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! AH UT

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SEPTEMBER 2022

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2022, VOL.59, NO.9

COVER SECTION

STALKING UTAH!

14 2022 MOAB EASTER JEEP SAFARI Flatfender Jeeps, fullsize trucks, and all 4x4s in between return to the red rocks

20 CAPTIVATING CONCEPTS Seven new creations from the mad scientists at Jeep

FEATURES & EVENTS 36 FJ5.3 Danny Solis’ LS-powered 1963 Land Cruiser FJ40

44 GROUND-UP, THUMBS UP Project update: Catching up with a popular Jp Magazine project CJ-5

14 48 20

48 ROOM TO MOVE Preston Gladd built the fixtures of an RV, and more, into his pop-top camper

58 CHICAGO MACHINES Highlights from the 2022 Chicago Auto Show

64 THE ROAD TO RELIC RUN Part 2: We trust a new-to-us CJ-5 for 1,600-plus miles

68 2 WAYS TO 4RUNNER Trevor Takara and Thomas Piccolo have different takes on Toyota’s stalwart off-road SUV

74 FROM THE BACKCOUNTRY This land is your land

TECH & HOW-TOS 30 DENTSIDE Part 2: Replacing worn parts and a new look

40 GOING THE DISTANCE How to increase an Intermediate CJ-5s fuel capacity

54 SHAKEDOWN RUN Will our Explorer excel or explode? fourwheeler.com

DEPARTMENTS 4 FIRING ORDER 8 RPM 78 TECHLINE 82 TRAIL’S 6 INBOX 10 PARTS RACK 80 CALENDAR END

ON THE COVER: Thousands of wheelers made the annual trek to Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep Safari, and the 2022 event was a rockin’ good time. We have full coverage beginning on page 14. Photo by Jered Korfhage

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 3

FIRING ORDER

Long-running 4WD events

his issue of Four Wheeler includes coverage of the Easter Jeep Safari from Moab, Utah. Easter Jeep Safari, commonly known as EJS, celebrated its 56th event in 2022 and that’s a pretty darn impressive number of decades. Imagine how much has changed in the off-roading world and the Moab area since 1967. The growth of the event and the town is incredible, and kudos need to go to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, who have run EJS since 1983, for the great job it does with the event.

EJS’ long history got me thinking about 4WD events that have been around for a long time. For example, the Mile-Hi Jeep Club’s All-4-Fun event in Colorado. All-4-Fun is celebrating a darn impressive 56 years of the event in 2022. This event is unique in that it’s held in a different location each year, utilizing local trails. The last All-4-Fun I attended was in Silverton and it was an impressive, finely tuned event that offered some incredible wheeling on legendary Colorado trails along with a robust collection of features. Gravelrama is another long-running event and it’s put on by the IOK 4 Wheelers. It celebrates its 51st year in 2022. The six-day event in Cleves, Ohio, has a rich history, capitalizing on racing in various forms. I had a blast at Gravelrama a few years ago and I think I’m still pulling pea gravel out of my camera bag. Dakota Territory Challenge, put on by the Black Hills 4 Wheelers, is celebrating its 40th event in 2022. I have great memories of this South Dakota event and the trails are epic. I recall going on one of the harder trails and it was a lot of fun. In a way, it reminded me of the Rubicon Trail, right down to the rocks and trees. Another long-running event is the Total

4 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

Above: This photo was taken more than a decade ago on Black Bear Road during the incredible All-4-Fun event in Colorado. The year this photo was taken the event was based in Silverton. Below: This photo was taken about 10 years ago during the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Time flies. EJS is now celebrating its 56th event in 2022.

Off-Road Rally in Dresser, Wisconsin, which is put on by the Minnesota Go-4 Wheelers. The event marks an impressive 53 years in 2022. I’ve always enjoyed this event, which combines trails, racing, camping, and more into its five days, all in a great location. A long-running winter event is the Sno*Blind Expedition in West Branch, Michigan, that’s put on by the Mudchuggers Four Wheel Drive Club. The club stops chugging through mud and puts

together a well-tuned event that offers the participants the opportunity to chug through snow. In 2022, Sno*Blind celebrates its 28th annual event. I’ve had great times at Sno*Blind and the most memorable is the year a major snowstorm hit during the event. Other events with long-running histories? Sierra Trek (55 years), which takes place in California’s Tahoe National Forest; Jeepers Jamboree (70 years!), on the Rubicon Trail; and the Willys Reunion in Aurora, Ohio (29 years). Of course, there are many more off-roading events with long histories and there are many that are on their way to becoming long-running 4WD events. Do you have a favorite long-running 4WD event? Or have you attended an event that you think is going to be around for the long haul? Drop an email to the address below and tell me which event it is and why you dig it! –KEN BRUBAKER KEN.BRUBAKER@FOURWHEELER.COM PHOTOS: KEN BRUBAKER

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Inbox BY KEN BRUBAKER EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM

SUVOTY PRICE FACTOR I wholeheartedly agree that Four Wheeler provides the most thorough, comprehensive, and practical testing and evaluation in the industry when rating vehicles for SUV of the Year! This year’s test (“2022 Four Wheeler SUV of the Year,” Apr. ’22) was no exception, but it did leave me with one burning question: Is it time for the judges to start considering vehicle price in the overall ranking? The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the halo car for Jeep enthusiasts. It also costs $83,695! I would imagine that this price puts it out of reach for many readers (certainly this reader). Just like performance, most consumers consider price when choosing a new vehicle. On the final scorecard, the winning Wrangler tallied 82.39 points. The Ford Bronco (in Third Place) scored 75.12 points but did so at a price point of $49,475. Is that 7-point difference worth $34,330? To me, this makes the Bronco look like the most bang for the buck … and possibly SUV of The Year. Four Wheeler does an excellent job of reporting budget-friendly projects and awesome home builds. Why not extend this same sensibility to SUV of the Year testing? Price, like the other metrics, is an objective finding that can be weighted in the overall score. In this era of six-figure trucks and SUVs, adding price levels the playing field while making the results even more useful to the reader.

slipping and sliding in the mud, but when it’s all over the snow melts and your rig is basically clean. Also included is a photo I took while test-fitting tire chains in the garage. It’s better to know how to use them ahead of time. RANDY VIA EMAIL

NOAH VIA EMAIL

We totally agree and that’s why the price of each vehicle is factored into the Empirical category of both SUV of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year scoring. So, the highest priced vehicle in each test accrues the lowest number of points for the “price” category The least expensive vehicle gathers the most points.

SNOW WHEELING THUMBS UP Snow is so much fun! (“Snow Wheeling: Thumbs Up, Or Thumbs Down?” Apr. ’22) It is as slippery as mud, which makes trails more challenging and fun. The scenery is AWESOME. Snow-covered trees are just magical. Plus, you can have snowball fights, make snowmen, slide down hills … all the fun snow stuff. I do pack more survival gear when I go snow wheeling. Just in case. I have two sets of Pewag snow chains, which fit my 35s. Rarely use them, but if conditions are ice, they are great to have, front and rear. Here is a photo of my Jeep at a ski area, which was closed for the season. I’ve been partway through the Rubicon in the snow, too. Oh, the best part of snow wheeling: It’s like

WHERE TO WRITE Address your correspondence to Four Wheeler, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245 or send an email to ken.brubaker@fourwheeler.com. All letters become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department can also be reached through the website at fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

6 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

MANUAL T-CASE FAN As I am sure you know, a lot of us Jeep (Wranglertype) owners are also RVers. We flat tow (four wheels down) because trailers are very hard to park somewhere in a crowded RV park or campground, such as Moab in the spring. By far, the most popular tow car is the Wrangler-type Jeep for a couple of reasons; they are so useful when you get somewhere and they hook up and tow so well thanks to having always had a manual transfer case. There are no fuses to pull, driveline disconnects, or lube pumps necessary. Just hook up, put the transfer case in neutral and transmission in park (auto) or in gear (manual). I have owned and towed for many miles CJ3-Bs, TJs, JKs and JLs and they all have one thing in common, a manual transfer case! I still own three of these Jeeps, and they are all ready to tow. I became concerned with the recent issue of Four Wheeler (“2022 Four Wheeler SUV of the Year,” Apr. ’22) in the description of the Rubicon 392 where the transfer case is a fulltime MP3022 Selec-Trac. Does Jeep still approve this vehicle for flat-towing? I am an old guy and much prefer the good old ways, but I have been expecting Jeep to make some bad moves toward modernization, as with this transfer case, which makes it more like the ordinary family SUV. Please tell me that the manual transfer will not disappear from new model Jeeps! GREG VIA EMAIL

ABSCONDING T-CASE LINKAGE I have an ’06 Power Wagon that I’ve been wheeling since November 2005. I can tell you my linkage has failed two times (“Where’s My T-Case Linkage?” May ’22). First time it fell off while wheeling and was stuck in 4-Lo. I was able to use zip ties to temporarily function as the linkage. Now I always keep a spare in the glovebox. ROBERT VIA EMAI

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Saying “see ya” to summer is never easy, but a vehicle upgrade will help you look forward to all fall has in store! Laser-measured FloorLiner and custom-ﬁtting Cargo Liner offer a sleek look for a new car feel all year round. Answer the call of fall when you shop WeatherTech.

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BY TORI TELLEM EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM

RPM AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

In the News Q If you’re a fan of both Land Rover vehicles and horses, you best sit down, because your day is made. The automaker and the U.S. Equestrian Federation have launched a bunch of equestrian-themed doodads and wearables. The horse package includes a custom horse cooler and mudflaps (we’ll take “odd bedfellows for $500”), for a $5,000 price tag. Q Not truck related, but shoutout to Toyota for sticking a manual transmission into its 2023 Supra. Q Ground has been broken for the expansion of Navistar’s 110,000-square-foot powertrain plant in Huntsville, Alabama.

Q The next generation of EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles EXP, FX, and CORE will use the Class 4 Isuzu NPR Series platform. Q Rocket Auto did some surveying and learned 80.6 percent of drivers said backup camera was the No. 1 feature they’d pay more for. Similar number for millennials wanting a USB fastcharging outlet. Q $383 million is what Toyota will invest in four of its U.S. manufacturing plants for producing fourcylinders (a hybrid electric is one such type). Q If you’re craving a convertible Land Rover, Heritage Customs out of the Netherlands is doing it to the Defender 90.

Q Or perhaps you’re craving this: Expedition Motor Company’s newest version of its Wolf Gelandewagen is the ’22 1991 250GD. The G-wagen total restomod features a 0M602 diesel engine with Mercedes-Benz five-speed 722.6 automatic transmission and original gear-shift lever from an S-Class. Write that check in the amount of $120,000.

Is It True? Your Government at Work • Ford is working on tank-turn tech for the electric F-150 Lightning? • Did Klaus Zyciora, the head of Volkswagen Group Design, post a rendering of an ID. Buzz pickup on Instagram because ... it’s actually happening? • Someone in the Middle East spent almost $10 million at auction to get the license plate AA8? • Dodge Hornet EV SUV? • A crash on Interstate 70 in Missouri on 4/20 ended with 500 pounds of packaged marijuana strewn about the highway? • Hot Wheels live action movie?

8 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

• One of the names on the list to design NASA’s moon-stalking crewed Lunar Terrain Vehicle? Nissan North America. That’s for its know-how on things like autonomousdriving tech. • The Department of Energy has given $4.09 million to Borg-Warner to develop a cost-effective, advanced direct-current fast charger for EV-related infrastructure. • DARPA has awarded Federal Intel Federal “the opportunity to develop advanced simulation solutions for off-road autonomous ground vehicles,” according to Intel Labs. It’s for the Robotic Autonomy in Complex

Environments with Resiliency–Simulation (RACER-Sim) program that intends to “create the next generation of off-road simulation platforms to significantly reduce the development cost and bridge the gap between simulation and the real world.” • The U.S. Postal Service bought thousands of trucks for its fleet, but now it’s being sued by the United Auto Workers and environmental groups (and also states that include California). The issue? USPS bought gas-powered trucks, not just EVs, and allegedly signed the contract before an environmental review.

