When it came down to money, I got to the point a long time ago where I would just tell myself "It ain't about the money, its just about enjoying my rig with friends/family". Got a lot easier after that. lol
I think your channel is one of the best on youtube for Jeep builds and info. It's really informative, well edited and entertaining. I know you are recently retired from the military but would like to know more about your military career. Branch, years, position, deployments, etc. I'm located in WNY but would love to make it out to SD to wheel with your club sometime! Thanks
Just bought my 17 year old a 99 XJ, exactly like your Overland Project...for $2500! (He loves my JKU so it was an easy purchase) It's in the same shape as yours and it is totally stock too. Same steering shake at 55mph. Balanced the tires and ordering the sway bar bushings as we speak to get started on chasing the wobble down. Overland Project is a great series and we are actually following your progress quite closely. Keep it up!
That's so awesome to hear you and your son are doing the same thing! It has really been a great bonding time with my boys and I. Best of luck on your build!
Just bought my 15 yo son a 96 - family friend has owned for 16 years and it is clean as can be - already has a 2 inch lift and solid wheels and tires - not much work to do on it yet - but will be adding lights, roof rack and maybe a front bumper - looks great in the driveway by my JKU - love the videos and cool ideas
So I thought I had watched all your videos but now am currently watching your retirement video which is going to answer most of the questions that I just asked... Thanks for your service.
Looks fantastic! I love that you are building a mild one good streetability and easier on the drive train. It is good for the average wheeler. Thanks again for great videos.
clean looking xj. i got me a 1998 xj one owner with 130k bone stock. it was practically given to me 1000 bucks. drove 5 hrs to pick it up 5 hrs home . no issues. ive owned it for close to 2 yrs now with 146k miles now. thinking about selling it to get me a wrangler jk now.
Really hope you decide to do another XJ build sometime in the future. As popular as they are now it would surely be a hit with the crazy amount of people building them nowadays.
I’m soon to get a second vehicle and seeing how you built this XJ makes me want to get one soooo bad; does not looks too extra, does not looks stock looks just quite perfect with that lift/tires set up. Amazing build so far!
TrailRecon I had one almost the same color as the one y'all just built about 17 yrs ago. I put almost 300,000 miles on it before I got rid of it. Still haven't forgave myself for that one. It was still basically stock but I could still take it off road and it would get it done. They are beast for sure, hard to break that I6.
what are the wheels? They look like they are 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern but I was wondering the width and backspacing? I'm looking to get new wheels for my rig and wanted to know the exact specifications.
I have the same tires except they're 265/70/17, basically the same size except yours are a bit wider. I can't believe you don't have a million subs, your production quality is great
Great video, brother! Thanks so much. Very informative and helpful. I own a Glacier Blue '98 XJ (stock) just like yours and this was immensely helpful to visualize what mine will ROUGHLY look like with a 3" lift on '31s. I also was stoked to see your trim and bumper corners painted black since I was thinking about doing that on mine and was curious of how it'd come out. Keep on Jeepin'!!
Looks great! I just bought my first pair of Coopers for my Tundra. Like them a lot. I had and 86 XJ a long time ago. Loved it. I may have the bug to build one for me!
Trail recon - 32 is fine for your 4 inch lift with 4.10 gear. I have Rubicon express 5.5 long arm kit with 33 and a lots of trimming, it still rubs when you flex it hard.
I’m totally with you on keeping close to stock and doing moderate modifications. I’m considering a 3” lift and even smaller tires, because I’d like to be able to tow a 16’ Airstream with it and huge rubber isn’t a good idea. Don’t flame me, I’ve towed a 24’ Terry with my ‘96 and understand the issues.
I had this in white. Almost got another last year but was 2 wd. I plan on a lift and tires only just like my last one. I did a 2inch spacer lift and 31s
Great looking tire. And I agree with you why go big if you don’t need it? You’re only hurting your gas mileage. In fact I would’ve went a little bit lower. I would’ve went with 31’s My jeep runs that and I am super happy with it. Never got stuck and I’ve been everywhere.
