Troubled Child is a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer purchased Aug 1997 with 86,000 original miles. I built it with a balance of capabilities, from tackling some of the toughest trails, to comfortably driving to trail heads hundreds of miles away, to extended outdoor excursions and exploration. Purpose Built: Nothing beats build-ups based on real-world experience. With 10 years of wheeling and building, TC is ready to take on the challenges of 8-rated trails in Colorado and Moab, with lots of little helpful features all blended into a trail capable, highway friendly, versatile and enjoyable package. Learn more about TC here.

Lift: Skyjacker 4" all spring lift with Rancho RS9000 shocks. Axles: D44 widetrac front axle with ARB Air Locker and 9-1/4" minimum clearance, AMC 20 widetrac one piece rear axle with Powertrax Lock Right locker and 8-3/4" clearance covered up with a Crane cover. Tires: Both axles feature 3.73:1 Precision Gear ring and pinion and mount 33x12.50-15 Goodyear MTR tires. The ARB is engaged through a custom converted York AC air compressor with 4wd Products 1 gallon air tank, all controlled in-cab or underhood for airing up tires or powering the locker. Brakes: Braided, extended length stainless steel brake lines deliver brake pressure to all four corners. Stainless brake hard lines are in progress.

Engine: Engine is a (recently swapped) stock AMC 360 V8 with 100,000 miles. It replaced a custom built 360 that is currently back on the stand for some more work. That motor was bored 0.030 over and balanced and featured Edelbrock intake, Comp Cams 260H bumpstick, rear main oiling modification, and ARP bolts. Exhaust: Spent gases pass through a 3" aluminized single exhaust encountering a high flow catalytic converter and Magnaflow muffler before their final journey to the atmosphere. Carburetor: To keep spent gases to a minimum and to keep the trees green the rig currently runs a Motorcraft 2150 two-barrel carburetor with altitude compenssator. Prior to this, it used a very efficient and off-road friendly 800-cfm Quadrajet carefully tuned to the Colorado altitudes. Transmission:The engine is mated to a rebuilt Jeep A727 (Chrysler TF727) transmission with TransGo shift kit, with power delivered through a custom-built low stall torque converter for increased compression braking off-road. Ignition: Lighting the fire is an MSD Blaster 2 coil triggered by the stock Duraspark ignition (with two spares in the vehicle at all time).

Off-Road Features: The Wilderness Off-Road roof rack is strong and functional, carrying camping gear, recovery gear, or offering a higher vantage point for drivers and passengers and most importantly carries up to 2 fuel cans, one light 33x9.50-15 spare in full expedition load out, and 500W of off-road lighting for playing after dark. Out back is a Valley spare tire carrier that holds a light 33x9.50-15 spare on aluminum rim and a 5 gallon Jerry can. Electronics: The vehicle is equipped with both CB and Amateur radio to transmit and receive on 4 radio bands including 2m, 70cm, and 6m and CB. Stereo:XM Satellite radio and 30G Video iPod provide tunes in remote locations. Sound is processed by an Alpine head unit and translated to tunes by way of Boston Acoustics FX5 speakers in the four corners. In progress is installation of a Kenwood amp and Infinity subwoofer, and migration of the rear speakers from the cargo area to the two rear doors for improved sound.

And More Extras: Interior features Bestop custom seats, Steel Horse center console, and Grant custom steering wheel. Engine rpm is monitored through an Autometer miniature tachometer mounted to the steering column. Outside, custom tube bumpers protect the front and rear and corners, and mount tow hooks and an XD9000i winch up front. The winch, lights, and electronics are powered by an Optima Red Top and a 94A Delco-Remy 12SI alternator. The rear bumper features a 2" receiver with Warn shackle. Reverse lights on the roof rack can be switched to always on, always off, or on along with oem reverse lights and provide a 200W flood beam to light up those dark trails. Dimensions: Like all FSJs, this one has 108" wheelbase and with the wider axles and tires, 78-3/4" sidewall to sidewall width in front, and under full fuel load out, 96-1/4" height.

I'm a member of the Colorado Full Size Jeep Association