James Aduskevich is a relatively unknown guy in the Jeep world, but he shouldn’t be. He espouses everything a true Jeep enthusiast should believe in, and his taste in vehicles is impeccable. Plus, he’s a little bit unhinged. Let’s take a moment and give this man the credit he deserves.
I’m writing this article because I came across James’s channel “Low Buck Garage,” which is just an incredible hangar filled with videos of a Jeep-obsessed man with lots of fabricating skills and a really, really low budget. I was so impressed by the channel that I called the New Mexico resident up to learn more; what became clear to me is that he is The Ultimate Jeep Guy. Here’s why.
He Fabricates Obscure Jeep Parts
James’s email address is literally “james@stickshiftzj.com.” Why? Because he is not only one of the world’s foremost experts on rare manual transmission Jeep Grand Cherokees (also known as “Holy Grails” around these parts), but he’s actually the world’s foremost expert on converting much-more-common automatic Grand Cherokees into sticks.
In fact, he custom-fabricates his own parts to help people do that conversion, running an eBay store named “stickshiftzj.” The market of folks looking to manual swap a Grand Cherokee isn’t that big, and yet James goes through the hassle of designing and manufacturing parts like this clutch assembly:
James Helps People Build Their Own Jeeps Via How-To Videos
Not only that; James has published numerous videos explaining the ins-and-outs of a manual swap so that people at home can do it themselves. Here he is in one of his videos showing how long each link in the transfer case linkage has to be:
Here he is going through the whole drivetrain setup of a manual-swapped Jeep ZJ; I used this video to size the front driveshaft that is missing from one of my ZJs:
And here James is talking about how to use a clutch safety switch to trick an automatic ZJ’s engine computer into thinking the vehicle is in “park” so that it will let the driver start the engine:
His Collection Is Unbelievable And He’s A Bit Wacky
The fact that he’s giving back to the Jeep community by sharing knowledge and fabricating parts is a huge part of what makes James The Ultimate Jeep Guy, but there’s more. Much more. I mean, just look at this!:
The man built covered wagon out of a Willys FC-150!
And check out his Jeep J10 project that he built from a bunch of pieces:
And look at this dirt-cheap flatfender!:
Go to James’s page, and you’ll see tons of Jeeps, with quite a few interesting non-Jeeps sprinkled in. Hell, he owns an aircraft tug!:
And look at this fleet!:
Notice how in the video above James begins by talking about how he tried shoving multiple V8s into an old 1960s Mercedes. “I tried a Chevy V8, didn’t fit. I tried a Chrysler V8 with an automatic, didn’t fit, but it was closer. Tried a Chrysler V8 with a standard…and it was closer, but still — can’t use the steering in that car. So I’m looking for a Ford V8 or maybe a Rover V8 to put in that car.”
Just think about those sentences you just read. It’s just madness; glorious, glorious madness — swapping V8s into a car, using different transmissions, and ultimately ending up with a car that won’t steer!
Oh but James’s channel gets even wilder. He had a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ with a rear driveshaft that was too short, but instead of lengthening it, he shortened the Jeep to fit the driveshaft. He just cut the body in half!:
Oh, and check out this MGB front end on a Mazda Miata body:
James’s whole operation there in New Mexico is absurd, and I can’t get enough of it.
He Actually Races His Jeeps
James doesn’t just wrench on stuff and let it sit — he actually uses his machines. In the video above, he’s shaking hands with David Freiburger from Roadkill after having drag-raced his five-speed Jeep ZJ.
He’s Been Living Jeeps For A While Now
I called up James to learn a bit more.
“My dad had an old MB in the backyard; I used to sit in that and pretend to steer… because the motor was blown,” he told me, saying he grew up in Connecticut before moving out west.
He told me that the first vehicle he ever drove was that old Forward Control Jeep that you see him driving in the video above (the covered wagon), saying his dad pulled the choke to get the Jeep to high-idle, and James just drove around at that low speed without touching the gas.
“I pretty much grew up around Jeeps and vehicles,” he went on. “I got a [CJ]-2A at a yardsale for $25,” he said about his early wrenching days, telling me the flatfender had a bad body and seized motor. “I don’t think I’ve ever been without a Jeep in my entire life,” he reminisced.
When I asked James how many Jeeps he has now, he responded with: “Oh god.” Then a long silence ensued, followed by “Ballpark I’d say 20ish,” including six flatfenders. “Well, I just cut a CJ5 in half so I don’t think that counts anymore,” he was sure to add.
James Aduskevich. What an absolute legend.
Out west is the place you otta be. So pack up your Jeeps and move near NM.
New Mexico, that is.
Just leaving this link on codependency here in case anyone might need it….
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-21115/i-used-to-be-codependent-heres-how-i-stay-true-to-myself-in-relationships.html
Now you have the insurance refund cash and a kindred spirit to help you grow your Jeep fleet.
Maybe move to a dry climate where the cars aren’t all rust?
David said he might wish to move somewhere west of Michigan. I think might have found his spiritual brother. Now DT needs to start shopping NM real estate.
He can always import some rusty Jeeps if he gets homesick for Michigan.
“I got a [CJ]-2A at a yardsale for $25.”
Yeah, well, fuck you too buddy.
(Just kidding, James sounds awesome!)
Is James…..a married man? You left out all the info on whether he has a social life, relationships, etc?
He may have more Jeeps, but I’ll bet you have more rust David.
If there’s ever been somebody to help you build the manual overlanding ZJ, this is the guy! I bet he even has a custom-fabricated brake pedal for you!
I am so happy you found a kindred spirit David. Now you know someone who can make Holy Grail Jeeps whenever you need to find a new one!
How does his city feel about his collection?
Forget it, James. It’s New Mexico.
See David? This is what you can do when you live in the middle of nowhere and have your own property.
You two should get a DNA test to see if there’s some common gene or something that does this to someone.
By any chance did he try to slip you a Sports Almanac from 2052?
He won’t get that reference.
I actually don’t.
Back to the Future II.
Have you ever watched a movie?
I thought about that after I posted, but I foolishly believed he would know the movies that made the DeLorean a household name.
Should have known better. 😀
I’ve seen them! But over a decade ago.
Just David with a longer wrenching window of time
“When I asked James how many Jeeps he has now, he responded with: “Oh god.” Then a long silence ensued, followed by “Ballpark I’d say 20ish,” including six flatfenders.”
Basically, he’s David Tracy another few years from now.
Could be worse. If you’re going to live the Jeep life, might as well go full send.
The only time David Tracy forgets how many Jeeps he has is when he’s buying another Jeep.