!!


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I used Breck hairspray instead. Why, you ask? Well, it's the same thing we use in our potato guns!
I would only air down into the 20's. These are Load Range "D" so the sidewalls are gunna be a lot softer. Wouldn't want to damage such an expensive tire!

[Bigdave_185]

Oh boy!


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[Flyin6]

Oh boy!


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Oh NO!!!!!!

Satan...DO NOT TEMPT ME!!!!!!!!!

;-)

[JR]

Fluid change!!!

An LS conversion would be cheaper than the blower to, bet is just bolt ons. 6.2, 6 or 8 speed tranny, NO towing isuues and all the power you want.

[Flyin6]

Back to reality!

I opened my big mouth and mentioned Beadlocks

Didn't really need them,

But

Now I won a set!

Tate offered a set at a stunning price, so I agreed and purchased a set of five to replace the AEV standard wheels.

I will be selling the AEV wheels to cover a lot of the purchase price of these new beadlocks

https://iconvehicledynamics.com/innerlock

[Flyin6]

These photos should explain how they work:

[Flyin6]

I have said this before but it bears mentioning again as I get more and more into this Jeep fluid change.

Yukon Gear/Randy's Worldwide offers very special pricing to members of this website. Honestly, there is no way you can even come close to what they offer our membership here. I really appreciate what they are doing for us. They do it because they make money from sales generated by folks from all over viewing the builds you all write about here.

Contact Tate Hudson at 425 347-1188 ext 5573

To get special prices on anything under Randy's umbrella which now includes Icon Wheels and Carli Suspensions because Randy's recently acquired them you need to become a member here. After that, you need to post about your build in the fashion which you can find all over the site. Make a write-up, then post pics about what you are writing about. Do that and just like that, you can get a lot off your purchase price, and you can help so many people have successful projects of their own.

[JR]

 

[Bigdave_185]

When you say purchased/acquired cali suspension?  As in they own the company now or they are a sales distributor for them?
They make killer products for sure.  Nothing for Gm that I am aware of but non the less.
Icon makes some good lookin wheels for sure!


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[Bigdave_185]

Just passing their site looking, they don’t have a call out for dually options and I’ll post on my thread but this lift/level looks promising if it actually works on a dually stock wheel

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/accessory/16063/icon%2Daccessories%2D20%2Dup%2Dgm%2D2500hd%2D3500%2D0%2D2%2Dstage%2D3%2Dsuspension%2Dsystem/


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[EL TATE]

OWN! they will continue to operate independently, but yeah they are part of the RANDYS family now. CARLI and ICON and DYNATRAC. No, sadly nothing for GM yet, but I wouldn't count them out in the near future.

[Flyin6]

Today was wheel installation day. I started by prepping them by removing the center caps, the bolts, then applying anti seize, then reinstalling the bolts

[Flyin6]

Icon supplies a bag with a bunch of extra O-Rings

[Flyin6]

I pulled all the bolts from one wheel at one time, then coated them with anti seize and reinstalled them one at a time.

[Flyin6]

Then it was off to a 1400 appointment at The Crittenden tire care shop, a really good, but small shop where you can find real mechanics

[Flyin6]

I should show the tools I used to do my part.

You'll need a 12pt 7/16 socket
I'd recommend a 3/8" dr electric impact
5/32" allen head wrench
Torque Wrench
Some oil
Anti seize thread lubricant

[Flyin6]

Kyle is a very experienced ASE mechanic. I volunteered to help with the myriad of bolts, but he watched a vid about these wheels and insisted on doing everything himself. He was very judicious in installing everything. The ICON wheels come packed with a plastic rim protector, and Kyle actually used that to protect the rim when installing the tires.

To properly install the tires, you'll need to back out the bead retention bolts until they are either flush or inset a little

[Flyin6]

One by one he knocked them out, but it was not a quick process. We did run into some obstacles. First, he did not have the proper valve stems to remount the factory pressure sensors. Then when they tried to remount the wheels onto the jeep, we discovered the AEV Acorn nuts would not fit the narrow channels of the Icon wheels, so we had to hunt a set of black spline lug nuts and wait a little on them

[Flyin6]

But, try as the devil did, we finally pulled everything together.

[Flyin6]

The AEV stock wheels were placed into the empty boxes where they will remain until they have been sold

[Flyin6]

Just as I was pulling out of the shop the camera batteries failed, and therefore, I did not get a parking lot shot of the Jeep with the new wheels. These are after I pulled into my crowded garage

[JR]

Stock wheels look alien. Jeep looks good, for a jeep,,,,,

Funny, when I went to the Ridge last weekend. I slept a little on the way and I woke there was a line a jeeps there. Everyone was hugging and excited (didn't see any ducks) and it almost weird, I left fast.

[Flyin6]

So, now the Jeep is a bit more capable, since I can now safely air down for the more serious trails. Normally, I wouldn't take the harder trails, but based on the ability this JT is demonstrating, I will not shy away from some of the scary stretches.

