Wood, PS and passion: This is how the jeep from Frickenhausen was created!

Wood, PS and passion: This is how the jeep from Frickenhausen was created!

A masterpiece made of wood: Norbert Arnold from Frickenhausen has fulfilled a dream and created an impressive vehicle- a jeep CJ-7 that is made entirely of pine and spruce wood. The carpenter worked on this unique project in his “screwdriver hall” for four years. The jeep, with a sensational performance of 300 hp, is a prime example of manual skill and creativity.

How did Arnold get the idea? Originally he wanted to build a classic Willys Jeep made of wood, but the decision was made on the cult jeeps CJ-7. His friends, who also burned on the project, helped him to procure a massive wooden frame and two Wrangler axes, which served as the basis. For the body, Arnold took parts and a roll bar from Jeep friends and combined them into an impressive overall work.

an elaborate construction

The materials, spruce and pine wood are not only light, but are also characterized by their resilience. Arnold made the wooden frame thicker than the original made of steel, so that it could reach the stability of a conventional construction - instead of the usual 6 cm width, 12 cm were realized here. This decision turned out to be the right one, because the construction was tested by 15 friends for their resilience.

As a special highlight, Arnold wanted to create a specific body game between the lower front disc frame and the bonnet. In order to shape the wood exactly according to its ideas, he applied a special technique for barrel farmers. However, this method of bending the wood with hot steam proved to be challenging; The first attempt failed, but finally he was able to successfully implement the curve after 50 hours of work.

technical finesse

The heart of the jeep forms a 4.9-liter V8 engine from a 79 jeep Wagoneer, which is combined with a four-speed automatic from a Jeep Cherokee. This engine delivers the 300 hp in question, which are achieved by a sharp camshaft, a noble brock anxle spider and a carburetor. The effort for the entire project was around 30,000 euros and comprised a total of 4,000 working hours, distributed over four years - mostly after work or on weekends.

To round off the finish, the jeep received a coating from boat lacquer to get the flexibility of the wood. Arnold only had the electrics and the airbrush work carried out by experts to ensure that the parts that could not consist of wood, such as axes, coolers and engine, retain the characteristic wood look across the entire vehicle.

When receiving a street approval, the Jeep CJ-7 could not only be lawn, but also for off-road adventures. This would not only be a great homage to Arnold's craftsmanship, but also an impressive sign of the possibilities that wood can offer as a building material.

like the Nürtinger Zeitung , the vehicle in the technology museum Sinsheim takes every look, and the idea of ​​a wood-jeeps Building, many car lovers are amazed. Visit the museum and experience yourself how much creativity and manual skills are in this special project. You can also get more information about this unique vehicle on the website of the Technik Museum Sinsheim and at Dare to dare .