From CJ7 to King of the Rocks: GRDLOC's Wild Transformation to 46 Inch Tired Beast

When you take a CJ7 and stretch it to 120 inches, slap on 46-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, and drop in a factory supercharged V8, you get something that barely qualifies as a Jeep anymore. Meet GRDLOC, the absolute unit that Rockstar Garage built to push every boundary of what a Jeep can be while still keeping that unmistakable Jeep DNA.

Builder Nic Ashby from Rockstar Garage didn’t mess around when they decided to build something different. This isn’t your typical weekend warrior rig - this is what happens when you take a perfectly good CJ7 and ask “what if we made it absolutely ridiculous?” The answer involves a 4.4-liter supercharged Cadillac motor that makes those massive 46-inch tires spin like they’re running 33s.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Ashby remembers the early days when GRDLOC was still running the stock motor, trying to push those monster tires up Moab’s slickrock. They were burning through fans and blowing radiators because a hundred horsepower just wasn’t cutting it. Sure, it went everywhere they wanted it to go, but it was working harder than a one-legged cat in a sandbox.

The stretched wheelbase gives GRDLOC stability that most rock crawlers can only dream about. Going from the stock 96-inch wheelbase to 120 inches completely changes how this thing approaches obstacles. Combined with those 3.0 IBP 16-inch coil overs from King - the same shocks you’d find on a trophy truck - this Jeep flexes like it’s made of rubber.

Those American Force 20-inch beadlocks aren’t just for show either. They’re wrapped in custom-grooved Mickey Thompson Baja Claws that bite into rock like they’re angry about something. The grooves give the tread pattern more flex when crawling, which means better contact patches on technical terrain.

Under all that custom bodywork sits some serious hardware. The Yukon Gear and Axle setup includes a kingpin 60 front axle from a 1987 Dodge and an 11.5-inch AM rear axle that’s been drilled out to fit 38-spline axles. When you’re making the kind of power this supercharged V8 puts out, you need axles that can handle the abuse without turning into expensive confetti.

The full hydro steering setup from PSC means Ashby can point this beast wherever he wants it to go, even when those 46-inch tires are trying to follow every crack and crevice in the rock. Full hydro takes the fight out of big tires, letting you steer with your pinky if you want to.

What really sets GRDLOC apart is how it performs on the trail. That factory supercharger and variable valve timing means the power delivery is smooth and predictable. No laggy turbo response or peaky power band - just immediate grunt when you need it. Ashby admits it’s almost scary how much easier obstacles become when you have real power backing up those massive tires.

The cooling system is no joke either. Six different Mishimoto coolers keep everything happy - two transmission coolers, an oil cooler, supercharger cooler, radiator, and hydraulic steering cooler. When you’re working this hard in technical terrain, heat management becomes critical. Nobody wants to be the guy limping home because they cooked their transmission on Devil’s Crack.

Inside the stretched cab, PRP race seats keep you planted while the S-pod system controls everything electrical. The Dakota Digital gauges tell you what’s happening with all those vital signs, and the nine-speaker Kicker system means you can hear your tunes over the supercharger whine.

The proof is in the pudding though. GRDLOC’s first real test came at the American Super Jeep Challenge, where it walked away with the overall championship. Then they headed to King of Hammers and took home Builder of the Year honors from American Super Jeep and Motor Trend. That’s not beginner’s luck - that’s what happens when you build something right.

Ashby talks about how the extra power changes everything. Obstacles that used to require perfect line choice and momentum now become point-and-shoot affairs. The downside? All that power means you can get yourself into trouble faster than you can get yourself out. When you’re used to crawling over stuff with 90 horsepower, suddenly having 400-plus horses can put you in situations where you’re second-guessing every move.

The three-sixteenths mandrel-bent replacement frame from Thal Down Customs is basically a race frame that can handle whatever punishment gets thrown at it. Rock Slide Engineering’s sliders have been taking abuse for three years and still look solid, which says something about their build quality.

What’s really impressive is how GRDLOC maintains its Jeep identity despite all the modifications. The body, fenders, and flares still scream CJ7, even though everything underneath has been completely reimagined. It’s like taking a classic muscle car and dropping in a modern drivetrain - you get the best of both worlds.

The attention to detail shows in unexpected places too. That custom green bed liner has held up for three years of serious abuse without losing its luster. When you’re building something to this level, those little touches matter just as much as the big-ticket items.

You can follow GRDLOC’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook, where Rockstar Garage regularly posts videos of this monster tackling obstacles that would make lesser rigs cry. It’s one thing to build something that looks good in photos - it’s another to build something that can back up the hype when the rubber meets the rock.

GRDLOC represents everything that’s right about the custom off-road scene. It’s not just a show queen that gets trailered to events - this thing gets used hard and keeps coming back for more. When you’re willing to push boundaries and do things differently, sometimes you end up with something truly special.