I think your channel has 50k subscriber possibility before the year end. Best of luck. I have run the STT Pros for exactly one year now. You may already know from your JK but I find myself rotating them at 3k instead of 5k miles
To keep the cost of bumpers down if you have access to a welder get a weld it yourself kit which normally run $200-300 cheaper than the same bumper prefab from the company. Check out JCRoffroad and MOVE bumpers for some budget friendly options
32s are a great choice. They will take you a lot of places. Now for the re-gear... 4.10 or 4.56 ?? That one is going to be tough, but because you are building an overlander, i vote 4.10.
Awesome build. Its very interesting to watch everything you and your boys do to it. Looking forward to the rest of it. What backspacing are those new wheels?
Great looking XJ Brad!!! And to ur sons that helped out. What a great experience for them. I would like to see what phone mount you use on ur JK for the Q&A please Jeep on!
I know its not serious offroader but have you thought about a aftermarket front bumper? it would look super badass with the lift and the tires, also what about some rock sliders?
Hey man I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work. We met out at superstition at sanddam, I had a red XJ on 33s. Maybe we will wheel together someday.
Ya man, I remember for sure. I was paying close attention to your rig because I had just started the work on this XJ. Would be great to catch you on the trail again!
With a 32" tire, if you blow 2 tires at once and your on a trip now you will be waiting for replacement tires. 33s are a more common size being easier to replace in tough situations
what type of interior upgrades are you planning to do....seats, cb radio, rhino lining the floor boards. i think your videos are great by the way. watching from South Mississippi!
Looks great, i like the tires and want a 32 size myself. im using a 8 inch rim with 4" backspacing and was wanting a 10.50 tire width tho. what gear ratio do u have stock and what do you think u will go with?? curious. Thanks , and i commend ya on nice vids!
I live in the Rocky Mountain of NW Montana. Do you guys have any place half way close where you can test out the jeep up in the mountains in snow? It's a whole different animal and it would be fun to see how your project does.
Chevy Colorado 760 heard of some condensation related issues with cvt and the support after was lacking. I'm leaning towards Smittybilt. Price is right and the stargazing panel I think they call it is cool without having to pay extra for it
I have a built pathfinder, would you consider on after this xj overland project, building up a differnt make other than a jeep? I would really like to see what you would do with a nissan i rarely see those being built up anymore but they are very capable.
Hi, great info!!, and a real good easy format to follow!! I have a 2.5 td in Devon, England I’ve just done the manual fuel pump conversion my next wish is to give it a wider stance so do I A, 3”lift and 31” tyres? And how wide should the new wheels be and what offset?? B keep it stock but fit wheel spacers and as big a tyre that will fit without trimming?? It’s a minefield!!!! Any advice would be very welcome, great channel by the way!!
Did you post a link for the bushings or bushing kit you used in part 1 of project xj? I need new bushings and the ones you got were right in my price range. Thank you! Awesome channel
For the QandA, noticed your navy sticker and you mentioned being in fallujah with marines in an earlier vid, were you a corpsman? Also do either of the jeeps have a name? Awesome video the wheels and tires look great!
I got my wife a grand 8. It is going to be a daily driver. I would like to know what is the biggest tire you would use? I want them to be an all terrain as it will be on the road more than off...
Great video Brad! I love the way that jeeps turning out! Keep it coming! My question is even though it's an overland, are you thinking about any under armour?
love the channel watch all the videos particularly love the xj because that was the first jeep I ever owned and I wish I never would have sold it. that being said I love my TJ now. anyway also love the rig walk around videos hope to see a TJ walk around soon. my question is this. really like the trail recon shirts where and how can I get one?
Was wondering i know this is an older build but would you remember the final numbers for lift particularly at the center my wife wonts hers lifted but has trouble getting into my TJ with 4 inch and 33s was thinking of a 4 and 32s for her xj but it might still be a bit tall when I see this one thanks
Looking good! Building an xj of my own and would love to run into you guys out on the trails! my question for you is what are some of the trips you would like to take the overland XJ on? any plans to come up to the Pacific Northwest?
