When Clayton Williams of Wilmington, North Carolina, was a kid, his father owned a Jeep CJ. That rig made a lasting impression and sparked Clayton’s decision to build this 1984 Jeep CJ-7.
Clayton purchased the Jeep from Low Range 4×4 in Wilmington, North Carolina. At the time, it had only minor modifications, such as Scout Dana 44 axles and a mild lift, and still ran its original 258-cubic-inch I6 engine. What started as a simple plan for new wheels and tires quickly snowballed into the incredible machine you see here.
Ford V8 Power
The CJ is powered by a Ford 302-cubic-inch V8. The engine was pulled from an Explorer SUV, then lived between the framerails of a 1939 Ford before landing in the Jeep. Modified by Clayton, it features Holley Sniper fuel injection, a Comp Cams camshaft, Flotek aluminum heads, and an Edelbrock intake. Supporting hardware includes a custom exhaust system made from 2.5-inch-diameter stainless tubing with a Black Widow muffler. Cooling duties are handled in part by a Novak Conversions aluminum radiator.
Five-Speed Manual Transmission, Dana 300 T-Case
Clayton sourced an Aisin AX15 five-speed manual transmission from a local salvage yard and rebuilt it. It pairs with the V8 via an Advance Adapters adapter. A Dana 300 two-speed transfer case with twin-stick controls bolts directly to the transmission.
Dana 44 Up Front, Dana 60 Out Back
The front axle is a high-pinion Dana 44 sourced from East Coast Gear Supply. It packs chromoly shafts, Chevy 1/2-ton outers and brakes, an Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential, Warn Premium manual locking hubs, and 4.88:1 gears. Steering upgrades include a high-steer system from East Coast Gear Supply and a GM flat-top knuckle.
Out back is a Dana 60 pulled from a Ford E-350 van. Clayton narrowed the housing and fit it with a BJ’s Full-Size Jeep Parts full-float conversion kit and Branik Motorsports chromoly axle shafts. A Barnes 4WD truss and limit straps from East Coast Gear Supply add strength and control. Like the front axle, it runs a Truetrac and 4.88:1 gears.
Coilovers And 40-Inch Tires
The Jeep’s factory leaf-spring suspension has been replaced with a custom linked coilover system built by the team at Low Range 4×4. King 2.5 remote-reservoir coilovers sit at each corner, with 12-inch-travel units up front and 14-inch-travel units out back.
Up front, the suspension is like a Jeep Wrangler TJ radius arm design. The lower links are built from 2-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall DOM tubing, while the upper links use 1.5-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall DOM tubing. Every link is fit with RockJock Johnny Joints.
Out back, a triangulated four-link setup uses 1.5-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall DOM tubing. Like the front, each link is fit with Johnny Joints. RockJock Antirock sway bars at both ends boost articulation while keeping body roll in check.
Traction comes from 16/40-17LT Interco Super Swamper Bigger LTB tires wrapped around 9-inch-wide KMC Hex beadlock wheels.
Body Protection, Beefy Winch, Wrangler YJ Bits, And More
Outside, the Jeep wears Gen-Right aluminum fenders, bumpers, and rocker protection. Up front, there’s a Warn 10,000-pound-capacity winch, while eight forward-facing KC lights illuminate the trail after dark. The CJ is also fit with doors and a roll cage from a Wrangler YJ.
Suspension Seats, Digital Dash, And More
Inside, Clayton upped passenger comfort with PRP Daily Driver High Back Suspension Seats. A custom dash packs modern tech, including a Switch-Pros switch panel for electronics control, a Holley EFI Digital Dash, a Holley Sniper LCD display, and a JL Audio MediaMaster Marine Digital Media Source Unit.
Vintage Beach Crawler
The vintage Jeep CJ is serving Clayton well, and it’s often tasked with plying the sand as it carries his family on beach getaways.
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