Hound Dog, a 1982 CJ-5, has lived quite a life. Purchased used by Craig Ross of Montrose, Colorado, it was modified to work on the toughest trails as well as look great. 4WD&SU Magazine did a feature on Craig's Hound Dog in the mid 1990s. Time marches on and Craig started Rockworx, the now-famous shop that builds everything from basic trail rigs to custom buggies. He sold Hound Dog to Nibley, Utah, resident Dave Poulsen, owner of Poulsen Trailer Sales. After driving the Jeep for a few years, Dave wanted some updates made.
What better person to modify Hound Dog than its original owner and his shop? Dave took the CJ-5 to Rockworx and asked them to go to work. They did. What they came up with is a 4x4 that can tackle the toughest trails, yet still looks a bit like the 1982 CJ-5 it started as. The modifications work very well and Hound Dog is an impressive piece of equipment. Hound Dog is once again playing with the big dogs, not sleeping on the porch.
We'll take you on a tour…
A Chevrolet Vortec 350 is...
A Chevrolet Vortec 350 is mated to a strong, short Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. A K&N air filter and headers keep the V-8 breathing easy. The Painless Performance wiring harness made wiring Hound Dog easy and…painless. Rockworx had the underhood shock bridge act as the upper radiator mount reinforcement. The Premier Power Welder high output alternator powers an on-board welder.
The big Spal fan and aluminum...
The big Spal fan and aluminum radiator keep the V-8 cool.
Rockworx fabricated the clean...
Rockworx fabricated the clean aluminum battery box. It holds a small sealed battery.
You can see how the Rockworx...
You can see how the Rockworx long arms attach to the frame, which was fabricated by Rockworx. The crossmember doesn't hang down and is relatively flat.
So Hound Dog can steer anywhere,...
So Hound Dog can steer anywhere, anytime, a PSC full hydraulic, double-end steering cylinder system was installed.
Rockworx triangulated the...
Rockworx triangulated the upper front control arms, eliminating the track bar. If clearance to do this can be found, it's by far the best link suspension design. The Dynatrac Dana 60 frontend has 5.13 gears and an Eaton Performance Detroit Locker.
The 3.8:1 gearing in the Atlas...
The 3.8:1 gearing in the Atlas transfer case is the perfect low range gearing for Hound Dog.
Hound Dog's aluminum body...
Hound Dog's aluminum body was built by Aqualu to Rockworx specifications. Note the clean frame and the way the rear control arms are mounted on the side of the frame, up out of the way.
The rear upper arms are triangulated...
The rear upper arms are triangulated just like the front, so no track bar is needed in back, either. TJ coil springs and Fox Shox were used in back. Rockworx work is clean and simple.
Hound Dog originally had a...
Hound Dog originally had a Ramsey winch, until the cable wedged between the drum and housing, cracking the housing. A change had to be made. Small, light, but with plenty of power, the Warn 9.0Rc winch is perfect in this application and has been trouble-free.
Auto Meter gauges are mounted...
Auto Meter gauges are mounted in the simple aluminum Aqualu dash.
A fuel cell is mounted safely...
A fuel cell is mounted safely in the back, leaving room for Dave's Power Tank and other gear.