Plasti Dip the grill to black it out. If you find you do not like it blacked out just peel the plasti dip up and it goes right back to stock color no harm no foul. Did this to my JK grill to black it out and is is awesome.

@seanmarban98

7 жыл бұрын

Josh S agreed!!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion... thank you!

@jakecarter2414

7 жыл бұрын

Josh S That's exactly what I was gonna say. I Plasti dipped my wheels just to see if I wanted black wheels.

@MULIES4EVER

7 жыл бұрын

I plastipped the grill of my old 2004 wrangler. It looked great and lasted for several years. It still looked great when I sold it.

Keep it paint matched! Getting a winch bumper will make a difference!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Bumper and winch coming soon! Thanks!

@snicky35

7 жыл бұрын

Agree with +Matt B. keep it paint matched. With the upcoming winch bumper and current black wheels, I think you have enough black going on. Perhaps the upcoming roof rack can be black.

Honestly this series has been some of the best I've watched on KZread in a long time , all the best .

@TrailRecon

6 жыл бұрын

WOW! Thats a great complement, thank you!

in my opinion the color matched grill looks a lot better. everyone blacks theirs out these days, it's cool to see people keeping body components clean and stock, and letting accessories and suspension/tires do the talking for the rig. love your videos

@EvanRackle

7 жыл бұрын

but if you are thinking about blacking it out, test it out for $10 with plasti dip first, so if you end up not liking it you can just peel it off

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I like your way of thinking!

I vote color matched. Btw I find using "diagonal pliers" work great on cotter pins.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Will have to pick up some of those... thanks!

Get it blacked out. The black grill will compliment your black wheels and really set it apart from other XJs. I did the same thing with my JKU and personally love it.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I don't know, I think I see more and more XJ's with black out grills now... seems to be trending. Thanks!

Painted! Your paint is so nice, show it off!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

She does look pretty good in the sun! Thanks!

Jeep is looking pretty nice! As for the grill... I say leave it as is. The blue grill gives the whole body a nice seamless look. 👍

Great to see you show the importance of up treated steering linkage and break lines everyone should share with their kids when build a 4x4 or street rod

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Got to make it trail worthy and road safe! Thanks!

I like the grill the way it is. The whole rig is looking pretty sharp!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Agree, she has really transformed now!

Painted for sure looks classic jeep

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Classic is my style for sure, thanks!

I like it blocked out, my 2000 XJ came stock blacked out it gives the jeep a meaner look and it's just bad ass

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I'm sure my boys prefer the meaner look.... thanks!

Black it out. Looks much better and gives contrast to that awesome blue. Consider blackout for both bumpers and fender flares also!

Might have been mentioned already but upgrading the headlight wiring is a good idea to brighten the lights. There's harness kits or you can make your own - basically the stock switch still activates the lights but they get their power from the battery through some relays.

I say keep it color matched. The paint seems to be in great condition and it's a great color!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Only a couple spots the paint needs attention. Thanks!

Cotter pin trick bud, use side cutters. Bend the ends as straight as you can, than grab the Head of the cotter pin with the tip of the side cutters as close to the hole you can. Then use the fulcrum and the side cutters to pry the cotter pin out. If I showed you once, you'd think it was a magic trick!

For the knuckle side TREs, just take the castle nuts off, flip them upside down and thread them on a couple turns. Then give them a couple good whacks with a small sledge hammer and they will pop right out. The pitman arm TRE is still a pain in the butt, but the other two will pop out in less than 30 seconds each with no special tools.

Keep the color on the grill.JCR has a nice battery hold down kit.The build is coming along great....

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank! JCR battery tray on order.

She's coming together nicely Brad. Those new headlights are such an improvement over the OEM's. I had the same battery box issue years ago on my Dad's Cherokee. He ended up going with a dual Optima battery configuration and I think he got the wiring from Painless. I love the Optima's cause you can mount them just about any way you want and they are built like tanks so they can take the punishment offroad.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

A dual set up and Optima deep cycle is in store, but for now just need to get this one secure. Thanks!

I'd keep it painted. Looks clean and nice. If it ever gets beat up down the line, then black it out. XJ looks awesome by the way.

Definitely blacked out .. it will match the blacked out wheels!

