Off-Road Plus Oct-Nov 2020 by RPM Canada

CONTENTS

Electrifying!

FIRE TRUCKS:

WAGONEER:

BRONCO:

CANYON AT4:

A look back at 4x4 Fire Trucks ...pg 20

Another look at the all-new Ford Bronco ...pg 30

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept ...pg 26

The off-road-oriented GMC Canyon AT4 ... pg 16

Pure Insanity

Jeep reveals the plug-in hybrid electric Wrangler 4xe ...pg 10

Powersports

2021 HOnda Talon 1000X ...pg 34

ALSO INSIDE: Ram unveils the Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 TRX ...pg 22

Gearing Up--------------------------------38 Winchinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Out------------------------------46 OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE

FRESH TRACKS

Ford Now Offering Tremor Off-Road Package for Mid-Sized Ranger Pickup

ord has announced that it will be offering a newly available Tremor Off-Road Package for the 2021 Ranger mid-sized pickup truck. The Ranger Tremor will go above and beyond the already capable FX4 Off-Road package and although it may not be as capable as the Ranger Raptor offered in some other markets overseas, it will be the most off-road capable factory-built Ranger ever offered in North America. The Tremor will start with a lifted suspension, redesigned front knuckles and 32-in. General Grabber A/TX all-terrain tires on new 17-in. Magnetic painted wheels. This setup provides 9.7-in. of ground clearance which is nearly a full inch more than the base Ranger SuperCrew 4x4. FOX 2.0 monotube dampers with remote rear reservoirs and hydraulic rebound stops are tuned for a comfortable on-road ride while offering maximum control in severe terrain. The shocks are specially tuned with progressive rebound end zone damping to support vehicle control, while the front and rear springs are tuned for greater off-road composure. The Tremor package improves the Rangerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach angles and departure angles and sees significant increases in suspension travel in both OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

the front and rear. The Ranger Tremor includes a frame-mounted steel front bash plate and underbody skid plates, rear locking differential, Terrain Management System with four distinct drive modes and Trail Control. In addition to all of the added off-road capability, the Ranger Tremor also adds many new styling features in and out. Special badging is found on both sides of the cargo box, the grille features a Magnetic-painted surround with black bars running across the middle, and an optional hood and body graphics package adds even more flare. Inside, the seats feature Miko suede inserts and Tremor stitched into the seat backs. Under the hood is the 2.3L Ecoboost four-cylinder engine that makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of torque paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4x4. Pricing for the Tremor package begins at $5,250 MSRP with production set to begin in early 2021.

Volume 4, Issue No. 5

October / November 2020 STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

Publisher: Dean Washington dean@rpmcanada.ca Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca Managing Editor Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Distribution Manager: Brenda Washington brenda@rpmcanada.ca Copy Editor: Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Advertising Sales: Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers / Photographers: Jordan Allan

Jeep Reveals Gladiator Overland “Farout” Concept Jeep has recently introduced its new Gladiator Farout concept vehicle which is meant to be a true overlanding vehicle that leverages the newly available 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine. The concept was originally one of the concept vehicles that were intended to be debuted at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari in April and builds on the popularity of the Jeep Wayout concept debuted at the 2019 version of the event. The main feature of the concept is the neatly contained, customized deployable roof-top tent. The spacious 16-foot long by 7.5foot tall tent opens and retracts in a matter of seconds and comfortably sleeps up to four. The wood-lined interior features soft ambient lighting, fully functional fridge and stove plus hanging storage racks, built-in seats and table space. The exterior features a new “Earl” body colour with chartreuse accents on the hood, rear tailgate tow hooks, springs, badging and shocks. The truck sits on a Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, 17-in. matte charcoal wheels, 37-in. mud-terrain tires and a modified Gladiator Rubicon bumper equipped with a 12,000 lb. Warn winch. Additionally, Fox performance shocks and an integrated roof rack system are also featured.

GMC Hummer EV to be Revealed on October 20th Other than a photo taken from a crab’s point of view, nothing new has come out regarding the upcoming GMC Hummer EV ever since its original teaser back in February during a certain American Football game. We found out then that the Hummer EV will feature 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque with a 0-60 mph time of just 3 seconds all

Howard J Elmer Stephen Elmer John Gunnell Dan Heyman CONTACT INFORMATION

OFF-ROAD PLUS Magazine is published seven times per year by RPM Media Inc. MAILING ADDRESS: 2460 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada V3C 1T4 TELEPHONE: (604) 629-9669 FAX: (778) 285-2449 TOLL FREE: (888)-500-4591 EMAIL: info@rpmcanada.ca WEBSITE: www.rpmcanada.ca Second Class Mailing Agreement #40050183

OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

of which sounds absolutely crazy. The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously slowed things down on this front, however word has recently come from GMC that the Hummer EV will be revealed on Tuesday, October 20th which, unfortunately for us, is just after we are set to print this very issue. The aforementioned crab photo is due to the truck’s Crab Mode which is enabled by the Hummer EV’s four-wheel steering capability and allows it to move in a diagonal direction. We will be sure to provide many photos along with the details of the GMC Hummer EV next issue.

Volume 4, Issue No. 5

October / November 2020 ADVERTISER INDEX

Anzo USA ---------------------------------- 2 Colby Valve ------------------------------- 18 Enthuze ------------------------------------ 43 Husky Liners ------------------------------ 29 HyperTech ---------------------------------- 5 ICON Vehicle Dynamics ----------------- 45 Iron Cross Automotive ------------------ 25 Lordco Auto Parts ------------------------ 41 N-Fab -------------------------------------- 13 Nitto Tires --------------------------------- 19 Rugged Ridge ----------------------------- 9 The Gear Centre -------------------------- 35 Toyo Tires ---------------------------------- 7 Trail FX ------------------------------------ 47

Toyota Offering New Entry Level 4Runner Model for 2021 We briefly mentioned the 2021 4Runner last issue, and since then, new information, including pricing, has come out. Toyota will now offer the 4Runner Trail as the new entry-level model and with it comes a wide array of features and upgrades. The 4Runner Trail will feature 17-in. dark grey TRD off-road wheels, a Yakima roof basket, black badging, colour-keyed Toyota cooler, rear sliding cargo tray and black fabric seat cladding which is highlighted with tan stitching. Other features include a 4.2-in. full colour multi-information display and 8-way power adjustable front seats. The truck will be offered in just two colours including Cement Grey and Army Green and will boast a starting MSRP price of $45,960. The top of the line TRD Pro model will start at $62,190 with the more luxury oriented Limited model coming in with an MSRP of $55,570. The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is now on sale.