Driving home was unnerving! Ya, now I don't know why, but the Jeep started this "sine-wave" low-frequency shimmy. Not the crazy and violent steering wheel death wobble thing, but something coming from the rear end. I could not figure out what was causing it, but it came on unexpectedly many times. I ended up driving 45mph home where I started checking things.
Lug nuts were all tight
When shaking the rear wheels in and out I am getting a bunch of play. Is this something that the non-floating axles do? I'd say there is 1/4" to 3/8" in-out play on each side! I DO NOT LIKE THAT!
Next, I checked tire pressure and may have found the culprit. The rear tires were nearly 40psi and the fronts 37ish. I reset pressures at 33psi F and 35psi R as per the tire pressure sticker in my door jamb. I will drive it tomorrow to check. Hopefully, this will settle things out. Before going in, the tire pressures were 31 rear and 29 front, a big difference.

[Flyin6]

Stock wheels look alien. Jeep looks good, for a jeep,,,,,

Funny, when I went to the Ridge last weekend. I slept a little on the way and I woke there was a line a jeeps there. Everyone was hugging and excited (didn't see any ducks) and it almost weird, I left fast.

I haven't hugged any other jeepers yet. Maybe it's a Jeep thing, dunno...Shawn???

[JR]

Does the 44 use axle clips or pressed bearings? Clips might give a little play, but not 1/4, bearings should be none.

[stlaser]

Stock wheels look alien. Jeep looks good, for a jeep,,,,,

Funny, when I went to the Ridge last weekend. I slept a little on the way and I woke there was a line a jeeps there. Everyone was hugging and excited (didn't see any ducks) and it almost weird, I left fast.

I haven't hugged any other jeepers yet. Maybe it's a Jeep thing, dunno...Shawn???

Maybe in Colorado? Idk, I’m not into hugging dudes, maybe ask Ken he seems to normally be a little more in touch with his feminine side. Guessing with H as the dominate figure in the relationship it’s what works for him?

[stlaser]

Does the 44 use axle clips or pressed bearings? Clips might give a little play, but not 1/4, bearings should be none.

Bearing retainer at axle tube end flange, 4 bolts

[Flyin6]

Does the 44 use axle clips or pressed bearings? Clips might give a little play, but not 1/4, bearings should be none.

Bearing retainer at axle tube end flange, 4 bolts

I'll check that right away in the morning.
I'm actually getting close to 1/2" so something has loosened up. But why did it manifest right when I had these new wheels installed?

[JR]

Maybe it has to do with the lugs not pulling the wheel tight/flush, scary!!

Are they hub centric or centered with studs/lugs?

[Bigdave_185]

I only got about .25 of the photos you posted. Maybe the app with update or something

I’ll bet the wobble is a loose bolt(s) it is after all a Fiat produced vehicle


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[dave945]

Sounds like the wheels aren’t pulled tight on the rear hubs. Or is the hub actually moving along with the wheels when you are checking for play?


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[Bob Smith]

That is a very nice outfit, hate to see you damage it while out showing off the new wheels.
Wish I had held out for a Rubicon model when I bought my Jeep.  Running on the frozen snow going uphill would be so much easier with the front lockers.

[Bigdave_185]

All photos came through now.  Looks good!!!

How low of a pressure does this style of wheel allow you to go?


Not sure if you have ever come across this stuff,  I was introduced to it while assembling the antennas things for the military UAV’s at L3

Loctite 466864 442 Quickstix Silver Anti-Seize Lubricants, 20 g Stick, 0.705 fl. oz. https://a.co/d/2m6dCsj

Made for quick and easy application with out the mess of the paint brush


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[stlaser]

That is a very nice outfit, hate to see you damage it while out showing off the new wheels.
Wish I had held out for a Rubicon model when I bought my Jeep.  Running on the frozen snow going uphill would be so much easier with the front lockers.

Adding a selectable up front wouldn’t be a huge undertaking……

[oklawall]

Boss, I think you did the anti - seize wrong. The correct way to apply is a small amount on the bolt and the rest of the bottle should have been on you hands and the rim

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[Flyin6]

Maybe it has to do with the lugs not pulling the wheel tight/flush, scary!!

Are they hub centric or centered with studs/lugs?

I think they are hub centric...

I recall reading ICON designed the wheel specifically for newer Jeeps.

[Flyin6]

Boss, I think you did the anti - seize wrong. The correct way to apply is a small amount on the bolt and the rest of the bottle should have been on you hands and the rim

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No, I'm good. Most of the anti-seize was applied to multiple fingers, a T-shirt, a flannel shirt, a good flight jacket, and my jeans. Haven't looked yet, but probably applied some to the driver's seat as well

We're good ;-)

[Flyin6]

That is a very nice outfit, hate to see you damage it while out showing off the new wheels.
Wish I had held out for a Rubicon model when I bought my Jeep.  Running on the frozen snow going uphill would be so much easier with the front lockers.

Adding a selectable up front wouldn’t be a huge undertaking……

OK, talk to me goose.

Why do I need selectable hubs? Thinking about it, I can't come up with a single reason. I toss it in 4WD Hi at any speed, then right back out again if necessary (I'm imagining...)

[Flyin6]

All photos came through now.  Looks good!!!

How low of a pressure does this style of wheel allow you to go?