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What’s Happening in the Industry Q Advance Auto Parts is now joined at the hip to the L.A. Dodgers, signing a multiyear agreement to become the team’s official auto parts retailer. Who among us doesn’t wonder hourly what would be the official car battery of baseball? (For the Dodgers, it’s DieHard, so end your wonderment.) Q onX Offroad is doubling down on efforts to help improve and conserve public land access nationwide and will do so in various ways, including through grants, partnering with off-road organizations, and raising awareness with the public and policymakers about off-road access. Q Tread Lightly! and Nissan are working together to promote responsible

off-road and outdoor recreation. Examples of this include dealing with damaged and closed roads in the Delta National Forest. Q Tread Lightly! again: Quadratec’s new 50 Cleanups in 50 States Stewardship Grant Fund is in partnership with Tread Lightly!. According to Quadratec, “The ‘50-for-50’ program will fully support one stewardship project in each state over the next 24 months that enhances or improves off-road or public land access. The ‘50-for-50’ stewardship grant fund will help project managers pay for equipment, fees, volunteer support, food, fuel, signage, and other miscellaneous costs.”

“HAVING TO TELL CUSTOMERS THEY’RE FACING WEEKS OF DELAY BEFORE THEY GET THE CONVERTERS AND CAN USE THEIR VEHICLE [AGAIN] HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF MY JOB IN MY 19 YEARS HERE.” —ADAM HANER, HELFMAN MOTORS IN HOUSTON, TO AUTOMOTIVE NEWS ABOUT THE MASSIVE INCREASE IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT, NOT TO MENTION WAIT LISTS AND INCREASING COST OF MATERIALS FOR THE REPLACEMENT

2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER ROCK CREEK The buzzwords are in full swing here for this new Pathfinder in the lineup: “off-road– inspired,” “buyers seeking a higher level of fun and adventure,” and “has both the style and hardware.” Translation: Tuned suspension with 5⁄8 -inch lift, all-terrain rubber, and a slight bump in performance numbers over the regular Pathfinder—295 horses (versus 284) and 270 lb-ft of torque (compared to 259). The fine print on those numbers? “When using premium fuel, due to revised fuel mapping.” The ’Creek is available in four-by form only.

fourwheeler.com

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X and Yukon Denali Ultimate The AT4X trim from the ’22 GMC Sierra is headed for the ’23 GMC Canyon. Details were still somewhat of a secret as Four Wheeler went to press, but rocker protection and 17-inch “beadlockcapable” wheels are expected. Meanwhile, the all-new Yukon Denali Ultimate is the vehicle for you if 1. You’re dying for a neverbefore-existed premium trim and/or 2. You’re always griping to everyone about the hassles associated with using your hands to change lanes and tow. As in, Super Cruise technology is available for automatic lane changes and hands-free towing (prepare for a giant asterisk that denotes the list of perfect-storm conditions needed to actually use those conveniences). You’ll also get a lot of numbers: 6.2L V-8 or 3.0L Duramax with 10-speed automatic transmission, 22-inch ultra-bright machined wheels, 16-way power seats, and 18-speaker Bose system, among other goods.

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 9

Parts Rack

BY JERED KORFHAGE JERED.KORFHAGE@FOURWHEELER.COM PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS

\> BOOST YOUR BRONCO

Lift your non-Sasquatch Ford Bronco with USA-made steel components from MetalCloak. The company’s lift braces bolt into the factory components to reduce risk of unwanted rattles. Two-inch lift braces are made of thick, laser-cut 3⁄16-inch steel and are fully welded and then finished in MetalCloak’s signature Gold Zinc for a long-lasting finish. MetalCloak includes lift braces for the front and rear of the ’21-up non-Sasquatch Bronco as well as all necessary hardware. INFO: MetalCloak, 916/631-8071, metalcloak.com

<- BRIGHTER TUNDRA

ZROADZ can help add more forward-facing off-road light to your ’14-’21 Toyota Tundra with the Baja Bumper Bar. The bar installs using factory bolt locations and features a low-gloss powdercoated finish with space to mount up to four LED pods. Kits can be had complete with ZROADZ LED pods and a wiring harness or with only the Baja Bumper Bar and its mounting hardware. INFO: ZROADZ, 966/483-7744, zroadz.com

<| STRONG SLEEVES

Add strength to the tie rods of your ’21 Ford Bronco with this sleeve kit from JKS Manufacturing. The sleeves fit around the factory Bronco tie rods and are said to help resist bending on the trail. JKS Tie Rod sleeves have a 1-inch outer diameter, allow for full toe adjustment, and are made from cold-rolled 1215 steel. INFO: JKS Manufacturing, 517/278-1226, jksmfg.com

\> VINTAGE SEATS

-> HIDDEN STORAGE

Tuffy Security Products has introduced its Model 368, a compact Underseat Lockbox for ’20-’22 Jeep Gladiators. The security lockbox measures 6.75x12.75x5 inches to discreetly fit under the rear seat within the OEM plastic fence and provides over 400 cubic inches of out-of-sight lockable storage to conceal documents, electronics, and other valuables. The contents of the compact Underseat Lockbox are protected by Tuffy’s Pry-Guard Locking System with a 10-tumbler double-bitted security lock with 1⁄8 -inch-thick welded steel components. Constructed of welded steel with a durable, textured black-powdercoat finish, Tuffy’s Model 368 lockbox has a weather-resistant lid design that incorporates an exclusive Pin-Lock hinging system for added security. It secures to existing OEM Jeep Gladiator mounting points using the supplied hardware and easy-to-follow assembly instructions. Installation is said to be quick with standard hand tools and no drilling is required. INFO: Tuffy Security Products, 800/348-8339, tuffyproducts.com

Quadratec Heritage Premium Front Seats are designed to replace factory seats on the ’76-’95 Jeep CJ, the Wrangler YJ, and can also fit the ’97-’06 Jeep Wrangler TJ with the use of adapters (sold separately). Heritage Premium Front Seats feature a high-back vinyl construction that is said to improve comfort and add style with an integrated headrest, fixed back support, and reinforced side bolsters to keep the driver centered in the seat while driving off-road. Each premium seat comes standard with a double-stitched pattern in three custom colors that are said to enhance the look of classic Jeeps. The Heritage seats from Quadratec use a UV-resistant vinyl covering, which is ideal for open-air driving scenarios, and come with high-density, flame-resistant foam for maximum durability and safety. Installation is said to require basic tools. INFO: Quadratec, 800/745-6037, quadratec.com 10 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

<| RISE, RANGER!

With upper metal strut spacers, lower strut spacer rings, upper control arms, differential brackets, rear lift blocks, and U-bolts; Skyjacker’s lift system has what it takes to help your ’20-’22 Ford Ranger rise to the occasion. The kit is designed to maintain proper suspension geometry while not interfering with the vehicle’s electronic stability control systems. Factory wheels are said to be compatible with the kit and the components are designed to prevent overextension of the CV axles. This kit is not compatible with the Ranger Tremor or vehicles equipped with aluminum steering knuckles. INFO: Skyjacker, 318/388-0816, skyjacker.com

|> PACK THE BACK

Pakmule’s cargo carrier is a TIG-welded aluminum tray boasting almost 12 square feet of space. The tray weighs 42 pounds and has a weight carrying capacity of 500 pounds. The Pakmule’s outside dimensions are 69x28x8.25 inches and fits 2-inch receivers. INFO: Pakmule Cargo Carriers, 830/387-4330, pakmule.com

</ JUMP STARTED The Jump Starter 800A from Cobra packs the punch you need to start your vehicle when it’s stricken with a dead battery. The 27.75 Wh lithium-ion powered jump starter is said to hold its charge for up to 365 days and the integrated fast-charge USB-A and USB-C ports make it easy to use the device to recharge handheld electronics. INFO: Cobra, 800/964-3138, cobra.com

/> UNLIMITED COOL

Design Engineering has what you need to insulate the hardtop of your ’04-’06 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Design Engineering’s five-piece peeland-stick kit is said to provide sound deadening and thermal insulation to LJ Wranglers fitted with factory hardtops. The pieces are made of high-quality, marine-grade acoustical foam that resists mold and mildew, and the kits come in two finishes: Original and Leather. INFO: Design Engineering, Inc., 800/264-9472, designengineering.com

-> FORTIFIED FORD

Warn Industries has added the Ford F-150 to its American-made Ascent Bumper lineup. The new, lower-profile Ascent Front Bumper fits the F-150 with minimal overhang. It will accommodate Warn mid-frame winches, including VR EVO, Zeon, and Zeon Platinum, up to 12,000 pounds in capacity. The Ascent bumper features welded recovery points that are ready for D-shackles (sold separately) and provisions to mount a modular prerunner Baja-style grille guard tube (also sold separately). The bumper’s design helps increase approach angles and is said to accommodate tires up to 37 inches in diameter. The bumper has ports for up to four 3-inch LED lights and installation of the bumper is said to be simple with pre-drilled bolt holes and cutouts to facilitate mounting a winch. INFO: Warn Industries, 800/543-9276, warn.com fourwheeler.com

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 11

W A T C H L I V E E X C L U S I V E LY O N

SCAN HERE

S TA R T YO U R F R E E T R I A L MOTORTREND.COM/MECUM2022

FEATURE

2022

MOAB EASTER Flatfender Jeeps, fullsize trucks, and all 4x4s in between return to the red rocks By Jered Korfhage jered.korfhage@fourwheeler.com Photos: Four Wheeler staff

or the 56th year, seven-slotted machines invaded southwest Utah for the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari. The event traces back to humble beginnings—Jeep Safari was once a Saturday-only affair with only a handful of trail rides and it was run by the Moab Chamber of Commerce. In recent years, the event has been coordinated by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, a local off-road club, and it has grown in a big way. Now, it’s common to meet off-road enthusiasts who have made a pilgrimage from across the United States and even from countries abroad to enjoy the Jeep Safari, an experience that now spans more than a week. To cap it off, the Jeep Safari Expo returned to Moab’s Spanish Trail Arena. This two-day attraction within the safari was an incredible way for enthusiasts to see the latest and greatest builds and products off-road vendors had to offer. While Jeep was undoubtedly the theme for the week, all breeds of off-road vehicle could be found enjoying Moab’s wonders throughout the safari—and the Four Wheeler team was hubs-deep in the action. Read on for a look at some of the highlights from the 2022 Moab Easter Jeep Safari. 14 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO SEE A MEGA GALLERY OF TRAIL PHOTOS FROM THE 2022 EASTER JEEP SAFARI

fourwheeler.com

R JEEP SAFARI

Seasoned off-roader, modifier of Jeeps, and former Editor of Four Wheeler, John Cappa, works his Flatty through Hamburger Hill, one of the notable climbs on Moab’s Kane Creek Canyon trail.

fourwheeler.com

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 15

Feature 2022 MOAB EASTER Jeep SAFARI

/> Adam Pfeifer’s ’14 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited climbed Potato Salad Hill after a few tries.

-> Matt Anderson’s ’77 Ford F-250 was shortened just enough to be nimble among the red rocks and narrowly avoided damage in this extremely tight canyon squeeze.

|> Christian Hazel refused to trailer the UACJ-6D, built for the 2017 Ultimate Adventure, to Moab.

Instead, he loaded the Cummins R2.8 turbodiesel-powered machine to the gills with his safari gear and braved the open interstate with nary a hiccup.

|> Pat Hemard, of Mandeville, Louisiana, put on a

show in his TJ Rubicon before putting the tires back onto the rock and climbing the ledge.

/> ->

This Bronco put its Skyjacker suspension components and 37-inch tires to work climbing the red rocks. Another Bronco drops down a stairstep obstacle with ease.

16 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

Pat Soffee’s ’56 Willys Pickup was unashamedly inspired by Verne Simons’ Wicked Willys project. Pat powered his Willys with a 5.3L V-8; shifts with a TH400; and sends power through an NP203/205 doubler, 1-ton axles, and 40-inch Milestar mudders.

