Kentucky Long Rifle
Why are we calling Jeff Kuehl's CJ the Long Rifle? `Cause last time we saw it on the trail it went bang. While screwing around on the Double Whammy obstacle on the Golden Spike trail, Jeff grenaded the Detroit Locker and a few ring gear teeth in his high pinion Ford rear centersection. But as you'd expect, he had it all put back together for a wheeling trip the very next day. Jeff's Jeep represents a nice mix of moderate components that don't break the bank, yet can generally withstand the rigors of hard-core wheeling in anything from Tellico slick snot to Moab slickrock. It's a combination you could duplicate at home with a little know how and not a lot of coin. Just let off the throttle a little earlier than our pal Jeff if you get your clone a hoppin'.
Hard Facts
Model: Jeep CJ-7
Year: 1985
Build time: 3 years
Owner: Jeff Kuehl
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Engine: Rebuilt Factory 258 six-cylinder
Aspiration: Howell TBI injection
Transmission: Stock T-176 four-speed
Transfer case: Stock Dana 300, twin stick
Front axle/diff: '77 Chevy Dana 44 narrowed to 64 inches, ARB Air Locker
Rear axle/diff : Moser 9-inch with Currie high-pinion centersection, Detroit Locker
Ring-and-pinion ratio: 4.88:1
Front suspension: Factory springs, spring over axle
Rear suspension: Double triangulated four-link with quarter-elliptic leaf springs
Wheels: 17x9 Allied beadlocks
Tires: 37x12.50R17 BFG Krawler
Other cool stuff: 14-inch travel Fox racing shocks, custom dash with Lowrance GPS, cutting brakes, recessed front main eyes into frame, custom shackle mounts, Moser rear axle brace
Our favorite mod: Howell TBI
Field Find
You hear the term "barn find" and "rat rod" bandied about so frequently that the mere mention of either phrase makes the true gear junkie want to barf. Hearing the term is one thing, but seeing a nicely executed example in the flesh is something very different. Hazel literally chased Jay Eller down on the street Hollywood-style to get the feature on his cool rat-built '46. What's the dealio? Well, aside from being a very competent machinist and fabricator, Jay is also a shrewd trader and purchased the CJ tub as part of a batch of Jeep parts which included a few other bodies, frames, and enough mixed components to make a couple such rigs. Jay's friends race Pintos, so a leftover Pinto engine made its way into Jay's life before getting mated to a T-90 and Spicer T-case. The drivetrain was slung on a good CJ-3A frame, hung atop some narrowed Waggy axles, and the field-fresh body was plunked on top. A nice cage protects Jay's skull and holds the body to the frame, but the gauges, paint, and anything else that matters is all neglect and patina. We're in love.
Hard Facts
Model: Willys CJ-2A
Year: 1946
Build time: A couple months
Owner: Jay Eller
Hometown: Tonganoxie, Kansas
Engine: 2.3L Pinto four-cylinder
Aspiration: Stock Pinto carb
Transmission: T-90 three-speed
Transfer case: Spicer 18 with 1-inch intermediate shaft
Front axle/diff: '78 Wagoneer Dana 44 narrowed 3 inches on the long side tube, Lock-Rite Locker
Rear axle/diff: '78 Wagoneer Dana 44 narrowed 3 inches on the long side tube
Ring-and-pinion ratio: 4.11:1
Front suspension: Black Diamond 3-inch spring lift
Rear suspension: Black Diamond 3-inch spring lift
Wheels: Wagoneer 15x6 steel
Tires: Mismatched 235/75R15 freebies
Other cool stuff: Genuine 63-year-old patina, broken speedo gauge glass, extremely low cost to build, starter moved to driver-side with custom bellhousing cut and weld job, new wiring and other stuff to make it safe and reliable
Our favorite mod: Resisting the urge to sand and paint