Some guys have the mechanical aptitude and savvy to build just about anything. These skills are a gift of craftsmanship that usually kicks in at a young age and grows to a full-blown obsession by adulthood. That's just what happened to Todd Farrand. Ever since the mechanical madness overtook him as a young lad, he has built hot rods and mechanical monsters on movie and TV sets, and he started a custom Jeep parts business. His latest creation and perpetual build is this well-used and abused '90 Jeep Wrangler complete with an LT1 engine.
The Dana 60 axle in the rear...
The Dana 60 axle in the rear of the YJ is fitted with a Detroit Locker and 35-spline chromoly axleshafts. Todd built the triangulated four-link suspension and damped the ride by installing 12-inch Fox coilovers.
After this Wrangler was used on a TV set and then abandoned, Todd snatched it up and started building away. Since then he's been working his magic by turning it into a very capable trail rig. The Wrangler is now powered by an Chevy LT1 V-8 engine, and it's fitted with a hydraulic lift system that Todd removed from a low-rider Cadillac. The ol' YJ isn't the pretty unscratched show Jeep you'll find in other magazines; it's a mechanical machine that's well used-the way a Wrangler should be.
Under the vented hood of the...
Under the vented hood of the YJ rests a 300hp '94 LT1 that had been left for dead in a junkyard Camaro. The LT1's power exceeds the 2.5L four-cylinder factory I-4 engine, which only had 105 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque.
Mastercraft Baja seats were...
Mastercraft Baja seats were installed for comfort and safety, and an old military medical kit was used as a switch house to control the hydraulic rams that are attached to the top of each coilover shock. It's easy to reach and easy to use, just the way we like it!
Todd crafted all the tube...
Todd crafted all the tube work and rollcage from 1 3/4x-0.120-inch-wall DOM steel tubing, and then built the bumpers from 3/16-inch steel plate. His ingenuity also allowed him to stuff tons of gear in the rear of the Jeep such as the spare tire, toolboxes, and a custom RCI fuel cell.
Tech Specs
1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Drivetrain
Engine: 1994 Chevy Camaro LT1
Transmission: TH350
Transfer case: NP231, Advanced Adapters slip-yoke eliminator
Front Axle: Dana 44, Detroit Locker, CTM U-joints, Warn chromoly axleshafts, 4.88 gears
Rear Axle: Dana 60, Detroit Locker, 35-spline axleshafts, 4.88 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: In front, Fox 14-inch travel coilovers, custom radius arms, King hydraulic bumpstops. In the rear, Fox 12-inch travel coilovers, JounceShock bumpstops
Tires & Wheels: 35x12.5R15 Mickey Thompson Baja Claw, 15x8 Mickey Thompson Classic Lock
Other Stuff: Redneck Ram hydraulic steering assist, Warn 9.5ti winch, K&N filter intake, Hella lights with custom light cage, Mercenary Off-Road taillight covers, RCI aluminum fuel cell, custom boatsided rocker panels