Jeep Celebrating its 80th Anniversary with Lineup of Special-Edition Models

WeatherTech ------------------------------ 48 PICK UP LOCATIONS

Jeep will celebrate its 80th Anniversary in 2021 and to mark the occasion will be offering 80th Anniversary Special-edition models that are set to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year. They will be packed with a variety of safety and technology features and will boast a distinct design both inside and out including unique wheels, grille accents and commemorative badging. They will be offering the special-edition models for the Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Renegade and Compass. The 80th Anniversary Edition of the Wrangler will be available as either a Sport S or Sahara model and come in Granite Crystal, Bright White, Hella Yella, Black Firecracker, Red Sarge and Snazzberry. They will feature special 18-in. wheels, Neutral Grey Metallic grille bezels, headlamp rings and fog lamp bezels, body colour fender flares, and black diamond embossed cloth seats to name a few. The Gladiator will mostly be available in the same colours and feature the same trims and accents as the Wrangler but adds an available Hydro Blue colour in place of Hella Yella. The Gladiator 80th Anniversary models will be available as Sport S or Overland and will boast nearly identical features as the Wrangler. OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

2014 JKU XHD Front & Rear Bumper / HD Tire Carrier / Trekker Winch 10K with Synthetic Rope / Steel Tube Fender Flares / Aluminum Inner Liners / Elite Fast Track™ w/50” Light Bar / Modular Snorkel / Jesse Spade Wheels

Alyssa’s

JEEP is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC, Truck Hero Inc, KU PQV CHƒ NKCVGF YKVJ (%# 75 ..%

When she isn’t pulling wheelies on her dirt bike or performing inverted 360s on her wakeboard, Alyssa Roach can be found rock crawling the Trinity Alps, with Mt. Shasta looming in the background at over 14,000 feet. The girl’s got moxy, and thanks to her sweet 2014 JKU and a little help from Rugged Ridge, she’s FGƓ PKVGN[ 3WGGP QH VJG *KNNŦRTGRCTGF VQ ETCYN WR CPF QXGT LWUVCDQWV CP[VJKPI Rugged Ridge. Your Jeep. Your Adventure.™

Truly Electrifying The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Story by Dan Heyman, photos courtesy of FCA Canada

ith the rest of the automotive word sprinting to get to a fully-electrified vehicle line-up, it appears that even the most hardcore and some would say “old school” brands aren’t exempt.

Enter the Jeep 4xe – no, that’s not a typo – line-up of SUVs, the next horizon for one of America’s most storied brands. Speaking of “storied,” it doesn’t get much more storied than the Jeep Wrangler, and it will be one of the three Jeep models to get 4xe tech at the outset, joining the Renegade and Compass small crossovers that are already on sale in Europe. The Wrangler, however, is the only 4xe Jeep model that will be making its way to our shores for the time being. Essentially, “4xe” designation turns the Wrangler into a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), boasting 375 horsepower and up to 40 kilometres of all-EV driving. Depending, of course, on what you plan on doing with it; don’t think that vehicle rock-crawling adventure you have planned for the weekend will be done on full-EV power, as extra strain on the powertrain will reduce the amount of range you get.

There will be three Wrangler models that get the 4xe designation: 4xe, 4xe Sahara and 4xe Rubicon. That’s right: even the most hardcore Wrangler model will get the PHEV treatment. Power is made from the combination of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder and two EV motors: a 33 kW unit mounted to the engine and a 100 kW motor mounted to the transmission. Combined torque, meanwhile, is rated at 470 lb-ft which is a pretty stump-pulling number. Thing is, this is still a Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wranglers are all Trail Rated, meaning they have to work off-road. In that light, the Wrangler 4xe maintains the off-road chops of other Wranglers; both the 4xe and Sahara get a fulltime 4x4 system, Dana 44 axles and two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range ratio. You can also add a Trac-Lok limited-slip rear diff for even more off-road performance. The Rubicon 4xe, meanwhile, gets a 4:1 lowrange ratio, electronic front and rear locking axles and Dana 44 axles both front and rear. It all helps to provide a 77.2:1 crawl ratio, which is just right for all your rock-crawling needs. There’s also electronic sway-bar disconnect for even better wheel articulation. So that’s the more traditional Wrangler stuff. What about the new stuff? In order to ensure that the Wrangler 4xe loses no ground clearance or interior room, the 96-cell, 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack gets stuffed beneath the second-row seat to both save interior room and

12 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

ensure the battery itself doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get banged up by errant stones and so forth. As a result, the Wrangler 4xe is even able to ford through up to 76 cm of water. As many modern hybrids have, the Wrangler 4xe gets a number of driving modes to help you achieve efficient progress: Hybrid, eSave and Electric.

Hybrid mode works as it sounds: when activated, it blends torque from both the gas and electric motors, using all the battery power force and only activating the gas engine once battery power is spent. eSave works at the opposite end of the spectrum by prioritizing the gas engine over the EV motors. This way, you can preserve EV power for when you need it the most: during stop-and-go traffic, 14 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

where internal-combustion engines (ICEs) tend to be at their least efficient. When in eSave, meanwhile, you can select between either battery save or battery charge modes if you want to better control how much work the ICE has to do, and how much fuel is going to be used. Finally, Electric mode is exactly as it sounds: when activated, the Wrangler 4xe operates as a completely zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). Electric mode will deactivate once the battery reaches minimum charge or when more torque is demanded, such as in instances of hard acceleration. The customization doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop there; drivers can also set a max-regen mode, which slows the Wrangler 4xe down more quickly once the throttle is released, for more regenerative braking. It all combines to ensure that even though it looks like an old-school Wrangler (the main visual differentiators include some electric blue colouring on the tow hooks, the Trail Rated badging and hood graphics. Inside, blue stitching on the seats are your main differentiators) and works as the Wrangler always has, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also firmly rooted in the new world of hybrid powertrains and electrification. Look for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEV in Canadian dealers later next year.

OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 15

Off-Road Game GMC gives the off-road AT4 treatment to the 2021 Canyon mid-size pickup Story and photos by Stephen Elmer, additional photos courtesy of GM Canada

M refreshed its midsize pickup trucks for 2021 with brand new styling, giving both the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon a new face to keep them looking fresh on dealer lots. And while the off-road focused Colorado ZR2 lives on with its equipment unchanged, GMC has upped the Canyon’s off-road game with the new AT4 model. Checking the AT4 box on the Canyon means that the truck arrives with a set of 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, standard

four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, an automatic locking rear differential (the famous Eaton G80), off-road tuned suspension, leather seats with Kalahari accents and embroidered AT4 logos, LED fog lamps and a standard V6 engine. That is a 3.6-litre unit making 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those that want more torque, a 2.8-litre Duramax diesel is available, packing 369 lb-ft. This package does not go as far as the Colorado ZR2 with its Multimatic suspension system, front and rear lockers and body protection, but it does upgrade the truck in all the right areas to make it a step above stock. However, our test truck arrived with a single piece of equipment that suggests it’s not a real off-roader: a front plastic air dam. In all the promotional photos of the AT4, the air dam is removed, and yet our tester arrived with a big piece of plastic hanging off its chin, meant to improve fuel economy at highway speeds, but impeding any sort of off-road ability. Looking at photos online of AT4 models sitting on dealer lots, it looks like GMC doesn’t do the removal for you, so take our advice and take the front spoiler off before you go off-road. Otherwise, a rock is going to take it off for you. We put the AT4 to work with a trailer, payload and an off-road test, and as an overall package, this truck delivers. With a 5,000-lb trailer hooked behind it, the 3.6-litre V6 pulls strongly, though it does seem to have a power dip in the mid-range before the real horsepower is delivered high in the rev range. Luckily it revs willingly, and dynamically stays solid with weight behind it. Unlike the ZR2, the AT4 keeps its tow rating at up to 7,000 pounds with the gas engine and 7,600 with the diesel, so you don’t

