We've been waiting for it for a while, and we must say: It's about time! The DOT-approved, street-legal version of the General Grabber race tire is finally here and available for you to purchase from your local General Tire dealer.
Nitto is known not only for its high quality in tire manufacturing but also for the tires' impressive tractions in the conditions they're geared towards. The Mud Grapplers work great in the mud and rocks; the Terra Grapplers work well on all terrains; the Dura Grapplers are killer high-mileage towing tires; and the Dune Grapplers don't even need to be deflated to work unbelievably in the sand. For these reasons, we were excited to get our feelers onto the new Trail Grappler-a tire built to be aggressive and hardcore enough to take on tough trails while still being able to be driven every day to work. We were able to try it on a number of vehicles, and the consensus is in: This tire works well on Jeeps or fullsize 4x4s.
Baja ATZ If there has been one tire that has really lasted us, it has to be the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ. Our editor got 50,000 miles out of them on his daily-driven Durango-a real feat considering he usually burns off a set of tires in under 20,000. During that time, the tires proved themselves to be great highway choices, with good off-road capabilities in drier off-road conditions. Mud was definitely the bane of this tire, as the large, closely-spaced tread lugs and small voids made the tire float instead of digging in. For that same reason, the Baja ATZs were excellent in sand.
Being in a broken-down rig just isn't fun. Neither is the unexpected thrill of a scary ride because a part on your vehicle failed-be it steering, brakes, or some other vital automotive component.
Street or dirt, competition or play, you need to be safe inside your truck. Much of that safety factor depends on the methods used to build seat mounts, rollcages, and driver-harness mounts. Harnesses themselves should be properly selected and properly worn. Greater safety is also achieved by mounting controls and switches where they're easy to reach and actuate.
When I landed at OFF-ROAD a couple years back, I told myself I'd only bring one truck with me from my last gig at a different 4x4 magazine. And it wasn't hard; most of my trucks had been built for different purposes than what OFF-ROAD magazine is geared towards. I figured the one truck I did bring over-my red Dodge, Jinxy- didn't count since it had barely run the entire time I was at the last rag. But sometimes, over these past couple years, I've needed one other truck from the old days that I'd never quite finished-an old K5 Blazer that was intended to be a jack of all trades.
We want to speak to all the readers who are over 25 years old for a minute. After all, this new muffler is specifically going to appeal to you-still liking the loud rumble of a throaty V-8 when on the throttle, but tired of waking up your neighbors when you drive home at midnight. Open pipes, gutted mufflers, bored-out cats-those are cool when you're young and driving just few miles a day. But when you start getting a little older, you start to hear a ringing in your ears, and you start noticing people looking at you like you're an A-hole, many of us will give up the thunderous pipes on our trucks for something a bit more tame around town.
Over the past few months we have been going through our '97 Chevy C1500 2WD trying to identify what needs to be fixed and what needs to be replaced. One of the first items we knew had to go was the stock exhaust. Not only was it littered in rust, the stock pipes were very narrow with numerous flat bends restricting the flow. And it was super loud, telling us that the muffler was internally destroyed from years of abuse.
A lot of us here at OFF-ROAD first started driving in the early '90s, a time when most half-ton trucks weren't available with much more than 230 hp (and got terrible fuel economy). Today, numbers like that seem like some kind of bad joke, and those anemic engines of the '90s have been replaced with high-tech powerplants that can reach (in stock form) more than 400 horses. One of the most important engines introduced during this transitional period is the 5.7L Dodge Hemi, available in half-ton trucks for the first time in 2004. This 345 hp engine pushed the envelope when it came to midsize V-8s, and forced both Chevy and Ford to scramble in order to boost the power in their offerings. The Hemi sounded pretty aggressive from the factory, and in many cases, custom exhaust options ended up being way too loud for many enthusiasts. Flowmaster has been producing a throaty exhaust kit that has proved quite popular...but it's a little loud for our tastes. Recently, however, we noticed Flowmaster has manufactured another kit with a more 'moderate' sound volume. We were curious to see how it would sound, so we mated one up to a pal's Ram and listened up.
Before I start, let me just say that I am not singling out, nor blackballing any company. And in fact this type of truck is the fault of either the truck owner or the shop that modified it. But it absolutely turns me red when I see something like this rolling down the highway. In this particular case, a poor guy who knew nothing about trucks bought this used, pre-built truck from a car dealer. It was probably at the dealership because the last owner quickly realized how crappy it drove and traded it in on something decent. I have no knowledge as to who originally built this truck, nor do I know (or want to know) where this package came from. All I know is that if we do not regulate ourselves within the off-road industry, you can be sure that the government will eventually step in and do it for us. And I can promise you that no company, nor enthusiast, will like the government's way of doing things. I think that a little education and more (industry) internal regulation can stop vehicles like this from ending up on the roads.
Level Ten Transmission A while back we got an offer from Level 10: They thought they could build a transmission for our editor-in-chief that he would not prematurely kill. Let us delve a bit further and tell you that he's never gotten more than 40,000 miles out of any transmission in his entire life. To date, this Level Ten transmission is still shifting strong, and has outlasted the (now) blown-up engine that was put in at the same time, 50,000 miles ago. Nice job, Level 10.
An alternator is one of those pieces of automotive equipment that gets taken for granted. It doesn't roar when you step on the gas, you can't see it with the hood shut, it doesn't make any noise, but it spins tirelessly doing its job of keeping your electrical system at full power without any maintenance or care.
If you're a Toyota owner who's into hardcore trails, you know one thing's certain: solid front axles rule the rocks. No question that IFS systems are popping up here and there in the world of competition rockcrawling, but those IFS systems are usually one-off and involve plenty of cubic dollars. Budget guys and those who want something tried-and-proven have long lusted after solid front axles.
If you have a fondness for Toyota Trucks, you will probably want to keep the next few pages stapled to your garage wall. We did our homework and put together a list of Toyota fiberglass products so long that if we shared a picture of each product it would take up the entire magazine. Whether you are converting your '84 pickup to look like an '06 Tundra or seek a race-inspired, one-piece front clip with louvers, we found what you need.
Not all of us can afford to throw $5,000 into the suspension of our old pickup. Heck, many of us paid half that for the entire vehicle! That doesn't mean we want to sit on the sidelines while our wealthy friends get to have all the fun tearing through the great outdoors. If you haven't heard of Blazeland, let us introduce you to the $1,000 long-travel Toyota suspension.
