You may remember Currie Enterprises' Helldorado TJ Wrangler package. The Helldorado TJ was built using parts that complemented each other and made a balanced Jeep that worked well everywhere. With the advent of the JK Wrangler, Currie Enterprises teamed with Kevin Hawkins to start work on a new Helldorado package. Kevin worked his magic on his own JK to make it worthy of the Helldorado heritage - a Wrangler that works as well on the freeway as it does on the trail. Not every detail you see here will be available in the production Helldorado package, but most of it will be.
Kevin started with a 2007 JK Wrangler Sahara because he knew he was going to be swapping out axles and other parts that came on the Rubicon, so why pay the extra $$$? The front 30 and rear 44 were swapped for Currie RockJock III high-pinion 60 front and rear ends with reverse cut 5.13 gears and Detroit Lockers in both. The stock T-case made way for a 2-speed Atlas with 3.8:1 low range and Tom Wood's Custom Driveshafts built the front and rear CV driveshafts. A PSC hydraulic ram-assist steering system makes steering in the rocks easy. Currie's heavy duty one-ton steering system ensures the beefy tie rod and drag link won't bend when stressed.
Currie Enterprises introduced their 4.5-inch JK suspension system just as the Helldorado build started. The suspension features progressive coils at all four corners, control arms with genuine Currie Johnny Joints at all ends, adjustable front and rear track bars, and AntiRock sway bars front and rear. Walker Evans adjustable reservoir shocks keep oscillations under control. Rear shock mounts were modified as you can see in the photo.
Many JK front bumpers are pretty big, so Kevin fabricated his own minimalist tube bumper that holds his Warn 6,000-pound winch and KC fog lights. He beefed up OE JK Rubicon rocker guards to protect the sides. In back, the Hanson Off-Road bumper allows good departure clearance and protection. Kevin designed and built a tailgate-mounted spare tire carrier with integrated third brake light.
We spent a lot of time in the Helldorado during this photo shoot. It works great on the highway and even better in the dirt and rocks. Moab's Pritchett Canyon is a lot rougher now than it's ever been. We made short work of Pritchett in the Helldorado JK, then ran Behind the Rocks backwards (doing every obstacle) and were out to the highway in time to run Hell's Revenge before dark. This is an excellent JK that makes no excuses and works very well everywhere, a fitting inheritor of the Helldorado moniker.