ARS R74020 User manual

PRODUCT: JT Gladiator OverCab Rack System
The ARS experience includes the ease of installation of our products. We design for most contingencies, but installation
may be different based on different Jeep condition, configuration and/or year.
We are continually trying to improve our products and instructions –please help us by providing feedback and pictures if
you find any part of the instructions that do not match your Jeep or are not easily understandable.
If you have any difficulties at all, please give us a call. Thank you and enjoy your ARS Products!
IMPORTANT NOTE: We use Stainless Steel Hardware where possible. Therefore, a tube of Silver Anti-seize is provided and
should be used on all bolts—only a small amount is needed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION: This article is sold without warranty expressed or implied. No warranty or representation is made as to
this products ability to protect the user from injury or death. The user assumes that risk. The effectiveness, warranty and longevity of
this equipment are directly related to the way it is INSTALLED, USED and/or MAINTAINED. THE USER ASSUMES ALL RISK. By
purchasing this product and opening the packaging, purchasers expressly acknowledge, understand and agree that they take, select
and purchase these ARS products from Armored Works, LLC, its affiliates and distributors and agents as is and with all faults. The
entire risk as to the quality and performance of these ARS products is with the purchaser. Working on your vehicle can be a dangerous
activity. If you are unsure of what you are doing, please leave mechanical or safety critical work to a skilled mechanic. We take no
responsibility for the incorrect use and/or installation of ARS products.
READ INSTRUCTIONS IN FULL BEFORE INSTALLATION.
QUESTIONS? CALL 916-760-4575 M-F 7:00 AM –5:00 PM PST
REV: A | 11-22-2021 | R74020

R74020 | Rev A | 11/22/2021| Copyright 2011 Armored Works, LLC Page 2 of 17
Section 1: Tools & Notes on Installation
Tools Required: This list is the recommended tools for ease of installation. Other versions of the same tool can be used. For
example, Allen Wrenches instead of Allen Drive Sockets.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: The installation guide contains ALL steps for installation. Please read and follow the instructions
in order of each page top to bottom and left to right.
Jeep Model: Instructions may apply to multiple Jeep models but are labeled separately where appropriate (i.e. TJ vs. LJ).
Options: Because of the number of component options we offer, these instructions may contain steps that will not match
your configuration. You can skip these steps.
Images: Pictures are provided, and parts are labeled throughout the instructions. Each text box contains guidance based
on the pictures next to it. The text will refer to alphabetical labels (A, B, etc.) found in the images.
Installation Notes: Terms may be used in the body of the instructions that you may not be familiar with, if you have any
questions feel free to contact us at the number below, or email [e-mail]
QUESTIONS: Any questions or comments about the instructions? Call us at 916-760-4575 M-F 7:00 AM –5:00 PM PST.
5mm Allen 5/32 Allen
7/32” Allen 1/4” Allen
Socket Wrench
Cutters
Dremel & Cut-Off Wheel
1/2” Socket & 9/16” Socket
1/2” , 3/8”, 11/16” Wrench
T40 Torx Socket
13/32” Bit 17/32” Bit
5/16 Bit
Drill
Blue Lock Tight Clamps

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Section 2: Product Components

C
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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
A. Using a T40 torx wrench remove the four stock torx bolts from the
side panel and hood cowl.
B. Remove the side panel.
C. Using cutters remove the plastic tab underneath the hood cowl.
D. Using a dremel enlarge the T40 torx holes on the hood cowl
making sure they are large enough to fit the upper bracket’s 1/2”
standoffs. Do NOT use a drill to open the holes.
A
1
4
23
B
D

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
E. Mark the three upper bracket holes.
F. Drill the two stock bolt holes to
13/32”.
G. Install the side bracket and hold into
place with the provided bolts.
H. Mark the side bracket hole in
preparation for drilling.
I. Remove both the upper and side
brackets.
Note: The side bracket bolt hole that
requires drilling on the passenger side
should align with a pre-existing hole that
will need to be expanded to 17/32”.
E
123
F
G H

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
J. Drill a pilot hole on the three
upper bracket marked locations
and step up to a 5/16 drill bit.
K. Drill a pilot hole on the one side
bracket marked location and step
up to a 17/32 drill bit. We
recommend opening the hood to
gain better access to the marked
location.
L. Paint any exposed metal to
prevent rusting.
M. Using the provided installation
tool install the rivet nut into the
17/32 hole. Use a 9/16 socket and
11/16 wrench for the installation
tool.
J
K
L
M