If you have been following along with our '93 Toyota project, you know about all the great aftermarket products we have installed. First, we started out with a mild mid-travel lift with torsion bars and Bilstein shocks, mounted up some Pro Comp wheels with some 32x11.5 BFGs, and threw in a bolt-in All Pro interior rollcage (that we welded together). Then we went on to install some Auto Meter gauges, fiberglass fenders from Glassworks, and clearance the firewall so we could turn the 32s without rubbing. After we grew out of that we tore off the front suspension and installed the Total Chaos long-travel ball-joint kit and stuffed in a set of Fox coilovers to take place of the torsion bars. With all this work the truck sounds like it's ready to go, right? Well...not quite. It lacked a little in the power department. The stock 22RE engine definitely never had any sudden acceleration problems. In fact, I had to put the gas pedal to the floor to maintain freeway speed on the smallest incline. Third gear wound out at 50 mph if the wind was to my back. Toyota built the 22RE for longevity, not speed, and longevity is what we got. As you know, the Wasabi Project has more than 236,000 miles on the original drivetrain and it still runs perfectly.
If you own a late-model Toyota truck or SUV and have fitted it with aftermarket wheels, you've probably noticed the wheel studs are downright stubby. Not only that, but the stock studs are not all that strong.
With all the '88-to'98 Chevy/GMC trucks out there, we're surprised there's not more aftermarket support for their suspensions. But when these trucks were current, consumer suspension technology had not progressed to the levels it is at today. Besides bolting on an IFS bracket kit, there's not much else you can do but go custom. So why don't companies and shops go back and develop long-travel IFS suspensions for this era truck? It is simple math: Who is going to spend $7,000 on a truck that's only worth $2,000? Most enthusiasts would go buy a reasonably-priced '99-to-'06 Chevy and purchase an already-produced long-travel kit for a few thousand dollars instead. For that reason, "custom" usually means a solid axle swap on the '88-to-'98 era of 4x4s.
Ever since the electric light bulb was conceived in the early 1800s, inventors have sought to improve on its design to provide greater light output, better power efficiency, and increased longevity. Humankind has been fascinated with its ability to expand our means to explore remote places and illuminate our environment in darkness. When the sun drops below the horizon, we continue to work and play, and quality lighting affords us that ability.
Race jacks are one of those tools that have that brilliant cartoon-like sparkle glowing around them every time you look at one. They are at the top of the vehicle-jacking world, and they're sought after by every off-roader we know. But they've always been too expensive. Most guys will find other means of jacking before they plunk down a grand for one of these fancy jacks.
Over the last few years, we've experienced and seen some pretty good parts carnage. We thought you'd like to see a little bit of it, too.
Firestone Towing Air Bags A couple years ago we bolted on a Firestone air bag kit onto the back of our friend's Dodge 3500 dually truck. He complained of the headlights going airborne when he hooked up really big trailers. The universal air bag kit went onto his truck fairly easily and came with everything from the switch on the dash to the air lines and regulators to run air to the air bags. The kit not only helped with the sagging rear end, but also helped greatly improve sway control while out on the highway with a heavy load behind the truck. The Firestone kit is still working great to this day, and the air bags show no sign of cracking or tearing.
We're not sure you can ever have brakes that are too good. Therefore, we're fans of anything you can do to improve your stopping distance, whether it's with new brake lines, new pads and rotors, or by adding better calipers. Of course, the caliper is the high-ticket item, but it's also the one that will make the most difference.
Until recently, the only way to get HID lighting power was to mount external lights on a bumper or light bar. That was fine if you had a good mounting spot...but if you didn't, you were out of luck. Thankfully, companies like BF Xenon figured out how to cram HIDs into the spots where halogen headlight bulbs normally reside-and this can be done to pretty much any vehicle these days. We got our hands on a kit and installed the lights over at OC Motorsports in Costa Mesa, California.
If you've got a Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, or Toyota then you've got the ability to feel a little cooler at the gas pump these days. Solid By Design has fuel doors to bolt onto most popular SUVs and trucks, and the quality feel of the aircraft-quality aluminum and cam-and-hinge mechanism makes you know that these doors aren't some stamped out sheets of cheesiness. We got a black powdercoat finish to put on our red Dodge truck, but there are line grain and polished finishes available as well.
The only way to keep your rig in perfect condition is to never use it. Since that's a lame option, your best bet is to protect the vulnerable spots one way or another. Scratches are a part of off-roading. Dents don't have to be.
Since the Jeep Wrangler JK was introduced we've been seeing a lot of stock to mildly-built Wrangler TJs for sale at affordable prices. Many have never seen dirt while others saw plenty and were ridden hard and put away wet every time. You may be able to strike a deal on one of these abused TJs but don't be surprised when you hear the differential and gears start to whine. Not to worry, however, as stock TJ axles can easily be freshened up for continued service with the simple addition of some quality aftermarket parts. And with the popularity of the TJ there is no shortage of available axle kits and differential options. Exploring these options led us to three companies with a lot of experience in dealing with axles and differentials.
Time goes quickly. It's been about a year since this 4Runner was transformed from a mild-mannered stocker into the machine it is today. No rig is ever left completely alone, so we've been refining the 'Runner ever since.
If you've been reading 4 WHEEL DRIVE & SPORT UTILITY MAGAZINE for a while, you know we really like our Polaris Ranger RZR S. It not only goes very fast (!), it's a superb trail machine, too. As we've said in every installment, the 12 inches of wheel travel supplied by the long A-arms and Fox Podium reservoir shocks make the RZR S the perfect trail side-by-side. Its spool rear and locker up front have all four turning, no matter if some are in the air. The 800 (760cc) transversely-mounted EFI four-stroke twin makes the RZR S feel balanced and stable. The mill runs, no matter what the altitude or attitude.
The success of Toyota's FJ Cruiser relies heavily on the legacy of the tried and true FJ40 Land Cruiser. Although it has a white top and an oval grille-and-headlight bezel, many Toyota diehards were discouraged by the independent front suspension and lack of removable top on the FJ Cruiser. These hardcore enthusiasts wanted a 'Cruiser that offers modern creature comforts without softening the corners of the original Land Cruiser design.
Stardate: 2432373.5 Earthdate: July 7, 1947 Note: The actual date of the UFO crash is often debated. We chose this date because a story appeared the next day (July 8, 1947) in the Roswell Daily Record declaring the capture of a flying saucer.
