AMERICAN GLADIATOR UPDATE

Braking Bad (In a Good Way)

- WORDS AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS HAMILTON

If you've been following our American Gladiator series, you know we've come a long way from the bone-stock 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon we started with. We tackled the suspension with Skyjacker's long-travel lift kit, added Dirty Life beadlocks wrapped in Toyo R/Ts, bolted on a Truxedo tonneau and Go Rhino steps, and even turned up the tunes with a full JL Audio sound system. Now that our Gladiator can climb, crawl, and cruise with the best of them, it's time to make sure it can stop just as reliably as it goes.

Enter Wilwood's new 13.50-inch big brake kit, engineered specifically for Jeep Gladiator owners who demand real stopping power without giving up any factory compatibility. This setup ditches the stock floating calipers for Wilwood's forged aluminum four-piston calipers, delivering more even clamping force and less flex for a firmer, more confident pedal feel.

Wilwood's rotors are just as impressive, to say the least. They are premium-grade iron alloy units measuring 13.50 inches in diameter and are available in slotted or drilled-and-slotted designs. Both options use 36 vanes for maximum cooling and include lightweight aluminum hats that cut down on unsprung weight. The kit bolts right up to the factory axle flange, retains the original parking brake, and plays nice with the Jeep's stock master cylinder, ABS, and electronics. Basically, it's plug-and-play power that fits behind most 17-inch or larger wheels.

For everyday driving or towing, Wilwood's dual-sport brake pads hit the sweet spot, as they are ceramic-based for smooth street driving but tough enough to handle aggressive on-road or off-road abuse. The kit also includes stainless flex lines and all the hardware you need for a clean install.