The Build Begins! 5 Jeep Wrangler TJ Upgrades
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this video my son and I begin to make some small improvement to his 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ that he recently purchased. We just wanted to add some safety gear, the ability to self-recover and a convenient interior modification in this video…. More upgrades to come soon.
Father & Sons Day Trip on the Trail: • Father & Sons Day Trip...
Phone Mount: www.67d.com/?r...
Fire Extinguisher: amzn.to/2wJIuud
Bartac Mount: amzn.to/3bsIHRp
Smittybilt Winch: amzn.to/2JlO5K4
Winch Plate: amzn.to/2y6VZV8
Fog Lights: amzn.to/3dz6tgq
Fairlead Light Mount: amzn.to/2QR8o6f
First Aid Kit: amzn.to/2yftZ1N
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I hope you all are staying safe and healthy! We've got a few more garage projects we'll be doing over the next couple days while we are staying home. If there is something you would like to see, let us know.
I like the Winch Light Mounts. Those look pretty badass mounted there! #JeepLife
Does he have his own YT?
Instagram DM is the best way to shoot questions my way
ua-cam.com/channels/eP4F0oz18qogTBMYBCbkWg.html
I'm concerned about the airflow to the radiators sitting beside that humungous wrinch.
THIS IS SOOOO FREAKING COOL A BUILD SERIES ON A TJ!!!!!!
abdu bitar literally me rn
As a TJ owner myself I can’t wait to see this thing progress.
Bencredible_Jeep_Adventure I’ve got a 97 myself. I’m glued to this series
I’m an original owner of a “special ordered” 1997 TJ Sport. …in Flame Red like your son’s. She now has 150K plus on the clock…still runs like new. I own other cars, including a classic Porsche….but the Jeep are the “wheels” that I choose to drive more often than not. All my kids learned to drive “stick” on her….and I don’t have the heart to let her go. I am considering a complete restoration and upgrade, including modernizing the interior and a brand new frame. I like that you and your boy have a good relationship. And I’m a retired Navy Captain….so I am proud that your son “served” in the Navy. Bravo-Zulu! ….well done to the both of you!
LOVE the father son aspect of the channel. Reminds me of my dad and I, with a lot less frustration lol. Jordan and you are twins! Great vid as always brother! Stay safe. Perfect time for upgrades!
Thanks so much!!
I agree with this completely! Really great to see your kids picking up with the thing that you love!
Personally, I loved this video. I have a mechanic father and I love spending time in the garage with him. Fun to watch! Looking forward to more of these.... Easy, hard, short or long projects/trails
I like the lights on the fairlead. Some smaller squared wide lights off to the sides would be cool too. Please continue to show us this build especially the LIFT!! Your channel and a couple others inspired me to make my own. You & the family stay healthy!
Wow! Not only do I enjoy your channel, but I respect your channel. Your son, a Navy Corpsman saved his money while stationed in 'Okinawa'! so few Americans understand what this means. But I do. You should be very proud of your son! As a matter of fact, I am proud of your son! This young man as earned every ounce of this Jeep! This young man is doing what so few would ever consider, serve & save. I really hope you two have some great memories building this Jeep, and driving it, may God bless both of You! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
I don't know why you guys don't have more subscribers. Your videos are high quality! The offroad community needs to show the love and get the word out for you guys. Especially the newbies like me! Take care and good luck with the project.
I appreciate that!
Thanks for sharing a true home build rather than some thing that is just blown out by outrageous sponsors. Good to see father and son working together.
Looks like you are going to have fun with this rig! Excited to see how you build it out! Oh, mad thank both of you for your service!! I am an Army Desert Storm veteran and have been in or worked for the Army for the last 33 years ... love my military !! Now overland is my passion! Love watching your videos! Carry on!!!
Great information! I’m Inspired to start on my 97 TJ. With 297000 miles and still going strong
Can’t wait to see more and get some ideas.
Thank you!
When I lifted my 05 TJ, I installed a 1 inch body lift, 1 inch M.O.R.E. motor mount lift and a 33 Engineering skid plate which only hangs down 1 inch below the frame and pushes the transfer case and transmission back to it's stock location under the body. Its too bad they don't exist any more. Good start, Jordan!
i installed the smittybuilt SRC Cage in my daughters TJ.. Best safety investment ever .. Then added Lockers.. Jeep ran the rubicon on 33's with no issues
Celebrating 20 years with my 97 TJ Sahara this week and I also have a 2014 JKUR. Keep the TJ simple, light and functional. So fun!
