How-To Tech

 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...

 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...

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)...

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...

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...

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...

 "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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...

 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...

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...

 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

 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...

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...

Since the new Jeep Wrangler JK has hit the market, a lot has been said about it. Some have talked about it being too wide since it's five inches wider than the Jeep Wrangler TJ it replaces. This writer's simple answer to that is; if the trail is that tight, you should be treading lightly and not be there in the first place! Another way to look at it is; five inches wider is only 2 1/2 inches per side, and those extra inches make the JK more stable in turns, equating to better street handling...

Ever notice how things start to head south when they age? No, we’re not referring to aging Snowbirds heading to Yuma or Miami for the winter. We’re more concerned about the drooping rears of aging motorhomes or tow rigs that lug stuff in any direction. Our ’99 F-350 Super Duty “fell” into this category...

It’s no secret that we like having more power on tap in a 4. 0-liter Jeep. After all, having more horses under the hood means more giddyup on the trail...

The JK's suspension is the same in principle to the earlier TJs, but the parts are totally different. Compared to the TJ's, the JK's have wider wheel well openings. So less lift is needed to clear the same size tires...

Superlift has R&D’d Chevy IFS suspension systems for years, dating back to the late-80s with its first-generation “bracket” kits. Not the easiest kit to install, this system holds its alignment well and is durable. In 2004, Superlift launched its F...

Getting down and dirty makes us happier than a pig in slop. But getting up and dirty is even better. At least that's what we discovered driving an F-250 fitted with a Pro Comp six-inch lift...