Dave's Jeep JT Gladiator: The 'Gator
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
I think it will. I think that the considerable HEAT coming up off the floor will be mitigated as well. The backing/insulation on these is thick and dense.
Just from a materials standpoint, it’s 4 layers thick which is 2x thicker than the OEM carpet.
The first (top) layer is very thick like a factory hard rubber floor mat, with a second layer of dense insulation under it followed by a third, thinner layer of the top material, with fourth (bottom) layer being a different insulating material.
The only way to get water under them is to flood the interior really. The floor drains “snap” into place. MUCH more water tight than the OEM drains that these replace.
We just came back from the beach. Hosed ‘em right out.
In the old days, floor tubs were “finished” under the carpet. These days, pull up the carpet and trim and it’s not pretty on most vehicles. I considered this on my 2nd Gen Taco until I saw what was under the OEM carpet…
No. The way the system lays in it creates a “lake” if anything which is then directed to the drains. And the backing is non-porous.
You’d have to flood it enough to jump the banks of that lake to get enough moisture under there to matter. And even then there’s enough heat coming up from the floor boards, and enough escape routes for vapor, to sort that out on its own.
Not worried at all, in fact I think this will keep the flooring DRIER in the long run. Why? Because JL/JT’s love to dribble water on the front floor boards when you open the doors when it’s raining outside. This totally solves that by letting you EASILY drain (and wash out) ANYTHING you inadvertently let in, or that you drag in with your feet - rain, sand, mud or snow.
NOTE: For the “I’d rather Line-X the floorboards” crowd, you can see here how ugly the unfinished floor pan is on the JL and JT.
HVAC and various electrical runs are visible throughout - you would be putting bedliner OVER those potentially serviceable items and that would not only be dumb, it would look like shit.
It would also provide NO noticeable sound deadening and no real insulation from the heat of the V6 exhaust which is 3-4 inches directly under the floorboards on both sides. Armorlite addresses all these issues well.
YMMV
HVAC and various electrical runs are visible throughout - you would be putting bedliner OVER those potentially serviceable items and that would not only be dumb, it would look like shit.
It would also provide NO noticeable sound deadening and no real insulation from the heat of the V6 exhaust which is 3-4 inches directly under the floorboards on both sides. Armorlite addresses all these issues well.
YMMV
Jimmie Perkins
Adventurist
How is the road noise now? Would assume it is better than the thin carpet before. Was there enough tolerance in the fit to accommodate the aftermarket wire runs you had to route or did you need to change a few things?NOTE: For the “I’d rather Line-X the floorboards” crowd, you can see here how ugly the unfinished floor pan is on the JL and JT.
HVAC and various electrical runs are visible throughout - you would be putting bedliner OVER those potentially serviceable items and that would not only be dumb, it would look like shit.
It would also provide NO noticeable sound deadening and no real insulation from the heat of the V6 exhaust which is 3-4 inches directly under the floorboards on both sides. Armorlite addresses all these issues well.
YMMV
View attachment 56913
Well, first off, it’s a brick. Road noise ain’t going away but the engine/trans/exhaust noise and heat is definitely lessened. As for tolerance, yes there’s stil room to run reasonable size wire loom if needed. I do plan on making some minor adjustments, mostly because I am OCD…
rlynch356
Adventurist
check the underside after a few months.. my (defender) sound deadening mat which is rubber collects condensation under it, to the the point i had to make the solid front mat removable on the sides.
of course a defender is much less sealed than a jeep but something to watch out for... you don't want moisture trapped on the bulkhead/floor for a long time..
of course a defender is much less sealed than a jeep but something to watch out for... you don't want moisture trapped on the bulkhead/floor for a long time..
Steve & Deb
Adventurist
Wait… did you mention Jeep and Defender in the same sentence?
[sits back and chuckles in vault-like comfort]
[sits back and chuckles in vault-like comfort]
Yeah, follow me through the forest fat boy
Steve & Deb
Adventurist
Yeah, follow me through the forest fat boy
I didn't think you could tell from just my profile photo...
Gladiator: 73.8"
200 Land Cruiser: 78"
Defender 90: 79.1"
But honestly, the Gladiator makes a ton of sense for how you and most folks on here use their vehicle. If I didn't live days travel from interesting places, I'd have considered one. I've shown this thread to several of my Jeep owning friends. My nephew-in-law (is that a thing?) just got one, and I showed him and told him to use it as a guide.
And, in reality, my LC200 is never going to be pushed near its capabilities. Hell, it only has 2200 miles on it, and is still bone stock except a roof shelf! (But then, at the cost of the beast, I'm under strict credit card watch.) If it weren't for the fact that they're not making them any more, and that I've wanted one for 44 years, I'd still be in the 4Runner and a happy camper.
These mats are totally badass.
