Featured Builds
Real rigs. Real stories. Real inspiration.
A growing collection of standout Jeeps, trucks, overland rigs, UTVs, and custom builds from the Trail Talk community.
Featured Build Directory
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Jump directly to a featured vehicle or continue scrolling to explore each complete build story.
Dixie Dingo
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ • Kyle Daniels • Nashville, TN
Gaucho
2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S • Jason Koerner • Shelbyville, TN
CJ’s Diesel LJ
2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited LJ • Connor “CJ” McGee • Tennessee Off Road
Featured Overland Rig
Dixie Dingo
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
Owner: Kyle Daniels • Nashville, TN
Trail Role: onX Offroad Guide
Dixie Dingo is a trail-proven overland Cherokee built for simple, self-sufficient camping, recovery readiness, and weekend adventure. Kyle kept the setup practical, reliable, and ready for everything from marked trails to winter camping.
Dixie Dingo Build Details
Built for the Trail
Camping Setup
- Darche Eclipse 270° awning
- 23ZERO Dual 1100 tent
- Vevor 12V fridge
- Custom drawer system
- Rear seat delete for added storage
- Mark Trail cooking supplies
- 12-inch cast iron pan and Dutch oven
Power & Communication
- Auxiliary 12V battery
- 1000W inverter
- DC-to-DC charger
- Icom 50W GMRS base unit radio
- Midland ghost antenna
Recovery & Trail Gear
- Warn 8500 winch
- 30K tow rope
- Snatch rope
- Tree saver
- Soft shackles
- Diesel heater for winter camping
Dixie Dingo Build Story
Simple, Capable, and Ready for Camp
Dixie Dingo proves that an overland rig does not have to be overcomplicated to be effective. Kyle’s Cherokee is set up with the essentials: shelter, power, cooking gear, recovery equipment, communication, and enough storage to make the most out of weekends off the grid.
From the Darche 270° awning to the 23ZERO tent and custom storage system, this XJ is built around practical trail use and comfortable camp life.
Featured Gladiator Build
Gaucho
2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S
Owner: Jason Koerner • Shelbyville, TN
Gaucho is a heavily upgraded Jeep Gladiator built around trail capability, dependable drivetrain upgrades, useful onboard equipment, and an adventure-ready storage and camping setup.
With 37-inch tires, deep gearing, front and rear traction upgrades, reinforced axles, onboard air, an Alu-Cab topper, and Infinite Offroad rock lights, this Gladiator is equipped for difficult trails and weekends away from pavement.
Gaucho Build Details
Built for Capability
Suspension & Steering
- MetalCloak 3.5-inch Game Changer suspension
- Apex AutoLYNX 10-inch sway bar disconnects
- Hellwig rear sway bar
- Rusty’s HD steering tie rod and drag link
- MetalCloak Baller joints
- Adams front driveshaft
Axles & Drivetrain
- OX electronic locker in the front
- Eaton TrueTrac electronic locker in the rear
- Artec front and rear axle trusses
- Artec gussets
- Revolution Gears with 5.13 ratio
- 37-inch Toyo Open Country Trail Pro tires
Overland & Trail Equipment
- TenSix four-way onboard air system
- Alu-Cab bed topper
- DECKED cargo drawer system
- Open Road 270° awning
- Hooke Road cargo rack
- Infinite Offroad rock lights
Gaucho Build Story
Trail Capability Meets Adventure Utility
Gaucho combines serious trail hardware with a practical setup for travel, storage, and camp life. Its suspension, steering, gearing, lockers, axle reinforcement, and 37-inch tires provide the foundation for difficult terrain.
The Alu-Cab topper, DECKED drawers, Open Road awning, onboard air system, and Infinite Offroad rock lights add the utility needed for recovery, nighttime trail use, and comfortable weekends outdoors.
Featured Custom Fabrication Build
CJ’s Diesel LJ
2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited LJ
Submitted and built by: Connor “CJ” McGee
Business: Co-owner of Tennessee Off Road
This 2005 Jeep LJ is a heavily fabricated, diesel-swapped trail build powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM617 engine. CJ combined one-ton axles, an Atlas transfer case, 42-inch tires, coilovers, custom steering and suspension fabrication, armor, recovery equipment, lighting, and a purpose-built interior into one unmistakable rig.
Several major components were designed or hand-built by CJ, including the steering gearbox rotation for the front stretch, the front track bar, and the front coilover towers and support bar.
CJ’s Diesel LJ Build Details
Diesel Power, One-Ton Axles & Hand-Built Fabrication
Powertrain & Axles
- Mercedes-Benz OM617 diesel engine
- Built 42RLE transmission
- Atlas 3.8 transfer case
- 2005 F-250 Dana 60 front axle
- Sterling 10.5 rear axle
- 4.88 gears and ARB lockers
- Motobilt differential covers
- DTillFab rear brake-caliper relocation
- Teraflex rear fuel-tank skid
Suspension, Steering & Chassis
- 16-inch Radflo coilovers front and rear
- Motobilt triangulated center section
- MetalCloak bushings
- Tennessee Off Road steering gearbox rotation for front stretch, designed and built by CJ
- Custom front track bar built by CJ
- Hand-built front coilover towers and support bar
- Motobilt rear coilover towers
- 1-inch Daystar body lift
- 17-inch Vision beadlocks
- 42x13.50R17 Mickey Thompson tires
Armor, Recovery, Lighting & Interior
- MetalCloak fenders and spare-tire carrier
- Motobilt rear armor, rock sliders, and rear bumper
- WARN winch and Factor 55 recovery gear
- Infinite Offroad lighting and chase bar
- sPOD lighting controls
- ORO LiteDOT taillights
- DS18 sound system
- GenRight center console
- PRP bucket seats and five-point harnesses
- SpiderWebShade
- Bulletpoint phone and winch-controller mounts
- Bartact grab handles and fire-extinguisher mount
- GlowShift gauges and Winters shifter
CJ’s Diesel LJ Build Story
A One-of-a-Kind LJ Built Around Fabrication
CJ’s LJ stands out because it is more than a collection of bolt-on parts. The Mercedes-Benz diesel swap, one-ton axles, stretched front suspension, custom steering changes, coilover conversion, and hand-built components required planning, fabrication, and problem-solving throughout the build.
The result combines 42-inch tires, deep gearing, lockers, armor, recovery gear, lighting, and a purpose-built cabin with the custom work needed to make the entire package function together. It is both a showcase for CJ’s personal build and an example of the work behind Tennessee Off Road.
More Featured Builds Coming Soon
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