2013 EMERY BUILT CUSTOM BLAJKOUT TRAIL BOUNCER

by Ricky Berry
Surely you’ve heard of rock bouncers by now. They are all the rage in the Southeast and quickly spreading. Crazy tube machines with out-of-the-box styling, all wrapped around a big nasty loud engine and huge tires. Several other factors make up a rock bouncer, of course. Generally they have small fuel cells, pretty much zero storage, and, frankly, aren’t very comfortable to sit in and are nearly impossible to get in and out of. They are built to look cool, take abuse, and kill nasty hills.

 The engine is a healthy GM LS6 with some minor modification, like ported heads and a performance camshaft. The engine area is clean and packaged well to house a front-mounted radiator and a big hydro-boost brake system. Those are two features that make this buggy pleasurable to ride on the trail because it can run cool all day and stop on a dime should it crest a giant hill with an even bigger cliff on the other side.

This isn’t a rock bouncer. We know it may look like one. You might expect to see it bouncing off the rev limiter with total disregard—and we’re not saying it can’t do that—but this is actually a multipurpose trail rig.

 It is all about the little things. Secure and dry storage using a Jeep CJ lockbox is integrated into the handmade aluminum dash along with these custom cupholders. Another detail is that each gauge features the Jeep logo, a nice finishing touch.

Emery Built Customs is a one-man operation out of West Monroe, Louisiana. Stephen Emery is a passionate trail rider with a unique style and fabrication skill that stands out apart from the rest. His creations are visually the essence of what these rock bouncers were founded on years ago: show-quality finish work with polished aluminum or chrome, and flawless paint and powdercoating. Stephen’s personal buggy, BlaJKout, was built with one major feature that no other rock bouncer buggy has: a cooler mount! While it may look like it was designed to launch a nasty hill with a 3,500-stall and burn the tires off, it is actually built to ride trails in comfort and blast nasty hills.

Rolled tube, double B-pillar, and a cooler mount

This LS V-8 powered machine is able to take on full throttle hillclimbs or comfortably cruise the trails all day. It has a large fuel cell, tunes, and a modest exhaust system. Why settle when you can have it all?

 What makes this buggy a great trail rig is not any one part but rather the combination of elements. The 5:1 Atlas transfer case provides a strong low range for crawling. The full exhaust system that dumps out behind the passengers makes for a quieter ride. A stereo is tucked inside the cab to enjoy tunes on the trail. All these features contribute to a comfortable trail rig. BlaJKout has all the fun and style of a rock bouncer, but with comfort and practicality in mind.

Tech Specs
2013 Emery Built Customs BlaJKout

Drivetrain
Engine: GM LS6
Transmission: PTC Powerglide
Transfer case: Atlas 5:1
Front Axle: HP Dana 60
Rear Axle: GM 14-Bolt

Suspension
Springs & Such: Fox 2.0 coilovers, 14-inch fronts and 16-inch rears
Tires & Wheels: 43-inch Interco TSL SX tires on 17-inch Trail Ready beadlocks
Steering: PSC full hydro with a single-ended ram
Other Stuff: Warn Zeon 10-S winch, Vision X Tantrum rock lights, Hella Black Magic headlights, custom Bluetooth stereo system, K2 cooler with custom mount system

 The interior is very clean and minimal. Lots of legroom, easy-entry door bars, and comfortable suspension seats are just three creature comforts to make this thing enjoyable on the trail. The aluminum interior panels and floor are all Rhino-lined to reduce the heat and noise coming from the engine and transmission.

From: http://www.fourwheeler.com