DirtWheeler '25 JLR Build plan/status

We purchased this 2025 Wrangler in May 2025. Our typical use case is trails within a day drive of northern Colorado, which includes trips to Moab. We also currently have a 1997 Wrangler (Sport trim, heavily modified) and 2025 4Runner (Off-Road Premium trim, stock). Each of these three vehicle's have different purposes, strengths and weaknesses - but provide overall flexibility. Our 4Runner is also used as a daily driver (along with a 2015 Mazda CX-5). The two Wranglers are intended primarily as off-road vehicles. However, we also drive them for fun and convenience.

Current Jeep Wrangler JL build
I'm sharing information about my 2025 Wrangler here hoping to leverage knowledge from folks in these forums. I also keep additional details and notes on my personal blog here: https://www.juszak4x4.com/garage/2025-wrangler/

Quick update... I installed a Teraflex reinforced hinge gate today, decided to go with 37" Baja Boss M/T instead of 35" KMs, ordered the metalcloak skid plates to install myself later, and got on the schedule of a local 4x4 shop (Bullhide 4x4) to do the first wave of this build in June (with all parts now on order) - lift, shocks, wheels/tires, and regearing. I'm going to wait on rock sliders for bow. But before then I will be wheeling on it stock height and tires, including a planned trip to Moab. It will be interesting to compare how it does before and after all these mods.

Your JLR is the same color as the 2025 JLR I ordered, so I'll get to see how my initial order would have turned out. I ended up buying a JLR in Anvil color off the dealer's lot though.

I will be interested in seeing how your build progresses, because it is essentially the same build I am doing on my 2025 JLR. I'll be using the same Metalcloak lift with the same driveshaft and db3 brackets. I'll be using the same axle gearing and tire size. The difference will be aftermarket bumpers in my case, Artec aluminum skids, and RSE step sliders. I will be doing the installations I am able to do myself, and a good 4x4 shop will be doing the rest, also scheduled for June.

Good luck with your build. Keep us posted.

3TV said:

Your JLR is the same color as the 2025 JLR I ordered, so I'll get to see how my initial order would have turned out. I ended up buying a JLR in Anvil color off the dealer's lot though.

Click to expand...

White was originally my top color and what I would have ordered if I did a custom order. My wife's top choice was this 41/dark-green color that we ended up getting. My son's top choice was the fathom/dark-blue color. But both my son and I both liked the 41 too and we got a good deal on one that was nearby. I think it has more of a "classic Jeep" look, which I think is what they were going for. There really wasn't any colors for the '25 Rubicon that I didn't like. Mojito and Joose look pretty cool if you want to go for that flashier look. The closest and easiest one for me to buy would have been hydro/bright-blue, which I liked the least of all the colors, but it looks a lot better in person.

3TV said:

I will be interested in seeing how your build progresses, because it is essentially the same build I am doing on my 2025 JLR.

Click to expand...

I'll definitely compare notes with you and others as my Jeep evolves. There are far fewer 2-door Jeeps that get built up for off-roading than I realized. From going to Moab and spending time on forums like these, you get the impression that there's a lot more. But I figure that a small percent of 2-door Jeep's are setup for trails, or get regularly taken out on trails. And the number of 2-door Jeeps out there pales in comparison to the number of 4-door Jeeps.

3TV said:

I'll be using the same Metalcloak lift with the same driveshaft and db3 brackets. I'll be using the same axle gearing and tire size. The difference will be aftermarket bumpers in my case, Artec aluminum skids, and RSE step sliders.

Click to expand...

I've already got the Metalcloak skids on order (wanted to take advantage of their sale this week). I ordered through a local shop rather than the website, but I plan to do the install myself after the list kit is installed.

I was 50/50 on getting the capability package with steel bumpers and winch. For the $3,500 I paid extra for these (already on the vehicle we bought), we would have just put that towards better aftermarket bumpers and winch. But I'm guessing and hoping the Jeep steel bumpers and winch will be OK.

I'll have to look at the sliders you are getting. Sliders are the one thing I'm putting on hold. I might wait until I see some I like in person. I'll also see how I do with the stock ones.

3TV said:

I will be doing the installations I am able to do myself, and a good 4x4 shop will be doing the rest, also scheduled for June.

Click to expand...

Same here. Unfortunately, there's a lot of expensive upfront work I've got to have a shop do. I'd probably be OK doing the lift myself, but it's not something I've done before and the cost to have it done professionally was reasonable. I've heard the gearing is tedious even for a pro, so I'm happy to pay someone else to do that. Time is important too, so I'm just doing the easier bolt on stuff for now (hinge gate, skids, etc.).

3TV said:

Good luck with your build. Keep us posted.

Click to expand...

Will do. I'll be following along with your build and others too. I've only owned mine since Friday and haven't gotten it out on trail yet... soon though!

I updated my planned modifications list with GMRS radio (Midland MXT575J radio, MXTA25 antenna, 10' cable, Nilight hood mounting bracket). I should be getting all of this today. I have the 15 watt versions of this radio in my 4Runner and TJ, but decided to get the 50 watt version this go round. The other ones work great and I don't expect this one to work much different, but I figure it will not be worse either. I have the same low profile antenna and mount on my 4Runner and I've been happy with it. I'm hoping the 10' cable I got will be long enough. I think it should be, but I'm not certain.

