Legacy Scrambler Conversion Is Ready to Rock

If you want a modified, bulletproof Jeep pickup, you have two options. The first is to track down someone with a Jeep Scrambler in good shape and then spend years modifying just about every aspect of the vehicle in the hopes that before you die, you'll have a vehicle without any weak links.

Your second choice is to buy a top-shelf conversion built by a company that does nothing but create one-of-a-kind heavy-duty vehicles, each fully tested and warrantied.

You might remember the Legacy Power Wagon that got so much attention last year when we did a First Drive of a modern-day pickup based on the Dodge classic. Now the restoration and customization experts at Legacy Classic Trucks are taking their expertise into the Jeep world with their latest "resto-version" (restoration plus conversion).

Some History

The Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 was the longer wheelbase version of the popular two-door CJ model built in the early 1980s; its longer wheelbase allowed for a half-cab to protect driver and passenger, leaving a bedlike area for cargo. The most famous CJ-8 was probably the one owned by President Ronald Reagan, which he kept on his ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif.

The Legacy Scrambler (without any association with Jeep) can be custom-built to factory specs in just about any body configuration you'd like (pickup, passenger wagon, team carrier or SUV), as a hard- or soft-top, and with an almost endless numbers of upgrades and options. Each Legacy Scrambler starts with a donor CJ body and frame, and then is heavily modified to vastly improve its 4×4 and overall performance capabilities.

When asked why he chose the Jeep Scrambler to convert, Legacy Classic Trucks owner and found Winslow Bent said, "The Scrambler seemed like a natural for us. It can be set up as a family-hauler, with plenty of space for kids and gear in the backseats, or turned into a rock-crawling Jeep pickup – you tell us what you want and we'll make it happen. … But we're about giving our vehicles a clean look, so we go over every detail with the client to make sure they get something special."

Scrambling Underneath

Although relatively few actual Jeep parts are in the Legacy Scrambler, the design, look and construction is painstakingly considered. It's worth noting that no matter how small the detail, every aspect of this four-wheeler is vastly improved in one way or another.

No matter the donor vehicle, Legacy builds the appropriate frame to accommodate a strong suspension, set of axles and powertrain. Much of the design for the suspension comes from the racing and fabrication experts at GenRight Off Road, who use a flexible rear four-link coil-over setup with DynaTrac ProRock Dana 44 axles (using Dana 60 tubes) with a choice of 5.13:1 or 4.56:1 gears.

In the front, the same modified Dana 44 ProRock axles use a three-link coil-over setup with a heavy-duty panhard rod and Saginaw steering box. Both axles can be ordered with ARB Air Locker differentials.

The entire suspension setup allows for about 6 inches of added lift (when compared to stock), so fitting 37-inch tires under the trimmed wheel wells is not a problem. In fact, if customers want 40-inch tires (Legacy says it always recommends Toyo Open Country R/Ts), they'll fit underneath as well.

Bodies and Power

A Legacy Scrambler conversion will be similar in size and look to a classic Jeep CJ-8; however, all of Legacy's Scrambler bodies will be made from aluminum in order to save weight, stop rust and provide the owner with a unique story to tell. As a result, all Scramblers will have an amazing power-to-weight ratio. Some of that is due to the lightweight body material, while the other piece of the puzzle rests squarely on the interesting engine option these Legacy rigs will offer.

To complement Jeep's military DNA, Legacy offers a small 3.0-liter V-6 Boeing military-spec turbo-diesel; each engine is modified by the diesel experts at Banks Engineering. The Boeing V-22 Badger engine has no emissions restrictions and is reported to offer 240 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque. All that torque is perfectly suited for low-end rumbling up or down a rocky trail, and the Atlas II twin-stick transfer case and GM six-speed transmission combine to provide an amazingly controlled crawl ratio when in 1st-gear low range. And like any other military-spec application, all the fuses, filters, belts and important engine components are easily accessible for quick repairs.

Inside the converted Scrambler, the gauges look close to stock, and specially designed Recaro seats provide more bolster to hold the driver (no matter what their body type) while making it easy to get into and out of the lifted 4×4. Details like an Italian leather-wrapped steering wheel and air conditioning can be ordered, but most of those decisions will be affected by whether the customer chooses the hardtop, half-cab or olive-drab canvas stretch top.

Cost to Own

Pricing for the Legacy Scrambler conversion is expensive. However, unlike the custom-built Power Wagon that can run well in excess of $200,000, the Scrambler — depending on how it's configured — will likely start around $100,000. If you're looking to save money, there several options you can leave off your rig. In fact, opting for the GM LS V-8 instead of the Boeing Badger V-6 diesel will save you thousands.

The Legacy Scrambler is offered in two configurations: the more aggressive Dual Sport option (like the one pictured here with the heavy-duty suspension, larger fender flares and 40-inch tires) or the more traditional Classic option, which will look more like the factory-offered Jeep with a smaller suspension lift, 35-inch tires and old-school white-spoke rims.

Conversion Future?

Boutique restoration and conversion companies seem to be gaining popularity as the auto industry gets back to full strength; they offer unique alternatives to the conservative and boring options from automakers. Companies such as Icon 4×4, American Expedition Vehicles and Legacy Classic Trucks are likely to thrive if products like these continue to offer one-of-a-kind value and convenient one-stop shopping. This surely isn't the last we'll hear from these companies. We're guessing there will be more new-old truck products coming down the road.

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