To keep the CJ looking this correct with the wider-than-stock front axle, Chris added 2 1/2 inches of material to the front fenders, making them wide enough to nearly cover the front Swampers. This may seem like a fair bit of work for a trail rig, but this capable Jeep is more of a wilderness exploration rig, not an extreme rockcrawler. Plus, taking steps like this also allows it to be driven on the street without raising too many eyebrows. Some things just look better on certain 4x4s, such as the classic Warn 8274 winch and the appropriate lifting shackles on the front bumper.
Every now and then we come across one of those trucks that bring up that dangerous green emotion...envy. Recently we felt that twinge of desire for a little trail Jeep from Canada. It's not uncommon that some of us 4x4 guys get all ga-ga over early Willys flatfenders, but when you mix in the clean fabrication of this custom four-by with the ingeniously unique yet tough drivetrain we're just blubbering babies.
This flatfender was built by Chris Olson with help from his twin brother Ben out of their small machine shop in Burnaby, British Columbia. Their shop (OTT Industries) is known for meticulous metal merchandise for the custom 4x4 builder, and as such their own rides are quite sanitary. The cool thing about the Olsons is that they don't get caught up in building the normal run-of-the-mill parts or project trucks. For example, this '48 Willys CJ-2A has a turbodiesel under the hood, an airbag suspension, and 1-ton axles, but it still looks properly proportioned on 38-inch tires. Another thing we like about this Jeep is that it was built to be a good all-around vehicle, not just a rockcrawler.
In fact we cringed when Chris took it into the rocks because we know the damage that can result, but it took most of the obstacles in stride. In the end this little camping backwoods explorer could still clatter down any trail across Canada or the U.S. and make guys like us jealous.
Here is where this flatfender Jeep takes a turn from the herd; under the hood resides a Nissan SD-33T turbodiesel out of an International Scout. This is followed by the Scout wide-ratio T-19 with 6.3:1 First gear and Dana 300 transfer case. Though a little louder than the original Jeep engine, this diesel was no louder on the trail than your average V-8-powered 4x4. Note how the hood was stretched 2 inches to make room for the inline-six and aluminum radiator. | 
Part of the goal with this Jeep was to build it into a competent trail rig that could be daily driven yet still look relatively unmolested and proportioned. Therefore, after hours and hours of custom fabrication was done to it, there are still basic low-back Bestop seats in the cab. However, more legroom is available for the driver since the door opening was stretched 2 inches. There is still a 17-inch Willys' CJ-5 steering wheel on the column, but note the rustproof aluminum flooring and Auto Meter gauges. | 
Looking forward you can see the shortened and narrowed Jeep YJ frame that was used since the original frame was toast. The BDS front leaf springs and narrowed Dana 60 front axle support the little Jeep and offer near unbreakable parts for such a diminutive vehicle. |
Out back is a monster GM Corporate 14-bolt. Overkill for a flatfender you might say, but also better insurance against breakage than the stock Dana 44. With 38-inch Swampers and 4.56 gears there is still a good amount of clearance under the shaved axlehousing, and by using a standard axle with dualie hubs, the wheel mounting surfaces are just 63 inches wide. Rear suspension was built for flex and comfort on bumpy trails by using Goodyear airbags off of a Freightliner semi and a three-link with wishbone suspension. | 
The sideview shows how the body was stretched 2 inches in the door opening, 10 inches behind the door, and 2 inches up front. The simple rollcage is made of 1 3/4-inch tubing and the body is covered in industrial gray/green paint. The fuel filler was also moved from under the driver seat to out back, yet overall the proportions with the tall tires are fairly agreeable. | 
If the rear of the Jeep looks a little wide, that's because it is. The flatfender tub angles out slightly before the door opening, and Chris simply followed that angle out farther to make the rear of the body wider, thus better covering the rear axle and tires with the added help of some trailer fenders. Note the hole in the rear bumper. This is where a driveshaft can run up to the PTO drive on the T-19. Since a larger fuel tank was installed under the bed of the 4x4, it had to be modified with a long tubular passageway for the PTO shaft to pass through the tank. |
Here is another example of the Olson ingenuity. Since the front axle was narrowed, custom axleshafts needed to be made. Chris was able to simply add a double-splined inner axleshaft by using Spicer yokes from a dumptruck driveshaft that fit the Dana 60 1480 U-joint and are broached with a 35-spline hole. | | |
TECH Specs
Engine Scout/Nissan SD-33T turbodiesel inline-six
Transmission Scout wide-ratio T-19
Transfer Case Scout Dana 300
Front Axle Dana 60 narrowed to 63 inches (wheel mount to wheel mount), 4.56 gears, LockRight locker, OTT steering arms
Rear Axle GM Corporate 14-bolt, dualie hubs for 63-inch width (wheel mount to wheel mount), shaved for ground clearance, 4.56 gears, disc brakes, Detroit Locker
Tires & Wheels 38x12.5R15 Super Swamper SX on classic 15x8 white-spoke steel wheels
Front Suspension BDS rear 2.5-inch Jeep YJ rear springs
Rear Suspension Goodyear airbags with three-link and wishbone