The XJ is looking great! As I'm building mine up for Moab this June I wanted to ask your opinions on cooling system upgrades or if they are necessary. I have read quite a bit about XJ's having trouble staying cool at low speeds. Any thoughts?
Hi Brad, IMHO the XJ looks great as it is already. Lift and Tires/size were a great choice. Looking forward to see it on the trail soon. As for the Q&A, which shop/s do you take your Jeeps for jobs you can't or don't have the expertise? I'm looking to do sleeves and gussets on my JK don't know where to take it and/or what's a reasonable price for that kind of job. Last question, which software you use for editing videos? See you out on the trails!
Whats your plans for gearing, cooling, and performance under the hood? I'm looking to hit up some trails in SD... Whats a good moderate to difficult trail?
I am really interested in purchasing the lug nuts your using on this project. What the brand and cost or a link if you can share it? Thanks ahead of time.
When it came down to money, I got to the point a long time ago where I would just tell myself "It ain't about the money, its just about enjoying my rig with friends/family". Got a lot easier after that. lol
I think your channel is one of the best on youtube for Jeep builds and info. It's really informative, well edited and entertaining. I know you are recently retired from the military but would like to know more about your military career. Branch, years, position, deployments, etc. I'm located in WNY but would love to make it out to SD to wheel with your club sometime! Thanks
Wow, a great complement, thank you so much!
Just bought my 17 year old a 99 XJ, exactly like your Overland Project...for $2500! (He loves my JKU so it was an easy purchase) It's in the same shape as yours and it is totally stock too. Same steering shake at 55mph. Balanced the tires and ordering the sway bar bushings as we speak to get started on chasing the wobble down. Overland Project is a great series and we are actually following your progress quite closely. Keep it up!
That's so awesome to hear you and your son are doing the same thing! It has really been a great bonding time with my boys and I. Best of luck on your build!
Chris Steele you should look in to getting a new steering shaft it works better for lifts and bigger than normal tires
Just bought my 15 yo son a 96 - family friend has owned for 16 years and it is clean as can be - already has a 2 inch lift and solid wheels and tires - not much work to do on it yet - but will be adding lights, roof rack and maybe a front bumper - looks great in the driveway by my JKU - love the videos and cool ideas
Perfect stance for an overlander.
Have to agree, thanks!
Perfect Brad, tires aren't too big, lift isn't too high, wheels aren't too shinny , lol. boys where right on that. Again, perfect!
I'm loving the look and the boys couldn't be happier!
Cannot wait to see the end result of Project XJ Overland! Keep up the good work!
We've still got a long ways to go... but bit by bit we'll get there. Thanks!
So I thought I had watched all your videos but now am currently watching your retirement video which is going to answer most of the questions that I just asked... Thanks for your service.
Thank you!
Soundtrack fits perfectly 🥰
Perfect Tire size. Looks sick. That is going to be a amazing ride when your done.
Thanks! It really transformed the look for sure!
Jeeps looking awesome
Have to agree! Can't wait to get her on the trail!
Looks fantastic! I love that you are building a mild one good streetability and easier on the drive train. It is good for the average wheeler. Thanks again for great videos.
Thanks for the question!
clean looking xj. i got me a 1998 xj one owner with 130k bone stock. it was practically given to me 1000 bucks. drove 5 hrs to pick it up 5 hrs home . no issues. ive owned it for close to 2 yrs now with 146k miles now. thinking about selling it to get me a wrangler jk now.
Sounds like you got an awesome deal.. worth driving 5 hours for. I say keep it and get a JK!
Looks great, I'd leave the paint job alone too.
Really hope you decide to do another XJ build sometime in the future. As popular as they are now it would surely be a hit with the crazy amount of people building them nowadays.
Dude, even though those are 32's, they look like 37's on the Jeep. Great work
We love the stance. Thank you!
This is EXACTLY the sort of thing I want to build an xj to do.
Just basic trails out in Anza borrego, big bear, etc.
One month later, got my XJ!
I’m soon to get a second vehicle and seeing how you built this XJ makes me want to get one soooo bad; does not looks too extra, does not looks stock looks just quite perfect with that lift/tires set up. Amazing build so far!
