OffroadTreks - 06 TJ - "Weekender" Build

[OffroadTreks]

2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE
NOTE: Use this thread for entertainment purposes only — I have no clue what I’m doing. Any resemblance to actual sound advice is purely coincidental!

The goal of my Wrangler is to handle solo trips and the occasional weekend out-and-back runs with my three girls — usually 1 or 2 nights. It’s built to explore Idaho’s mountain roads and tackle mostly green and blue trails in Moab and Colorado (using the FunTreks rating system). It’s not a dedicated crawler or overland rig — more of a reliable scout for exploring, light crawling, and short camping trips.

Where It Stands: [Updated 7/9/2025]

SUSPENSION / AXLE:

• RockJock Currectlync Steering System
• SkyJacker 2.50-Inch Dual Rate Long Travel Front Lift Coil Springs
• SkyJacker 2.50-Inch Dual Rate Long Travel Rear Lift Coil Springs
• JKS Manufacturing Quicker Disconnect Sway Bar Links for 2.50 to 6-Inch Lift
• JKS Manufacturing Rear Adjustable Sway Bar End Link Kit
• Camp Series Front Heavy-Duty Adjustable Track Bar
• OME ARB FKWTJ02 Old Man Emu Fitting Kit - Rear Trackbar Relocation
• Core4x4 - 2pc Camp Series Front Lower Adjustable Control Arms
• Core4x4 - 2pc Camp Series Rear Upper Adjustable Control Arms
• Rancho RS5000X Gas Shocks

ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN:

• Stock (for now)

VEHICLE ARMOR:

• Motobilt - Stubby Front Bumper w/ Stinger
• Motobilt - Winch Fairlead Mount Bolt On
• Motobilt - Rear Rock Crawler Bumper w/ Receiver
• Barnes4WD Rear Bumper Tie-In Set

ELECTRICAL / LIGHTING:

• Odyssey Battery Performance Series AGM Battery; Group 34

EXTERIOR APPEARANCE:

• Spiderwebshade TJ - Black
• Motobilt - A-Pillar LED Light Mounts for Jeep TJ/LJ
• Motobilt Aluminum Universal Fairlead Light Mount

INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS:

• None yet

RECOVERY & EMERGENCY GEAR:

• Factor55 Hawse Fairlead 1.0"
• Factor55 FlatLink

MISC GEAR & EQUIPMENT:

• Jeep Hardware - Replacement Hardware

PLANNED MODS:

This is always evolving. I have a general vision for where I want to take it — but I’m also fully prepared to change things up as I go. The goal is a capable, budget-conscious build (well, “budget” in the sense that I’m not buying junk parts — quality still matters). Right now, I’m also trying to convince the Mrs. that we could run *two* TJs for our style of trail rides for less than what we dumped into that first Rubicon.

• VANCO 15" Big Brake Kit with BMB Pads for 15" Rims (Researching)
• Barnes 4WD Jeep TJ Bolt On Skid Plate
• Barnes 4WD TJ-LJ 6 Cylinder Engine Skid
• RockJock CE-9900 - TJ/LJ Antirock Front Sway Bar Kit (Noodling on this one, might be way further down the line)
• Baja Designs XL Sport
• Baja Designs S8 10" LED Light Bar
• Wheels & tires - (Researching) - replacing the PO's installed Baja MTZ's and wheels. Running them out for now.
• Rocker guards/sliders - (Researching options)
• Warn Winch (Jeep came with a smittybilt. It works. I'm using it for now. But it's a personal preference thing.
• Axles & Gears - I have a plan here but I don't want to have arguments. So I'll just post it when I do it.
• Genright Jeep TJ/LJ (24.5 Gal) Gas Tank & Skid Plate

 

[Apparition]

FYI, It’s possible that the 16” BBK will work with your 15” wheels.

 

[OffroadTreks]

FYI, It’s possible that the 16” BBK will work with your 15” wheels.

OK!!! I'm interested. Although I can't identify these wheels yet. They're unbranded, no markings. I am seriously considering getting some of the Moab wheels. I just haven't settled on the wheel & tire choice for "future plans" - I just know that currently the braking feels like it's lacking.

 

[Apparition]

OK!!! I'm interested. Although I can't identify these wheels yet. They're unbranded, no markings. I am seriously considering getting some of the Moab wheels. I just haven't settled on the wheel & tire choice for "future plans" - I just know that currently the braking feels like it's lacking.

Thread '16" Vanco Big Brake Kit on 15" Steelies'
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/16-vanco-big-brake-kit-on-15-steelies.59103/
Thread 'Vanco Big Brake Kit And 15" Wheels'
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/vanco-big-brake-kit-and-15-wheels.42716/

 

[OffroadTreks]

Where It Began:

I got into Jeeping in 2019 after riding shotgun with my buddy in his JK during one of our Power Wagons in Moab events — which we’d been running for a few years. When I got home that May, I picked up a 2018 Jeep Rubicon JL with the 4-cylinder turbo.

At the time, I thought I wanted to get into harder trails and really push my wheeling skills. So, naturally, I threw money at it — 3.5" MetalCloak lift, 37s, the works. Turns out… wheeling the gnarly stuff wasn’t actually my thing. But cruising Idaho forest roads with the doors and top off? Absolutely hooked. My ADHD brain loved every bit of it.

The problem was, back then we were a two-vehicle household and had just put our girls into private school in 2020. Mom and dad had to do drop-offs — and let’s be real, a big lifted Jeep on 37s is hilariously terrible as a daily. So, I ended up selling it so my wife could get something more practical.

A few years go by, life calms down, a little more success, and I’m itching for a Jeep again — but this time, something older I can tinker with. After researching and getting annoyed at how complicated new vehicles have become (and watching a buddy deal with dropped lifters in his brand-new Rubicon), I decided a TJ with the classic 4.0 was the move.

No Rubicon this time — just a base model so I could upgrade at my own pace. (Famous last words for anyone with ADHD who likes a good dopamine-spending spree.)

So, I’m cruising Marketplace and spot this 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE. Pretty bro’d out, but the frame was solid, and the bones were good — Southern California Jeep, three owners. The first two had it forever, the last owner did the classic E1-and-up thing, over-financed it, and it ended up on a used lot as a consignment.

Meanwhile, I’d been working on selling my 2014 Mini Cooper S. I managed to talk the dealer into a straight trade — just had to cover taxes and the usual nonsense. Picked her up with 93,529 miles on the odometer.

So here we go — the adventure begins.

First things first. "De-Bro-Ifying" it and complete maintenance overhaul.