Mission Control: The "On The Top" Rocketship
When the hill is vertical, vision is everything.
Chris Grigg didn’t come to Wide Open Design for a "refresh"—he came for a revolution. After years of wheeling a full-bodied Jeep with the On the Top Racing crew, Chris was ready to trade the steel skin for raw, race-bred performance. He needed a chassis that could handle the violent climbs of the National Rock Racing Series and Pro Rock, but he needed something most buggies lack: Visibility.
We took Chris’s proven powertrain and dropped it into our signature Rocketship Chassis. But we didn't stop at a standard fit. To accommodate his specific drivetrain and seating position, we stretched the mid-section, creating a cockpit that feels more like a fighter jet than a rock crawler.
The WOD Innovation: This build served as the proving ground for our new series of DIY Trailing Arms. Engineered to take the abuse of Outlaw-style hill climbs, these arms are now available for the at-home builder who wants shop-level strength without the shop-level price tag.
The Result: A ultra-low center of gravity that makes "rolling over" feel like a distant memory. Chris is finally in a rig where he can see the line, hit the throttle, and stay on top.
Follow the Race Season: Check out On the Top Racing to see this Rocketship in the wild.
| Category | Component | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis | WOD Rocketship | Custom Mid-Section Stretch; High-Visibility Race Geometry |
| Racing Series | NRRS / Pro Rock | Built for National Rock Racing & Outlaw Hill Climbing |
| Suspension (Rear) | WOD DIY Trailing Arms | New Series: Builder-friendly, shop-level strength |
| Suspension (Front) | 4-Link Setup | Heavy-duty 7075 Aluminum Links |
| Drivetrain | Chris Grigg Proven | Race-prepped high-horsepower powertrain integration |
| Shocks | Dual Setup | Coilovers + Bypass for high-speed hill climb stability |
| Center of Gravity | Ultra-Low Profile | Optimized seat/drivetrain mounting for "planted" feel |
| Cockpit | Fighter Jet Config | Custom-fit for driver ergonomics and 360° visibility |
| Axles | Crane 14-Bolt | High-clearance housings with race-spec internals |
| Steering | Full Hydro | High-speed orbital for precision line-picking |
| Safety | Race-Spec | Integrated cage gusseting; NRRS-compliant tech |