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
N. Using a clamp hold the side panel securely
to help prevent movement when cutting.
Note: The marked locations are the parts that
will need to be removed from the side panel.
Front
Note
Note
Back
N

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
O. Using a cut off wheel cut off the standoffs on the back of the side panel.
P. Using the cut off wheel cut the notches on the front of the side panel. The notches need to be wide enough to fit
around the bracket standoffs.
Q. Using a cut off wheel cut off the previously marked center bracket.
O
NP Q

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
R. Install the upper and side brackets. The side bracket sits on top of the upper
bracket.
S. Place a spacer washer between each of the three holes of the two brackets.
T. Loosely install the provided bolts, washers and nuts into the three bolt
holes.
U. Install two of the provided allen bolts into the drilled-out stock locations to
hold the side bracket into place.
V. Install the provided bolt and split washer into the rivet nut.
R
S T
V
U

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 1: Front Hoop Bracket Installation
W. Using a 1/2” socket and wrench tighten the three bracket bolts.
X. Using a 9/16” socket tighten the rivet nut bolt.
Y. If the allen head bolts do not move freely you must unbolt and readjust the bracket. Once the allen head bolts move
freely remove the two bolts and reinstall the hood cowl.
W
X
Y

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 2: Front Hoop Mounting Base Installation
Z. Place the larger provided spacers into the top T40 bolt locations.
AA. Loosely install the hoop mounting base into the top spacers using the
provided longer allen bolts.
BB. Place the provided smaller spacers into the stock T40 bolt locations.
CC. Loosely install the mounting base into the side spacers using the provided
longer allen bolts.
DD. Using a 5mm allen wrench tighten the 4 allen bolts. Repeat on other side.
Note: MetalCloak highly recommends using blue lock tight on the four allen head
bolts when installing the front hoop mounting base.
Z
AA
BB DD

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 3: Front Hoop Installation
EE. Install the finishing caps into the front
hoop.
FF. MetalCloak recommends having a second
pair of hands help install the front hoop.
GG. Using the provided allen head bolts attach
the hoop to the mounting brackets.
HH. On the passenger side insert the antenna
into the provided antenna clamp and
secure to the mounting bracket using the
provided hoop allen bolt. Tighten with a
7/32” allen wrench.
AA
FF
EE HH GG
GG
GG
GG

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 4: Rear Hoop Preparation
II. Install the bushing ends into the end of the rear hoop.
JJ. Install the bushing sleeve into the rear hoop bushing ends.
KK. Install the rubber bumper to the rear hoop bracket using a 5/32 allen and 3/8
wrench.
II
JJ
KK

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 4: Rear Hoop Preparation
LL. Using a 5mm allen install the rear cab hoop bracket to the stock bed lower hole.
MM. Install the ARS J-hook on the lip of the bed (between the cab and bed) and attach to the rear hoop bracket using the
provided carriage bolts and nuts; tighten using a 1/2” wrench.
LL
MM
12

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 4: Rear Hoop Preparation
NN. Install the rear hoop into the rear
hoop brackets. MetalCloak
recommends having a second pair
of hands for installation.
OO. Using the provided washer, split
washer, and bolt install the rear
hoop mounting hardware; tighten
using a 9/16” socket.
PP. Fully tighten the rear hoop
bracket hardware.
NN OO
PP Note: The rear hoop bracket should
hover over the bed side rail.
Note

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 5: Spreader Bar Installation
QQ. Place the spreader bars with the engineered bend facing
the front hoop.
RR. Install the spreader bar clamp ends to the front hoop using
the provided allen head bolts. DO NOT FULLY TIGHTEN.
SS. MetalCloak recommends having a second person help
install the spreader bar clamps to the rear hoop using the
provided allen head bolts. DO NOT FULLY TIGHTEN.
QQ
RR
SS

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Section 3: Installation Instructions
Step 5: Spreader Bar Installation
TT. Make sure the spreader bars are 40” on center.
UU. Using a 1/4” allen wrench tighten the front spreader bar
bolts. Torque to 24ftlbs.
VV. Using a 1/4” allen wrench tighten the rear spreader bar
bolts. Torque to 24ftlbs.
WW.Make sure all hardware is fully tightened.
Note: MetalCloak recommends using anti-seize on the spreader
bar bolts.
TT
UU
TT
VV