Some Jeep builds are designed to win competitions. Others are built to tackle the hardest trails imaginable. Michael Miller's Jeep LJ was built with a different purpose—to create a Jeep that could confidently handle serious off-road terrain while still bringing the entire family along for the adventure.
Starting life as a Jeep Wrangler TJ, this project evolved into a complete custom Jeep built around the Wide Open Design Jeep LJ Chassis with a 120-inch wheelbase, family-style cage, 43" Super Swamper SX Stickies, and serious trail capability. The goal was not simply to stretch the wheelbase or install bigger tires. It was to retain everything people love about the Wrangler while dramatically improving suspension performance, durability, ride quality, and overall capability.
“The point of this build was to push the limits but still LOOK like a Jeep inside and out.”
That philosophy guided every decision throughout the build.
Built to Be Driven
One of our favorite things about this project is that it was not built to spend its life on a trailer or parked at shows. It was built to be used.
After taking delivery, one of Michael's first posts was not about horsepower or suspension travel. It was about loading up his wife and kids for a ride. That perfectly captures what this Jeep is all about.
The family style cage provides room for everyone while maintaining the strength and safety expected from a purpose-built off-road chassis. Combined with the longer LJ wheelbase, the result is a platform that remains stable on technical trails while staying comfortable enough for full days behind the wheel.
This is the kind of Jeep that encourages families to spend more time exploring together, whether that means crawling through rock gardens or tackling mountain trails.
Classic Jeep Character with Modern Capability
Many extreme Jeep builds lose the identity that made people fall in love with the platform in the first place. Tube chassis, stripped interiors, and race-only features often sacrifice comfort in pursuit of capability.
Michael wanted something different.
The finished Jeep still looks unmistakably like a Wrangler. It retains the familiar body lines and proportions while hiding a thoroughly modern chassis and suspension underneath. Inside, that philosophy continues with PRP seating, custom stitching, a Dakota Digital dash, and a Wide Open Design center console.
The result is a cockpit that feels refined without losing the rugged personality of the original Jeep.
Reliable LS Power for Real Trails
Instead of chasing maximum horsepower, Michael chose a customer-provided GM LS-1 V8. It is a combination known for reliability, broad torque, and excellent drivability—qualities that matter far more on the trail than peak dyno numbers.
Supporting the engine is a complete cooling system centered around the Wide Open Design 31" x 15.5" x 3" Dual Pass Radiator Combo equipped with SPAL electric fans. Keeping an LS engine cool during long, slow technical climbs is one of the biggest challenges for any trail Jeep, which is why the cooling package was treated as a complete system.Power is transferred through a proven drivetrain consisting of a 4L80E automatic transmission, Winters SideWinder 4L80E shifter, and Atlas 2-Speed transfer case. The 4L80E gives the Jeep a strong, proven automatic transmission platform, while the Atlas provides the low-range control needed for technical terrain. Together, the engine, transmission, shifter, and transfer case create a drivetrain that is strong enough for 43-inch tires while remaining easy to drive on long trail days.
Driver Control: Winters SideWinder 4L80E Shifter
A drivetrain can have all the right components underneath the Jeep, but the controls inside the cockpit still have to make sense for the driver. That is one reason we continue to use the Winters SideWinder 4L80E shifter in builds like this.
The SideWinder uses a simple gated mechanical design that gives the driver a positive feel for each gear position. In an off-road vehicle that is constantly moving, bouncing, climbing, and transitioning between different types of terrain, that simplicity matters. The driver can feel where the shifter is positioned without relying on a complicated mechanism or trying to guess which gear the transmission is in.
Packaging is just as important. On a custom Jeep interior, the shifter has to share limited space with the transfer case controls, seats, dash, switches, and center console. The compact SideWinder design allows us to position the shifter where it feels natural to the driver while integrating it cleanly into the rest of the cockpit.
It is not the biggest or most expensive component in the build, but it is one the driver uses every time the Jeep moves. That makes the shifter an important part of how the entire drivetrain feels from behind the wheel.
Suspension Designed as a Complete System
Like every Wide Open Design build, the suspension was not designed around individual parts. It was engineered as a complete package.
A triangulated four-link suspension front and rear provides excellent articulation while maintaining predictable handling across a wide range of terrain. Radflo DRT 2.5" Internal Bypass Shocks paired with Eibach 3" springs deliver a comfortable ride without sacrificing control, while King 2.0 Air Bumps help absorb hard impacts before they reach the chassis.
The complete suspension package includes:
- Radflo DRT 2.5-inch Internal Bypass Shocks
- Eibach 3" coilover springs
- King 2.0 Air Bumps
- Wide Open Design Trail Series Sway Bar
- WOD Limit Straps
- 2" diameter 7075 aluminum upper link bars
- 2.25" diameter 7075 aluminum lower link bars
- Chromoly four-link rod end kits
- Custom Wide Open Design axle trusses
Together, these components create a suspension system that is comfortable enough for long trail rides while remaining controlled and capable over technical rocks, ledges, and uneven terrain.