I agree with Josh S, plati dip, I'm going to be doing this with our stock JK alloy wheels. black will look awesome on the grill :-)

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

How is your plasti dip holding up on the trail? Thanks!

@glynnbaker5448

7 жыл бұрын

TrailRecon I haven't done it yet I'm waiting for new tyres first. I know other Jeepers have done it and they just touch it up when chipped.

I like color matched. great job looking forward to more videos

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, really appreciate it!

Just like those 69's, if the XJ is for your sons you HAVE to black out the grill! If its for you, stick with the body color. Great video!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

It's dad's Jeep but they get to use it.... so hard to decide! Thanks!!

This is so much fun watching this build! For the grill... I say black it out. The Plasti Dip is a great idea if you change you mind. You're not committed 100% then. Oh and love the Cooper tires! Your sons are lucky, you're a great Dad Brad. Thanks for sharing all this with us.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

It's a fun project for sure! Always appreciate your comments! Thanks!

Plasti-Dip! Man this Jeep is looking phenomenal, can't wait to see it all finished!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, she is coming along. Not sure it will ever be finished! LOL!

black grill.... nice job can't wait to check it out on the trail

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Trail trip coming soon!

Uograding the headlight harness will give you surprisingly brighter lights. Its pretty cheap and it only takes a couple hours.

The grill was black from the factory on some years. I think 97-98. I painted mine black and love it. I noticed you didn't upgrade your headlight wiring harness. I run stock headlights with the harness upgrade and noticed a substantial light output difference. It was less than $30 on ebay and well worth it. I no longer feel the need for more expensive headlights.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the wiring harness tip, may have to be something we add to the list. Thank you!

I blacked mine out, but that was because the paint wasnt great. Yours is nice, I would leave it. If youre at the wreckers, find a backup grill/bezel for a couple bucks and you can try it first while keeping yours nice and body colour!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

That's a solid option, thanks!

Great playlist so far, all caught up now. I'd agree with Josh S below and plastidip the grill and headlight bezels, it creates a great look across the front of the Jeep.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Awesome man, thanks for checking out the playlist!

One of your videos you asked about exhaust. I went the cheap way and replaced my catalytic converter with a 2.5" in and 2.5" out, made a 2.5" mid pipe for the downstream O2 sensor then had my local exhaust shop make a 2.5" pipe from the mid pipe. I originally had a muffler but was too quiet for me. lol total cost was less then $100. Better exhaust flow and hopefully more power and gas mileage. I'm planning on modifying the exhaust manifold to a larger exit and making the crossover pipe of 2.5"

My xj I painted only the head light plastic pc satin black looks fantastic, silver stone body paint black bumper ends with blacked out headlight only looks great.

look into the putco headlight wiring harness for your jeep...great little upgrade for your lights along with the rampage lights...as for the grill, find a black one from a junkyard that way you could just swap it out

that thing is looking great! I would say black it out. Or if you are really conflicted find a nice one at a junk yard and paint it black then if you don't like it you can go back easy enough.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I wish we had a junk yard nearby, that would be a great option. Thanks!

Another good one guys, nice work! Black grill get my vote 👍🏻

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I recommend a dirtbound offroad battery tray... low cost and great product... also blackout the grill

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recommendations!

Dirtbound has a good battery box. I tried a black grill and prefer the painted look.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Black it out with plastidip first to see whether or not you like it. That way if you don't you could always peal it off and still have the color match paint.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Gotcha, thank you!

i personally like the look clean look of the color matched front grill. I suggest if you do go ahead and want to paint tbe grill black use plasti dip.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thinking the plasti dip is a good option if we do it... thanks!

Black it out to match the wheels!

Great vid! I love how you are keeping it cheap. People think that you have to throw tons of money at something in order to make it cool. Most of the time it just takes some work. As for grill...rhino line it! Or any bed liner. Turns it black and less scratches on the trail. 😂

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, trying to keep the budget within reason, but still lot's more left to do. Great suggestion the rhino!

I like the blacked out grille idea. That's probably just because I've got the Willys and I blacked out the KJ Renegade grille, so I think I'm kinda' bias LOL! This project is really coming along, and with a really good budget!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Since you own 2 jeeps you get double the vote! Happy with the budget so far. Thanks!

I would love this with the addition of lockers I could call this DONE right now! Great build!!!!

