Build Log

LED Light Bars 101: Sizing, Mounting, and Wiring
Auxiliary lighting is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost upgrades you can make — if you size and mount it right.Spot, flood, or combo?Spot beams throw light far down the trail; flood beams light up the area right around you. A combo bar gives you both and is the safe all-around pick for most trucks and Jeeps.Sizing and placementA 20–22" bar on the bumper or a 50" bar on the roof are the common choices. Roof mounts throw farther but can cause hood glare — mount slightly forward and tilt down... Read more...
Steel vs. Aluminum Bumpers: Which Is Right for Your Build?
A front bumper is equal parts protection, function, and looks. The first fork in the road is material: steel or aluminum.Steel: maximum protectionSteel bumpers take a hit and keep going — ideal if you wheel in rocks or want serious animal/impact protection. They're heavier, which can affect front-end ride and may call for a leveling kit or heavier springs to carry the weight (especially with a winch).Aluminum: strength without the weightAluminum gives up some ultimate toughness but saves meaningful weight, which helps steering, braking, and fuel economy. For overlanding and... Read more...
How to Choose the Right Lift Kit for Your Truck or Jeep
Picking a lift kit comes down to three honest questions: how much lift do you actually need, what tire size are you running, and how do you use the vehicle day to day? Here's how we'd think it through.Leveling kit vs. full suspension liftA leveling kit (roughly 1.5–2.5") raises the front to match the rear so the truck sits flat and clears a slightly larger tire — it's the budget-friendly starting point. A full suspension lift (3"+) replaces or adds springs, shocks, and control arms to fit big tires and... Read more...