Feature > Featured Vehicle
Superman
story and photos by Randy Brewster
“Where’s Shaq? Where’s Shaq?” rang the words of one tourist after spotting Rob Borden’s 1990 Jeep Wrangler parked outside the timeshare resort where Rob works as a Sales Manager, “I know he’s here, I saw his Jeep outside!” While cruising his Jeep around the Kissimmee, Florida area, Rob claims this to be a typical reaction to his Pearl Blue YJ sporting the infamous red and yellow Superman “S” shields.
Being approached at gas stations and restaurants however, took a little getting used to. Having no idea the notoriety his new toy would gain, he has since become accustom to those stopping him for a photo opportunity with his Jeep and he has become a gracious “celebrity.”
This project began not so different than most, with a few simple aspirations; new paint and a new set of wheels. And like most other projects, it didn’t stop there. Even while he stripped the body of all hardware and accessories in preparation for the paint, he struggled with which theme he wanted.
When the bare-body, rolling chassis was put in the booth and the final decision could no longer be delayed, Pearl Blue Metallic, three-stage enamel won out over Hemi Orange. The latter is the most widely accepted color for the General Lee from the hit ’80’s television series “The Dukes of Hazzard”, Rob’s other choice. Rob claims the final decision came down to a better match for the factory gray interior. Granted, the General Lee would have been cool enough but even the “Good ‘ol Boys” are no match for The Man of Steel!
Before the Jeep even left the body shop, the next modification was planned...by accident. After damaging the YJ’s windshield, the shop offered Rob a discount on the work. As it was, Rob had already cut a hole in the left fender to accommodate an ARB Safari snorkel and was unhappy that the factory flip-down windshield would no longer be functional with the snorkel bolted in place. With the newfound funds Rob installed a Tyson Design Works Trail-View electric flip-up windshield kit. Not only is it his favorite mod, he claims it receives more attention than any other single feature on his rig.
Rescued from the boneyard sans anything resembling a drivetrain, the previous owner had shoehorned a 350 Chevy small block behind the seven-slot grille. Not before, however, he balanced the mill and added .030 over flat-top pistons, a mild cam, gear drive, full roller rockers, 2.02” heads, Edelbrock valve covers and powered it with an performance ignition. To keep the operating temperatures under control in the cramped space Rob added an oil cooler, trans cooler and an electric, switch-activated fan behind the oversized radiator. An Edelbrock aluminum intake, air cleaner and Thunder AVS off-road carb combine the proper air/fuel mix while the Hedman Hedders and dual glasspack mufflers safely remove the spent gases.
When the Jeep returned from the paint shop Rob purchased new nine-leaf CJ springs to help support the weight of the iron-block V-8 and found them to be a direct bolt-on. While mounting the new springs, he decided it was time for new one-inch lift heavy-duty shackles and Rancho RS9000X adjustable shocks all around. Chrome American Racing 15” Ventura wheels and 38.5/14.5 Super Swamper TSL’s find plenty of headroom and are topped off with Bushwacker cut-out style fender flares. Combine this suspension work and tires, along with the spring-over conversion and two-inch body lift that he inherited and Rob estimates a 21” overall height increase over the original factory stance.
Rob quickly discovered that his short-wheelbase rig is extremely sensitive to height increases. The TH350 automatic was fitted with a shift improvement kit, but the tailshaft on the GM208 transfer case would no longer hook up forcing Rob to search for a slip yoke eliminator. Unable to locate one, he instead swapped in a Dana 300 t-case (which is a few inches shorter) to accommodate the now-increased driveline angles. Even so, he had to put in a call to Advance Adaptors who set him up with custom-made driveshafts. GM 10-bolt axles transfer the torque via a limited slip differential in the rear and a mini-spool up front with Warn lock-out hubs for part-time engagement. A Hurst Quarter-stick was called upon for shifting duties and Rob added a twin-stick conversion to the Dana case.
A Warn M8000 electric winch mounts ahead of the grille awaiting extraction duties and the roller fairlead fits nicely behind the Smittybilt chrome double tube bumpers found both fore and aft. Lighting enhancements come from diamond cut headlights for street use while off-road trails see the bright side of four Daylighters mounted atop a Carr Rotabar light bar.
Carr side bars offer both side body panel protection and also act as stirrups to assist in saddling up into the Pro Comp high-back bucket seats. Sport Bar grab handles are placed strategically around the Bestop rollbar for assistance and a Bestop biking top offers some protection from the elements.
Keeping ruggedness, maintenance and security in mind, Rob had the entire tub Herculined and installed a Tuffy locking center console concealing a JVC AM/FM/CD head unit. Tuffy locking speaker boxes protect the Audiobahn competition 6x9s powered by a Kenwood 500 watt amplifier. While in the pilot seat, Sun Pro gauges as well as a Garmin Streetpilot III GPS unit feed Rob status information and current location. The APC steering wheel is kept firm via a Rancho steering stabilizer and a 40 channel Cobra CB keeps Rob in touch out on the trail.
Rob’s YJ captured attention long before he finished his project as a few neighbors saw fit to lodge complaints about the work taking place in the parking lot. Yes, while most projects of this magnitude are performed in a garage, this entire four-month long transformation took place, not in a phone booth, but in a single parking space behind the condominium complex Rob calls home! Rob limited his work almost exclusively to Sundays — the only day the complex manager is not on site. Soon after this project began, the condo manager quit and more than three months passed before a replacement was found. Rob’s project was so near completion by this time that when the new manager handed out the violation warning it was placed on the wrong vehicle!
Seems there may be no end to the method with which fans display their affection for this superhero. While some, such as Jon Bon Jovi, may do so through body art (left shoulder), Rob is content with his method; a vehicle which achieves both head turning good looks on the street and Superman-worthy, off-road prowess everywhere else.
Though Rob performed most of the modifications and parts installation himself, he thanks the guys at the Orlando 4 Wheel Parts store for their assistance in the build-up. He has no immediate plan for further upgrades. Rather, he notes, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He visits the local riding area as often as possible and even entered the Jeep into the Orlando Toys for Tots car and truck show in November 2004 where the folks found it worthy of a first place spot in the 4x4 class. Not bad for its debut event!
Any chance the next time Rob parks his rig outside his work Shaq may bust through the door shouting, “Where’s Rob? Where’s Rob?”...Don’t think so.
"Superman Jeep- Super OOOPs!"
For all you Gearheads that wrote in about this photo, you are absolutely right. This is not the correct set up for this or any steering system. Rob, the owner of Superman Jeep admits that, and says that it was only done that way as a temporarily solution during the buildup to get it to the paint shop etc. He was waiting for the parts to come in for the conversion. Unfortunately he wasn't able to have it done in time for the photo shoot due to our photographers tight schedule. Our apologies, we should not have placed this photo in the story. In our rush to make our editorial deadlines we inadvertently did. We appreciate those who wrote to let us know about it and appreciate their sense of urgency in the name of safe vehicle control.
--Denis Snow, editor