/> Chris Durham’s ’12 Jeep Wrangler is motivated by a 6.2L LS V-8 and shows off a custom bed and Gladiator frontend conversion, among other hard-core add-ons.

</ Dave Chappelle, of Motor

Trend’s Dirt Every Day, wheeled the Mazda Grande up Rock Chucker, an obstacle on Moab’s Metal Masher trail.

<| Georgia Jackson’s rectangle-

rated and bass-boat-size-metalflake-coated Wrangler slayed some of Moab’s toughest obstacles while preserving its paintjob.

We witnessed two 4x4s going belly up on this obstacle. Here’s your reminder to wear a seatbelt, install a rollcage, carry a fire extinguisher, and pack your rig so that cargo does not go flying during a tipover.

fourwheeler.com

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 17

Feature 2022 MOAB EASTER Jeep SAFARI

<- This is one rig among a crew of Samurais that hailed from New Jersey.

<| Leaf springs, heavy-duty axles, and an

NP203/205 doubler all helped this first-gen TrailBlazer get through the trails.

/> These folks from Fort Collins, Colorado, had this Toyota back on the trails in no time after shearing a center pin in the front leaf pack.

/> Using its stock of battery power, this Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe hummed almost silently across the slickrock.

/> Dale Barnes, of Castalia, |>

If you know this obstacle, then you know how uncomfortably high your passenger front tire needs to ride that wall to avoid a wheelstand on the subsequent ledge.

by 18 Scorbione SEPTEMBER 2022

FOUR WHEELER

Ohio, fixed up his daily-driven ’83 Chevy K30 with a fuelinjected 454, disc brakes at all corners, fresh paint, and an aluminum tray bed with a rear winch.

mobilism.org fourwheeler.com

<\ |> />

This ’22 Nissan Frontier came to the Four Wheeler crew loaded with the Pro-4X package that made it more than ready for chasing down the action around Moab. The new ninespeed transmission paired with the 3.8L V-6 kept the truck in its powerband on the highways and the electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein monotube dampers, and additional skidplating (among other things) came in handy on the trails. Even when faced with snow and mud, the Frontier got the camera crew everywhere it was pointed.

<\ -> No camera tilt here—Potato Salad Hill is

steep, and all kinds of 4x4s line up to test their mettle on its array of climbs. Stick around long enough and someone will surely go up it backwards.

\> If you visit Moab, we implore you to find this large rock and drive the trail that leads beneath it. No matter which direction you choose, you shouldn’t be disappointed. Bonus points if done in a flatfender.

Cora and Erik Jokinen wheel their ’05 LJ Wrangler all across the United States, including to the top of the Top of the World trail.

That’s Slick! Slickrock is, in fact, not slick at all to 4x4 enthusiasts. However, for the horses pulling wagons over it in the times of the area’s early settlers, the rocks offered little traction to their metal horseshoes, earning the rock its unique name. FW

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 19

FEATURE

BY FOUR WHEELER STAFF EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM PHOTOS: KEN BRUBAKER AND JEEP

20 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

fourwheeler.com

Seven new creations from the mad scientists at Jeep

ne of the most anticipated parts of the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, is when the mad scientists at Jeep unveil the latest collection of concept vehicles. For 2022, the Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts trotted out seven vastly different, captivating concepts. The collection contained Wrangler Unlimited, Gladiator, and Grand Cherokee models, each bearing a laundry list of mods and in some cases one-off custom parts. The 2022 collection is also noteworthy because four of the seven Jeeps had either full electric or hybrid-electric powertrains. This is the most ever in the history of Easter Jeep Safari Jeep concepts, and an indicator of the rapid shift to electric power.

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 21

Feature CAPTIVATING CONCEPTS

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler: I don’t dig EVs for any green reasons, it’s how the power is delivered that gets my attention. All of it to the wheels—all at once. Mix that with how Jeep maintained the beam axles, coil springs, lever-shifted transfer case, and other bits that make Jeeps, well … Jeeps, and I’d say Magneto 2.0 suggests an exciting future for hard-core off-road EVs. Now I really wanna drive it over some obstacles.

Backstory Bits “I don’t know what we’re going to do with it next, we’re trying to figure that out. I think we’re going to do a third version of it.” -Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, Stellantis North America

JEEP WRANGLER MAGNETO 2.0

he Jeep Wrangler Magneto all-electric powertrain concept dropped in 2021 and it floored the wheeling world. We noted at the time that we felt it’s the future of off-roading, and a year later we still stand by that opinion. Magneto featured an “axial flux electric motor” where the internal combustion engine once sat, and it delivered 285 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The motor was powered by four lithium-ion battery packs that had a combined power of 70 kW/h on an 800V system and this helped Magneto accelerate from a standing stop to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. The motor was mated to an old-school manual gearbox and the stout Rubicon running gear. For 2022, Magneto has been significantly reworked and rebadged as “Magneto 2.0.” Among the highlights: Peak amperage in the propulsion system has been doubled to 600 amps, which translates to 625 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque; First gear in the manual transmission has been changed from 5.13:1 to 3.36:1; an additional 12 inches were added to the wheelbase; there’s a 3-inch suspension lift kit; 40-inch tires; a Dynatrac ProRock 60 front axle; a Dynatrac ProRock 80 rear axle; 5.38:1 diff gears; diff lockers; and much more. Shocker: It’s claimed that Magneto 2.0 will do 0-60 mph in 2 seconds.

Our Opinions

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler: I was darn impressed by Magneto when it debuted in 2021. Jeep definitely took the harder, groundbreaking route with the rig, including pairing the electric motor to a manual transmission. Magneto 2.0 is a monumental leap forward. Example: It’s horsepower and torque outputs dwarf those of the mighty Wrangler 392, and its claimed 0-60 time means Magneto 2.0 would leave the Wrangler 392 in the dust. Incredibly, Magneto 2.0 is docile and controllable on the trail.

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler: Magneto is not the same vehicle it was last year. More burley, more powerful, more capable, more of everything. It drives a lot more like a rock buggy than its previous iteration and it’s damn cool. We all know the OEs are being forced into EVs, at least Jeep is responding with something that shows they haven’t forgotten about the enthusiast, and that we are still a core part of their business.

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Our Opinions

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler: It’s amazing what a set of wheels and tires can do for a 4x4. Not only from the functional standpoint but also for the visual perspective. I’ll admit I’m not the new Grand Cherokee’s biggest fan, but I really dig what Jeep did to this Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe concept. The LT295/55R20 (almost 33-inch) BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3s pair well with the vehicle’s size and the meaty look of the tires is an interesting juxtaposition to the Grand’s smooth lines.

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK 4XE

n another big move for Jeep, the company will offer the first electrified Grand Cherokee in 2022. It’s called the Grand Cherokee 4xe and it offers up to 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 mpg equivalent (mpg-e). It’s a big deal, so it makes sense that Jeep took a Trailhawk model and gave it a few creative mods. With a nod to overlanding, Jeep says, the company added BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires, custom Neutral Gray metallic matte wheels, and custom widened fender flares. Other mods include a custom Industrial Blue exterior, Lagoon Blue towhooks, blackpainted Rhino Liner roof, Mopar rock rails, LED projector foglamps, custom vinyl side graphics, and saddle-colored upholstered seats with “Rodney” houndstooth inserts. Like the production Grand Cherokee 4xe, the concept is powered by a pair of electric motors, a 400V battery pack, 2.0L turbocharged engine, and a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. The suspension is the adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension, and it has a class-exclusive swaybar disconnect system to improve front suspension articulation.

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler: This one was a win for me. I am already a big fan of the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe and it’s a very capable wheeler out of the box. The first time I drove one, I thought it would be quietly impressive as an overlanding rig, just needed a little more wheel and tire and some aftermarket support. Well, Jeep delivered on that thought by carving out the wheelwells on the concept and fitting a bigger wheel and tire package. The fear of pinch flats is real, though, so I would have stuck to an 18, but it is proof that the platform itself has the ability to be very good.

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler: The Trail Rated badge on the independently suspended Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe concept gave me pause, and the wheel-to-tire ratio seemed to favor the metallic matte than it did black rubber, but there was more to the concept than that. This wasn’t about making a rockcrawler, it was about highlighting how far a few upgrades can take an already exciting SUV. There was a lot to like about the articulation offered by the air suspension and how the grabbier tires held the rock.

Backstory Bits “That particular car had just finished doing Rubicon Trail and they were not kind to it. It was beat to snot. But it’s a good, solid car. Underneath of it was pretty ugly, we had to replace a number of body panels and stuff, but it’s a veteran of the Rubicon Trail. Looks like a brand-new car. I think it’s one of my favorites. For different reasons than Wrangler.” -Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, Stellantis North America

Feature CAPTIVATING CONCEPTS

JEEP ’41

he Jeep ’41 retro concept is Jeep’s latest nod to its longstanding military heritage and the Willys. It rides on 35-inch mud-terrain tires that fit perfectly thanks in part to a Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch suspension lift. The exterior color is olive D.R.A.B., and it covers even the fender flares, mirror caps, and 17-inch Fifteen52 Analog HD aluminum wheels. There’s blackpowdercoated steel bumpers, a Warn winch, Jeep Performance Parts bumper hoop and half doors, a tan soft top, accent-colored towhooks, and a custom stenciled graphics package from the Jeep Graphic Studio. Inside, ’41 sports canvas-colored seats with digital camo inserts and Serafil 1043 stitching, Rhino-lined heavytexture floor in D.R.A.B., along with many other custom mods. The Jeep ’41 concept is based on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe, so its retro styling cues belie its high-tech foundation. The concept has two electric drive motors, a high-voltage battery pack, 2.0L turbocharged I-4 engine, and Torque-Flite eight-speed transmission. The Jeep’s plug-in hybrid powertrain offers a range of up to 21 miles of electric-only propulsion and 49 mpg-e.

Our Opinions

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler: Is it wrong that the first thing I noticed on Jeep ’41 was the vintage-looking 17-inch wheels? Jeep couldn’t have chosen a better wheel for this concept in my opinion. Everything about Jeep ’41 works for me, from the interior and exterior color choices to the BFG Mud-Terrain 35s. In my opinion, Jeep threw a curveball by powering Jeep ’41 with the plug-in hybrid system and not the diesel.

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler: This one was cool enough, but it was almost 24 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

too subtle to realize all the little touches. I appreciated the wheel style and overall looks, and I like the touch of digital camo on the seats without throwing camo in your face to scream “because military theme!” So maybe subtle was the wrong term, maybe its restraint that is the key to this one.

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler: Not my favorite military inspired Jeep concept, that award goes to the cardboard-beige JK2A Staff Car from 2015, with its NDT tires, blackout lights, canvas top, and other items. However, if any part of the Jeep ’41 concept makes it into the hands of Jeep enthusiasts, let it be that olive D.R.A.B. color scheme.

Backstory Bits “It’s pointing toward a production release of some sort along those lines, but won’t be exactly like that. But that’s something we want to do. I will tell you that as a young designer in Jeep studio when I first started, I kept drawing and coming up with things that were sort of military inspired Jeeps, and we were not allowed to do that, and I do not know why that was. This would’ve been middle to late ’90s when I was a designer on the board. I got tired of asking and just started doing it and we’ve done a few military things like the Willys package and stuff that we do now.” -Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, Stellantis North America fourwheeler.com

by Scorbione

mobilism.org

Feature CAPTIVATING CONCEPTS

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler: While it’s not production intent, I have it on good authority that there are some very real hints that you will see on the upcoming 20th anniversary Rubicon. I can’t and won’t tell you what they are, but I am sure if you stare at the pictures long enough, you can figure it out. Overall, the look is freshened with that sculptured grille and the 3D graphics, and I am especially drawn to the 37-inch tires and the on-board air. I mean, with everything a Rubicon comes with today, it’s hard to imagine one that’s even better. Unless it came from the factory with 37-inch tires and onboard air.