16 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

give anything up opting for this package. The seating position in the Canyon, like in all of GM’s mid-sizers, is fairly deep in the truck, providing a ton of comfort even for those standing above six-feet tall. With 1,000 pounds in the bed of the truck, the suspension also stays nicely damped, keeping the truck feeling solid and confident through gravel corners or sharp bends. Inside, the Canyon still works well, and the cabin is simply appointed. It is starting to feel a little old considering this interior was introduced in 2015, and AT4 stitching and a few accent pieces don’t change that. But the truck offers everything you need for work and play: tow/haul mode, an available trailer brake controller, an easy-to-access storage cubby on the dash, navigation, a full suite of connectivity features and an upgraded Bose stereo system. Rubbercoated buttons on the steering wheel feel great under thumb and provide easy navigation through all of the truck’s information, while buttons mounted on the back of the wheel offer a convenient place for volume and preset controls. When you do hit the muddy, sandy or dusty trail, the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac is a solid choice for an all-terrain tire, proving strong traction in all situations, though the trade-off is pronounced noise on the road. There are quieter all-terrains out there, but it’s hard to knock these tires on off-road performance. The suspension upgrades help the Canyon absorb some harder hits off-road, but the truck remains fairly stiff in

OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 17

Pricing for the Canyon AT4 starts at $41,898 in Canada when equipped with gas engine and climbs to $49,198 with the diesel. This truck arrives as the Colorado Trail Runner leaves the Chevy stable, and that makes sense, as the two basically offered the exact same thing: a budget ZR2. Except that with standard rock rails, the Trail Runner actually came a littler better protected. But for 2021,

order to take on payload, so don’t expect to be hitting obstacles at high speeds in this rig. Hill descent control is part of this package as well, helping to control the braking duties on steep off-road hills for you, while that G80 rear locker does work as advertised, locking up when one of the wheels begins to spin. The tires are the driving factor behind the AT4’s upgraded off-road performance, while the rest of the package is mostly paint and plastic to show others that yours is the off-road truck. Granted, the AT4 does look great in our opinion with its new grille, red tow hooks and stylized wheels, and that has to be a consideration, just don’t look at this like the ultimate in off-road performance. If that’s what you want from General Motors, visit the Chevrolet dealership.

18 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

the Trail Runner package has disappeared from Chevy order books, leaving the Canyon AT4 as the next best option below the ZR2 when it comes to off-road packages for GM midsize pickups. Opting for the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 gets you a stylish off-road truck with a great set of tires and a couple of meaningful upgrades, performing well in all situations. Don’t expect it to climb like a mountain goat, but it will deliver above-average performance off-road and strong towing and payload hauling capability.

4x4 Fire Trucks Story and photos by John Gunnell

robably the first four-wheel-drive fire truck ever made was a 1911 tractor built by the Couple Gear Freight Wheel Equipment Co. of Grand Rapids, Mich. But it was not really made to be used off road. The Couple Gear tractor had an electric motor on each of its four wheels that helped it pull a water tower that was formerly pulled by horses. The water tower was pulled like a trailer and not likely to be used to put out a brush fire.

In 1917, the Four Wheel Drive Auto Co. (FWD) of Clintonville, Wis. delivered its first motor-pumping fire engine to Minneapolis. Fire truck historian Walter McCall’s American Fire Engines since 1900 (Crestline 1976) says, “The pug-nosed FWD fire truck quickly acquired a reputation for being able to traverse almost any kind of ground.” That same year, the Tulsa, Okla. fire department began using a four-wheel-drive Nash Quad as a rescue squad truck. Many FWDs and Nash Quads built for the United States Army were available as low-priced war surplus vehicles after World War I ended. In 1926, under the direction of master mechanic William F. Stiebel, the Milwaukee Fire Dept. started to build its own fire trucks instead of using factory-built trucks. The earliest of these had Timken axles, but later versions designated MMFDFWD models used FWD axles. These 4x4s were extremely well-built and comparable to factory trucks. Although they utilized the four-wheel-drive technology, many had dual rear wheels. By 1930, FWD was building a few “four-wheeldrive” fire trucks each year. In 1930, the company turned out a small pumper on a 1929 FWD chassis for the town of Lead, S.D. It had a Waterous pump and was starting to resemble a go-anywhere brush truck that could carry water into a brush fire or forest fire and pump the H2O out on it. By 1940, FWD had greatly increased its fire truck business and brought out a restyled series of

20 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

was in motion. That meant it could be driven directly into a burning building to suppress the fire. Many cheap war surplus Jeeps were bought by fire departments. The Blitz Buggy Co. of Old Forge, N.Y. started converting light-duty trucks into small fire service vehicles that were forerunners of today’s mini pumpers. They carried a water tank in the bed, twin booster reels and enough hose line and equipment to handle moderate-

Waukesha-powered pumpers. Delafield, Wis., bought one of the new FWD fire trucks in 1940. It had updated styling, a two-man cab and a 500-gal. pump. The FWD chassis was usually seen under trucks used in heavy-duty construction and off-road work, but the ability to travel off road came in handy in fighting fires as well. Prior to World War II, industrial designer Brooks Stevens, of Milwaukee, Wis., did work for Willys-Overland, the Toledo, Ohio company that built WWII army Jeeps. During the war, he was asked to come up with design concepts for postwar Jeeps and he dreamed up an all-steel station wagon and pickup truck. When they went into production in the late-1940s, some of these were turned into fire trucks. With their four-wheel-drive capabilities, they were found extremely suitable for fighting brush, field and wild fires. The universal Jeep was also suitable for certain firefighting applications in the early postwar era. American Fire Engines since 1900 shows a 1954 model used by the fire service in Ocean City, N.J. It had a deluge gun on front that sprayed water on a fire while the Jeep

sized fires. Many of these small trucks also got four-wheel-drive conversions by Marmon-Herrington, Coleman or NAPCO so they could fight fires in fields and woods. According to www.coachbuilt.com, the Blitz Buggy was the creation of Walter L. “Army” Armstrong, a WWI naval veteran who had them built at E. L. Brussel’s Thendara Garage, in Thendara, N.Y. The Blitz Buggy name comes from the WWII Bantam Jeep’s nickname. They were based on 1- to 1-½ ton Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC

OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 21

and Willys-Overland light truck chassis and marketed to small-town airports and fire departments under trade names including Blitz Buggy, Little Demon, Jet, Saginaw and Little Mo. Coachbuilt discovered that Armstrong dealt with regional fire fighters through Army’s Fire Service, a fire equipment distributorship he ran. With the assistance of Town of Webb supervisor Philip W.

a 1959 Dodge Model 205 with four-wheel drive and marketed by American LaFrance is pictured in Walter McCall’s book. The 1959 Dodge Little Mo was powered by a Chrysler Corp. V8 and designed for airport runway service. It carried a 90-gallons-perminute roof turret, a 200-gal. water tank and separate tanks for 20 gals. of anti-foam liquid and five gallons of wetting agent. It also had 150-ft. lengths of booster hose on each of two reels mounted behind the cab. These trucks were truly the progenitors of the fourwheel-drive brush trucks of today. A brush fire or field fire--usually called a wildland fire today—can be very dangerous. One spark landing in a dry field can erupt into a conflagration that destroys acres of vegetation in no time. Fighting a brush fire requires a specialized fire truck that can negotiate rough terrain to reach the area where the blaze has started. Such fire trucks are typically smaller than a standard pumper or ladder truck, but may have greater ground clearance underneath the vehicle to clear terrain, large rocks and fallen limbs. Brush trucks can respond quickly and efficiently to fires no other apparatus can reach. Many have a four-wheel-drive chassis to improve their hill-climbing and rough terrain capabilities. The best brush trucks can pump and spray water while in motion, whereas traditional fire engines must be stationary to pump water. When the brush truck arrives on scene, its mobility does a great deal to minimize the fire’s rate of spread. Fire departments that serve areas along the outskirts of a very rural area often prefer combination fire engines that combine the features of a standard fire engine with those of a brush truck. Of course, any truck can do more with off-roading capabilities.

