Jurassic Jeep Replica
Ever wanted a movie car so badly you just decide to build one?
For years, my wife and I separately wanted a Jeep Wrangler, but we both saw it as a “guilty pleasure” car: not practical to justify owning, but we still liked them despite that.
After a vacation to Kauai where we toured many of the Jurassic Park filming locations, we made the excuse that a Jurassic Park Jeep replica would have enough redeeming qualities to warrant building. In November 2019, I sold my trusty Subaru Outback and bought a 1995 Jeep YJ Wrangler Sahara. It was the only one for sale on the West Coast, and it was a crappy “buy here, pay here” used car dealer in Everett, WA. Worst car transaction I’ve had, but I had my Jeep! I immediately launched into finding the screen-accurate accessories from the movie and bringing the shoddily-modified Jeep back to stock with brand new OEM suspension, factory wheels, new tires, etc.
In March 2020, everyone in my office was told to work from home for “a couple weeks” due to rising number of viral infections. That “couple weeks” became “until the end of the year”, and now my wife and I had our COVID lockdown project!
It took just over a year, almost to the date to get the Jeep to its initial JP status with the hardtop. I’d continue to tweak things over the years like switching to the soft top.
Nov 2019: It was the only YJ Sahara for sale on the West Coast at the time. Terrible lift kit, but good condition!
Screen-accurate OEM wheels were procured off Facebook Marketplace.
The rare Sahara seats were in good condition aside from this driver seat damage, a very common wear point in YJs.
Beaverton Auto Upholstery found NOS green canvas material and made a perfect repair.
The 1995 OEM carpet was the wrong color for the movie and was disgusting. Out it goes!
Aftermarket green carpet. MUCH better!
I drove 9 hours for a set of half doors! These must have come off an early YJ as they have no door locks!
I painted the wheels myself using lots of sanding, spray paint, wet sanding, more paint, and clear coat.
Beginning the teardown process before going to the body shop. Removing accessories, fenders, windshield, etc myself saved a lot of cost compared to the shop doing it.
On the trailer to the shop!
Jake's Custom Creations in Dayton, OR did the bodywork and paint. HIGHLY recommended for your Jurassic Jeep needs! He spent a week fixing some minor dents and spraying the base single-stage beige paint.
I spent a full day with Jake pouring over the painting guide in the Jurassic Park Motorpool Reference section and we masked the car for the red parts.
Drying nicely!
Back home! Jake and I reassembled most of the Jeep at his shop before bringing it home November 2020, almost exactly 1 year after buying it!
Accessories are back on and it's "done"!
In Jan 2022, we spent New Years at the Jurassic Retreat AirBNB!
Jurassic Retreat. Not sponsored or promoted in any way!
In June 2022, I bought a soft top kit and installed a canvas top for the first time in the Jeep's life. At first, I would swap the hard top back on for the winter months, but the past few years I've left the soft top on year-round.
Also in June 2022, we attended the opening day of Jurassic World Dominion! The theater gave the Portland-area Motorpool members VIP parking!