This week, we’ve got another sick build and story to go along with it. We got the chance to sit down with Doug Langford from Outlaw Offroad to learn not only how he got into Jeeps and the detail he’s put into his 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited, but also how he turned his passion into his business, Outlaw Offroad. Let’s find out what makes him and his Jeeps tick below.
What got you into Jeeps?
I grew up in Southwestern Kentucky, just north of Nashville, TN, where being offroad and outdoors was a part of everyday life. I knew from a young age that I enjoyed that lifestyle very much. As an adult, I’ve continued the trend of being outdoors with activities like mountain biking, backpacking and camping. I got into the offroad side of things back around 2004 with a Ford Ranger, actually, and didn’t move into Jeeps until around 2011.
The move to Jeep, for me, was really about having better off-road capability right out of the box.
Combine that with the overwhelming support of the aftermarket, and it was really a no brainer. So I bought a TJ. I still miss that Jeep.
What is Outlaw Offroad?
In 2011, I had been the area manager of an auto repair chain for several years and had started to get into the offroad stuff with trucks, and the occasional Jeep, after I took over the ownership role earlier that year. By 2013, we had built a full fledged offroad shop and Outlaw Offroad was born. Over the next few years, we concentrated on growing the business and adding product offerings and services until we finally arrived where we are today. We certainly aren’t done building the business, by a long shot, but is amazing to look back on what we started out as all those years ago.
As we stand in 2019, Outlaw Offroad is still focused on providing outstanding, high-end service to customers both locally, at the shop, and nationally through our manufacturer and distributor networks.
We have been very fortunate and enjoyed great growth and success in the last 2 years, and we look forward to building on that success as we expand the Outlaw Offroad brand to the masses.
What made you choose a JL?
As most will remember, there was tremendous excitement surrounding the upcoming JL model back in 2017, and even as far back as 2016. I knew back then that we would be active in the JL world and we made that purchase fairly early on.
For me, it was about being involved, from the beginning, on a new model and helping in any way I could to develop both the aftermarket support and the JL community as a whole.
I have been extremely fortunate, on that front, to work with some of the best minds this industry has to offer on the JL platform and developed some great business relationships and even better friendships. Developing this market has been no small task, certainly, but I believe the aftermarket has responded very well and I am very proud to be a part of that development, both now and into the future.
What are your future plans for the Reaper?
As we all know, there are always “plans” for Jeep builds.
We also know you can never truly be “done”.
That being said, in the short term, we have plans to swap the axles out to 60s, to better handle our 40” tires, my heavy right foot, as well as my tendency to “do it for the ‘Gram!”. We are also changing out the suspension, yes again, to the new Rock Krawler Long Arm. In addition to that, we recently picked up sPOD and American Adventure Labs as sponsors and are looking forward to getting those parts in the Jeep and getting them trail tested.
Where is your favorite place to wheel so far?
I’m pretty sure I’m supposed say Moab here, but I just can’t.
There are a ton of amazing places all over the country to put a Jeep to use and it can be exceptionally difficult to choose. As for the places I have been in the Reaper, I would have to choose Windrock Park in Tennessee as my favorite, by a small margin. The park is so big, you can make it anything you want. From easy trails for stock rigs to dominate, to double black diamonds that will make any seasoned offroader question their life choices, this park truly has something for everyone.
And there it is. Outlaw Offroad and this Reaper JL are just as sick as we thought. Doug’s success and expertise in the offroading space and willingness to share it with everyone is just one of the many reasons we love this community so much. Be sure to show this article and his build some love below.