TRANSFORMATION TIME! Jeep Wrangler Lift Kit & New Wheels and Tires Install

It’s finally time to take this Jeep Wrangler build to the next level and increase the ground clearance, ride quality and overall appearance. In this video we install a lift kit and new wheels and tires on my son 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon TJ. We overcome a few challenges along the way, have a few laughs, and take transform the looks and capability of this Jeep TJ.
Watch the whole Jeep build series: • Jeep Wrangler TJ Rockl...
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[@turbofc]

I wish my dad would do something like this with me. This is a cool father son experience

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

Don't sell your ol man short....Someday he'll be gone...

[@turbofc]

@@talezfromthedashcam3138 that's why I wish he would do this with me.

[@manbearpig2164]

@@turbofc bring it up to him sometime, life can get pretty busy, people tend to forget to slow down and enjoy life, it's the little things that matter the most

[@irvgotti94]

Best feeling ever. My pops also helped me with my build

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

@@turbofc Dont care..Appreciate what you got. Build or no build. I speak from experience.

[@MattsCollection]

I was watching this last night and my wife says, "How come his garage is so clean?" Thanks for adding to my honeydo list Brad! :D

[@JohnnyVeritas]

RTR Recruit Training Regiment!!! Thanks again for your service Docs!!!!

[@FortuneRed55]

Hey, don’t mean to be critical here, so much as hopefully helpful. I’ve noticed on a couple videos that you guys tend to run larger drill bits too fast. Consider 0:16 in this video, where the drill is running full speed with the big bit in it. This generates a lot of heat, expanding the material you’re drilling into, so your hole ends up a bit tight after cooling. It also cooks the drill bit and softens the cutting edge, greatly shortening the life of the bit and just making for a worse result. When drilling with a big bit like this, drop the drill into its lower speed setting if it has one, or just try and avoid holding the trigger down all the way. Unless you’ve already ruined the bit, you should see it do a much better job of cleanly scooping up the material and ejecting it without quite so much heat. You should also drill a pilot hole roughly 1/4” in size before stepping up to this bigger bit. Anyway, happy trails!

[@sethgho]

Hey, thanks for this comment! I never knew this and just always assumed my large bits were of poor quality. Looks like it's me that's the problem! hah.

[@alisongraham6805]

Frm long ago in my trainee days the cutting speed for a high speed steel drill in mild steel is 100. To determine the right rpm it is 4 times the cutting speed over the diameter. So for a 1/4” drill 4*100/(1/4)=1600 rpm, for a 1/2” drill 800 rpm etc

[@ArkansasOffroad]

Hats off to you guys! TJ looks great Jordan! I know the pain of running into all of those unknowns lol, that's just part of it. Glad it your garage was tall enough after installing the lift! HA!

[@floatplanebox]

You already regretting selling the TJ😂

[@marcushosmer1856]

“Two hours on a bolt was nuts.” - The puns make themselves.

[@usnchief1339]

My son complains and acts like I was punishing him. I don't get a lot of these younger kids these days. Great job spending quality time and educating your son and others.

[@67wildwolf]

Nice job and I love the wheels......nice seeing wheels that are other than black

[@trjnsd6874]

That’s quite a transformation guys! I really miss having a garage. Lotta bucks going into a good Jeep home. Can’t wait to see how this performs off road! Nicely done (both the wrenching and the video).

[@shropshireladoutdoors743]

I think the smile on your sons face says it all a nice bit of father and son time aswell

[@LiveByItHD]

Glad I’m not the only one who has days like this 😃😃

[@austinsadler7122]

Anyone else notice the KM3s on Brad's JK?

[@abouttime7316]

FYI every TJ forum I’ve read says to avoid dropped pitman arms.

[@Grenyas]

It does cause bump steer. I had one on my LJ installed by the previous owner who put in a 4 inch lift. I went back to a stock pitman arm and it has felt much better on the road.

[@marklaster8781]

Great father and son project. Learning lessons and how to overcome. Great job. Thank you for sharing.

[@DrFearCo]

“We might need to cut it but let’s take some time to regroup”... instantly cuts to reciprocating saw. I don’t know why but I found that funny.

[@philcarr7015]

I had the same problem with the leaf springs on my '65 Mustang that you had with your control arm. After I cut the leaf springs off, because I was replacing them, I applied some copper anti-seze to the bolt shaft when I put it back together. If I were you, I would do the same to your son's Jeep anywhere that you have a bolt going through a metal sleeve on the suspension. It's particularly important in a 4x4 if you plan on getting muddy. Fun video. Shows that nothing goes entirely right when working on vehicles. That's part of the fun of you have the right attitude!

