Words: WANG AKA U.P | @SARGES_TOYS
Photos: NILE DEV
SARGE’S TOY
I’m an active-duty soldier that has been serving in the Army for 13+ years. I have been deployed to both Iraq (with the 82nd Airborne Division) and Afghanistan (with Special Forces) and that’s where I gained an interest in off-roading stuff. The place where I was deployed was pretty much only one paved road – the Afghan “ring road” (their national interstate, but with big holes caused by IED explosions). I personally set up our vehicles to meet the requirements (weapons, gears, radios, antenna, etc.) for our routine combat missions.
My Jeep (a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 75th Anniversary Edition) doesn’t have a name yet. I went with “Sarges_toys” for my IG name since I’m an Army Staff Sergeant, so my rig is my toy… and I’ll just stick to that. Being in the military, I always wanted to build a unique military-themed Jeep; it’s always been my goal. I’ve always been a fan of Jeeps and I love the culture, the communities, the people. The whole “it’s a Jeep thing” is really something that only Jeep owners would understand. I also enjoy all the family travel/ camping trips I had with this rig. I like to take pictures of my rig no matter where I go. I really enjoy being somewhere off-grid, spending time with family, no cell phone service, just enjoying the time with family and Mother Nature… that’s real-life and when life is just good to me.
THE BUILD STRATEGY
When it came down to picking out parts for the build, it had to be a name brand. For me, quality parts meant a good warranty and awesome customer service. The parts also needed to somewhat meet the needs of my overall military theme in terms of being rugged, matching the theme’s color, etc. Plus, it needed to be easy to install (with the exception of heavy stuff like suspension). Everything else that you see was done and installed by me.
One of my favorite mods is the Vagabund Moto Plate. It was a collaboration between Sarge’s Toys and Vagabund Moto, which is a well-known Austria-based design studio for unique automotive vehicle/motorcycle design. My Jeep is the first American-brand vehicle that got accepted into the Vagabund Family. Being recognized by Vagabound for my build is one of my top achievements.
I also love my DV8 and Fury Engraver Picatinny Rail System; the Picatinny system works like a champ. It has a GoPro mount, light bar mount, phone mount and more. Whatever you can put on an M4 AR weapon, you can use it on my Jeep now. It’s all about uniqueness and creativity. It’s truly some next-level stuff and not just to me because everyone who sees it loves this idea. I also like all my RIGID Industries lights, they are extremely functional out on the trail, yet unique. They have this special design that’s nothing like what’s out there on the market. Plus, they’re super bright! The EcoTechne hood rack is another favorite, you don’t see a lot of Jeeps running on this setup. I mount an ax and recovery boards there and plan to add cameras and antennas there later on. Once again, it’s functional and adds to the look and toughness of my Jeep.
Money and time were the biggest challenges on this build, especially for being in the military (we are pretty much 24/7 on duty). It took me four years to get this far. I understand it’s not going to be easy and it will be a long process, but I have that vision, and I know for sure eventually I will get to where I want. Next, maybe I’ll have a new suspension system. My rig is getting heavier every day, so I need a beefier suspension system to increase the ride quality. Powertrain next, but it’s not going to be done anytime soon. But eventually, I’d like to do a V8 swap; who doesn’t want a V8 Jeep? I know it’s going to be expensive, and I’ll start saving some money for that.

DIGITAL RECONNAISSANCE & PACE
YouTube is always a good resource, and Facebook groups are another awesome place to get all the answers. The most important thing for me to check on is all the recovery gear before a trip, fuel and water are other crucial items. Also, doing a full spectral inspection of your rig is a must. You need to have a solid PACE (primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency) plan, so preparing ahead of every trip for all the possible situations is always a good idea.
When it comes to pre-trip, you want to always let your family or your friends know where you are going. With the new technologies nowadays, I don’t see any reason you can’t be found if you get lost.
You also want to assess your rig to see if you can get out of the current situation by using your recovery gear. With most rigs I’ve seen out there, they are all equipped with some sort of recovery gear, so basically get yourself out and move on.
If you can’t get out of a current situation, always reach out and get help. This normally means you have your communication PACE plan planned out prior to your trip, something like primary cell phone, alternate GMRS, contingency HAM Radio, and emergency Garmin inReach. Make sure that you conserve water/ food to increase your chances of survival. Lastly, if you get stranded, stay positive, calm and believe in yourself!
