Some may know Matt Loxley from High Beam Offroad as the guy who drove the coolest TJ ever built. After the Dumpster Dive TJ took its last ride, Matt knew another Jeep had to take its place. This week we take a look at Matt and High Beam Offroad’s new build, Wynona JKU.
What got you into the world of offroading?
I was 18 when I bought my first XJ, but really didn’t do much with it. What really got me into the offroad world was needing a new “reliable” vehicle. I bought a brand new 2011 JK 2 door and immediately threw the reliability right out of the window by putting a 4” lift and 35s on it!
Shortly after, I found a local forum here in Tennessee where I learned a LOT and got me into wheeling and modifying my Jeep to make it the best that I could afford at the time. Forums were a wealth of knowledge and the main reason I got into off-roading, it’s unfortunate that most are dead now.
This is where REVKIT steps in. It bridges the gap between social media and forums while influencing new enthusiasts to build their rig and go wheeling.
What prompted building Wynona?
Some know that I totaled out the build Dumpster Dive TJ a.k.a. “Dumpy” at EJS in 2018 while wheeling on Pritchett Canyon. That little blue truck meant a lot to me personally and to my business, so it was a hard pill to swallow that it wasn’t worth the time or money to rebuild it. That shook me up a bit, so it took some time to recover mentally and financially to start a new build. I knew I couldn’t build your run of the mill JKU, it had to be different… it had to be classy.
When I found Wynona, I knew it was the right fit.
How often do you see a built brown JKU running around? Wynona exists for one purpose: a show rig for the 2019 show season for High Beam Offroad. I wanted an extremely capable rig with good parts, but something that could drive 15,000 miles with a small trailer behind it all year long. We built it the weekend before our first event and it has performed flawlessly since.
How did you start High Beam Offroad
I started High Beam in 2013 with a friend of mine just as a side hustle. Back then, LED lighting was expensive and we saw the need for a cheaper option for us and our friends. In late 2017, I took the leap as sole-owner of the business and went full-time. Fast forward to the present, and I couldn’t be happier with the growth and industry support we get.
It’s been a fun ride and I’m excited for the future!
What’s next for wynona?
When the show season ends, Wynona will get a full PSC hydro assist kit, Artec belly pan, fender flares (haven’t decided on them yet!), a custom cage by Hooker Motorsports and rear corner armor. Once all of that’s on, then it’s time to go wheeling!
Where are your favorite places to wheel, and where do you plan to go next?
My favorite local parks are Hawk Pride Mountain in AL, Adventure Offroad Park in TN, and Windrock Park in TN. I’ll be stretching its legs at one of these great destinations first! I missed out on Easter Jeep Safari this year, but Wynona will be in attendance in 2020.
