Articles
October 1, 2008 | By Trent Riddle
The second annual Truck and Jeep Fest was held in July at the Canfield Fairgrounds in Ohio. Put on by 4 Wheel Parts and 4 Wheel Drive Hardware it provides families a chance to get away for the weekend and experience a wide range of fun and exciting activities. It offers something for everyone and some great deals on parts too...
December 1, 2007 | By Denis Snow
Back in 2002 Jeep introduced their Liberty to the mid-size SUV market. Since then, the market has grown and now so has the Liberty. Originally Jeep’s marketing department targeted it to appeal to 60% women and 40% men buyers...
January 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Even though we have an obvious bias toward off-road adventures, we actually weren't the first to note that the new Toyota Sequoia isn't intended primarily for trail use. Actually, Toyota's chief designer for the Sequoia, Motoharu Araya (who also worked on the Sienna and Tundra) made that point to us before we ever got behind the wheel and headed out for a brief drive in the dirt. "It's not meant to be a very serious off-roader, but it is still off-road capable...
September 1, 2008 | By Sue Mead
Want your cake and want to eat it, too? Why not have it with green icing, then?!
Chrysler has joined the ranks of a growing number of hybrid manufacturers, and in this case, its Dodge division has designed a work-horse hybrid, engineered for those of us that love a 4WD powertrain, might want to ferry eight friends to a get-away weekend in the woods, plus bring along a couple of jet skis or snowmobiles - and have the need to pay less to fuel both our work and our fun.
On sale in August, the 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid will hit the streets and backcountry of America, with the same body design as its gas-powered counterpart, equipped with Chrysler's 5. 7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that partners with a hybrid electric motor system and Chrysler's MDS (multiple displacement system)...
13. A Trio of Trucks
July 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
Good things come in threes, right? Maybe, but that depends on what you're talking about. If it's the Pointer Sisters, sure thing. As for three strikes - well, then you're out...
December 1, 2006 | By Chris Bolger
Tires are one of the most important purchases you will make for your 4x4. They are the foundation to good performance both on the street and on the trail. A wrong choice haunts you for as long as the tires last...
July 1, 2007 | By Denis Snow
Rancho's Long-Arm Suspension System for Wrangler JK's.
Not to be out done, or left in the dust on the current Jeep JK craze, Rancho has also developed a long-arm suspension system for this increasingly popular rig.
At this year's Moab Easter Jeep Safari, we had the opportunity to take this new system out for a test drive and check out both its on- and off-roading capabilities...
February 1, 2008 | By Ned Bacon
The truck always ran with this custom bungee cord hood-safety-system. No front bumper was utilized and only a tiny tube push bar protected things. Guess they didn't do much nudging in the early days...
17. Banks Power
June 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Start thinking about high performance and the name Gale Banks usually isn't far behind. While he may be known for powering drag trucks - his diesel-powered Sidewinder Chevy S-10 recently clocked 7. 72 seconds at 179...
January 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
The 4 Wheel Parts Canfield Truck and Jeep Fest last July was a premier event and we hope you enjoyed the coverage in the November issue. If you closed your eyes to snap pictures and fired off the camera aimlessly, you could hardly not catch a cool truck or happening. We shot so many interesting rigs that we decided to put some into a "Best-Of" collection...
July 1, 2008 | By Denis Snow
This was a different tire introduction than what Off-Road Adventures magazine usually gets invited to. Not like last year's BFG intro of their then new Mud Terrain T/A KM2 where Jim Allen got to take it through the paces off-roading in Utah.
This is a BFG tire of a different nature and purpose...
June 1, 2007 | By Debbie Economos
Four times a year, the Big Dogs Off-Road Park hosts two and three day hard-core four wheeling events. Big Dogs is a 3,000 acre mountainous area in Gore, Virginia and offers 92 trails. These trails range from beginner and stock vehicle, to intermediate, advanced, and extreme trails...
21. Black Diamond
January 1, 2008 | By Tom Morr
In the rear, the system uses premium leafspring packs (with military eye wraps) instead of coils. This controls weight transfer for more-predictable street handling. The optional Torque Fork traction device locks out wheelhop created by V-8 power and big meats...
April 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
While the domino theory typically refers to a foreign policy, the concept also has an application that's closer to home. It goes something like this: You put a lift kit on your truck or SUV so it climbs over tall boulders in a single bound. This super-sized suspension makes room for larger wheels and tires, which also help in tackling tough terrain with improved traction...
July 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
EDELBROCK CAT-BACK SYSTEMS FOR CHEVY, DODGE, FORD, NISSAN AND TOYOTA TRUCKS
Edelbrock Cat-Back Systems include their SDT or round Truck/SUV muffler creating a dyno-tuned system. Ti-Tech coating on the muffler provides resistance against heat and corrosion. 16-Gauge aluminized or 17-gauge 409 stainless steel tubing provides durability and mandrel bends enhance flow characteristics...
July 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
ARB AIR LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS
This Australian manufacturer's "flagship" product is now available for both front and rear axles for '07 Jeep JKs. Equipped with Dana 30 front axles and 44 rear axles for non-Rubicons, the latest Wrangler uses their existing part #s: RD100 for front/ RD117 for rear - regardless of factory gear ratio. Both have been successfully installed and operated for the last five years and can be installed using the standard Air Locker fitting instructions supplied...
July 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
GRANT HORN BUTTONS
Grant Products offers these with a 4x4 or Jeep emblem to add to their Steering Wheels, as a great way to personalize your vehicle. They also offer buttons with Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and Dodge emblems These products are produced under license agreements with DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and Ford Motor Company. To order call 4WP at 800-284-9840, or 4WDH at 800-913-8205...
June 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
The latest in JEEP ACCESSORIES available from 4 Wheel Parts and 4Wheel Drive Hardware
BESTOP'S HIGHROCK 4X4(tm) TIRE CARRIER
Offering the convenience of a tailgate-mount with big-tire capacity, the '07 Wrangler/Unlimited Oversize Tire Carrier features a no drill application, and offers a secure, lockable tire storage unit. The adjustable height holds up to a 37" tire and 200 lbs. The black powder coat wrinkle finish provides moisture and rust protection...