Burdick (1896-1971) and his brother, Charles (Charlie) Burdick, Armstrong embarked upon the manufacture of his own line of apparatus in 1949. The Blitz Buggy and the Little Mo were devised to assist local volunteer fire fighters who protected acres of brush, forest and parklands. When equipped with an onboard foam system, they were perfect for use at small airports. Forty-six units were sold between 1949 and 1956 with 11 on 1-ton Jeep chassis. The later Little Mo was available on the Dodge W200 and W300 chassis. One based on 22 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

In the early 1960s, the Chicago Fire Dept. had a couple of interesting four-wheel-drive fire trucks built. They were constructed on the larger 1-ton forward-control Jeep chassis designated the FC-170. Two were special smoke-ejector trucks made by John Bean of Lansing, Mich. They carried large round tubes. These were accordion-folding smoke pipes that could be set up to suck smoke and gas fumes out of burning buildings. Chicago F.D. also had another FC170 set up as a high-pressure turret wagon that could be driven right into a burning building (or a burning field). The 4-way deck monitor could flow enough water to douse pretty scary flames. It was called “Jeep Pressure 1.”

Off-Road Behemoth

2021 Ram 1500 TRX Story and photos by Dan Heyman, photos courtesy of FCA Canada

ho here remembers the Dodge Ram T-Rex? Nobody? One? Two? Bueller?

Well, the T-Rex was a concept pickup from 1997, whose main party trick was that it had three axles. It was like a cross between a standard Dodge pickup and the 6x6 WWII-era Dodge WC trucks that did almost as much work as the venerable Willys Jeep, but received about a tenth of the notoriety.

However, being able to traverse “harsh terrain” at over 160 km/h sounds like a whole heck of a lot of fun. As does 702 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque and specially-tuned off-road dampers from Bilstein. Oh, and a “Baja” mode that tweaks the suspension, 4x4 system and powertrain for those who want to hit “maximum attack trophy truck” mode out on the sand, snow and mud. Of course, we’ve seen a “Baja” mode before in the Ford F-150 Raptor (and will do so again; rumour has it that Chevy’s about to release an extreme version of its Colorado pickup that will also get a – yep – Baja

Dodge never made the T-Rex available to the public (though you could virtually drive one in the Test Drive Off-Road video game which came out about a year after the T-Rex debuted), but they have now scrapped the hyphen and the “e” and come out with something even crazier that will, in fact, be available in Ram dealerships all over North America. It’s called the TRX, and it’s a Hellcat supercharged V8-powered, towing, hauling and offroading behemoth that makes about as much sense as…well, coming out with yet another Jurassic World movie, I guess. The thing is, though, “sensibility” in the car and truck world – well, in the performance car and truck world, anyway – is not really something we harp on too often. No supercar or hypercar makes practical sense, really. That’s because they’re not supposed to, and because “sensibility” is boring and not all that much fun. OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 23

mode of its own), which is clearly the vehicle that the TRX has in its sights. Well, if we’re talking power, then the TRX has a big leg up – the twin-turbo V6 in the Raptor makes “only” 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, so there’s that. As ornery as the TRX looks, though – and we’ll delve further into that in just a moment – it is a pickup, and as much as one likes to drive in Baja mode across sand dunes at 160 km/h, a pickup has to work, too. To that end, the TRX is good for towing 8,100 lbs and hauling 1,310 pounds in its 5.5-foot bed (the TRX comes only as a quad cab with 5.5-foot bed). Add a 3.55 Dana 60 rear axle and 2.64:1 crawl ratio, and bespoke 35-in. Goodyear Territory rubber, and you’ve got kind of an all ‘rounder here. Looks like anything but an all-rounder, though, and it starts with that massive ground clearance and massive girth. Girth that’s been increased by 203 mm over a standard Ram 1500 courtesy of some carbon fender flares for a total 2,235 mm. That increase allows the fitting of 229 mm wheels, which themselves represent a 26 mm increase in width. Other body swelling comes courtesy of an enlarged grille and hood bulge, each opening responsible for 50 percent of the air flow into the engine, which is crucial for an engine this big. In case that wasn’t enough, Ram has gone ahead and fitted a string of LEDs to each front fender and to the hood scoop. That’s all stock; Ram says that FCA’s Mopar tuning arm is already hard at work developing over 100 bespoke parts for the TRX, from off-road lights to a trophy truck-style bed-mounted spare tire. Inside, the TRX comes in two colourways: black and suede, or black with red and carbon inserts. Other interior tweaks include an SRT-style flat-bottomed wheel and standard fitment of the massive 12-in. Uconnect infotainment screen previously seen on some Rams. New stuff includes an optional digital rear view mirror, and you can opt for a heads-up display, too. That Uconnect screen can be split in two, allowing occupants to mix-and-match various displays; you can have your Apple CarPlay in one spot, and your navi in the other. Or, you can go full-data and choose to display both your Off-Road pages (insights to your angle of attack, wheel articulation, etc.) and SRT Performance Pages (G’s undertaken, acceleration times and so forth) at the same time. The TRX, meanwhile, marks the first time we’ve been able to display those info pages on the main display, as they’ve hitherto been limited to the in-gauge TFT cluster. Which is also here, and can still display the Performance Pages and Off-Road pages. To top it all off on the display front, there’s a forward-facing camera that looks down at the terrain below you so when you’re climbing steep hills and can see nothing more than the great wide open through the windshield, you can glance at the infotainment display to see what’s going on below the wheel. Or if there happens to be some exotic Saharan beast crossing the path ahead of you. If all that’s not quote special enough for you, Ram is building 100 TRX Launch Edition trucks for Canada, which bring special exterior colouring, an interior number plaque and…not that much more, really. Pricing for the 2021 Ram TRX starts at $93,995 for the standard version, and $114,995 for the Launch Edition. 24 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

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FROM IRON CROSS

¾-.+ , • Sensor Compatiable

ʼˡ˧˥ˢ˗˨˖˜ˡ˚ ˧˛˘ ʻʴ˅ʷʿʼˁʸ ˙˥ˢˡ˧ ˔ˡ˗ ˥˘˔˥ ˕˨ˠˣ˘˥˦ ˙˥ˢˠ ʼ˥ˢˡ ʶ˥ˢ˦˦ ʴ˨˧ˢˠˢ˧˜˩˘ʡ

• Multiple Lighting Options

˟ˢ˪ ˣ˥ˢ˙˜˟˘ ˗˘˦˜˚ˡ ˔ˡ˗ ˢ˙˙˘˥˦ ˠˢ˥˘ ˟˜˚˛˧˜ˡ˚ ˢˣ˧˜ˢˡ˦ ˚˜˩˜ˡ˚ ˬˢ˨ ˧˛˘ ˔˕˜˟˜˧ˬ ˧ˢ ˟˜˚˛˧