TECH SPECS
2016 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED 75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
WHEELS/TIRES
17×8.5” Relations Race Wheels RR6-H hybrid beadlock wheels
38.5×13.50R17 Interco Super Swamper IROK tires
PERFORMANCE
3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine
Accel Supercoil Ignition coil packs
Superchip 2 tuner
HIKEIT Throttle controller
Magnaflow Off-Road Pro Series cat-back exhaust
K&N air filter
Hauk Off-Road Expedition snorkel/air intake kit
DRIVETRAIN
G2 Double Caradan CV Style 1350 driveshaft
G2 Core 44 front differential assembly
G2 35 Spline 4340 chrome alloy axle shaft kit
G2 Dana 44 gear set front/rear 4.88 ratio
ARB air locker
SUSPENSION
Skyjacker LeDuc Series FOX 12” coilover shocks kit – front
FOX rear racing dual-dual speed compression shocks adjustable 2.5” remote reservoir shocks 4.5”-6” – rear
Rock Krawler Rear Triple-Rate4.5” coil springs
PSC Steering Big Bore XD2 Cylinder Assist steering kit
TMR Off-Road 2.5-ton steering kit
JKS J-Flex adjustable control arms set
JKS front/rear track bar
Apex Design 2.0 AutoLYNX front sway bar disconnect
Skyjacker rear sway bar extended end links
FOX 2.0 Factory Race Series front bump stops
MetalCloak JK Upper Rear DuroSprin
ARMOR
Mopar Rubicon Steer Bumper 75th Anniversary Edition
Maximum-3 JK Rubicon Hard Rock X/10A/75th trial guard
Maximum-3 stubby front bumper end caps
Maximum-3 Rubicon steel bumper filler plate
Ace Engineering JK narrow fenders set with turn signal
Hyline Off-Road JK inner fender liners
Smittybilt XRC Body Cladding armor
RedRock 4×4 HD Straight Rocker steps
G2 Dana 44 differential covers
Fully Engraver rear axle protective shell
EXTERIOR MODS
ClearLidz Panoramic Freedom-Style top
Rock Monster USA JL conversion grille
DV8 A-pillar mounting rail system
DV8 roof light bar mounting rail system
DV8 hood mounting rail system
Ecoteche Jeep JK hood rack
Fury Engraver hood latches
Fury Engraver hood side aluminum auxiliary mirror
Rebel Off-Road Blackout window storage kit
Ace Off-Road Gatekeeper
TeraFlex HD adjustable spare tire mounting kit
Dakron Performance aluminum tailgate hinges
Steinjager Limb Riser kit
LIGHTING
Morimoto Super 7 bi-LED headlights
Rigid Industries Adapt 30” LED light bar
Rigid Industries Adapt 10” LED light bar
Rigid Industries 360-Series 4” spotlight
Rigid Industries 360-Series Rubicon steel bumper fog kit
Rigid Industries Chase taillight
Fiery red Wrangler taillights
RECOVERY GEAR
Harbor Freight Badland APEX Synthetic 12k-lb wireless winch
Maximus-3 Jk Hard Rock 10A/X/75th Rubicon winch mount
DMOS Alpha Shovel system
PowerTank 10-lb. CO2 bottle
Agency-6 A6 Adventure mini shovel & A6 mega mount
Hi-Lift Jack 42” cast & steel jack
Agency-6 jack handles keeper for Hi-Lift jacks
Factor 55 flat link
QuickFlate 4 Air up/down inflator
TGL hitch step, tow hitch
Bunker Industry Recovery traction boards
GEAR STORAGE, ORGANIZATION, ROOF RACK, BED RACK
Maximus-3 Roof Rack w/ Rhino-Rack Pioneer Short Platform system
Morryde Rotopax side mount
Dixie 4-Wheel Drive Door Hinge Rotopax mount
Plano 42” Lockable gun case
Lykus waterproof hard case – first aid kit
Rotopax mounting system
Expedition Essentials propane bottle quick mount
Rox Off-Road flag mount
ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATION, IN-CABIN ACCESSORY MOUNTS
Garmin Overlander GPS navigation system
Garmin Inreach mini satellite communicator
Midland MXT275 15W GMRS radio
Auto-Vox X1 mirror dash cam backup camera
Mopar OEM audio/stereo system
Hudway Drive heads-up display system
CAMPING GEAR
FreeSpirit Recreation 49” Evolution hard top rooftop tent w/ cross bar
Thule HideAway 10” awning
Waterport 8-gallon Weekender water tank
Camp Chef Explorer 3-burner stove w/ fry griddle, grill box
Dometic CFX45 fridge
American Adventure Lab M.A.S.S. system
Flame King 5-pound propane tank
Expedition One GERI 4-gallon fuel/water flat container
MISCELLANEOUS GEAR
Fury Engraver military-style central rail mounting system
Fab Fours front & rear grab handles
AJT Design vent ring
AJT Design climate knobs
TeraFlex Axis sun visor system
Innovative JK rear seat recline kit