In his job as field support and training for Teraflex, Dennis Wood has access to some of the best parts available to build Jeeps. As he needed to own a Jeep as a field support and test vehicle, Dennis purchased a green 2007 Jeep JK Unlimited Rubicon and turned it into the "General."
I was just a kid the first time I heard of the Rubicon. My dad and I were riding dirt bikes near Auburn, California, and we met a guy who lamented of the most difficult ride in the state, the Rubicon. The year was 1979, armed gunmen had stormed the US embassy in Iran, and things were awry in the world, but not here in Northern California. Mark Smith and his crew had just organized, completed, and returned from their record-breaking Expedition De Las Americas (A trek from Tierra Del Fuego at the southern-most point of South America to Prudhoe Bay Alaska) and a group of four-wheelers from Georgetown were celebrating their 27th Jeepers Jamboree.
When the Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited was introduced as a 2007 model many enthusiasts welcomed its four doors as a great way to carry extra passengers and gear. Kenny Hauk, owner of River Raider Off-Road in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, however, became enthralled with the JK for quite a different reason: its wheelbase and body lent great possibilities for customization.
Last month, we explored the versatility and ease of use that comes with the Milwaukee deep cut portable bandsaw. Swag Offroad offers a conversion kit to take that versatility to the next level.
A wrench spins bolts and a screwdriver turns screws, but a folder knife can do more than look sharp.
Camping is a lot of fun but it's even more fun when you have good gear. Take a gander at the following camping and adventure products that can make your camping trips more enjoyable.
Most home fabricators rely on an abrasive chop saw and a hand-held reciprocating saw for their cutting needs. Band saws aren't as common because most floor-mounted band saws are bulky and expensive. Milwaukee's hand held, variable-speed 6230N Deep Cut portable band saw is changing that notion. The saw is compact, affordable, and cuts quietly and cleanly.
We're no sissies when it comes to camping. We'll throw a tarp on the ground and roll up in it for a night's sleep without issue. But we also don't mind a few creature comforts once in a while, especially for multi-day adventures during the colder months. RVs are nice, but they are a bit large for getting out to the types of camping spots we like to enjoy. Seeking something easy to tow behind a trail rig that can travel beyond a graded access road, we looked to Coleman and its extensive line of pop-up camping trailers.
Most of us came to four-wheeling from camping, while others discovered camping through off-roading. My first off-roading camping trip - other than high school in a '40 Buick Roadmaster four-door - was in 1964. Six of us took an MB and my '46 CJ-2A to 8,000-foot Monache Meadows in the Sierra Nevada, and we didn't even take tents (we built a six-person lean-to alongside Fish Creek). My wife and I (and our extended family) have been camping with four-wheelers ever since; only the four wheelers and the RVs have changed (and no more lean-tos).
When it comes to handheld GPS units, Delorme already had a winner in the Earthmate PN-20. With near instantaneous satellite acquisition using a 12-channel STMicroelectronics GPS chipset and 75 MB of onboard memory, it held its own among the competition.
We've touted the benefits of rebuildable shocks many, many times. High-end rebuildable shocks cost more up front, but they offer benefits, such as individual part replacement, tune-ability, and superior suspension control. These are tangible benefits that single-use, non-rebuildable shocks just can't touch.
The red rocks were pretty much like Moab with plenty of verticals yet good traction. Our '97 TJ was getting a good grip on the sandstone as we eased up a sweet technical obstacle on the Faultline Trail when it dawned on Stacie and me - this place ROCKS and might even rival Moab in some ways!
It was a warm December afternoon, 1969, a day like any other in the temperate desert southwest. The setting sun cast ocher hues across Goler Wash and waning cottonwood leaves rustled in the breeze. Crescent silhouettes of a half-dozen turkey vultures circled above while a kit fox stealthily skirted the canyon wall, and long-tailed pocket mice took cover under scattered clumps of Napkin Ringed Buckwheat. The seasons were transitioning in normal fashion, but a macabre darkness loomed in the canyon. A few miles away, national park rangers and CHP officers, who were investigating a vandalized piece of heavy equipment, were preparing to raid a small encampment in a tributary of Goler, a semi-abandoned site known as Barker Ranch. One hundred miles to the south, Los Angeles police were focusing on a bizarre string of gruesome murders of prominent Hollywood celebrities. Little did each know, but the man CHP officers would find hiding under the kitchen cabinet at Barker Ranch, would become a poster child for out-of-control psychopathic killers. And, the ensuing arrest would be the impetus for best-selling books, hit movies, and documentaries, and shake the public's psyche for decades. Mom, meet Charles Manson.
A few years ago, we wrote about this Toyota in Off-Road Magazine. As readers there had little interest in trail trucks, it's time to bring it to those who'll appreciate it.
Gold strikes in California during 1848 and 1849 had created the California Gold Rush. The West Coast was booming. Lack of communication between the East and the West was a problem that had to be fixed. With the ocean on one side and the deserts on the other, California was viewed as an island to itself.
When JK Wranglers were first introduced, we immediately went to work modifying the new Wranglers using our TJ experience. All this work made JKs handle like TJs, not bad, but not stellar, either. The JK platform affords much better suspension geometry out of the box than any Jeep ever made, so we were going backwards in most cases.
BajaRack For JK & TJ Wranglers The BajaRack bolts on to your JK or TJ Wrangler and gives you an easily accessible place to stash your stuff. Key Features: ⢠Over-the-top attachment works with hard top, soft top, or no top. ⢠Curvy construction looks good and makes it harder for branches to snag.
The stock transfer case in your 4x4 will only get you so far. For many this will be acceptable, yet most others will be left wanting. As big tires and increased horsepower come in to play low transfer case gears and heavier-duty output shafts become a necessity. Purpose-built units and dual transfer case setups further improve 4x4 capabilities beyond the imaginable.
Why cover King of the Hammers? Many of us like running trails at an accelerated pace, seeing how much ground we can cover in an afternoon. King of the Hammers takes that line of thinking and ramps it into the stratosphere.
As you read this story, put your mind back eight years to when the media went into a frenzy over the announcement of the Rubicon package for the TJ Wrangler. "Best Jeep Ever!", "Finally!", and "Most Capable Jeep" were but some of the headlines, and they were all correct in 2003. At the time, it was the most off-road-capable Jeep ever.