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler:

JEEP RUBICON 20TH ANNIVERSARY

he Rubicon Trail is legendary and so is Jeep’s Rubicon option package. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed since Jeep introduced the fabulous Rubicon package on the 2003 model year Wrangler two-door, yet here we are. The Rubicon package took the off-road world by storm and included Dana 44 axles, front and rear lockers, disconnecting sway bar, rock rails, and 33-inch tires. To celebrate the milestone of the Rubicon package, Jeep has trotted out the Rubicon 20th Anniversary concept. The concept is based on the incredible Wrangler Rubicon 392 with its 6.2L supercharged V-8. To improve the Jeep’s performance, a Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch suspension lift, Mopar beadlockcapable wheels, and 37-inch mud-terrain tires were installed. The exterior was treated to some custom touches, including steel bumpers, Warn winch, steel bellypan, custom-built half doors, performance hood with center scoop, Granite Crystal vinyl wrap, gold towhooks and badging, Rubicon 20th anniversary hood decal, American flag fender decal, and Mopar rear swing gate.

Our Opinions

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler: While I appreciate the look, airy feel, and ample power of the Rubicon 20th Anniversary concept, I feel Jeep missed the boat on this one in a couple of major ways. It’s my opinion that 26 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

this concept should’ve been based on a two-door Wrangler, like the original Rubicon in 2003. And it shouldn’t have a top on it, let alone a hard top. Heck, even the little center caps on the wheels show a two-door topless Jeep.

Even the V-8 and two choices of exhaust tone for the Rubicon 20th Anniversary concept don’t drown out the voice in my head that’s pining for the slower-than-you-can-walk 4.0:1 gear reduction in the transfer case and the option to select 2WD. How can I be underwhelmed by a Jeep that’s so powerful?

Backstory Bits “I think the Rubicon is so special to us. It changed the industry. It really did. We were on a trail the other day and every vehicle on it was a Rubicon.” -Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, Stellantis North America

JEEP BOB

eep says the Bob concept was designed to blur the lines between the Wrangler and Gladiator. “Bob” is a reference to “bobbing,” or shortening the beds of pickup trucks to enhance their off-road utility, and in this case also a subdued reference to an early ’90s scandal. Bob started as a standard Jeep Gladiator Rubicon before its bed was bobbed by 12 inches, the B-pillar was removed, the hardtop was modified, and orange canvas was stretched overhead to protect passengers from the elements.

Suspension components from EVO Manufacturing and King Off-Road Racing Shocks allow the Dynatrac ProRock 60 axles, 40-inch tires, and 20-inch beadlocks plenty of room to flex. Custom work on the fenders helps to accommodate the big rubber and both bumpers are tailored to improve approach and departure angles. The bed still has space to mount a fullsize spare tire, it shows off unique placements for auxiliary switches and air chucks and has storage up above with a cargo rack. The carbon-fiber hood is vented, and a turbodiesel V-6 lives underneath.

Our Opinions

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler: Yes, please! I dig how this Gladiator looks with 12 inches lopped off the bed, and I’m an even bigger fan of how it helps make the truck more capable on the trail. I imagine that after all the mods Jeep had to show restraint by fitting Bob with “only” 40s because it appears the truck could handle bigger meats. I’d love to have this Gladiator in my garage, though I’d need to replace all that annoying orange.

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler: The keychain is Lorena Bobbitt, need I say fourwheeler.com

more? There is not a better Easter egg than that. Shortening jokes aside, this one is done right and is the ultimate trail Gladiator. To the Bob, I say “Yes, please.”

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler: Jeep might as well have dressed this one in boots and a cape because it’s an off-road superhero— and there’s lots to be entertained by here, all the way down to the Bob Doff (say it slowly) dealership license plate frame. We have what appears to be the departure angle of a modified Wrangler, a bed that can still do truck bed stuff, and the down-low torque of the EcoDiesel. All that I’d

add to this one is scuffs on the armor because I truly want to wheel it.

Backstory Bits “The working title for that was Lorena. And maybe you’ll get that. Nobody did in my group. Ms. Bobbitt … she’s on the keychain by the way, and we cleaned it up to Bob. It was funny because I work with a bunch of 22-year-olds, and they had no idea what we were talking about with Lorena Bobbitt. That was a brandnew truck, I think it had 50 miles on it, a brand-new diesel we cut up which is pretty cool.” -Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, Stellantis North America FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 27

Feature CAPTIVATING CONCEPTS Our Opinions

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler: I think that D-Coder is a creative way to highlight what’s available for the Gladiator from Jeep Performance Parts. In the end, I pictured the truck with no QR codes, and all the red parts painted flat black and, in my mind, it was a cool rig. Almost all the parts on the truck from JPP serve a functional purpose and that’s a good thing.

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler: Brilliant way to show every part you have in your catalog in a way that people can engage with the products and vehicles, while showing them attached in real life. As a marketing exercise it gets an A+, as a Jeep I’d want to put in my driveway and take on the trail, I’ll plead the Fifth.

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler:

JEEP D-CODER

-Coder is designed so you can point your mobile device’s camera at any of the 35-plus QR (quick response) codes found on the Jeep Gladiator D-Coder concept to learn more about this rolling high-performance parts catalog. To make parts spotting even easier, most of the add-ons are painted in Maraschino Red. Each part has been thoroughly tested at the factory and they are all available for purchase. D-Coder rolls around with Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) 17x8.5, five-spoke, beadlock wheels while 37-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrains grip the trails. There’s a JPP snorkel to keep water and dust out of the 3.6L V-6 and the cold-air intake and cat-back dual exhaust system from Mopar enhance performance. Other exciting parts in red include JPP steel rock rails, JPP tube doors and mirrors, color-matched Katzkin leather seats, a three-piece modular front bumper, a trail rail system, abovebed cargo basket, and a Warn winch.

28 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

Wow, that’s a ton of red. I’m looking past the codes and colors and taking a moment to appreciate the breadth and depth of the Jeep Performance Parts catalog. Disappointed the JPP Gorilla Glass windshield didn’t follow the color scheme, so I could see the trail through rosecolored … never mind, I’ll see myself out.

Backstory Bits “When we came up with the D-Coder idea we started thinking what colors can we contrast it with and we talked about should it be blue, like Mopar blue, should it be green, people associate green with Jeep, and then we said let’s go super high contrast and that’s how we came up with the red, so high contrast red and black on it, and then putting all the QR codes on there, cool military fonts on there as well, there’s some Easter eggs thrown in there too that customers will be able to find on their own, so it’s a pretty cool way I think to let customers interface with the product as well.” -Mark Trostle, Head of Design, Ram Truck and Mopar

JEEP BIRDCAGE

olding down the windshield can only open up your trail experience by so much, so the Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) team did away with it all together, and then some. Wide open and extreme were at the core of the Jeep Birdcage concept and the lack of front glass was only the beginning of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe-based machine. Birdcage showcases JPP’s 2-inch lift kit, which features coils and Fox shocks specifically tuned for the Wrangler 4xe, and the Jeep rides on 37-inch BFGoodrich mudders with 17x8.5 JPP five-spoke beadlocks. The flat fender flares on Birdcage integrate the factory DRLs and above the header you’ll find a trio of JPP TYRI 14-inch LED lights. Out back, Mopar’s Add-A-Trunk concept decklid panel creates a secure storage space for gear while the roof is off, and it is said to be spacious enough to stow a full-size cooler. Additional storage space is offered by the Rhino-Rack cargo basket mounted to the top of the rollcage. Surf Blue towhooks out front bookend the custom high-clearance bumper/skidplate combo and the recovery points match the accent stitching found inside Birdcage, as well as decals throughout. Hues of Tobacco Leaf and Cocoa Brown are used on the leather seats and on Birdcage’s dash panels.

Jered Korfhage, Staff Editor, Four Wheeler: Really digging Birdcage from the front and the back. For example, the custom work on the grille that envelops the Warn winch and the stubby-yetsleek bumper help nail that approach angle. Also, swinging out the tailgate, there’s some inspiration to mount your onboard air system behind the spare tire.

Our Opinions

Backstory Bits

Ken Brubaker, Editor, Four Wheeler:

Sean P. Holman, Content Director, Four Wheeler:

I think Birdcage is one of the most fascinating Jeeps that JPP has trotted out in Moab in a few years. The sheer number of custom features and creative ideas are amazing. Some mods, like the lack of windshield glass and windshield wipers, are simply design exercises, but it looks cool, and I found that on a windy day in the desert goggles are needed to drive or ride in Birdcage. On that alone I give thumbs up.

Cool Jeep, bro. Seriously though, this one is much more interesting and imaginative than a catalog build. I love that JPP is using it to test new ideas and products in front of their customers. It shows a level of imagination that rivals the design guy’s builds, despite more constraints on the JPP team.

fourwheeler.com

“The fenders are concept fenders that we are actually trying to get customer feedback on at this event. This will be at Walker Drug on display in the Jeep Performance Parts exhibit. Same with the rear what I call add-a-trunk on it. It’s a concept but the depth of it is that we want to make it, but we want to make it as long as people want it, so this event is a great way to us to get that feedback on it.” -Mark Trostle, Head of Design, Ram Truck and Mopar FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 29

Tech

DENTS Part 2: Replacing worn parts and a new look

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO READ PART 1 OF THE DENTSIDE SAGA 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

fourwheeler.com

IDE By Ryan Kennelly editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Ryan Kennelly

n the previous issue of Four Wheeler we shared the saga of finding, buying, and driving our ’75 Ford F-100 from Reno, Nevada, to SoCal. Well, the story has just begun. Now we’re making a few upgrades to replace worn parts while giving the old Ford a bold new look.

Wired Think of wiring as the nervous system of a 4x4. Small wires complete circuits to operate everything from headlights to the vehicle’s ignition. The driver is the brain of the operation and a simple flip of a switch or the turn of a key produces a flow of electricity to a light or a coil. Sometimes these currents are disrupted by broken wires or corrosion. Our Ford decided that it didn’t intend on offering working turn signals or brake lights. Just under the steering wheel is the turn signal switch and this is the first place we looked to solve this problem. In this instance, a previous owner had fiddled with the switch rendering it useless, but a replacement switch brought the blinking lights back to life. Since we had the steering wheel off, we replaced the cracked and worn original wheel with a nice reproduction unit from Dennis Carpenter Ford Restorations.

SOURCES 4 Wheel Parts 4wheelparts.com Dennis Carpenter Ford Restorations dennis-carpenter.com Milestar Tires milestartires.com OC Auto Carpets ocautocarpets.com Skyjacker Suspensions skyjacker.com

by Scorbione fourwheeler.com

mobilism.org FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 31

Tech DENTSIDE

Battery

Gauges Tell the Story

Equally as important as the wiring is the battery. Having a securely mounted battery that produces plenty of power could be the heart of the electrical system. We installed an oversized Group 27 deep cycle marine battery. This battery does a great job providing 85Ah and 800 cca and it’ll work great for things like 12V fridges and hard winch pulls. To secure the oversized battery we built a custom mount, ensuring the battery couldn’t get free during hard or off-camber wheeling.

One of our pet peeves are nonfunctioning gauges. The old Ford had no dash lights and the dash cluster lens was heavily discolored. This was like having no gauges at all. After a quick search, we found that Dennis Carpenter Ford Restorations had a replacement bezel lens to virtually restore the dash cluster to new. Careful dusting with compressed air made each gauge brilliant in color again. Finally, we changed all the dash bulbs out to LEDs for a sharp, clean look at night.

Flooring Has Multiple Jobs

Suspension

We see so many awesome builds where the interior seems to be left in the dust and that’s too bad because flooring is the first line of defense for heat and sound deadening. It also finishes out the interior with an inviting, clean look. In this instance we chose to use OC Auto Carpets’ Essex Ultra-Plush Carpet. We also opted for the “Mass Backing” for additional heat and sound reduction. While the factory flooring was out of the truck, we sealed up the floor with a rattle can bedliner material. Before we installed the new flooring, we added Reflectix insulation that can be found at your local hardware store. This stuff works pretty good as a first line of defense against heat soaking the floor on long drives.