That XJ is coming along nicely and looks great!
She's getting there. Thanks!
Looks great! Awesome that Cooper sent you the tires!!!
Thank you!
Hello From Lebanon. Your channel is one of the best channels on UA-cam. So informative
I'm looking for a XJ now to build. I can't wait to find one I'm comfortable buying. Jeeps looks great man.
Took me a while to find a good one.. their out there!
TrailRecon I had one almost the same color as the one y'all just built about 17 yrs ago. I put almost 300,000 miles on it before I got rid of it. Still haven't forgave myself for that one. It was still basically stock but I could still take it off road and it would get it done. They are beast for sure, hard to break that I6.
what are the wheels? They look like they are 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern but I was wondering the width and backspacing? I'm looking to get new wheels for my rig and wanted to know the exact specifications.
I have this same question!
10k subscribers congrats now you're at 40k+. I love this series reminds me of working with my dad
I have the same tires except they're 265/70/17, basically the same size except yours are a bit wider. I can't believe you don't have a million subs, your production quality is great
32" fits the wheel well perfectly
Agree, thanks!
Thanks for putting out great Jeep content. Hope your channel keeps growing!
Thank you, really appreciate the support!
Looks great. Very similar setup to what I'm shooting for with my '96 XJ. Thanks for the videos.
Awesome man, good luck on your build!
Great video, brother! Thanks so much. Very informative and helpful. I own a Glacier Blue '98 XJ (stock) just like yours and this was immensely helpful to visualize what mine will ROUGHLY look like with a 3" lift on '31s. I also was stoked to see your trim and bumper corners painted black since I was thinking about doing that on mine and was curious of how it'd come out.
Keep on Jeepin'!!
Additionally, if you happen to see this, did you Plasti-Dip your trim or paint it?
Regards,
Looks great! I just bought my first pair of Coopers for my Tundra. Like them a lot. I had and 86 XJ a long time ago. Loved it. I may have the bug to build one for me!
I'll be they make your Tundra look like a beast!
32's are perfect 👌 looks great!
Thanks!
Love all of your videos, thanks for all you do and appreciate the effort you put into all of your vids👍
Thanks, really appreciate it!
Trail recon - 32 is fine for your 4 inch lift with 4.10 gear. I have Rubicon express 5.5 long arm kit with 33 and a lots of trimming, it still rubs when you flex it hard.
thanks for the info on why you chose these tires. good thing for everyone to keep in mind when making this decision. P.S they look awesome!
I’m totally with you on keeping close to stock and doing moderate modifications. I’m considering a 3” lift and even smaller tires, because I’d like to be able to tow a 16’ Airstream with it and huge rubber isn’t a good idea. Don’t flame me, I’ve towed a 24’ Terry with my ‘96 and understand the issues.
I had this in white. Almost got another last year but was 2 wd. I plan on a lift and tires only just like my last one. I did a 2inch spacer lift and 31s
Very nice choice off tires and size. You should name it project beast mode. 😉😉😉😉👍👍👍👍
once people figure it out... your channel is gonna blow up
Great looking tire. And I agree with you why go big if you don’t need it? You’re only hurting your gas mileage. In fact I would’ve went a little bit lower. I would’ve went with 31’s My jeep runs that and I am super happy with it. Never got stuck and I’ve been everywhere.
that looks so awesome. I am a new subscriber .I just started watching at the start of the build can't wait to see it when it's done
Welcome to the channel and thanks!
I think your channel has 50k subscriber possibility before the year end. Best of luck. I have run the STT Pros for exactly one year now. You may already know from your JK but I find myself rotating them at 3k instead of 5k miles
same goals for my cherokee
Excellent, it's been a fun build so far!
To keep the cost of bumpers down if you have access to a welder get a weld it yourself kit which normally run $200-300 cheaper than the same bumper prefab from the company. Check out JCRoffroad and MOVE bumpers for some budget friendly options
she's coming along pretty dam good and loving it.
Thank you!
tires look great... now i'm thinking i should have went 32s on 4" instead of 31s on 3"... oh well maybe next year. Love your channel!
