2022-09-01 Four Wheeler

The Snap! Outfitters pop-up gives Preston the “I love backcountry showers and if I don’t have
utility of standing up inside the truck’s bed while to go a day without one, I won’t.” Preston’s need for
protected from the elements as well as having a on-demand hot water is satisfied by the propane-
spacious sleeping platform. powered Joolca HotTap Nomad system. In its
current stage (and there have been a few), Preston’s
See the footprints? The pop-up’s shell can 30-gallon drinking water tank can feed his hot water
support a careful human as well as Preston’s solar tap or dispense ambient temperature water for camp
arrangement and access ladder. The spare tire lives tasks. The cabinet housing the tank serves as a
above the cab when he’s on extended trips, otherwise kitchen counter and is securely anchored to the bed.
it stays home and a repair kit comes along, instead. There’s a diesel heater stowed alongside the housing
for colder camps.
The birch plywood here once housed a battery
box, but Preston repurposed the wood for his console, Dual 100-watt solar panels on the roof work with
or “the truck’s junk drawer.” It’s stocked with water the truck’s alternator to keep Preston’s dual battery
bottle storage, USB and 12V charging, and rocker system topped off. Marine-grade fuse blocks, a
switches. Preston secures his devices with various Renogy charge controller, and a 2,200-watt inverter
RAM mounts and he keeps a Yaesu FT-857D radio up are all mounted to the rear of the shell.
front for comms.

fourwheeler.com FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 51

Feature room to move

Traveling with family means limiting potentially AT A GLANCE
unpleasant experiences, and Preston has using the
toilet covered. He carries a five-gallon bucket with a GENERAL
toilet seat and absorbent pellets, a fold-out toilet with
chemicals and a liner, and a cassette toilet to satisfy Vehicle: ’17 Ram 2500 Mega Cab
anyone’s needs in the bush. DeWALT storage boxes Owner: Preston Gladd
latch together and contain all Preston’s food, tools, Stomping grounds: Hawaii … and beyond
and camping gear. Build time: 4 years

Preston has every way to make coffee in camp. DRIVETRAIN
Espresso machine, a pour-over kit, electric and
manual grinders, and even a bargain-basement Engine: 6.7L Cummins I-6
dripper fastened to the counter. He carries as much Transmission: 68RFE 6-spd auto
fresh food as he can in his Dometic fridge and enjoys Transfer case: BW 44-46 2-spd
preparing meals using his Jetboil burners or the Low range ratio: 2.64:1
induction cooktop. Crawl ratio: 29.2:1
Front axle/differential: AAM 9.25-in, 3.42 gears/open
Looking around Preston’s Ram, you won’t find many Rear axle/differential: AAM 11.5-in, 3.42 gears/limited-slip
badges—even the horns have been removed from the
truck’s tailgate. Why? He likes it better that way. SUSPENSION

Things learned from building this truck include a Front: Bilstein 5112 leveling kit, Thuren Fabrication
growing respect for off-road trailers. As Preston sees sway bar
it, a trailer can be built small, it can sleep a whole Rear: Bilstein 5112 leveling kit, Air Lift LoadLifter 5000
family, it can fit anywhere the fullsize truck can, and airbags
most of the gear doesn’t need to be repacked and
rearranged for each outing—it stays in the trailer. TIRES/WHEELS

52 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER Tires: 37x12.50R17LT Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
Wheels: 17x10 AEV Katla

MISCELLANEOUS

Lighting: Bumper-mounted amber LED pods
Armor: White Knuckle Off Road Products rocksliders,
Westin winch tray
Cool stuff: Snap! Outfitters pop-up camper shell, X-Bull
12,000-lb-capacity winch, ARB Dual Air Compressor,
sPOD relay board and switches, FasterFlate multi-tire infla-
tion system, Clearsource Nomad water filtration system,
30-gal in-bed water tank, Yakima RoadShower, Kinsmen
Hardware 270 awning, dual Battle Born 100 Ah batteries,
Renogy 50A DC-DC charge controller and 100W solar
panels, marine fuse panel, Joolca HotTap Nomad hot water
system, DeLorme inReach satellite tracker, Yaesu FT-857D
radio, Blue Ridge Overland Gear storage bags, Warn
recovery gear, NuWave induction cooktop, Dometic fridge/
freezer and camping toilet, Cabelas shower tent, DeWALT

ToughSystem 2.0 stacking boxes, weBoost cell booster fw

fourwheeler.com



he shakedown run; it’s slang for the first trip out
in an otherwise untested vehicle. That could be
because said vehicle is new to you, or you just made
some major changes and you’re not sure if things
will work the way you wanted—or will work at all.

Over the past few issues of Four Wheeler, we’ve
covered some of the mods to our 5.0L ’00 Ford Explorer
XLT and we detailed how we made it more capable on the
cheap. We added a Powertrax Lock Right locking diff to
the front axle (Locked Right, Apr. ’22); we swapped out the
full-time T-case for a salvage yard-fresh, beefier, part-time
BorgWarner unit (Transfer of Power, Jun. ’22); we trimmed
the fenderwells (Cut, Hammered, and Welded, Jul. ’22) so the
new 35-inch Kumho Road Venture MT71 tires wouldn’t rub
(sort of); and we added a Powertrax No-Slip locking diff to
the rear axle (Limited To Locked, Aug. ’22). Along the way
we also removed a bunch of unnecessary parts like plastic
body cladding, front and rear bumpers, and obnoxious side steps.

Even after all that, there are more mods we’re still considering
(threatening), like a short body lift, but we were anxious to get

POINT YOUR SOURCES
PHONE CAMERA
AT THIS CODE TO Kumho Tire
SEE VIDEO OF HOW kumhotireusa.com
WE TRIMMED THE
FENDERS TO FIT Powertrax
35-INCH TIRES 800/934-2727, powertrax.com

54 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER Summit Racing
800/230-3030, summitracing.com

Will our Explorer
excel or explode?

fourwheeler.com

Tech SHAKEDOWN RUN

out in the dirt and see what the Explorer would
do. So, with that in mind, we conned our buddy
Mike to head out to the desert for a shakedown
run on a relatively cool Arizona summer day.