With the cockpit sorted out, it was time to move under the truck. Suspension is the key to a great riding truck. Bushings, springs, and shocks are all subject to fail over time, so it’s important to use components that stand the test of time. Since Skyjacker Suspensions has been lifting Dentside trucks since they were new, we went to the experts. The team at Skyjacker love vintage Fords and make a variety of kits with different heights and spring rates. This allowed us to tailor our suspension to carry all the camping gear for a week of backcountry camping, increase wheel travel, and maintain a comfortable ride while traversing hard sandstone ledges as we work our way down to the best hidden fishing spots.

32 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

Let’s break down the components we used on the F-100 4x4 from Skyjacker, beginning with radius arm drops. These parts are often overlooked. When lifting a radius arm truck, the arm angle goes from a relaxed position absorbing bumps to a loaded position that jams the suspension into the hard-edge-faced obstacles like speed bumps and curbs or those sandstone ledges we spoke of. Lowering the pivot point of the radius arm relaxes the suspension with its new spring height. No matter what shocks are bolted under a 4x4, poor spring choice will ruin a vehicle’s ride quality. Skyjacker is constantly refining spring technology to make sure the end user gets the best bang for the buck. In this instance, we chose Skyjacker’s 174VS front coil springs. These springs, based on our testing, had a variable rate of 290 pounds to 305 pounds. This is a nice feature. The vehicle rides down the highway on the lower rate, and the rate gently increases the more travel you use. Simply put, when you jam into ditches at high speed you use the higher rate, which reduces the time spent smashed against the bumpstops. Leaf springs not only serve as the linkage that couples the axle to the frame, but they also flex and conform to the road bumps to keep the vehicle compliant. Skyjacker provides multiple rates of leaf packs at multiple heights. For this build, we chose a 6-inch-lift spring so we could remove the factory 2-inch block for a net lift of 4 inches. At the time of ordering, we had planned for a camper in the bed so the extra height would be zeroed out with the additional weight. Shock absorbers have a primary goal of damping road force and keeping the occupants comfortable along the way. Shocks come in many forms and aftermarket units are often purchased as a cosmetic upgrade more so than for the intended use. In this application we needed soft, comfortable shocks that needed no service for a very long time. Skyjacker sent us a set of Nitro 8000 shocks that complement the ride quality of the springs. The twin-tube design carries oil in an outer reservoir, which does three things: It adds a coolant jacket around the main shock body, stores additional oil for prolonged use, and meters the lowspeed bumps as the oil passes between chambers.

Wheels & Tires Many builders will tell you that their design of a vehicle is based off the wheels & tires. There is so much truth to that statement from performance to style. On this build we reached out to 4 Wheel Parts and picked up a set of the company’s Factory T-Series wheels. The 17x8.5 wheel had the perfect backspace of 4.75 inches so the tires would clear the fenders at full bump. A set of 35x12.50R17LT Milestar Patagonia X/T tires filled out the wheelwells of Dentside perfectly, as if Ford intended it that way.

Tech DENTSIDE

The Whole Package Once the truck was on its new suspension, wheels, and tires, we had a few more details to go. The F-100 no longer looked like Uncle Jessie’s truck, so we felt it needed a little period-correct tribute to the oil & gas industry. A local shop designed the logos with patina to match the truck. We scrubbed the truck with Ajax cleaner to get all the oxidization off then applied the decals. A coat of wax brought the original paint to a satin finish. And with that, we felt the aesthetics were complete.

Road Test With the truck looking like it rolled straight off the oil fields it was time to go for a drive, so we headed out to a local desert using all backroads. The first thing we noticed was the ride quality. The Skyjacker suspension was compliant and never touched the bumpstops during normal driving. The additional travel soaked up everything on the roads. The Skyjacker Nitro 8000 shocks were evenly matched to the springs, each taking part in damping the ride as partners, sharing the responsibility of keeping us comfortable in the cab. The Factory T-Series 17-inch wheels rolled smooth and true, keeping the tires tight to the feature lines of Dentside. The Patagonia X/T tires added to the compliant ride, silently soaking up cracks and texture in the pavement. Once we reached the dirt, we aired the X/Ts down 15 psi. The X/Ts are incredibly grippy, so much so that the 360ci engine could hardly spin the tires. The suspension quietly did its job as we rolled through obstacles placed in our way. The newfound ground clearance made short work of dirt berms we drove to access test areas. As the sun set, Dentside’s lights worked perfectly and the LED lighting in the dash cluster was a nice treat as we monitored the gauges for any changes during the ride home. The insulation of the Essex Ultra-Plush Carpet and other sound deadening additions kept road noise to a minimum. So far, so good.

34 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

We Couldn’t Make This Up If We Tried The terrible fuel mileage and high gas prices forced us to park the F-100. As parts trickled in for the next leg of Dentside’s journey, we set them in the bed of the truck. Occasionally we would go to lunch or the parts store to make sure the truck was running well. After a long weekend, we rolled into the shop and saw the F-100 was no longer there. We asked around and found that the shop next door to ours was broken into and the thieves stole Dentside and its contents to move the stolen goods. The good news is that the F-100 has been recovered. The bad news … well, the associated photo of the recovered truck tells some of the story and we’ll have the rest of the story in Part 3 of Dentside in next month’s issue of Four Wheeler.

What’s Next? We’re happy with the chassis and classic look of the F-100, but the drivetrain could use some modernization. The 360ci engine settled in at about 7 mpg after the lift. The C6 transmission shifted great but the front seal developed a puddle at every parking spot and the NP203 transfer case never had a chance. We plan to upgrade all those parts in search of better fuel mileage and better on- and off-road driveability, so stay tuned. FW

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FEATURE

FJ5.3 DANNY SOLIS’ LS-POWERED 1963 LAND CRUISER FJ40

ven if the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 wasn’t the first massproduced, open-top, body-onframe 4x4, it is arguably the world’s best. These durable SUVs, along with their predecessors (the FJ25 and the truck-based FJ45), are probably the most widespread and globally recognizable 4x4s on the face of the earth. Toyota did a great job of mimicking many great designs from other automotive manufacturers to build a bulletproof 4x4 that has a hard-earned reputation for durability, capability, and reliability. Built between 1960 and 1984 (and between 1968 and 2001 in Brazil), hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of these venerable 4x4s were produced.

Daniel (Danny) Solis’ ’63 FJ40 is simple yet effective. With GM LS power, a reliable TH350 transmission, dual Toyota mini-truck transfer cases, a built FJ40 front axle, and a shaved GM full-float 14-bolt rear axle, this thing is anvil-tough in the dunes and as reliable as a Toyota or GM product can be. Danny grew up riding in the back (and later,

the driver seat) of his dad’s Jeep, but when it came time for him to build himself an off-road machine, he decided he wanted to be different and went with the Toyota. After following Danny during some recent 4x4 dune surfing, we knew we had to get more details on the FJ40 so we could share this simple yet effective rig with you.

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO SEE A COOL BIG-BLOCK– POWERED FJ40

By Verne Simons editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Verne Simons 36 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 37

Feature fj5.3

<- |> Toyota FJ40s can be found off-road around the

world. Danny’s ’63 is a fine example that’s built with care and vetted, reliable parts that excel in the dunes, paved roads, or trails. In fact, there isn’t much we wouldn’t do different from the formula Danny followed. We love the simple spring-over suspension up front with the well-thought-out four-link in the rear.

<- <| The front axle in this FJ40 started as a stock housing that Danny

converted to use Toyota mini-truck disc brakes. An Eaton Detroit Locker spins chromoly axleshafts via 4.88 gears. The Cruiser has an FJ60 steering box for power steering. The suspension consists of factory front leaf springs, a springover with shackle reversal, and Bilstein 5160 shocks. RuffStuff Specialties forged six-lug wheel hubs for the GM Corporate full-float 14-bolt rear axle allow the front and rear wheels to match. The disc brakes on the 14-bolt were also sourced from RuffStuff Specialties.

|> /> ->

The 14-bolt’s housing was shaved and filled with a spool and 4.88 gears. Danny built the axle truss and the rear four-link suspension. King 2.5x14-inch shocks damp the rear. Danny did all of the fabrication on the cage, bumpers, tire carrier, and more. Dual gear-driven Toyota mini-truck transfer cases allow for two low-range ratios behind the GM TH350 transmission. Tom Wood’s driveshafts spin the axles’ internals.

38 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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-> <|

Danny spent 10 years as a GM Advanced ASE Master Technician, so when it came to choosing a powerplant, a GM 5.3L LM7 was an easy choice. The engine-powered, modified York A/C compressor for onboard air sits on Goat Built brackets.

|> <| Everything under the hood is very well pack-

aged, including this side-mounted Optima RedTop battery. Honda Prelude and PRP seats offer enough seating so the whole family can enjoy Danny’s Toyota.

|> <|

The interior is clean and includes Auto Meter gauges for telemetry and a Winters Sidewinder shifter to control the TH350. A Summit Racing-sourced fuel cell holds the go-juice behind the back seat.

AT A GLANCE GENERAL Vehicle: ’63 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Owner: Daniel Solis Stomping grounds: Southern California Build time: About 4 years

DRIVETRAIN Engine: GM 5.3L LM7 V-8 Transmission: TH350 Transfer case: Dual Toyota mini-truck Low range ratio: 2.28:1 x 2 = 4.56:1 Max crawl ratio: 56.1:1 Front axle/differential: FJ40, chromoly axleshafts, 4.88 gears/Eaton Detroit Locker Rear axle/differential: Shaved GM Corporate 14-bolt, disc brakes, 4.88 gears/spool

SUSPENSION Front: FJ40 springs, spring-over, shackle reversal, Bilstein 5160 shocks Rear: Four-link, triangulated uppers, Enduro joints, King 2.5x14-in coilovers, Locked Off-Road bumpstops

TIRES/WHEELS Tires: 37x12.50R17 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Wheels: 17x10 Pro Comp steel Rock Crawler

MISCELLANEOUS Cool stuff: Re-covered Honda Prelude seats, PRP seats, Tom Wood’s driveshafts, Maaco $400 paintjob, Winters Sidewinder shifter, Summit Racing fuel cell fw

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 39

Tech

GOING THE DISTANCE How to increase an Intermediate CJ-5’s fuel capacity

wanted more. So, we nearly doubled the fuel range using mostly factory replacement parts from Omix-ADA. Truth is, we got this idea from our friend and longtime Jeep guy Mike Tarvin. The idea is pretty simple. Intermediate CJ-5s (and CJ-6s) have the same driver-side seat bracket as earlier CJ-5s with a gaping space underneath where in an early CJ-5 there would be the factory 10-gallon under-seat fuel tank. The recess for the fuel door is still stamped into the Intermediate body tub and the space is basically asking to be used. All one has to do is gather some factory new or used replacement parts, a fuel selector valve, some extra fuel hose, and do some trimming to get a 10-gallon under-seat tank added to an Intermediate CJ-5 (or CJ-6).

By Verne Simons editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Verne Simons

ntermediate CJ-5s are a bit of a conundrum from a fuel capacity standpoint. The fuelsipping 134ci I-4 that the original CJ-5s had was replaced with a thirsty AMC 304ci V-8 or similarly thirsty AMC I-6, but the fuel capacity of these early Jeeps did not grow on the same scale as engine displacement. That was the situation with our ’74 CJ-5. It didn’t have great fuel economy and the factory fuel tank seemed to only hold 14-15 gallons. At 9-11 mpg the range was low, really low, making fuel stops frequent and inconvenient. This problem is as old as Jeeps, and we’ve solved it to some extent by the addition of a 5-gallon jerrycan and mount. That seemed like a decent way to get about a third more fuel range, but we 40 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO READ TIPS ON HOW TO BUY A VINTAGE CJ-5

SOURCE Omix-ADA 800/328-9512, omix-ada.com

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|> />

The first step is to remove the driver seat from the Jeep. That gives access to the space where the tank will live. Next, we had to cut a hole. To start the cut, we took the Omix-ADA fuel filler neck and held it in the factory stamped location and traced it. Our cut line was about 1⁄2-inch inside this line.

|> />

We made the first piercing cut with a cutoff wheel in a 4 1⁄2-inch angle grinder and then finished the cut with an air saw and a cordless reciprocating saw. We then cleaned up the edges with a file and a drum sander in a pneumatic grinder. We got a new steel replacement tank for an early CJ-5 from Omix-ADA. We have used the plastic tanks and although they work, too, and won’t rust, they don’t look quite as factory original. The tank is shown here in the box with the Omix-ADA gas cap in place.