Yes I am enjoying a lot with your videos and over all getting ideas to improve as well my TJ 1997. Greetings from Spain guys. Still alive! Take care there in States
Love the light location with lights above the winch. Honestly the bumper isn’t the worst, maybe some texture paint (like bed lining) would make it look better? Looking good so far, can’t wait for the new video. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Too much stuff in front of radiator! !!
Great to see this build as we shelter in place here in Colorado. I like the comment "don't tell mom she doesn't have a winch". Good stuff
Excited to come back to the channel and see work done on a TJ! 03 Owner here with 140k miles.
Don't forget a out bending the relay in the fuse box to run your fog lights and your high beams at the same time. I like the lights mounted on the winch! Cant wait to see what lift you got.
Since I was 16 I've had a TJ, best MOD that is very inexpensive is the TJ dome light switch that quadratec has... easy install and very convenient when u want the doors off.
I’m 6’6” and I found the big boy seat bracket was a huge help on my TJ. Adds a ton of leg room, it really helps for those long drives. Love the new rig!
I laughed when you mentioned sam the cooking guy and his son I love those guys. I like what you are doing in your down time great content
I don't know why, I've never had kids myself, but seeing you and your son do this makes me smile. I'm proud of you both for your service and seeing you guys work together warms my heart.
You must know why.
THANK YOU ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BE WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS ! ENJOYED !
There's so much you can do with a trusty old TJ! So many mods out there to choose from.
If you plan to take the doors off a lot, you could mount mirrors on the A pillars. That way they're always on.
You could switch out the gear shifter head, put leds in the dashboard, put in all kinds of storage boxes under and behind the seats, new head and tail lights, decorative decals, side rails, flat fenders for more clearance...
Since he wants to put a roof rack on top for a tent, you're probably not putting down the soft top so you could even get one of those hatchback soft top replacements that doesn't really go down but adds a new look that follows the roll cage.
So pumped that there is a TJ build in 2020. I own one myself and its nice to wrench on something that is simple for a change. Keep it up.
I'm also a jeep enthusiast from South Africa this has made me realize that it is not that bad to get a functional cheap jeep and upgrade it the way you want this is so interesting I'll come back to this vids once mine is bought thanks trailrecon
1 to 1.25 inch body lift. Motor mount lift, 2-3 inch suspension lift, belly up/tummy tuck. With flat fenders and 35's. Great combo. Run this set up myself and absolutely love it.
Thank you for putting this together!! What a great escape of all the craziness going on in the world!! Great video!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I had one of the first 2 door Rubicons like this. That was one of my favorite jeeps of all time. I have had 8. It was a beast! Yall will have fun with this! I cant wait to see where you go with it!
I’m a TJ owner!! Love this video seeing your upgrades its awesome!!!
Glad you enjoy it!
I’ve been out of the Jeep game for several years but one of my Favorite accessories I added to my LJ were the Misch Big Boy Seat brackets. They made riding in an LJ/TJ that more comfortable. Since he looks like he has some Long legs I’d bet he’d appreciate them.
I’m convinced Jordan is US Navy issued robot
I realize what you typed was not meant to be derogatory... too many Navy guys around here.
He’s probably a Corpsman, little different than most jobs in the Navy
This build has me more excited than the gladiator build. Can't wait to see what lift wheels are tire he chose.
And being a father son build really ads to the fun of the videos. My son is 15 and I've been throwing the idea around about getting him a beater tj to play with.
Jordan, your Jeep is shaping up nicely. Keep up the good work. Good Dad/Son time.
Really happy to see we both got a rubicon TJ at around the same time and we are both documenting our TJ builds on youtube! We are super excited to see how different our builds will be over the coming couple months! Hopefully yours hasn't had nearly as many issues as ours..needing a PCM and everything. Oh well, cheers Brad!
The more lights on the rig, the better. Thanks for sharing mods to an older model.
No problem 👍
Navy Corpsman. Following in dads footsteps. Very cool.
Thanks to him AND you guys for your service.
Great way for a son and father to hobby together. And I'm sure the TJ vs JK vs JL will come out
Love the look of the factory bumper with a winch. Very clean and simple.
I’m also an 06 tj owner
Good quality times with your son.
Enjoyed the video. I like the lights centered on the fair-lead myself. I like that you do videos on the TJ, JK and JL. Something for everyone!
I love my 67 Designs phone mount. It is incredibly solid, and is one of my favorite mods.
I'm glad to see things getting closer to the roots around here.
Love the TJ videos! Takes me back to my first Jeep which was a brand new red 2002 TJ X I bought after graduating college. The 4.0 really responds to basic mods like a quality intake, header, bigger throttle body, exhaust and a tune to tie it all together. You’re gonna need more power after the 35s, even with gearing. Keep the TJ videos coming!!