The good news is that neither the Explorer
nor any of the parts we have added exploded.
Of course, we were not pushing things too hard.
Our plan is to go hit a hard trail before long, but
for now we are pleased with how the inexpensive
4x4 did on the trail. We did some minor rock-
crawling that you probably could have done in
a rig with open differentials and decent-sized
tires, but you’d have to beat on it, for sure. The
lockers are amazing and keep the tires turning
despite rubbing the body and encountering
obstacles. The tires offer great ground clear-
ance, enough so that we didn’t drag the belly or
other tender vittles on the trail much, if at all.
The tires rubbing was kind of annoying, but the
vehicle worked as we’d hoped, and the gearing
(3.73:1 in the axles and 2.64:1 low range in the
BorgWarner 4406) felt pretty good behind the
Ford AOD automatic. We think the transmission
may have been a bit low on fluid, but we have
hope for it yet. We drove to the trail, did what
we’d planned, and drove home. We’d call that a
definite success.

What’s Next?

A body lift sure seems like it would help a
ton. The stock uptravel of the front and rear
suspension is a bit much for the 35s. We’ve heard
a rumor of a relatively inexpensive DIY 1.5-inch
body lift, so that may be part of the plan. The
body lift should minimize the rubbing and allow
all the tire movement the SUV has. Also, the
front shocks seem to be totally blown out and
the upper control arm bushings are dying a rapid
death. So, our future plans are a 1.5-inch body
lift (on the cheap), a set of shocks, and some new
upper control arm bushings. For now, we are
happy with our new toy and can’t wait to get it
back out on the trail. Oh, and we definitely need
to build something to protect the bottom of the
radiator. It hangs out in the breeze waiting to
crash into some trail obstacle, sinking our fun-
boat for sure. So, a stout front bumper would be
nice. And rocker protection. We’ll see what we
can come up with—on the cheap. FW

Want To Build An Explorer?

If you’re inspired by our Explorer build and
want to acquire and modify your own but
wonder about cost, we’ve compiled the
approximate costs we’ve spent so far. As you
can see, the investment is very small compared
to a new or even relatively new 4x4.

Cost of vehicle.......................... $1,250
BorgWarner 4406 T-case................$126
Pair of driveshafts.........................$124
Conversion U-joint............................$22
Tires and wheels.........................$1,108
Powertrax Lock Right .....................$336
Powertrax No-Slip.........................$468
Miscellaneous................................$100
Total..........................................$3,534

56 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

fourwheeler.com FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 57

FEATURE By Jason Gonderman [email protected] Photos: Jason Gonderman

’22 Ram 1500—Built to Serve: Firefighter Edition

Ram Trucks has a long history of honoring those who serve. In 2021, the company crafted five limited-edition Ram 1500 pickups honoring the U.S. Armed Forces:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The second phase of this program begins with the unveiling of the ’22 Ram 1500 Built to Serve Firefighter
Edition. This model features a choice of two unique colors, special exterior decals, and custom interior accents. These trucks are built on the Big Horn trim and
come standard with the company’s 4x4 Off-Road Group. The Firefighter Edition Ram 1500 starts at $48,420 and will be on sale by the time you read this.

MACHINES

’22 Ford Bronco Everglades

While there were a few new vehicle introductions at the
Chicago Auto Show, none drew a bigger crowd than the new
’22 Ford Bronco Everglades. It also probably didn’t hurt that
Ford had pizza. The Bronco Everglades will be built on the
Black Diamond trim with the Sasquatch package. But don’t
get too excited—Everglades will only be offered to existing
Bronco reservation holders.

One of the main features of the Everglades is its standard
Warn ZEON 10-S winch. With a 10,000-pound rating and
synthetic rope, the Warn ZEON is a premium self-recovery
winch that is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts.
Everglades also comes standard with a protective safari bar,
rock rails, and a snorkel. The Everglades may not be the first
factory off-roader to be offered with a snorkel, however it is
the first to be marketed as a functional snorkel. While other
manufacturers have shied away from advertising an increase
in water-fording depth, instead calling the device a “fresh air
intake,” Ford has increased the Bronco Everglades’ water-
fording depth to a whopping 36.4 inches.

’22 Nissan Frontier—Project Adventure

Fresh off the successful launch of its all-new ’22 Frontier,
Nissan brought a trio of exciting concepts to the Chicago Auto
Show. The first of these is this fine overland build dubbed
Project Adventure. This truck features a 5-inch lift kit, 34-inch
tires, a bed rack, a rooftop tent, and much more. The truck also
has a fancy one-of-a-kind carbon-fiber snorkel that was designed
and built by Nissan Design America. The truck’s wrap also
evokes adventure, with a “U.S. Atlas” theme.
fourwheeler.com

Feature CHICAGO MACHINES

’22 Nissan Frontier—Project Hardbody

In a nod to the company’s history as a leader in small pickups
in America, the ’22 Nissan Frontier Project Hardbody concept
features a throwback to Nissan’s pickup styling from the late
1980s through the 1990s, that predated the Frontier. Project
Hardbody features a 3-inch suspension lift, sport bar with
Rigid LED off-road lights, unique graphics, and fender flares.
The real party piece, however, has to be the unique block-style
17-inch aluminum wheels.

’22 Nissan Frontier—Project 72X

Rounding out the trio of ’22 Frontier concepts is Nissan’s Project 72X. This
build takes its inspiration from the ’79 Datsun 720 pickup. In 1983, the Datsun
720 became the first Nissan pickup to be assembled in the United States.
Using a base ’22 Frontier S as a starting point, Project 72X features an under-
stated gray exterior color with custom retro graphics. The truck has a 2.5-inch
suspension lift, Nissan’s accessory sport bar in the bed, and a set of fantastic
steel wheels (which are actually four of the Frontier’s standard spare wheels).

