Crane Customer Showcase: Tom & Sarah’s JKU “Mistress”

Some customers are Jeep people — and then there are Jeep families. Tom and his wife Sarah fall squarely into the second category. They’ve spent years exploring the parks, mountains, and high-elevation trails of Colorado together. So when Tom approached us, he knew exactly what he wanted: a four-door JK that had the space for family and friends, the capability for real off-road terrain, and the comfort needed for long days on the trail.

The result is “Mistress” — the very first full JKU ever built on a Wide Open Design Tube Chassis, but more importantly, a rig fully supported underneath by Crane Axle 13-Bolt driveline components. This build delivers power, strength, capability, and refinement in one cohesive package.

Front Crane Axle System

• Crane 14-Bolt center section converted to a 13-Bolt
• Crane 13-Bolt High-Clearance Diff Cover
• Crane Magnum Knuckles
• Crane 40 Spline Axle Configuration
• Crane RCV Big Bell 40 Spline Inner Shafts
• Crane Unit Bearing Conversion
• Crane 4-Piston Lightweight Brake Kit

Rear Crane Axle System

• Crane 13-Bolt Housing
• Crane 13-Bolt High-Clearance Diff Cover
• Crane 40 Spline Axle Shafts
• Crane Unit Bearing Setup
• Crane 4-Piston Lightweight Brake Kit

A Clean, Purpose-Built JKU With Crane Strength at the Core

Tom wanted the comfort and functionality of a four-seater Jeep, without giving up the performance of a tube-chassis trail machine. The build began with:

• A Wide Open Design JKU Tube Chassis
• An Aqualu aluminum tub
• Custom CJ-inspired front fenders
• Clean body lines and a design theme that carries across the entire build

The emphasis was on comfort, utility, and form — all supported by the raw capability of Crane axles underneath.

To match the strength of the Crane 13-bolt axle system, Tom chose a reliable, high-output, modern V8 package:

• Mast Motorsports 427ci LT Engine
• Turbo 400 Transmission
• Atlas Transfer Case

This driveline produces power effortlessly and is proven to pair perfectly with Crane’s 40-spline axle architecture. Supporting the chassis and axle package is a high-performance suspension setup designed for smooth cycling, control, and longevity:

• Radflo 2.0 Coilovers
• Radflo 2.5” 3-Tube Bypass Shocks

Exterior Highlights

• Custom pocketed body armor
• Color-matched Jeep badging
• Frenched LED tail lights
• Quick-detach side mirrors
• Soft-top compatible

Interior Craftsmanship

• Custom-made 16-gauge aluminum dash
• 12” Holley Pro Dash
• 10” Stinger Stereo & Navigation
• Custom milled glove box door
• Vintage Air Heating & A/C
• Dual Switch-Pro Panels
• Rugged Radio communication system

And the hero of the cabin- Four Heated PRP GTSE Seats. Each seat offers:

• Extra width
• Comfort for full-size adults
• Cupholders and dedicated airflow
• Equal room for every passenger

Tom and Sarah have started their own social media presence under the name 'Offroad Affair' — a playful nod to how consuming these builds and adventures can be. Tom explains that building and wheeling a rig sometimes feels like “having an affair,” which is exactly how the JKU earned its name: “Mistress.” You can follow their adventures on Facebook, Insta, and Youtube. This build deserves to be seen — and it will only look better the more dirt it collects.