Latest Model Toyota Jeep: CJ-7 Featurez

We like CJ Jeeps. Along with earlier flat fenders, the CJ lineup defines Jeep; it's still the classic, clean vehicle of choice for many backcountry connoisseurs. We've done a few TJs lately for projects and wanted to return to the basics and build a tough, go-anywhere CJ that would be no-frills but still be comfortable enough for highway trips to the trail. With this in mind, we enlisted the help of James Stewart, owner of Drivetrain Unlimited in St. George, Utah, to build a CJ-7 that was worthy of his shop's name. An extremely clean '82 Jeep CJ-7 with no rust and a frame in great shape was purchased. The body was removed from the frame. so the frame could be inspected for cracking or other problems - there weren't any. It was then sandblasted and coated with POR 15 to preclude any corrosion problems that might arise in the future. The body was then completely stripped of all parts, including motor, lights, wiring, and weather stripping. While most of the parts on the Jeep were in great shape, we wanted an almost brand-new CJ-7 as the base for our backcountry explorer. so it was reused), a windshield wiper motor and wipers, CJ fold-forward seat brackets, and rearview mirrors. 4 Wheel Drive Hardware also supplied an Optima Yellow Top sealed gas recombinant battery for installation when the project was complete. Part of the CJ's charm is its clean, flat dash. We wanted to use a complete array of Auto Meter gauges, so Stewart fabricated a new dash, sans radio and glovebox holes, to make it look even cleaner. An Auto Meter Phantom 5-inch tachometer, a 5-inch electronic speedometer, and two 1/16-inch gauges that included fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel pressure, voltmeter, and clock were installed. The Auto Meter 5-inch electronic speedometer is a great addition to the Jeep, allowing easy, one-touch calibration no matter what gearing or tire size changes we make. The heater and ventilation controls were mounted, as were the turn signal and high-beam indicator and two 12-volt outlets for power. The finished dash turned out very clean. The fenderwells were cut to accommodate TJ fender flares. The TJ flares afford a much larger opening, allowing for a larger tire without too much suspension lift. Custom rocker panel guards were built that go all the way under the body to the body mounts and allow pesky rocks to just slide by and do no damage. The smooth steel rear quarter panels from Off Your Rocker were cut to install rear LED lights and backup lights, as well as a TJ fuel filler on the passenger-side. Once all the parts were installed and the body was back on the frame, Adam at Drivetrain Unlimited painted the Jeep bright red, and then the interior was Rhino-lined.