July 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
JKS ADJUSTABLE CROSS-OVER SHOCK MOUNT
JKS Adjustable Cross-Over Shock Mount reconfigures the rear shock absorbers on Jeep Cherokees for improved performance and ride quality. It provides four upper shock mounting locations as opposed to the single location supplied by the factory, making it possible to optimize shock performance and suspension travel for each unique application. By relocating the upper shock mounting points toward the vehicle's center, the shocks are positioned at an angle instead of vertically...
June 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
AIR LIFT QUICKSHOT
Air Lift's QuickShot on board compressor control system will adjust and fill air springs quickly. The system features an in-dash control panel for easy monitoring and adjustment of air springs. A heavy duty compressor and 2-gallon reserve tank provide plenty of air when it's wanted, and an easy-connect auxiliary air line makes air readily available for adjusting tires and filing air toys...
August 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
ARB SIMPSON II ROOFTOP TENT
There is no need fill your limited cargo space with tents, air mattresses and sleeping bags when you can carry an ARB Simpson II tent on the roof of your vehicle. You can have your bed already made, and with the simple clamshell style design, your accommodations can be flipped open and ready for sleeping in minutes. The ARB Simpson II easily mounts on your roof rack and provides a hint of luxury on the trail...
July 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
KILBY ENTERPRISES
They manufacture engine driven onboard air compressors for 4x4 applications. Mounting kits and individual parts are available, as well as complete systems for all your onboard air needs. If you're ready to play with the "big dogs" this is the way to go! To order call 800-284-9840...
April 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
WHETHER YOU WANT TO LIFT IT OR LOWER IT, THESE KITS WILL HELP YOU GET THE JOB DONE
RUBICON EXPRESS FORD SUPER DUTY 6. 5 INCH SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The Rubicon Express RF56000 kit includes front and rear complete leaf packs, HD spring hangers, extended bumpstops, shackles, stainless steel extended brake lines, a HD panhard bar and bracket, a drop pitman arm, u-bolts, sway bar relocation kit plus all the additional hardware and components needed to increase the height of the Ford Super Duty and keep a clean factory look. Fits 35 to 37 inch tires...
April 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
BUSHWACKER FENDER FLARES FOR 2007 SILVERADOS WITH LARGE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
The new 2007 Chevy Silverado has a style all its own and Bushwacker Fender Flares add a tougher look and improved tire coverage to that style. Fender Flares protect your truck from debris, on and off-road. Engineered to Bushwacker's perfect-fit tolerances, the Fender Flares install in minutes...
May 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
PRO COMP'S CLASSIC "TIMELESS" ALLOYS
These established cast designs, series 6007, 6006 and 6089 are among the strongest available. Setting the pace with the highest standards for load carrying capacities, tire diameters and fitment, Pro Comp continues to offer the highest quality, competitively priced wheels. These feature full chrome finish, classic 6 & 8 spoke design - caps included and 3-year chrome finish warranty...
August 1, 2007 | By Trent Riddle
In the California desert, about half way between L. A. and Las Vegas lies the Ghost Town of Calico...
35. Camp WAMP 2007
December 1, 2007 | By Phil Dayton
The annual Camp Wamp group photo.
Camp Nejedly originally was started by California Senator John A. Nejedly from District 7...
January 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY and the need for better fuel economy have contributed a significant boost to the image of the diesel engine. Now, auto industry analysts expect these hightorque, durable engines will continue to conquer the hearts and minds of truck buyers of all sorts. These include offroad enthusiasts who crave low-rpm power for both 'wheeling and towing...
37. Canyon Tour
April 1, 2007 | By Bruce W. Smith
With all the hoopla over the major re-design of the new Sierra, and the off-road adventurer's seemingly endless love of full-size trucks, the "other" GMC pickup, the Canyon, sits relatively unnoticed in the deep shadows.
This is a shame. The 2007 Canyon does a nice job of filling a niche not addressed by its full-size stablemate - the mid-size market...
May 1, 2007 | By Bruce W. Smith
IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY that we drove the very first unibody fourdoor SUV - the Jeep Cherokee. In reality that first off-road adventure happened nearly two decades ago. But back in 1984 it was really big news in the automotive and off-road worlds...
May 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
We'd like to think you want more than a truck that just looks good in the driveway but if that's all you need, you can turn these pages to the next story. If you want to have as much show as go along with something you can actually drive day to day, read on.
Step One: Tread Rightly!
The tread design you choose dictates performance on the street and on the trail...
July 1, 2008 | By Laurie Marcellus
Joseph Granatelli competes in Kart Jr II. At 15, this will be his last year racing Kart. Maybe next year we'll see him behind the wheel of a Single Buggy...
41. Cover Me
October 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
IF YOUR RIG’S interior is old, cracked and broken, with all the life sucked out of it, Coverlay Manufacturing, Inc. of San Angelo, Texas comes to the rescue with their dash covers, door panels and armrests that can transform that desiccated interior into good as new condition.
Coverlay started humbly enough more than 25 years ago when Paul Cornwell saw the need for replacement dash covers...
October 1, 2007 | By Ned Bacon
Our quest to reach Venezuela’s Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, continues. In Part II we had to turn our Jeep YJ and Toyota FJ80 back due to mud, flat tires and being too wide for the track. We’d left the rigs at an airstrip in the frontier town of La Paragua and chartered a Cessna 206 to fly us to a remote grass strip in the middle of nowhere...
August 1, 2007 | By Ned Bacon
The pilot set his plane down atop Auyan-tepui in 1937, he was looking to find gold, not to have his name immortalized forever by a waterfall. Angel, a former WW1 fighter pilot turned Barnstormer, with Charles Lindbergh’s Flying Circus, turned hard-drinking adventurer, had found gold 13 years before atop a tepui somewhere in the jungles of southeastern Venezuela. The problem was, he could never find the mountain again, though he spent the rest of his life trying...
