Rob Fox's LJ Build

Project: The Fox LJ | Precision Stealth

550 Horsepower. Family-Friendly. Zero Weak Points. 

Bobby Fox came to Wide Open Design with a specific mission: build a rig that could tackle the most vertical climbs at Adventure Off Road Park on Saturday, but still be refined enough for a comfortable family trail ride on Sunday. The result is a masterclass in balance—a clean, white-and-black LJ that hides a race-bred heart beneath its factory-style silhouette.

The Muscle & The Management
At the center of this build is a naturally aspirated 402ci LT engine pushing a crisp 550 HP. We focused on immediate throttle response for technical crawling, backed by a TH400 and an Atlas 4-speed transfer case. To keep that LT happy during slow-speed high-load climbs, we integrated our WOD 31" DPL Radiator Combo and a custom stainless-steel exhaust with block-hugger headers.

The "Crane-Equipped" Foundation
You don't run 5.13 gears and 40-spline lockers unless you intend to beat on it. We outfitted the Fox LJ with Crane 14-Bolt axles front and rear.

• Front: Magnum Knuckles, Big Bell RCVs, and '05+ unit bearings.
• Rear: 4340 Crane shafts and 450 unit bearings.
  This setup ensures that the weak point is never the drivetrain—it's usually the driver's nerve.

The WOD Ride Quality
To handle the weight of a full-bodied LJ while maintaining "couch-like" comfort, we utilized Radflo 2.0 Coilovers paired with 2.5 Three-Tube Bypass shocks. This dual-shock setup, connected by 7075 Aluminum link bars, allows Bobby to tune the ride for high-speed desert sections or slow, methodical rock gardens.

Our Take: This build proves you don't have to cut your Jeep into a buggy to get buggy-level performance. It’s clean, it’s capable, and it’s exactly what an LJ should be.