XJ is the best vehicle ever.

I plasti dipped my front grill black and it holds up great!!

Great video!! My vote is for BLACKED OUT grill

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I like it how it is now, keep it paint matched.

Jeep is coming along awesome. I think you should hydro dip the American flag on the front grill.

Black it out! it will make the front more aggressive and match the black wheels 👍

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but you'll get much better output from your Rampage conversion if you do a wiring harness upgrade and run the lights directly from the battery using relays. The XJ wiring is notoriously poor and hindering your new H4s. The harness upgrade is cheap and simple.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I've had a few folks mention it, so something I'm going to be sure to do. Thank you!

@SpectreOZ

7 жыл бұрын

Agreed, shorter cable runs via relays to the lights is the best and most effective approach.... don't know what they were thinking the way it left the factory

In a case like this, trying to decide what color to paint something, or not paint at all, I would first use Photoshop (or any other photo editing tool) to change the color of the grill on a picture and have a better idea of how it would look. Sure you can look at pictures of other XJs with the backed out grill, but seeing your own will help a lot.

@LuisFernando-Salazar

7 жыл бұрын

By the way, that color is awesome. I would keep it color matched.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Photoshop is a great option and for sure we have been looking at a few pictures.... just can't decide which one we like best. Thanks!

check out rustoleum hammerlock paint they make it in a gray that does well on rims,bumpers.lower body panels where we get Arizona pin stripes from thorns.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I'll be sure to check it out, thank you!

plastidip it and you can also put a metalizer if you don't like the matte color. I did that in my jk and looks awsome!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion, thank you!

plasti dip it back and see if it makes it pop, and then later on if you do like take it of. I would also like to add some clear marker lights would make the paint pop! love the videos keep up the good work

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I like the option of going back. Clear marker lights I think might be something on our list down the road. Thanks!

flat black grill to match those wheels!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Agree, if we go black, it should tie in with the wheels... thanks!

The build is looking good!

Blacked out and line-x would look sick! Keep up the great work man, love watching your vids

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Line-x would be cool. Thanks for the support!

I say keep the grill painted body color. Looks clean as is. Great video guys!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, appreciate it!

love the videos and black out the grill makes it look better I think

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, appreciate it!

TrailRecon you have H4 bulb housing, it is easy to convert to LED OPT7 bulb from amazon for under $98 dollars, and it will light up nice at night, compared to halogen bulbs.

@misterrc51

7 жыл бұрын

Black out grill will look like my 1996 XJ Cherokee OEM factory.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I like the LED look, but think these will hold us over for now. Gotta watch our pennies where we can. Thanks!

Looking great...congrats on getting it ready to hit the trail!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Painted looks really nice!

color matched! jcr has a battery kit

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Just ordered their kit earlier today... thanks!

Man you guys have a really nice rig coming along their. Happy all is going well with the rig. And about the grill. I would say you need to break the color up. Should go with a black that matches the side mirrors. 👍👍👍😂😂😂😂

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, appreciate it!

leave is color matched......mostly because the paint is so nice

I'm ready to see this thing on the trail!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

You and me both!

I like your channel. Glad to see it growing. I have been watching sense close to the beginning. This project is awesome and I think a little contrast with the black out would look good.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Man that's awesome, appreciate the long term support! Thank you!

I vote blackout, mines blue and looks great with a black grill.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Got it, thank you!

I say keep it painted. It's looking great.

You should have installed a headlight relay wiring harness. The stock design has all the voltage running through the switch in the dash and it can't hold the stock voltage that well, let alone new headlights.

If you change the bumpers then paint it black but if you keep the color match on the bumper it will look cheap.

thank you so much for this awesome series. I am new to jeeping. my friends and family have wranglers and I am not so excited for them as it seems everyone has a wrangler. my best friend said I should at the XJ as an alternative and they make me really interested in trading my truck for one. keepmthis series going! I want to see how viable and affordable a build like this can be and maybe it will push me into jeep ownership too! and my vote is for blackout as well. plastidip is a great option and can be taken off if you guys decide you dont like the look

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

No doubt the XJ is affordable and plenty of aftermarket support. You can't go wrong with an XJ build in my opinion. Thanks!

black it out, also the headlight bezles

Man that jeep looks so good clean and mean ! Awesome work fellas. My vote is paint it black but do that Trail hawk tribute JCR offroad did on his but not red, color match it blue

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Oh, that's a great suggestion... thank you!

