Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon Off-road build for BC Backcountry
The JL Wrangler definitely sits at the top of the offroad vehicle food chain for good reason. It’s one of the last true body-on-frame 4x4s with solid axles front and rear, that comes with real lockers and is built specifically for trail duty. While everyone and their neighbor seems to own one these days, the JL remains the gold standard for serious wheeling, especially in places like British Columbia where the trails can hide some serious challenges.
This particular JL caught my attention not because it’s the most extreme build I’ve seen, but because how thoughtfully it balances simplicity with serious 4×4 capability. Dorian, the owner behind Destination To Nowhere project and YouTube Channel has built a rig that can handle BC’s gnarliest trails while still being practical enough to park in the city (something that he learned the hard way after downsizing from a Gladiator).
Key Mods:
- 3.5″ Teraflex lift with 37″ Nitto Trail Grapplers
- 4.88 gearing with Dana 44 axles
- Full overlanding setup with auxiliary fuel and power systems
Owner’s Insight
Why did you choose a JL Wrangler for your off-road project?
– I initially had a Gladiator but felt that I was limited on what I could conquer given the long wheelbase and issues parking in the city lol. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had this love for Jeeps, top off cruising in the sun and as I got older I developed this love for off-roading which Jeeps are built for.
Given the tight wheelbase and solid front axle it was a simple choose given the diversity of the trails in British Columbia. Enough strength to get you through over grown washouts to intense rocky terrain.
What was the most difficult part of the build?
– The most challenging part of the build has been the suspension and tent lol dialling in the suspension has been critical given the weight I carry without sacrificing ride quality on the road.
What’s in the Jeep now will most likely be changed to something a little more rigid in the rear like AEV coils with fully adjustable shocks. Tents has been difficult as I like to be rather minimalistic and having big tents up top can be extremely detrimental to real estate with a smaller vehicle. The Thule foothills has been a good addition.
What is your favorite (or most impactful) upgrade?
– The 37” Nitto Trail Grapplers have been my favorite upgrade to date. I’ve never been so thrilled to have such a smooth functional M/T tire where you can hold a conversation in the cab with the person next to you. The traction these have given me this year on multiple terrains has been mind boggling!
What do you like the most about your Jeep?
– Honestly, I’d have to say my favorite thing is how much my son loves it! He’s named it Yeti and he tells everyone about all the cool places we go see and obstacles we conquer. Otherwise it’s a doorway to peace that’s needed from time to time given the current world we live in.
The Build
Making the jump from a Gladiator to the shorter JL platform was all about maximizing capability while keeping things manageable. Every mod serves a purpose, from the carefully tuned suspension to the minimalist overlanding setup.
Suspension
The heart of this build is the Teraflex 3.5″ lift kit with Falcon shocks all around, but getting it right wasn’t simple. Dorian has upgraded to Teraflex’s HD rear coils to handle the added weight of overland gear. The upgraded Falcon steering stabilizer keeps things controlled with the oversized 37 inch tires. Althought, he’s still not completely satisfied with this setup and plans to swap in AEV coils with fully adjustable shocks to cope with the added weight better.
Wheels & Tires
The wheel setup is represented by 37×12.50R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers wrapped around RTX Moab wheels (17×9 with -15 offset) that completely transformed this the way this JL Wrangler looks and drives. According to the owner, these M/Ts are his favorite upgrade. They’re smooth enough that you can actually have a conversation at highway speeds, but with traction that’s been “mind boggling” on all kinds of terrain. That’s the sweet spot for a dual-purpose build like this.
Body Armor
Protection is minimal but strategic. Metalcloak diff skid plates protect the vital bits on the front and real axles, with matching rear lower shock skids. Rockhard tube sliders monted on both sides protect the rockers without adding too much weight.
Overland Gear
Up on top is the Rhino Rack backbone system which supports a 270-degree awning and houses the compact Alucab hardshell roof top tent which doesn’t eat up too much real estate.
The 70L Long Ranger auxiliary fuel tank was added to extend the range of the off-road outings and give the peace of mind for the owner. Bodega drawer fridge and Front Runner rear table with slide make camp life more comfortable. A couple of other cool upgrades are the Bluetti 2000wh system and the semi-permanently mounted Starlink Mini.
Interior Organization
On the inside, it’s all about maxxing up the limited space. A Crow Molle system and rear Molle shelving keep the gear organized and within reach. The drawer system for the fridge makes access easy without having to unload half the Jeep at the campsight.
Lighting
The lighting setup is represented by a mix of KC Hilights spots and AUXBEAM 5″ and 7″ spot lights, + ditch lights for those tight BC trails.
List of Modifications
Suspension
- Teraflex 3.5″ lift with upgraded HD rear coils
- Falcon shocks
- Upgraded Falcon steering stabilizer
Wheels & Tires
- 37×12.50r17 Nitto Trail Grapplers
- 17×9 -15 RTX Moab wheels
Drivetrain
- Dana 44 axles with full float rear
- 4.88 gears
Exterior
- Rhino Rack backbone system
- 270 awning
- Metalcloak diff skids front and rear
- Metalcloak rear lower shock skids
- Rockhard tube sliders
- 70L Long Ranger auxiliary fuel tank
- Rugged Ridge rear tire carrier upgrade
- Trail Racks rear window mounts
- Rockslide rear tire propane holder
- Rugcel 13500lb winch
Interior
- Crow Molle system
- Rear Molle shelving
- Bodega Drawer fridge
- Front Runner rear table with slide
Lights
- KC Hilights spots
- AUXBEAM 5 inch spots
- AUXBEAM 7 inch spots
- Ditch lights
Power & Connectivity
- Bluetti charger 1 paired to 2000wh Bluetti
- Starlink Mini (semi-permanently mounted)
Conclusion
This JL Wrangler overlander represents exactly what a well-thought-out adventure rig should be. It’s capable enough to handle tough and spectacular trails of British Columbia but still usable for daily driving duties. The experience with the longer wheelbase Gladiator clearly infulanced Dorian’s to prioritize the capabilities over the comfort during off-road adventures.
With an off-road capability score of 70 out of 70 points, this Jeep has everything to back up its looks, earning high marks for its 4WD system with low range (30 points), solid axles with lockers (20 points), body-on-frame construction (5 points), and strategic armor (5 points).
Watch the progress and find out more about this Jeep Wrangler JL overland build by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @destination_to_nowhere
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