Here’s something we typically don’t cover much in our magazine, as our focus is much more on Ford, Chevy/GMC and RAM diesel pickup trucks. However, we figured we’d break away from tradition for a little bit and experiment with a new type of content in our publication by covering the install of a Metalcloak 3.5-inch Game Changer suspension on this new 3.0L EcoDiesel Jeep Gladiator, owned by Alan Nickell of Idaho Falls, Idaho, who owns the Vision Collision repair shop.

The suspension on Alan’s Jeep is Metalcloak’s top-of-the-line kit, featuring patented technology not available anywhere else that truly gives the premium off-road performance he deserves. The innovative kit was installed by technician Jordan Johnson at PowerTech Diesel in Idaho Falls with some help from Alan himself as well as other technicians in the shop.

Step 2: Install New Radius Arms

Jordan then removed several of the front suspension components, including the passenger side shock, the front sway bar end links, the track bar, and the passenger side upper and lower radius arms. The driveshaft was also disconnected from the differential.

Unfortunately, the EcoDiesel’s diesel particulate filter (DPF) got in the way of the upper bolt on the upper radius arm, so the arm proved to be a challenge to pull off. However, after meddling with the DPF’s mounting bolts and figuring out a way to force it enough with a pry bar, the bolt finally came out of the hole and the arm came off. With both arms off, Jordan put the new replacements in place after measuring them. With help from technician Travis Prouse, he pushed the front axle forward to get the new lower arm in place to insert the bolt. With those in place, he removed the old coil spring and reinstalled the shock to temporarily hold the axle in place. The radius arm installation process was repeated for the driver side, and the DPF mounting bolts reinstalled.

Step 6: Replace Rear End Components

In starting work on the rear end, Jordan and Alan removed the old sway bar end links, replacing them with the new ones. The technicians then put the rear differential on a jack stand so they could remove the shocks, lower radius arms and coil springs. Upon installing new coil springs, Alan removed the brake calipers on both sides to get them out of the way for the other new suspension components. The technicians then bolted in the new radius arms for the driver side and repeated the same process for the passenger side. Jordan tightened up the bolts while Alan marked them with red ink.

Step 7: Install Rear Lift Brackets And Bump Stops

Alan drilled holes in the bottom bump stop plate on the driver side for the new bump stops while Jordan installed the shock lift brackets for both sides. With those in place, Jordan reinstalled the shocks and the sway bar along with the end links (with the respective bolts being replaced with new ones). After tightening the shock bolts, the wheels were put back on and the Jeep was lowered to the ground. The track bars were ready to be installed, so the technicians started with the front one and then installed the rear one.