Behind the Ride:
Build for Off Road Adventure Ride Updates
Willie B’s CJ7 Gets Geared Up on Truck U !
If you’ve been following the journey of Willie B’s 1983 CJ7, you know this classic Jeep started out as the ultimate underdog of the off-road trails. Snagged for a mere $3500, Willie quickly transformed this diamond in the rough into a surprisingly capable off-roader with some clever, budget-friendly upgrades.
But with the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride on the horizon, it was time for this budget-friendly build to evolve into a true beast capable of conquering the challenging route Ian Johnson recently outlined through the diverse terrains of Big Bear, Johnson Valley, and Kingman.
A little elbow grease from Willie and his co-host Kevin Byrd on a recent episode of Two Guys Garage (now streaming on HBO Max and Discovery+) already resulted in some crucial upgrades. (Watch the recap here!)
However, with much yet to do to fully outfit Willie’s Jeep for this epic off-road adventure, the CJ7 recently rolled into the Truck U shop for some serious additional work! With Truck U host Matt Steele joining Willie on the Adventure Ride trails, he and co-host Bruno Massel have been doing their part to get the Jeep ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Mark your calendars! The full Truck U episode featuring this exciting crossover project premieres August 31 on MotortrendTV. In the meantime, here’s an exclusive, behind-the-scenes peek at the incredible work done so far on Willie B’s 1983 CJ7:
Under the Hood (and Under the Jeep!):
The Truck U Upgrades
Matt and Bruno didn’t just tinker; they dug deep to install some fundamental upgrades that will make Willie’s CJ7 nearly unstoppable on the Adventure Ride’s most brutal trails:
Axle and Gear Fortification with Revolution Gear & Axle and Eaton Performance
The Truck U crew performed a massive 1-ton axle swap, outfitting the CJ7 with a new Dana 60 front and a GM 14 bolt rear gear package from Revolution Gear & Axle, complete with high-quality Koyo and Timken bearings. This upgrade provides significantly increased strength and durability, essential for handling larger tires and the extreme forces encountered during hardcore rock crawling. To protect these vital components, they added a matching Revolution Gear Dana 60 and GM 14 Bolt diff cover – stout armor against impacts.
But they didn’t stop there. For ultimate traction on demand, a front Dana 60 Eaton E-Locker from Eaton Performance was installed.
This electronically controlled locker allows Willie to “lock” the front axle at the touch of a button, ensuring both front wheels spin at the same rate for maximum grip on challenging obstacles, then unlock it for better steering on easier terrain.
To make the front axle virtually bulletproof, they went with a Front Dana 60 Dodge 4340 Chromoly axle kit featuring Revolution 4340 chromoly solid u-joints.
This is a critical strength upgrade, offering an added 30-40% over OE components, meaning Willie can push harder without fear of snapping an axle shaft. A Revolution Gear Dana 60 Flange kit also completed this robust drivetrain overhaul.
During the complex gear and axle swap, the Truck U team relied on CRC Knock’er Loose Penetrating Solvent to keep stubborn parts from holding up the work. It quickly permeates rust, scale, gum, grease, and corrosion, to make quick work of seized or bound nuts, bolts, and fasteners.
Not only did it prove its worth in the shop, but it could also come in handy during emergency repairs out on the trail.
Premium Protection for Punishing Trails
With all the new heavy-duty components, proper lubrication is paramount. Willie’s CJ7 received a fill of AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-140 100% Synthetic Gear Lube in its freshly upgraded axles.
This advanced synthetic formula provides exceptional protection against wear, helps to significantly reduce operating temperatures even under extreme loads, and actively protects against rust and corrosion. It’s the ultimate insurance policy for gears tackling the toughest conditions.
And while fresh fluids were already added to the Jeep on Two Guys Garage, Matt Steele made sure extra AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid were packed for the trip – a smart move for long days and unexpected needs on the trail.
Staying Tight Under Pressure
It’s often the small details that make a huge difference in off-roading. The team used Stage 8 Locking Fasteners on crucial components like header bolts. These specialized fasteners are designed to physically lock into place, preventing bolts from loosening due to the intense vibrations, heat cycles, and constant stresses encountered during aggressive off-road driving. It’s a simple but effective way to prevent annoying (and potentially damaging) trailside failures.
Custom Beadlock Wheels with Dupli-Color® Coating
For the ultimate in tire performance on the trail, the Truck U crew went next-level by fabricating some new beadlock wheels. These are essential for serious rock crawling because they’ll allow Willie to run extremely low tire pressures (for maximum grip over rocks) without the risk of the tire “de-beading” or coming off the rim.
Once fabricated, these custom wheels received a durable finish with Dupli-Color® Wheel Coating. This enamel formula is perfect for custom wheels; but more importantly, it provides robust protection against intense heat, while resisting cracking, chipping, and peeling. It ensures these custom wheels will stand up to the abuse of the Adventure Ride.
Next Stop: Adventure Ride!
With these significant upgrades from the Truck U shop, Willie B’s 1983 CJ7 is more battle-ready than ever for the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride! It’s been an incredible transformation, taking this budget-built underdog to the next level of off-road prowess.
What do you think of the latest round of upgrades to Willie’s green machine?
Which part of the build are you most excited to see in action? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
And make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss a single moment of the Adventure Ride or future build projects!
What do you think of the latest round of upgrades to Willie’s green machine?
Which part of the build are you most excited to see in action? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
And make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss a single moment of the Adventure Ride or future build projects!
Truck U has another Adventure Ride project planned!
Click here to find out what Matt and Bruno are working on next, and how your brand can be part of the adventure.
Truck U has another Adventure Ride project planned!
Click here to find out what Matt and Bruno are working on next, and how your brand can be part of the adventure.
Ready to Join the Adventure?
Watch the video below to learn more about putting your brand in the middle of the action!
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