Jeff Scherb's
Scrambler/Overlander Project

Brief Scrambler/Overlander History

Jeep produced a little over 27,000 of the the long-wheelbase Scrambler model from 1981-1986. A number of interesting variants of this model were produced, including a little over 200 "Alaskan Postal" right-hand-drive Scramblers with full steel hardtops for the US Postal Service in Alaska. The CJ-8 was offered in a hardtop version known as the Overlander in Australia, but none of these were offered for sale in the US.

The Project

• A basically stock 1983 Scrambler.

• A World Cab "Alaskan Postal" steel hardtop

• A 258 6-cylinder engine converted to Howell fuel injection and a GM HEI distributor.

• A custom stainless steel dash and new instruments.

• New leather-covered YJ Wrangler seats and mid-70's Land Cruiser jump seats to provide seating for 6.

• TJ Wrangler exterior components, including side steps, bumpers, fog lights and mirrors, and custom "Overlander" graphics. I also had to fabricate a new spare tire carrier, and I used TJ components for that also.