September 1, 2007 | By Ned Bacon
When we left off last month,
Photojournalist Chris Collard had floated off at midnight with several shady characters in a curiara (dugout canoe) in search of crocodiles, while I tried out sleeping in a hammock under the roof of a churuata (wall-less sleeping hut) to the sound of scurrying scorpions. To know what the heck we’re doing here, you really gotta read last month’s Part I. Meanwhile, here in Part II, our trip to Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, continues...
March 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
AYBE YOU HAVEN'T MADE THIS MISTAKE, but chances are, you know a lot of 4x4 buddies who have. They buy a nice Jeep to take off-road. It's not new, but it's solid and intact with no glaring defects like fluids dripping spots on the road...
46. Daily Driver
June 1, 2007 | By Jerry Slattery
Growing up with a father that loved to work on his own cars and swap engines, as well as go camping and four wheeling, really peaked George Szabo's interest in these pastimes. Young George and his father would go camping two or three times a month in the mountains near their home in Bend, Oregon. As he grew up with cars, a sprint car racer/friend got him even more interested in muscle cars, and gave him the bug to build his own 4WD vehicles...
47. Dodge Dakota
February 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
The way things used to be, all we needed was to do one thing well. Now we're multi-taskers - juggling a bowling ball with a gas lamp and a chain saw, all while walking and chewing gum.
The same is true of our off-road rigs...
48. Dodge Durango
October 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
EVEN THOUGH off-roaders are primarily interested in how capable a vehicle is on the trail, that doesn't mean we don't care about appearances as well. For instance, when the Dodge first revised the Durango's rounded shape a few years ago in favor of a more angular frontal design, our initial reactions were mixed. Okay, let's be blunt - we just didn't like it all that much...
December 1, 2006 | By Sven and Magdalena Schlogl
Australia has countless miles of dirt roads, some close to civilization and, of course, tons of them in the remotest of wilderness. The government has been talking about paving them all over the years. We hope this never happens as it would take a lot of the adventure away from Down Under...
January 1, 2007 | By Magdalena Schlogl
We had left the vast, remote lands of the west and centre behind us; upon reaching the east coast, we would travel through the most populated areas of Australia. More than two thirds of the country's twenty million people live along the eastern shoreline. It's a huge country, though, and we still had plenty of wilderness to explore...
July 1, 2007 | By Dan Ciganovich
Dealer Services International Offers Total Protection for Your New Rig
By Dan Ciganovich
TODAY A NEW TRUCK is going to set you back anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000, that's a whole lot of cash; that's what a house cost a few decades ago. Buying a new truck sure would be great, with a nice lift, eye-catching wheels, larger tires, and some body accessories. Wait a minute - a brand new truck with aftermarket accessories; what about the factory warranty? Is it still going to be under warranty after all this cool stuff is bolted on?
The fact is, installing aftermarket accessories will not automatically void the factory warranty...
December 1, 2006 | By Randy Brewster
Cresting the hill at the entrance to the 15,000 acre Paragon Adventure Park in Hazelton, PA, you peer over the lush-green valley ahead and it becomes apparent why the Mid-Atlantic Early Broncos club has held its "East Coast Bronco Roundup" here for four years running, including their 7th annual event in June 2005.
One look over the parking area is proof of this event's popularity as dozens of 1966-1977 Broncos make their way to the staging area. Rigs range from modified to super modified, some requiring a trailer to arrive for this event...
April 1, 2007 | By Chris Collard
AS THE WINTER MONTHS SEEM TO STRETCH ETERNALLY WITH GRAY SKIES AND RAIN, we automotive writers find ourselves spending too much time in front of our computer, and not enough time out on the trail. We call it editorialitis, and we usually don't realize we are afflicted until we notice a tire long-flat and thick layer of dust on the steering wheel of our favorite wheeling rig (which was put away clean). That's when we know we need to get out of town...
July 1, 2007 | By Chris Collard
As the 2007 Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) rolled around this year, we decided to add something different. In addition to our usual hitting the trails with you, our readers, we decided to sponsor our own run, the inaugural Off-Road Adventures Moab trail ride. For this first year we decided to make it an invitational event for our partnering companies...
June 1, 2008 | By Trent Riddle
Moab is perhaps the number one destination for 4x4'ers. It is said that everyone should make the Pilgrimage to Moab at least once in their four wheeling lifetime. For many the time to do this is at the annual Easter Jeep Safari put on by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers...
August 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
The Detroit Locker was initially developed during World War II by Thorson. After the War, the company changed its name to Detroit Engineering and began marketing its locker to the aftermarket. Detroit Engineering became Tractech, Inc...
June 1, 2008 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
AEM BRUTE FORCE HD INTAKE SYSTEM FOR LIGHT-DUTY DIESEL TRUCKS
Intakes feature a massive oil-free re-usable DRYFLOW filter, enabling up to 81% more airflow than stock. Every system is engineered for maximum flow, filtration and durability for severe-duty applications.
They are available for popular late model Cummins, Duramax and PowerStroke Diesel engines...
June 1, 2008 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
AEM BRUTE FORCE HD INTAKE SYSTEM FOR LIGHT-DUTY DIESEL TRUCKS
Intakes feature a massive oil-free re-usable DRYFLOW filter, enabling up to 81% more airflow than stock. Every system is engineered for maximum flow, filtration and durability for severe-duty applications.
They are available for popular late model Cummins, Duramax and PowerStroke Diesel engines...
August 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
GOLD EAGLE CO. ’S STA-BIL HELPS MAINTAIN ENGINES POWER
Your machinery’s greatest enemy this winter may be the fuel inside it. Fortunately, Gold Eagle® Co...
October 1, 2008 | By Harry Wagner
The stock turn signals were removed from the fenders when the tube fenders were added. The turn signals were then shaved to fit behind the cutouts in the Warn front bumper.
If you could own your dream Jeep, what would it look like? Would it have a big V8 engine? Heaps of articulation? Dana 60 axles? A beautiful paint job? Nate Jensen has all of that and more in his 2005 Wrangler Unlimited...