Full Throttle Jason Deck hails from Xenia, Ohio, but this picture of his '06 was snapped at the Haspin Acres Off-Road Park in Indiana. The 4.0L still sends power out to the stock Dana 30 front and Dana 35 rear axles spinning 33x12.50R15 Cooper Discoverer tires. A Skyjacker 4-inch lift provides clearance but a slip yoke eliminator was needed to eliminate driveline vibrations. Xenon flat-panel flares limit the amount of mud slung onto the Jeep and a Smittybuilt front bumper houses a 9000-lb Warn winch.
Hard Facts Owner: Steve Till Hometown: Tuscon, AZ Wheeling Experience: 8 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Anywhere that won't wreck the truck Vehicle: '67 M-715 Engine: '80 350 Chevy V-8 Transmission: SM465 Transfer Case: NP205 Front Suspension: Stock M-715 leaf springs with Rancho shocks Rear Suspension: Stock M-715 leaf springs with Rancho shocks Axles: Stock Dana 60 (front), stock Dana 70 (rear) Ring and Pinion: 4.56 Differentials: Trac-Lock (front), Detroit Locker (rear) Wheels: Boyce Equipment 16x8 Tires: 37x12.50R16 Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips
Hard Facts Owner: Marc Lacasse Hometown: Mont-Laurier, Quebec, Canada Wheeling Experience: 15 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Moab, UT Vehicle: '00 Grand Cherokee Engine: 4.0L inline-si x Transmission: '74 TH400 Transfer Case: Flipped Dana 300 Front Suspension: Home-built double-triangulated four-link and 14-inch Fox coilovers Rear Suspension: Double-triangulated four-link with 14-inch Fox coilovers Axles: '05 Ford Dana 60 (front), '05 Ford Sterling 10.5 (rear) Ring and Pinion: 5.38 Differentials: Detroit Locker (front and rear)
For a few years, Jp magazine ran a Q&A column in each issue called Ask Bree Three. For the benefit of our new readers, the column featured a scantily-clad model that just happened to be into several types of motorsports, along with three question-and-answer submissions from Jp readers.
Since it's doubtful I'll ever get my card from the Philosopher's Union, I've decided to carve a niche for myself and leave the unanswerable questions to the pros. Why bother debating the meaning of life when I can have more fun with questions like "How far is up?" or "Who named the colors?" Here's another one guaranteed to give a good cerebral workout: Why do sandwiches always taste better in the great outdoors?
Truck Trans Vent Many of our favorite manual transmissions offer no vent, or have a vent that lets water in during those deep water crossings. This transmission boot/vent from Love Lake Enterprises solves those issues. It seals around the top of the transmission and the stick shift with hose clamps and features a 1/4-inch barb for venting which can be tied into your vent system or led up the firewall. It is designed for the Borg-Warner T-18 and T-19 transmissions but we are sure it would work for others as well. Information: Love Lake Enterprises, 541/743-6986, lovelakeent.com
In last month's issue, we hemmed and hawed about what axle we should put in the back of our '01 Wrangler. It isn't an extreme rig-we use it for daily driving and weekend warrior type of stuff. We want to be able to go out wheeling on the weekend and have the peace of mind that it will get us to work come Monday.
Trends come and go. Re-member neon pink shock boots? How about graphics that dazzled the eyeballs out of your head? Or how about 12-inch CJ lifts to run 35-inch tires? We do, and it still gives us nightmares. Thankfully, most of the more outrageous trends have gone away for good. But some old habits die hard and some good trends are slow to take hold. Here are a few things we noticed at the '10 Moab Easter Jeep Safari that just might hint at where the wheeling scene is headed.
Boring Question I just ran across a guy who said he had a 5.0L V-6. He claims he bored a Chevy 4.3L out to 5.0L. That sounds like a huge jump in displacement to me just from boring. How do you calculate how much that had to be bored out?
I like the two-speed electric fan out of the Ford Taurus. Where else can you get a fan that is good for around 3,000cfm of air flow for 30 bucks or less? What I don't like about it is all the haters. I am so sick and tired of hearing people talk about needing a 250-amp relay for a Ford Taurus fan to work correctly. If more people would just listen to some of the good advice I write here each month, there wouldn't be any issues. The Taurus fan gets a bad wrap, and I want to fix it.
Most readers are all hot and bothered over the fact that we finally broke our '99 XJ out of mothballs and are giving it a much-needed refurbishment. Last month we showed you the installation of the new Poly Performance three-link front suspension and promised to wrap it all up in this issue with some new front coils and upgraded rear spring perches. Well, we got a little sidetracked and instead decided to bring you the buildup of our new front axle. We'll put the wraps on the suspension next issue-we promise!
Hard Facts Owner: Shawn Nielsen Hometown: Pocatello, ID Wheeling Experience: 11 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Moab, Utah and Southern Idaho Vehicle: '73 Wagoneer Engine: '70s Chevy 350 V-8 Transmission: TH350 Transfer Case: NP203/NP205 doubler Front Suspension: BDS 3/4-ton Chevy lift springs Rear Suspension: BDS 3/4-ton Chevy lift springs Axles: '83 Chevy Dana 60 (front), '83 Chevy 14-bolt (rear) Ring and Pinion: 4.10 Differentials: Welded spider gears (front and rear) Wheels: 15x10 steelies with do-it-yourself beadlocks Tires: 15/39.5-15LT Super Swamper TSLs Typical Fuel Economy: 7 mpg
In the March '10 issue, I dyno'd a warmed-over Chevy 350 I built for my '68 M-715 and topped it off with a Professional Products Powerjection III fuel-injection system. Despite a rumpity cam with a narrow (for fuel-injection) 110-degree lobe separation angle and a huge Professional Products Hurricane single-plenum intake manifold, the engine idled nicely down to 750rpm and delivered 388hp @ 6,200rpm and a flat torque curve that peaked at 399lb-ft @4,200rpm. It's all good stuff in a controlled dyno environment, but how would it work in the real world, where operating temperatures, atmospheric conditions, and pump gas quality come into play? Those are the questions a surprising number of you emailed after the first installment of this story.
Hard Facts Owner: Larry Jenkins Hometown: El Dorado Hills, CA Wheeling Experience: 15 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Rubicon Vehicle: '08 Jeep JK Unlimited Engine: 3.8L V-6 Transmission: Stock automatic Transfer Case: Atlas four-speed Front Suspension: Off Road Evolution EVO four-link with steel-skidplated aluminum lower links, 14-inch-travel King coilovers, King 2.0 air bumps Rear Suspension: Off Road Evolution EVO four-link with steel-skidplated aluminum lowers and Evo Lever
Jeep News & Rumors â¢It's official: The new Pentastar V-6 is in production and will replace seven existing V-6s. The '11 Grand Cherokee gets it first.
