The “Knight Krawler” Jeep LJ Build Reveal

Project Photos

A Refined Jeep Built to Wheel Hard

Some builds scream for attention. The Knight Krawler doesn’t have to.

Jeremy and Wendy Knight came to Wide Open Design with a very specific goal:
build an LJ that looked refined enough to feel factory-engineered while performing like a fully custom crawler underneath. Clean engineering, elite-level fabrication, and a drivetrain package designed to survive serious trail use for years.

The result became the Knight Krawler — one of the cleanest examples of what happens when modern off-road engineering gets wrapped inside timeless Jeep LJ proportions.

Keeping the Soul of the LJ Alive

The Jeep LJ has always had a unique presence. The longer wheelbase, stretched proportions, and “long tail” body lines give it a stance that feels balanced both on the road and on the trail. Wide Open Design wanted to preserve that identity completely while modernizing everything underneath it.

The build starts with the WOD Jeep LJ Chassis featuring:

• integrated sport cage
• custom shock mounts
• linked suspension geometry
• modern drivetrain packaging
• increased chassis rigidity

But one of the biggest hidden details on this build is the body itself. Underneath the striking blue paint sits a fully aluminum tub. Instead of simply bolting panels together, the WOD team hand-massaged the aluminum body lines around the tires to maintain the clean, iconic LJ shape while still making room for serious suspension travel and large tires.

The Mechanical Soul

Reliability was the mandate. We stayed "tried and true" with an LS/Turbo 400/Atlas powertrain—the gold standard for power on demand without the headache. But the muscle is in the axles: Crane Axle Ready-To-Ride 14-bolts, Magnum Knuckles, and 40-spline shafts.

The Ride Quality

One thing Wide Open Design focuses heavily on is usable suspension travel — not just impressive numbers on paper. That tuning balance matters. Too soft and the Jeep becomes unstable.Too stiff and the suspension never fully works.

The Knight Krawler uses:

• Radflo 2.0 coilovers
• Radflo 2.5 three-tube bypass shocks
• custom shock tuning
• Currie Anti-Rock rear sway bar

Instead of simply bolting suspension components onto the chassis, the geometry and tuning were designed to fully utilize available shock travel while maintaining ride quality and chassis control.

The "Wife-Approved" Cockpit

The interior might actually be the most impressive part of the entire build. At first glance, it feels understated. Then you start noticing the details.

The dash is entirely hand-formed from 16-gauge aluminum with zero filler, powder-coated raw finish and custom integrated layout.

But the coolest part might be the little things designed specifically around actual usability. Wide Open Design integrated:

• heated PRP seats
• dedicated USB charging ports
• custom glovebox
• low-profile storage solutions
• integrated tool storage
• electric cooler mounting
• Holley EFI gauge pod
• Lowrance GPS
• Backup camera
• Rugged Radio communications

These details transformed the Jeep from a pure crawler into a true high-end adventure rig capable of serious trail use without sacrificing comfort. But the real win? A custom glovebox and dedicated USB ports specifically for Wendy, tucked behind heated PRP seats.

Our Take

The standout of this build isn't a single part—it’s the harmony. No one component screams for attention, yet the entire package commands it. It’s a "Ready-To-Ride" benchmark that proves you don’t need to be loud to be the leader.