The Other 5.9L

A V-8 TJ built on the low

- Ali Mansour

Foresight can be everything when it comes to building a project Jeep. Knowing exactly where you want to go and what your end goal is can save you considerable time and money. When Randy Crews purchased his ’01 Wrangler secondhand a few years ago, he already had an idea of where he wanted to go with the build. What he didn’t anticipate was how quickly his modest build plan would evolve into the custom V-8–powered ’wheeler it is today. We caught up with the low-slug TJ and got the scoop on how this rig quickly came together.

Chassis

Having done his research, Randy knew that TJs often work well with a low lift and longer control arms. To achieve his suspension goals, he paired a set of Old Man Emu by ARB 2-inch Heavy Load Series coils and shocks with a Rubicon Express long-arm kit. To compensate for the added engine weight of the Poison Spyder Customs front bumper and Engo winch, a set of 2-inch polyurethane coil spacers were installed up front.

Since the Jeep is no longer a daily driver, he removed the front sway bar altogether. Aside from a few minor belly pan modifications needed to clear the transfer case and transmission, the rest of the suspension remained as it came. To be sure his stock fuel tank doesn’t crumple in the rocks, a Savvy fuel tank skidplate was installed out back.