The 250-horse, stock TPI 350...
The 250-horse, stock TPI 350 V-8 Chevy engine is cooled by a four-core radiator with a 12-inch auxiliary pusher fan. Though the exhaust manifolds are stock, the muffler was replaced with a Borla stainless model. A Hurst shifter controls the 700-R4 transmission, which is hooked to the Dana 300 transfer case. The 160-amp Wrangler alternator keeps the juices flowing to the two Optima red-top batteries.
The CJ's interior boasts 4WD...
The CJ's interior boasts 4WD Hardware bucket seats, a Grant steering wheel, and a Master-Rac console and storage boxes. A host of VDO gauges complements the rest of the custom console. A Panasonic CD and head unit crank out the tunes, and the two front 4-inch and two rear 6x9-inch speakers make sure everyone on the trails knows the Clouses are coming. A Viper alarm and motion detector were also installed. All the stereo and alarm work was done by Kevin Copeland of Audio Specialists.
Up front, the Dana 30 is equipped...
Up front, the Dana 30 is equipped with an ARB Air Locker. Both the front and rear use 4-inch Superlift springs to provide enough flex to steer through any kind of terrain, while Currie greaseable shackles hold it all together onto the frame. Currie also provided the steering brace for the power steering box. The steering linkage was moved to the top of the knuckles for better steering geometry.
A quick glance in the back...
A quick glance in the back reveals a Smittybilt full cage and a rear-mounted transmission cooler with a dedicated 12-inch fan. The auxiliary backup lights includes two KC 4x3 units. Check out the cool air pressure gauge and outlet underneath the rack.
The rear has an AMC Model...
The rear has an AMC Model 20 with 4.10 gears and an ARB Air Locker. The 33x12.50 Goodyear Mud-Terrains turn on aluminum 15x10 Mickey Thompson wheels. Both the front and rear axle assemblies sport Heckethorn 8000 shocks at each corner. Even the gas tank and Hi-Lift jack are powdercoated red, and a D-ring receiver allows for everyday towing needs. A Ready Air engine-driven air compressor supplies pressure to the 5-gallon tank above the axle.
An upset stomach, a cut on the leg, and a twisted ankle may be all-in-a day's-work for physician John Clouse, but away from the office, the only things this Springfield, Missouri, father and his 15-year-old son Jacob play doctor to is their '86 CJ-7. You can bet that after eight-plus years of building up their Jeep, John and Jacob have made quite a few modifications.
John is a member of the Ozarks 4x4 club, and he got a few of his club buddies to help him leave no stone unturned in revising the CJ's driveline, suspension, bodywork, and interior. The hard-working doc and his friend Chuck Summers could be found many a late night performing some assembly. While Chuck delivered the technical advice, John planned the changes and did the homework. When it came time to prep the CJ for a little "surgery," the appropriate specialists were called in, including Joe Savage of Nixa Paint and Prep and Soni Honegger of Recovery Engineering.
The body is all-metal except for the fiberglass half doors and the sport red trim by Quality Trim and Sign on the Jeep's stock cream-colored base. The powdercoated nerf bars, rollbar, and front and rear bumpers give the CJ extra protection as it plows its way through mud and water. When the weather's not so nice, the Bestop soft top keeps passengers dry, and the two KC 6-inch and two Super Offroader 1000 driving lights help illuminate the way.
What started out as a fun project spanned almost a decade. The plan was simple: build a 4x4 worthy of not only its creator but also its legacy as a do-it-all, climb-it-all, go anywhere vehicle. We think this Dr. Frankenstein's monster surely lives up to its legacy.