’22 Nissan Frontier—Rebelle Rally Racer ’22 Ford Bronco Raptor

We loved seeing Nissan’s ’22 Frontier Rebelle Rally entry, which Ford recently pulled back the wraps on its highly anticipated ’22 Bronco Raptor. This Ultra
was piloted by Team Wild Grace. This truck is fitted with a host of 4-inspired Bronco made its public debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The Bronco Raptor is as
NISMO accessories and wears an amazing throwback graphics job wide as an F-150 Raptor, has 37-inch tires, and massive 3.1-inch Fox Live Valve dampers. The
honoring Nissan’s Hardbody racing heritage from the 1980s. Bronco Raptor went on sale in early 2022 to Bronco reservation holders. The Bronco Raptor has
a starting price of $69,995 and goes up from there, not including any dealer markup. That’s
60 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER about $3,000 less than the larger ’21 F-150 Raptor.

’22 Toyota Tundra—Winter Olympics

Toyota has been a supporter of the Olympic games and Team USA
for many years. With the 2022 Winter Olympics happening during
the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota brought out a specially wrapped ’22
Tundra honoring Olympic athletes Red Gerard and Rico Roman.

’21 Ford Outfitters Bronco

Ford has fully embraced the customization trend of the new Bronco. On
display at the Chicago Auto Show was this fantastic Bronco, which is
equipped with a roof rack, lightbar, Warn winch, tube doors, and much more.

’23 Toyota Sequoia Capstone

The 2022 Chicago Auto Show marked the first time the public got a look at the
all-new ’23 Toyota Sequoia. Based on the company’s new Tundra, the Sequoia
features a powerful 3.5L twin-turbocharged hybrid V-6, fully boxed frame, and
live-axle rear suspension. On display was Toyota’s newest luxury trim, Capstone.

’22 Toyota Tundra Desert Chase SEMA Concept

One of our favorite trucks from the 2021 SEMA Show was Toyota’s custom ’22 Tundra Desert
Chase Concept. Hence, we dug this Tundra at the Chicago Auto Show. Its features include a
custom TRD suspension, chase rack in the bed, upgraded tires, larger Fox shocks, and much more.

’21 Ford Performance Wildtrak Bronco ’22 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Dusk

When Ford introduced the all-new ’21 Bronco the company also announced The ’22 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Dusk is a fresh take on Chevy’s most off-road capable
Colorado. However, if the ZR2 Dusk sounds familiar, it’s because Chevy first introduced the
that it would be offering hundreds of approved accessories. The Wildtrak is a special trim for the 2018 model year. Thankfully, the Colorado ZR2 dusk and its perfor-
mance LED lighting package is back.
prime example of what can be done by browsing the Ford Performance catalog.

Feature CHICAGO MACHINES

’22 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

After a bit of a rocky debut for 2019, GMC has now released a refreshed Jeep has been on quite the run recently, announcing loads of new models,
including a full line of plug-in hybrid 4xe vehicles. The most recent of these
Sierra 1500 for 2022. Seen here is the most luxurious Denali Ultimate trim is the all-new ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Like the Wrangler 4xe, the
Grand Cherokee 4xe will pump out an impressive 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of
level. Front end styling has been redone and the interior is all new. torque, which is more than the 5.7-liter V-8 by a wide margin.

’22 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 ’22 Lexus LX 600

Joining the long list of off-road-capable 1⁄2-ton pickups is the new ’22 Chevrolet Many of us were disappointed by the sudden departure of the Toyota Land
Silverado 1500 ZR2. Chevy’s newest off-roader comes fitted with MultiMatic DSSV Cruiser from the North American market. Thankfully, it’s back … sort of. The
dampers, front and rear locking differentials, a powerful 6.2-liter V-8 engine, and new ’22 Lexus LX 600 is essentially the global Land Cruiser all dressed-up.
more. Expect to see these trucks on a trail near you in mid-2022. For those abandoned Land Cruiser buyers looking for a high-end off-road-
capable SUV, the Lexus LX 600 is going to be your huckleberry.

’22 Toyota Tundra Capstone

Toyota finally launched its much-anticipated all-new ’22 Tundra in late
2021. Even with the new truck on dealer lots, Toyota showed that it wasn’t
quite done rolling out new trim. The Capstone is the most luxurious Tundra
ever and it made its public debut at the Chicago Auto Show. FW

62 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

GET YOUR FREE TRIAL: MOTORTREND.COM/TGA22

FEATURE

POINT YOUR THE
PHONE CAMERA ROAD
AT THIS CODE TO
TO SEE VIDEO OF RELIC
VERNE’S TRIP TO
THE RELIC RUN IN
HIS REBUILT CJ-5

64 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

Part 2: We trust a new-to-
us CJ-5 for 1,600-plus miles

By Verne Simons [email protected] Photos: Verne Simons and Ryan Kennelly

U ndertaking an ill-advised road trip in an open-top 4x4 is always a good idea … or a
terrible idea, depending on your perspective. Especially in a ’74 CJ-5 we’d owned for
approximately two weeks (you can read how we built the CJ in the Aug. ’22 issue of
Four Wheeler). What could possibly go wrong? Maybe everything? Sure, even we can’t
always drop everything in the “real world” and head for the mountains on a whim, but when
we can, life seems that much better through the adventure, the good and the bad. Still, during
the inevitable breakdowns on the side of the road, you’ll probably wish you had invested all the
time committed to the trip to a different hobby. Golf, the worship of a small, pockmarked ball
and good walks ruined sounds good when an 18-wheeler screams past you. Golf in any form
would be way better than swapping a U-joint in a parking lot of a parts store … or would it?

Our buddy Ryan Kennelly has been telling us about the Relic Run for a few years. The
general idea is to take old 4x4s (pre-1989; it used to be pre-1978, but that was determined to
rule out too many cool, vintage rigs) camping and exploring for a few days somewhere in Utah
or adjacent states (Wyoming for 2021) with period-correct camping gear, tools, and more. This
year, the event started, and the camp was based, somewhere south of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
We love the idea of all of this, camping with vintage gear, wheeling, good people. We’re in!
But we had to get our CJ-5 to the venue first. We left after noon on a weekday hoping to catch
up with Ryan and his buddy Red in Ryan’s ’72 Chevy Blazer. We had a few mechanical issues
during our trip to Relic Run, including a failed U-joint on the CJ. Ryan’s Blazer fried an alter-
nator, coil, and ignition module. But we eventually made it to the spot of the event’s start. Read
on for the highlights of our trip to Relic Run in two vintage 4x4s.