[@murphtahoe1]

Rims look great and 2 plus hours dealing with 1 super stubborn bolt is on par for most projects. I like your son’s sliding front windows on the half doors. Beats zipping the window down.

[@playingbadgolfwell9732]

At first I was like... "No, don't change the wheels and tires -- they already look good." But then I saw the new wheels and tires.... Dayyyyammm!!! Those are nice. Great job!!

[@kylemcatee503]

It’s very obvious he is your son. Love this man!

[@FatKidontwowheels]

Awesome Fathers Day gift, working in the garage with you son!

[@patandjessicasjeepadventur3227]

Beautiful job wrenching on the Jeep with friends and family nothing better I was happy to see your sons choice of tires Love my BFGs KO2s Outstanding Brad and congratulations on a job well done

[@OVRLNDX]

Awesome project man! Sorry I missed the fun!

[@TrailRecon]

Next time!

[@misterrc51]

TrailRecon, Brad you should used a stock pitman arm, you will put more stress on your gear box shaft bearing and wear it out, ask me how I know, get Currie correct steering link and you will have correct alignment and no steering bind.Well worth it, did this on 3 of my Jeeps. The stock tie rod is weak compared to Currie, you won’t have to worry about broken tie rod .

[@johnbarrios1598]

Excellent video... Great to have a fantastic father & son relationship!!!!! And wonderful Friends!!!

[@Patmclean232]

Awesome rubicon! Makes me miss my old 2000 sport! Love the old TJ’s!!

[@cody7031]

Love these videos so much, such a genuine family! Thank you for your service as well!

[@marcusjones4060]

Love the jeep it's coming along great look great enjoy and be safe.

[@boldrbangr9834]

....."according to you"......you're on the hook now dad 😜. Looks great & love the bronze wheels

[@ATiredRyan]

@2:55 exactly what my Dad taught me. Feels good to have done it myself and saved some money. I love being able to work on and have knowledge on whats going on with my vehicle. There were some points where I wish I would have just taken it to a shop lol. But the feeling of completion after all the stress, cursing, and more than likely cuts on hands was great.

[@adamgarcia4825]

Finally early excitied to see some tj content!

[@HumanBean520]

Awesome to see this with your son! Missed not having my dad here for Father’s Day.

[@ericgunnyporter8964]

Maan thats a nice Rubicon and your son is blessed to have you as a great dad that loves the trails, Keep up the Great work dad and Semper Fi from Gunny Porter 2019 JL wrangler 3.6 on 35 Coopers

[@Donnut123]

Looks great! Glad Jordan got the experience of lifting it himself. I have done my lifts myself for years, mostly because it's really expensive to have a shop do it! But it's a great way to learn about your Jeep.

[@adjake1]

FYI 50/50 acetone/atf mix in an oil can is the ultimate penetrating oil. I use it for all kinds of things. It’s almost stupid how well it works.

[@jkito13offroadpr77]

So awesome Dad and Son project, the wheels and tires so nice 🤝🇵🇷🔥👍

[@fxrs1982]

I have an 04 TJ. Didn't know what a Rubicon was 12 years ago when I bought it. So I put G2 Dana 44's 4.56 gears ARB lockers 35 spline rear 30 front chrome moly shafts. It's about to get a long arm from Rustys installed. I run 35's Goodyear MTR'S. Hopefully an Atlas 4 speed next year. May other upgrades on board too. I love your Videos. Thank you for your service. I'm an Army Vet. Beautiful TJ. Love all your rigs. Very well made videos. You are very easy to listen to. Great job.

[@gregchilders4451]

Thank you for your service sir!

[@e-pill]

I been dying to see you show this build off!! congrats Jordan!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@jenniferenriquez505]

I'm a new 03' TJ owner and I'm really loving the build that Jordan is going with his! I will be doing most of the upgrades to mine similar to his. ESPECIALLY the wheels and tires. Perfect combo! Can't wait for more videos on this build!

[@XtremeChiliPepper]

10/10 on tire/wheel combo! Glad nothing was thrown around the garage lol!

[@oldschool240]

What a great, real video. Really candid and is why I do my own work. Thanks for sharing!

[@frankansley7941]

Great looking Jeep. Thanks for the video

[@verygood7155]

I really like your transparency doing this build.

[@J.Bradley.]

