Buckshot Wrangler: A SEMA Show Jeep Build That's More Capable Than Sensational

• December 9, 2020
• Story By
  Jason Mulligan

The benefits of being one of the first to customize a brand new model off-road rig and showcase it at the yearly SEMA show is being able to put your styling stamp on the platform for the world to see before anyone else. One of the drawbacks of innovation, of course, is that all of the products used are being developed at the same time, so it can be a last-minute rush to finish the build.

Rugged Rig

Reserve Auto Group out of The Colony, Texas in the Dallas area is known for selling and customizing luxury cars and trucks and they are no stranger to the Jeep platform. So when the new JL model Wrangler was being introduced in 2018; they looked to team up with Rugged Ridge to build a capable yet stylish rig to not only showcase the latest products being developed for the JL at the SEMA show but to showoff their capabilities on a fresh model.

Protective Paint

We all know that when one hits the mountains and trails off-road; some paint pinstriping from the bushes and branches is expected. Rather than carrying a hedge trimmer in the back to trim those branches or letting the brand new factory paint get scratched; Reserve Auto Group looked to protect the exterior finish. The entire Jeep was sprayed in a matte Liberty Green Metallic paint that was hardened to resist scuffs and scratches and can be easily cleaned up after a trail run with just soap and water without the need to wax the finish for protection. That same hue and protection was applied to the fender flares, Jeep top and rear bumper to complete a fully color matched Jeep. Touches of Gun Metal Gray that would match the new set of 20-inch wheels was added throughout.

Sunburst Suspension

With new vehicle builds being done for the SEMA show, late nights and receiving parts last-minute comes with the territory. The Buckshot Edition JL was no exception. Being a brand new model platform, the 4-inch Superlift suspension kit, complete with KING shocks arrived just 2 days before the SEMA show. And when you factor in the fact that the suspension kit was to see transparent Sunburst Copper powder coating; the lift, wheels and tires were truly last minute.

Upgraded Wheels and Tires

Shortly after the suspension was completed, and before hitting the road to Vegas for the SEMA show; the wheels and tires were mounted up to allow the Buckshot Jeep to handle both on and off-road terrain. A set of 20-inch Rugged Ridge Drakon wheels in Gun Metal Grey saw a massive set of 38x13.50R20 Nitto Ridge Grappler hybrid terrain tires including a full-sized spare on the back-mounted to a Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Tire Carrier.

Freshly Outfitted

The tire carrier was just the start of the wide range of accessories on the Jeep from Rugged Ridge. In order to offer even more protection and mounting point for a 12,000 lbs. Rugged Ridge winch; a Spartacus front bumper, color-matched to the wheels was installed. Sitting atop the front bumper as well as on the A-pillar are LED lights from Rugged Ridge as well. All of the LED lights feature amber covers that tie in perfectly with the copper suspension and new copper vinyl Rubicon lettering. The headlights were also upgraded with HID projector bulbs and LED rings complete with demon eyes bringing in more of that high-end Mopar flair to the off-road Jeep.

Luxury Leather

If one were to take a look at the service bay or showroom at Reserve Auto Group; it may look less like a dirty off-road shop and more like a high-end luxury car dealer. And that is just what they are and to best showcase this; the interior of the Jeep saw Aston Martin inspired leather upgrades with Rugged Ridge paracord grab handles and floor liners to help tie in the off-road capabilities as well.

With no expense spared on building a brand new JL Jeep Wrangler; Reserve Auto Group combined high-end luxury style with plenty of off-road functionality and protection.

HARD FACTS