If you were able to build a Jeep Wrangler TJ anyway you wanted how would you do it? We're talking a no holds barred unlimited budget Jeep here. Dan McKeag owner of Burnsville Off Road in Burnsville, MN was lucky enough to get the chance to do just that when Jeff Christy of the Minnesota Vikings decided he wanted the ultimate.

Drivetrain

Dan started with a 98 Jeep Wrangler Sport and proceeded to remove the complete drive train. It then received an 8.0L V10 from a 96 Viper GTS that provides 450 horsepower and 495 foot-pounds of torque. It is a tight fit but with some trimming of the inside of the grill and a Griffith radiator with electric fan it looks like it belongs there. Since both the TJ and Viper are Chrysler products the 8.0L wiring harness was easily incorporated into the stock harness and all diagnostics and systems are functional. A Borla muffler and custom exhaust keep the noise level to a minimum. Using the 12" pressure plate from the Viper and a 12" clutch disk from a V10 Dodge pickup all that power is sent to a New Venture 4500 5-speed. For the ultimate in crawl ratios an Advance Adapters Atlas II 4.3:1 transfer case is used. The front axle is a Currie Enterprises reverse cut Dana 44 with 4.56 gears and an ARB air locker. The rear is a reverse cut Dana 60 with disc brakes, 4.56 gears, and a Detroit Locker provided by Dynatrac. A set of 35" Swamper Boggers on 15x10 bead lock wheels from Marsh Racing Tires keep the Jeep moving in the right direction.

Suspension

To make room for the 35" Swampers a 4" Teraflex Lift kit lift with Edelbrock IAS shocks was installed. Teraflex advertises this lift as a 4" but once installed the TJ sits about 5" taller than stock.

Interior

A project like this would not be complete without an interior to match. Recaro seats with custom embroidery help smooth the ride while the stock instrument cluster was kept with only the oil pressure gauge replaced. The guys from M&M Custom Car Audio added a diamond plate storage compartment with a motorized amp rack to hold the Phoenix Gold amps. A Clarion CD player and digital EQ supply the sound for the 3 Image Dynamics subwoofers and CD Technologies speakers. The diamond plate them was continued throughout the interior including the overhead sound bar.

Exterior

A factory hardtop keeps out the Minnesota cold and maximum body protection is provided by a set of Turbo City Side Bars and a set of Bulletproof Bumpers. The rear bumper features a swing out tire carrier with mounts for 2 Jerry can and a High Lift Jack. On the front a Warn XD9000i and PIAA driving lights are right at home. A set of 7" TeraFlares is painted Flame Red to match the rest of the body.

Conclusion

While it hasn't been off-road yet Dan is real happy with the way it turned out. It handles and rides like stock, ramps almost 1000 and will embarrass Mustang and Camaro owners from a stoplight. While this may look like it is all for show Jeff plans on taking it to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari this year. If see a red TJ coming up behind you really fast on the way to the trailhead it's probably him.

Vital Stats