The hum of the tires and the roar of the engine is enough to wake the dead. Emerging out of the brush, one has to stop and think just what this creation is. Big, green, and downright intimidating. It's The Brush Buster.
Before its owner, Gordon Gilchrist of Sparta, Michigan, turned his rig into the monster that we see in the pictures, it was a normal run-of-the-mill '85 Jeep Wrangler. Before anyone knew it, Gordon had built a frame from the ground up for the Jeep, using 2x4x3/16-inch tubing. According to Gordon, the tube frame would be both durable and practical. The practicality of the frame would be to double as an air tank, which would assist him in airing the tires up after a hard day of rockcrawling. Since the frame was acting as an air tank, Gordon had to be sure that every hole was sealed. Filling the frame with air is a job that is handled by an A/C pump, which is run off the motor. When the engine is turned off, an ARB electric pump maintains the air level.
Since Gordon would be using this rig in just about any terrain known to man, he decided to swap the front straight-axle system for an independent version. In no time at all, he had fitted an independent setup from an '89 Chevy 3500. Out back, he replaced the factory rear axle with a Dana 60 from a '79 Ford 1-ton. The 35-spline custom-machined and fabricated axles that are in the front and back are held by 4:56 gears and ARB air lockers. Between the independent front suspension and the custom-made four-link rear, Gordon was able to stuff huge 39.5x15x16.5 Super Swamper tires that are mounted on Am Hummer rims under the fiberglass fenders. The rims offer dual bead locks and run-flat capabilities. The ride quality of the Jeep comes from Rancho RS 9000s at each corner. For additional ground clearance, the custom-built 18-gallon aluminum gas tank resides between the frame.
Performance for the Brush Buster is derived from a '99 Chevrolet LT-1 5.7L V-8. Attached to the LT-1 is a stock 700-R4 transmission and a 3.8 transfer case. For cooling duties, a custom-built Griffen aluminum radiator sits up front. Perhaps the most amazing feature of the Jeep is the rear steering system that has been implemented from an '89 3500 Chevy truck.
The interior of the rig has been built with one thing in mind - getting dirty. Between the Steel Horse seats that have been covered in black denim, the liquid-filled Auto Meter gauges, and the sealed wiring system that was fabricated by Gordon, this interior will take anything that is thrown at it.
The fiberglass body from 4WD Hardware is painted Godzilla Green so that innocent bystanders can clear its path miles away. Attached to the frame up front is a custom-built bumper that houses a Warn 8274 winch. The rear bumper was also custom-built by Gordon along with the sliding running boards that can be easily removed for additional clearance. By the look of it, no obstacle is too tough for The Brush Buster; just step back and get out of the way. Great job on the rig Gordon; we can't wait to see what's next!
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