Average Day Wheeling
Robert Melton of Amarillo, Texas, wanted to share what an average day of wheeling looks like in his '80 CJ-7. Pitbull Rockers in a 35x14.50 flavor wrapped around 15x10 steel rims under a 6-inch Skyjacker lift coupled to a 1 1/2-inch shackle lift provide the clearance. An AMC 304ci V-8 with an Atlas II torture the Dana 30 front with 4340 shafts and the rear AMC 20 with one-piece Moser axleshafts. A pair of ARBs with 4.56 gears front and rear finish off the axles while a Warn Powerplant winch and a custom roll cage finish off the recovery and safety of the Jeep.
Gittin' It!
After seeing this picture, we thought that this Monticello, Kentucky, resident had swapped a V-8 into his Jeep for sure. As it turns out, Byron Koontz didn't swap a V-8 into his '97 TJ, just a Centerforce II clutch. The stock inline-six remains coupled to the AX-15 and NP231, with the NP231 getting a slip yoke eliminator. The high-pinion front Dana 30 has 3.55 gears and an ECTED locker, while the rear Dana 35 was pitched in the trash bin for a Ford 9-inch rear with an open carrier, matching gears and disc brakes. A set of 3-inch-lift Rusty's coils and some body trimming clear 35x12.50R15 Mud Kings on 15x10 black steel rims.
Sunset Honcho
Janie Little of Prosper, Texas, sent in this picture of her '79 J10 Honcho. It is no secret we like FSJs, and the Honcho has a special place in our hearts. On the one hand, we'd love to own a clean example like this one with its 360ci V-8, TH400 transmission and Borg-Warner transfer case with part-time conversion. On the other hand, as soon as we put on the 4-inch Hell Creek suspension kit and bolted on the 33x12.50R15 BFG Mud Terrain tires we know we'd mangle the swapped-in '65 bed or that clean brown paint with reproduction Honcho stickers.
Air David
Some water crossings require throttle to get out of, and David Brogger sure seems to be friendly with the skinny pedal. You could argue that it is because he hails from Schroeder, Texas, and everyone knows that Texans just do things big. As for the '97 TJ, nothing broke, with the Rancho RS5000s, 4-inch Pro Comp lift and 33x12.50R15 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws taking the landing in stride. The bumpers are custom Black Diamond Fabrication units, the stock 4.0L drivetrain still handles power duties, and the flares were trimmed for extra clearance with a box cutter.
Frenchie
Remi Del Medico wrote in and apologized for his bad English, but at least we were able to get the gist of what he had to say. He is from France, and owns not only this YJ Wrangler, but a '45 Willys as well. The massive Mickey Thompson Baja Claws are actually 38x15.50-15s. Elevation to clear those monster tires comes from a spring-over conversion on a 4-inch lift spring. The front axle is a Dana 44 and the rear is a Ford 8.8, both with ARB Air Lockers and aftermarket axle shafts. A Hanson front bumper holds a Warn 9.5ti winch, while Teraflex Alumaflex drag link and tie rod keep the tires pointing in the right direction.
Advermercial
We can't decide if this '01 TJ looks like it fell out of a Warn ad, or a Jeep commercial. When Johnny Mayberry of Caldwell, Idaho, caught the moment, we bet he didn't think it was the kind of shot that could be used in advertising. The 4.0L, three-speed auto, and NP231 all are still providing locomotion and putting power to the untouched front Dana 30 and rear Dana 35. A 1 1/4-inch JKS budget lift provides elevation to clear a set of 31x10.5R15 BFG Mud Terrains while a JKS motor mount lift keeps the rear driveshaft happy on the road. On-board-air, A to Z fabrication rocker guards, and a Warn M8000 winch round out the package.
Homebrewed
This '00 XJ was lifted with a homebrew lift. That is, a 3 1/2-inch lift installed at home in three-hours with two six-packs and two buddies. Jason Hewitt built it for Alicia Hewitt from Eastern Tennesee who tells us it is still her daily driver, but it came off the road long enough to put a high-pinion Dana 30 under it while the 29-spline 8.25 still resides out back. A set of 31x10.5R15 Bighorn MTs mounted on the stock rims handle the muck-slinging duties. The front bumper is a Roxolis winch bumper, with winch to come.
Grand Brazilian
We aren't talking about some goofy haircut, but rather a '93 ZJ sent to us by Julio Lopes Lima Filho of Calangos do Cerrado, Brasilia, Brazil. The custom-made hood vents might be the first thing you notice but that's not all that is custom; the 4 1/2-inch lift was assembled with a mlange of parts from Skyjacker, Pro Comp, JKS, and Rubicon Express. Trimmed wheelwells provide the clearance needed for the 33x12.50 mud tires mounted on steel rims with 4.56 gears stuffed in the otherwise stock axles to help turn the tires and keep the speed down off-road.
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