Jim Jack: Rubicon-Tested Flatty

The Willys started out stock with a four cylinder in it and a three speed on a stock frame. Just after it was assembled, I realized that there was no way I would be able to do the stuff I wanted to do in a stocker.

Then came the next major step; a new frame. We started with a Commando/Jeepster frame and cut it down almost 2 feet. We then mounted the old flatty on it and things started to look good. Now I thought I needed way more power so an even-fire Buick 231 V6 was dropped in with a Turbro 400 transmission and a model 20 transfer case. I was well on my way now. Some late model Dana 30 and 44 axles were put under it to give the Willys some width.

After one trip on a couple of little trails by my house I discovered I hated the motor, the automatic Trans was not built right, and I needed better tires. Now I was on a major mission. I needed lots of power and lots of tire. I dumped the motor, transmission , and transfer case, and plated the frame with 1/8 plate steel inside and out and strapped the top for added strength. Most of the nice welding was don by Bob Roggy.

Now came the 1996 LT-1 350 TPI with custom goodies to push just over 400hp and behind that I put an SM420 and a 300 Transfer case. Since it was torn down already, I put Wrangler springs on it and did a Spring Over Axle (SOA) on it.

I found out that I cut the frame too short, so after figuring how to extend the frame and some more of Bob's killer welding, my frame and springs were done. My friend, Jason Pebley helped with proper placement of the spring pads for the spring over.

I dropped the motor, transmission, and transfer case in and it all fit. YEEEHAA! Got the jeep running and it was almost too much power, but you can never have too much.

I bolted on the Boggers and Alcoa rims and wheeled it for a year like that. I noticed my Dana 30 was not very happy with my 35x16x15 Boggers and 12 inch wide wheels. Yes, 12s are too wide but I got the Alcoa's for $200.00. The guy did not know what Alcoas were worth! So, back to Bob's. On went the full width Dana 44's and lockers. My Jeep is doing well and has gone everywhere on the Rubicon and performs perfectly.

Find out more about Jim's Flatty here!