Jordan, that looks great man, it really does. Significant transformation and the wheels were a great choice.

[@ajones0000]

It was refreshing watching this install. I thought it was only ME that ran into issues in the garage when things were suppose to be a simple 'bolt-on' install. I guess that's part of the fun afterwards. Not always fun during it though. Keep up the good work. Love your channel.

[@carswithmusic7081]

Fantastic work

[@dalejenkins680]

Love the father son interaction. Can’t wait to see your son speaking to a younger audience of interested Overlanders with his own show in the future. Til then, love watching you two work together!

[@Ace-vn2ch]

TJ=Top Dog Jeep! Nice work Boys!

[@HughMungusBob]

Can't wait to see you on the trail again Brad. We have to get your sons jeep and mine together. We both have the red and bronze going on now. Looks so good. Hope to see you soon.

[@offpvmt1379]

Turned out great! Looks awesome.

[@CKimbrow12]

What a great way to spend Father’s Day.

[@samangammanpila5849]

apply some antiseize to bolts to prevent unnesessary hazzle when removing them

[@kylemelissa28]

I always love your videos but this one is extra special. I put a 2.5” lift on my 2005 TJ about 6 months ago. We had the exact same problem with both front cam bolts. Ended up having to go buy a reciprocating saw to get the job done. Looks great, Jordan. Hope you like it.

[@Winchparts]

Few quick things to note: Unless you are going to add a track bar that uses a drop bracket you need to go back to a stock pitman arm as you have induced bump steer by changing the relationship between the two. The front coils will be much easier to install if you had installed the new control arms first and left the bump stops and spacers loose inside the coil. You will also want to change out the front bump stop extension for one that installs on the axle side coil mount as putting them on the upper mount makes for coil "twang" at full droop. Since you have gone with adjustable arms I would ditch the cam bolts and get Johnny Joint Washers from Black Magic Brakes so you can use regular bolts instead. Make life much easier down the road. Since you are gong with a Double Cardan rear shaft you will want to get an angled rear track bar bracket like the ones from Rock Jock or JKS. Once you start raising the pinion up the track bar will bind and be pushed into the gas tank skid.

[@sardog2049]

Agree with all of the points. The only thing that I did differently than what you said was to use an adjustable track bar made for that length from Metalcloak to avoid having to use a bracket. However, that said, I had already removed the original bracket and had installed a newer, heavy duty bracket from Currie on the axle to replace the original which had cracked at the weld seam.

[@Hutch_Davenport]

@@sardog2049 pitman arm tip is good. People are catching on to it and it does make the ride better to leave the original pitman in for lifts under 6 inches.

[@owenwest2402]

Awesome job guy's looks great, now let's see it on the trail!!

[@pnwyeti3008]

Congrats Jordan, Looks great!

[@clarknewlove948]

Been looking forward to this one. The Tj looks badass. Great work, Brad and Jordan!

[@duck_rifle5879]

I love that he chose a TJ. Recently my folks picked up a 98 Sahara edition with only 22k miles on it. 4L and manual trans. It’s drives great and is so clean it’s unreal.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

A Chief with a coffee cup...imagine that. LOL

[@jwgarage]

That is a super nice TJ. Another great garage project with family and friends. Can't wait to see what's next.

[@ethanrose3243]

Great vid!

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

What a cool weekend project! Plenty of head scratching and the final result is awesome. Excellent choice on all upgrades Jordan. Your TJ looks so awesome!

[@tallica8402]

Good looking Jeep!

[@rjnixon1061]

Great looking TJ. Well done and congrats!

[@n2malinois]

Looks great!

[@aryanbirajdar8314]

Very excited to see that bad boy on the trail

[@crbourret]

Glad to see he even upgraded his spare. It bugs my OCD when someones spare doesn't match the tires on the Jeep!

[@TexanUSMC8089]

At least the same size. My spare is a 35 but not the same tire.

[@darrylbenton907]

Thanks Guys, you made my Tuesday morning interesting. I have an 05 Rubicon, time for me to get to work.

[@onetruebob_tj]

Awesome work guys! Great transformation. Digging the color of the wheels.

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks so much!

[@redjkjeep104]

Such a great transformation and fun video. I love wrenching on my Jeep but don’t have the space to do all I’d like to. I learn so much from your videos. Thanks once again!

[@everydayjeeper6583]

Looks so good!!! Another awesome video too!! Thanks for sharing! 😁👊🏼 Excited to see it out on the trail and at camp.