• Customizable Accent Plates

˂˨˥ ʻʴ˅ʷʿʼˁʸ ˦˘˥˜˘˦ ˜˦ ˢ˨˥ ˡ˘˪˘˦˧ ˗˘˦˜˚ˡ ˔ˡ˗ ˕˟˘ˡ˗˦ ˔ˡ ˔˚˚˥˘˦˦˜˩˘ ˟ˢˢ˞ ˪˜˧˛ ˔ ˨ˣ ˔ˡˬ ˧˥˔˜˟ ˢ˥ ˥ˢ˔˗ʔ ʼ˧ ˜˦ ˦˘ˡ˦ˢ˥ ˖ˢˠˣ˔˧˜˕˟˘ ˔ˡ˗ ˛˔˦ ˕ˢ˟˧ ˢˡ ˥˘ˠˢ˩˔˕˟˘ ˣ˟˔˧˘˦ ˧ˢ ˛˘˟ˣ ˖˨˦˧ˢˠ˜˭˘ ˧˛˘ ˟ˢˢ˞ ˢ˙ ˬˢ˨˥ ˩˘˛˜˖˟˘ʡ

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New Arm of Luxury

The Grand Wagoneer Concept represents an all-new luxury line-up for Jeep

Story by Dan Heyman, photos courtesy of FCA Canada

t was about 55 years ago – 1962, to be exact – the Jeep Wagoneer first arrived on the scene and essentially changed the automotive landscape forever – just not right away. You see, Jeep claims that the Wagoneer was a pioneer in the modern SUV space, mainly because it was the first time we’d seen a four-wheel-drive vehicle mated to an automatic transmission. Those were a bit of a luxury back then, it would seem, and it was a big selling point for the Wagoneer. About 20 years later, the Grand Wagoneer arrived and took things a step further into the luxury realm by adding leather upholstery, air conditioning (man, premium luxury sure looked quite different in the early ‘80s), AM/FM/CB – no, not “CD,” but “CB,” think “trucker,” not “DJ” – and a jump in power. The thing is, the greater populace in Canada and the U.S. were still turning mainly to station wagons for their people-moving needs, as the SUV and minivan segments were kind of still in their early days. So once again, the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer was a bit ahead of its time. Things are a little different this time around because the Grand Wagoneer Concept is once again more than just a new vehicle; it’s the harbinger of a whole new portfolio of vehicles that will establish a luxury line-up for Jeep. Think the Range Rover line of Land Rover vehicles. That’s why any allusion to the “Jeep” name is found only in “easter eggs” sprinkled throughout the cabin. “If you’ll notice,” said Ralph Gilles, head of design at Jeep, “it doesn’t say ‘Jeep’ anywhere on this vehicle. That was on purpose, 26 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

because we believe Wagoneer represents a new arm for Jeep, a new arm of luxury so we can do things we couldn’t justify on a regular Jeep.” Indeed, when the Wagoneer brand eventually debuts next year, the vehicles will be available in Jeep showrooms but customers looking for a Wagoneer will get a slightly different buying experience than they would were they looking for a “regular” Jeep. “Wagoneer will have its own entity, its own flavour,” said Christian Meunier, Jeep global president. “We will have sales people that will know the product very well, and there will be ambassadors for Wagoneer.” That means luxurious exterior touches like obsidian black grille and 24-in. wheels with acrylic centre caps, LED lights sprinkled throughout the front fascia (and some teak wood, too – that’s all the wood you’re going to get, though, as there are no plans for any wood side panels à la classic Wagoneer), aluminum “Wagoneer” badging with copper accents and full-length moonroof. The overall proportions are very two-box life, but modernity is added with rounded corners. While we’ve only had the chance to view the vehicle on the small screen, we imagine it would have some amazing presence. Thing is, though, while it will get flagship status, the shared details with the original Grand Wagoneer are few and far between, extending to the seven-slat grille and that’s pretty much it. According to Meunier, though, that’s kind of the point. “We didn’t go the retro route,” he says, “because the expectations of the customer in the large SUV segment is different than it was in the ‘60s.”

OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 27

the opposite in that it’s made from recycled materials as opposed to just being made of materials that can eventually be recycled. Speaking of sustainability: it should come as little surprise that the Grand Wagoneer will get a plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV) powertrain. No figures have been revealed, but there is a chargepercentage display on the front fender and a reported 10,000 lbs. towing capacity. That alone is a big step for Jeep (slightly less so now that a PHEV Wrangler is right around the corner), and it’s steps like that that need to be taken by Jeep because Meunier has big ambitions for the brand. “We used to be number one because there was no one else,” he said of the original Wagoneer. “The ambition is to be number one over the long term.”

Which is why inside the Grand Wagoneer, you’ll find six digital displays – one behind the steering wheel, one ahead of the front passenger, two to form the centre stack and one for each passenger sitting in the second of three rows – that combine for a total of 84 inches of display area. The display in front of the front passenger, meanwhile, can be “swept” to the driver so the passenger can set the navigation system and send it the driver’s way. Displayed on the screens is FCA’s new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, that’s five times as fast as the previous system, and it connects you to an available McIntosh sound system that sports 23 speakers designed to work best inside the Grand Wagoneer, as well as speaker grilles finished in real aluminum. Speaking of “real”: the seat, door panel and dash elements you see? Those actually aren’t finished in real leather. Instead, a synthetic material called “PUR” covers those areas. The suede-look seen on other parts of the cabin is also made from synthetic material, but it takes it to the next level by being fully recyclable. It’s a similar story for the Thrive fibre used for the carpets, although it’s

28 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

We’ll be watching closely next year as the Grand Wagoneer begins to arrive in showrooms, possibly with a six-figure price tag considering all the luxury on-board and the advanced powertrain.

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Sport Utility Vehicle The original Ford Bronco was the first SUV

Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of Ford

he Bronco is back! Ford has re-introduced a storied name plate from its past and fixed it to an off-road-inclined SUV that seeks to blend the modern with a romanticized past. Have a look at the silhouettes of the three models and you’d have to say they may just have done exactly that. The original Bronco debuted in 1966 as a small utility off-roader that was billed (for the first time ever) as a “sport utility vehicle.” This was in print, so they can rightly claim the first use of the term “SUV.” Past this, they had a limited market in the era of station wagons. H o w e v e r, g r o w ing up in the ‘70s, I remember that just about every gas station had a Bronco for plowing snow. The reason was obvious – 4WD and a small footprint with a tight turning radius. And, that’s why, as we moved through the ‘70s, ‘80s and even the ‘90s (long after Bronco was discontinued), this small Bronco started 30 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

gathering a following among the off-road crowd who would source these old Bronco’s and modify them. This is probably what led to the ‘80s re-birth of the much larger Bronco, which, while successful as a model, never attained the iconic status of the original versions. This fact is what Ford used as its base inspiration for the newest Broncos. They obviously decided to go right back to the source. The proof of that, before you look into the details, is the fact that they are building a two-door, short, sport model. The other aspect