First Night’s Camp and the Road to Toquerville Falls

We can attest to the fact that when it’s over 100 degrees and you’re going 70 miles an hour, the air
pushed off the front of a passing semi-truck feels cool … invigorating. However, our first night’s camp
was hot, humid, and generally miserable. We set up camp in the dark somewhere near the Valley of Fire
State Park north of Henderson, Nevada. We woke to a beautiful vista in the heated desert.

SOURCES The first thing we did was grab breakfast and get fuel. Our orig-
inal plan was to camp near Toquerville and check out the Toquerville
Bestop Falls in Utah but delays the day before had prevented that. We
bestop.com decided that the falls were worth a visit, and the prospect of cooling
down in the water and getting off major highways was a major pull.
Expedition Utah
expeditionutah.com FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 65

Milestar Tires
milestartires.com

Rebel Wire
rebelwire.com

Summit Racing
summitracing.com

Tom Wood’s Custom Drive
Shafts

4xshaft.com

Feature The Road To Relic Run

We found the trailhead to the falls, and after a little bit we decided to air
down and drop Ryan’s Trillium 4500 camper rather than drag it in and then back
out from the falls. That was the right idea, as the trail is a bit rough.

At Toquerville Falls

Toquerville Falls is impressive
and well worth the trip if you have the
time. We thought we had the time but
would later find out we were wrong.
Still, the cool waters and amazing
views were well worth the deviation
from the fastest path. We soaked in
the water and got back in the hot
cars, where evaporation took the edge
off the next few hours of driving …
which were eventful.

Mayhem Begins After gathering the Trillium camper and heading back to the

asphalt, we aired our CJ’s 33-inch Milestar Patagonia M/Ts back from about 15 psi to road pressure.

That was fine, but apparently Ryan’s one-wire alternator didn’t like the extra load of running the

compressor. The alternator got hot, really hot, and also fried the coil and the HEI ignition module.

Ryan had a spare coil and ignition module, but the alternator was only available at a parts store.

66 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER Mayhem Continues

While helping Ryan get the Blazer fit enough to run
down the highway to Cedar City for a new alternator,
his co-driver and longtime pal Red took a spill and
tried to destroy one of his big toes on the trailer
tongue of the Trillium. Luckily, some paper towels and
electrical tape can ebb the flow of most minor injuries.

Not to be
left out of the action,
the CJ-5 blew a rear
U-joint as we exited
the highway during one
of the Blazer’s stops
for electrical work. We
coasted to a stop and
took a look. Two of the
U-joint caps were gone,
the U-joint destroyed,
and the yoke damaged.
We pulled the rear
shaft, locked the hubs,
and continued the trip
to the parts store using
front-wheel drive.

Once in Cedar City, Utah, Ryan replaced his well-done alter-
nator and we swapped out the burned-up rear U-joint in the CJ’s
driveshaft. We then found that the driveshaft had seen better days
and we contemplated finding a new yoke for the Jeep in case it was
the root of the problem. We then remembered that Tom Wood’s
Custom Drive Shafts was somewhere north of Salt Lake City, the
general direction we were headed. The company could make us a
new ’shaft and also supply a new pinion yoke and U-joint U-bolts.

We continued north and within sight of a gas station
found that while the CJ-5’s gas tank may hold 14-15
gallons of fuel, it was only able to use about 13 gallons.
Luckily, Ryan had a spare 5 gallons we could borrow.

Second Night’s Camp Near Parowan, Utah

After fueling up, we headed north looking for a place to camp. Somehow,
between the day’s antics at Toquerville Falls and the subsequent mechanical drama,
we didn’t make it very far. We decided to camp in a dispersed campsite in the Dixie
National Forest east of Parowan, Utah. The night was cool and comfortable.

Tom Wood’s Custom More To Come! Success, Near the Relic Run Camp
Drive Shafts to the Near Rock Springs, Wyoming
Rescue … Again Next month in Four Wheeler, we’ll dive into Part
3 of the three-part series “The Road To Relic As the sun set on Day 3 of our trip to the 2021 Relic Run, we stopped
The next morning, we knew we Run” where you can read how our pair of vintage to enjoy the amazing light. The two-and-a-half-day trip was epic, filled with
had to make up some road miles, rigs fared while on the trail at Relic Run. FW adventure both in exploration and old-vehicle failures, but after all, we made
but first we headed to Tom Wood’s it to the Relic Run camp near Rock Springs, Wyoming, despite the obstacles.
Custom Drive Shafts in North
Ogden, Utah. This company makes FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 67
driveshafts that are second to none,
and they have saved our bacon
more than once. The driveshaft was
still under construction, usually
requiring a minimum of 24 hours
lead (which we had undercut by
several hours), but we were able to
gather a fresh Dana 30 yoke and a
set of U-joint U-bolt straps. Having
these parts made us much more
confident in the next few days’
activities. Thanks again, Tom!

Trevor Takara and Thomas Piccolo: ’17 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
Thomas Piccolo
have different Thomas Piccolo’s previous off-road exploits ranged from racing side-by-sides to
takes on Toyota’s rockcrawling with fullsize squarebody Chevy trucks and he found himself looking
stalwart SUV for a more relaxed environment—and something with air conditioning. The Toyota
4Runner TRD Pro boasted trail maneuverability, reliability, and the cargo space to
build himself a well-appointed camp kitchen. Thomas bought the rig new in 2017
and immediately began customizing his dedicated overlanding machine. His first
iteration of mods was complete within six months and he wasted no time embarking
on a cross-country journey. Thomas continued to fine-tune the 4Runner as he saw fit.