I'm looking forward to this build. Congrats on picking up a really nice TJ. A M.O.R.E. engine/oil pan skid would be a nice addition for where you guys wheel. A Spiderweb shade or Alien shade bikini would be great as well.
Definitely like the bumper mounted spot for the lights better. If you get the older style tow hooks they're centered with the bolts so they'll give you the clearance for the lights
1.25 BL Savvy, Currie Lift. 1"MML, low clearance T-Case pan (tummy tuck) GCF, and finally
SAVVY T-Case Shifter linkage
Remember to check the OPDA on a 2006 TJ is a Crown replacement and cam condition! Thrilled to see a TJ build!
Your a great dad. I love wrenching with my kids.
I like the idea of bumper lights plus the fairlead lights. Our fogs (Rigid DOT cert fogs) are mounted low and wide in our bumper on our LJ. They light up the ditches great for deer (#1 danger in MT) and don't bother other drivers like our stock high fogs did.
We did a 3.5" JKS short arm lift. I really liked that it kept the factory angles (for a Rubicon), but I wish I had sprung for a long arm kit instead. They're just smoother on everything. The other sort-of regret was going to 285/75r16. Hindsight I would've done a narrower width 33. After the tires the power on our automatic 4.0 just disappeared, and there were other issues like needing a real tire carrier.. We regeared later to 4.88 and love it, but would've saved a lot of money with "pizza cutters" at first.
Very cool. Look forward to watching the build unfold.
Great to see you guys.....Thank goodness for trail Recon and You Tube!!!
More to come!
👏👏 New Trailrecon Video! Best way to pass time in quarantine
Super nice to be able to spend time with your son. Great channel.
Always great time in the garage with my boys! Thank you!
Love wrenching with my son. As I just bought my son a 2008 jk sahara. I know you enjoy the father son time just as do!
I LIKE THE WAY THEY ARE NOW, LIGHT WISE!, CHEERS!
Jon
looks great hoss! from one vet to another....thanks for your service
Father and Son projects ! Good times, Great adventures !👍🇺🇸
So happy to see a TJ on this channel! 👍🏻
Had my Tj since October 2016. Tailgate Table is a must. If you haven’t already, upgrade the dome light to an LED. With the soft top, make sure the canvas above the front seats is taught or else water will pool up. Another thing I’ve been considering doing to mine is running a 12V power connection and a switch for the dome light to the back of the Jeep at the base of the C pillar. Good luck and happy wheeling!!
Just came back from korea. Just bought a LJ rubicon and I’m loving every bit of it.
I’m really excited to see this build as I’m a tj owner myself!! I think if he wants a new bumper I would go with a low profile stubby bumper just to keep it out of the way and so in the near future he doesn’t get hung up on it like he could potentially with a wider bumper. Rock sliders would be another thing with keeping the body from being damaged (I learned the hard way) lastly don’t forget your lockers!!
My bad it already has lockers as it’s a rubicon!! Also what I did with my Jeep is I kept my stock bumper and just cut it to make it stubby and light!
Keep the lights centered. In regards to the front bumper, make your own! A welding episode would be awesome!
Again, I love the blacked out headlight bezels. I painted mine.
I do prefer the more light setup as you want to see in front of you and maybe angle some of them outward as well so you have a wider field of view.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice young man! Glad to see some father and son team ups especially in the youtube jeep world. Great TJ content keep it coming. Hope to see more in the future!
Thank you!
Its great to see father and son working together in a TJ :). I have my TJ still from factory and I want to start making improvements on it when this Covid thing finish! Greetings from Spain.
I like the comment by your son about not being able to find a bumper that he liked. I was in the same boat years ago so I started building my own bumpers incorporating things I liked as well as my own ideas.
Great choice on the KC Gravity 6 lights. I mounted a pair on the front of my JKUR and love them. I also purchased the amber lenses for winter driving here in northern Utah as well as cutting through the dust off-road.
As for mounting locations, personally I prefer them mounted outboard on the bumper away from the grille area but I look at it more from an airflow point of view. I would also sink the winch down into the frame rails and allow an open and unobstructed entrance for air into the grille.
Mike
Rip out some more vids bud!! We all like seeing them.....especially now !! Glad your son is home and well..!! Look forward to everything you guys do !!!
I haven't been watching your channel long. I had no idea your son was a corpsman! I was a Marine for five years...just got out in September of 2019. I also spent some time in Okinawa. We were probably there at the same time! We love our Corpsman!
