Rad JT's 2022 JTR Build

[Z_RadJT]

Hey everyone!

I've never been very active on forums, but I'd like to be! Due to that, this build thread is going to start a little late into what I call the first evolution of this build. Luckily, I took pictures, so I'll walk you through the stuff I've done up to today!

The idea behind the build: I bought the gladiator used with the goal of making it a rock crawling rig that could still get decent enough fuel mileage and road manners to drive the family around. So far, it's working great!


The beginning:

I bought the Jeep at CarMax. It was in great shape and at a good price so I had to do it(is what i told my wife). It was pretty much bone stock minus the running boards.

Within the first hour of having it, I took it to my buddy's house nearby to remove the running boards. (sorry for the bad blurring, didn't want to post his neighborhood)

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[Z_RadJT]

Now it was time to start finding parts. Originally, I was trying to find as many parts as I could find off Facebook Marketplace.

I found a guy selling a set of 5 Black Rhino Primm Wheels (not beadlock) with Toyo Open Country AT tires for $1,000 if I remember correctly. The tires were a little older but in good shape with about 60-70% tread.

The Rubicon fit them without a lift so I kept em on!

The next weekend I found OEM Rubi Rails on marketplace for $150!
My buddy had sold his JL and still had his Excessive Industries stubby bumper. He generously helped me put it on my JT with the promise that I'd take him wheeling whenever I was going. The same night, I went and got a Badland Apex Winch at Harbor Freight and we threw it all on.

The next morning we went wheeling to test it and see how the 37's would do with no lift.
Answer: The wheel wells were a little crowded, but it went well! The winch remote was plugged in because we were clearing trees off the trails.

 

[Z_RadJT]

I wanted a little more room in the wheel wells, so I picked up a TeraFlex spacer lift kit until I could decide what lift I wanted. I also picked up a Tazer to adjust the speedometer for the 37's

I bought some Body Armor 4x4 Front and Rear Inner Fenders and Quake LED Fender Chop Kit.

The inner fenders were a huge PITA, but the fender chop was pretty cool!
I also Installed Rough Country pod lights. Shortly after this picture I finally decided to put the fog lights in the bumper.

A week later MetalCloak read my mind and had a sale, so I ordered a 3.5" Game Changer Lift Kit.
At the time, I was too nervous to install it myself, so I had a shop do it.

When I went to the shop to pick it up I couldn't believe it was the same Jeep!

That weekend my buddy and I took it wheeling to test it.
We tried to find a decent rock to flex it on and it blew my mind!

I kept it like that through the winter.

 

[Z_RadJT]

After spending the first two months of 2026 recovering from buying my kids Christmas presents that could have been more Jeep parts, I decided to buy a set of 37" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MT's.
(My uncle photo bombing)

So far, they're great on and off road!
I also bought LED headlights and was gifted Flush Mount LED tail lights for my birthday.
So far, they work great!

 

[Z_RadJT]

Next up was steering.
I bought the MetalCloak HD Steering System and installed it myself.
I also bought their alignment tool and did my own alignment!

That's better!
Now it was time to test it.
I took it up with some local guys and crawled up V Rock at Bald Mountain in Shaver Lake, CA.
I wanted some drone footage so I asked my buddy if he wanted to try flying the drone, or if he wanted to drive the Jeep.

Spoiler Alert: He chose the Jeep. (and did great!)

It was an evening run and we didn't get to Bald Lookout until dark. I saw the other guys turn on their rock lights and knew I needed to look into getting some!

 

[Z_RadJT]

After the night run on Bald Mountain, I reached out to Infinite Offroad, who generously gave me a great deal on their Infinite Offroad Pod Lights (with amber DRL)and their LUX Monster Magnetic RGBW Rock Light Kit.

The install was easy and the pod lights and rock lights are awesome!

Around the same time, I removed my bed cover and decided to use a tool box to carry all my gear. Air, recovery gear, shovel, axe, chainsaw, etc.

I bought the Craftsman 61.5" x 20" x13" Crossover Truck Tool Box at Lowe's. (ignore the trash in the bed lol)

I didn't like the Craftsman badge so I drilled out the rivets, installed new ones, and used touch up paint to paint them gloss black. (pic is before the paint came in)

After having the tool box on many runs and a weekend long event, I don't see myself removing it. It's very nice to have all my tools in one place without them rolling around the bed or in the cab.

 

[Z_RadJT]

I went to Moonlight Madness here in Central California and got to test the JT on the ramp.
I forget the exact score, but I think it was mid 800's.
I think I could have scored a bit better if I did a better job lining up.

That brings us to today!
I've changed a few small things, but have really just been spending time going wheeling, honing my photography and editing skills, and building my Instagram, @Z_RadJT.
I'll keep this thread updated so stay tuned!

Here's two of my most recent pictures from the last two weeks!

 

[Neomonk21]

Wow, that's a nice looking Jeep! Thanks for sharing your build so far. I'm on a similar path with my Mojave. I just installed a 2.5" Gamechanger lift and will be getting the 35" MT Baja Boss when they have their next sale. I also have the HD steering kit to put on my Jeep the next free weekend I have. It's good to see that the stuff I'm doing to my Jeep is working well on yours.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Looks like it’s been a great journey. Good looking rig and I like how you kept it simple for the bed.

 

[Flyin6]

It is a bunch of fun building out a Jeep. Yours is shaping up nicely.
Gear change???

 

[Z_RadJT]

It is a bunch of fun building out a Jeep. Yours is shaping up nicely.
Gear change???

Spent the last year going back and forth between 4.88’s and 5.13’s. I wanted 5.13’s since I planned on possibly moving to 38” tires next. I had heard horror stories about them breaking, but talked to the guys from my local shop (Disciple Off Road, Visalia, CA) and they said 5.13’s will be fine. I’ve seen enough of their builds that I trust their opinion so gearing is up next!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Spent the last year going back and forth between 4.88’s and 5.13’s. I wanted 5.13’s since I planned on possibly moving to 38” tires next. I had heard horror stories about them breaking, but talked to the guys from my local shop (Disciple Off Road, Visalia, CA) and they said 5.13’s will be fine. I’ve seen enough of their builds that I trust their opinion so gearing is up next!

If you do, go with QUALITY 5.13 gears. That’s the biggest consideration. There is more risk with them but as long as you get high quality units you should be good.

 

[Z_RadJT]

If you do, go with QUALITY 5.13 gears. That’s the biggest consideration. There is more risk with them but as long as you get high quality units you should be good.

Thinking Revolution. That's what they normally use at the shop. Saw great prices on Yukon, but I've heard to many bad things about them recently.

 

[Z_RadJT]

Looks like it’s been a great journey. Good looking rig and I like how you kept it simple for the bed.

It has been! Very excited to see where it goes. I've debated bobbing the bed, and still might, but I want to get a high clearance rear bumper and see how that goes first. As for the actual bed itself, I love the toolbox. I may add side molle panels for a Hi-Lift and some other stuff. I've also been thinking of using the space underneath the tool box for an air tank but we'll see!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

It has been! Very excited to see where it goes. I've debated bobbing the bed, and still might, but I want to get a high clearance rear bumper and see how that goes first. As for the actual bed itself, I love the toolbox. I may add side molle panels for a Hi-Lift and some other stuff. I've also been thinking of using the space underneath the tool box for an air tank but we'll see!

Check these out before the Hi-Lift. Not quite as cool but way safer on the trail.

https://safejacks.com/

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