RANDY’S DANDY

RANDY’S DANDYBy Verne Simons editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Verne Simons

<- The story of Randy’s ’78 CJ-7 starts with a ’73

CJ-5 that Randy; his wife,

Debbie; sons Jeremy and

Daniel; daughter Crystal; and (practically) adopted son Jordan Levine cut their teeth in. The CJ-5 was Scooter Blue (a color chosen by Randy from an old Scooter his son had), had a 304ci V-8 that would rev to the moon and wouldn’t quit, and a three-speed transmission.

Nowadays, Randy’s kids all have their own rigs, but Randy still carries anyone who wants a ride, including grandkids and their friends, up the dunes.

Unfortunately, the CJ-5 was rolled after many years off-road (no one was hurt). The CJ-7 rose from the remnants of the rolled

CJ-5 with almost all the fabrication and welding done by Randy, his friend

Jimmy Parra, and sons

Jeremy and Daniel. The

Scooter Blue paint was applied by Maaco. <\ The rear axle is a Ford 9-inch with 4.56 gears, an Eaton Detroit Locker, and disc brakes. The rear springs are Rubicon Express spring-over springs. A traction bar helps to keep axlewrap to a minimum while keeping the rear Sand Tires Unlimited paddles planted in the sand.

One mem ber of a fa m i ly of Jeeps

Long before social media influencers were a thing and probably long after they’re gone, off-roaders around the world will be guided and inspired by more experienced people they’ve met off-road. These off-road veterans, sometimes from an older generation, share their knowledge, which is honed by years of experience. The result is a better off-road world, a place where off-roaders learn from each other and can accomplish more than they could alone. Whether it’s how to reseat a tire bead in the middle of nowhere, what to do when an axle breaks, how to tune a carburetor, or the finer points of trail etiquette, these experienced off-road veterans are indispensable and very valuable sources of guidance and information.

Randy Solis is just this kind of person, an unofficial guide to off-roading. Randy has inspired and led his children, grandchildren, and several of their friends into the off-road world. Recently, we got to experience, hear about, and see firsthand the effects of Randy’s passion, guidance, and knowledge. Randy is an off-roader, and more specifically his main off-road muse is playing in the sand at Imperial Sand Dunes, also known as Glamis, and other areas in Southern California.

We met Randy through one of the “kids” he guided and brought into the sport, Jordan Levine. Jordan, nearly an adopted son of Randy’s, is now an adult and well imbedded in the offroad world himself. That’s a place he loves, a place that, without Randy, Jordan may never have found. Jordan and Randy’s

/> Randy and Jimmy lengthened the MB grille to match the CJ-7 hood height and then built a custom CJ-7–to–MB hood. The hood was bent over a welding bottle to get the radius just so. The hood also has a seam down the middle like a flatfender hood should. The rearmost support of the old CJ-5 hood was incorporated into the rear of the custom hood. POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO SEE RANDY’S JEEP IN ACTION

<- The interior is clean and functional with Auto Meter gauges in a custom-cut dash to keep Randy aware of how the Jeep is running. The seats are from PRP and the rollcage, all the fabrication, and welding was done by Randy with some help from his sons and friends.

<| A Matchbox CJ-5 with an uncanny resemblance to Randy’s old CJ-5 rides just ahead of the Winters Sidewinder shifter that directs the TH350 automatic transmission.

<- Randy’s old CJ-5 donated its front axle, Dana 20 transfer case, and other small parts to this CJ-7. Here you can see the crossmember and front of the rear traction bar and Randy’s exhaust cutout for a little extra rumble.

<| The front axle in the Jeep is a disc brake-equipped Dana 30 with a welded front differential and 4.56 gears. The front springs are Wrangler YJ-application Rubicon Express RE1445 spring-over springs with a shackle reversal and heavy-duty shackles. The shocks are some older Poly Performance BBCS shocks that get the job done.

|> We totally dig the retro, custom-widened Ford 15x15 rear wheels, which spin Sand Tires Unlimited 16.50-15 paddles. /> Up front, 15x10 Outlaw Aluminum wheels hold 35x12.50R15 BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires. Warn Premium locking hubs allow the Dana 30 to freewheel or get locked in. The front fenders are custom built by Randy and his friend Jimmy.

AT A GLANCE

\> An inside look at the CJ-7–to–MB grille and hood that Randy and Jimmy built for the Jeep. GENERAL

Vehicle: ’78 Jeep CJ-7 Owner: Randy Solis Stomping grounds: Southern California Build time: 3-4 years … some parts more DRIVETRAIN

Engine: TBI 350 short-block Transmission: TH350 Transfer case: Dana 20 Low range ratio: 2.03:1 Crawl ratio: 23.33:1 Front axle/differential: Dana 30, disc brakes, 4.56 gears/welded Rear axle/differential: Ford 9-inch, disc brakes, 4.56 gears/Eaton Detroit Locker SUSPENSION

Front: Rubicon Express spring-over Wrangler YJ-application springs, shackle reversal, HD shackles, Poly Performance BBCS shocks Rear: Rubicon Express spring-over Wrangler YJ-application springs, HD shackles, traction bar, Poly Performance BBCS shocks

|> Power comes from a TBI 350 short-block crate engine with Chevy Performance Vortec heads and an Edelbrock Performer Plus cam. It breathes through an Edelbrock Performer manifold, Doug Thorley headers, and GM throttle body injection that was bored and prepped by TBI Chips. TIRES/WHEELS

Tires: 35x12.50R15 BFGoodrich T/A KM (front), Sand Tires Unlimited paddles 16.50-15 (rear) Wheels: 15x10 Outlaw Aluminum (front), 15x15 custom steel wheels (rear) MISCELLANEOUS

Cool stuff: Chevy Performance Vortec heads, Edelbrock Performer Plus cam, Edelbrock Performer manifold, Doug Thorley headers, GM throttle body injection bored and prepped by TBI Chips, lengthened MB grille, custom handmade hood and front fenders, custom rollcage, custom dash, and more

|> Here we see the infamous ’73 CJ-5 (right) that preceded this CJ-7. That CJ-5 was the tool Randy used to introduce many people to the off-road lifestyle until an unfortunate accident at the dunes destroyed the CJ-5. Also shown, just to the left of Randy’s CJ-5, is a much simpler and older version of Jordan Levine’s CJ-7. To the left of that is Randy’s son Daniel’s CJ. family all told tales of how the off-roading “hook was set” by Randy, and how they, too, became off-road and dune enthusiasts for life following Randy both literally and figuratively.

Of course, this is all wrapped around vehicles, and Randy’s Jeep is unique and a direct reflection of the type of off-roading he likes to do. The Jeep, and its predecessor, with which it shares parts, are part of the story of Randy and his family. This Jeep’s existence is pivotal to the story. It was built with his family, using what he has learned and what he has shared in the off-road community he is the patriarch of. That’s a great story to tell. FW