to this release is the unspoken (but broadly hinted at) intent to challenge Jeep for off-road supremacy. Jeep, of course, has been wildly popular in the past decade and with the introduction of the Gladiator – the pickup version of the Wrangler – sales have never been higher. Ford wants a piece of that business, and the newest Bronco is the SUV that just might do it. A four-door version of the Bronco will also be available, again

taking a page from the Jeep book that proved that a four-door SUV will sell just as well, if not better, than a hard-core two-door. A smart move on Ford’s part is the variety of options, upgrades and powertrain/traction items they give you to choose from. With new model introductions, we are used to many manufacturers dribbling out these updates over time to keep interest high – not so with Bronco. In fact, Ford says, new Bronco owners can choose from a lineup of more than 200 factory-backed accessories for maximum personalization, enabling dealers to provide outfitting-on-demand for each owner’s individual adventure needs. For instance: Both Bronco two-and four-door models will provide an open-air experience. Two-door models come with a standard three-section roof system –left and right front sections and a rear section. However, an available premium painted modular top with four sections that adds a removable panel over the rear seats and cargo area is also available. The four-door models have four removable roof sections. These roof panels (on all models) can be removed by one person. First-row panels stow away on-board on two-door models. Or, you can go with a cloth soft top, standard on most fourdoor models. For customers who don’t want to choose between a soft or hardtop, the four-door model can be optioned with both. And, that’s just for the roof. For the off-roading crowd, Bronco will offer seven driverselectable modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Baja, Mud/Ruts and RockCrawl. Two 4WD systems will be offered on all Bronco models - a base setup and advanced 4x4. The base system

OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 31

has a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) transfer case, while the optional advanced system features a two-speed electromechanical transfer case that adds an auto mode for on-demand engagement to select between 2H and 4H. Power is distributed to a Dana 44 solid rear axle and DanaAdvanTEK independent

32 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

front differential unit â&#x20AC;&#x201C;both with available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials for rough terrain. Bronco, by the off-road numbers, will have (best-in-class) 11.6-inch ground clearance, a 29-degree breakover angle and 37.2-degree

departure angle. It also claims best-in-class water fording capability of up to 33.5 inches. Exposed tow hooks, and available heavy-duty modular steel bumpers have an integrated Ford designed winch-mount. This truck will run on 35-inch off-road tires, available on every trim level of two-and four-door Bronco. In a move to appeal to the widest group of off-roaders, Ford will offer a 7-speed manual transmission in addition to the 10speed automatic transmission. As an upgrade to the base 2.3L EcoBoost engine, Ford also offers the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine, which is projected to produce 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The off-road intent of the Bronco does not mean it’s shy on high-tech infotainment or safety features. Inside, the instrument panel is inspired by the first-generation model, with gauges and controls clearly visible and intuitive. Colours and materials are inspired by nature and outdoor gear. Materials are tough and rugged. A multifunction colour LCD instrument panel is front and centre. The shifter/selector and G.O.A.T.- modes controller is in the centre console.

berized floors with integrated drains and marine-grade vinyl seating surfaces that resist mildew. Instrument panel surfaces are wipeable with seamless silicone rubber on the dash-mounted hero switches, while rubber touchpoints protect against dirt and water. Six available upfitter switches mounted overhead are silicone-sealed too. This is just the first segment of my Bronco review; as we move past the current pandemic restrictions, I’m looking forward to actually driving this newest member of Ford’s pony family and diving deeper into what (on paper) appears to be a serious off-roader. So, while there are no on-the-lot units to look at right now Ford has announced that the base price for a two-door Bronco will start at $40,499, here in Canada. Let’s see what the fall brings.

Attachment points are built into the instrument panel so you can “bring your own device.” 12V power is available for cameras, navigation units, phones or other devices. Ford has also added its 12-inch SYNC®4 system with over-the-air updates and with off-road navigation –a Bronco class-exclusive feature that allows owners to plan, navigate and share their off-road adventure. The SYNC system also displays the available 360-degree camera system with class-exclusive offroad spotter views. For quick and easy clean-up, some Bronco models come with washable rubOCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 33

POWERSPORTS: 2021 HONDA TALON 1000X

Excellent Choice Story and photos by Stephen Elmer, additional photos courtesy of Honda

he Honda Talon still feels unique in the sport side-by-side segment, thanks to one single piece of equipment: a dualclutch transmission. For 2021, the Talon has added some new graphics while keeping the basic recipe the same, and that’s not a bad thing. Canadians going Talon shopping have fewer choices than those south of the border, as we are denied the wider, desert-focused Talon 1000R model and the four-seater, leaving us with the model we tested, the two-seat 1000X. The X comes in at 64inches wide and puts a focus on sharp handling on tight trails, something that Canada is certainly full of. Length measures in at 123.9-inches (3,147mm), overall height is 75.3-inches, and the Talon weighs in at 1,497 pounds. Power comes from a 999cc parallel twin-cylinder engine putting out just over 100 horsepower, sent through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Unlike both Polaris and Can-Am, Honda isn’t chasing after insane horsepower numbers, instead offering plenty to have fun with without feeling scary like the Can-Am and Polaris turbocharged models sometime can. And unlike every other model in the segment, which all use CVTs (Yamaha YXZ excluded), the Talon uses a dual-clutch transmission to quickly fire off shifts and power off the line. Accel34 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

eration is immediate and shift points are well timed for getting up to speed quickly, helped further by a selectable Sport mode. At low speeds, it is fair to say that the Talon can be jerky and hard to keep smooth compared to a belt-driven transmission, but the tradeoff compared to a CVT is the immediacy of the power and the satisfaction of being able to shift your own gears using the paddles behind the wheel. The Talon even has a manual mode if you want to do all your own shifting without the Talon’s ECU doing any thinking for you. And it is a clever system, as the Talon will constantly monitor throttle position, rpm and brake input to decide how to shift, going more aggressive If you decide to drive it hard. The four-wheel drive setup on the Talon also thinks for itself thanks to i4WD, employing a locking differential in the rear and front, with the front end locking up quickly when slip is detected. Climbing over our big rock pile proved that the Talon

is able to smoothly engage its front locker and make sure that power gets to both wheels fairly quickly, helping grab the rocks and pull us up and over. Suspension underneath the 1000X is a set of Fox Podium 2 . 0 Q S 3 s , o ff e r i n g 1 4 . 6 inches of travel in the front and 15.1-inches in the rear. Three different settings are available for the shocks so you’re able to adjust exactly how soft, or stiff the machine will ride. Taking off down the trail, the Talon 1000X’s handling feels quick, bordering on jumpy, but that makes it exciting to drive. Plenty of power is available under your foot to steer this machine, which will willingly rotate when you need it to. Hitting whoops hard allows you to find the limit of the Talon 1000X fairly quickly, though the suspension still does a great job at taking the edge out of the hardest hits. It’s at moderate speeds in tight corners where the Talon

36 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

truly shines, combining its quick, sharp steering with hard bite on turn-in and direct power delivery to provide a ton of smileinducing thrill. A wheelbase at 87.6-inches also contributes to the sharp handling, though that’s also a reason why the Talon can get bucked back-and-forth pretty hard if you take whoops at speed. At 64-inches wide, the Talon still feels pretty big on tight treed trails, but doesn’t come across as overwhelmingly wide like the big 68- or 72-inch machines can.

and mud to get on your pants. A standard roof also comes with the 1000X to keep the sun and other weather off your head.