Towing your Jeep often entails a steep learning curve. It's not until you've lived through near-death experiences or multi-thousand-dollar repairs that you realize you need more tow rig to move whatever it is that you are towing. I've towed my Jeeps with just about every kind of owned, borrowed, begged, or stolen vehicle under the sun. Like many people, I've always tried to get by with less than I needed because I didn't need a tow rig all that often. I certainly couldn't justify an expensive 3/4- or 1-ton diesel truck to tow only a few times a year.
The Hemi. It's one of the few engines even a lay person (aka your mother) has heard of. With a rich racing heritage, it was no surprise that the performance monster would leave an indelible mark in the ponycar era, then make a comeback heard round the world. But just as William Shatner was reduced to Star Trek, the Hemi got stuck doing its time in the automotive equivalent: the Commander. This month's crossword puzzle deals with current Hemi trivia and the Jeep side of things, as well as back-in-the-day questions. Not up on Hemi history? Good! Learn something here, will ya already? And just to keep you on your toes, one word repeats twice. (You can cheat by flipping to page 96.)
When we got wind of the DashDAQ, we knew we'd have to try it. Drew Technologies, the manufacturer, not only claimed that it would replace a scan tool, but that it would also replace an aftermarket GPS and allow us to monitor vital engine statistics- all in one unit. That's great, but immediately we had two questions:
Hard Facts Owner: David Schorege Hometown: Parker, CO Wheeling Experience: 8 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Moab, UT and Independence, CO Vehicle: '83 CJ-7 Engine: 360 AMC V-8 Transmission: T18 four-speed Transfer Case: Dana 20 Front Suspension: Homemade four-link with triangulated uppers, coil springs Rear Suspension: Double-triangulated four-link with coil springs Axles: Dana 60 (front), GM 14-bolt (rear)
Hard Facts Owner: Julie Gauthier Hometown: Mont-Laurier, Quebec, Canada Wheeling Experience: 7 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Moab, UT Vehicle: '03 Wrangler Rubicon Engine: Stock 4.0L Transmission: NV3550 Transfer Case: NV241OR Front Suspension: Three-link with track bar and 14-inch Fox coilovers Rear Suspension: Triangulated four-link with 14-inch Fox air shocks and Currie Antirock sway bar Axles: '93 Ford Dana 60 (front), '93 Ford Sterling 10.5 (rear) Ring and Pinion: 5.38 Differentials: Detroit Locker (front and rear) Wheels: 16x8 Allied Rock-a-thon Tires: 39.5x13.50-16LT Super Swamper IROK
We've frequently labeled Moab, Utah, as the off-roader's Mecca. And it's anaccurate description as far as we're concerned. But what if you don't own a Jeep? Or you live thousands of miles away from Utah and just don't have the time in your schedule or funds to trailer your junk to and from Moab? Outta luck, right? Never gonna hit those red rock trails? Doomed to walk the Earth without ever experiencing the seal-like bark of your tires clawing the slickrock? Not so. There are several companies in Moab that not only rent Jeeps, but rent them equipped to handle some of the more scenic trails like Golden Spike, Hell's Revenge, and more. So read on for some fly- or drive-in Jeep rental options and consider Moab for your next Jeep vacation destination-even if you're from the other side of the world.
Hard Facts Owner: Nate Olsen Hometown: Provo, UT Wheeling Experience: 10 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Moab, UT Vehicle: '05 Wrangler Unlimited Engine: 5.7L Hemi Transmission: 5-45RFE five-speed automatic Transfer Case: NP231 Front Suspension: Modified Teraflex three-link with 16-inch-travel Race Runner coilovers Rear Suspension: Modified Teraflex triangulated four-link with coil springs Axles: Tera CRD Dana 60 (front and rear) Ring and Pinion: 4.88 Differentials: ARB Air Locker (front), Teraflex T-Locker (rear)
We're the kind of guys who have to drop goldfish in the Oscar tank at the pet store. Sure, that big hungry-looking fish in the tank can clearly swallow the much smaller feeder goldfish, but we want to see it happen. If you're at all like us you really like to see things for yourself, too. The larger 4x4 industry events are typically closed to the public, but not the vender's row at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari. You can walk up, fondle the merchandise, ask questions about the new products, and feed the vendors goldfish-only they might not eat them.
Hard Facts Owner: Mike DeMarco Hometown: Orem, UT Wheeling Experience: 10 years Favorite Wheeling Spot: Moab, 5-Mile Pass, Price, Delta Vehicle: '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine: 5.9L V-8 Transmission: 44RE four-speed auto Transfer Case: ORD Dana 203/205 Doubler Front Suspension: Homemade four-link with wishbone upper and Summit Jimmy Joints, Foz bumpstops, BDS coils Rear Suspension: Homemade four-link with wishbone upper, QA1 rod ends, BDS springs Axles: High-pinion Dana 60 (front), GM 14-bolt (rear) Ring and Pinion: 5.13 Differentials: ARB Air Locker (front), Detroit (rear)
Driving with an open differential off road is like piloting a Ferrari around an icy race track. Sure, you can get where you're going with a bit of driving skill, but you're missing out on the true performance potential of the vehicle. An open differential is a differential carrier that is fitted with a set of free-flowing spider gears. When throttle is applied the open differential sends power to the wheel with the least amount of resistance, which usually equates to the tire with the least amount of traction.
Burb is the Answer Q I'm 12 and trying to convince my parents to get me a four-wheel-drive truck. I know it would be a good way for me and my dad to spend time together and learn different things about the 4x4 world. We already have a '71 Chevelle and an '87 T/A, and we could use it as a tow rig. What would be a good two- or four-wheel-drive, pre-'89 truck that is good for wheeling, won't break the bank, and would be a good project? Damien G. via 4wheeloffroad.com
With the economy in the Dumpster, many of us are turning to our older 4x4s for daily driving and adventure rather than purchasing a new vehicle. Keeping these old beaters running efficiently and dependably with aftermarket performance parts is easy, and with regular maintenance the vehicle can be depended upon in the toughest situations.
