GATORB8 LJ Build

[GATORB8]

Stoked to finally have another “extra vehicle build”. It’s been almost 10 years since I ran my track/weekend BMW E92. This will be an acknowledged money pit, and not a daily. Only real goal is for it to be wheelable for EJS 26, I have a tow rig and nice trailer. Currently expecting to delay powertrain work for winter 26-27.

This is most certainly a knee jerk from dragging our JLU rubicon on 38s down the Rubicom. I’ve been molesting the JL for four years while being compliant with my wife’s wants for her “daily” Pilates rig. As such, I know big tires are stupid, but there is no chance I don’t have the biggest tires at the house, sorry.

Last weekend (9/7/25) I picked up this 2006 LJ base 4.0 Auto 178k. For comparisons sake. Ask was 11k, did the deal for 11k OTD in NC so final price of 10k. 3 owner all in NC latest had for 12 years, but I believe he handed it down to his son from the stickers.

EDIT Build List as of 4/20/26:
LJ Build

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
4.0l I6 Power Tech Engine
4-Spd. Automatic 42rle Transmission
NP231 2.72:1

Axles
05+ Super Duty 60, Barnes TJ Truss, Spicer 1550 Shafts, Dana 5.38, ARB Locker, Warn Hubs, Motobilt cover
06 2500HD SRW 14 bolt, Barnes TJ Triangulated Truss, Shaved to 13 bolt with Motobilt cover, Yukon 5.38, ARB Locker, Dorman Shafts, GM/AAM Hubs

Wheels/Tires
Dirty Life Mesa Beadlock 17x9 -12mm 8x170
40x13.50R17 Nitto Trail Grappler

Suspension
Barnes 3 Link Front / Triangulated 4 link rear
DOM/Heim custom control arms
6” Rear Stretch
Barnes Front Track Bar Frame side mount
Cavfab HD Front Track Bar
3.5” MC Dual Rate Front Coils + knock off JKS ACOS
Bilstein Front 33-230399 (5125 with 11.5” travel stem/eye)
Barnes rear spring relocation
Barnes rear frenched shock towers, outboarded
Metalcloak 5.5” Dual Rate Rear Coils
Bilstein Rear 33-185576 (14” 5125s)
FarFromStock 2” 8x6.5 to 8x170 Adapters

Steering
PSC XD Big Bore Conversion Box
Dorman 97-02 Lower Steering Shaft
PSC Pump/Reservoir
BMB Cooler
FS Wagoneer Pitman Arm
Barnes Crossover Weld on High Steer
Barnes Aluminum Tie Rod
DOM Drag Link with Heims

Brakes
Dorman M630162 MC (Dakota/Durango/Viper)
Russell AN Stainless Braided Lines
Front 347 mm Rotors with Wagner Dual 59.9 mm pistons
Rear 330 mm Rotors with drum parking and Wagner Dual 50.9vmm pistons

Drivetrain
AA SYE
Olivers DC Driveshafts
Barnes stretch tank

Body
CavFab Predator Front Bumper
CavFab Predator Rear Bumper
Motobilt High Line Front Fenders, Aluminum, 0” Flare
Motobilt High Line Front Inner Fenders, Stock Cut
Motobilt Full Length Rockers with Step, MB Fender Cut
Motobilt LJ Corner Blanks
Metalcloak Tailights
Motobilt Tailgate Accessory Mount with LP Mount
ORO CHMSL/LP Light
Bestop Trektop
Factory Half Doors
Bestop Slider Uppers, Tinted 20%
AeroCatch Hood Pins

Interior
Armorlite Full Vehicle Floor Kit
Bulletpoint Universal Rubigrid and Mounts

Electronics
Amazon Carplay Headunit
Midland MXT275
Auxbeam AR-8 Switch Panel

Air
ARB Twin
ARB Manifold
Russel Air Lines

Recovery
Warn VREvo 8S
Factor 55 Flatlink with Rope Guard

 

[GATORB8]

Part of the negotiation was the scary ride. The dealer said it happened after they put the 33” no name MTs on it. Grabbed a uhaul car hauler to bring it home 1.5 hours, should have brought the trailer.

Solved the vibration Saturday though some jack stand experimentation. Was a bent to shit front driveshaft. Luckily, my buddy had his takeoff laying around and a quick swap took care of it.

 

[GATORB8]

While waiting for parts, week one was mainly clean and polish. Tub looks great under the original carpets, fenders that I’m going to replace anyway took an entire bottle of back to black.

 

[GATORB8]

And big money #1. FBMP find. Stripped and blasted and steel it’d 05+ SD60 + 06 14 bolt rear. Heavy as fuck. But $1k was a freaking steal.

 

[GATORB8]

While I’m waiting on parts, lol. If you want to waste some time and get to know me (and @Rickstar321 ). You could listen to the Jeep Talk Show podcast over the past few years. A few years back, I built an Offroad camper on 37s in the background of the weekly round table episodes. Rick and I met at a JTS event at Hidden Falls near Austin TX, about a week before he baptized Microjeep back in 2023.

