We all have that one hotrod that we saw as a kid that just doomed us with the eternal itch to be a gearhead. For me, the first time I saw a Jeep CJ7 with a v8 and side pipes roaring down the highway, I knew I'd have one someday. Fast forward to 2023, I finally got my first Jeep Wrangler, an ‘88 YJ. Though not my dream CJ7, it was a step in the right direction. Immediately, I put a 350 Chevy under the hood and side pipes and began living my childhood fantasy. After two summers of absolute fun and countless smiles per gallon, the original A999 transmission gave up the ghost. The time had come. I was getting my CJ7.
But, what to do with the YJ. It held a little sentiment in my heart being the first 4x4 drop top I owned. BINGO! I will turn that into my CJ7. I started gathering parts and coming up with a plan to build my dream Jeep. It had to look like a CJ7, and it obviously needed a V8. It’s 2026 and the hot rod world is no longer carburetors, drum brakes, non-overdrive transmissions, so it had to be modernized. So, from the ground up was the way to build it.
I started with a rust-free frame, a 4.5-inch lift kit, and some much-needed upgrades to axles and steering. A Ford 8.8 from a ‘95 Explorer gave me a hefty rear end, 3.73 limited slip, and disc brakes - PERFECT! The front end needed the same kind of love. The factory Dana 30 would stay, but a shackle reversal, steering box relocation, and a crossover steering would be the ticket to a comfortable and reliable ride from a straight axle. Now, how to make her scoot? The automatic transmission was dead, and well, 3 pedals are cooler. So, a Jeep 5-speed manual transmission and the factory transfer case would give me 4-wheel drive and overdrive. Power comes from an LS built by a local race shop using all kinds of goodies.
Cosmetics were next. I had square headlights, and Jeeps aren't supposed to have those. I was able to source a CJ7 front clip from various marketplace sellers, and a tailgate from a junkyard. After hours and hours of rust repair and retrofitting a cj7 front end, tailgate, and dash, I finally have my CJ7 lookalike, I call it my YJ7. By the time you're reading and reviewing this I'll be in the final assembly stage of the build: new custom fit and upholstered seats from a local shop, body and paint by myself, I'll have the coolest Frankenjeep in town!
