Sin City Diesel’s Ultimate LS3-Powered Jeep JKU

Built to Represent, Built to Run

Every once in a while, a rig shows up that speaks for more than itself. For Sin City Diesel & Offroad in Las Vegas, this 2016 Jeep Wrangler JKU Rubicon was built as a calling card. It’s a shop-built project, yes, but it’s also a testbed, an attention grabber, and a representation of what can happen when you do it right the first time.

Built entirely by Sin City Diesel & Offroad, this JKU is more than just a flashy wrap and oversized tires. It’s a ground-up rework of everything Jeep gave the platform—refined, reinforced, and repowered. Ted Loh, owner of Sin City Diesel, didn’t just want something to cruise the Strip or park at shows. He wanted something to take on King of the Hammers one weekend, then represent Sin City Diesel at Trail Hero the next. And it does.

The heart of the build is a 6.2L LS3 E-Rod crate engine from GM Performance. It’s a clean-swap, emissions-legal V-8 backed by a Maximum Offroad-built 4L80E with a full manual reverse pattern valve body and 2800 stall converter. Everything’s cooled by a Mishimoto stack, and the entire swap rides on GenRight LS/4L80-specific mounts. The transfer case is an Atlas II with 3.0:1 low range. Power gets to the dirt through JE Reel 1350 driveshafts, a Currie Extreme 60 RockJock up front, and an Extreme 70 out back—both loaded with 5.38s and ARB air lockers.

It’s a full drivetrain package built for abuse, and it’s held together with GenRight’s Elite suspension system. The front runs a 3-link with King 2.5 x 12-inch internal bypass coilovers and King bump stops. Out back, a triangulated 4-link with 14-inch coilovers and another set of King bumps handle articulation. The rear frame was modified for inboard coil bucket mounts and a heavy-duty crossmember. Underneath, it’s all tucked up with a GenRight aluminum flat belly skid. The steering is tight thanks to a PSC Big Bore XD box with hydro assist.

This isn’t a mall crawler—it has been trail-tested at King of the Hammers, Winter 4×4 Jamboree, and Trail Hero. And it’s just getting started.

The outside of the Jeep is wrapped in custom Sin City Diesel & Offroad livery over Porsche Shark Blue paint. GenRight aluminum tube fenders, rock sliders, and bumpers wrap the body. Out back, the corners are armored with GenRight’s full rear corner guard set with flush Max-Bilt LED taillights. Putco and Baja Designs handle the lighting, while a GenRight 36-gallon fuel tank and steel skid keep the range and protection dialed in.

Inside, it’s purpose-built. PRP leather bucket seats hold driver and passenger securely. A GenRight aluminum dash with a flush-mounted stereo, Racepak IQ3 display, and GenRight center console give it a race-ready cockpit feel. Under the rear seat? Three ARB compressors, a subwoofer, and a full air-up/down system.

The wheels are 17×9 KMC KM229 Machete units wrapped in 42-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/Ts. The whole setup clears thanks to a 3.5-inch GenRight Elite lift. Brakes are from R1 Concepts—6-piston billet calipers up front, 4-piston in the rear.

It’s easy to get caught up in the specs, but what makes this build stand out is the intention behind it. Ted didn’t just want a capable Jeep. He wanted something that looked professional, performed like a race rig, and could represent his shop at any event. It took planning, long nights, and learning along the way—especially since this was Ted’s first build of this scale.

His advice? Plan everything, follow instructions, and know what you’re getting into. And, if possible, surround yourself with people who know how to get it done.

This Jeep isn’t done yet. Future plans include adding more audio (because the LS is loud), a hard top, and A/C to make summer wheeling bearable. But even as it sits, it’s already done what it was built to do—turn heads, wheel hard, and show off what Sin City Diesel & Offroad can build.

UPGRADES

2016 Jeep Wrangler JKU Rubicon

Owner:

Ted Loh / Sin City Diesel & Offroad

Las Vegas, NV

Engine & Transmission: GM Performance E-Rod LS3 6.2L V-8, 4L80E transmission from Maximum Offroad, Full manual, reverse pattern valve body, 2800 stall, non-lockup torque converter, Mishimoto stack

Transfer Case: Atlas II, 3.0:1 low range

Axles & Drivetrain: Front: Currie Extreme 60 RockJock, 5.38 gears, ARB locker, Rear: Currie Extreme 70 RockJock, 5.38 gears, ARB locker, JE Reel 1350 driveshafts

Suspension: GenRight Elite, Front: 3-link with King 2.5 x 12-inch IBP coilovers and King bumps, Rear: Triangulated 4-link with King 2.5 x 14-inch IBP coilovers and King bumps, 3.5-inch lift

Steering & Brakes: PSC Big Bore XD hydro assist steering, R1 Concepts 6-piston front calipers / 4-piston rear billet calipers

Wheels & Tires: 17×9 KMC KM229 Machete wheels, 42-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T tires

Armor & Exterior: Porsche Shark Blue (base) with SCDO-themed wrap, GenRight aluminum flat belly skid, GenRight 36-gallon aluminum fuel tank with steel skid, GenRight aluminum bumpers,                     GenRight rear corner armor with Max-Bilt LED lights, Other lighting by Putco and Baja Designs

Interior: PRP leather bucket seats, GenRight aluminum dash with Racepak IQ3, Three ARB compressors, subwoofer, air system under rear seat

Events: Trail Hero, Winter 4×4 Jamboree, King of the Hammers