1998 Jeep Wrangler Desert Race Car - Team ATK's Race Ready Wrangler

15x8-inch American Racing Outlaw II wheels are wrapped with 35x12.50R15 BFGoodrich Baja T/A tires. This tire and wheel package has performed exceptionally well for multiple Jeepspeed Challenge competitors and has also helped Jon attain quite a few victories. The Currie F450 unit bearing hub on the front Currie Track 9 axle is also in view.

A heavy-duty push bar/brush guard is in place up front to ward off damage from rocks and obstacles and also to nudge slower traffic out of the way. KC HiLites HID lights are used up front and on the windshield for night races.

A Howe hydraulic-assist steering system with quick steer is installed to help control the 35-inch BFGs at high speed. The Howe power steering reservoir is mounted to the drivers side firewall.

A custom PWR radiator spans the width of the Jeep grille and provides ample cooling to the ATK 4.7L Stroker engine. A PWR trans cooler and Derale engine oil cooler are also in place. The detailed engine cage protects the engine and components and also provides a mounting area for the King shock reservoirs.

The ATK mill is mated to a 727 transmission and a NV249 AWD transfer case. The engine is operated using an AEM engine management system that was installed by Pat Smith, who also completed the remaining vehicle wiring and plumbing. Pat and Skyler Gambrell are the main mechanics on the race Jeep. After all was installed, AEM engine tuner Mitch Peterson made a house call to Jon's place and dialed in the AEM system.

A Harmon 44 Gallon Fuel Cell is located between the rear frame rails and is fed using a dual Bosch fuel pump setup. Dual Optima batteries are also mounted at the rear of the Jeep. Two full-size spare tires are also stowed at the rear of the Jeep along with a quick access floor jack for race time tire changes.

Notable interior components include a SPARCO steering wheel with disconnect, an Autometer gauge cluster, and Beard seats with Crow Safety harnesses. Also note the CNC brake master cylinders mounted under the dash. The roll cage is constructed from 1 3/4 -inch, .120-wall 4130 tubing.

A Lowrance GPS navigation system is within easy reach/view of the co-driver seat. Next to it are two AEM digital LCD/LED serial data stream (19 in 1) gauges that operate off the ECU. The gauges are set up to display air/fuel ratio on their LEDs under normal operating conditions, and will also flash a warning signal to the co-driver during both low and high coolant temperature situations (read: shut it down before it blows).

An Advanced Air Cleaner System is mounted behind the firewall on the passenger side where it can draw cooler and cleaner air to feed the ATK 4.7L Stroker engine. Dirt Bagz are stored securely and contain tools and parts for quick fixes.

Front suspension duties are handled by a combination of King 2.5-inch coilover and 3-inch, 3 tube bypass shocks. King 2-inch bump stops are also employed (the rear uses 2.5-inch bumps). Custom Currie Tie rods are also used and Currie anti rock sway bars are in place front and rear.

Full traction suspension links mounted at custom pivot points help the Wrangler obtain its plush ride. The rear links also feature mounting adjustability so anti-squat characteristics can be adjusted to suit the terrain.

The rear Currie Track 9 axle assembly is as stout as ever with 35-spline axle shafts 5.14 gears, and a spool differential. Also note the tight-tolerance of the 4-link suspension geometry. Jon designed the Jeep so it would sit as low as possible, which meant taking extra care to ensure that all of the suspension components could cycle without obstruction.

Taking more abuse than any other vehicle component the front Currie Track 9 axle is well-trussed to sustain hits with out damage. Front and rear racing CV driveshafts were built by J.E. Reel Drivelines.

The NP249 AWD transfer case was built by Anaheim Gear and a Mopar 727 automatic trans was modified by Mogi Transmissions in Riverside, California. The T-case and trans mounts are solidly built and a T-case and driveline cage makes sure that these components remain unscathed by obstacles.