The junction block upgrade is really outstanding. The lighting, GPS, and-frankly-all of the other stuff makes the Commander just that much more functional and better. You continue to improve on the Commander and turn it into the vehicle Jeep should have made.
Thank you! I still think this is a great vehicle for anyone who wants to build an overlanding rig. I just wish it had more aftermarket support. I also wish it wasn't a unibody. Lol. Thanks for watching!
More fantastic upgrades to your Apex Commander!! Finally bought bigger tires & rims. Your new & past videos will really help with that project. Thank you for sharing!!
I'm glad they are helpful. That's why I make them! I'm always hoping to add to what others have done for the community. Thanks for watching and good luck with you rig!
You have me really looking at my Commander again. This is a fun channel. One thing that I'm jealous of though, the lack of rust on your XK! Holy smokes! Mine has spent it's entire life in Northern Michigan and while it's not terrible it has a patina of rust underneath and some rocker arm rust.
Yeah, I've seen some online that are loaded with rust! Holy cow! Mine spent most of its life in North Carolina, so there is some rust, but it's manageable. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the build! Thanks for watching.
Your XK has come a long way and it's bada**. I just picked up mine last month and upgraded interior LED's, flat roof rack on order, ripped out the 3rd row and gonna build storage with pull out drawers, LED foglights and headlights, plastidipped wheels and grill while I save up for 265's. I'm just figuring out the suspension parts I need for 3" lift. My trails in Montana have fallen winter trees so a chainsaw has been invaluable. That GPS mount of yours seems like a worthwhile investment because I hate the factory nav lol. Keep the videos coming because I'm getting my inspiration from ya
Dude the rig is fkn sick and that Garmin add on is badass! I'm totally on board with avoiding using the phone for stuff, so a separate gps on board is a good thing. I like the finish on the undercarriage, looks sick! Well dude the tank is fkn death metal but we're all waiting for the epic video of the tank just plowing through a building or something 🤣
Lol. That literally made me laugh out loud. I'm also waiting for that video! If I didn't live in Flatistan (Florida) it would have already happened! I refuse to "go into the woods" and drive around in sugar sand. #lame. My goal is to have something planned soon. I still have some maintenance items to address until I feel the Jeep "reliable". Lots more to come. Thanks for always watching JC!
Looks great Brandon! I need to do the rear suspension UCA and LCA and Track Bar. I have a set of quick disconnect front sway bar links that I am installing soon and a louvered hood vent to get some of the volcanic heat extracted from the 5.7.
Hey I love the videos! I have been slowly but surely building my XK too and making tons of research on suspensions, which begs the question, is it necessary to upgrade/replace the upper and control arms & track bar in the rear? I have a 2 inch lift and had to upgrade my upper controls arms (front end) to the JBA off-road control arms to fix my death-ish wobble, now I'm wondering if replacing those three components will be beneficial for me? ( I don't go off-roading much, more daily driving and occasional trailing) I also loved the Garmin mod your rig is so sick - sending support from Texas !
You don't need to update anything on the rear with only a 2 inch lift. However, keep in mind your XK is old. Mine is a 2006 and is 18 years old. Anything made of rubber should be replaced. It will only improve your ridability. Thanks for watching!
How much longer is the rear shock than the bilstein 4600 you had on it? Also, when your suspension is at full drop does the spring become loose? Love everything you have completed on the commander. Keep up the work.
They are significantly longer. 3 or 4 inches longer than stock. When I removed the stock shocks, they only had about 2 or 3 inches of downward travel left. I haven't flexed out the suspension and probably never will. This is not a rock crawler. It should never be in that position, but if it was, I doubt the shock would come lose. Thanks for watching!
Ok, the reason I ask is because I put the rough country rear lift on my liberty and noticed the shock had more travel than the spring and when I hit hard bumps it makes and noise. I jacked the rig up and put it on jack stands and did a full drop and that’s when I noticed the springs were just floating. I have to get a small spacer or double up the isolaters. I have the OME springs and bilstein 5100 for my commander and will install them once I pull out the 3.7 and put in the 5.7. Also, I think you got very lucky finding such and well maintained commander.
