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Jason's Subuggy - 2005 Top Truck Challenge


By Ken Brubaker
writer: Sean P. Holman
photographer: Ken Brubaker, Sean P. Holman

Jason's Subuggy
Previously known as the "Shaggin' Wagon" (we'll spare you the details), Jason Weidhuner's 1970 Chevy Suburban is now walking the straight and narrow. Weidhuner hopes his Suburban's new attitude will help him squeeze through the evil Tank Trap.


The Subuggy is a narrowed and shortened work of art. Twenty inches of the rear frame and front grille are gone; the cab is narrowed by 12 inches; the rear of the body is narrowed by a whopping 26 inches; the hood is shortened and cut down; and the windshield frame is narrowed.


A durable Dana 60 with an ARB Air Locker and Yukon chromoly inner and outer 35-spline axleshafts resides under the Subuggy's front end. The suspension is comprised of Skyjacker 8-inch-lift leaf springs, Off Road Design shackles, and Sway-A-Way remote-reservoir shocks. An AGR Rock Ram, Redneck Ram steering box, re-tapered 1996 Dodge Ram pitman arm, and heavy-duty high-steer arms, tie rod, and drag link with 1-ton componentry make up the bulletproof steering system.


Skyjacker 4-inch-lift leaf springs with a shackle flip and Sway-A-Way remote-reservoir shocks make up the rear suspension. The rear axle is the stock Eaton unit with a factory Detroit No-Spin differential. A custom rock ring and guard protects the diff from trail damage.


Power comes from a 383ci engine that features Manley, JE, Moroso, MSD, Holley, and Crane components. Fuel is drawn from a 20-gallon Summit fuel cell and injected into the engine via Holley Commander 950 throttle-body injection system with 30-pound injectors. Torque is routed through an NV4500 transmission to a pair of NP203 and 205 transfer cases that were installed using an Off Road Design Doubler Kit and custom mounts.


Porsche 911 seats, a Momo steering wheel and a slew of Auto Meter Ultra Lite gauges are some of the obvious interior mods. Not so obvious is the custom floor with larger inner fenders to allow for more front tire clearance and the full rollcage built from 1 5/8-inch DOM tubing.

SPECIFICATIONS

Owner/city:
Jason Weidhuner/Washougal, Washington
Vehicle:
1970 Chevy Suburban
What he does when not 'wheeling:
Four-wheel-drive shop owner
Engine/aspiration:
Chevy OHV 383ci V-8/
Holley intake manifold, Holley Commander 950 TBI, Hedman Hedders, 2.5-inch dual exhaust, Flowmaster mufflers
Transmission:
NV4500 (early GM with 6.35:1 1st gear), Hays flywheel, Centerforce clutch, Advance Adapters shifter
Transfer case(s):
NP203/NP205 (NP205 reclocked 2 inches), Offroad Design doubler kit, triple-stick shifter, custom crossmember
Suspension (f/r):
Skyjacker 8-inch leaf springs, Off Road Design shackles, 14-inch-travel Sway-A-Way remote-reservoir shocks/
Skyjacker 4-inch leaf springs, shackle flip, 14-inch-travel Sway-A-Way remote-reservoirs
Axles (f/r):
Dana 60, ARB Air Locker, Yukon chromoly 35-spline axleshafts, custom diff guard, shortened GM rear driveshaft with 1350 U-joints/Eaton, Detroit No-Spin, shortened rear driveshaft with 1350 U-joints
Axle ratio:
5.13:1
Wheels:
15x12 TrailReady bead locks
Tires:
42x15-15 TSL Boggers (grooved)


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