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2007 Jeep Wrangler JK X Model Buildup - Straight To RidiculousThe Do-It-All, Rockcrawling, Desert-Racing, 4x4 Machine From the November, 2009 issue of 4 Wheel Drive By Christian Lee Photography by Christian Lee
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George Kane of Long Beach,... George Kane of Long Beach, California, took his 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK X model on a wild ride from 2WD stocker to 4WD beast. The "Straight to Ridiculous" JK features a Chevy LS2 crate engine, Dana 60 axles, rear steering, coil-over suspension, and all of the extras typical of a built-to-the-hilt desert race truck. A lot of folks we know build their 4x4s one part at a time. Part breaks, fix it; done deal. Others work in segments, addressing suspension then moving to axles and onward. Another group of others simply do it all at once so they can start hitting the trails. George Kane of Long Beach, California, falls into this category. With his "Straight to Ridiculous" JK project, George hit the ground running, determined to achieve his dream of a do-it-all, rockcrawling, desert-racing, 4x4 machine. With idea in mind and a parts collection amassing, George sought out assistance from Mel Wade of Off Road Evolution in Fullerton, California. A build-plan was determined and more parts were ordered; all that George needed was the vehicle. Since all of the factory drivetrain components would be scrapped or sold anyway, Mel suggested purchasing a 2WD Jeep Wrangler JK to save a bit off the purchase price. The local dealership had a 2007 X model Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited in stock and it was soon on its way to Off Road Evolution. The drive from the dealer to the shop was all the miles the stock drivetrain ever saw. It wasn't long before the Off Road Evolution crew had the JK stripped down and the build underway. The drivetrain came first, followed by suspension and shock mounting and roll cage design and fabrication. When the chassis was rolling and ready the JK was plumbed and wired and a custom aluminum dash was built to match the race-inspired interior. Since the completion of the "STR" JK, George has experienced quite a few trail runs. The "getting to know each other" phase was a rough one on occasion as minor new build glitches would stop the JK at the trailhead, where George could see and hear the fun he was missing. But those are a thing of the past these days, much evidenced by the rig's consistent ability of tackling extreme obstacles. Did we mention that it's really fast, too? George's JK may have gone "Straight to Ridiculous," but from the looks of it, ridiculous seems pretty darn cool.  The underbelly of the "STR"...  The underbelly of the "STR" JK is made up of the beefiest and best components available, including Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 axles front and rear, Off Road Evolution link suspension arms with Currie 2.5-inch Johnny Joints, custom skid plates, and PSC steering components. The front Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 axle uses 35-spline 'shafts joined with CTM U-joints, 4.88 gears, and an ARB Air Locker.  George drove his 2007 Jeep...  George drove his 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK 2WD straight from the dealer lot to Off Road Evolution in Fullerton, California. He had been collecting parts for the build in anticipation of the vehicle's arrival. Amid the pile of parts are the Walker Evans wheels, Advance Adapters Atlas 4SP transfer case, a collection of 16-inch travel, King 2.5-inch coil-over and 3-inch triple-bypass shocks, a Turn Key Engine Supply super-charged 6.0L Chevy LS2 crate engine, and a PATC 4L80E performance auto transmission.  The crew at Off Road Evolution...  The crew at Off Road Evolution began the STR build by stripping it of its factory components. The stock 3.8L engine was pulled and sold with less than 100 miles on the odometer.  The JK was stripped down to...  The JK was stripped down to the floorboards and the dash and portions of the factory wiring harness were also removed.  Placement of the LS2 engine...  Placement of the LS2 engine required new motor mounts and removal of the inner fender wells. The firewall was also cleared of all factory parts. There was just enough room for a huge Ron Davis radiator in front of the engine. The King coil-over and triple bypass shocks were mounted to Off Road Evolution shock hoops and are supported by a removable engine cage.  Along with the engine and...  Along with the engine and shocks the Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 front axle was also installed, checking and verifying proper clearances before any final welds were applied. Aft of the LS2 engine is a PATC 4L80E auto transmission and Atlas 4SP transfer case. The drivetrain crossmember also serves as a suspension mounting point for the heavy-duty, 2-inch x 0.500-wall control arms secured with 2.5-inch Currie Johnny Joints.  The extensive cage work was...  The extensive cage work was crafted by the Off Road Evolution crew, using 2-inch x 0.120-wall chromoly tubing. The rear shock mounts and rear frame section tie in to the cage using a triangulated center support. The rear fenderwells were removed to make way for the cage work and shocks.  The roll cage ties to the...  The roll cage ties to the frame in multiple locations to achieve the greatest level of occupant safety. The seat frame follows the interior body lines well and was constructed removing a limited amount of sheetmetal from the floor. The B&M shifter is mocked up in place prior to installation.  Before finish welds were applied...  Before finish welds were applied to the upper and lower shock mounts the suspension was cycled fully to check for clearances. Placement of the King 4-inch bumpstops was also determined. Off Road Evolution built the wishbone three-link rear using 2-inch x 0.500-wall DOM tubing. The PSC hydraulic rear steering cylinder is mocked in place on its axle mount. The rear LoD bumper and Ramsey 5,000-pound winch are also shown.  