68 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

All kinds of 4x4s gathered in By Jered Korfhage [email protected] Photos: Four Wheeler staff
the Arizona desert for the
2020 Overland Adventure, Trevor Takara: ’18 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium
including two Toyota 4Runners.
Though they shared the same In his search for his own reliable, spacious, and comfortable travel vehicle, Trevor Takara
Super White paint code, was ultimately drawn to the looks of the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium. After
powertrain, and wheel diameter, buying it new in 2018, he vowed to keep his upgrades mild and tried to avoid modifying
the two fifth-gens were outfitted things that, in his eyes, already worked well from the factory. He used the 4Runner for
in significantly different ways. commuting and he let the rig tell him when it needed aftermarket parts. High-centering
Read on to compare and on a rock earned the 4Runner beefier skidplates and other trail adventures lead him to
contrast how Thomas Piccolo choosing a front bumper with more protection. Trevor still favors the stock-ish look of
and Trevor Takara built their his rig and has plans to take it through Alaska north to the Arctic Ocean.
Toyota 4Runners.

SPONSORED BY

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 69

Front Bumper

Trevor’s front bumper suffered some trail rash after a trip to Moab, Utah, which fast-tracked the upgrade from C4 Fabrication. He’s a fan of the
low-profile design and how it affords him space for low-down LED lighting and a Warn winch. Since he often travels solo, Trevor made sure to
quickly equip the 4Runner with recovery gear before he found himself marooned on a trail. After trying lower-profile units, Thomas enjoyed how the
Pelfreybilt front bumper conformed to the 4Runner’s body lines, offered complete protection, and had space to contain his Traveller winch.

Lighting

Thomas’ first aftermarket light was his roof rack-mounted lightbar. He quickly learned that it reflected harshly off his hood but “something was better than nothing”
in the off-road light department. Similarly, Trevor mounted a lightbar above his windshield early on because the roof rack had a spot for it. He doesn’t experience any
glare from the hood but does tend to favor his lower-to-the-ground LEDs. Both 4Runners now run a single-row lightbar and amber LED pods on their front bumpers.

70 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

Wheels
And Tires

Thomas tried a few sizes
and styles of tire before
arriving at his LT295/70R17
Yokohama Geolandar mud-
terrains. Having modified
his body mounts to accept
a previous set of 34-inch
tires, the 4Runner has
plenty of space to articulate
the mudders and Black
Rhino wheels. Trevor’s
rig came from the dealer-
ship with its BFGoodrich
T/A KO2 all-terrains and
the tires have suited him
well on commutes and
cross-country trips. The
red accent on his Stealth
Custom Series F5 wheels
gives a touch of extra flare
to his rolling stock.

fourwheeler.com FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 71

Feature

Rear Cargo

Thomas spent some time shoveling ice into a cooler and packing plastic totes before opting for a 12V fridge/freezer and a custom-built drawer system.
He enlisted some help from local experts when building the drawers and got exactly what he wanted, with a detailed labeling system to boot. When
traveling with friends, Trevor is the cook of the group and he puts his handbuilt drawer system, Dometic fridge with a tilting slide-out tray, and portable
tables to good use. He impresses hungry campers with what comes off his dual-burner propane stove, cast-iron pans, and his stovetop Omnia oven.

Rear Bumper

Trevor’s fullsize spare tire didn’t fit underneath the 4Runner, so a swing-out, hitch-mounted carrier became necessary. The Wilco Offroad Hitchgate has
mounts for RotopaX fuel containers and a small propane cylinder. Thomas built two ladders into his rear bumper to make accessing the roof safe and easy. In
addition to a fullsize spare and additional fuel, the rear bumper carries a Hi-Lift jack and extra water and has a chuck for his Viair onboard air system.

Suspension fourwheeler.com

With the help of the folks
at ADS Racing Shocks,
Thomas designed his
suspension to handle
the weight of his galley
setup and cargo while
maximizing articulation
off-road and highway
comfort. Differential
gears were swapped
for 4.88s and Thomas
maintained his factory
rear locker. After briefly
using a spacer lift and
improved shocks, Trevor
upgraded to the Stage 7
suspension kit from ICON
Vehicle Dynamics, which
gave him beefier upper
control arms, coilovers,
aluminum rear links, and
an adjustable rear track
bar. His gearing and rear
locker remain unchanged
from the factory.

Armor AT A GLANCE

Both 4Runners use rocksliders to keep obstacles out of the GENERAL
paint. Trevor opted for full skidplating from RCI Metalworks VEHICLE: ’17 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRD PRO
after putting his factory armor through the wringer.
Owner: Thomas Piccolo
POINT YOUR PHONE Stomping grounds: Tucson, Arizona
CAMERA AT THIS Build time: 3 years
CODE TO SEE A
MEGA GALLERY DRIVETRAIN
OF PHOTOS FROM
THE 2020 FOUR Engine: 4.0L V-6
WHEELER OVERLAND Transmission: Aisin A750F 5-spd auto
ADVENTURE Transfer case: VF2A 2-spd
Low range ratio: 2.57:1
Crawl ratio: 44.1:1
Front axle/differential: Toyota 8.2-in, 4.88 gears/open
Rear axle/differential: Toyota 8.2-in, 4.88 gears/stock electric locker

SUSPENSION

Front: ADS Racing Shocks front coilovers w/Eibach springs,
Dirt King billet aluminum UCAs,
Rear: Old Man Emu coils, ADS Racing Shocks dampers, ICON
Vehicle Dynamics links

TIRES/WHEELS

Tires: LT295/70R17 Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003
Wheels: Black Rhino Armory

MISCELLANEOUS

Lighting: Baja Designs LED pods and lightbar, LED roof rack-
mounted lightbar, Phillips LED headlights
Armor: Custom aluminum fenders, Southern Style Offroad rock-
sliders w/tree kickers, Pelfreybilt bumpers
Cool stuff: Traveller 10,000-lb–capacity winch, ARB Safari snorkel,
FSR tent, 200W solar panel, cell signal booster, 270-degree awning,
custom roof access ladders, dual Group 24 batteries, charge
controller, handbuilt drawer system, 12V fridge/freezer w/slide,
fold-down tailgate table, slide-out kitchen w/integrated food prep
boards and stove, Viair air compressor and tank, amateur radio, iPad
w/Gaia GPS app

