Four Wheeler Magazine covers 4x4 Trucks, SUVs, & Off Road Vehicles
Subscribe Four Wheeler Magazine today for only $10.00! Link to Four Wheeler Magazine Facebook Fan Page Newsletter

1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ - Locked & Loaded

Kosalka's YJ

Photography by Ken Brubaker
Fact: This YJ is an ongoing father/son project.

An incredible amount of thought and engineering went into each and every modification on this YJ.

It took about two years for Kosalka to create what you see here, and the word "unique" doesn't even begin to describe this rig. But make no mistake. First and foremost, this Jeep was built to perform off-highway. Some of the exterior mods include a customized Poison Spyder front bumper with Warn XD9000i winch, all-encompassing exoskeleton/rollcage/"boatside" rock sliders, "rattle can" paint job, aluminum roof panel, PIAA spotlights, Champion beadlock wheels, and 35-inch Goodyear MT/R tires.

  • Out back is a Ford 8.8-inch axle with welded tubes and it has been fitted with a Detroit Locker. The rear suspension is comprised of a flexy custom four-link system that relocates the axle rearward to create a 106-inch wheelbase. Other rear suspension components include 14-inch Fox air shocks, a Pyrotect limiting strap, Solid Axle Industries diff cover, and Currie Antirock Sway Bar Kit.
    Out back is a Ford 8.8-inch axle with welded tubes and it has been fitted with a Detroit L
  • The good ol' 150ci four-cylinder engine still resides under the hood of the YJ. It has a custom exhaust with Spin Tech muffler and an Optima BlueTop battery. It's still mated to the AX5 5-speed manual transmission, though the factory clutch has been replaced by a Luk unit. Butting up to the trans is an Atlas four-speed transfer case. Sprouting from this unit is a pair of Tom Wood's custom driveshafts. In this image, you can also see the Mile Marker PE 2000 winch that's used to control front axle movement.
    The good ol' 150ci four-cylinder engine still resides under the hood of the YJ. It has a c
  • The front Dana 30 was braced and then fitted with Alloy USA 30-spline axleshafts and X-Joints, 4.88:1 gears, Solid Axle Industries diff cover, and an ARB Air Locker. The steering system has been upgraded with a variety of things including a Currie steering box brace, 1-ton tie rod and drag link, and strengthened knuckles. The front suspension is a custom four-link setup with 14-inch Fox 2.0 air shocks, Currie Antirock Sway Bar Kit, and Pyrotect limiting straps.
    The front Dana 30 was braced and then fitted with Alloy USA 30-spline axleshafts and X-Joi
  • While the dash and gauges remain mostly stock, Kosalka left his mark almost everywhere else in the interior. He upgraded the essentials by adding Beard seats, a Tuffy security console, and a rollcage. The interior was also the mounting point for the ARB air compressor.
    While the dash and gauges remain mostly stock, Kosalka left his mark almost everywhere els
  • Kosalka lopped off the entire rear end of the YJ and replaced it with a custom tube chassis that significantly enhanced the YJ's off-highway abilities. As you can see, the departure angle is phenomenal. In addition, he designed the custom chassis with gobs of neat touches including a spare tire mount, a recovery point, and storage for gear.
    Kosalka lopped off the entire rear end of the YJ and replaced it with a custom tube chassi

Specifications
General
Owner/hometown: Stan Kosalka/Huntington Beach, California
Vehicle/Model: 1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Estimated Value: $20,000

Engine
Type: Jeep 150ci I-4
Aspiration: Fuel injection, custom exhaust, Spin Tech muffler
Output, hp/torque (estimated): n/a

Drivetrain
Transmission: AX5 5-spd. manual
Transfer case: Atlas 4-spd.

Suspension
Front: Custom four-link, 14-in. Fox air shocks, Currie Antirock Sway Bar Kit, Pyrotect limiting straps
Rear: Custom lengthened four-link, 14-in. Fox air shocks, Currie Antirock Sway Bar Kit, limiting strap

Axles/Differentials
Front: Dana 30, Alloy USA axleshafts and X-Joints, 1-ton drag link and tie rod, strengthened knuckles/ARB Air Locker
Rear: Ford 8.8/Detroit Locker
Ring and pinion: 4.88:1

Wheels/Tires
Wheels: Cast aluminum with Champion beadlocks
Tires: 35x12.50-15 Goodyear MT/R

Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!

*Please enter your username

*Please enter your password

*Please enter your comments
Comments:
Not Registered?Signup Here
(1024 character limit)
Four Wheeler