The Jeep was moth-balled while Superlift moved into a larger facility and purchased the Black Diamond suspension line from Warn. In 2005, Bret decided to dust off Woods Ready and use it as a research platform for the Black Diamond X2 kit. This recently released 7-inch Wrangler kit is the follow-up to the ground-breaking Warn-designed XCL four-coilover system. Superlift also produced the Off-Road Adventures cable TV show at the time, so the transformation translated into some exciting episodes.
Knowledge gleaned from the school of hard rocks dictated even more updates. First, wider-track Dynatrac Pro Rock 60s were swapped in. These high-pinion Dana 60s feature disc brakes, Warn hubs, 5.13 gears, and Detroit Lockers. Dynatrac set up the axles for the Black Diamond X2 kit for TJ coil brackets in the front and SOA leaf pads in the rear. The X2's trick Torque Fork traction bar connects to the top and bottom of the rear 60 and to the kit's bellypan with dual shackles to cancel out wheelhop without sacrificing articulation.
Also, Dynatrac offset the pumpkins to the driver side in OE fashion. This required a new Atlas case, into which the guts were transferred from the previous passenger-side-offset Atlas. J.E. Reel driveshafts span the gaps between Atlas and 60s, compensating for the 7-inch X2 lift in the process. Dynatrac also set up the front Pro Rock 60 for its high-steer system. Bret added AGR ram-assist to help maneuver big tires in tight spaces. Harold Oft's Off-Again Navajo master/booster was plumbed into the brake system.
 Power comes from a Goodwrench...  Power comes from a Goodwrench 350hp Ram Jet 350 crate engine with Proform valve covers and a K&N air filter mounted on a custom intake tract. An aluminum Be Cool radiator keeps the engine from overheating in low-airflow conditions. Accessories include dual Optima batteries, a Ready Air system that uses an AC compressor, and an Off-Again Navajo master-cylinder/booster. |  Hose-her-down is the interior...  Hose-her-down is the interior theme. Superlift's R&D department made a custom fiberglass dash to house the Auto Meter gauges and K-Four indicator lights and switches. Also visible are the Atlas twin-sticks, Cheetah shifter, MasterCraft seats, Grant steering wheel, Tuffy console, and custom dirt-bike O.S. bar mounted to the Poison Spyder cage. |  Woods Ready competed in the...  Woods Ready competed in the Warn Rockcrawling Challenges throughout 2002. Its SOA conversion with 1.5-inch-lift Superlift springs made room for 38.5-inch Super Swampers. (Photo by Trent McGee) |
While the Atlas was out, a Bowtie Overdrives 700R4 was added. This eliminated the NV4500's long throws and added compression-braking. It was completed with Bowtie lines and dipstick, a Cheetah shifter, and a B&M cooler.
The Superlift crew also decided that the YJ needed to go on a diet. An aluminum Be Cool radiator shaved some weight. Also, the crack Superlift R&D squad made a custom fiberglass dash to house the Auto Meter gauges and K-Four switches. A big weight-saver was removing the "Armageddon" rollcage in favor of a Poison Spyder weld-in kit, which ties into Poison Spyder Helldorado rocker-knockers. In all, about 500 pounds were dropped during in the TV transformation.
This fourth rebirth of Woods Ready successfully completed Ultimate Adventure 2006. The street/trail event covered nearly 1,000 untrailered miles from Louisiana to Idaho and back. The only mechanical problem was transmission bellhousing bolts that backed themselves out.
Bret and Woods Ready 'wheel regularly at the world-class Superlift ORV Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Moab, and other destinations. The Jeep is set up so well that it's basically point-and-shoot; Bret routinely tosses the keys to co-workers, clients, and hunting buddies to let them experience one of the country's top street/trail YJs first-hand.
But this company-car approach has one drawback. "Jamie Morgenthall at Jamie's Body Shop (Downsville, Louisiana] keeps a supply of olive drab paint on hand for the annual rock-rash de-scabbing," Bret says.