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Tony Grigaitis
Marc Diab Project
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By Jeff Sicard
14 months of planning, over 2000 hours of labour, individuals from across Canada, local Ontario shops, international corporations, and 4WDrive; all came together in honour of a fallen hero’s service and as a tribute to all those who have served, currently serve, and will serve in Canada’s armed forces.
If you don’t know who Trooper Marc Diab was and why this build took place, please check out Volume 15 Issue 2 of 4WDrive for an introductory feature on his 1998 Jeep TJ that has been transformed into a capable trail rig and an awesome showstopper at the same time.
The public was given a sneak peek of the Jeep at the annual Rock Spyder 4x4 Customer Appreciation Day and it was unveiled to Marc’s parents at JeepKings.ca JK101. To say the reception was emotional would be putting it lightly. With so many people involved, and many more watching the progress on JeepKings.ca, the unbelievable amount of positive response not only for the project, but also for how the Jeep looked and the choice of equipment installed, was very rewarding for all involved in the project.
The Jeep started life as a 2.5L 4 cylinder with a 5 speed manual, Marc added a 1.75” budget boost and 33” tires. The build team would take it much further with a 4.0L swap using a rebuilt engine with the machine work and internal parts supplied by Athenia Machine of Hamilton, Ontario. The power flows through a Euro-Drive clutch into an AX15. An NV231 with an Advance Adapters SYE provided and installed by Rock Spyder 4x4 handles the transfer case duties.
The axles, a high pinion Dana 30 and a Staang’s Fab 8.8 TJ Crate Axle, are geared 4.88 with Predator Chromoly Axle Shafts by Quality Gear up front provided by Canada-Wide Parts and Pat’s Driveline of Mississauga, Ontario, who also supplied the front gears and master install kit installed by Rock Spyder 4x4; power flows to the axles through custom driveshafts courtesy of Canada-Wide Parts and Pat’s Driveline. Airport Ford of Hamilton, Ontario helped out by providing rear brakes and getting the tires running straight down the road with a four wheel alignment.
MetalCloak Overline Tube Fenders and a BDS Suspension 4.5” Long Arm lift, with Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Absorbers, make room for the 38”x14.5Rx17LT Goodyear MT/R with Kevlar wrapped around a set of B.A.D. Wheels Eklipse 17.
Interior comfort comes from a set of PRP Seats, while Bestop with an Under Seat Locking Storage Box and Instatrunk provides security. Additional safety is provided by a bolt-in Rock Hard 4x4 Parts Ultimate Sports Cage, and for ease of cleaning and floor protection, Line-X of Hamilton, Ontario sprayed the tub with a colour matched protective coating.
On the outside, Ottawa Auto Body of Hamilton, Ontario removed the dents and dings then refreshed the factory original Gunmetal Pearl provided by DURA Chemicals of Stoney Creek, Ontario. The hood was passed to MikesGFX.com for the custom airbrushed Lebanese and Canadian flag graphics shown in the pictures. The front bumper was provided by Nova Scotia Jeep Club and Tri County KustomZ of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia with Casey’s Welding Service of Brantford, Ontario taking on the task of the rear bumper and tire carrier. A special thank you goes to Cassidy’s Transfer and Storage of Pembroke, Ontario who transported the front bumper to Hamilton from Petawawa, where it made a stop for some hands on time and photo opportunities with members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons who served with Marc in Afghanistan. Mounted up front is a Warn ZEON 8 winch with 5/16” galvanized steel rope to handle any required recovery duties.
Window graphics on the hard top were refinished by Billy Lazarou of DIGITAL ART in Toronto. Off Road Addiction of London, Ontario, donated exterior mirrors and Waste Management of Canada and St. Catherines Freightliner provided LED lighting. Handling the electrical needs of the Jeep is an Odyssey PC1500 courtesy of Odyssey Canada by Great Northern Battery Systems.
All maintenance items, factory wear parts, and engine accessories were provided by A&A Auto Parts of Hamilton, Ontario, ensuring the Jeep will be trouble free for the years to come. Engine cooling and interior heat is handled with components from 1-800-Radiator.
The build team would also like to thank Lucky Bear Services Inc, Titan Off Road, Everlast Welders, Rubicon Grill, Canadian Shield 4x4 Outfitters, Call of Duty Towing, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Bob Dechert -MP Mississauga-Erindale, 4WDrive, and the many individual JeepKings.ca members who have supported the project.
After multiple awards received at a few of the early summer events in Ontario, the build team plans to show the Jeep at further events this summer, then will embark on a fall tour across Ontario in September.
The Jeep will spend many years to come driving around Petawawa where Marc’s family opened Madameek Restaurant in honour of our fallen hero. If you are in Petawawa drop in and say hi, enjoy the amazing food and hospitality; check out the Jeep and let them know you saw it in the pages of 4WDrive.