Sitting inside the Talon, the seating position is a little more upright than some other sport machines like the Can-Am Maverick

Hill start assist is another feature packed into the Talon, operated by a switch in the centre stack. Hit it and the Talon will hold itself on a hill using the brakes, giving the driver a few seconds to get to the throttle, making sure that the machine will not roll forward or backward until you are ready.

Storage is comprised of a glovebox, cubby in the centre stank and a pair of cupholders. The open bed on the back of the Talon has a D-ring in all four corners to make sure you can tie-down your gear back there, and because this is a sport machine, there is no hitch, so don’t plan on towing anything.

Pricing for the 2021 Honda Talon 1000X is $300 more this year, coming in at $27,299. Honda did its homework with the Talon and offers a sport sideby-side that is exciting, fun to drive and comfortable enough for a day on the trails. It is disappointing that Canadians don’t get all the different Talon variants that are found in the U.S., but with just the 1000X, Honda is offering an excellent choice in the sport side-by-side segment.

or Polaris RZR, but the sight lines are generous so you always know exactly where your wheels are around you. Legroom for someone standing at 6-foot 2-inches is just enough, while my personal preference left me wanting a few more inches of seat adjustability out of the Talon. Honda also has a great passenger-side grab handle, allowing the passenger to set it at any distance that works and then simply lock it into place using a pressure system. Honda includes nets as standard equipment for maximum safety, and the doors on the Talon offer decent coverage, although the opening near your lower leg on the driver’s side can allow water OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 37

TECH: NEW PRODUCTS

GEARING UP

All-New Toyota Tundra LED Tail Lights from Anzo USA NEW PRODUCT

New from Anzo USA are LED Tail Lights for the 2007-2013 Toyota Tundra which are 100-percent street legal and aftermarket DOT compliant. They feature superior, high-powered SMD LEDs which are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications. They are made to remain operational in extreme hot or cold temperatures, are fully sealed to keep moisture out and feature an internal constant current and waterproof inductive driver. For more information please go to www.anzousa.com

Bright Source 20-In. LED Light Bar

The newest BrightSource LED Light Bar is a 20-in. Heated Lens model, which is perfect for use in winter. Unlike most LED Light Bars, which freeze up under a thick coating of ice and snow, this powerful and street-legal light bar automatically switches on and keeps your lens clear, so you can see in the ugliest of weather. This is a low-profile, attractive product that will enhance the appearance of your vehicle, and installation is easy with your choice of side-mount or base-mount brackets. For more information please go to www.brightsource.ca

Eibach’s PRO-LIFT-KIT Springs for 2019-2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Eibach’s PRO-LIFT-KIT Springs for the 2019-2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro model is designed to provide a suspension lift on your FOX shocks-equipped vehicle while retaining the factory look

Bully Dog GT Gas and Diesel The Bully Dog GT Gas and Diesel tuners unlock more horsepower and torque to meet the unique demands you put on your vehicle. With preloaded tuning, you can plug ‘n play. The built in “Driving Coach” feature helps improve driving habits for better fuel mileage. Customizable gauges track performance, and a wide variety of hauling and off-roading, all while giving you plenty of power to take on tough jobs, or improved fuel economy for long highway hauls.

and feel. The spring’s height and rate have been optimized within each shock’s bypass zone, which allows you to retain the factory ride characteristics and a lift ready to tackle tough terrain. Each PRO-LIFT-KIT is engineered and manufactured using the same technology found in Eibach’s championship wining ERO Off-road race springs. They provide an additional 1.6-in. of height in the front and 1.0-in. in the rear.

For more information please go to www.bullydog.com

For more information please go to www.eibach.com

38 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

NEW PRODUCT

Husky Liners FormFit™ Mud Guards Enthuze Helix Wheels Enthuze’s Helix wheels offer a multi-spoke, rugged design that is sure to enhance the appearance of your truck, Jeep or 4x4 instantly. They are available in a few different sizes, widths, bolt patterns and offsets in order to fit on a wide variety of applications. They feature a black milled finish and are available in 18- and 20-in. sizes in a number of different bolt patterns and offsets.

Husky Liners® FormFit™ Mud Guards are made from durable, impact-resistant all-weather thermoplastic that’s as tough as nails (or rocks for that matter). They’re easy to install, conform perfectly to your fenders, and protect your ride and those around you from the rage of the road. The mud guards are made from Husky’s durable, impact-resistant all-weather thermoplastic material that holds up to whatever road debris you may come across. They are available for many full size trucks and SUVs. For more information please go to www.huskyliners.com

For more information please go to www.enthuze.ca

HyperTech Max Energy Spectrum Power Programmer With more power-per-dollar than any other bolt-on product, the Hypertech® Max Energy™ Spectrum Power Programmer gives your vehicle optimized engine tuning for maximum power and performance for any kind of driving, as well as application-specific

ICON Vehicle Dynamics Suspension Systems for 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner ICON Vehicle Dynamics has announced new suspension systems for the 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner that go from the baseline Stage

performance features including automatic transmission adjustments, throttle response, and top-speed/rev limiter. The Max Energy Spectrum Power Programmer also has Quick Command features for Jeep, and the ability to reads, display and clear DTCs.

1 to the all-out Stage 5. The staged systems were developed to provide optimal performance for several unique driving styles but feature quite a few constants such as coil springs, shock absorbers, vehicle-specific shock-valving, FK Rod End Bearings and highquality CNC-machined components. The systems yield 0-3-in. of front lift height and 0-1-in. rear lift height which results in a bolder, leveled-off stance.

For more information please go to www.hypertech.com

For more information please go to www.iconvehicledyanamics.com OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 39

TECH: NEW PRODUCTS

Iron Cross Hardline Series Front Bumpers The new Hardline series bumper from Iron Cross Automotive offers a clean, aggressive look while allowing you more control over the customization of your setup. Available with or without the bar, the Hardline bumpers are sensor-ready, come with bolt-on plates, have 11 slotted holes for maximum customization on the outside openings, as well as two 6-in. and a 20-22-in. centre light bar cut-out. They are available for most 2010 and up Chevrolet, Ram, Ford, GMC and Toyota applications.

McGard Jeep Wrangler Door Locks Given that removable Jeep Wrangler doors are an easy target for theft, McGard offers Jeep door locks that simply replace the lower hinge nuts with the McGard door lock. They are very easy to install and for maximum security, the spin-collar turns if they are attacked by gripping tools to further protect your vehicle. The locks match the OEM hinge nuts so no modifications are necessary and they are available for both 2 or 4-door Wranglers. For more information please go to www.shop.mcgard.com

For more information please go to www.ironcrossautomotive.com

N-Fab RSP Front Bumper N-Fabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RSP front bumper is built for extreme off-road use and comes with a skid plate for additional underbody protection. The

Nitto SN3 Winter Tire

NEW PRODUCT

bumper offers the capability to mount conventional or LED light bars and some models also come as a winch-ready model. Additionally, the bumper features anti-theft hardware for LED bars. The bumpers feature a one-piece design constructed from .120-in. wall tubing for strength and durability.

Nittoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SN3 winter tire incorporates an advanced tread design with studless technology for better handling and driving security in severe winter conditions. The deep inner alternating blocks add stability while also allowing the tire to dig into deep snow or slush and the large outer blocks are made to increase performance by adding grip while cornering. The advanced construction of the tire is made to withstand road hazards while maintaining its handling during cold temperatures.

