A 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rolling on 40s

Web Wheeler 1997 Jeep Wrangler With 40 Inch Tires

The Internet and its bevy of web forums can be a great source of information, but just as often the same forums can be a source of misinformation. So called “experts” are often times pimply-faced kids who have never actually shifted a transfer case into low range, much less fixed a broken driveshaft on the trail with two batteries, a set of jumper cables, and a coat hanger. The true grit old timers who have actually seen it all and done it all don’t typically spend their free time behind a keyboard.

When Denis Volkov moved to Nevada from Silicon Valley, he started his own 4x4 website. But instead of living on the computer in his mom’s basement telling everyone that their rollcage needs more triangulation, Denis actually wheels his Wrangler.

After a careless driver ran into his ’92 Wrangler YJ and totaled it, Denis bought an XJ Cherokee, but wagon wheeling wasn’t for him. It wasn’t long before Denis was back behind the wheel of a short wheelbase Jeep; the ’97 Wrangler shown here. His previous Jeeps had all been lifted and modified. Like most Jeeps, this one grew larger and larger over time as Denis’ skills dictated and funds allowed.

The Details
General
Owner/Hometown: Denis Volkov/Reno, NV
Vehicle/Model: 1997 Jeep Wrangler
Engine
Type: 4.0L I-6
Aspiration: Stock TBI, high-flow intake tube
Output: Stock
Drivetrain
Transmission: 32RH
Transfer case: NP241 Rock-Trac
Suspension
Front: Custom Samco Fabrication three-link with track bar
Rear: Custom Samco Fabrication triangulated three-link
Axles/Differentials
Front: Dana 60, Blue Torch Fab differential cover and brackets, Lee Manufacturing ported steering box, PSC ram, Sky Manufacturing steering arm/ARB Air Locker
Rear: Corporate 14-bolt, Blue Torch Fab differential cover and brackets/Detroit Locker
Ring and pinion: Yukon 4.88:1
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17x9.5 Allied Monster beadlock
Tires: 40x13.50R17 Goodyear MT/R

The white sheetmetal is largely covered by black steel in the form of Rock-it Man rocker guards and Blue Torch Fabrication comp-cut corners. “I actually want to swap out the corners for something that retains the factory lines a little better,” Denis admitted, “but the Blue Torch fenders came as part of a kit with the fuel tank and skidplate that allowed me to stretch the rear of the Jeep.”
The white sheetmetal is largely covered by black steel in the form of Rock-it Man rocker g
Heavily modified suspensions and body armor are commonplace on the trail, but rarely do we see anyone swap out their 4.0L engine. “Sure I would love a V-8,” Denis comments, “but the 4.0L hasn’t given me any reason to get rid of it.” The engine is fired by dual Optima batteries wired with a 12 Volt Guy wiring kit and stuffed in a Mean Green battery tray. Behind the six-cylinder the factory 32RH three-speed automatic was mated to an NP241 Rock-Trac transfer case out of a TJ Rubicon. The Rubicon also donated its axles and Denis ran them for years, but they were deemed insufficient for the 40-inch tires that Denis is now running.
Heavily modified suspensions and body armor are commonplace on the trail, but rarely do we
We have seen many Jeeps where the owner added rocker protection or a good cage after damage had already been done, but Denis knew from past experience that it is best to protect both the sheetmetal and the occupants before any harm occurs. Far Beyond Driven designed the interior cage structure that ties into the stock rollbar and fits behind the dash as to not intrude into the passenger space. PRP tweed seats and RCI lap belts provide further safety, while a Pioneer stereo and Jensen wakeboard speakers affixed to the tubework crank out the hits.
We have seen many Jeeps where the owner added rocker protection or a good cage after damag

The rear end is capped off with a Currie bumper fitted with a custom tubular rack from Dr. Smash that fits either a fullsize spare tire or an ice chest, depending on Denis’ needs at the time.
The rear end is capped off with a Currie bumper fitted with a custom tubular rack from Dr.
A triangulated suspension is not practical in the front with a traditional steering box, so the front suspension uses Pro Comp coils and 11-inch-travel Rubicon Express monotube shocks in conjunction with a three-link suspension and track bar. The lower links are constructed from 2-inch, 0.250-wall chromoly and fitted with Rubicon Express Super Flex joints that connect to a Rubicon Express subframe. The single upper is essentially a radius arm that extends from the lower link to the top of the differential with 1.5-inch tubing capped with rod ends. A Currie Antirock sway bar rounds out the suspension and keeps the Wrangler stable on the street as well as on the trail. Denis originally ran Hummer H2 wheels, but found that excessive backspacing made the hubs vulnerable in the rocks. The H2 wheels were swapped out for 17-inch Allied Monster beadlock wheels from Trent Fabrication.
A triangulated suspension is not practical in the front with a traditional steering box, s
The TJ has been stretched a total of 7 inches and lifted 4 inches using a Rubicon Express long-arm suspension kit modified by Samco Fabrication. The Jeep rolls on 40-inch Goodyear MT/R tires. The rear suspension pushes the axle back 5 inches and features a triangulated four-link design coupled with Pro Comp coils and 16-inch-travel Edelbrock remote-reservoir shocks. The lower links were built from 2-inch, 0.250-wall DOM tubing and Summit Machine Jimmy Joints. Since the upper links are less susceptible to damage, 1.75-inch, 0.125-wall tubing was deemed sufficient.
The TJ has been stretched a total of 7 inches and lifted 4 inches using a Rubicon Express

In the rear, an inexpensive yet strong Corporate 14-bolt was fitted with disc brakes, a Detroit Locker, Yukon 4.88 gears, a Blue Torch Fab differential cover, and the factory 30 spline, 1 1/2-inch axleshafts. Like the front, Samco Fabrication added the Blue Torch Fab brackets that allowed Denis to bolt the axle up to his suspension.
In the rear, an inexpensive yet strong Corporate 14-bolt was fitted with disc brakes, a De
The Rubicon axles were sold to offset the cost of the front high-pinion Dana 60 and rear Corporate 14-bolt axles. The front axle uses stock Spicer axleshafts with an ARB Air Locker, and Yukon 4.88 gears. Denis has plans to upgrade to 35-spline outers and hubs, but for the time being the stock components are enduring the 40s. Samco Fabrication added Blue Torch Fab brackets to the front axle, which is steered with a Lee Manufacturing ported steering box under a Kilby skidplate. The box works in conjunction with a PSC hydraulic ram, pump, and reservoir. From the pitman arm, a 1.5-inch, 0.125-wall drag link with 1-ton Chevy tie rod ends connects to a Sky Manufacturing steering arm. A pair of rod ends and 1.5-inch, 0.250-wall tubing were used to create the tie rod.
The Rubicon axles were sold to offset the cost of the front high-pinion Dana 60 and rear C
Up front, a Currie front bumper holds a Warn XD9000i winch wrapped in Rockstomper Amsteel winch line and wired to the dash with a 12 Volt Guy winch controller. Poison Spyder Customs tube fenders and a Clayton Off Road oil pan skidplate round out the extensive armor.
Up front, a Currie front bumper holds a Warn XD9000i winch wrapped in Rockstomper Amsteel