GENERAL
VEHICLE: ’18 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRD
OFF-ROAD PREMIUM

Owner: Trevor Takara
Stomping grounds: Lynwood, Washington
Build time: 2 years

DRIVETRAIN

Engine: 4.0L V-6
Transmission: Aisin A750F 5-spd auto
Transfer case: VF2A 2-spd
Low range ratio: 2.57:1
Crawl ratio: 33.7:1
Front axle/differential: Toyota 8.2-in, 3.73 gears/open
Rear axle/differential: Toyota 8.2-in, 3.73 gears/stock electric locker

SUSPENSION

Front: ICON Vehicle Dynamics billet aluminum UCAs, 2.5 remote-
reservoir coilovers
Rear: ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2.5 remote-reservoir shocks, 2-in rear
coil springs, billet aluminum links, adjustable track bar

TIRES/WHEELS

Tires: LT285/75R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
Wheels: Stealth Custom Series F5

MISCELLANEOUS

Lighting: Morimoto headlights, Rigid Industries foglights, Cali Raised
LED 40-in lightbar, Extreme LED single-row 30-in lightbar
Armor: C4 Fabrication rocksliders, Lo Pro front bumper, and Hatch
Ladder; RCI Metalworks full skidplates
Cool stuff: Prinsu full-length roof rack, Cascadia Vehicle Tents
Mt. Shasta tent and awning, Warn Zeon 10-S winch, ARB Dual Air
Compressor, sPOD Bantam 8-circuit relay block, Off-Grid Engineering
Complete Dual Battery System, Dometic CFX40 fridge/freezer, Wilco
Offroad Hitchgate spare tire carrier, RotopaX fuel cans, Maxtrax

recovery boards, Blue Ridge Overland Gear Tire Storage Bag XL FW

FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 73

Feature GRANVILLE SALUTE Due to many requests, we’re republishing some of Granville King’s “From

The Backcountry” columns as space permits. These columns ran in Four Wheeler from 1984 until Granville’s passing in
1989 at age 70. Granville was a retired aerospace engineer and television screenwriter who lived off-grid in a trailer in Baja,
Mexico. His off-road experiences were many, and his storytelling was amusing, riveting, timeless, and unparalleled.

74 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

fourwheeler.com FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 75

Feature GRANVILLE SALUTE

76 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com



TECHLINE

COMPILED BY VERNE SIMONS [email protected]

RADIUS ARMS OR LINKS? a short time while driving. And honestly, 10 And you’ll need to spend time engineering every-
degrees isn’t all that much, assuming you mean thing to work when someone else has already
I live in Nashville, Tennessee, and I’m building 10 degrees back and not forward. I frequently done that for you if you use off-the shelf parts.
my first 4WD. I’m disabled (no wheelchair) and set ride height caster at about 6-7 degrees (with
all I have to work with is my ’84 E-150 and a the top of the knuckle laid back) and have had If you’re stubborn (and we get that, we’re
Dana 44 TTB out of a ’92 F-150. I’ve widened great results. stubborn too), you’ll have to learn more about
the engine crossmember for clearance and buying the other parts you’ll need … like tubing
made the center brackets. I’ve been pulling In theory, you could eliminate this with a and so on. As far as what wall thickness tubing
my hair out over the caster gain caused by a parallel four-link, as you mention, but I am not to use, we can make a good recommendation,
mocked-up (from scrap) radius arm. Two-thirds sure doing that is really necessary for your build. but what control arm tube size you use really
through the suspension stroke and it’s at 10 Many TTB systems with gobs of travel have been depends on the rod ends (or other control arm
degrees!?!? I’m sure I don’t have to tell you used successfully on- and off-road, including in ends) that you end up using and the weld bungs
that. So, I’m going to use a parallel four-link racing with radius arms and the included caster you use to make them work in the radius arms
instead. I was a machinist, so fabrication is not gain/loss. I don’t think you should worry about or four-link arms. But first, wall thickness is really
a problem. trying to four-link the TTB parts. But if you have going to be determined by what you plan on
your heart set on the four-link idea, go for it. doing with the van. If you want to build every-
What I need your help with is should I use Folks have done this with TTB before for many of thing yourself and plan on wheeling it in a way
DOM tubing? Also, the stock radius arms use the beneficial reasons you mentioned above, but where the control arms (or radius arms) could hit
a 1-inch shaft in the rear, so I was thinking it won’t be cheap or simple. rocks and logs on the trail often you will probably
about using two 3⁄4-inch rod ends front and want to use 0.188-inch-wall to 0.250-inch-wall
rear. Would 3⁄4-inch be sufficient? And what Now getting back to what I would suggest 4130 (also known as chromoly) steel tubing. The
diameter and wall thickness should be used? doing, which should be relatively cheap and 4130 can also be heat treated for more strength
I have a 302 engine. I really need to get this simple. Get at least most of the front parts of a if needed. If there is little chance of bashing the
beast going so I can haul building materials to suspension lift kit intended for a ’92 F-150, or at radius arms or control arms on rocks and logs
my site in the Appalachian Mountains and live least a kit with extended radius arms and frame- you probably could get away with running either
in it while I work. I hope the helpers show up! side radius arm brackets. You can probably 0.188-inch-wall or 0.250-inch-wall DOM tubing,
Thanks so much for any assistance. also re-purpose the coils and shocks. There are but the heat-treated 4130 chromoly tube will be
several kits that would work, including ones from the best for durability and longevity. The tubing
MIKE Pro Comp, BDS, and Skyjacker. Install the radius diameter will be determined by what weld bungs
VIA EMAIL arms and cut and grind the radius arm mounts and control arm ends you use. The weld bung
to work with the van frame. Set the caster so it’s will have an OD like 1.5 inches (for example) and
I have a few thoughts and will try to run correct at ride height and run with the radius in that case you’d want to use 2-inch-diameter,
through them quickly here. Yeah, radius arms arms. At the end of the day, you may spend 0.250-inch-wall tubing, which will have an ID of
cause a rapid change in caster as the suspen- $500 or $1,000, but you’ll easily spend that 1.5 inches to match your weld bungs.
sion cycles. A gain is noticed on compression much on tubing, rod-ends (or other ends that we
and a loss on droop. That’s usually not that will talk about in a sec), weld bungs, and so on. On the subject of rod ends, generally they are
big of a deal because the suspension should great on race trucks and off-road race cars, but
only be in full-droop or full-compression for we try to stay away from them on road-driven
vehicles. That’s for a few reasons, but some of
the larger reasons are that you’re not gonna tear
the van apart and rebuild everything after every
time you drive it (race cars and trucks get a good
“going through” before and after every race),
good rod ends are expensive, and rod ends have
no “give,” which makes them harsh, loud, and
can cause them to destroy themselves when
used for a long time (like, not getting replaced
every few races). Captured spherical ends, like
a RockJock Johnny Joint (rockjock4x4.com),
rubber, and poly bushings will all provide some
give, will absorb some vibrations and noises, will
be better sealed from the environment, and are
generally greasable (which helps with wear and
getting rid of contaminants). We’ve built several
road-driven off-road suspensions with commonly
used rubber bushings, polyurethane bushings
and sleeves, and captured spherical bushings,
and we would definitely recommend those over
rod ends for a frequently road-driven van like
yours. Again, if you must have rod ends, use
1-inch or at least 7⁄8-inch rod ends.