Transmission swaps, modified 4x4s, and custom buggies almost always require shifter modifications or completely new assemblies. Our CJ-8 project was one such vehicle that required a new shifter since we stuffed a Dodge 46RE automatic transmission under the Jeep. Lokar Performance Products has been manufacturing quality shifter assemblies for over 20 years. In the Lokar catalog we found a 16-inch Nostalgia automatic shifter that would work perfectly on our Scrambler project. Compiled here are some highlights and tips from our shifter install. Lokar offers a full line of manual and automatic shifters for just about any transmission and custom application.
A reliable source of onboard compressed air out on the trail is not only great for airing up tires and actuating lockers, but a good system can also make short work of trail repairs because it can power air tools. We installed a Viar X'Treme Duty Onboard Air System on one of our trail rigs and have to say we were impressed with its ease of installation and performance.
The Moab Easter Jeep Safari, hosted by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers (www.rr4w.com), is one of the biggest gatherings of 4x4 enthusiasts in the nation, but it's not the only one held in Moab. There are roundups for Land Rover owners, Blazer Bashes, Land Cruisers cruisin' Moab, and a plethora of other events where big groups of four-wheelers come and ride all over the red rock trails. No matter what you're driving, there's a great reason to come to Moab: the scenery. With trails for every level of off-roader, this idyllic little town is a destination you should all put on your bucket list.
Have you ever heard the old saying that it's not the fall that hurts, but that sudden stop will ruin your day? Well, we have, and anyone who has ever hit an obstacle a tad too fast or made their rig defy gravity if only for a brief moment knows why that statement rings true. While a nice suspension system will soak up most off-road turbulence, once the uptravel reaches its end, it's important to have something in place to absorb that last leg of impact. This is where the small but powerful bumpstop comes into play.
Cheap, big, and functional is what many of us look for when purchasing our first 4x4. So when our buddy told us about a '77 Plymouth Trail Duster that he could pick up for only 500 bucks, we told him to go buy it and we'll show him how to build it on the cheap. Like many of us, he didn't need some super wizbang buggy, but rather, he simply wanted something he could place a big tire on, fit the entire family in, and that wouldn't break the bank with a never-ending modification list.
There are a million ways to lift or level a rig today; doing it right and economically is always a bonus. Rancho Suspension's Quicklift is a great way to give your 4x4 a boost with more adjustable ride performance than just a spacer. We had an 01' Toyota Tacoma 4x4 that needed new struts and a slight lift to level the truck while making it more capable off-road. The Quicklift systems will lift a vehicle 11/2 to 21/2 inches with complete taller strut assemblies. The strut systems can easily be installed in a couple of hours with basic tools. After an easy install we found that the new system was highway-friendly and handled bumpy off-road washboard trails with ease.
As we build our '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ project, we have been trying to find the right mix of on- and off-road performance. From the start our goal has been to build the Jeep into an overland and capable 4x4 that's comfortable on the highway without the typical clunky, rattling, and excessive body-roll feel of a purpose-built trail rig.
The debate over long-arm versus short-arm suspension is a seemingly never-ending bench race that centers on the pros and cons of suspension control arm lengths. While modern link suspension systems have expanded the off-road potential for many 4x4 vehicles, the control arm itself has been around for quite some time. From the first radius-armed Bronco in the mid '60s to the current five-link under the new Jeep Wrangler JK, control arms continue to breed innovation and performance into the industry.
By now you've likely scanned through our massive nationwide wheeling guide and have picked a new 4x destination that's in your neck of the woods. While we encourage you to go hit the trail, before you do make certain that your rig is equipped with those few essential items no wheeler should be without. Though big tires, lockers, and a winch are all great off-road equipment, sometimes it's the little stuff that can make a big difference on the trail. We're talking about the trail gear that you should never leave home without. It's the stuff that will keep a bad day from getting worse. Even though snow, rain, sand, mud, and rocks all have unique terra properties, our list of trail necessities is completely universal. Compiled here are some of the core essentials, but remember to use your head when heading into the great outdoors. Just because sun block, shades, and bug spray don't appear on our list doesn't mean they aren't smart items to have onboard.
Giving a rig a decent paint job is a lot of work, but Summit Racing Equipment makes the work a little easier with its one-stop paint shop. Everything you could ever need to paint a vehicle can be ordered online or through the Summit catalog. We had been looking to take care of the finish on our 4x4, so we gave Summit a call.
Ball joints are pretty boring. They don't make your truck look cool. They don't do anything special other than support weight and rotate. And unlike big knobby tires, locking differentials, and flexy suspensions, they don't seem to really do much off road. But when they fail (or start to fail) all hell can break loose and your truck will become a tire-wobbling death machine.
The constant velocity (CV) joint has gotten a bad rap over the years. Most often it's the same tired story about a torn CV boot or shaft failing under the mildest off-road conditions. So why, then, are aftermarket CV joints appearing under more rigs than ever before? What's the big advantage of them over a good old-fashioned U-joint?
"Work hard and play hard" is an expression we've heard for decades and something most truck owners live by. While many wheeling enthusiast often push their 1/2-tons to the limit, a few actually manage to break beyond the light-duty drivetrain's capabilities. This is often the result of larger tires, power upgrades, or a general no-nonsense approach to driving and heavy-duty work expectations. So what's a 1/2-ton wheeler to do?
Until recently the only locking differential option for the Ford 93/4-inch axle was to buy an '09-or-later Ford F-150 pickup with the factory electronic locking diff. With nearly six million 93/4 axles on the street (commonly found in the F-150 and Expedition), it's a wonder that nobody has offered a selectable locking differential until now. ARB, the world leader in air locking differentials, saw the potential of the 93/4 axle and introduced the RD150 Air Locker for the Ford 93/4 34-spline axle.
Two axle products have come to market recently that open up options for custom axle builders and four-wheelers alike. Innovations like these increase ground clearance, reduce weight, and improve gearing to run larger tires, all priorities when building your next off-road machine.
Jeep obesity is a common problem. Whether it's a front bumper and winch combo, long arm suspension, or heavy-duty body armor, it all adds weight. While we enjoy aftermarket goodies as much as the next guy, have you ever thought about how much weight those parts are adding to your ride?
