Behind the Ride:

Build for Off Road Adventure Ride Updates

From Budget Build to Battle-Ready: Willie B’s CJ7 Upgrades!

Time for an exciting update on Willie B’s legendary 1983 CJ7! This neon-green, budget-built classic Jeep quickly earned its stripes as the underdog of the trails, proving that a $3500 investment, a kingpin Dana 60, and some smart upgrades could take you far. But with the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride and the brutal landscape of Johnson Valley now a reality, Willie B realized “trail-ready” wasn’t quite “Hammer-ready.” So, he and his Two Guys Garage partner-in-crime, Kevin Byrd, recently hit the shop, putting in work to upgrade this capable Jeep. Get ready to see all the gritty details and transformations unfold in an upcoming episode of Two Guys Garage, which premieres July 13 on MotortrendTV.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek at the work done so far:

Body Armor and Coating

With Johnson Valley’s infamous rocks and boulders just waiting to chew on body panels and rocker panels, beefing up the CJ7’s defenses was priority number one. Willie opted for a tough, durable body armor kit, then applied a Trim & Rocker Guard Coating from Dupli-Color.

This isn’t just for looks; this specialized coating adds an extra layer of impact protection against trail rash, dings, and scrapes, ensuring the Jeep can shrug off hits while still looking sharp. It’s a critical layer of defense for those tricky climbs and tight squeezes. For additional protection, they applied Dupli-Color’s Professional Undercoat to the inner fenders.

Willie B's 1983 CJ7 gets new body armor with additional protection from Dupli-Color.

Fuel Injection

Balancing “old school cool” with modern off-road performance can be tricky, but Willie found the sweet spot with his fuel system. The Go EFI Classic Gold 650 HP EFI System from FiTech Fuel Injection was the perfect upgrade.

Why EFI? Unlike a carburetor, which can sputter and starve for fuel on extreme angles, steep climbs, or at varying altitudes, a modern EFI system provides consistent and precise fuel delivery. This means reliable power, smoother idling, and far better throttle response when you need it most – absolutely vital for navigating rough terrain and tackling varied elevations on the Adventure Ride.

Plus, it maintains that classic under-hood look, so no compromises there! The guys bolted on the new throttle body assembly with durable ARP stainless bolts to hold up under extreme heat and even the nastiest trail conditions.

Brakes

When you’re pushing a capable rig through challenging terrain, stopping power is non-negotiable. The guys set out to beef up the Jeep’s brakes, starting with a total brake conversion from its old Dana 60 braking system to a 2010 Dodge RAM 3500 setup, which offers better clamping force.

Willie and Kevin then further upgraded the braking system with Z36 Truck & Tow pads and rotors from PowerStop. Engineered specifically for heavier, harder-working vehicles and the demands of off-road driving, this new braking system will provide enhanced stopping power, improved fade resistance (meaning Willie’s brakes won’t lose effectiveness under heavy use, like long descents), and better heat dissipation – all critical for controlling a Jeep on steep grades and technical obstacles.

Willie B and Kevin Byrd work on upgrading the CJ7 brakes with PowerStop.

Brake Lines

Since they were already diving into the brakes, upgrading to stainless steel, Kevlar-reinforced brake lines from Crown Performance was a no-brainer.

Unlike standard rubber lines that can expand under pressure or be vulnerable to trail debris, these upgraded lines will offer superior durability and a firmer, more consistent brake pedal feel, with extra protection against punctures and abrasions.

And of course, Willie ordered them to match his mean, green machine – because style points count, even on the trail!

Fluids

You wouldn’t send a racehorse into a marathon without the best feed, and the same goes for a Jeep heading into the demanding Adventure Ride. Willie made sure to fill his 1983 CJ7 with a full complement of AMSOIL fluids, especially designed for classic vehicles and extreme conditions.

From the engine and transmission to the differentials and brakes, fluids minimize stress on critical components, provide superior protection, and help prevent premature failure.

With this internal armor, Willie can hit the trails with significantly more peace of mind, knowing his Jeep is protected from the inside out.

Willie adds AMSOIL fluids to his classic CJ7.

The Evolution Continues on Truck U

Even after all that wrenching on Two Guys Garage, there’s still plenty on the to-do list before Willie’s beloved Jeep is ready for the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride. And luckily for the green machine, help is on the way from another familiar face.

Truck U host Matt Steele will also be joining Willie on the Adventure Ride, and he’s graciously offered up the Truck U shop to continue the CJ7’s evolution into a truly battle-ready beast! You’ll get to see all the action unfold in an upcoming episode of Truck U later this season, as Matt Steele and Bruno Massel tackle the next round of essential upgrades.

Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the critical remaining updates Willie is hoping Matt can help out with on Truck U:

Transmission Swap: While the manual 4-speed transmission in this classic Jeep has certainly earned Willie a reputation as the underdog of the off-road trails (and shown off his mad stick-shift skills!), the more demanding trail conditions of the Adventure Ride might just make an automatic transmission swap a strategic move for deftly navigating the gnarlier obstacles.

Winch Ropes: The winches mounted on the front and back of Willie’s Jeep are going to be absolute lifesavers, but they’re currently outfitted with heavy steel cable. Swapping these out for lightweight, safer, and easier-to-repair synthetic rope is a must for serious trail work.

Aluminum Radiator and Electric Fan: As the Adventure Ride crew plans to head into some scorching desert environs, keeping the CJ7 cool will be paramount. An aluminum radiator paired with an electric fan will be crucial for efficient cooling and preventing any trailside meltdowns.

And that’s not all…Want to dive deeper into what’s left on the Truck U to-do list to get Willie’s 1983 CJ7 truly Adventure Ride-ready? Get the full breakdown and a closer look at the remaining upgrades here.

Willie B's CJ7 in the Two Guys Garage studio.

What do you think of the C7J’s progress so far?

What upgrades are you excited to see Matt and Bruno tackle on Truck U? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on all the action.

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