 

[GATORB8]

Barnes front swap set and rear double triangulated set shipped Friday. I think I scored a deal for the Savvy aluminum high line front set with inners from XT (if it ships) for $940 all in. Rick convinced me to go Armorlite so that’s on its way (from two hours away).

 

[GATORB8]

You won’t see me forsake quality for cost much in this build, but I thought it’d be nice to have CarPlay for OnX and have it look semi stock. Since that doesn’t exist from the big boys, I’m rolling the dice with a cheap sub $150 head unit I can return.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DC6MHG8R?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[GATORB8]

I’m old enough to remember how bad halogens suck, and be completely put off by both the look and poor beam patterns of half ass aftermarket light blinding my already poor eye sight.

Lots of videos later, decided to spring for Holley Retrobrights for around $400. There are certainly better options around 100% more if I’m willing to sacrifice aesthetics, but I’m happy with the trade off. Very good lighting on dark road without supplementation. Took care of some Mickey Mouse diy at the same time.

 

[GATORB8]

I’m expecting a couple “useless your a dumbass” comments on this one. Oddly and unexpectedly on of my favorite upgrades on the JL has been the retrofit hood struts from Redline. Unnecessary maybe but I promise it’s nice and makes a frequent usage appearance.

Options are limited on the LJ, as far as I could find, there are three and all suck for different reasons.

This would have been the only reference to RC in this thread anyway, but holy shit the fabrication and instructions on this thing are garbage. And, they don’t warn about preventing denting your outer hood sheet metal. It works, RC still sucks and I can’t wait to rip the dealer installed Rough Country crap out of the Jeep.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

And big money #1. FBMP find. Stripped and blasted and steel it’d 05+ SD60 + 06 14 bolt rear. Heavy as fuck. But $1k was a freaking steal.

View attachment 642902

View attachment 642903

Nice build. Have you given any thought to shaving the 14 bolt? What tire size are you targeting?

Welcome to the forum. I'm looking forward to following your build.

 

[GATORB8]

Nice build. Have you given any thought to shaving the 14 bolt? What tire size are you targeting?

Welcome to the forum. I'm looking forward to following your build.

Yes, leaning toward a standard shave over the TMR cut the case and ring gear shave at the moment.

40 is the target.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Yes, leaning toward a standard shave over the TMR cut the case and ring gear shave at the moment.

40 is the target.

I run a full shave and have been happy with it. It was also a fun project to do - especially the challenge of the cut. I did the Ballistic Fab kit with the integrated truss years ago, but I like their current kit much better as they now have a hardened piece which protects the lower cover bolts more effectively.

 

[GATORB8]

I run a full shave and have been happy with it. It was also a fun project to do - especially the challenge of the cut. I did the Ballistic Fab kit with the integrated truss years ago, but I like their current kit much better as they now have a hardened piece which protects the lower cover bolts more effectively.

Nice, I hadn’t seen that one.

I like that they have the ring gear machining service so I don’t have to source it locally.

 

[GATORB8]

You won’t see me forsake quality for cost much in this build, but I thought it’d be nice to have CarPlay for OnX and have it look semi stock. Since that doesn’t exist from the big boys, I’m rolling the dice with a cheap sub $150 head unit I can return.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DC6MHG8R?tag=wranglerorg-20

So far so good, luckily the PO used a harness kit, so it’s pretty much plug and play. Wireless CarPlay fired right up and both OnX and TOR work.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Nice, I hadn’t seen that one.

I like that they have the ring gear machining service so I don’t have to source it locally.

ECGS sells a machined ring gear, usually in stock so pretty quick. But, I believe the gears are Yukon, and I've already smoked one set...

 

[bbaldwin237]

Sounds like it will be an awesome project. Looking forward to it!

 

[lBasket]

So far so good, luckily the PO used a harness kit, so it’s pretty much plug and play. Wireless CarPlay fired right up and both OnX and TOR work.

View attachment 643070

This radio has been on my mind for a while

 

[Rickstar321]

Barnes front swap set and rear double triangulated set shipped Friday. I think I scored a deal for the Savvy aluminum high line front set with inners from XT (if it ships) for $940 all in. Rick convinced me to go Armorlite so that’s on its way (from two hours away).

Man! Gonna be like Christmas in Sep around there!!! lol

That Armorlite instal is a work out! That stuff is super thick and a tight fit... but once it's in and lined up you can't beat it for function and ease of care.

 

[Rickstar321]

You will have to "dig" these out as well, this is where the plugs for the Armorlite line up. Not a small task in itself. lol...

I still have thes e in the back of mine, it lays right over them no problem but I pulled all the seatbelt stuff out... not running a back seat.

 

[GATORB8]

This radio has been on my mind for a while

I'll update after I get all the little accessories installed and have some seat time with it running carplay. I think the biggest issue people have is weird carplay issues (although I have similar issues on all my newer OEM vehicles).