Right on
Loved the Sam the Cooking Guy comment! Lol. Thanks for the content, Brad.
There’s little mystery to what your son will look like when he’s your age. My goodness you guys looks so similar. Great vids and channel. Thank you both for serving.
@TrailRecon Whoa! That intro with the long-established TR logo above the Silver JK and Red TJ was a perfect sequence of events coming full-circle
Love the build. This makes me miss my old TJ, but the JL-U is more family friendly. Have fun!
Very cool. I like the center mounted lights better. Good luck with the build.
I love these father and son projects...thanks for sharing...take care and be safe, guys
We really enjoy the time together turning wrenches... thank you!
Brad & Jordan, Love, Love, Love the TJ(especially the color 😉) My first Jeep was a '99 TJ and I totally miss it. Can't wait to see all of the mods. One recommendation...my last jeep was a soft top and had the fire extinguisher mounted in the cargo area. The only issue was getting that rear window open quickly. Here in the desert the dust and sun murder the zipper and getting the window open was somewhat of a chore. I found a mount for the rail on my driver seat for quick and easy access. Just a thought...thanks for keeping us entertained.
In the Marines we called that "appropriating" ;) Thanks for serving Docs, nobody appreciates Navy Corpsmen more than us Grunts. Another great video!!!
In the Army we called it a "midnight requisition".
@@joecanis484 AWESOME!!! Thanks for serving!!! Sometimes we would say that we "Liberated" it ;)
Thanks for the entertainment I'm a XJ owner but have loved all jeeps since I was a kid I'm 41 year old kid lol, anyways looking forward to more build videos to come!
Well done guys nothing like father and son time. Please be safe out there
Great video Brad. Your son looks just like you !!! Looking forward to the next video.
I am new to the channel. Just wanted to say thank you for creating these videos. Stay safe and healthy everyone.
Pristine TJ Rubicons are becoming unicorns... Really hard to come by.
Hopefully it will retain some of its stock appeal.
Good luck, Jeep on! 😎👍
i dont own a tj but my dad does, a tummy tuck is definitely a good idea. the stock crossmember is super low and very vulnerable to getting smashed on rocks and getting muck stuck on top of it.
At first glance, l thought Jordan was sporting a bathrobe.
The campshire hoodie is a $180 hoodie that'll save your life man
Rei has it on sale now!
I've already got one that's been broken in plenty well, but if they go on sale in Canada I just might buy another just to wear
Overlord Kilo I wouldn’t were 180.00 hoodie to work on my Jeep.
The TJ is coming out really nice!!!
It’s so thoughtful to post such a nice video on these hard days..keep up the good job and we are looking forward for the next one!
Like the lights on the winch. Thanks for showing the how-to; great video.
Looking forward to watching this build. After 4 years I finally have time to replace stock steering components and install lift kit on our TJ.
I love the lights in the front. If he decides to stick with the soft top most often and wants more light, some Windshield Hinge mounting brackets for lights could be an awesome choice. Both KC and Smittbuilt make brackets for TJs I believe. I’m also a fan of bumper lights, just placing them further from recovery points will help protect those lights. Love the build!!
Yeah!!!! Awesome to watch that TJ being built!
Thank you brother!
Good starter mods! Can't wait to see what's next!!!
That's the cleanest tj I have ever seen.
Beyond excited for this build!
I really hope you got a Rock Krawler or Metal Cloak lift. I did the 3.5” MC on my last TJ and stretched it out a bit. Also, if you want to stay on a budget and do it right, go for an 8.8 rear and G2 Core 44 front. I had that on the TJ as well, and it’s plenty fine to sling 37’s around with. Granted, I had JCR high line fenders and custom long travel shocks. But do whatever you want to it, that’s the best part!
Going to add that a MML, BL and tummy tuck is an essential on the TJ. The TNT belly skid I had gave me 3” extra clearance underneath and it was all super easy to do after the SYE went on.
If the kit doesn’t come with them, I would look into getting some Beefy control arms, as a previous TJ owner I remember that being a weak point for mine. love the build !! Cant wait to see more
TJ's are really good honestly just keep everything nice and greased up and keep and eye on you ball joints
So glad I found this channel. I'm brand new to jeeping and loving it. I just purchased a 2000 red TJ just like this one...sort of. Mine is not the Rubicon. But your videos are helpful and I'm really looking forward to building mine the way I want it. Thanks for the quality videos and inspiration. Blessings.
I’m loving these TJ videos! I also own a TJ Rubicon. Thanks for the great content!
Awesome! Thank you!
Great. I'm enjoying you guys change this jeep. Look forward to the next one.