For more information please go to www.n-fab.com

For more information please go to www.nittotire.com

40 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

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TECH: NEW PRODUCTS NEW PRODUCT

Rugged Ridge Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier, Jeep Gladiator JT Quality Gear’s Predator Axles Made from 4340 Chrome-Moly high-strength alloy steel, Quality Gear’s Predator heavy-duty front axles are designed to withstand the punishing demands of rock crawling and serious off-roading. Predator axles are 39-percent stronger than stock front axles and are extremely hard to twist and break. So if you want to upgrade and take your off-roading to the next level, equip your rig with Predator Axles, which are backed by one of the strongest warranties on the market.

Rugged Ridge’s “pre-runner”-style Bed Mount Spare Tire Carrier is not just striking in appearance, but engineered to deliver the goods with a hefty load capacity, handily hauling up to a 40-inch wheel & tire combo. Built from muscular 2-inch, .120 wall steel tubing and ¼-inch thick CNC cut & brake-formed steel plate, this carrier is rock-solid and designed to survive in harsh off-road conditions. The integrated wheel mount is adjustable to accommodate a variety of wheel offsets, while the carrier assembly installs to factory mounting locations for maximum strength & rigidity, with no drilling required. For more information please go to www.ruggedridge.com

For more information please go to www.qualitygear.com

Rugged Ridge Venator Front Bumper with Overrider, Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU & Gladiator JT The Rugged R i d g e Ve n a t o r Front Bumpers are made out of muscular strength steel and come in a tough satin black powder-coat finish that helps resists rust and corrosion. These bumpers are compatible with most aftermarket winches and feature integrated D-Ring mounts. Additionally, these NEW PRODUCT Ve n a t o r F r o n t Bumpers will work with your Jeep’s factory fog lights thanks to the octagonal pockets. All Venator Front Bumpers come with all required hardware and feature a direct bolt-on installation for both Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator models. Best of all, it includes an integrated skid plate, a stylish, sculpted overrider and is covered by the manufacturer’s 5 year limited warranty. For more information please go to www.ruggedridge.com 42 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

Steelcraft’s New Wrangler Replacement Doors Steelcraft’s all-new Wrangler Replacement doors are made from 1.25-in. tubing and come with a heavy-duty striker latch that is meant to be long-lasting and durable for an extended period of time. The doors allow for the use of the OE mirrors and provide an open-air environment that Jeeps are famous for. Available for the Wrangler JL, the doors are finished in a textured black powder-coat finish for the ultimate durability. For more information please go to www.steelcraftautomotive.com

AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES TONNEAU COVERS /// WHEELS /// TOOL BOXES /// LED LIGHT BARS /// LED HEADLIGHT BULBS /// LEVELING KITS /// FENDER FLARES /// MUD GUARDS /// JEEP ACCESSORIES /// HITCHES /// SIDE STEPS /// SNOW PLOWS /// FLOOR LINERS ///

Available at:

and other aftermarket accessory retailers | www.actioncarandtruck.com |

TECH: NEW PRODUCTS

SPC Jeep JK Front Adjustable Upper Control Arm SPC’s adjustable, direct-fit control arm adds both strength and articulation flexibility to your stock height or lifted Jeep Wrangler JK. It utilizes SPC’s xAxis sealed flex joints to provide bind-free twist

SCT X4 Performance Programmer

NEW PRODUCT

The SCT X4 Performance Programmer connects high-performance tunes to your vehicle for a boost in horsepower and torque. Awaken your engine to its real potential with pre-loaded, dyno-proven tune files through the easy-to-use functionality. Modify a variety of parameters at the touch of a button, all while monitoring gauges on a customizable display. Read vehicle performance data on a full-colour LCD display for easy viewing, day or night. Preloaded, street-tested, dyno-proven tunes boost horsepower, torque, and throttle sensitivity. Data log engine functions for playback using SCT’s LiveLink software. For more information please go to www.sctflash.com

between the frame and axle during articulation. The DOM steel construction and forged link provide strength for larger wheel and tire packages and aggressive gearing. The dual-threaded adjuster and jam nut makes caster/pinion angle adjustments quick and easy without the need to disconnect the arm or mess with cams and slotted hole knock-outs. For more information please go to www.spcalignment.com

Superlift 3.5-In. Lift Kit for the 2019-2020 Ford Ranger 4WD Superlift’s 3.5-inch UCA Lift kit is a simple solution for adding more height than just a “leveling kit”. These kits have a strong, modern die-formed design constructed of DOM tubing, beefy gussets and include CNC-machined ball joint cups. The UCAs include a pre-in-

TrailFX Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover for Jeep Gladiator TrailFX is now offering its Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau cover for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator mid-size pickup truck which will provide complete protection and cover for your entire pickup bed, but is also able to be folded up and out of the way when access to the full bed is needed. Moisture seals are featured to help keep your cargo dry and protected, while foam pads and rubber seals surround the bed to keep out dust and other debris. The cover is non-lockable and is made from a lightweight yet strong aluminum.

stalled MOOG® ball joint and bushings for long-lasting performance and durability. By using the UCAs, this lift offers a better ride quality and performance over taller leveling spacers. This kit also includes a differential drop spacers, rear block kit, and rear Shadow Series Shocks. All parts are included to make sure your Ford Ranger handle and performs just like a stock truck.

For more information please go to www.trailfx.com

For more information please go to www.superlift.com

44 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2020

NEW PRODUCT

Warrior Mod Series Mid-Width Bumper with Brush Guard Toyo Observe GSi-6

NEW PRODUCT

Toyo Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new GSi-6 studless performance winter tire features significant performance improvements over its predecessor, utilizing its directional tread design with staggered tread blocks to maximize traction and handling while also improving ride comfort. Crushed walnut shells are embedded into the tire tread compound to dig and bite into the ice or snowy surfaces for improved traction. The tires are available in many different sizes from 14-in. all the way up to 22-in.

Warrior Products Mod Series mid-width bumper with a brush guard for the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator is made using heavy-duty steel and are finished with a two stage powder coat not only for good looks but also for unmatched protection. The bumpers include a recessed mount with included brackets for factory fog lights which protects them from damage with an easy bolt-on installation and simple plug-and-play wiring. The bumper is made from 3/16-in. steel and features built-in off-road jack lift points. For more information please go to www.warriorproducts.com

For more information please go to www.toyotires.ca

WeatherTech AlloyCover Hard Tri-Fold The WeatherTech AlloyCover Hard Tri-Fold Pickup Truck Bed Cover is a lightweight, low-profile foldable bed cover that maximizes protection from harsh weather conditions without compromising style and strength. To protect your cargo from unwanted access or vulnerabilities, the bed cover incorporates strong aluminum panels with durable, watertight, reinforced vinyl coated hinges. Retractable storage clips hold the cover secure, while rigid standoffs with rubber pads keep panels properly spaced in the folded position. No adjustment needed. For more information please go to www.weathertech.com OCT/NOV 2020 OFF-ROAD Plus MAGAZINE 45

WINCHIN’ OUT

Off-Road Plus Oct-Nov 2020

Articles inside

2021 HOnda Talon 1000X

Ford Bronco

4x4 Fire Trucks

WAGONEER

GMC Canyon AT4