'93 Wrangler

The original leaf spring suspension on Mike’s YJ was torched out and replaced with a Black Diamond 6-inch coil conversion kit. The links are attached to a full-width ’79 Wagoneer Dana 44 front axle filled with an ARB Air Locker and 4.56 gears. The original Dana 35 rear axle was tossed and replaced with a Dana 44 from the rear of a ’79 Scout. It also sports an Air Locker and 4.56 gears but the shafts have been upgraded to Moser pieces. A 3.8 Atlas II sits where the NP231 was and a heavy-duty rear CV shaft keeps driveline vibes to a minimum. Mike’s YJ originally had a five-speed manual tranny, but since Mike is retired and felt that shifting gears was a form of labor he decided to swap in a 904 three-speed automatic.

The 4.0L six was retained and left stock with the exception of a SuperTrapp muffler. The ARB pump under the hood also inflates tires. An AGR power steering pump and box replaced the original pieces but Mike has plans for a Howe ram-assist. It’s our guess that Mike thinks steering is hard work, too.

The factory red body has been graced with a dent or two and is lifted 3 inches off of the frame thanks to a Performance Accessories body lift. It’s protected by heavy-duty rocker guards and thick homemade bumpers front and rear. Out back a fullsize spare and Hi-Lift jack hang off of a rack that is mounted to the bumper with a trailer spindle and bearings. A Warn winch can be found up front. Mike added tubing to the original rollbar and incorporated the windshield retainer plates. The interior is almost all original with the exception of a CD player and a steering column from a ’93 Wrangler with an automatic for its column-shifting capabilities.

The wheels are American Racing 15x10s with custom aluminum bead locks. They are wrapped with 36x12.50x15 Super Swamper TSL SX tires that have been siped to help grab rocks and wrap around uneven and wet surfaces.