How Juicy Motorsports Created the Ultimate 465HP Off-Road Hybrid

Walking around Jeff Kirschner’s latest creation from Juicy Motorsports feels like stepping into the future of off-road engineering. This isn’t your typical weekend warrior’s rig - it’s what happens when rock bouncer DNA meets desert runner capabilities, all wrapped up in something that still vaguely resembles a Jeep. The only original Jeep part left on this beast? The windshield. Everything else has been completely reimagined.

The build started with an Aqualu Industries aluminum tub, which Wide Open Design then transformed into something that defies easy categorization. Jeff calls it a hybrid, and that’s probably the best way to describe this machine. It’s got the articulation to tackle technical rock sections, the suspension travel to bomb through the desert, and enough power to make either scenario absolutely thrilling.

Under the hood sits a hand built 454 LSR big block that American Speed Shop assembled with all the good stuff - forged pistons, ARP studs throughout, and Frankenstein Monster heads. The dyno numbers speak for themselves: 465 HP and 462 foot-pounds of torque at the rear wheels. That power gets routed through a bulletproof Maximum Off-Road Turbo 400 transmission with a 3,400 RPM stall converter before hitting an Atlas transfer case.

The axle setup is where things get really serious. Front and rear Crane axles house 47 spline RCV joints up front and 40 spline units out back, all spinning 5.13 gears. Those massive differentials get wrapped in 42" BFGoodrich Red Label Stickies mounted on custom 20" Weld Racing beadlocks. The whole package rides on RadFlow coilovers with bypass shocks and matching bump stops.

What makes this build special isn’t just the components - it’s how Wide Open Design engineered everything to work together. The suspension delivers 50/50 travel front and rear, meaning this thing can soak up whoops at speed or flex through gnarly rock gardens with equal confidence. The rear quarter panels (and matching curved cage) got completely reworked to accommodate the massive suspension travel, giving the rig a distinctive rock bouncer appearance that somehow works perfectly with the LJ proportions.

The interior reflects the serious nature of this build. Custom aluminum dash work houses a RacePac display, while four S-pod Phantoms control every electrical function. PRP seats wrapped in ostrich leather provide comfort during long desert runs, and the whole cockpit is designed around the driver’s needs. A backup camera display handles rear visibility, while the GPS system - which Jeff jokes people mistake for a microwave - keeps navigation duties covered.

Storage was a major consideration during the build process. The rear tire carrier system runs on actuators and houses a full-size spare, but underneath sits a 55 gallon fuel cell flanked by locking toolboxes. The whole system is secure and weatherproof, perfect for extended trips into remote territory.

One of the coolest features has to be the adjustable light bar. Rather than just mounting a fixed LED bar like most rigs, this setup uses actuators to tilt the lighting up or down depending on conditions. Hit a steep rock face and need to see your line? Tilt it up. Running tight trails with buddies where you don’t want to blind the guy in front? Angle it down. It’s the kind of thoughtful engineering that separates this build from typical bolt-on projects.

The attention to detail extends to every component. Everything got custom powder coating in Highland Bronze, creating a cohesive look that’s both unique and tasteful. Even small touches like the custom door panels and limit straps show the level of thought that went into this build.

Wide Open Design’s reputation for building championship-winning rock bouncers and desert racers shines through in every aspect of this hybrid. The triangulated 4 link suspension, full belly skid plating, and chassis reinforcement all reflect lessons learned from high-level competition.

The cooling system deserves special mention. With the radiator mounted behind the seats and proper ducting, this big block should stay happy even during extended desert runs or technical rock sections where engine loads stay high. Wilwood six-piston brakes at all four corners provide the stopping power needed to control this much machine.

Jeff’s vision for this build was creating something that could handle any terrain while still being enjoyable to drive. After 18 months of development, Wide Open Design delivered exactly that. Whether you’re chasing trophy trucks through the desert or picking lines through boulder fields, this hybrid has the capability to excel.

This LJ represents the evolution of off-road vehicles. It’s not enough anymore to just bolt on bigger tires and call it good. Today’s serious wheelers demand engineering that can handle multiple disciplines without compromise. Jeff’s creation proves that with the right vision and execution, you can build something that excels everywhere.

You can follow Jeff’s adventures with this incredible machine at Juicy Motorsports and catch more builds like this from the crew at Flex, Rocks & Rollovers.