WHERE TO WRITE

Have a 4x4 tech question you want answered in Techline? Drop an email to [email protected] or message us through our Facebook page at
facebook.com/fourwheelermag. All letters become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity.
Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

78 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER

These are some control arms we used on our ’05 SAS Vintiques 62 Series Ford-Chevy Style O.E. QUADRASTEER AXLE
Chevy Tahoe build a few years ago known as Rosco P. Primered Wheels (PN 62-585504 from Summit FOR JEEP JK?
Drivetrain. These were built by Rusty’s Off Road. They Racing, summitracing.com) have the correct
are not radius arms, but you can see both an end pattern and also have a 4.25-inch center bore. I have a technical question regarding GM’s
with a sleeved polyurethane bushing and a captured We have yet to get a set of these wheels to test, Quadrasteer rear axle found on the GMT800
spherical end like a Johnny Joint. These joints have but they should fit the bill of a stamp steel 15x8 Denali platforms. I got one as a bonus and was
polyurethane cups that hold the spherical end and (with 4-inch backspace) steel wheel. That will wondering if it’s any good under a crawler if we
all of it can be greased, making it sealed and service- swap out the electric motor for ram steering and
able. The lower control arm is a factory part with such? It would be going under a JK frame if it
durable, long-lasting rubber bushings. makes any difference.

FAISAL
VIA INSTAGRAM

Wow! You’re firing up the way back machine
for this one! This does rekindle our own interest
and if you want to volunteer to see if it can work,
we like the idea. Back in 2002 or so we got the
chance to drive a GMT800 with Quadrasteer and
its distinctive stepside-like wider bed and found

RETRO WHEELS?

In your article about the CJ-6 “Rare! Jeep CJ-6
with Dauntless V-6” the author, Verne Simons,
mentioned “stamped steel 15x8s.” Who carries
CJ wheels like that? I want to replace the wagon
wheels someone put on my ’61 CJ-5 but all I have
found is the really narrow original size wheels.

PAUL
VIA FACEBOOK

Finding retro wheels that look right isn’t always
easy and, honestly, for years we hoped and
searched for the right wheel for old Jeeps. Older
Jeeps built between 1942 and about 1986

almost always have 5-on-5.5 bolt pattern, which allow factory looks with a wider wheel for a wider it unique and interesting. These trucks were very
is pretty common, but … the hiccup often and larger tire. In the past, Wheel Vintiques popular for their maneuverability and stability
comes with wheels with the correct bolt pattern offered similar wheels with a dual pattern of that was especially helpful during towing. Also, it
that lack a sufficiently large center bore. These 5-on-5.5 and 5-on-5. The issue with these made us (and other editors) think of a potential
Jeeps with their locking hubs require a 4.25-inch wheels is that the center bore is too small to fit source for a factory-fresh rear-steer axle. In fact,
center bore to fit the front axle. That rules out over a Jeep’s front locking hub due to the dual one such editor is our friend David Kennedy
some otherwise cool stamped steel wheels. pattern nature of those wheels, but these newer who worked at Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road
wheels don’t have that issue. magazine. David says there is an in-depth article
Although just recently we noticed that Wheel on the details of the Quadrasteer axles in a print
issue of Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road (from
2003 he thinks), but we can’t find that article.

David is a walking, talking repository of
General Motor’s truck facts. He says, “It would
probably be worth building if you could get one
of these axles for free. The steering system is
attached to the differential cover and probably
won’t be something you can make work, so
going to a hydraulic ram is the way to go. There
are two versions of the axle, both based on a
Dana 60 centersection. One is a 1⁄2-ton pickup
truck version and the other is a 3⁄4-ton Suburban
axle. The Suburban axle has larger tubes and
would theoretically be stronger. The axleshafts
should be 35-spline at the carrier and have
some sort of Delphi-sourced six-ball CV joint.”
We assume that you could run aftermarket
steering axles in the housing (we’re thinking
RCVs, rcvperformance.com) if the factory parts
are worn or prove to be weak. Also, the knuckles
are specific to the axle and use some sort of
kingpin steering joints. Please let us know what
you find as this is an interesting exploration of a
cool factory part. FW

fourwheeler.com FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2022 79

CALENDAR

COMPILED BY JERED KORFHAGE [email protected]

