The body was part of a $300 bargain, along with the frame and other YJ parts. There's also a CJ grille, hood, front fenders, and tailgate. The front seats are vinyl-covered Bestop units, while the rear is the stock YJ fold-and-tumble seat.
John used a flat, stainless steel dash with only the steering column and glovebox cutouts, adding other holes to house the VDO Millennium gauges, with EGT and turbo-boost gauges joing the "normal" ones a Jeep has. Two speakers and a weather-resistant CB radio share the space. The steering column, steering wheel, and windshield were retained from the '88 Wrangler, as was the factory sport bar with slanted rear legs for a more CJ-type look.
John hacked the fenders front and rear to mount TJ flares, which were then painted DuPont Corvette White like the rest of the body. The interior was finished off with a dark-grey Durabak bedliner, which allows for easy cleaning.
The front and rear bumpers are both homemade from 1/4-inch-wall 2x4 box tubing, with 3/4-inch shackle mounts and a 2-inch receiver mount. The front bumper was pie-cut and bent back for a better approach angle.
The combination of an unconventional diesel engine with a YJ body, tub, and frame-and called a CJ-7 without a blink of an eye-is what makes this Jeep an interesting creature. The best part is that it was done in the driveway. With ample hours of welding and fabricating, John ended up with a well-built, awesome-looking diesel Jeep, without breaking the bank.
This wonderfully mixed-up Jeep, however, is lacking in the armor department. A rollcage, beefier diff covers, and other underneath armor would be great additions to help preserve all John's hard work.
Even though John used a large assortment of parts to build his Jeep, it looks as though it could've come from the factory. I was blown away not only by his enthusiasm about the unorthodox diesel conversion but also the out-of-the-ordinary engine choice. That 3.2L Nissan just wasn't what I expected to see when I looked under the hood, but it seemed right at home.
The true sight is on the trail. Even with all the hard work, time, and dedication John put into building this Jeep, he still hits the trails like he's driving a beater. He wasn't afraid to try any trail or obstacle. He knows what his Jeep is capable of and has a great time with it. Since he knows the Jeep so well and has obviously been wheeling it for a while, being off-road with him was a lot of fun, and listening to that diesel clacking its way up obstacles is really something that needs to be heard.-Melissa Howard
Vehicle: '78 CJ-7
Engine: 3.2L Nissan SD-33T six-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: Scout T-19
Transfer Case: Scout Dana 300
Suspension: Spring-over on stock YJ springs
Axles: '80 Scout Dana 44 (front and rear)
Wheels: 15x8 Eagle Alloy 058
Tires: 35x12.50R15 BFG T/A KM
Built For: John wanted a unique Jeep that was dependable, diesel-powered, and homebuilt
Estimated Cost: $9,000