The Jeep LJ has become one of the most desirable Jeep platforms ever built. The extra 15 inches of wheelbase over a TJ creates a better ride, improved climbing ability, more interior room, and better overall proportions for serious off-road use. After years of customer requests, Wide Open Design officially developed a complete Jeep LJ chassis platform designed around modern suspension, one-ton axles, and proven off-road geometry.
In this video, Adam walks through the entire CAD design process behind the WOD Jeep LJ Chassis and explains how hundreds of hours of engineering work help make the build process easier for customers at home.
Starting with a Proven Foundation
The LJ chassis wasn't designed from scratch. Wide Open Design started with the proven Jeep chassis architecture already used successfully on previous TJ and CJ builds, then extended and modified the rear section to properly support the longer LJ tub. The result is a chassis that maintains:
- Proper suspension geometry
- One-ton axle compatibility
- Excellent wheelbase proportions
- Full-size drivetrain packaging
- Modern shock and bypass options
while still fitting beneath the iconic Jeep LJ body.
Designed Around Real Components
One thing that makes the WOD chassis different is that everything is modeled around actual parts. During the CAD process, Wide Open Design digitally installed:
- Crane Axle 14-Bolt housings
- PSC steering components
- Currie Anti-Rock sway bars
- Radflo coilovers
- Radflo bypass shocks
- LS engines
- TH400 transmissions
- Atlas transfer cases
- Driveshafts
- Fuel cells
before the first production chassis was built. This ensures proper clearance, suspension travel, and component fitment before customers ever begin assembly.
Built for the At-Home Builder
One of the primary goals of the LJ project was helping builders complete projects faster and with fewer headaches.
Instead of simply selling a bare chassis, Wide Open Design developed:
- Link mount kits
- Axle trusses
- Steering ram mounts
- Shock mount kits
- Skid plate systems
- Drivetrain mounts
- Fuel cell options
- Bypass shock packages
all designed to work together. The idea is simple: If customers use the complete WOD system, every bracket, tab, mount, and suspension component has already been engineered to fit properly.
CAD Models Become Build Instructions
Perhaps the most important part of the project is something many people never see. The CAD models are used to create installation references, exploded views, measurements, and visual instructions that help customers understand exactly where components belong. Adam explains that years of answering questions from shop employees helped shape this process. The same questions that arise inside the fabrication shop are often the same questions builders at home encounter during their projects. By answering those questions ahead of time through CAD documentation, the build process becomes dramatically easier. As Adam says in the video, the goal isn't just selling a chassis—it's helping builders successfully complete their projects.
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