My Jeep Was Totaled. Now What? | Ep 153

<p>Recorded at the start of July 2026, this episode catches JD at a very specific moment: the yellow JK had been declared a loss, the insurance process was still playing out, and nobody knew what would replace it. JD is joined by Bryan, Joe, Calvin, and Keenan to work through the options—from a Jeep Wrangler JLU Rubicon to a Jeep Gladiator JT—and what makes sense for a future focused more on camping and overlanding without giving up the ability to hit harder trails like Sand Hollow. The crew debates the 3.6L versus EcoDiesel, rooftop tents versus off-road trailers, JK simplicity versus the newer JL platform, suspension, tire size, build strategy, and whether JD has finally outgrown the two-door Jeep life. More importantly, they dig into how you should actually approach an off-road build when you get the rare chance to start over from scratch. We held this episode until now because the replacement-Jeep saga finally has a completion arc—making it a chance to go back to the moment before anyone knew how the story would end.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>📍 Trails and Destinations</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.trailsoffroad.com/map?c=-113.457375,37.061552&z=11.5">Sand Hollow State Park, Utah</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>🛠️ Gear and Tools — Podcast Version</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/i509-wra-jk-9-inch-hi-res-multimedia-receiver-jeep-wrangler-jk">Alpine i509-WRA-JK 9-inch Restyle Receiver</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.linkswellinc.com/product/2018-2023-jeep-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt-t-style-xl-radio/">LinksWell Wrangler JL / Gladiator JT T-Style XL Radio</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://stingerdrive.com/pages/vehicle/jeep-wrangler-jk">Stinger HEIGH10+ Jeep Wrangler JK Radio System</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://blog.rockfordfosgate.com/articles/car-audio/car-speakers/">Rockford Fosgate Car Speakers</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.kicker.com/PWRA4P15">KICKER Jeep Wrangler Audio Upgrade System</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/roof-top-tents/">Overland Vehicle Systems Roof Top Tents</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://23zero.com/product-category/roof-top-tents/">23ZERO Roof Top Tents</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.thule.com/en-us/rooftop-tents-and-accessories/rooftop-tents">Thule Roof Top Tents</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://store.arbusa.com/suspension/coil-springs/?page=3">Old Man Emu Jeep JK Coil Springs</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.air