Ride Of The Week 05/15/2023: Mark Harlow's 1981 Jeep CJ5

CAUTION: WET PAINT

I spotted Mark Harlow's 1981 Jeep CJ5 on display outside the Las Vegas Convention Center at SEMA 2022. Original CJs always stand out, but this one was special in more ways than one.

First off, it was stretched about 30” and sits on a custom built frame. Secondly, Mark did all the work himself, fabrication, exhaust, suspension, all in a two car garage!

He's had the Jeep since he was 18 and it’s had a hard life. He wanted to make it into something that would accommodate his growing family, hence the lengthening of the chassis.

The engine is a 318 from an older Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s mildly built and backed by an AX15 5-Speed from Novak. Axles are a Dana 60 and a GM Corporate 14-bolt from an early 80s 1-ton Pickup.

The finish is Mazda Infared and the paint was still drying on this 6-year build as he tried to make the deadline for SEMA to be on display for 4WD Factory.

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