Signal the Speedo QI have a '95 Wrangler YJ with the 2.5L, AX5, and NP231. I recently blew Fifth gear in my AX5 and was lucky enough to score an AX15 and a Dana 300 transfer case at a swap meet. I am going to be putting in the AX15 and Dana 300 with a little help from Advance Adapters and Novak when time and money allow. Is it possible to convert the mechanical speed sensor in the Dana 300 to electronic like I have in my NP231? Ryan O. via 4wheeloffroad.com
We always seem to find ourselves a little delirious when a new off-road tire is released. We can barely stand the wait to get our mitts on them for some hardcore testing. General Tire introduced the Grabber Competition tire about two years ago, and it has proven its toughness and dependability through numerous of off-road events like CORR races, the Baja 1000 and 500, the San Felipe 250, and Vegas to Reno races. General now offers a DOT-approved version of the Grabber for regular folks like us.
Nothing's quite as cool as the throaty growl of a high-performance exhaust system on hot rods, muscle cars, and race vehicles. And the good news is that squeezing engine performance out of your daily driver, 4x4, or trail rig doesn't mean you have to deal with a tooth-rattling, eardrum-bustin' exhaust drone inside the cab of your rig. Dynomax's new VT Muffler offers all the performance of a high-flow muffler without the nerve-racking exhaust drone some mufflers emit. The VT is designed to redirect the exhaust flow inside the muffler at cruising speeds to reduce drone, but when the hammer is dropped on the throttle it opens up and delivers on-demand performance.
We all know what the '97-'06 Jeep Wrangler TJ did to the evolution and history of Jeep. The change from leaf springs to a coil-sprung suspension gave the Jeep advanced functionality and drivers of the TJ a whole new level of comfort and capability. However, as tinkerers of all things mechanical we also know that a good design can always be made better.
Now that we have told you all about our favorite trails and what to expect, getting there and negotiating them might help too. Since the day our first driver's license was handed to us we quickly learned how to get around town, but since then technology and mapping have come a very long way.
The Super 14 is a new suit for the good ol' GM Corporate 14-bolt axle. The GM 14-bolt is a great rear axle because it is strong, has many gear ratios, and has various types of lockers and limited slip differentials available. In addition, used 14-bolts are often dirt-cheap, making them a great low-buck upgrade for big tires on your trail rig.
Where To Write Address all correspondence to: Techline Four Wheeler, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245. You can also reach us by e-mail at fourwheelereditor@sorc.com; be sure to type the words "Tech Line" in the subject line. All submissions become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department also can be reached through the Web site at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.
Let's start at the beginning. Categorically speaking, the purpose of a Jeep is to go places where people with ordinary cars can't, right? Those places often have beautiful scenery, clean air, interesting wildlife, and generally a lack of intrusive civilization. What they don't have is hotels, restaurants, bathrooms, B&Bs, gas stations, or supermarkets. Sounding good? How about bringing some of your family or a couple of friends along?
How many of you four wheelers out there pull trailers? I once owned five, ranging from a military Jeep trailer to a 35-foot fifth wheel. Now I am down to three. They all have something in common-they've all been pulled off-road. A few years ago (well, actually, a long time ago), my family-wife, three kids, and the dog-and I were pulling the fifth-wheel trailer and three ATVs around northern Nevada mining ruins in the snow. We stopped to ask directions from a hunter driving a CJ with chains. He couldn't believe we'd come over that road.
We love that the factory Wrangler Rubicon offers a 4:1 transfer case, but the truth is that in most wheeling situations short of the Rubicon Trail or Moab, we often find that "Lo" is too low and "Hi" is too high. If this has been your experience with your 2003-to-2010 42RLE-equipped automatic TJ or JK, Advance Adapters has just the solution for you.
When the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ was rolled out in 1999, it looked similar to its predecessor, the Grand Cherokee ZJ. In fact, it was almost all new. It was also a very adept off-highway machine. Hidden beneath its sexy exterior and luxurious interior was a pair of good 'ol solid axles and a simple, flexy coil-spring suspension. The WJ was such a well-heeled, capable vehicle that it earned our Four Wheeler of the Year award in 1999 and again in 2002.
If you are like us, you probably have an assortment of electronic gizmos that did not come stock with your 4x4. Whether they add functionality-like a GPS or CB radio-or are simply there to intrigue onlookers while sounding cool-like a neon-lit subwoofer-aftermarket electronics are here to stay. Ultimately all those add-ons require more of one thing: voltage. O.E. engineers do not give you much extra to play with, nor do they anticipate items with high amperage demands such as winches. The results can really zap your fun away. Picture this: The trail gets tough, Johnny Jeeper arrives with a charging system that is basically on life support. A few short winching sessions later, the alternator is working overtime to replenish depleted battery. The vehicle starts to run funny. The winch starts to smoke due to low voltage...you can see where this is headed. This scenario can be easily avoided by simply adding a dual battery system along with a high-output alternator. Kodiak Industries manufactures dual battery management systems for most of the popular 4x4 vehicles on the trail today. Kodiak also offers high-output alternators for virtually any vehicle. Kodiak's dual battery kits come with everything you need to triple the reserve capacity of your factory-charging system. Included are two high performance Odyssey dry cell batteries, an isolation relay, and a dash-mounted switch that gives you the ability to control and manage the system for individual needs. Once installed, the whole setup looks awesome, and requires no custom fabrication or fancy installation tools. With detailed installation instructions, Kodiak's dual battery management system is an upgrade virtually anyone can complete in less than a day. Check it out.
The Jeep Wrangler TJ is a great vehicle. When it debuted in 1997, it boasted a lengthy list of improvements over its predecessor the Wrangler YJ, and it had the effect of a lightning strike on the off-highway community. The TJ was a screaming success and its production run lasted through 2006. During that time, the wildly popular Rubicon model and the longer wheelbase TJ Unlimited (known unofficially as the LJ) were added to the roster. Even today, the TJ is one of the most popular choices for those wanting a solid, mega-capable off-highway vehicle.
Willie's Workbench Oil Pumps Last month, I talked a bit about water pumps, so this month I'm going to talk a bit about what may be considered the heart of an engine: the oil pump. Not only does the oil pump move the life blood of an engine throughout its internal passages in order to provide a protective lubricating film between moving parts, but it also absorbs heat that is then dissipated through the oil pan. The oil is also used to maintain proper valve clearance, and in some engines even valve timing.
(Editor's note: As time permits, we'll focus our attention in each issue of FW on a single transmission, transfer case, or axle that was popular in a variety of past OE truck and Jeep applications, and which still holds appeal to truck builders today. We'll examine their componentry, talk to experts about their strengths, look for any obvious weak links, and recommend strong fixes when applicable. This month, we delve inside the popular Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles and see how they have improved in the aftermarket for wheelers.