Awesome progress guys! I really like how it came out :) I would leave the front end blue :) it gives cleaner look I think :)

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, really appreciate it!

100% Keep the color

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great job and fantastic build.

@azrwilkinson

7 жыл бұрын

Oh ya, color matched.

Black!

it's looking absolutely beefy man! I love it 😎😎

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Agree, she is looking trail worthy for sure! Thanks!

Black it out!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your vote!

I definitely need to do those brake like upgrades, I’ve also been looking at the steering OTK with a steering box brace.

I would leave the front grill painted the body color. I have seen blacked-out grills and I think it really takes away from the overall visual impact. That is what black does; absorbs in all the light, hence you get a black space. In my opinion a black grill screams bottom of the model-line, plain-Jane, work truck. Nothing wrong with that, if that's what it is. But I believe your XJ looks better with the factory painted grill. The grill looks better integrated painted with the factory paint theme. I like the color of your XJ, and as a previous XJ owner, I also liked the factory color-matched front grill on my Limited. Good Luck!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

That's a great point about the bottom of the model-line. I think we've decided on how we are going to approach the grill and we will be discussing in an upcoming episode. Thank you!

@mariodesmo

7 жыл бұрын

I took another look at your XJ and I can see that you do have a considerable amount of black color already on your XJ. The rear view mirrors on the doors are black, the door handles are black, and you have new black rims (I have the same rims on my TJ) and your tires are black sidewall out. It all looks good. Here is an idea; leave the grill as it in body color(I love that color by the way) and instead paint the bottom of the doors/body below the body-side molding, black. You mention in one of your XJ videos that you will upgrade the bumpers, and I have to assume they will probably be black. If you look at the lines of your XJ's body, the bumper height is about the same as the body-side molding. So painting the area below the body-side molding black would extend the "black trim theme" all around the vehicle. I think that would definitely look good. You got a screaming deal on that XJ in my opinion. Your XJ shows simple honest wear, and you can't beat that! Finding a good used Jeep in completely stock condition is difficult, yours is a very nice looking rig and should be lots of fun to build and wheel.

Just Plasti dip the grill for now. You should've checked out "IronMan4x4Fab" for steering, check out there other products to. Also get yourself some Frame Stiffeners already!!!!!! there are plenty of $cheap$ ones out there.

@savage264316

7 жыл бұрын

For front frame stiffeners, get some that go All the way to the front bumper!!! There are plenty of battery boxes out there, so take your pick.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Been looking at a few frame stiffening options, something on our to-do list for sure. Thanks!

I like it color matched

Painted!

I'm about to buy my first xj tomorrow

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Congrats!

I think you should leave it painted, but if you do black it out, use plasti dip.

Use black plasti dip for the grill

I prefer the color matched the black is the lower trim level

Imo leave grill as is matching , looks cleaner

black out would be nice awesome truck great job☺

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I would just leave it painted, but if you were to paint it, I would use plastic dip so you could just peel it off if you don't like it

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, plastic dip is something worth considering!

plastic dip the grill black and the bottom part of the door under the side trim

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

I'll have to wait and see how the rock sliders and any armor we decide to go with looks before I pain the bottom side of the doors... not a bad idea though.

That's awesome that your son is interested in building a rig. Great memories to share right there. Are you planning to do anything to the XJ to make it more overlanding-friendly, like a spare gas tank or dual battery tray?

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, it's been fun working in the garage with them. Extra gas cans are on the list, but may look at a larger tank. Dual batteries are on the to-do list.

@MrTR0uBL3

7 жыл бұрын

TrailRecon bleepin jeep did a great video on a daul battery set up cant wait to see what you do

Black it out to match the wheels

Definitely plasti dip the grill will make it have a much more aggressive look

It looks so good!!!!! 👍

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@spreaddeezhazelnutz7511

7 жыл бұрын

TrailRecon no problem 😁

Seconded with the plastidip. Can be ANY color at any time.

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

if you needed a new paint job I'd say black out the grill, but since you have a great looking paint job already, keep it !!!

@TrailRecon

7 жыл бұрын

No new paint job in our immediate future. Thanks!