 |
| 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 optional Overhead Streamer Bar and the Dash Bar were added for the utmost in structural integrity. |
Most of us ride the trails because it is something that we love to do. It is a chance for us to get away from the daily grind and enjoy the great outdoors with our friends and family.
For some though, it is their job. And as with any job, it takes a serious effort to do it right, and to get that job done sometimes means going places where harm can be done.
From battling forest fires to finding stranded hikers, the US Forest Service relies on tough vehicles to get them there and back again, whatever the terrain. Of course the majority of that terrain, especially in the western states, is made of granite.
 |
| The Warn Fuel Tank Skid Plate protects this more sensitive of parts with a 3/16-inch thick steel plate that bolts to the body using factory attaching points. It comes with a black powder coated finish and features drain holes to remove mud, debris and other things that you can pick up on the trail. |
That is why service vehicles such as this 2005 Jeep TJ Rubicon needs protection pieces such as skid plates and roll cages to keep the USFS personnel safe and productive. Being able to protect wayward campers means first protecting their people and vehicles. But even with the might of the U. S. government behind them, that doesn't mean that the USFS can't use a little help now and then.
Acting in unselfish ways is a cornerstone of most off-road clubs. The majority of them will happily help those stranded on the trials. This "all for one" attitude naturally spills over to taking a pro-active approach when in comes to helping the USFS keep trails and trailheads clean and operational. One of the clubs who is heavily involved in volunteer work is the Capo Valley 4 Wheelers.
 |
| Protecting the underside of the Rubicon is done with this skid plate that covers the engine oil pan and tranny. |
Based in southern California, (club meetings are held in Dana Point) and headed up by club president Bob Sanderson, the Capo Valley 4 Wheelers have been together for over 30 years and boast a of total of 40 members. Members in good standing in the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs and Blue Ribbon Coalition, the Capo Valley crew are also members of the "Adopt a Trail" program, with theirs being the Tip Top Mountain trail. It was there where the club met USFS employee Greg Hoffman, who leads the AAT program in the San Bernardino area. As such, they can often be found hard at work alongside the USFS repairing trails and other activities. But they have also found a way to help out in another area as well by putting their money where their backs usually are.
 |
| One of the first items to come into contact with rocks are the diff covers. A pair of Warn Body Armor skid plates was installed to protect the Rubicon's Dana 44s. |
One of the many club-friendly things that 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers does is to offer discounts and rebates to members and clubs who are entered into the Club Participation program. These clubs who purchase parts and services at 4WP stores not only get a discount on prices, the club also receives an account in which they accrue store credits to spend as they wish.
In an act of looking out for the greater good of all off-roaders, the Capo Valley 4 Wheelers decided to donate their rebate money to upgrade the Rubicon that Hoffman drives on the job. Rather than simply spending their hard earned money on their own rigs, the CV4W members chose instead to purchase a host of Warn and OR-Fab products to outfit Hoffman's Rubicon so that it is ready for the job at hand.
 |
| Another item that can make the difference between getting home and getting stuck is the steering box. Warn makes this 3/16-inch steel skid plate that fits within 0.25-inch of the steering box for maximum ground clearance, is powder coated black and features drain holes. |
When the Laguna Beach, California 4 Wheel Part store heard this, they were so impressed that they decided they would also get involved and matched the monies the Capo Valley Wheelers spent on the project.
And it seems like the items chosen for the project was money well spent. Warn Industries' line of Body Armor protection pieces will give this Rubicon all the tough it needs to take on the wilds of the San Bernardino National Forrest.
The stock roll cage was lengthened to completely encase the cab area with an OR-Fab Sport Cage. It's a bolt-together system that gives increased protection in case of a roll over. Added to the basic cage kit is a pair of structural improvements--an Overhead Streamer Bar and the Dash Bar. These two OR-Fab pieces will give the standard Sport Cage more rigidity and increased overall strength.
 |
| Keeping the sides of the TJ protected is done with Warn Rock Sliders that are made from 3/16-inch reinforced steel. They provide much better protection than the stock units. Installation requires drilling some holes, but is nothing that an experienced DIY'er can't handle. |
As stated, this Jeep is owned by the USFS, but it is driven daily by Greg Hoffman. Hoffman, a 28-year veteran of the USFS, is currently the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Manager for the San Bernardino National Forrest. One of his jobs is coordinating volunteers such as 4 wheel and motorcycle clubs who do maintenance work on the more than 800 miles of trails found in the area. Hoffman says that he is very happy with all of the items that have been installed, and heartily thanks the Capo Valley 4 Wheelers for their support.
For clubs interested in learning more about the 4 Wheel Parts rebate program, contact your local 4 Wheel Parts store or email clubs@4wheelparts.com for all the details. For those interested in volunteering their help to the USFS, go to www.sbnfa.org or call 909. 382.2811.
Sources
4Wheel Parts Performance Center
23001 Del Lago Dr.
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949.268.1403
www.4wheelparts.com
Capo Valley 4 Wheelers
www.capovalley4wheelers.org
OR-Fab
www.orfab.com
Pro Competition Tire and Wheel Company Inc.
www.procomptires.com
Warn Industries
www.warn.com