A PSC steering box replaced...  A PSC steering box replaced the factory unit and is plumbed for a cylinder-assist. The area around the steering box frame mount was plated to increase strength.  With a rear seat still to...  With a rear seat still to be installed, space was at a premium. Dual Odyssey batteries were installed end to end and dual B&M transmission coolers are mounted below them. A 32-gallon Fuel Safe fuel cell sits behind the cage triangulation. A Kenwood 110-watt race radio from PCI was to be mounted under the rear seat but was relocated when a better location was determined.  The 16-inch-travel King Shocks...  The 16-inch-travel King Shocks set up includes 2.5-inch coil-over and 3-inch triple-bypass units at all four corners. The ample front wheel travel displayed here makes the 39.5x13.50R17 BFGoodrich Krawlers look small. The BFG Krawlers are mounted on 17x8.5 Walker Evans beadlocks.  The front LoD bumper is outfit...  The front LoD bumper is outfit with a Ramsey 9500 winch and 6-inch Vision-X HID lights.  Off Road Evolution's steel...  Off Road Evolution's steel plate front and rear fenders create plenty of space for maximum tire stuffage. An additional light bar (not shown) bolts to the windshield mounting bracket and holds additional Vision-X lights.  Something different from the...  Something different from the typical JK HEMI conversion, the 6.0L Chevy LS2 from Turn Key Engine Supply is equipped with a MagnaCharger supercharger, an aluminum intercooler, a B&M oil cooler, Simpson headers, a K&N air filter, and a Ron Davis aluminum radiator. The shock tower support cage over the engine also serves as a convenient mounting location for the King shock reservoirs.  An Off Road Evolution tire...  An Off Road Evolution tire carrier holds a full-size spare and sits above the rear LoD bumper. The tire carrier is bolted with Johnny Joints at two points on each side and can swing out in either direction.  Mounted to the tire carrier...  Mounted to the tire carrier are a Hi-Lift jack and a floor jack with a skid plate. This allows for tire changes or vehicle repairs to be completed in varied terrains. Rear LED tail lights are installed in the Off Road Evolution steel plate rear fenders and an amber race light on the tire carrier stays lit to alert rear trail traffic of the JK's presence.  The front LoD bumper is an...  The front LoD bumper is an early prototype the company provided for the "STR" JK project. LoD offers a full line of JK bumpers, including its Signature Series Shorty and Mid-Width front bumpers and Shorty rear bumper with Gen2 tire carrier.  A large skid plate is in place...  A large skid plate is in place to protect the steering-assist cylinder, which mounts to the passenger-side steering knuckle.  The rear steering system is...  The rear steering system is made up of a PSC full-hydraulic, double-ended steering cylinder attached to Dynatrac steering knuckles on the rear Pro Rock 60 axle. Custom steering links were fabricated to complete the system, which is controlled using cab-mounted levers. The on-board electric air compressor is shown just behind the rear-mounted Ramsey winch.  The Atlas 4SP transfer case...  The Atlas 4SP transfer case and the 4L80E transmission are well guarded behind the custom steel skid plates. The plates secure to the heavy-duty cross member, which also serves as mounting locations for the large, 2.5-inch Currie Johnny Joints.  The rear Dynatrac Pro Rock...  The rear Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 axle uses 40-spline axles, CTM U-joints, 4.88 gears, and a Detroit Locker. Dynatrac steering knuckles are also used to facilitate the rear steering. The wishbone three-link suspension was built by Off Road Evolution.  Complete with a race-ready...  Complete with a race-ready command center the STR JK features a custom aluminum dash stuffed with Classic Instruments' gauges and a galore of well-labeled switches and knobs to control every element of the JK. The dash also holds a Pioneer stereo, a Cobra CB, a Kenwood 110-watt race radio from PCI, a PCI four-way intercom system, a Lowrance navigation system, a quick disconnect steering wheel, a fire suppression system, fuse and relay blocks, and shifters to control the Atlas transfer case and rear steer system.  A B&M ratchet shifter sits...  A B&M ratchet shifter sits among the Atlas shifters and rear steer controls. The fire suppression controls are also in view.  Mastercraft 3G racing seats...  Mastercraft 3G racing seats are equipped with Crow harnesses. The tubes above the seats are for the on-board clean air system. The interior is also equipped with air conditioning from Vintage Air. Most vehicle wiring came from Painless Performance.  A rear Mastercraft seat holds...  A rear Mastercraft seat holds two extra passengers. Roll bar-mounted stereo speakers allow rear passengers to hear CB and Ham radio traffic as well as music.  Mastercraft tool bags are...  Mastercraft tool bags are secured above the fuel cell and extra parts, tools, and fluids are also stored. Vehicle: 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK X Model
Owner/Hometown: George Kane/Long Beach, CA
Engine: Turn Key Performance 6.0L Chevy LS2
Induction: SFI, Magnacharger supercharger
Transmission: 4L80E
Transfer case/low range ratio: Atlas 4SP/5.44:1
Front end: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60, 35-spline axle shafts, CTM U-joints
Rear end: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60, 40-spline axle shafts, PSC hydraulic rear steering, CTM U-joints
Ring and Pinion: 4.88
Front Differential: ARB Air Locker
Rear Differential: Detroit Locker
Suspension: Custom 3-link wishbone rear, 4-link front, 3-inch King 16-inch-travel triple bypass shocks, 2.5-inch King coilover shocks
Tires: 39.5x13.50R17 BFGoodrich Krawlers
Wheels/Backspacing: 17x8.5 Walker Evans beadlocks/4.5 inches
Estimated Value: Too many receipts to count!
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