@@user-rs3iq3gg7m The spacer lifts for the XK are very popular, but honestly they are all terrible. Springs that provide lift and a nice set of shocks are the only way to go. You'll see what I mean once you put on those OME springs. It's going to be night and day. Good luck with the engine swap!
I absolutely do!! I plan on upgrading all of the wiring leading to the battery and then installing a second battery where the rear ac unit is. Tomorrow I'm taking the first step towards this by deleting the rear ac lines. I'm going to make videos covering all of this. Huge cooling upgrades coming soon too. Stay tuned.
Why did you take the black wrap off the door window column. I thought that looked great. Planned on doing it myself. Then noticed yours were missing. What's up with that?
My commander is overheating, anybody have any suggestions? I've replaced the water pump, coolant sensor and thermostat and have bled the coolant but it is still persistent.
The junction block upgrade is really outstanding. The lighting, GPS, and-frankly-all of the other stuff makes the Commander just that much more functional and better. You continue to improve on the Commander and turn it into the vehicle Jeep should have made.
Thank you! I still think this is a great vehicle for anyone who wants to build an overlanding rig. I just wish it had more aftermarket support. I also wish it wasn't a unibody. Lol. Thanks for watching!
More fantastic upgrades to your Apex Commander!! Finally bought bigger tires & rims. Your new & past videos will really help with that project. Thank you for sharing!!
I'm glad they are helpful. That's why I make them! I'm always hoping to add to what others have done for the community. Thanks for watching and good luck with you rig!
Your whip is FRESH!
I appreciate that. Thank you.
You have me really looking at my Commander again. This is a fun channel. One thing that I'm jealous of though, the lack of rust on your XK! Holy smokes! Mine has spent it's entire life in Northern Michigan and while it's not terrible it has a patina of rust underneath and some rocker arm rust.
Yeah, I've seen some online that are loaded with rust! Holy cow! Mine spent most of its life in North Carolina, so there is some rust, but it's manageable. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the build! Thanks for watching.
Hey I just installed my Bilstein last weekend on my XK. Nice work on your XK.
Awesome! Thank you!
Your XK has come a long way and it's bada**. I just picked up mine last month and upgraded interior LED's, flat roof rack on order, ripped out the 3rd row and gonna build storage with pull out drawers, LED foglights and headlights, plastidipped wheels and grill while I save up for 265's. I'm just figuring out the suspension parts I need for 3" lift. My trails in Montana have fallen winter trees so a chainsaw has been invaluable. That GPS mount of yours seems like a worthwhile investment because I hate the factory nav lol. Keep the videos coming because I'm getting my inspiration from ya
Congrats on the new rig! These are great vehicles when they have been maintained! Thanks for watching.
Love the suspension upgrades and definitely where you mounted the GPS the truck looks awesome
Thank you! It's definitely come a long way! Thanks for watching.
would love to see what difference the suspension makes offroad in terms of any articulation, etc
This is an overland build, not a rock crawler. The build is for traveling long distances offroad, not crawling through the woods. Thanks for watching.
Dude the rig is fkn sick and that Garmin add on is badass! I'm totally on board with avoiding using the phone for stuff, so a separate gps on board is a good thing. I like the finish on the undercarriage, looks sick! Well dude the tank is fkn death metal but we're all waiting for the epic video of the tank just plowing through a building or something 🤣
Lol. That literally made me laugh out loud. I'm also waiting for that video! If I didn't live in Flatistan (Florida) it would have already happened! I refuse to "go into the woods" and drive around in sugar sand. #lame. My goal is to have something planned soon. I still have some maintenance items to address until I feel the Jeep "reliable". Lots more to come. Thanks for always watching JC!
Love the vids! Do you have a video on how you mounted your front lights?
