Behind the diesel, the stock TF727 three-speed automatic was retained since it had such low mileage and was in good condition. Bolted behind the transmission, the CJ-10A originally came with an NP208 T-case with a plate covering the shifter mechanism that locks the transfer case in low range. This 2.61:1 torque multiplication was intended to make up for the low horsepower of the diesel engine, since top speed was not a concern for an aircraft tug. Jerome ditched the 208 for a more traditional gear-driven Dana 300, which uses the same six-bolt, 23-splilne input as the factory NP208.
Body and Interior
The CJ-10 front end is a face only a mother could love, with the blank grille and wide-set headlights. Jerome trimmed the marker lights from below the headlights for a cleaner look and retained the factory green paint. In back he fabricated a trick bed out of a YJ tub to match the 22-inch wheelbase stretch. He cut the tub between the door opening and the rear wheelwell and then closed in the front with sheet metal from a computer server rack. A fold-down CJ tailgate was also added to the rear of the tub in place of the standard swing-open YJ gate. Jerome then laid down green paint to match the front clip before adding a pair of TJ fender flares for additional tire clearance. The factory 20-gallon fuel tank provides a range of nearly 400 miles given the thrifty diesel's 20mpg potential. The fuel tank was relocated to the front of the bed and capped with a TJ fuel filler.
Under the removable hard top and square corner doors of the '10A, Jerome built a four-point rollcage to which he mounted Suzuki X-90 seats. The stock dash was left unmolested with the only addition being a Grant steering wheel utilizing a Grant quick-release system.
Good, Bad, and What It's For
The addition of the turbocharger makes the power from the diesel engine good, but not great. Again, Jerome is lucky if he's getting 110hp out of the teeny inline-six. He plans on adding an NP203 range box in front of the Dana 300 in the near future to provide greater gear reduction on the trail. The stretched wheelbase of the tug Jeep will easily accommodate the added drivetrain length and also works quite well on the vertical climbs found on many New Mexico trails. With the welded front differential, hydraulic assist is also high on Jerome's wish list.
Why I Shot This Feature
Jerome managed to take what is admittedly an ugly Jeep and turn it into a capable wheeler that turns heads. That is, turns heads for the right reasons. He also managed to do so on a very reasonable budget, particularly when you compare the end result to a Scrambler, imported J8, or an AEV Brute conversion.
-Harry Wagner
Hard Facts
Vehicle: '85 CJ-10A
Engine: Nissan 3.3L SD33 diesel
Transmission: TF727 three-speed automatic
Transfer Case: Dana 300
Suspension: Spring-over w/ leaf springs
Axles: Dana 60 (front), Dana 70 (rear)
Wheels: 12-bolt Hummer beadlocks
Tires: 37x12.50R16.5 Goodyear Hummer Military
Built For: Being different
Estimated Cost: $6,000