My latest project:something different

[aosborn]

Hello,
I have been building cars for a lot of years for customers. Mostly high end hot rods that though fun to drive, have never really done it for me. I wanted something that I didn't have to worry about if it got a little dirty or dinged up and was an absolute blast to drive. After many years of planning this is what I put together.

It is a 1997 Jeep Wrangler with all 1988 Corvette C4 suspension. The front suspension is mostly stock but with QA1 coilovers. The rear suspension had to be modified a bit to fit around the Jeep fuel tank, but it came out very well. It has 9.5" x 17" front wheels and 11" x 17" rear with Kumho Ecsta XS tires. The frame is X braced for torsional stiffness. I had a friend build me a custom transmission so as to eliminate the transfer case. I have cut as much weight out as possible. It is 600+lbs lighter than when it rolled in. It still has the Jeep 2.5 litre engine, mainly due to the near perfect 50/50 weight distribution it now has. I'm thinking turbo next...

I have had the car at a local track day, and it was plagued with massive oversteer. I since have got it pretty well sorted out. It now corners like a go-cart, and with the 12" slotted rotors and Corvette calipers, stops like it hit a wall.

I am going to keep driving it and keep tweaking it. It just keeps getting better and better! To top it all off, I have driven many beautiful and fast cars around, but this Jeep gets more attention than anything I have ever seen! It is a blast to see folks reaction to a "lowered Jeep"!

Andy

[GNon18s]

Kind of cool. I'd rather look at that than another 69 camaro. The only thing I dont get is the 2.5 4cylinder, those motors hardly get out of their own way. I predict a motor swap in your future.

[aosborn]

Kind of cool. I'd rather look at that than another 69 camaro. The only thing I dont get is the 2.5 4cylinder, those motors hardly get out of their own way. I predict a motor swap in your future.

My original intention was to leave the stock engine in place just to be able to focus on getting the suspension installed and see how it drove with the short wheelbase. With that under control, removing weight to improve performance became a goal. It is at the point now where it corners like crazy, is very balanced in weight and handling, and is surprisingly quick. By the end of the day at the local road course, I was running with tricked out Miata's, a BMW M3, and other far more powerful cars. Like I always say, "it ain't what you got, it's what you do with it". Although I'm thinking an all aluminum 6.0 litre and a 6 speed would be fun, but with gas at $4.00 a gallon the 4 banger is looking better and better all the time!

Andy

[wellis77]

I like it! What a great idea. I may have to consider this for a Cherokee that is in my near future.

[Bryce]

Cool ride!

[Six_Shooter]

In for more pics.

I've always wanted to do something like that to a late '80s to early '90s Cherokee.

[sr73bu]

Now that is cool!

-Sean

[SicMonte]

awesome much?

[Supra510]

Nice.

[The Stickman]

Very cool. Does it have the jeep or GM based 2.5?

[aosborn]

Jeep 2.5

[The Stickman]

Jeep 2.5

Darn I know all kinds of cool things to do to the GM 2.5.

[mikeith]

thats awesome!!! PLEASE post more pics! i've always pondered that idea but never woulda tried it myself!

[aosborn]

Thank you all for your comments, and I will post some more photos. But if the sun is shinning I would rather be driving it than stopped taking pictures of it!

Andy

[evostilo]

WoW sick stance on that jeep,

[rrunner68]

That is awesome. I was just talking to a guy yesterday about someone who had done the same thing with an older Grand Charokee and are running in in 24 hours of LeMons, as team "Petty Cash"

[mikeith]

Am I the only one still REALLY anxious to see more pics? Would also love to hear more about the build and what all was involved in making the c4 stuff fit

[aosborn]

Finally posted more photos on the "Project Update" page.

Andy