Yes! I did a video on the raptor lights and fog lights. Just search the channel. Thanks for watching!
Looks great Brandon! I need to do the rear suspension UCA and LCA and Track Bar. I have a set of quick disconnect front sway bar links that I am installing soon and a louvered hood vent to get some of the volcanic heat extracted from the 5.7.
I've been considering the hood louvers myself. It gets hot here in FL and the 4.7 creates a lot of heat as well! Thanks for watching.
@@ExtremeDailyDrivers I got the Rugged Ridge louvers for a JK. Louvers are bigger than most others.
Nice!
Hey I love the videos! I have been slowly but surely building my XK too and making tons of research on suspensions, which begs the question, is it necessary to upgrade/replace the upper and control arms & track bar in the rear? I have a 2 inch lift and had to upgrade my upper controls arms (front end) to the JBA off-road control arms to fix my death-ish wobble, now I'm wondering if replacing those three components will be beneficial for me? ( I don't go off-roading much, more daily driving and occasional trailing) I also loved the Garmin mod your rig is so sick - sending support from Texas !
You don't need to update anything on the rear with only a 2 inch lift. However, keep in mind your XK is old. Mine is a 2006 and is 18 years old. Anything made of rubber should be replaced. It will only improve your ridability. Thanks for watching!
Looks fantastic
Thanks!
This is dope
Thanks!
How much longer is the rear shock than the bilstein 4600 you had on it? Also, when your suspension is at full drop does the spring become loose? Love everything you have completed on the commander. Keep up the work.
They are significantly longer. 3 or 4 inches longer than stock. When I removed the stock shocks, they only had about 2 or 3 inches of downward travel left. I haven't flexed out the suspension and probably never will. This is not a rock crawler. It should never be in that position, but if it was, I doubt the shock would come lose. Thanks for watching!
Ok, the reason I ask is because I put the rough country rear lift on my liberty and noticed the shock had more travel than the spring and when I hit hard bumps it makes and noise. I jacked the rig up and put it on jack stands and did a full drop and that’s when I noticed the springs were just floating. I have to get a small spacer or double up the isolaters. I have the OME springs and bilstein 5100 for my commander and will install them once I pull out the 3.7 and put in the 5.7. Also, I think you got very lucky finding such and well maintained commander.
@@user-rs3iq3gg7m The spacer lifts for the XK are very popular, but honestly they are all terrible. Springs that provide lift and a nice set of shocks are the only way to go. You'll see what I mean once you put on those OME springs. It's going to be night and day. Good luck with the engine swap!
Have you plans to install a higher output alternator and a spare battery?
I absolutely do!! I plan on upgrading all of the wiring leading to the battery and then installing a second battery where the rear ac unit is. Tomorrow I'm taking the first step towards this by deleting the rear ac lines. I'm going to make videos covering all of this. Huge cooling upgrades coming soon too. Stay tuned.
Why did you take the black wrap off the door window column. I thought that looked great. Planned on doing it myself. Then noticed yours were missing. What's up with that?
In my opinion, it didn't work. This rig looks best taller, not longer. The window wrap makes it long so I took it off.
What is the nub/antenna next to the passenger pod light?
GMRS antenna
I cant find your video. Can you tell me where i can get that hood decal? Thank you
It's not a decal. It's an emblem that I made. Thanks for watching.
the parts are not available in Rusty's. Any Advise?Thanks.
I'm not sure what you mean. Did you use the links in the video's description? I just went to their website and they are there.
My commander is overheating, anybody have any suggestions?
I've replaced the water pump, coolant sensor and thermostat and have bled the coolant but it is still persistent.
What’s the mpg on this beast??
1 HWY, 0 CTY
💀💀💀💸
Have you ever done any mods on your wifes lexus?
Only a driver mod every time I'm behind the wheel. ;)
Swaybar disconects!
I've considered it, but I don't think I would ever use them. If we lived in Arizona or something then yeah, I would get them. Thanks for watching!
First!!
Winner!