Mitchell Patureau of Temple, Texas, has always had a “nostalgic yearning” for a Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler, so he jumped at the chance to buy a clean 1981 model. With more than a decade of off-road experience, he had a few ideas to boost its performance. Those ideas escalated fast, and soon the Scrambler was torn down and being rebuilt with serious hardware. Working with Cody Bennett and his team at Bennett Built in Killeen, Texas, the Jeep was transformed into a powerful, mega off-road-capable rig that Mitchell can point down the gnarliest trails.
GM Gen IV 6.0-Liter LS V8
When Mitchell acquired the Scrambler, it was running a 360-cubic-inch V8, but it didn’t deliver the power he was after, so it was set aside. In its place, is a GM Gen IV 6.0-liter V8 from a retired FedEx delivery van. The low-mile engine checked out in excellent shape, then got a variety of upgrades including a Brian Tooley Racing camshaft, Texas Speed & Performance intake, Granatelli Motor Sports 102 mm throttle body, and a Holley Terminator X Max powertrain management system. He also added Motion Raceworks valve covers, a Kevko Racing oil pan, a Holley mid-mount accessory drive, and a custom stainless 2.5-inch exhaust. Cooling comes from a Novak Conversions LS conversion radiator and a Spal electric fan, while fuel is fed from a GenRight Off Road 22-gallon cell. Output is estimated at roughly 425 horsepower.
4L70E, Atlas 2 T-Case
Bolted to the engine is a 4L70E four-speed automatic with a 2,500 rpm stall converter. The transmission was upgraded to handle the LS’s output and is shifted through a Winters shifter. Power feeds into a 3.8:1 Advance Adapters Atlas 2 transfer case with an Advance Adapters twin-stick setup with Winters knobs. A custom 0.250-inch-thick 7075 aluminum skidplate protects the transmission and transfer case, and ‘shafts from Tom Wood’s Custom Driveshafts send power to the axles.
Dana 60 And Sterling 10.5 Axles
The Dana 60 front axle started life under a Ford Super Duty but has been heavily reworked for Scrambler duty. The long side was shortened and the short side lengthened so the centersection would clear the Jeep’s frame. The frame itself is a stock-width custom build using Throttle Down Kustoms rails for added strength. The front axle, moved six inches forward, runs Busted Knuckle Off Road high-steer knuckles that are custom machined and fitted with the company’s ball joint eliminators. It also packs RCV Performance Products 35-spline chromoly axleshafts, an Eaton Detroit Locker, and Revolution Gear & Axle 5.38:1 gears and diff cover. Steering is handled by a Radial Dynamics full hydro system with PSC Motorsports ram and billet Titan Machine & Design tie rods. A modified Artec Industries truss boosts axlehousing strength.
Out back, the Ford 10.5 axle was shifted six inches rearward and mirrors the front with an Eaton Detroit Locker and 5.38:1 Revolution Gear & Axle gears and diff cover. It’s also fitted with a Stage 8 locking axleshaft bolt kit and an Artec truss.
Custom Four-Link, Remote-Reservoir Coilovers, And More
Under the Jeep is a custom double-triangulated four-link suspension with coilovers. The link bars are 2-inch solid aluminum units from Summit Machine, running Ballistic Fabrication joints at the axles and forged poly ends at the frame. The coilovers are Radflo 3.0 WORKS Race Series internal-bypass DRT units with remote reservoirs. The fronts offer 14 inches of travel, and the rears stretch to 16 inches. Each end is also fitted with Radflo 2.5 bump stops and PRP limit straps. The rear end adds a Coleman Racing Products splined sway bar with custom arms and Titan Machine billet end links.
Putting power to the dirt are 40×13.50R17LT Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T tires wrapped around 9-inch-wide Raceline Ryno beadlock wheels.
Interior Inventory
Inside, the Scrambler is loaded with upgrades, including a custom dash and console, Dakota Digital gauges, and a Vintage Air Gen 5 Compac with defrost evaporator kit. It also packs a Rugged Radios GMRS radio, PRP seats and four-point harnesses, and Switch Pros auxiliary switches. A modified GenRight CJ-7 cage helps protect passengers.
Exterior Modifications
The Scrambler’s exterior is a study in custom, functional modifications. It includes Motobilt bumpers, a Warn ZEON 12-S winch, custom rocker armor, aluminum cowl and quarter-panel armor, and an aluminum tailgate. Additionally, there’s an array of Baja Designs lights, Poison Spyder hood louvers, and customized GenRight rear flares.
Dual-Purpose Scrambler
Mitchell’s Scrambler is built to do more than one type of wheeling. Cody says, “One thing to keep in mind is that this build was meant to be a dual-purpose rig. The four-link geometry is closer to a desert truck than a dedicated rock crawler. It’s meant to handle fast desert runs while still being able to crawl very well.”
That’s a win-win for Mitchell.
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