[@adventure_yota_3189]

Family goals 🔥🔥 keep doing what you do look forward to your videos and seeing the jeeps!!

[@xTinBenderX]

Fellow San Diego KZbin creators Wings World showed a tip for cleaning up the reservoir mounts. They put shrink wrap over the hose clamps. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it really cleans up the look and protects the reservoir. If you ever meet them out on the trails give ‘em an Ahhh Suuuuhh for me. 😎🤙🏼

[@Drifter-be6oj]

Nice job guys.

[@310to703]

Awesome looks great with the bronze wheels

[@huntinbob06]

Great choice on the wheels. Looks great!

[@chapc]

The absolute best things about the TJ is you can put on a belly up skid plate! A simple 1 inch body lift and you can get that transmission shovel completely out of the way! It’s like giving yourself a 4 inch lift. Research it, trust me, they are amazing.

[@alvaroacuna7803]

Wow it's looking very nice and those wheels are awesome great job guys

[@MattsCollection]

Nice work! This build is really coming along.

[@bosse641]

Looks great now. Wow.

[@morgancook6481]

Looks great!!😎

[@zschlecht08]

Awesome wheel tire combo!

[@gilbertarnold8666]

Great video thank you!

[@gogerwi]

Great teamwork. Good job.

[@Mickale-Moranis]

Having adjustable length lower arms is what sets your caster...you won't need that adjuster cam for alignment. Think about this, XJ front D30R is a direct replacement for the TJ D30. 2 major reasons for swapping a D30 for a D30R is high pinion layout and that the XJ pinion is shim set, not like the TJ where its crush sleeve set. Everything will bolt across as well. Unit bearings, steering, brakes, front ds. Note though, caster for XJ is set off the frame mount, TJ is set on the lower CA mount. So using the adjustable lower arms, that is where caster is set. I've updated my 97 TJ with the 96 XJ D30R and 01 Explorer 8.8. Both geared and locked running on 35s. Best to double check that rear bump stop spacer by articulating the axle. Check the shock. For your spare tire setup, flip the 2 over 1 to be 1 over 2 or rotate on the 5on5 bolt pattern circle. Drill holes, spot weld the bolts on the back side. Suggest: reverse the rear lower CAs to have nut head on outside and nut on inside. Look to upgrade both upper upper CAs since they are thin stamp steel. Upgrade those upper CA bushings to polys. Remove the rear track bar riser bracket, toss in an adjustable articulating track bar. Same for the front track bar, replace with adjustable articulating track bar. Weld on skid brackets to the front lower CAs, to help strengthen the bracket. Fab a nut plate for the rear upper shock mounts (knock out the spot weld nuts). Add longer front brake lines (aftermarket or YJ).

[@Hadd13]

sits perfectly

[@guidedbyimpulse1965]

Been waiting all week watching your ig posts lol

[@hughwolfe1176]

Looks great, really making great strides with every visit to your garage.

[@ryanmartinage]

Ahh memories. I remember using a ratchet strap attached to the passenger wheel and the other end to the hitch of my other Wrangler re-centering the axle for the new track bar.. Damn thing just wanted to stay where it was...

[@alondrachavez406]

Nice video!! I saw the TJ and had to click Im excited to see Jordan and the Wrangler out in the trails!💕

[@dylanolson8023]

Looks amazing!

[@jimmyfalkner]

I have found that a propane torch doesn't always get stuck parts hot enough. Get a map gas torch (yellow bottle) and get it glowing a little and the hit it with the impact wrench, breaker bar or hammer as necessary.

[@rocklobsterjeeper4920]

Looks awesome guys.

[@dcstevens0074]

Great job on the build you guys. The wheels on the red remind me of Iorn Man. Love the combo.

[@pothead1217]

Hell yeah. That thing looks clean man!

[@israelfuster6479]

Wow it a big difference... Look so munch Better

[@mikelam]

Good call on the bronze wheels!

[@cj7andotherjeeps940]

Heat always works for me. My puller bent as well so I put a c clamp on it. Worked like a charm.

[@johnnylgulledge6899]

Very nice looking Jeep, I know you are proud of it !

[@kungfumaster8171]

Looks great, awesome job

[@k5edd128]

My son and I did that about a year ago on his 2015 JK. Thought it would take about 4 or 5 hours and it took 8.5, he drove home at 5:30 am back to Branson about 40 miles from my house in AR. Told him to text me because we were both wore out when he left. Jeeps and Ham Radio rule... Big Smile! Today is his birthday 49 years young