Bilstein has just released a new line of direct replacement remote-reservoir shocks, with one of the very first applications being that of the Wrangler JK. We recently dropped Project 'Con Artist off at Bilstein's West Coast headquarters in Poway, California, where a new set of 5160s was installed and the final JK valving was confirmed.
In the hardcore wheeling world, maximum traction at any cost is the order of the day and lighter-duty options are often forgotten. The cost-effective answer for many on the low-adrenaline side of fourwheeling and work-truck environments is still the plain and simple limited-slip differential (LSD), and it's past time we shed light on the topic.
The super-tough Dana 80 rear axle ranks as one of the most desirable axles for off-highway use. It's a full-float unit with 11.25-inch ring gear diameter; 1.625-inch (minimum diameter) 37-spline pinion shaft; 11/2-inch-diameter, 35-spline axleshafts; and a 4-inch axletube diameter. It has an 11,000-pound gross axle weight rating and a continuous manufacturer's output torque rating of 2,500 lb-ft. As a bonus, there are quite a few Dana 80 axles available due to the fact they were used in a variety of mainstream applications over the years, including some '94-'02 Dodge 3/4- and 1-ton trucks and '88-and-later Ford F-350 and F-450 Super Duty dualie trucks.
If ever there were a perfect axle for the massive rigs found at Top Truck Challenge, it would probably be the Rockwell 2.5-ton. Few others can handle the high horsepower and torque loads required by the behemoth tire sizes found at TTC. Where even the toughest Dana 60 can snap like a twig, the massive Rockwell 2.5-ton runs strong. These assemblies are gigantic and not for everyone. But if 46- to 54-inch-tall tires are your goal, and competition is your game, the stout deuce-and-a-half axle may be the next swap you should consider.
After nearly three decades in hiatus, General Tire is back in the battlefield of desert racing and taking names in the process. It all started when Continental Tire North America acquired the General brand and revitalized it with the hopes of capturing additional market share in the competitive light truck tire segment. As such, Continental made significant investments in both manufacturing ability and compound technology. The plan was simple: develop a tire that wins races, and then work backwards to tame it down for public consumption. While the new Grabber may have the DNA of a desert-racing thoroughbred, we assure you that the tire also works well in other venues. Purposeful attributes such as staggered stone deflectors on the sidewalls work together with special high-strength steel belts to increase the Grabber's puncture resistance. The technology is coined by the phrase "Duragen Technology" as seen on the sidewall.
Willie's Workbench The Water Pump The water pump. Not something that you give a lot of thought to-that is, until it fails and leaves you stranded someplace where you don't want to spend the rest of your life. Water pumps are kind of funny-they can fail after fewer than 60,000 miles or go way over 250,000 miles. A lot of its life depends on how it's treated. No, you don't have to go out, raise the vehicle's hood, give it a pat and say "Nice water pump, good job," but you do have to give it a helping hand once in a while.
Some of the most important geometric elements of a four-wheel-drive vehicle are approach and departure angles, as well as ramp breakover angle-the angle that's measured by drawing a straight line from the trailing edge of the front tires or from the leading edge of the rear tires in order to a location on the frame that's midway between the two points. With high ground clearance and relatively large tires, a typical Jeep has a tall breakover angle and short overhangs, and is less prone to hanging up and dragging its bumpers and undercarriage over obstacles on the trail. However, that nimbleness on narrow, rocky trails comes at the price of a higher center of gravity which can affect performance on steep hillclimbs and descents, and which can also result in a tippy and wallowy-feeling ride on pavement. Also, a rig with a relatively tall breakover angle and a higher center of gravity can be more prone to driveline and steering angularity problems, particularly if larger-than-stock tires are installed.
When Tony West, eastern regional sales manager at Bushwacker, set out to build up his brand-new 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a vehicle with unlimited potential, he chose an interesting array of products. Then he called us to see if we were interested in covering the build. When we heard what he had planned for his JK, we were very interested. Not only was he using some cool products, he was also planning to fit the rig with 35-inch tires without installing any sort of a suspension lift. We figured that experiment alone was worth the trip.
"My name is Jim and I'm a gauge-o-holic!" Now you're supposed to answer back cheerfully, "Hi, Jim," and wonder why a fella would want to add nine monitoring instruments to a truck that already has factory instruments to cover the basics. Knowledge, of course! Factory gauges seldom give you a numbered reading, are heavily dampened, and notoriously inaccurate.
One of the most common questions we get from truck owners is how to improve their late-model vehicles to modify looks and be more functional without spending all of their cash, sacrificing reliability, or getting into warranty disputes at the dealer. Our advice usually goes something like this: Get a leveling kit to fit bigger tires, get some good shocks and a steering stabilizer to control them, and make sure your speedo is calibrated after all is said and done.
In the last 20 years, pickup trucks have come a long way in terms of comfort, reliability, and safety. Innovations such as antilock brakes, vehicle stability control, and in more recent years, integrated trailer brake controllers and even factory exhaust brakes on diesel models have resulted in a much safer on-highway experience for end-users-especially for those of us who tow often. But one very important part of the towing equation has remained virtually unchanged for more than 20 years. We are talking about the electrical connection between the trailer and the tow rig.
When it comes to building late-model Wrangler vehicles for everyday street driving and regular trail use, nothing beats the proven combination of larger meats with minimal lift. Few will argue that high ground clearance and a low center of gravity are considered to be the Holy Grail in the rough. However, to achieve this arrangement, something has to give. Simply bolting on a 2- to 3-inch suspension lift may allow room for a 33-inch tire, but what if you wanted to go bigger?
If you own a Jeep Wrangler JK and are looking to fit a slightly larger tire for improved trail performance and a more balanced appearance, consider the Budget Boost form TeraFlex. This kit is very affordable and easy to install. The kit comes with six easy-to-install polyurethane coil spacers that increase vehicle height by up to two inches up front and one inch out back, providing a level stance without sacrificing ride quality.
We are not sure what it is about U-joints that seems to confound wheelers, but since we're showing you easy installs that will make a difference, we thought we would show you how to replace a U-joint. We asked Mel Wade, owner of Off Road Evolution, to share with our readers how to replace a U-joint on the fly. So we gathered up a TJ axle and a new Spicer joint and took some photos.