CODE 4x4 -- one of the best Jeep customizers in the United States.
|
| Chris Overacker of CODE 4x4 begins the ultimate upgrade of a 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A: POWER STEERING! |
By Louis Dawson
Our family loves exploring Colorado's 4x4 trails. About ten years ago we bought a beater 1947 Willys flat fender Jeep, and began the long process of turning it into a capable modern rock crawler with a classic look. Along the way I've worked hard to make this beautiful vehicle more road-worthy, safer, and practical. I've done most of the work myself, but I'm just a hobby mechanic. When I run up against that limits of my mechanical and fabrication knowledge, I turn to CODE 4x4 owner Chris Overacker.
Incredibly useful and practical additions to "Rumble Bee" include a roll cage, 229ci V6 engine, rear Dana 44 axle with locker, onboard air compressor, security boxes, plentiful lighting both inside and out, modern seats, 4-point harnesses with seatbelt retractor reels so we actually use them, Warn overdrive, 4-speed truck transmission, moderately tuned suspension with longer travel, Spicer 18 transfer case with Terra Low gearing, Dana 30 customized front axle upgrade, high steer, integrated rocker guards, about 4 inches of lift, and numerous small but effective mods and refurbs.
After years of working on this jeep, with two body-off complete re-dos, there was still one thing that drove me crazy: the steering. Original steering on the Willys was apparently taken from the design for farm tractors. It developed scary play after moderate wear, was hard to maintain, and cranking the steering wheel on a hard trail, with large tires, was more like a weight workout than a drive. To some wags with large biceps, this was known as "armstrong" steering -- to us it was just plain bogus.
The answer to the Willy's steering woes has been around for a while: For years customizers have been upgrading the old flattie jeeps to GM style power steering. Doing so is mostly a lot of planning, money, and a load of hard work, but there is a technical side that was beyond me. That's when I turned to CODE 4x4. Result: Steering that is literally perfect. A modern tilt steering column with a clean Grant steering wheel, steering box mounted in the exact spot for correct geometry, frame cross member cut and reinforced to allow proper angles, etc. I like to call Chris "Dr. Code." And indeed he is. Rumble Bee went to the hospital and came out completely healed.
Well, almost. You know us boys and our Jeeps. They are never done. Good there are Jeep customizers like Chris!
CODE 4x4 is a custom Jeep builder specializing in the best custom Jeeps, trucks and other 4-wheel-drive customized vehicles for discerning 4wd clients.