November 1, 2008 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
AFE NEW MACH FORCE-XP EXHAUST FOR
2007-08 JEEP WRANGLER JK UNLIMITED 4-DOOR 3. 8L V6
Mach Force-XP exhaust systems are constructed out of huge, mandrel bent, 3" 409 stainless steel and utilizes welded-on, bayonet style hangers for a complete installation that won't shift under high heat conditions. A monster 4" stainless steel tip finishes this awesome exhaust system...
July 1, 2007 | By Jim Brightly
Want a job that'll only take you about an hour?
Looking for a task that will give your Jeep about a 1. 5% improvement in gas mileage and add 4. 5-hp @ 4,400 rpm? Then you'll want to order a new Gibson muffler (part # 17303)...
December 1, 2006 | By Bruce W. Smith
THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF FULLSIZE SUVs to choose from when cargo space, passenger room, and towing ability are primary concerns. The choices of comfortable, sevenpassenger vehicles boil down to three vehicles - the redesigned '07 Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, or the all-new Ford Expedition EL.
The latter is quite impressive as we found out after living with a loaded Eddie Bauer 4x4 model for a couple of weeks...
64. Fabtech Chevy
February 1, 2007 | By Trent Riddle
The venerable Chevy pickup truck has always had a fan following that loves them no matter what. However, in stock trim, they all seem to look the same, and many enthusiasts personalize their trucks with lift kits, wheels and tires and many other aftermarket accessories. Every few years, truck makers throw a new twist at their loyal buyers - and the aftermarket manufacturers, by redesigning some or all of their trucks...
February 1, 2008 | By Chris Collard
We began our 1000-mile joy ride in the same location as the 1967 Mexican 1000 opening ceremonies; Tijuana's bull fighting arena.
Known by locals as La Frontera, the land beyond Baja California's tourist zone is more than the desolate wasteland one might imagine from the window of a jumbo jet. It is a wild yet inviting place of remote pueblos, centuries old Jesuit missions, rustic cantinas and some of Mexico's most historic hotels...
66. Finals Frenzy
January 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
You couldn't have asked for a more dramatic finish to the Championship Off Road Racing season: heroic competition, a beautiful girl in distress, and going out in a blaze of flame. The old expression about "the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat" hardly does justice to this exhilarating form of off-road racing.
Before cutting to the hard action, let's set the stage, looking at the CORR season overall...
67. Fine Art Jeep
March 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
Adam Pratt's 1978 Jeep CJ-5 is a family heirloom that's been in the family 27 years and was Adam's first motor vehicle. The years and 179,000 miles as a daily driver had not been kind to the old Jeep, so a few years back, Adam embarked on a modernizing and upgrading project. ...
68. Finesse 1 -2 -3
December 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
WHAT DO YOU CALL A PERSON TRAINED AND EDUCATED IN THE ART AND SCIENCE OF LUBRICANTS AND THE REDUCTION OF FRICTION IN MOVING PARTS? A TRIBOLOGIST. NO, WE’RE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU A TRIBOLOGY DEGREE, BUT THE NEXT THREE EPISODES OF FINESSE WILL GIVE YOU ENOUGH INFO TO MAKE YOU DANGEROUS AT THE LOCAL QUICK LUBE!
SYNERGY — The Big Picture Synergy is all about making the ingredients in a lubricant hold hands and sing Kumbaya. The base oil and additives must be compatible with each other and for their given application...
April 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
One of the most commonly asked performance questions is, "what's first?" The answer can vary somewhat from vehicle to vehicle, but most often it's the exhaust system. We aim to give you the 101 course on exhausts and tell you how and why they can give you an increase in performance and mileage at the same time. Cooler running under load and increased engine life are side benefits...
May 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
There are two worlds, everyday and racing. While the performance principles are exactly the same for both, the way they are applied is different. Pipe diameter is one such area of difference...
January 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
THE AVERAGE 4X4 HAS AT LEAST TWO SHIFTERS. SOME HAVE THREE AND OTHERS HAVE FOUR OR MORE. THESE CONTROLS ARE SOME OF THE MOST USEFUL ITEMS YOU HAVE IN THAT BOX OF TOOLS YOU CALL A 4X4...
July 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
There's finesse in using the clutch and there's finesse in picking a replacement for the one you finessed to death. The clutch is a very hard worked part of a manual trans-equipped 4x4. On a street rig, getting 100K miles out of a clutch is fairly easy...
September 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
IN A WORLD of heart stopping fuel prices, where big American pickup guys are looking enviously at Suzuki Samurais, it’s time to talk once again about fuel economy. This time, we’ll talk about it in terms of gearing.
What Happens When You Build Up
A 4x4 buildup always involves three things; bigger tires, more height and more weight...
February 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
THE CHEROKEE XJ DEBUTED FOR THE 1984 MODEL YEAR AND HAD A 17-YEAR RUN WITH FEW CHANGES. THAT'S LONGEVITY! NEARLY THREE MILLION WERE PRODUCED IN TWO OR FOUR-DOOR FORMS AND IN MANY TRIM LEVELS. IN PART 1, WE'LL COVER TIRES AND ENGINES...
May 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
When it was introduced in 1984, the Cherokee's unibody construction caused some die-hard four-wheelers to gasp and raise eyebrows. Others scoffed or laughed derisively. Given the "rubber" chassis of the CJs of those days, one wonders how they felt it was superior...
March 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
THIS TIME WE GIVE YOU THE BASIC XJ SKINNY ON GETTING THE POWER TO THE GROUND. THIS INCLUDES THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE AND AXLES.
TRANSMISSION
Overall, the best factory manual transmissions are the Aisin AX-15 and NV-3500...
April 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
UP FRONT, THE XJ USED THE FIRST VARIATION OF THE COIL SPRING SUSPENSION THAT LATER GRACED THE GRAND CHEROKEE AND WRANGLER TJ. IN BACK, LONG, SUPPLE, FAMILIAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE USED. DESPITE THE DISSIMILAR SYSTEMS, THE XJ IS ACTUALLY QUITE BALANCED AND RESPONDS WELL TO LIFTS, USUALLY WITH FEWER SIDE EFFECTS THAN THE ALL-COIL JEEPS...