32s are a great choice. They will take you a lot of places. Now for the re-gear... 4.10 or 4.56 ?? That one is going to be tough, but because you are building an overlander, i vote 4.10.
Awesome build. Its very interesting to watch everything you and your boys do to it. Looking forward to the rest of it. What backspacing are those new wheels?
Great looking XJ Brad!!! And to ur sons that helped out. What a great experience for them.
I would like to see what phone mount you use on ur JK for the Q&A please
Jeep on!
Thanks for the question!
Looks awesome! I hope my build turns out half as nice!
great vid Brad :-) The set up looks perfect. can't see why you'd really need to go bigger at all :-)
Agree, thank you!
That thing looks awesome! And so awesome Cooper sent you the tires! For your 10,000 sub Q and A: what is your dream jeep?
Thanks for the question!
I know its not serious offroader but have you thought about a aftermarket front bumper? it would look super badass with the lift and the tires, also what about some rock sliders?
10k subs 3 years ago, wow. Look at you now 🙂
So rad! Any issues with rubbing? Thinking of putting the same tires on a 3.5in lift.
Looks amazing
I am running the same tire basically...master craft 32x11.5. They are made by cooper...so basically the same.
Hey man I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work. We met out at superstition at sanddam, I had a red XJ on 33s. Maybe we will wheel together someday.
Ya man, I remember for sure. I was paying close attention to your rig because I had just started the work on this XJ. Would be great to catch you on the trail again!
That looks great!
Thanks!
With a 32" tire, if you blow 2 tires at once and your on a trip now you will be waiting for replacement tires. 33s are a more common size being easier to replace in tough situations
2 blowouts on one trip is a bad day... always good to carry a tire repair kit with you!
what type of interior upgrades are you planning to do....seats, cb radio, rhino lining the floor boards. i think your videos are great by the way. watching from South Mississippi!
Great question, thanks!
Good job where i can order a front bomper like yours? Thanks
Do the 32s rub? if so where, and how did you remedy this? btw, a bit too much commentary.
Wow! That looks great! Did you do some paint and body work also? Or did you just detail it out real good? I like it! ☺ Good job!
bleepin jeep did a install on a higher capacity gas tank for his zombie xj, you thinking about putting one in you rig?
How high is the lift? What are the stats on the wheels? Diameter? Off-set? Width? Thanks!
15,000 miles in 6 months?! Holy sh*t!
I commute 60 miles round trip to work daily and then all our off road trips... adds up quickly!
Looks great, i like the tires and want a 32 size myself. im using a 8 inch rim with 4" backspacing and was wanting a 10.50 tire width tho. what gear ratio do u have stock and what do you think u will go with?? curious. Thanks , and i commend ya on nice vids!
Great question! Thanks!
Cool lookin Xj bro!
Thank you!
I live in the Rocky Mountain of NW Montana. Do you guys have any place half way close where you can test out the jeep up in the mountains in snow? It's a whole different animal and it would be fun to see how your project does.
Perfect setup! I noticed the trim is incredibly deep black. Did you guys purchase or refinish it?
Nothing done to it, but it has started to gray out a bit so will be doing something with is soon.
Great progress so far. What tent setup are you thinking about? Rooftop CVT?
Chevy Colorado 760 heard of some condensation related issues with cvt and the support after was lacking. I'm leaning towards Smittybilt. Price is right and the stargazing panel I think they call it is cool without having to pay extra for it
I have a built pathfinder, would you consider on after this xj overland project, building up a differnt make other than a jeep? I would really like to see what you would do with a nissan i rarely see those being built up anymore but they are very capable.
Thanks for the question!
Hi, great info!!, and a real good easy format to follow!! I have a 2.5 td in Devon, England I’ve just done the manual fuel pump conversion my next wish is to give it a wider stance so do I
A, 3”lift and 31” tyres? And how wide should the new wheels be and what offset??
B keep it stock but fit wheel spacers and as big a tyre that will fit without trimming??
It’s a minefield!!!! Any advice would be very welcome, great channel by the way!!