</ With the window for the fuel filler cut, we test-fit the tank to see how things were going to work.

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 41

Tech going the distance

|> />

There are two nipples on the bottom of the tank that will need holes for clearance. One is for the fuel outlet and the other is a drain that sits a bit lower than the fuel outlet. Just to be difficult, we blocked off the port for the fuel outlet with a plug from the local parts store, a 1⁄4-inch inverted flare plug with 7⁄16-inch fine threads. This gives us a little more volume from the tank. We then added a 1⁄4-inch NPT to 5⁄16-inch barb to the drain for our fuel line. We later added a 90-degree elbow to this barb. We used a hole saw and a step drill bit to make holes in the floor for these two recesses. With these holes, our Jeep’s floor is basically like an early CJ-5 floor from the factory. The gas tank needs to be held up off the floor. In the past we’ve used lengths of 1⁄4-inch fuel hose to do this job, but Omix-ADA has an original-style felt kit. The bits of felt hold the tank off the floor just like the factory did it on early CJ-5s.

|> />

With the tank roughly in place in the Jeep, we installed the fuel tank sending unit and gasket using #10-32 screws from the hardware store. The gasket and the sending unit have to be clocked properly for the holes to line up. Also shown is the fuel tank selector valve we used for this project. It should be available at any boat supply store, as it’s a part borrowed from the marine industry. Our buddy Mike also pointed out that we could use an electric selector valve (like Standard Motor Products’ FV1) usually used on dual tank setups in older fullsize trucks. Just add a switch that gives the wire to the valve 12 volts and figure out which port is open all the time and which two turn on and off with the switch.

We ordered the wrong kind of fuel tank retaining strap from Omix-ADA, but we found the correct part number and it’s included in the parts list with this story. In a pinch, we were able to make a strap to hold the tank down with a piece of 1-inch-wide galvanized steel we got at the hardware store. Two bolts tighten to the floor and step up in the tub to retain the tank. We cut some 5⁄8-inch hose, slit it down the middle, and slipped it over the 1-inch strap to isolate the tank and reduce any harmful rubbing.

42 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

|> />

With the tank held in place you can add the Omix-ADA fuel neck grommet to the replacement fuel neck housing and slide that over the neck on the gas tank. We then secured the replacement fuel neck housing to the tub with some 1⁄8-inch pop rivets once it was centered on the neck. We then drilled a couple of holes to mount the selector valve in between the tank and the toolbox that resides under our passenger seat. The rest of the install needs to be done under the Jeep.

|> />

Routing the new hoses so they don’t rub on anything that moves or gets hot is important. It’s also a bit of a game to figure out what hose to attach to which port on the valve. We figured out how to do this so that the paddle switch on the valve will either point back (fuel comes from the rear, factory tank) or forward (fuel comes from the under-seat tank). When we drain the 14-15 gallons in the stock tank, we should be able to switch to the 10-gallon under-seat tank before the engine stalls out … we hope. The last thing we did is cut the 5⁄16-inch fuel hose that originally ran from the rear tank to the metal fuel line that runs along the frame. To keep from bathing in fuel, you can use special tools for closing off fuel lines, but we closed off the line with a small pair of locking pliers. With that done, we connected the two loose ends from the selector valve to the feed and engine sides of this hose.

Omix-ADA Parts List •Replacement ’55-’68 CJ fuel tank: PN 17720.06 •Gas Tank Felt Kit for ’41-’69 CJ: PN 12021.87 •Fuel Tank Strap Kit for ’41-’71 CJ: PN 12025.28 •Non-Vented Gas Cap for ’45-’69 CJ: PN 17726.02 •Gas Tank Sending Unit for ’55-’66 CJ: PN 17724.02 •Gasket, Fuel Sending Unit for ’54-’67 CJ: PN 17725.02 •Fuel Filler Neck Housing for ’46-’71 CJ: PN 12025.25 •Fuel Filler Neck Grommet for ’45-’71 CJ: PN 12025.23

Additional Parts How Did It Work? With the Jeep ready for more adventure, we hit the trail. Pretty quickly we realized that the under-seat tank either needs a separate tank vent or a vented gas cap. As a quick fix we drilled a tiny hole in the center of the non-vented gas cap to allow the system to vent. The best long-term solution would be to add a vent line and some hose that runs in a loop over the rollbar to the new tank’s filler neck or to add a rollover vent valve. All in all, the new tank was a great addition to the Jeep. We now have 25 total gallons of fuel capacity, and at an estimated 9-12 mpg we can go somewhere around 225-300 miles, on- and off-road. fourwheeler.com

•Five 1⁄8-inch aluminum rivets and rivet tool •Manual Marine Fuel Selector Valve (or if you want to get fancy and add an electric selector valve: Standard Motor Products FV1) •8-10 feet of 5⁄16-inch fuel hose •Two 5⁄16-inch brass barbed fuel splices •Eight band clamps for the fuel hoses •Four male 1⁄4-inch NPT by 5⁄16-inch fuel barbs for the selector valve and fuel tank •One to three 1⁄4-inch NPT 90-degree elbows (may need these for clearance depending on where you place the tank) FW FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 43

, P U D N U O GR MBS UP THU FEATURE

with p u g in h c t a C : e t a d Project up magazine project CJ-5 a popular Jp

s By Verne Simon Simons r.com Photos: Verne editor@fourwheele

ong ago, one of the staffers at our sister publication Jp magazine had an idea … either that or he accidentally bought a ’56 Willys Jeep CJ-5 body with a title as part of an ongoing off-road vehicle addiction. Many current Four Wheeler readers were readers of Jp and you know the staff had many project ideas. The Jp staffer who built the popular Project Ground-Up CJ-5 says that most of his project ideas never came to fruition for lack of a few things: self-confidence, time, and money. Today, that same staffer will admit that he’s not sure why he thought Project Ground-Up was a good idea but looking back he has to admit that it was definitely one of the best ones.

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO READ MORE ABOUT PROJECT GROUND-UP

44 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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The Plan The idea behind Ground-Up was to take the mostly complete CJ-5 body, build a frame, add axles and a drivetrain, and make the old derelict CJ-5 whole again. That was facilitated by finding a ’98 Jeep Cherokee SE 4x4 two-door with the AMC 2.5L engine and a five-speed transmission. That Jeep donated its engine along with its transmission, T-case, axles, wiring, and some steering parts. Add in several sponsors, including BFGoodrich, Summit Racing, Quadratec, Dynatrac, Borgeson, Rubicon Express, M.O.R.E., Warn, Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts, and more. Mix that up into seven stories on the build and two stories summarizing the reborn Jeep on the Rubicon Trail and suddenly it was real.

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 45

Feature ground-up, Thumbs Up And Then It Was Sold In the years after finishing Ground-Up, it languished and became less important editorially than new projects, so it was reluctantly sold. It passed through a few different owners, eventually ending up being purchased by Jason Tharp of Greenville, South Carolina. Jason is a friend of Ultimate Adventure Crony Ken Smith, and recently Ken told us that Jason and Ground-Up were heading west to King of the Hammers 2022. That meant we could catch up with Jason and Ken and also catch up Ground-Up. As it turns out, the old Jeep is still going strong, with only a few small issues.

Ground-Up Today When Ground-Up was sold, the new buyer wasn’t excited about the Bestop low-back seats. Those stayed with the builder and new PRP seats were

added. Jason made more room for the PRP seats by carefully notching the rear wheeltubs. The Jeep has also been re-geared to 5.38:1 (it was originally running the stock 4.11 gears in the axles). Both axles have received an Eaton Detroit Locker and a 2-Lo was added to the SYE’d and 4.10-geared NP231 transfer case. The front axle also received a Warn manual locking hub conversion. Jason has been plagued (like we were) by self-ejecting baby moon hub caps, five of which have had to be replaced since he’s had the Jeep.

Ground-Up On The Trail Once reunited with Ground-Up, we all ran up Turkey Claw out in Johnson Valley. Jason, with Ken riding shotgun, proved the old Jeep still gets used hard off-road, hitting tougher trails around the country (we can attest that Turkey Claw is hard in a short Jeep on 33s with a four-banger).

More Ground-Up! Many Jp magazine readers are now Four Wheeler readers and will recall the Project Ground-Up series. If you want to revisit Ground-Up in even more detail, or if the project is new to you, the entire seven-part build series, along with the two-part series on the CJ-5’s trek over the Rubicon Trail, is available on fourwheeler.com so go check ’em out! FW

46 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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TO START YOUR FREE TRIAL GO TO: MOTORTREND.COM/MYTHBUSTERS

FEATURE

Presented By

SPONSORED BY

ROOM TO MOVE Preston Gladd built the fixtures of an RV, and more, into his pop-top camper By Jered Korfhage jered.korfhage@fourwheeler.com Photos: Four Wheeler staff

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO SEE A HUGE GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM THE FINAL DAY OF THE 2021 FOUR WHEELER OVERLAND ADVENTURE PRESENTED BY JEEP

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 49

Feature room to move

t’s not for the looks—it’s pure functionality. Preston Gladd cut his teeth operating HMMWVs in the military, crawled the trails with his ’91 Jeep Wrangler, and eventually found that with a growing family and more gear, he needed a 4x4 with fewer flashy modifications and a lot more room to move. “Stock 2500 trucks are plenty capable,” Preston told us, and he cited attributes like fuel range and longevity when it came to selecting his ’17 Ram 2500 Mega Cab. The 6.7L diesel had the grunt he needed whether it was hauling a trailer or a payload of adventure gear, and the truck’s heavy-duty platform was more than capable of handling the rough tracks he had on his agenda. With “Mega Cab” in its name, the truck was more than spacious enough for additional occupants to join him on journeys and Preston began planning out upgrades to make off-grid recreation in his 4x4 even more comfortable. Preston finds just about as much joy in tinkering as he does in exploring—and the Ram is a prime example. From the cab to the pop-up truck camper, he has built, torn down, and rebuilt a system (or three) for most backcountry tasks from morning coffee and power management to bedding down at night and that oh-so-refreshing middle-of-nowhere shower. No matter the duration of a trip, be it a three-day weekend or a multi-month expedition, Preston can adjust the truck’s loadout so that no niceties are spared when traveling away from civilization.

/> Preston will tell anyone that the Ram’s factory

axles and gears do an exceptional job of handling the 37-inch Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires and AEV Katla wheels. There’s a limited slip in the rear differential and Preston maintains he hasn’t been in any situation where he’s wished for a different gear ratio or lockers.

-> Bilstein’s 5112 leveling kit with heftier coils and 2.5-inch shocks keep the Ram riding smooth and gives the tires room to work between the truck and the trail. Air Lift airbags in the back paired with the Thuren Fabrication front sway bar keep Preston’s adventure payload in check no matter the terrain.

\> “Bumpers just add weight and cool-guy factor,”

Preston says. For him, a Westin winch tray and X-Bull 12,000-pound-capacity winch with synthetic line are a fine combo for recovery tasks. Amazon-sourced amber LEDs at each end of the tray spread light down low on the trails and if either of them bites the dust, Preston will have no trouble replacing them.

<| Preston experimented with a rack-mounted,

above-the-bed tent; ground tents; in-bed tents; and a camper shell before opting for his Snap! Outfitters pop-up. Mere moments before committing to a different company’s pop-up shell, Preston discovered a smokin’ deal on this one, with options better suited for his needs and for a more enticing price, to boot.

The Snap! Outfitters pop-up gives Preston the utility of standing up inside the truck’s bed while protected from the elements as well as having a spacious sleeping platform.