June 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
The first days with new tires are a honeymoon all right but, as with every long-term relationship, there are practical issues to be addressed if you want it to last. With a tire upgrade your most immediate need is finding the correct street tire pressures. We addressed this topic back in 2002 and found that it was one of our most requested back issue stories, so it's long overdue for a fresh look...
August 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
"New Blue" is a Plain-Jane XL model, so too much tailpipe would make it look like a cheap hooker. The stainless 4-inch tip and throaty growl are the only giveaways.
You probably know that exhaust improvements offer a power increase and a bump in fuel economy...
January 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
Last time we focused on the stuff from which lube oil is made. This time we'll focus on arming you with the information you need to make a good oil selection.
A sample of a viscosity chart that covers various temperatures for multigrade oils...
June 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
Too bad high altitude and four wheeling don't match quite as well. Here are some tips to help you and your rig work better in the high country. Many of you have seen the documentaries on climbing the high peaks, such as Mount Everest in Nepal, where dealing with the effects of altitude is a life or death situation...
February 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
Lubricants are key to the long life of your 4x4. They also have an influence on performance and economy, so you can get a double dose of good by upgrading. In Parts 1 and 2 we gave you the 101 course on lubricants...
December 1, 2006 | By Jim Allen
WE GET A LARGE VOLUME OF TECH QUESTIONS HERE AT ORA. A high proportion of them involve some variation of the question, "I just swapped to larger tires. What gear ratio should I run?" We have visited this topic at different times and in different ways before, but since the influx of letters shows no sign of slowing down, we think it is a good idea to address it again...
October 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
In this final installment on the ‘80-86 Ford 3/4 and 1-tons, we cover the drivetrain. These trucks are reasonably well endowed in this area, with improvements relatively easy.
Stock Transmissions
There are only four options...
August 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
Ford broke new ground in 1980 by offering a revolutionary four-wheel drive front suspension and axle design underneath their newly designed line of trucks. They called the new front end design Twin Traction Beam (TTB) and it defined the Ford trucks so equipped right to the last year of its use in 1996
.
In this three-part installment of Finesse 1-2-3, we’ll talk about the ’80-86 Ford "Bullnose" F-250 and F-350 trucks...
September 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
Finesse 1-2-3- Ford, Part 2
Part 2- Suspension and Tires
Even with no lift, there’s room for a 12. 50x33-16 or equivalent. The leaf spring TTB suspension is simple and relatively easy to lift but not a particularly supple or flexy setup...
November 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
The Evolution kit includes the programmer, dash pod and securing hardware, OBD2 data cable, USB computer cable, Fusion software CD and instructions. This product is CARB and EPA Certified.
Until recently, power was the end-all-be-all...
November 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
Maximum trailer towing capacity might not be a high as some competitors, but the 2009 Quad Cab Ram 1500 tows with ease when equipped with the proper towing equipment and the Hemi.
A five-link coil-sprung rear axle, 390-hp Hemi, weatherproof bed side storage, interior refinements akin to a luxury sedan, and retro-aerodynamic body styling, all sound wonderful on paper and look sweet in person. But what determines any new vehicle's true worth is when tires touch ground...
July 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
Electronically controlled diesels are the best thing to come along since Dr. Rudolph Diesel invented the compression ignition engine and named it after himself. Why are they so wunnerful? Well, one reason is because you can easily upgrade them yourself...
90. Flat Nasty
January 1, 2007 | By Allen Merritt
Ron Maximoff, a retired combat, commercial, and aerobatic pilot, competes professionally in
off-road competitions all over the country. In 2004, Ron racked up enough points to compete
in the Super Crawl at St. James, Utah...
91. Flyin' High
December 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
If you were having as good a start on the Supercross circuit as Josh Grant, you’d be doing “whips” or “heel clicks” as well. In 2006, only his second year as a full-time pro, Josh Grant practically took up residence on the podium in the East Supercross Lites series to finish in third place for the season. He then maintained that momentum going into the outdoor Motocross Lites series to also capture third place overall...
January 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Not all vehicles for off-road adventures are purely for use in the dirt. In some cases, we need a "mother ship" that hauls all our stuff-food, tools, camping gear, and the like- to the trailhead, and keeps it secure from predators (both the animal and human type). Ford has come up with a factory-installed alternative for its best-selling F-150 pickup...
January 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
WE’RE AT A FORK IN THE TRAIL WITH DIESEL TRUCKS. Due to changes in fuel and
emissions standards, all three domestic manufacturers will be offering revised models in 2007
with bigger engines and more emissions equipment. This means the outgoing generation of
Ford’s Super Duty (the ’06 and ’07 models are essentially identical) is the last of a breed...
September 1, 2007 | By Matthiew Dadillon
The perfect base
For Daniel, off-road driving comes down to rock crawling events. However, according to him,
the best car for these competitions is a vehicle built by Mercedes-Benz, the Unimog truck
because of its portal axles that incorporate a hub reduction, its flexible ladder-frame, its
locking front and rear differentials, its coil springs and its excellent reduction. Luckily, in 2002,
Daniel found the perfect base: one Unimog 435 without bodywork...
95. Full Traction JK
June 1, 2007 | By Trent Riddle
Full-Traction Suspension, the first to bring you a 3-link long arm suspension for the Jeep Wrangler TJ and later the LJ (Unlimited), now offers suspension systems for the new '07 JK. Full-Traction now brings a suspension system for the new JK, a 2-inch economy kit that provides a quick and cost effective way to make room for 33-inch tires. Their latest suspension offering is a true 3-inch spring lift that allows the use of tires up to 35-inches...
96. Gray Ghost
October 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
Jason Rossetti, has been making tracks in the Pismo dunes for years in his 4-inch lifted ’92 Bronco and in his ’99 F-350 with a 10-inch lift.
