2009 Top Truck Challenge Competitor: Brett Jerome's Jeep TJ Buggy

Thirty-one inches of ground clearance? Check. Tank Trap-ready approach and departure angles? Check. Safe, 2-inch 0.120-wall rollcage? Check. Mega-stout Warn 16.5ti winch? Check. Cutting-edge 54-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC tires on beefy Stazworks double beadlock wheels? Check. Isn't hard to look at? Check.

Thirty-one inches of ground clearance? Check. Tank Trap-ready approach and departure angle

When it comes to creating a state-of-the-art buggy, there are certain "givens." The givens include such things as stout axles, a powerful engine, lots of ground clearance, generous approach and departure angles, a flexy but stable suspension, and of course, big meats. In other words, a rig like Missouri pipefitter Brett Jerome's TJ buggy. It's no wonder you voted him in.

Specifications
Owner name/city: Brett Jerome/Blue Springs, Missouri
Occupation: Pipefitter
Vehicle model: Jeep TJ/buggy
Estimated value: $50,000
Engine/aspiration: 8.1L Chevy V-8, 3-in exhaust, Dynomax Race Bullet mufflers
Transmission: TH400, heavy-duty clutches and sprag, Summit Racing cooler
Transfer case: NP203/205 doubler
Suspension (f/r): Double triangulated, Fox 2.5 air shocks, Poly Performance limiting straps/double triangulated, Fox 2.5 air shocks, Poly Performance limiting straps
Axles (f/r): 2 1/2-ton Rockwell, Ouverson locker, pinion brake, axleshafts/2 1/2-ton Rockwell, Ouverson spool, pinion brake, axleshafts
Axle ratio: 6.72:1
Wheels: 20x12 Stazworks double beadlock
Tires: 54-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC

Typical of a modern buggy designed for extreme terrain, the custom interior of Jerome's rig is all business and easy to clean. Able to carry four passengers, it has a quartet of Kirkey seats. There's also a PSC 15-inch steering wheel, B&M transmission shifter, and Auto Meter gauges. He also has fingertip control of the rear steering and the transfer case.
Typical of a modern buggy designed for extreme terrain, the custom interior of Jerome's ri
A mega-simple, mega-flexy, double triangulated suspension with Fox 2.5 air shocks locates the front 2 1/2-ton Rockwell axle. This axle has Ouverson shafts, U-joints, pinion brake, and locker. It also has a PSC full hydraulic steering system with 3x9 double-ended ram so Jerome has no issues pointing the massive 54-inch Baja Claw TTC tires.
A mega-simple, mega-flexy, double triangulated suspension with Fox 2.5 air shocks locates
Out back, there's also a 2 1/2-ton Rockwell, and like the front axle, it sports Ouverson axleshafts, U-joints, and pinion brake. Unlike the front, it has an Ouverson spool, as opposed to a locker. The rear suspension is also similar to the front, with a double triangulated four-link and Fox 2.5 air shocks. Both axles are fed power by High Angle Driveline 3-inch 0.120-wall driveshafts.
Out back, there's also a 2 1/2-ton Rockwell, and like the front axle, it sports Ouverson a

Lurking under the TJ hood, nestled among the custom tubing, is a transplanted 8.1L Chevy V-8. That's 496 cubic inches of big-block goodness. The engine inhales through a custom high-mount intake and exhales through a custom 3-inch exhaust with Dynomax Race Bullet mufflers. The power from this 'plant goes to a modified TH400 transmission before being split to the axles via an NP203/205 doubler.
Lurking under the TJ hood, nestled among the custom tubing, is a transplanted 8.1L Chevy V