Up front the factory disc brake Dana 30 axle is just as stock, with the exception of a Lock-Right locker fitted to the factory carrier and a pair of Warn locking hubs.
And as for the frame and suspension, they're pretty much as Jeep intended. There's a set of Superlift 2-inch lift springs and some shorty Bilstein 5150 shocks, but otherwise it's all stock '79 CJ-5.
Body And Interior
Yeah, it's shiny. For the paint nerds, it's Holley Red, whatever that is. Believe it or not, it was shot by Maaco and it looks a mile deep in person. The whole tub-above, below, inside and out-is coated with a combination of paint and powdercoat. The bumpers are chrome pieces and the flares were removed. Both give the Jeep a slick look, as do the honkin' Dick Cepek 900 halogen lights hung up front.
Inside the full rollcage rests a center console, a pair of buckets, and a rear bench seat that were covered in leather by Lil' J's in Riverside. There's also a Lecarra removable steering wheel, a CD player with huge speakers, and full Simpson harnesses for the occupants. Inside the custom aluminum dash lies a full complement of AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges.
Good, Bad & What's It For
We were really surprised at the amount of factory parts still left on this Jeep. And while we don't see how in the world the factory rear survives the engine power and bite afforded by the 16.50 DuneSport paddles on 15x15 Douglas wheels, we can see why Robert kept the factory master cylinder, fuel tank, and other key components.
We also like how Robert upgraded key elements necessary for surviving big dune driving, such as the cooling system, steering, and fuel delivery. For starters, there's a direct-fit BeCool aluminum radiator and a FlowKooler water pump to ensure overheating isn't an issue. An AGR box and pump help turn the front tires. And a huge, honkin' Mallory competition fuel pump and filter ensure that the boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator gets the volume of fuel it needs to keep power levels up and detonation at bay.
Why I Featured It
Come on, it's a super clean Jeep that breaks the rules and bucks convention. Plus Robert is a pretty fun guy. You can have the nicest Jeep in the world, but if you're a dink I'm gonna walk away without shooting a single photo. I like overkill. And while a 304 engine or 475 hp isn't exactly overkill, a huge centrifugal blower, monster boost, and sky-high compression is. I'm on board with living on the edge. Why be normal?-Christian Hazel