Not content with those two trucks, he now plans to tackle these soft, rolling Dunes in an ’03 Ford F-350 with a full foot of extra altitude, proving once again that size does matter. He initially visualized marching up the eastern slip face, emerging over the crest as if levitating above the sand in a ghostly gray rig...
May 1, 2007 | By Chris Collard
WITH JOHN SUTTER'S 1849 discovery of gold in the small settlement of Coloma, thousands of young men packed up all of their worldly belongings into rucksacks, saddled up a horse, and headed west to California. Quick on their lead were countless wagon trains, strung out across a thousand miles of the Great Plains, and carrying adventurous families seeking a better life. Resembling a flooding tide, gold fever swept the west with incredible speed...
December 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
SMITTYBILT AIR COMPRESSOR
Powered by a 1/3 hp 12-volt, oil-less direct drive motor with 30 amp inline fuse for added protection.
It includes an easy twist screw-on brass inflator top and a quick release 16 ft. coil hose...
November 1, 2008 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
DAYSTAR 1-3/4 INCH LIFT FOR THE JEEP WRANGLER JK
Daystar delivers the goods with a 1-3/4" lift that provides enough room to clear 33" tall tires without impacting ride quality.
The lift starts with exact-fit polyurethane coil spring spacers that are positioned above the factory coil springs. The spacers provide extra insulating properties to the suspension that minimizes Noise, Vibration, and Harmonics (NVH)...
100. Hot Takes - Part II
March 1, 2007 | By Bruce W. Smith
SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT MARKET ASSOCIATION (SEMA) holds a little get-together each fall at the Convention Center in Las Vegas. With 100,000 in attendance it's hard to believe that it's not open to the general public. In fact, SEMA gets pretty stingy with credentials to make sure there is room in the display isles for industry leaders from over 100 countries...
August 1, 2007 | By Kelly Young
In the past, we have featured a couple of stories on Greg Adler, CEO and President of 4 Wheel Parts (TransAmerican Auto Parts) and his CORR and SCORE racing efforts. Here's another member of the "TAP family" and her first person account of her off-roading passion, rock crawling. Showing again we don't just "talk the talk," we "walk the walk" too...
October 1, 2007 | By Jon Terhune
THE IDEAstarted months before the competition took place. Could a few show truck boys from a 4 Wheel Parts store compete with some of the best custom 4WD fabricators in the Midwest? We were unsure since none of us had any previous competition experience. Once there, the intimidation factor grew as the competition, custom tube buggies and drivers with years of competition experience...
103. Inhaler Device
September 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Are you experiencing the following symptoms? You feel your stomach knot, your breathing constrict, your heart pound. That's a fairly typical condition the closer you get to your local gas station, especially when you spot the latest highway robbery taking place at the pump.
Okay, there's obviously some sort of virus going around, as so many folks report having the same affliction...
October 1, 2008 | By Harry Wagner
Our problem was not unique: After adding a suspension lift and wider tires and rims, the side of our truck was impossible to keep clean.
A muddy truck might be great for impressing your buds, but it isn't much fun when you get dirty every time you get in and out or need to get something out of the bed.
Based in the perpetually wet climate of Oregon, the good folks at Bushwacker are all too familiar with this scenario and have over 450 applications dating back to the Early Bronco...
July 1, 2008 | By Rick Russell
Once the decision has been made on how you'll use your 4x4 and a body style has been selected, you're ready to make the second most important decision in any buildup project, "What size of tire are you going to run?"
Whether you're building a 4x4 from scratch or upgrading the one you have, you'll need a plan. There is always some fine-tuning to do after it hits the dirt, but if you don't have a plan you may find yourself spending money reworking the vehicle instead of fine-tuning it.
The first and most important decision to make on any build-up project is deciding, "How you intend to use your rig?" Is it a trail or street vehicle? Regardless of your choice there will be trade-offs...
August 1, 2008 | By Rick Russell
The PSC Steering ram is powered by tapping into the steering gear box. For that rare situation where the ram fails (ie, broken hose) it is best to carry caps to plug off the ram hoses and a spacer to fill the gap left after removing the steering ram from the steering knuckle.
In Part I we covered the planning phase of the AJ-8 Build-up...
107. Jeep Grand Cherokee
May 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
If you're disappointed that you missed getting your hands on the now-discontinued diesel-powered Jeep Liberty, there's an exciting alternative: the Grand Cherokee WK CRD diesel. Several other gasoline versions are available as well, including a high-performance Hemi, but first off, let's start with the oil burner, since that's a rarity in the SUV market.
Note that the Italian-engineered 2...
April 1, 2007 | By Off-Road Adventures Staff
The Powerstroke is a workhorse with a lot of power and torque built in for doing the tough duty of towing a big load. To handle the air flow, Ford fit the truck with a large OE air filter that does a good job of keeping the motor running strong. The design of the stock filter incorporates not only the filter element, but also the filter housing, making it a pricey replacement every time it needs changing...
109. Kawasaki
January 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Legions of ATV enthusiasts will tell you, the best way to enjoy the backcountry is in close proximity.
Most of our manufacturers' profiles follow a familiar path: a company starts out a couple decades ago as one or two enthusiasts coming up with an innovative solution to a 4x4 problem. They try out their gadget on an off-road trek, or maybe a race venue-the dustier the better...
June 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
AS 4X4 ENTHUSIASTS, we logically focus on off-road adventures and upgrades for our off-road rigs. But towing those rigs to the trailhead can sometimes turn into just as much of an adventure as scrambling over shale up a steep slope. If that trailer starts to bob up and down or swing like a pendulum because the tongue weight is wrong, your 4x4 could end up heading off the highway without you in it...
September 1, 2008 | By Matt Emery
Made from high-grade steel, the spacers raise the front of the vehicle 1. 5 to 2. 5-inches, giving the vehicle a better stance and improved appearance...
May 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
While our first love is getting gritty in the great outdoors, Off-Road Adventures enjoys a bit of glitz and glamour as well. (Hey, wouldn't you like to be on TV? After all, it helps our hobby with some publicity, why not?)
