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AMSOIL Partners with JH Diesel and 4×4

Brad Nelson
A diesel pickup truck built by JH Diesel and 4X4 performs a burnout for a crowd.

AMSOIL has partnered with JH Diesel and 4×4, a popular diesel shop in Bradenton, Fla. with a solid reputation for building some of the most formidable off-road vehicles on the market, covering everything from custom diesel engines to heavy-duty suspension systems, exterior modifications and performance upgrades.

JH Diesel founder and owner Justin Hildebrand is not only a lifelong 4×4 enthusiast and off-road adventurer, he has also become a popular YouTube influencer. Started simply as a means to promote his business, JH Diesel’s YouTube channel quickly evolved into a platform where enthusiasts can watch the team build engines, race and compete.

We asked Hildebrand about his business, YouTube channel and success as a diesel influencer.

AMSOIL: What are your objectives for the JH Diesel YouTube channel?

Hildebrand: Our objective for the YouTube channel has changed and evolved over the years. We originally started it to help with shop production, advertising and exposure for the shop. It has since evolved into a completely different business, somewhere to show off our skills on one-off builds and be able to share our racing and competition experiences.

Our goals are to continue bringing good content to the people who are watching us. We wouldn’t be able to afford it and do it without their support. It’s also great knowing we are inspiring people to start projects of their own. Another goal is to continue growing. We only went full time with YouTube less than three years ago; we are still new at this and have a lot of room for expansion and new opportunities.

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AMSOIL: To what do you attribute the channel’s growth and success?

Hildebrand: Our growth can be attributed to a couple things. One is we are very consistent. We work hard to bring new and exciting content on a weekly basis. We are constantly coming up with new ideas to keep everything new and fresh.

One of the biggest things we have going for us is our team. There are only two of us working full time with the YouTube channel, but without Justin (Eason) putting in the work he does, we wouldn’t be half the channel we are. The next person would have to be my wife, Danielle. She is super supportive of everything we do and is always by my side to help make things happen. Without these two people, we wouldn’t be able to progress like we have.

AMSOIL: Your videos are both educational and entertaining. Is that what you’re striving for?

Hildebrand: Yes, we always try to be entertaining no matter what kind of video it is. Whether we are at the racetrack, at an event or in the shop repairing something, entertainment is always one of the most important things. We do like to be serious though. Some of our viewers are here to learn and love the shop content, so we try to leave key things in our shop videos so they can learn how to do something.

 

AMSOIL: Which videos are the most popular?

Hildebrand: Most of our audience engagement comes from our budget builds. Anytime we start a budget build, it seems to spark a lot of interest from our fanbase and also brings new fans. Being able to build something on a budget shows people that you don’t have to have a $100,000+ build to get out there and have fun. For instance, last year we built a mud truck for under $10,000. That included purchasing the truck, testing it and doing upgrades. In our experience, that amount is feasible to the average person.

AMSOIL: How does it feel to be an influencer who is recognized throughout the diesel community?

Hildebrand: I still consider myself to be just a diesel mechanic. That’s usually what I tell people who refer to me as an “influencer.” But, yes, we have grown to be an influencer. To be honest, it means a lot to me. I am a pretty regular guy on most weekdays. I’m at the shop working the office, talking to customers and helping my techs with whatever they may need. But it’s a really great feeling to be out somewhere and somebody shouts your name or asks for a picture. It’s honestly almost unreal to me.

It’s a great feeling to know people are being inspired by us to create their own builds and to keep the automotive community alive. It’s very cool to have someone tell you how your video helped them get through something or helped them learn how to do something. One of the best feelings of being an influencer is seeing the kids get excited to see you or meet you. All of our content is family friendly and to see the younger generation looking up to us is huge to us.

AMSOIL: Why would you encourage AMSOIL Dealers and customers follow your channel?

Hildebrand: AMSOIL Dealers and customers should follow us if they like seeing vehicles running AMSOIL products put to the test. We test and abuse everything we own, and it’s a testament to what AMSOIL products are capable of.

We have seen several advantages with AMSOIL products. We used AMSOIL Diesel 4-IN-1 (ADB) in one of our projects and within the first tank of fuel, the injectors seemed to be quieter and the truck honestly ran a little smoother at idle. Also, after changing oil over in our 1,500-hp Cummins* square body, we noticed an 8-psi jump in oil pressure.

JH Diesel and 4×4 website:
jhdiesel4x4.com
JH Diesel and 4×4 YouTube channel:
youtube.com/@JHDieseland4X4

JH Diesel and 4X4 Favorite Products:

AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty 15W-40 100% Synthetic Diesel Oil (DME)
AMSOIL DOMINATOR® 20W-50 100% Synthetic Competition Diesel Oil (DCO)
AMSOIL Oil Filters (EAO80, EAO52, SDF88)
AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube (SVG)
AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lube (SVO)
AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
AMSOIL Diesel 4-IN-1 (ADB)
AMSOIL DOMINATOR DOT 4 Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid (BFR)
AMSOIL DOT 3 and DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid (BFLV)