See the footprints? The pop-up’s shell can support a careful human as well as Preston’s solar arrangement and access ladder. The spare tire lives above the cab when he’s on extended trips, otherwise it stays home and a repair kit comes along, instead.

The birch plywood here once housed a battery box, but Preston repurposed the wood for his console, or “the truck’s junk drawer.” It’s stocked with water bottle storage, USB and 12V charging, and rocker switches. Preston secures his devices with various RAM mounts and he keeps a Yaesu FT-857D radio up front for comms.

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</ “I love backcountry showers and if I don’t have

to go a day without one, I won’t.” Preston’s need for on-demand hot water is satisfied by the propanepowered Joolca HotTap Nomad system. In its current stage (and there have been a few), Preston’s 30-gallon drinking water tank can feed his hot water tap or dispense ambient temperature water for camp tasks. The cabinet housing the tank serves as a kitchen counter and is securely anchored to the bed. There’s a diesel heater stowed alongside the housing for colder camps.

<| Dual 100-watt solar panels on the roof work with the truck’s alternator to keep Preston’s dual battery system topped off. Marine-grade fuse blocks, a Renogy charge controller, and a 2,200-watt inverter are all mounted to the rear of the shell.

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 51

Feature room to move

Traveling with family means limiting potentially unpleasant experiences, and Preston has using the toilet covered. He carries a five-gallon bucket with a toilet seat and absorbent pellets, a fold-out toilet with chemicals and a liner, and a cassette toilet to satisfy anyone’s needs in the bush. DeWALT storage boxes latch together and contain all Preston’s food, tools, and camping gear.

Preston has every way to make coffee in camp. Espresso machine, a pour-over kit, electric and manual grinders, and even a bargain-basement dripper fastened to the counter. He carries as much fresh food as he can in his Dometic fridge and enjoys preparing meals using his Jetboil burners or the induction cooktop.

Looking around Preston’s Ram, you won’t find many badges—even the horns have been removed from the truck’s tailgate. Why? He likes it better that way.

Things learned from building this truck include a growing respect for off-road trailers. As Preston sees it, a trailer can be built small, it can sleep a whole family, it can fit anywhere the fullsize truck can, and most of the gear doesn’t need to be repacked and rearranged for each outing—it stays in the trailer.

AT A GLANCE GENERAL Vehicle: ’17 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Owner: Preston Gladd Stomping grounds: Hawaii … and beyond Build time: 4 years

DRIVETRAIN Engine: 6.7L Cummins I-6 Transmission: 68RFE 6-spd auto Transfer case: BW 44-46 2-spd Low range ratio: 2.64:1 Crawl ratio: 29.2:1 Front axle/differential: AAM 9.25-in, 3.42 gears/open Rear axle/differential: AAM 11.5-in, 3.42 gears/limited-slip

SUSPENSION Front: Bilstein 5112 leveling kit, Thuren Fabrication sway bar Rear: Bilstein 5112 leveling kit, Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 airbags

TIRES/WHEELS Tires: 37x12.50R17LT Falken Wildpeak A/T3W Wheels: 17x10 AEV Katla

MISCELLANEOUS Lighting: Bumper-mounted amber LED pods Armor: White Knuckle Off Road Products rocksliders, Westin winch tray Cool stuff: Snap! Outfitters pop-up camper shell, X-Bull 12,000-lb-capacity winch, ARB Dual Air Compressor, sPOD relay board and switches, FasterFlate multi-tire inflation system, Clearsource Nomad water filtration system, 30-gal in-bed water tank, Yakima RoadShower, Kinsmen Hardware 270 awning, dual Battle Born 100 Ah batteries, Renogy 50A DC-DC charge controller and 100W solar panels, marine fuse panel, Joolca HotTap Nomad hot water system, DeLorme inReach satellite tracker, Yaesu FT-857D radio, Blue Ridge Overland Gear storage bags, Warn recovery gear, NuWave induction cooktop, Dometic fridge/ freezer and camping toilet, Cabelas shower tent, DeWALT ToughSystem 2.0 stacking boxes, weBoost cell booster fw

52 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

fourwheeler.com

SHAKE Tech

By Verne Simons editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Verne Simons

he shakedown run; it’s slang for the first trip out in an otherwise untested vehicle. That could be because said vehicle is new to you, or you just made some major changes and you’re not sure if things will work the way you wanted—or will work at all. Over the past few issues of Four Wheeler, we’ve covered some of the mods to our 5.0L ’00 Ford Explorer XLT and we detailed how we made it more capable on the cheap. We added a Powertrax Lock Right locking diff to the front axle (Locked Right, Apr. ’22); we swapped out the full-time T-case for a salvage yard-fresh, beefier, part-time BorgWarner unit (Transfer of Power, Jun. ’22); we trimmed the fenderwells (Cut, Hammered, and Welded, Jul. ’22) so the new 35-inch Kumho Road Venture MT71 tires wouldn’t rub (sort of); and we added a Powertrax No-Slip locking diff to the rear axle (Limited To Locked, Aug. ’22). Along the way we also removed a bunch of unnecessary parts like plastic

body cladding, front and rear bumpers, and obnoxious side steps. Even after all that, there are more mods we’re still considering (threatening), like a short body lift, but we were anxious to get

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO SEE VIDEO OF HOW WE TRIMMED THE FENDERS TO FIT 35-INCH TIRES

54 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

SOURCES Kumho Tire kumhotireusa.com Powertrax 800/934-2727, powertrax.com Summit Racing 800/230-3030, summitracing.com

DOWN Will our Explorer excel or explode? fourwheeler.com

Tech SHAKEDOWN RUN out in the dirt and see what the Explorer would do. So, with that in mind, we conned our buddy Mike to head out to the desert for a shakedown run on a relatively cool Arizona summer day. The good news is that neither the Explorer nor any of the parts we have added exploded. Of course, we were not pushing things too hard. Our plan is to go hit a hard trail before long, but for now we are pleased with how the inexpensive 4x4 did on the trail. We did some minor rockcrawling that you probably could have done in a rig with open differentials and decent-sized tires, but you’d have to beat on it, for sure. The lockers are amazing and keep the tires turning despite rubbing the body and encountering obstacles. The tires offer great ground clearance, enough so that we didn’t drag the belly or other tender vittles on the trail much, if at all. The tires rubbing was kind of annoying, but the vehicle worked as we’d hoped, and the gearing (3.73:1 in the axles and 2.64:1 low range in the BorgWarner 4406) felt pretty good behind the Ford AOD automatic. We think the transmission may have been a bit low on fluid, but we have hope for it yet. We drove to the trail, did what we’d planned, and drove home. We’d call that a definite success.

What’s Next? A body lift sure seems like it would help a ton. The stock uptravel of the front and rear suspension is a bit much for the 35s. We’ve heard a rumor of a relatively inexpensive DIY 1.5-inch body lift, so that may be part of the plan. The body lift should minimize the rubbing and allow all the tire movement the SUV has. Also, the front shocks seem to be totally blown out and the upper control arm bushings are dying a rapid death. So, our future plans are a 1.5-inch body lift (on the cheap), a set of shocks, and some new upper control arm bushings. For now, we are happy with our new toy and can’t wait to get it back out on the trail. Oh, and we definitely need to build something to protect the bottom of the radiator. It hangs out in the breeze waiting to crash into some trail obstacle, sinking our funboat for sure. So, a stout front bumper would be nice. And rocker protection. We’ll see what we can come up with—on the cheap. FW

Want To Build An Explorer? If you’re inspired by our Explorer build and want to acquire and modify your own but wonder about cost, we’ve compiled the approximate costs we’ve spent so far. As you can see, the investment is very small compared to a new or even relatively new 4x4.

Cost of vehicle.......................... $1,250 BorgWarner 4406 T-case................$126 Pair of driveshafts .........................$124 Conversion U-joint............................$22 Tires and wheels.........................$1,108 Powertrax Lock Right .....................$336 Powertrax No-Slip.........................$468 Miscellaneous................................$100 Total..........................................$3,534 56 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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-> “WE WERE ANXIOUS TO GET OUT IN THE DIRT AND SEE WHAT THE EXPLORER WOULD DO.”

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FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 57

FEATURE

By Jason Gonderman editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Jason Gonderman

CHICAGO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2022 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

fter a pause, the Chicago Auto Show, the largest in the nation, is back! For a long time, the Chicago Auto Show has been known as the go-to show for new truck and SUV vehicle news and we’re happy to report that the 2022 installment is no different. While new vehicle introductions are down in general, the Chicago Auto Show managed to bring out several new trim debuts along with the first public showing of several all-new models. We threw on our walking shoes and hit the floor to bring you the following collection of the coolest new trucks and SUVs from the show. 58 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

’22 Ram 1500—Built to Serve: Firefighter Edition Ram Trucks has a long history of honoring those who serve. In 2021, the company crafted five limited-edition Ram 1500 pickups honoring the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The second phase of this program begins with the unveiling of the ’22 Ram 1500 Built to Serve Firefighter Edition. This model features a choice of two unique colors, special exterior decals, and custom interior accents. These trucks are built on the Big Horn trim and come standard with the company’s 4x4 Off-Road Group. The Firefighter Edition Ram 1500 starts at $48,420 and will be on sale by the time you read this.

MACHINES ’22 Ford Bronco Everglades While there were a few new vehicle introductions at the Chicago Auto Show, none drew a bigger crowd than the new ’22 Ford Bronco Everglades. It also probably didn’t hurt that Ford had pizza. The Bronco Everglades will be built on the Black Diamond trim with the Sasquatch package. But don’t get too excited—Everglades will only be offered to existing Bronco reservation holders. One of the main features of the Everglades is its standard Warn ZEON 10-S winch. With a 10,000-pound rating and synthetic rope, the Warn ZEON is a premium self-recovery winch that is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts. Everglades also comes standard with a protective safari bar, rock rails, and a snorkel. The Everglades may not be the first factory off-roader to be offered with a snorkel, however it is the first to be marketed as a functional snorkel. While other manufacturers have shied away from advertising an increase in water-fording depth, instead calling the device a “fresh air intake,” Ford has increased the Bronco Everglades’ waterfording depth to a whopping 36.4 inches.

’22 Nissan Frontier—Project Adventure Fresh off the successful launch of its all-new ’22 Frontier, Nissan brought a trio of exciting concepts to the Chicago Auto Show. The first of these is this fine overland build dubbed Project Adventure. This truck features a 5-inch lift kit, 34-inch tires, a bed rack, a rooftop tent, and much more. The truck also has a fancy one-of-a-kind carbon-fiber snorkel that was designed and built by Nissan Design America. The truck’s wrap also evokes adventure, with a “U.S. Atlas” theme.

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Feature CHICAGO MACHINES

’22 Nissan Frontier—Project Hardbody In a nod to the company’s history as a leader in small pickups in America, the ’22 Nissan Frontier Project Hardbody concept features a throwback to Nissan’s pickup styling from the late 1980s through the 1990s, that predated the Frontier. Project Hardbody features a 3-inch suspension lift, sport bar with Rigid LED off-road lights, unique graphics, and fender flares. The real party piece, however, has to be the unique block-style 17-inch aluminum wheels.

’22 Nissan Frontier—Project 72X Rounding out the trio of ’22 Frontier concepts is Nissan’s Project 72X. This build takes its inspiration from the ’79 Datsun 720 pickup. In 1983, the Datsun 720 became the first Nissan pickup to be assembled in the United States. Using a base ’22 Frontier S as a starting point, Project 72X features an understated gray exterior color with custom retro graphics. The truck has a 2.5-inch suspension lift, Nissan’s accessory sport bar in the bed, and a set of fantastic steel wheels (which are actually four of the Frontier’s standard spare wheels).

’22 Nissan Frontier—Rebelle Rally Racer We loved seeing Nissan’s ’22 Frontier Rebelle Rally entry, which was piloted by Team Wild Grace. This truck is fitted with a host of NISMO accessories and wears an amazing throwback graphics job honoring Nissan’s Hardbody racing heritage from the 1980s.

