[MBRP]

We began this build just over a month ago so I'll fast forward with updates up to where we stand today.

As many of you may know, we have been avid Jeep enthusiasts for many years, and have been in the performance diesel market for even longer… We have decided to take two of our biggest passions, and turn them into our latest project.

The basics of the build will involve installing a 12 valve Cummins out of a ’97 extended cab long box 2500 Dodge pick up, into a stretched 2007 4 door JK unlimited. The end result will be a full 4 door JK with a pick up box. There are many different options for a build like this and we are in the early stages of development at this time. We feel that this Jeep will be something a little different, but really cool and appeal to both our Jeep and Diesel enthusiasts.

A few shots of the donor truck, and new project JK:

[MBRP]

We have a rough rendering of what the body of the JK should look like before the lift, wheels, tires, axles etc etc. Here is what our 4 door pick up JK should look something like when it's complete.





Now, the body of the JK has been removed from the frame, and the work has begun to extend the length of the tub 17". We had originally thought we might use the frame from the truck but after doing some more investigating, we have decided that the stock JK frame will be a good platform to build off of. The frame will undergo some significant modifications to beef it up to hold the weight and torque of the new 12 valve Cummins.

Here are some pictures of the progress on the body and JK frame:

[MBRP]

More progress has been made on the hand fabbed box extension. As you know we have added about 17" to the over all length of Jeep between the rear door and wheel well. The process of filling in the gap is a work in progress.

This thing is starting to look more like a truck every day!

Here are a few shots of what it looks like:

[MBRP]

After cutting down the hardtop, and installing one of the rear seats, we are in the process of altering the top to fit.





The original plan was to keep the rear section of the hard top as short as possible. Well, as you can see, there needs to be enough clearance for the rear seats.



The hard top will be set back slightly to accommodate the rear seat. Here's what it looks like right now.

[mylightsrsquare]

this is a first for me, watching a frame off jk build. looks sweet

[platinum5.9]

Cant wait to see more progress...

[Jeepin_Dad]

Awesome concept, can't wait to see the finished product.

[Apex]

This is going to be good.

Good luck with the rest of the build. Can't wait to see it when you're done.

[jforse]

crawled

[97tjeff]

amazing - what's the plan for suspension and axles? are you just going to keep that part of it stock?

[Smallz]

This is going to be sweet!

[GDTIME]

wow this will be sweet, subscribed

[JCJeep97]

CRAWLED

[MBRP]

We were asked the other day what the plan was to address the lip around the tub. We have taken the strip off the top to smooth out the box and you can see the before and after in the pictures below.





The box will be smoothed out to have a cleaner look and we will not be running the typical soft top so the hook style lip is not needed.





The hard top is starting to take shape as well, but lots more work to get it looking like we would like. Just a quick update showing today's progress.

[MBRP]

More updates...

The wall behind the rear seats was the next step in closing in the back of the Jeep. We have contoured the wall to fit the shape of the hard top, and it's coming together quite nicely.



Hard top set in place...



A bit better shot of the box and hard top sitting in place.







Welding in the wall.







Box floor in place, before the fenders have been cut in.



Fenders and inner box work will likely wait until after the suspension work has been done. We want to know how much upwards travel is going to be needed before installing the inner fenders.