As one of the owners of Currie Enterprises, John Currie keeps up with the times when it comes to his off-road vehicles. You've read about his JK Wranglers here. As John likes to 'wheel in Johnson Valley and Hurricane, Utah, with some of the very biggest dogs, he wanted something that was simple, capable, powerful, repairable, and cosmetically appealing.
Currie Enterprises is one of the sponsors of Campbell Enterprises of Chandler, Arizona, so Shannon Campbell was the go-to person for John's buggy chassis and other parts. Campbell Enterprises builds some of the finest buggies in the dirt. You might remember the feature we ran on Walker Evans' latest buggy built by Shannon, Nick, and the rest of the Campbell crew. John wanted a similar chassis to Walker's, with custom changes that made the buggy his own.
The GM LQ9 6.0L V-8 fits nicely...
The GM LQ9 6.0L V-8 fits nicely in the Campbell chassis. About all you can see from this angle is the Uni air filter and Howe Racing power steering reservoir. The LQ9 uses a GM PCM and LS2 oil pan to keep the pan out of harm’s way.
Shannon built a 112-inch wheelbase, front engine chassis that would hold the GM LQ9 6.0L V-8 and 4L65E automatic that John had procured. Once the chassis was built, it, along with the Campbell fiberglass hood and cowl that were 6.5 inches narrower than a stock TJ was shipped to Currie Enterprises so John could put it all together.
John's Buggy works. I was riding and guiding John during the photo shoot. At one point, I told him to swing wide so we could line up to descend a steep rock drop-off where others had rolled. John just went over the lip diagonally. I gritted my teeth and held on, but was surprised as the buggy descended the drop off and sidehill easily without lifting a tire! Oh – about that Table of Contents photo…No, John's Buggy isn't powered by steam. John had finally found a climb that put the buggy on its side. After righting it, it smoked for a minute. Check out the photos for all the details of this fine machine.
The buggy is kept cool by...
The buggy is kept cool by a Ron Davis aluminum radiator with dual fans and a California Performance Transmission tranny cooler.
| Specifications |
| Vehicle: |
2010 Campbell Enterprises front engine buggy |
| Owner/Hometown: |
John Currie/Anaheim, California |
| Engine: |
GM LQ9 6.0L V-8 |
| Induction: |
MPFI |
| Transmission: |
GM 4L65E automatic built by Art Carr |
| Transfer case/low range ratio: |
Advance Adapters Atlas/3.8:1 |
| Front end: |
Currie Enterprises RockJock 60 |
| Rear end: |
Currie Enterprises RockJock 60 |
| Ring and Pinion: |
Ford Super 60 10-inch 5.38:1 |
| Front Differential: |
Eaton Detroit Locker |
| Rear Differential: |
ARB Air Locker |
| Suspension: |
Custom three link with 14-inch-travel Walker Evans Racing coilovers |
| Tires: |
40x14.50R17 BFG Krawlers and 39x13.50R17LT BFG Red Label Krawlers |
| Wheels/Backspacing: |
17x8.5 Walker Evans Racing beadlocks/6.25 inches |
A trussed RockJock 60 frontend...
A trussed RockJock 60 frontend was built and features 3.25-inch tubes, 35-spline, gun drilled 300M axle shafts, an Eaton Detroit Locker, and 5.38 Ford Super 60 10-inch gears. Howe Performance supplied the hydraulic ram steering with trophy truck pump. Currie Enterprises built the 7570 aluminum tie rods.
HDPE and aluminum skidplates...
HDPE and aluminum skidplates are light, strong, and help the buggy to slide over obstacles.
The Optima Red Top sealed...
The Optima Red Top sealed battery is mounted midship beside the Advance Adapters Atlas transfer case with 3.8:1 low range. The Atlas is installed behind a GM 4L65E automatic overdrive transmission built by California Performance Transmission (Art Carr).
Aluminum Currie knuckles are...
Aluminum Currie knuckles are light and strong. CTM 1480 U-joints, 13-inch rotors with Wilwood calipers, and Currie drive flanges complete the package up front.
The three-link (plus panhard...
The three-link (plus panhard rod) front suspension features 14-inch travel Walker Evans Racing 2.5 coilovers with custom valving, 7075 aluminum arms with 2.5-inch Johnny Joints on the lowers, and new 2-inch HP Johnny Joints on the panhard rod.
MasterCraft seats and harnesses...
MasterCraft seats and harnesses keep occupants safely secured when things get dicey in the buggy.
Walker Evans Racing 2.5 14-inch-travel...
Walker Evans Racing 2.5 14-inch-travel coilovers are in back, too. A Currie Antirock swaybar keeps the buggy controlled, especially on sidehills such as those mentioned before. The rear panhard rod features new Currie HP Johnny Joints as well.
The three rear 7075 aluminum...
The three rear 7075 aluminum control arms can take real abuse and feature 2.5-inch Johnny Joints.
While the RockJock 60 has...
While the RockJock 60 has a very strong housing, John added a truss for even more strength. The unit bearing full-float rearend has 3.25-inch tubes, 35-spline gun drilled 300M axle shafts, an ARB Air Locker, and Ford Super 60 10-inch 5.38 gears. The 13-inch solid rotors and Wilwood calipers handle rear braking chores. David Castillo from Currie Enterprises built the custom exhaust system. CNC steering brakes help the buggy to maneuver in tight situations.
Warn’s 9.0Rc rockcrawling...
Warn’s 9.0Rc rockcrawling competition winch is lightweight, strong, and is recessed into the narrowed front grille.
Campbell Enterprises built...
Campbell Enterprises built the interior to be clean and simple. John installed Auto Meter gauges, Atlas T-case dual shifters, and a California Performance Transmission 4L65E shifter. The Painless Wiring switch panel is very nice.
The Campbell cage is an integral...
The Campbell cage is an integral part of the chassis and is strong, simple, and clean.
John’s Buggy has great range...
John’s Buggy has great range because of its Campbell 21-gallon aluminum gas tank. A tool bag from Dirt Bags carries necessary items for the trail.
The 17x8.5 Walker Evans Racing...
The 17x8.5 Walker Evans Racing beadlock wheels with short course thick beadlock rings have either 40x14.50R17 BFGoodrich Blue Label Krawlers or 39x13.50R17LT BFGoodrich Red Label sticky Krawlers mounted on them, depending on the terrain being traversed.
An ice chest fits in the ...
An ice chest fits in the back.
The Campbell chassis, hood,...
The Campbell chassis, hood, and cowl are 6.5 inches narrower than a stock TJ Wrangler. Aluminum body panels are easily removable for repair or replacement.