Unlike so many automotive-themed shows, though, Off-Road Adventures TV is about real people doing real things with real rigs. Over the last few episodes, for instance, vehicle makeovers have been done for regular folks on a Ford F-150, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and a Jeep TJ Wrangler...
113. Magnaflow Exhaust
November 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Ivan "Ironman" Stewart
Ivan "Ironman" Stewart took his first step toward off-road racing legend status in one of those, "Put-me-in-da-game-coach!" movie moments. It was 1973 at the Ensenada 300. He was scheduled to co-drive with Bill Hrynko in a Class 2 buggy...
December 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
When quizzed about the symbolism of a particular personal habit, noted psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud retorted, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. ” Aah, the simplicity. Only problem, you can’t apply that axiom across the board...
115. Marine Toy
May 1, 2007 | By Trent Riddle
Josh Reynolds is a true American, he grew up in the town of Yakima, Washington, has a love of the outdoors, family and his country. When Josh decided to enlist in the Marines, he had the full support of his mother and younger bother as well as his future wife. Josh was a corporal in Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division and is one of the many veterans who served our country...
July 1, 2008 | By Jim Allen
Tire pressure is one of the most important parts of the fuel economy formula. Our tests showed that even moderately underinflated tires could cost nearly 1 mpg, not to mention the squirrelly handling and increased tire wear that goes with it.
When we last addressed the fuel economy issue back in 2004, little did we know the three buck gas was just a teaser...
117. Mud Matters
May 1, 2007 | By Larry Walton
I don't know how many of you've ever been stuck in the mud on the way to work, but it's not as much fun as it sounds. Having experienced this unhappy situation my share of times while logging and farming, I can tell you hiking through the mud in the driving rain to fetch a tractor or skidder is not my ideal way to start the day.
Perhaps even worse are those mornings when you are headed in to hunt a remote area and you know all this spooling winch line and thrashing about will lessen your chance to bag the game you are pursuing...
118. NO FEAR Trucks
December 1, 2007 | By Dan Ciganovich
DEALER SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (DSI) has just released their No Fear Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Limited Edition trucks — available on the GMT900 half-ton platform in both 2 and 4 wheel drive. The all new Silverado and Sierra, which GM released for the 2007 model year, represents a bold new look for these trucks. In addition, both the chassis and powertrain were redesigned giving them an edge in a very competitive segment...
September 1, 2008 | By Allen Merritt
Jim's planning and craftsmanship yielded a clean, strong J4000 rear axle with good
articulation.
Jim Mazzola works as a staff engineer at GM's advanced power train division in Detroit building concept vehicles.
He is also a lifetime ambassador with United 4WD Association and a lifetime member of Great Lakes 4WD Association...
120. Off-Road Romance
May 1, 2007 | By Debbie Murphy
Blinding snowfields, ragged sculptures of ice, mud pits with enough suction to engulf a small city: Maybe not what you think is typical in Southern California. But, a rig like Chris Boulais' 1986 CJ-7 can locate this category of bad-butt terrain like a heat-seeking missile.
Boulais' goal, when he bought the Jeep in late summer, 2005, was to build "a clean, reliable, go-anywhere vehicle...
November 1, 2008 | By Allen Merritt
If you watch True Grit, you'll notice Chimney Rock above Owl Creek Pass behind John Wayne when he "takes the reins in his teeth and fills his hands with iron. " You'll also see Chimney Rock in John Wayne's Cow Boys.
My wife, Barbara hates waiting hours for off-road adventurers to winch through a mud bog, get the group up a challenging hill, or rebuild a broken rig...
122. One For All
December 1, 2006 | By Bruce W. Smith
WINCH TECHNOLOGY seems to move slower than a custom rock crawler idling along in double-under four-wheel low-range. In the last 25 years, the biggest advances in winches have been pretty much relegated to the introduction of planetary gears, automatic reverse braking, heat-sensing relays and remote-control.
Aside from those items - and minor cosmetic packaging - the electric winch has remained pretty much the same from manufacturer to manufacturer for decades - an electric motor connected to a drum that reels in cable...
123. One Tough Tundra
September 1, 2007 | By Bruce W. Smith
It’s been a long time in the works — back as far as 1987 when Toyota started asking off-roaders serious questions aimed at what they loved about their Fords, Dodges, Chevrolets and GMC pickups. But now, 20 years and a couple toe-dips in the pickup market later, Toyota Motor Sales USA has leapt off the high board and hit the full-size pickup pool with a huge Olympic class entry.
THE NEW TUNDRA IS THE REAL DEAL AS I FOUND OUT WHEN I SLID BEHIND THE WHEEL AND TURNED THE KEY...
January 1, 2007 | By Mike Zoormajian
The truck you see here is the work of one man over three years. When Jim Davis of Vancouver, Washington bought this ’71 Chevy it was, to put it mildly, a disaster. The paint was gone, the body was rusted, the interior looked like a cat had given birth in it and the engine was blown...
September 1, 2007 | By Jim Allen
BEHIND EVERY OPEN 4X4 TRAIL
IS A GOOD 4X4 CLUB. Yeah, that’s an obvious ripoff of a very old and familiar saying. ...
126. Pipe Music
July 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
DynoMax is one exhaust manufacturer who delivers the entire equation for off-road enthusiasts - a whole exhaust system from the ports to the tail pipe, or just a cat-back system (from the catalytic converter back, hence the name), that both boosts performance and quiets the ride.
DynoMax performance exhaust systems were introduced at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in 1986. The company basically sprang fully formed from the forehead of Zeus, or the automotive accessory equivalent - Tenneco Inc...
127. Playing with JKS
February 1, 2008 | By Steve Temple
Garages seem to inspire inventiveness. They inspire the handiwork of off roaders to create something better or stronger that will enhance their vehicle of choice. ...
December 1, 2006 | By Jerry Slattery
We all get a little smarter with age, and that includes ProComp too. They made a few design changes in this very popular kit that made it even better. The changes make it stronger and quicker to install...
