Jeep TJ and JK Wranglers aren't the only rigs out in the backcountry, but they do represent a big, fat chunk of the rigs you'll find there. We decided to assemble a collection of suspension systems available for these popular rigs.

Brad Clark bought a small portion of the 1970 Toyota Land Cruiser you see here back in 2006. At the time of purchase, the old FJ40 looked nothing like the beauty that graces these pages today. As purchased it was a decent, but well used, Cruiser with a 350 crate motor and sitting on 37-inch Swampers. The Chandler, Arizona, owner drove the rig as it was for a while and did some 'wheeling in it but he decided the one feature it really needed was power steering with a tilt column, lest Brad would soon have Popeye arms from turning the beefy tires.

Politicians like to talk about global warming. No doubt there has been a lot of it going on in Colorado. About 10,000 years ago, give or take a few centuries, the Rocky Mountains near Georgetown were covered with glaciers. All that global warming caused by the campfires from whoever lived here back then must have caused those glaciers to start melting. As they melted, they created raging rivers that carved out massive valleys and left majestic peaks like the one now referred to as Saxon Mountain.

These days, not many people set out to build an incredible YJ. Most Jeepers are better off starting with a used TJ. That is, if they want to spend more time 'wheelin' and less time wrenchin'/cussin.'

There are some folks who would never be caught dead with doors on their Jeeps. Others prefer the warmth of their heaters or chill of A/C and keep the windows on their hard doors rolled up 24/7. We find ourselves somewhere in the middle on this since we adapt our door status seasonally. The hard doors last a few months through winter but once those hot summer trail days approach we quickly go doorless to get some air flow through the cab.

We're past the halfway mark for our long-term Dodge Power Wagon's stay with us. During this time, we've used it for everything from being a daily driver to towing numerous projects around. We've also taken it on the trail.

Our long-term loan Yamaha Rhino is proving to be more fun than even we thought it would be. Exploring is easy, fast, and we can fit where our larger 4x4s can't. The Rhino isn't as fast as its competitors are, but its low-speed performance is superior. Crawling in Low range with the front differential locked (the rear is a spool) allows the Rhino to go just about anywhere it fits.

Part of the overwhelming appeal of the four-door Jeep JK is credited to a long wheelbase and a new, spacious interior. When compared to the earlier TJ or even the TJ Unlimited, the new JK lets you take more of your gear out for the ride. Unfortunately, more stuff inside means more weight. Add new bumpers, tire carrier, 35-inch spare tire and a couple of passengers and your JK suspension will be in for a treat at the first dip in the trail. A 5- or 6-inch lift will certainly increase compression travel, however a tall suspension wasn't desired or needed for this particular JK.

If you've been following our Tacoma project you know we're working on a 2WD Prerunner with a 3.4L V-6 and auto tranny. We chose this model because we knew we'd be torching off the front suspension to install a solid axle. We also had ideas to use something other than a Tacoma transfer case. The Prerunners are available at a considerable cost savings as compared to a 4WD Tacoma and we knew of a solution for adapting the 2WD auto tranny to accept a transfer case.

Since 2006, BFGoodrich Tires has bestowed a special designation upon nearly a dozen off-road trails across the United States and Canada. The special designation is part of the company's Outstanding Trails Program, which recognizes particular trails as well as the individuals and 4x4 clubs who maintain them. The trails and groups selected typically personify BFG's dedication to the responsible use and preservation of off-road trails, and in addition to receiving the totally awesome "BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trail" title, they also receive much needed funds to continue their conservation efforts.

TJ Switch Panel
The Jeep Wrangler TJ remains one of the most popular off-road platforms ever, but anyone with a TJ knows that mounting switches for electrical accessories is difficult. Daystar Products now offers a new switch panel that provides a clean and easy way to install one or two switches to the TJ dash. The new Daystar switch panel replaces one of the factory air conditioning vents on the dash. Designed using the latest computer-modeling software, the switch panel simply pops into place once the factory vent is removed. It includes louvers that match the shape of the stock air vents, so there is little airflow restriction and the switch panel appears to be factory once installed. It is pre-scored on the back to accept one or two rocker switches, which are available separately.