Daily Slideshow: Corvette Powered Jeep Can Tackle the World

Add One More to the List

The list of vehicles realizing it's hard to beat the price-to-size-to-weight-to-power package offered by GM's can-do LS V8s is growing every day. From Nissan to Porsche, road-going racers and track-day thrill seekers have been converted to the LS faith, but the Jeep V8 swap is as old as, well as the Jeep itself—so it's only natural a fair share of LS mills end up between the frame rails of their off-road pals.

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The Swappers

Florida isn't exactly the center of the off-road universe, but fun is where you find it and Florida is the home of Bruiser Conversions. Bruiser made its name manufacturing zero-hassle kits to allow Jeep owners to drop their choice of GM LS V8s, gen III Mopar Hemi V8s, or turbo-diesels into their vehicles. Every company can use a showcase for their efforts, and Bruiser built this Wrangler JK-based for just that purpose and dubbed it the Bruiser Conversions Super Cab. The gang at Bruiser Conversions doesn't mess around, they went straight to the source, procuring the LS3 for this project directly from the GM Performance catalog.

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The LS and Company

With their LS3 in hand, Bruiser went to work equipping it with nitrous, BBK headers, and a custom high-flow Magnaflow exhaust system. The resultant engine puts out 565 horsepower on demand. To take all that extra power, the Jeep's original transmission went out with the wash and in came a capable Mercedes-Benz/Chrysler WA50 unit— coupled to an Atlas 3.0 twin stick transfer case. From the Atlas, case power goes out to 4.88 Eaton E-locker differentials front and rear.

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Climbing Up That Hill

Bruiser knew they wanted to get the JK up into the air so they enlisted a four-inch lift kit from Currie Enterprises, custom-spec aluminum control arms, heavy-duty external bypass shocks, and hydraulic bump stops. To enable the Jeep to climb anything it might encounter, Bruiser relocated both axles to allow for better approach angles—moving the front axle 2 inches forward and the rear axle 3.5 inches further back. The Jeep also features Carolina Metal Masters upgraded steering arms, an aluminum skid plate system from TNT Customs, and exterior rocker guards to protect their showpiece from pesky mountains. Other exterior modifications include a stubby front bumper, a Warn winch, 7-inch headlights, lots of LED lighting, and featherweight GenRight Off Road aluminum front fenders and aluminum half-doors. Tall, trim, bright, and light.

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The Finished Product

Bruiser put 20×10-inch Raceline Liberator bead-lock wheels between the Jeep and the terrain—wearing BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX 42×14.50R20 tires at all four corners. Contrary to popular opinion, no one likes to rough it when they braving the boulders, and Bruiser's Super Cab doesn't ask you to. The JK's cab is upholstered with Katzkin leather upholstery, and features custom-embroider Bruiser flourishes and a Kenwood stereo system to pump out the tunes. The finished product is the perfect blend of off-road capability, one-of-a-kind style, and user-friendliness. Just add occupants, mix with rocks, and fun is guaranteed to pour out.

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