Looks awesome, I like the look with that size tire. ? for the Q&A What do you do for a living?
Thanks for the question!
Did you post a link for the bushings or bushing kit you used in part 1 of project xj? I need new bushings and the ones you got were right in my price range. Thank you! Awesome channel
Sorry bud, just picked them up at AutoZone, so don't have a link. Thanks!
Regear???? I'm about to do a RE 3.5 lift with 31s. I called MIT here in El cajon and YIKES. going to 4.10 ain't cheap!
What did you do Brad?
It does look Awesome
Not gonna mention the center bore mismatch on those rims?
For the QandA, noticed your navy sticker and you mentioned being in fallujah with marines in an earlier vid, were you a corpsman? Also do either of the jeeps have a name? Awesome video the wheels and tires look great!
Thanks for the question!
I am currently building a 99 XJ with 3.5 RE lift and bilstein shocks, do the 32 11.50s rub much? Did you have to add bump stops?
besides youtube, what do you do for a living? and your edicational background?
Do they rub with the stock fenders? I am currently building a stock XJ I found (58k original miles and 5spd)
I got my wife a grand 8. It is going to be a daily driver. I would like to know what is the biggest tire you would use? I want them to be an all terrain as it will be on the road more than off...
Hows the articulation? Is it rubbing? Is 32s ok without trimming the fenders?
Great video Brad! I love the way that jeeps turning out! Keep it coming! My question is even though it's an overland, are you thinking about any under armour?
Thanks for the questions!
love the channel watch all the videos particularly love the xj because that was the first jeep I ever owned and I wish I never would have sold it. that being said I love my TJ now. anyway also love the rig walk around videos hope to see a TJ walk around soon.
my question is this. really like the trail recon shirts where and how can I get one?
Have had a few request for a TJ... working on it. You can pick up a shirt here: www.trailrecon.net/shop.html. Thank you!!!
Jeep 💪
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Was wondering i know this is an older build but would you remember the final numbers for lift particularly at the center my wife wonts hers lifted but has trouble getting into my TJ with 4 inch and 33s was thinking of a 4 and 32s for her xj but it might still be a bit tall when I see this one thanks
Looking good! Building an xj of my own and would love to run into you guys out on the trails! my question for you is what are some of the trips you would like to take the overland XJ on? any plans to come up to the Pacific Northwest?
Thanks for the question!
The xj is looking awesome! What do you do for a living now that you retired from the Navy?
Thanks and thank you for the question!
congrats on the sponsorship!!! so what got you into filming this journey??
Thank you and thanks for the question!
The XJ is looking great!
As I'm building mine up for Moab this June I wanted to ask your opinions on cooling system upgrades or if they are necessary. I have read quite a bit about XJ's having trouble staying cool at low speeds. Any thoughts?
my gf had a jeep just like that but it wasn't 4x4 tho. she loved it but it had some issues tho.
What got you into jeeps? What was your first Jeep? Love the videos, keep it up.
Thanks for the question!
Hi Brad, IMHO the XJ looks great as it is already. Lift and Tires/size were a great choice. Looking forward to see it on the trail soon. As for the Q&A, which shop/s do you take your Jeeps for jobs you can't or don't have the expertise? I'm looking to do sleeves and gussets on my JK don't know where to take it and/or what's a reasonable price for that kind of job. Last question, which software you use for editing videos? See you out on the trails!
Whats your plans for gearing, cooling, and performance under the hood? I'm looking to hit up some trails in SD... Whats a good moderate to difficult trail?
Thanks for the questions!
Great work on the jeep but are you keeping the mods on the engine and drive train moderate on the build ?
I am really interested in purchasing the lug nuts your using on this project. What the brand and cost or a link if you can share it? Thanks ahead of time.
I have 3k total in mine. Wish I could send a pic. She has some body character but she is ready to roll🤙
Pretty good but do you think they’d just fit onto a 4 inch lift without any cutting and leave some room for my shocks?
We had to do a little trimming, but not much.
i bought 33's same tires for 190 each. Amazon not the lowest price in town. :)