June 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
JEEP'S NEW JK is like that old saying about getting your cake and eating it too. As reviewed in our February issue, the chassis was enlarged for a four-door configuration, but with no compromise in off-road capability. The thing is, we like icing on our cake, too, which means finding some sweet stuff to throw on the suspension...
June 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
When the screen on the Garmin Zumo began showing a vast nothingness to my East at the same time the boredom of the smooth state highways changed to the rough texture of country blacktop, I knew Deepwoods was close to getting its first chance to prove its worth in the real world since we began the project truck almost a year earlier.
I'd been on the road since 5 am, leaving my office in Long Beach, Mississippi, before the roosters were up. Lights blazing and cruise control locked in at a leisurely 70 mph as indicated by Zumo, my destination was the Mossy Oak world headquarters in West Point, Mississippi, a short 230-mile jaunt nearly due North from the coast...
October 1, 2007 | By Bruce W. Smith
The Tundra is the type of truck that’s easy to let the imagination run a little wild on how one can personalize it to suite the avid off-road adventurer. But rather than just imagining, we are going to bring as much of that to life as possible during the next few months as “Project Deepwoods” takes shape in these pages. The palette for our transformation: an ’07 Tundra Double Cab 4x4 SR5 powered by Toyota’s awesome 381hp 5...
November 1, 2007 | By Bruce W. Smith
We’re easing into Project Deepwoods as new aftermarket products become available for our 2007 Tundra Double Cab 4x4. The easy-to-design, easy-to-install items are always first out. Such aftermarket items are all that’s needed to make a new Tundra work quite well for many Off- Road Adventures readers’ lifestyles...
December 1, 2007 | By Chris Collard
In the last installment we made a few small changes to our 2007 Tundra Double Cab 4x4 as the parts for the all-new Toyota became available. This month we continue improving Project Deepwoods’ utility and performance with our goal at the end to have a truly unique 4x4 for the avid off-road adventurer.
It’s funny how the note of a good performance exhaust exudes a certain level of intimidation to those within earshot...
January 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
In the last installment we upgraded the exhaust on our 2007 Tundra Double Cab 4x4 and installed a couple of bed storage boxes. This month we continue improving Project Deepwoods' utility and performance. Our goal at the end is to have a truly unique 4x4 for the avid off-road adventurer...
February 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
Camoclad delivers the camouflage graphics printed on 4' Wx5'L vinyl sheets of 3M Controltac 160-C, a 4 mil-thick , premium vinyl film designed for dry application to vehicles. The back of the 3M graphic vinyl is covered with pressure-activated microscopic pockets of adhesive that allow the film to be repositioned during installation until pressure is applied to the film surface by hand or with a squeegee. The vinyl can be easily removed by simply peeling it away from the vehicle body...
March 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
Vehicle safety and aerodynamics have made major advancements in the last 10 years. The body lines are smoother to reduce wind drag, and air bags surround the interior to provide the occupants with instant protection in an accident. Our Project Deepwoods Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4 is a prime example of such technological leaps...
April 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
During the past few issues we've undertaken a number of additions to our 2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4 to make it more suited for our intended use off the beaten path, namely as a vehicle for the avid outdoorsman.
We've added a winch and front-end protection, made some minor suspension changes, installed some much needed mapping and communications tools, added a bit of side protection, and wrapped it in full camouflage graphics. But we see a need for more upgrades to make Project Deepwoods a real head-turner and solid performer in our outdoor pursuits...
May 1, 2008 | By Bruce W. Smith
We've had a lot of fun playing with our 2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4. We started this project with one goal in mind: making the Tundra into a truck the avid outdoorsman/hunter would love to own.
During the past few months we've worked our way slowly toward that goal by adding aftermarket products as they became available for Toyota's brand new full-size pickup...
139. Project FJ- Part II
March 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
As covered in our first installment of Project FJ, Toyota's FJ Cruiser demonstrates a strong family resemblance to its respected forefather, the FJ40. The new FJ's offroad capabilities also indicate that it comes from the same end of the gene pool, but it also improves on its predecessor in several areas, thanks to modern technology.
Off-road enthusiasts, however, aren't content to leave anything well enough alone...
140. Project FJ- Part III
April 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
If you didn't catch our previous two issues, you missed out on an award-winning suspension upgrade for Toyota's FJ Cruiser. No matter, you can always order back issues, or check out our website (www. oramagazine...
141. Project FJ- Part One
February 1, 2007 | By Steve Temple
NO off-roader worth his/her salt would ever disrespect one of the true big daddies of the SUV scene, the Toyota Land Cruiser. Introduced as the FJ series in 1960, it was simplicity personified; an all-grunt, take-it-anywhere rig. Despite its susceptibility to rust, this backcountry bruiser was just plain tough, taking on all sorts of rough-and-tumble terrain and then begging for more...
September 1, 2008 | By Matt Emery
According to OR-Fab, this is not a roll cage, but rather it is their "Sport Cage" (Part # 82200BB). Made from . 120-wall tubing and featuring the bicycle black powder coat paint (raw steel or wrinkle black is also available), this is a bolt in kit that can be installed fairly quickly...
143. Rhinos Rule
May 1, 2007 | By Trent Riddle
The Yamaha Rhino is thought by many to be a farm implement or 4WD golf cart. The truth is, the Rhino is these things and much more. A fast growing contingent of loyal Rhino owners have discovered the fun and freedom of blasting the dunes, crawling down rocky trails, and exploring the road less traveled in their Rhinos...
144. Rocky Mountain High
November 1, 2007 | By Jim Youngs
ONE SPECULATION as to why the major eastern Colorado cities of Denver, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs exist is because when the westward- ho settlers arrived in their Conestoga wagons and got their first glimpse of the imposing Rocky Mountains, they surely said, “Hey, these high plains look like a nice place to settle down,” or perhaps, “If you think we’re gonna drive these rickety things over those mountains, you’re crazy. ” The Colorado portion of the Rockies boast 52 mountain peaks rising over 14,000 feet above sea level (and something like 250 miles of mountains from east to west), so some of that reasoning seems logical, if untrue. Truth is,