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| The stock turn signals were removed from the fenders when the tube fenders were added. The turn signals were then shaved to fit behind the cutouts in the Warn front bumper. |
If you could own your dream Jeep, what would it look like? Would it have a big V8 engine? Heaps of articulation? Dana 60 axles? A beautiful paint job? Nate Jensen has all of that and more in his 2005 Wrangler Unlimited. His vehicle started life at the top of the Jeep line as a Rubicon Unlimited. When purchased in 2004, 4.88 gears were the lowest available for the stock axles. Since he wanted lower gears to compensate for the 37" tall tires, Jensen made the only rational choice and yanked out the Dana 44s for Dynatrac Pro Rock Dana 60s with 5.38 gears. Both axles use 35 spline shafts and disc brakes with a 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern. The rear axle is fitted with a Detroit Locker and the front uses an ARB Air Locker for easier turning on the trail.
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| The stock gauge cluster was removed when the engine swap was performed and replaced with Autometer Phantom gauges. |
Even with the ARB locked, steering is not a problem since the addition of a PSC hydraulic assist kit. The ram works in conjunction with a Dynatrac steering kit that includes a 1-1/4" .325 wall drag link and tie rod, as well as an adjustable track bar. The upgraded track bar was necessary to account for the Rubicon Express long arm suspension with 5-1/2" lift coils, Rancho RS 9000 shocks, and a custom rear triangulated four link. The rear is very similar to the Rubicon Express Tri Link, but was designed and installed before that kit was available. The suspension makes way for 17x9 OMF scalloped beadlock rims shod with 37x12.5R17 BFGoodrich Krawler KXs.
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| The engine is an all aluminum LS1 Chevy V8 and makes more horsepower and is lighter than the coveted Hemi engine that many Jeep owners lust after. Although the conversion is more complicated than using a Mopar engine, it is no more expensive due to the popularity of the Gen III Chevy motors. |
When driving down the streets of Reno, the sticky Krawlers are swapped out for 37x13.5R17 Nitto Mud Grapplers wrapped around 17x10 Weld Cheyenne 5 rims.
The new axles provided enough gear reduction on the trail, but the extra weight of the big axles and 37s was too much for the 4.0L. So out came the rest of the drivetrain, and replaced with an all aluminum LS1 engine backed by a 4L60E four speed automatic and Atlas II transfer case with a 4.3:1 low range and 32 spline outputs front and rear. The Rubicon drivetrain was sold to offset some of the cost but clearly this is not a low budget swap.
The power and strength are greatly improved though, and the V8 actually weighs significantly less than the I6.
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| The Rock Hard rear bumper holds a full size spare tire and features a 2" receiver hitch. Jensen runs 37" Nitto Mud Grapplers on Weld Cheyenne 5 rims for the street, saving the Krawlers for the trail. |
A host of PSC parts are found on the Unlimited, including their tube fenders, Ricochet Rockers, Crusher Corners, and interior cage. Once the body was thoroughly protected the tub was bathed in new paint. The interior uses Mastercraft seats, a Pioneer head unit with integrated DVD player, and a custom modified shifter from an H2.
The end product moves in a hurry when Jensen stomps on the noisemaker, and he knows that the rest of the drivetrain can stand up to the abuse. It is like the Jeep that many of us have in our driveway, but this is the Six Million Dollar Man version.
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| Rolling stock consists of 17x9 OMF scalloped beadlock rims wrapped in 37x12.5R17 BFG Krawler KXs. |