Not sure if you have ever come across this stuff,  I was introduced to it while assembling the antennas things for the military UAV’s at L3

Loctite 466864 442 Quickstix Silver Anti-Seize Lubricants, 20 g Stick, 0.705 fl. oz. https://a.co/d/2m6dCsj

Made for quick and easy application with out the mess of the paint brush

Now ya tell me!!!!!!


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According to what I have read, I believe the wheels will maintain bead integrity all the way to zero psi. My plan is to dial down to something in the low 20's upward to around 25psi and see how that runs. For extreme situations, I could go down to say 13-15 to get through, but with concerns about tire sidewall life and added heat, I can't see doing that for very long. Kinda like air down at the trailhead. Come up to a monster that I can't bypass, then air down for the record and get through it, then air back up to 20-something.

I'm talking as if I know what I'm talking about. I'll know much more 6 months from now...

[dave945]

That is a very nice outfit, hate to see you damage it while out showing off the new wheels.
Wish I had held out for a Rubicon model when I bought my Jeep.  Running on the frozen snow going uphill would be so much easier with the front lockers.

Adding a selectable up front wouldn’t be a huge undertaking……

OK, talk to me goose.

Why do I need selectable hubs? Thinking about it, I can't come up with a single reason. I toss it in 4WD Hi at any speed, then right back out again if necessary (I'm imagining...)

I think he was talking to Bob about putting a selectable locker in the front of his Jeep.  I could be wrong, but since I’m Air Force and you are Army, I’m almost assuredly right. 


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[EL TATE]

That is a very nice outfit, hate to see you damage it while out showing off the new wheels.
Wish I had held out for a Rubicon model when I bought my Jeep.  Running on the frozen snow going uphill would be so much easier with the front lockers.

Adding a selectable up front wouldn’t be a huge undertaking……

OK, talk to me goose.

Why do I need selectable hubs? Thinking about it, I can't come up with a single reason. I toss it in 4WD Hi at any speed, then right back out again if necessary (I'm imagining...)

I think he was talking to Bob about putting a selectable locker in the front of his Jeep.  I could be wrong, but since I’m Air Force and you are Army, I’m almost assuredly right. 


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Hate to vouch for airforce, but he's right.

[EL TATE]

Does the 44 use axle clips or pressed bearings? Clips might give a little play, but not 1/4, bearings should be none.

Bearing retainer at axle tube end flange, 4 bolts

Unfortunately the Gladiator models and wide track wranglers have a history of rear axle bearing issues. like Shawn said, double check your retainer bolts and retorque the lug nuts which you should always do after 100 miles post new wheel install. end play like that on a bolt in shaft is NOT normal.

[Flyin6]

Well, issue is solved, but not before some more excitement.

I drove it on the highway with the tires set at the correct pressures. I got a couple wobbles, but it felt better.

Fortunately

I drove to the Jeep dealership.

Pulled in and shook the rear wheel. It was clearly shaking. The mechanic pointed out that the wheel was moving, but the lugnuts were not!!!

We grabbed each wheel and darned if all the wheels weren't loose as a goose.

He put a wrench on the lug nuts and they were all tight!

Wait for it...

But

They were too short and had bottomed out on the stud before even touching the wheel!!!!!!

The wheels were just free floating on the studs and not even touching the axle face if you can believe that

And here's how great the dealership was, Zimmer motors in Florence, KY, btw...

They did not sell me that jeep, as they are not an AEV dealership. But they took me right in and simply would not allow me to leave driving that jeep. THe GM told me to take his demo and come back when I found the correct lugnuts, that they did not have. I found some 1.7 miles away and they tossed them on. Now, that right there is customer service!

I purchased our 2016 Rubicon from them, and dearly wanted to buy the JT there, but no Bueno on the AEV thing, but they are my servicing dealership of choice.

I think ICON Wheels should include Lugnuts with wheels to prevent something like this from happening in the future. Imagine if I'd have broken a wheel off in traffic...

[Flyin6]

Shawn's gonna hate me but I purchased a winch

And

It's not a Warn...

[stlaser]

Shawn's gonna hate me but I purchased a winch

And

It's not a Warn...

Blasphemy

[Bigdave_185]

More curious what your super tire shop guy says. 


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[stlaser]

More curious what your super tire shop guy says. 


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Meh, I’m more curious what Randy’s ring and pinions official response is…….. 

[EL TATE]

More curious what your super tire shop guy says. 


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Meh, I’m more curious what Randy’s ring and pinions official response is…….. 

Well aren't you a daisy, lol. Checked in with the ICON fellas on this, and the working theory is that the AEV mods included longer than stock wheel studs for the thicker AEV wheels and possibly a different style lugnut as well, but it's just a theory as lack of complaints does not negate the existence of an issue. Glad you got it solved before you lost a wheel or worse!

[TexasRedNeck]

Iirc new lug nuts were sourced due to factory lugs not fitting in the recess. While it would be nice if ICON includes lugs it’s not always practical to account for every fittment those wheels might have.

In the end I would put the responsibility on the tire shop for not ensuring the proper installation   

Had something bad happened it would have legally attached to them and their liability policy b


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