I'm not sure how much a radio can be considered a vehicle modification, but it's a fairly useful piece of equipment that is permanently installed and that I use regularly (on my other vehicles and anticipated in this new Jeep). On both my 4Runner and Jeep, I have the radio mounted to the left of the passenger side foot area and hard wired so the radio can be used when the vehicle is off. This runs the risk of running the battery down if I forget to turn off the radio but we've been pretty good about this so far. I'm thinking about wiring the power through one of the auxiliary switches so it's already fused, and as an extra precaution for turning off the radio. I'm not sure if the auxiliary switches are still live with the engine off. I'm also thinking of mounting the radio under the passenger seat, especially if I can leave it on at the radio and use an auxiliary switch to turn it on and off.

You will like the Metalcloak skids, and they aren't too bad to install in your driveway. I have them on my 4-door and they have pretty much survived the beating I have put them through over the last 3 years. The leading edge of the left side of the exhaust pipe crossover portion of the skid is bent up somewhat. I also have a intermittent vibration sound even when stopped and in drive. It only happens once in a while, but I think the skid is bent enough farther back at the end of the skid plate and the exhaust is vibrating against it. That Jeep is going in the shop next Tuesday to have a badly bent stepslider replaced and to try to straighten out the rocker panel that was pushed in along with the bent stepslider. I also want to have Next Ventures rear inner fender panels installed. I have to change from their regular version that is good for up to 37" tires to their 40"+ version because I changed to 40s. The new fender liners require quite a bit of cutting of the body tub, so the shop is doing that for me. I'll have them check to see where the exhaust it hitting and what it will take to fix it.

Speaking of Next Venture, they have some new 2-door products that they are coming out with. I checked over Tyler's 2-door at the Easter Jeep Safari (he works for Next Venture), and I really liked the rear quarter panel armor, and fender flares. I'm going to call them and see if they are coming out with belly skids before I plunk the money down on Artec skids. I'm looking for lighter weight skids for the 2-door.

Add a Teraflex hinge gate reinforcement (in preparation for upgrading to 37s later)...


This was a DIY install and it went pretty smooth. There were some minor differences between the instructions (included in the box and YouTube) for "my" Jeep, that I assume was mostly attributed to minor differences in 2025, but I'm not sure (it's the only JL I've ever worked on). I'm wondering how necessary the "third brake light" is and considering just removing it completely. It looks cheesy and I can't imagine it adds that much safety versus the two standard brake lights. I also don't like how the wires are exposed and that you have to take it off to change the spare. Not a big deal, but it also doesn't seem like a big deal to just get rid of it.

I would have just had this installed by a local shop while they're doing a bunch of other work, but they quoted me $600 for the install and it looked pretty easy to do. It was a little more difficult than anticipated, but not worth paying $600 to have a shop do it (IMO).

It's a teraflex reinforcement for the gate (new hinges integrated with a frame that extends to a new tire mount). Overall, I'm impressed with the quality of this hinge gate reinforcement. I paid $1200 even for it. I have no idea if that's a good or bad deal or how it compares with the $675 (IIRC) Jeep reinforced hinge gate option, but I'm happy with it so far. It still has the stock 33" tires, but I set the stud position on the tire carrier for 37s. The stock spare barely fits. With the tire mount hardware fully extended the tire touches the tailgate frame reinforcement. My guess is that this will not be an issue when I get the 37" spare on my new wheels with a more aggressive offset. But I will not know for sure until I get them. I might have to readjust the tire mount position for the wheel/tire size and readjust the tailgate hinge angle for the weight when I get the new tires. But hopefully it "just fits right" (not counting on it).

Added a GMRS radio (Midland MXT575J radio, 10′ cable, MXTA25 antenna mounted on passenger front fender). I just took pics of the antenna mount location since the radio is mounted under the passenger seat, so everything is hidden except for the mic and its cable.



Originally, I planned to use a nilight bracket to mount the antenna on my hood (I did this for my my 2025 4Runner). But after staring at it for a while and trying to decide what to do, I thought this might be a better option. It's not in a great elevated position, but I've had great reception with Midland radios and antennas in the past, so I figure this will be fine for my needs. I also knew this would be a cleaner look (IMO). I had a little difficulty at first finding the aux switch wires and routing the antenna cable, but it seems a lot more obvious now in retrospect. I set the radio up on aux 3 - only on when the vehicle running. I also bring handheld USB-rechargeable radios on trips, which come in handy. The other reason I liked this location is that there are no visible antenna wires and I might replace the plastic fenders eventually anyway. So, I wasn't too worried about drilling into them. Time will tell if this is a good location or not, and it's easy to move if I decide to.

Top of the World off-road trail, Moab

My tail light and mounting bracket got destroyed off-roading today. Had to duct tape it on to reattach temporarily. Mopar mounting bracket and nilight replacement tail lights on order.

dirtwheeler said:

My tail light and mounting bracket got destroyed off-roading today. Had to duct tape it on to reattach temporarily. Mopar mounting bracket and nilight replacement tail lights on order.

Click to expand...

Looking good. I did that trail in February with 4" of snow on the ground (not recommended). Looks like a good reason for flush mount taillights.

Did Hells Revenge today and it did great. All stock 33" tires and stock suspension still. Some bumping and scraping, but not too bad. I'll run this trail again after tire/wheel/lift upgrades just to see the difference.

Replaced the tail lights (and the tail light bracket on the passenger side)...

I also replaced the center brake light with one that's a "behind-the-spare" style...

I also installed a tail-gate limited to prevent the tailgate from swinging the hi-lift jack into the tail lights.

I thought about getting some flush mount lights, but these were cheap and quick. If I break them again I'll probably get flush mount lights the next go round. I've also got a 42" hi-lift on order since my 48" hi-lift sticks about 6" over the top of the vehicle (enough to hit my garage door after planned lift/tire upgrades).