CJ7 ‘Buggy’ Project

By Ryan Stoangi

It’s not really a buggy project but it just so happens Project “BUGGY” is a CJ7 owned by Tony Buggy and so it immediately became our ‘Buggy’ project.

We started by tearing out the stock engine and drive train and replaced it with a brand new Chevy 350 engine and transmission.  To get fuel to this small block V8 we installed an Edelbrock Proflow fuel injection system and then added a chrome-topped K&N air filter to make sure plenty of air reached it as well. We also wanted to make sure the tranny stayed cool under load so this was taken care of by adding a Flex-a-lite transmission cooler.

Advance Adapters parts got the engine mounted and connected with their T-case adapter, motor mount kit and a clean set of chrome headers.

We custom bent dual, full stainless exhaust pipes and hooked them up to a pair of 42451 Flowmaster mufflers for a deep aggressive, American muscle sound. 

To get Tony’s CJ off the ground we installed a 4” Superlift Suspension kit.  We wanted to maintain the ‘factory feel’ at the steering wheel so we installed a dropped Pitman arm. This helps to eliminate any ‘bump steer’ and keeps the steering components from potentially interfering with the chassis.

We wired the engine up to the new RJR diamond plate dash and installed an Autometer 10,000 RPM gauge. The Dick Cepek DC 1 rims were wrapped with a set of Pro Comp Xtreme M/T tires.

Now Tony has a powerful trail-ready rig that will pound dirt as easily as it hammers the pavement.