With their rugged, utilitarian design and immense go-anywhere capabilities, Jeeps, whether new or vintage, happen to make for excellent off-roaders. Perfectly encapsulating this notion is this 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rock Crawler rig that’s recently hit the online auction block.
Built atop the stretched 103” wheelbase of the Unlimited-spec Wrangler, this LJ project has been transformed into a true go-anywhere machine that boasts an extraordinary amount of ground clearance and suspension travel — not to mention next-level approach, break-over, and departure capabilities. This is owed to a set of 12” Fox adjustable coilovers fitted with Performance Remote Dual-Speed Compression adjusters, plus Currie Antirock sway bars, Johnny Joint rod ends, and 12″Poison Spyder custom aluminum four-link arms. The rock crawler has also been bestowed with a set of 17” Raceline beadlock wheels wrapped in massive 42” Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires. Sitting under a new Defender hood is now a Vortec V8 engine that’s been modified to 5.7 liters before being fitted with Isky Cam camshafts, a custom-fabricated intake system, a Griffin aluminum radiator, a 23-gallon GenRight aluminum fuel cell, and a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission with an LS1 stall torque converter, an Advance Adapters dual-range transfer case, Tom Wood’s driveshafts, Currie Rock Jock 70 front and rear axle housings, a Detroit Locker front locker, and an Eaton ELocker 4 rear locker.
Replacing the donor’s stock bodywork is a complete set of aftermarket items courtesy of Poison Spyder Customs that includes Big Daddy front fenders and corners, BFH bumpers fore and aft, a custom full-length skid plate, and half doors — all of which has been cloaked in a Chevrolet Torch Red livery. The interior of the Jeep has also been treated to a Dakota Digital instrument cluster, Art Carr shifter and transfer case gear levers, onboard fire extinguishers, a locking center console, an onboard air compressor, a CB radio, an overhead control panel, and a Pioneer head unit. Other noteworthy off-road upgrades and additions include Daystar bump stops with rear limit straps, Stoptech calipers paired with slotted rotors, a black vinyl Rampage top, a full roll bar, a PSC steering box with PSC Ram assist, a roof-mounted full-length LED light-bar, LED headlights set in the Jeep’s stock housings, custom rear mudflaps, and an integrated WARN ZEON winch. This build was also featured extensively in an issue of CRAWL Magazine.
On offer through the Avant-Garde Collection in Portland, Oregon, this Vortec-powered 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rock Crawler build is currently be auctioned off via Bring a Trailer where (as of the time of writing) bidding has reached $7,600 (with six days remaining on the sale).