Strength Where It Matters
Running 43-inch Super Swamper SX Stickies places significant loads on the axles, driveshafts, links, and suspension mounts. Michael supplied a set of Currie High Pinion Dana 60 axles, while the rest of the driveline was built around dependable components sized for the tires and intended use.
WOD 1350 driveshafts, a matching 1350 carrier bearing shaft, custom axle trusses, and a low-mount WOD fuel cell with an integrated skid plate all contribute to a package designed for years of reliable trail use. Recovery is handled by a Warn EVO 8S winch, giving the Jeep dependable self-recovery capability when the terrain does not cooperate.
Built for Long Days on the Trail
Capability was only part of the goal. Michael also wanted the Jeep to be comfortable and practical enough for the entire family to enjoy.
PRP Enduro Trek front seats and PRP Elite Series rear seats provide supportive seating for both adults and younger passengers, while custom stitching gives the interior a finished, personalized appearance. PRP 5.2 harnesses add secure restraint without turning the cockpit into a stripped race-only environment.
Combined with the Dakota Digital dash, WOD center console, Family Style Cage, and thoughtful interior layout, the Jeep retains the character of a Wrangler while delivering the comfort and control expected from a fully custom build.
Why We Love This Build
Every custom build tells a story, and Michael Miller's Jeep tells one that resonates with us.
It is not the highest-horsepower Jeep we have built, or the most extreme. Instead, it represents something many enthusiasts are looking for—a Jeep that is incredibly capable without sacrificing comfort, practicality, or the experience of sharing the trail with family and friends.
At Wide Open Design, that is exactly what we strive to build: vehicles that do not just perform exceptionally well, but encourage people to get outside, explore new places, and create lasting memories with the people who matter most.
Watch the Complete Build Walkaround
The best way to appreciate the details of Michael Miller's Jeep LJ is to see the finished build up close. In the accompanying video, Adam walks through the chassis, suspension, drivetrain, interior, and engineering decisions that brought this family-focused Jeep LJ to life.
Michael Miller's Jeep LJ Build Specifications
| Category | Component | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Chassis Platform | Wide Open Design Jeep Chassis for LJ with Family Style Cage |
| Powertrain | Engine | Customer Provided GM LS LQ9 6.0L |
| Engine Horsepower | 360 HP | |
| Engine Torque | 380 lb-ft | |
| Radiator / Fans | Wide Open Design 31" x 15.5" Combo Unit with SPAL Fans | |
| Exhaust | GM LS Block Hugger Headers | |
| Muffler | Xlerator Stainless Muffler with TIG Welded Stainless Steel Tubing | |
| Transmission | 4L80E Automatic | |
| Transmission Shifter | Winters 4L80 Shifter | |
| Transfer Case & Fuel | Transfer Case | Atlas 2-Speed |
| Fuel Cell | WOD JC Low Mount Fuel Cell with Skid Plate | |
| Body / Interior | Seats | PRP Enduro Trek Front Seats & PRP Elite Series Rear Seats with Custom Stitching |
| Seat Belts | PRP 5.2 Harnesses | |
| Skid Plate | 6061 3/8" Thick Aluminum Skid Plate with WOD Belly Pan Tabs | |
| Winch | Warn EVO 8S | |
| Suspension | Suspension Type | Triangulated 4-Link Front & Rear |
| Upper Link Bars | 2" Diameter 7075 Aluminum Link Bars | |
| Lower Link Bars | 2.25" Diameter 7075 Aluminum Link Bars | |
| Rod End Kits | Chromoly Four Link Rod End Kit – 1-1/4"-12 Shank with 1" High Angle Heim Joint Spacers | |
| Axle Trusses | Custom Built WOD Axle Trusses | |
| Shocks | Radflo DRT 2.5" Internal Bypass Shocks with Eibach 3" Springs | |
| Bump Stops | King 2.0 Air Bumps | |
| Sway Bar / Limit Straps | WOD Trail Series Sway Bar & WOD Limit Straps | |
| Drivetrain | Drive Shafts | WOD 1350 Driveshaft Builder Kit |
| Carrier Bearing Shaft | WOD 1350 Carrier Bearing Shaft Builder Kit | |
| Axles | Customer Provided Currie High Pinion Dana 60s | |
| Tires / Wheels | Super Swamper 43" SX Stickies on KMC 20" Grenade Wheels |
Follow the Build
Michael continues to share the Jeep's adventures, upgrades, and family trail rides through @famousjeep on Instagram. It is a great example of what happens when thoughtful engineering meets real-world use—and exactly the kind of build we love seeing out on the trail.
Questions or Comments?
We'd love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions.