A Cleanly Built Jeep Wrangler JL Rolling On 40s

Photography: Boyd Jaynes

For those that want a do-it-all vehicle, it is hard to beat the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It can haul the kids to school, has plenty of room for gear, is useful on road trips, and looks great cruising through the local shopping mall parking lot. The latest Jeep JL expands on that versatility by being more comfortable and refined than its predecessor.

There are plenty of vehicles that are just as versatile as the Jeep Wrangler JL. But there are absolutely none that can match that versatility with the JL’s off-road abilities. There aren’t even any that come close. And, if the out-of-the-box capability of the Wrangler JL isn’t enough for you, there is a whole host of aftermarket options out there to expand upon it. With the right modifications and driver, the JL can take on almost any trail on the planet. And, it can drive back home comfortably and in one piece.

The key to keeping the Jeep’s versatility and simultaneously upping its capability is to build it right. Make it too extreme and it can be great on the trail, but a handful on the street. Don’t build it enough and it will struggle in technical terrain. This Jeep JL, dubbed Project Grenade, perfectly bridges the gap between the two extremes. With a host of parts on it from Rubicon Express, Smittybilt, Poison Spyder, Pro Comp, and more, it is extremely competent. But it is still versatile and comfortable enough to work as a daily driver too. Let’s take a closer look at this clean, functional, and capable Jeep.

A set of quality rocker guards is always among our first mods to a Jeep. Smashing th rocker area is surprisingly easy to do in tough terrain. And it can be a very expensive fix at a body shop. Making sure Project Grenade’s rockers are safe against rocks and trail hazards is a set of Poison Spyder Rocker Knockers. They are plenty stout and ensure the Jeep will slide off of big rocks instead of taking damage.

The right suspension system is critical for a Jeep that will see double-duty on the street and trail. Yielding plenty of flex along with good highway manners is a Rubicon Express Long Arm suspension system. On a Rubicon like this JL, it provides 3.5-inches of lift while Sport and Sahara models net 4.5-inches of lift. The longer arms offer a better ride quality and flex. Controlling damping is Rubicon Express’ soon-to-be-released coilover shocks.

Armor is always essential for any off-road excursion. Protecting the nose of the Jeep JL is a Poison Spyder Bruizer front bumper and skid. The bumper houses two Pro Comp S4 Gen3 LED lights along with a Smittybilt XRC Gen3 winch. Also visible is the Smittybilt Delta Hook and beefier Rubicon Express track bar.

In the rear is a matching Poison Spyder Bruizer bumper. It pairs perfectly with the new Smittybilt HD Pivot Tire Carrier. Capable of carrying up to a 40-inch tire, it allows the tire to mount in a variety of angles. It also secures a Smittybilt Trail Jack to help with recovery.

One way to get more clearance on the Jeep JL is to remove the lower half of the factory fender flares along with the plastic inner fenders. It is easy to do but can give an unfinished look. Poison Spyder’s Jeep JL Inner Fenders solve that problem and look great once in place.

Another must-have when the going gets tough are skid plates. Any OEM vehicle lacks protection on its underside. The Rubicon features better skid plates straight than most factory vehicles. But the new Rubicon Express skid plates cover more area and are thicker to handle abuse.