Sometimes the best projects are leftovers from someone else's work, whether it be their old trail rig, failed attempt at building a 4x4, or collection of parts they never quite got assembled. Billy Sheperd purchased this Jeep a few years back after a friend of his built it as a competition rockcrawler.
Buying a used race vehicle of any type is a gamble. It will likely have some good parts installed, but it may also have seen some aggressive driving in its time on course. Lucky for Billy this Jeep still had plenty of life left in it. It has become the perfect trail rig. It's made of tough simple parts, was built safe for surviving multiple rollovers, and it still has enough room for coolers and tools. In fact, Billy recently entered it in a local rockcrawl comp and cleaned house against some much bigger high-dollar machines, proving once again that there's more to wheeling than the price of your parts.
Tech Specs
1980 Jeep CJ5
Drivetrain
Engine: '98 Cherokee 4.0L I-6
Transmission: AW4 automatic
Transfer case: Dana 300
Front Axle: Dana 44 with Dana 60 knuckles, Aussie Locker, 4.88 gears
Rear Axle: Trussed Dana 44, welded spool, 4.88 gears
Suspension
Front: Spring-under
Rear: Three-link with Panhard and coil springs
Steering: Crossover
Other Stuff: 1 3/4-inch rollcage, Lexan windshield