60 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

’22 Ford Bronco Raptor Ford recently pulled back the wraps on its highly anticipated ’22 Bronco Raptor. This Ultra 4-inspired Bronco made its public debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The Bronco Raptor is as wide as an F-150 Raptor, has 37-inch tires, and massive 3.1-inch Fox Live Valve dampers. The Bronco Raptor went on sale in early 2022 to Bronco reservation holders. The Bronco Raptor has a starting price of $69,995 and goes up from there, not including any dealer markup. That’s about $3,000 less than the larger ’21 F-150 Raptor.

’22 Toyota Tundra—Winter Olympics Toyota has been a supporter of the Olympic games and Team USA for many years. With the 2022 Winter Olympics happening during the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota brought out a specially wrapped ’22 Tundra honoring Olympic athletes Red Gerard and Rico Roman.

’21 Ford Outfitters Bronco Ford has fully embraced the customization trend of the new Bronco. On display at the Chicago Auto Show was this fantastic Bronco, which is equipped with a roof rack, lightbar, Warn winch, tube doors, and much more.

’23 Toyota Sequoia Capstone The 2022 Chicago Auto Show marked the first time the public got a look at the all-new ’23 Toyota Sequoia. Based on the company’s new Tundra, the Sequoia features a powerful 3.5L twin-turbocharged hybrid V-6, fully boxed frame, and live-axle rear suspension. On display was Toyota’s newest luxury trim, Capstone.

’22 Toyota Tundra Desert Chase SEMA Concept One of our favorite trucks from the 2021 SEMA Show was Toyota’s custom ’22 Tundra Desert Chase Concept. Hence, we dug this Tundra at the Chicago Auto Show. Its features include a custom TRD suspension, chase rack in the bed, upgraded tires, larger Fox shocks, and much more.

’21 Ford Performance Wildtrak Bronco When Ford introduced the all-new ’21 Bronco the company also announced that it would be offering hundreds of approved accessories. The Wildtrak is a prime example of what can be done by browsing the Ford Performance catalog.

’22 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Dusk The ’22 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Dusk is a fresh take on Chevy’s most off-road capable Colorado. However, if the ZR2 Dusk sounds familiar, it’s because Chevy first introduced the special trim for the 2018 model year. Thankfully, the Colorado ZR2 dusk and its performance LED lighting package is back.

Feature CHICAGO MACHINES

’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe ’22 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Jeep has been on quite the run recently, announcing loads of new models, including a full line of plug-in hybrid 4xe vehicles. The most recent of these is the all-new ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Like the Wrangler 4xe, the Grand Cherokee 4xe will pump out an impressive 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the 5.7-liter V-8 by a wide margin.

After a bit of a rocky debut for 2019, GMC has now released a refreshed Sierra 1500 for 2022. Seen here is the most luxurious Denali Ultimate trim level. Front end styling has been redone and the interior is all new.

’22 Lexus LX 600 Many of us were disappointed by the sudden departure of the Toyota Land Cruiser from the North American market. Thankfully, it’s back … sort of. The new ’22 Lexus LX 600 is essentially the global Land Cruiser all dressed-up. For those abandoned Land Cruiser buyers looking for a high-end off-roadcapable SUV, the Lexus LX 600 is going to be your huckleberry.

’22 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2

’22 Toyota Tundra Capstone

Joining the long list of off-road-capable 1⁄2-ton pickups is the new ’22 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2. Chevy’s newest off-roader comes fitted with MultiMatic DSSV dampers, front and rear locking differentials, a powerful 6.2-liter V-8 engine, and more. Expect to see these trucks on a trail near you in mid-2022.

Toyota finally launched its much-anticipated all-new ’22 Tundra in late 2021. Even with the new truck on dealer lots, Toyota showed that it wasn’t quite done rolling out new trim. The Capstone is the most luxurious Tundra ever and it made its public debut at the Chicago Auto Show. FW

62 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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FEATURE

POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS CODE TO SEE VIDEO OF VERNE’S TRIP TO THE RELIC RUN IN HIS REBUILT CJ-5

THE ROAD TO RELIC

64 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

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Part 2: We trust a new-tous CJ-5 for 1,600-plus miles By Verne Simons editor@fourwheeler.com Photos: Verne Simons and Ryan Kennelly

ndertaking an ill-advised road trip in an open-top 4x4 is always a good idea … or a terrible idea, depending on your perspective. Especially in a ’74 CJ-5 we’d owned for approximately two weeks (you can read how we built the CJ in the Aug. ’22 issue of Four Wheeler). What could possibly go wrong? Maybe everything? Sure, even we can’t always drop everything in the “real world” and head for the mountains on a whim, but when we can, life seems that much better through the adventure, the good and the bad. Still, during the inevitable breakdowns on the side of the road, you’ll probably wish you had invested all the time committed to the trip to a different hobby. Golf, the worship of a small, pockmarked ball and good walks ruined sounds good when an 18-wheeler screams past you. Golf in any form would be way better than swapping a U-joint in a parking lot of a parts store … or would it? Our buddy Ryan Kennelly has been telling us about the Relic Run for a few years. The general idea is to take old 4x4s (pre-1989; it used to be pre-1978, but that was determined to rule out too many cool, vintage rigs) camping and exploring for a few days somewhere in Utah or adjacent states (Wyoming for 2021) with period-correct camping gear, tools, and more. This year, the event started, and the camp was based, somewhere south of Rock Springs, Wyoming. We love the idea of all of this, camping with vintage gear, wheeling, good people. We’re in! But we had to get our CJ-5 to the venue first. We left after noon on a weekday hoping to catch up with Ryan and his buddy Red in Ryan’s ’72 Chevy Blazer. We had a few mechanical issues during our trip to Relic Run, including a failed U-joint on the CJ. Ryan’s Blazer fried an alternator, coil, and ignition module. But we eventually made it to the spot of the event’s start. Read on for the highlights of our trip to Relic Run in two vintage 4x4s.

First Night’s Camp and the Road to Toquerville Falls <|

We can attest to the fact that when it’s over 100 degrees and you’re going 70 miles an hour, the air pushed off the front of a passing semi-truck feels cool … invigorating. However, our first night’s camp was hot, humid, and generally miserable. We set up camp in the dark somewhere near the Valley of Fire State Park north of Henderson, Nevada. We woke to a beautiful vista in the heated desert.

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SOURCES Bestop bestop.com

The first thing we did was grab breakfast and get fuel. Our original plan was to camp near Toquerville and check out the Toquerville Falls in Utah but delays the day before had prevented that. We decided that the falls were worth a visit, and the prospect of cooling down in the water and getting off major highways was a major pull.

Expedition Utah expeditionutah.com Milestar Tires milestartires.com Rebel Wire rebelwire.com Summit Racing summitracing.com Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts 4xshaft.com

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 65

Feature The Road To Relic Run

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We found the trailhead to the falls, and after a little bit we decided to air down and drop Ryan’s Trillium 4500 camper rather than drag it in and then back out from the falls. That was the right idea, as the trail is a bit rough.

At Toquerville Falls <- <\ Toquerville Falls is impressive

and well worth the trip if you have the time. We thought we had the time but would later find out we were wrong. Still, the cool waters and amazing views were well worth the deviation from the fastest path. We soaked in the water and got back in the hot cars, where evaporation took the edge off the next few hours of driving … which were eventful.

Mayhem Begins <| ->

After gathering the Trillium camper and heading back to the asphalt, we aired our CJ’s 33-inch Milestar Patagonia M/Ts back from about 15 psi to road pressure. That was fine, but apparently Ryan’s one-wire alternator didn’t like the extra load of running the compressor. The alternator got hot, really hot, and also fried the coil and the HEI ignition module. Ryan had a spare coil and ignition module, but the alternator was only available at a parts store.

Mayhem Continues <-

66 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

While helping Ryan get the Blazer fit enough to run down the highway to Cedar City for a new alternator, his co-driver and longtime pal Red took a spill and tried to destroy one of his big toes on the trailer tongue of the Trillium. Luckily, some paper towels and electrical tape can ebb the flow of most minor injuries.

</ |> <-

Not to be left out of the action, the CJ-5 blew a rear U-joint as we exited the highway during one of the Blazer’s stops for electrical work. We coasted to a stop and took a look. Two of the U-joint caps were gone, the U-joint destroyed, and the yoke damaged. We pulled the rear shaft, locked the hubs, and continued the trip to the parts store using front-wheel drive.

Once in Cedar City, Utah, Ryan replaced his well-done alternator and we swapped out the burned-up rear U-joint in the CJ’s driveshaft. We then found that the driveshaft had seen better days and we contemplated finding a new yoke for the Jeep in case it was the root of the problem. We then remembered that Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts was somewhere north of Salt Lake City, the general direction we were headed. The company could make us a new ’shaft and also supply a new pinion yoke and U-joint U-bolts.

We continued north and within sight of a gas station found that while the CJ-5’s gas tank may hold 14-15 gallons of fuel, it was only able to use about 13 gallons. Luckily, Ryan had a spare 5 gallons we could borrow.

Second Night’s Camp Near Parowan, Utah />

After fueling up, we headed north looking for a place to camp. Somehow, between the day’s antics at Toquerville Falls and the subsequent mechanical drama, we didn’t make it very far. We decided to camp in a dispersed campsite in the Dixie National Forest east of Parowan, Utah. The night was cool and comfortable.

Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts to the Rescue … Again

Success, Near the Relic Run Camp Near Rock Springs, Wyoming

The next morning, we knew we had to make up some road miles, but first we headed to Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts in North Ogden, Utah. This company makes driveshafts that are second to none, and they have saved our bacon more than once. The driveshaft was still under construction, usually requiring a minimum of 24 hours lead (which we had undercut by several hours), but we were able to gather a fresh Dana 30 yoke and a set of U-joint U-bolt straps. Having these parts made us much more confident in the next few days’ activities. Thanks again, Tom!

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As the sun set on Day 3 of our trip to the 2021 Relic Run, we stopped to enjoy the amazing light. The two-and-a-half-day trip was epic, filled with adventure both in exploration and old-vehicle failures, but after all, we made it to the Relic Run camp near Rock Springs, Wyoming, despite the obstacles.

More To Come! Next month in Four Wheeler, we’ll dive into Part 3 of the three-part series “The Road To Relic Run” where you can read how our pair of vintage rigs fared while on the trail at Relic Run. FW

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 67

FEATURE

2 WAYSTO 4RUNNER Trevor Takara and Thomas Piccolo have different takes on Toyota’s stalwart SUV 68 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

Thomas Piccolo: ’17 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Thomas Piccolo’s previous off-road exploits ranged from racing side-by-sides to rockcrawling with fullsize squarebody Chevy trucks and he found himself looking for a more relaxed environment—and something with air conditioning. The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro boasted trail maneuverability, reliability, and the cargo space to build himself a well-appointed camp kitchen. Thomas bought the rig new in 2017 and immediately began customizing his dedicated overlanding machine. His first iteration of mods was complete within six months and he wasted no time embarking on a cross-country journey. Thomas continued to fine-tune the 4Runner as he saw fit.

ll kinds of 4x4s gathered in the Arizona desert for the 2020 Overland Adventure, including two Toyota 4Runners. Though they shared the same Super White paint code, powertrain, and wheel diameter, the two fifth-gens were outfitted in significantly different ways. Read on to compare and contrast how Thomas Piccolo and Trevor Takara built their Toyota 4Runners.

By Jered Korfhage jered.korfhage@fourwheeler.com

Photos: Four Wheeler staff

Trevor Takara: ’18 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium In his search for his own reliable, spacious, and comfortable travel vehicle, Trevor Takara was ultimately drawn to the looks of the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium. After buying it new in 2018, he vowed to keep his upgrades mild and tried to avoid modifying things that, in his eyes, already worked well from the factory. He used the 4Runner for commuting and he let the rig tell him when it needed aftermarket parts. High-centering on a rock earned the 4Runner beefier skidplates and other trail adventures lead him to choosing a front bumper with more protection. Trevor still favors the stock-ish look of his rig and has plans to take it through Alaska north to the Arctic Ocean.

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