September 1-5 September 15-17 September 17 September 22-24

What: Appalachian What: Black Hills Jeep Jamboree What: 4-Wheeling For A Cure What: Ouray Jeep Jamboree
Toyota Roundup Where: Deadwood, South Dakota Where: Oliver Springs, Tennessee Where: Ouray, Colorado
Where: Oliver Springs, Tennessee Hosted by: Jeep Jamboree USA Hosted by: Windrock Park Hosted by: Jeep Jamboree USA
Hosted by: Windrock Park Info: jeepjamboreeusa.com Info: windrockpark.com Info: jeepjamboreeusa.com
Info: windrockpark.com
September 15-17 September 17 September 22-24
September 2-4
What: Catskill Mountains What: Lucas Oil East Coast Series What: Ozark Adventure
What: Labor Day Extended Ride Jeep Jamboree Truck and Tractor Pull Jeep Jamboree
Where: Attica, Indiana Where: Monticello, New York Where: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Where: Ozark, Arkansas
Hosted by: Badlands Hosted by: Jeep Jamboree USA Hosted by: Buck Motorsports Park Hosted by: Jeep Jamboree USA
Off Road Park Info: jeepjamboreeusa.com Info: buckmotorsports.com Info: jeepjamboreeusa.com
Info: badlandsoffroad.com
September 15-18 September 17 September 22-24
September 2-5
What: Fall Mudcrawl What: Rausch Creek What: Uwharrie Jeep Jamboree
What: High Sierra Poker Run Where: Saint Jo, Texas Rock Crawl Series Where: Troy, North Carolina
Where: Shaver Lake, California Hosted by: Rednecks With Where: Pine Grove, Pennsylvania Hosted by: Jeep Jamboree USA
Hosted by: California Four Paychecks Hosted by: Rausch Creek Info: jeepjamboreeusa.com
Wheel Drive Association Info: redneckswithpaychecks.com Off-Road Park
Info: cal4wheel.com Info: rc4x4.org September 22-25
September 16-18
September 3 September 17 What: September Slam
What: 41st Annual O’Reilly Where: Rush, Kentucky
What: Labor Day Demolition Derby Auto Parts Fall 4-Wheel What: Sand Drags Hosted by: Rush Off-Road
Where: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Jamboree Nationals Where: Lisbon, Ohio Info: rushoffroad.com
Hosted by: Buck Motorsports Park Where: Indianapolis, Indiana Hosted by: Tri County 4 Wheelers
Info: buckmotorsports.com Hosted by: Indiana State Info: tricounty4wheelers.com September 23-24
Fairgrounds
September 4 Info: 4wheeljamboree.com September 17 What: Central Rock
Racing Series #3
What: Mud Bogs September 16-18 What: Trail Master Where: Pineville, Missouri
Where: Lisbon, Ohio Challenge Race III Hosted by: Rush Springs Ranch
Hosted by: Tri County 4 Wheelers What: Sand Sports Super Show Where: Copemish, Michigan Info: nationalrockracing.com
Info: tricounty4wheelers.com Where: Costa Mesa, California Hosted by: Twisted Trails
Hosted by: Sand Sports Off Road Park September 24
September 7 Super Show Info: twistedtrailsoffroadpark.com
Info: sandsportssupershow.com What: Mud Bog and Tuff Trucks
What: Fall Crawl September 18-24 Where: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Where: Farmington, New Mexico September 16-18 Hosted by: Buck Motorsports Park
Hosted by: Cliffhangers What: Nissan Takeover Info: buckmotorsports.com
4 Wheel Drive Club What: Teton Overland Show Where: Oliver Springs, Tennessee
Info: cliffhangers4x4.com Where: Idaho Falls, Idaho Hosted by: Windrock Park September 24
Hosted by: The Waterfront Info: windrockpark.com
September 8-10 at Snake River Landing What: Operation Jeeps For Wreaths
Info: tetonoverlandshow.com Where: Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
What: Killbuck Jeep Jamboree Hosted by: Rausch Creek
Where: Killbuck, Ohio Off Road Park
Hosted by: Jeep Jamboree USA Info: rc4x4.org
Info: jeepjamboreeusa.com
September 30-
September 10 October 2

What: Diesel Pickup Powerfest What: Trucks Gone Wild
Where: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Where: Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Hosted by: Buck Motorsports Park Hosted by: Brick’s Off Road Park
Info: buckmotorsports.com Info: trucksgonewild.com

September 13-18

What: SCORE Baja 400
Where: Baja California, Mexico
Hosted by: SCORE
Info: score-international.com

WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS

Address your correspondence to: Calendar, Four Wheeler, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245, or email [email protected]. All submissions
become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department can also be reached through the website
at fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

80 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

VINTAGE 4X4S AT RELIC RUN

COMING NEXT MONTH
THE ULTIMATE OVERVIEW OF ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

TRAIL’S END

BY JERED KORFHAGE [email protected] PHOTOS: FOUR WHEELER ARCHIVES

Revisiting a Willys truck rebuild taken just far enough

Dave Kollman says transplanting the Axles for the Willys project came from and American Racing Outlaw II wheels. To
’56 Willys pickup body onto a J10 Dave’s Dodge Power Wagon and each Dana 60 accomplish this, he used custom leaf springs
frame wasn’t too difficult and that it received a Powr-Lok limited-slip differential and in a spring-over-axle configuration with a pair of
only required relocating a few body 4.10 gears. Fitting the front axle to the new J10 shocks at each corner and an accompanying
mounts, adding a few bolts, and just a bit of frame required removing two inches from each steering damper. Mating the J10’s steering links
welding—and that was only the beginning. Dave end of the axle. Dave decided four inches of to the Dana 60 took some finesse but Dave
and Denise Kollman bought the Willys from its lift would clear his 39.5-inch Super Swampers managed to maintain the steering geometry by
original owner who had used the pickup as a turning the pinion angle up 1.5 inches.
work truck and for snow plowing jobs. The plan
was to maintain the truck’s body but replace Bodywork for the Willys involved stripping the
the frame with one out of a ’78 Jeep J10. With a sheetmetal bare and giving it a coat of Imron
matching wheelbase, the new frame would add Red, returning the grille and door handles to
significant strength to the project, which they’d their glorious chromed state, and adding bling
need for the power upgrades. like chromed CJ-7 nerf bars, a powdercoated
rollbar, and a Westin bumper. Dave made extra
Dave and Denise used a 401ci V-8 that room for the big meats by widening the front
spent time in two other truck projects as well as fenders three inches per side and lengthening
in a ’71 AMC AMX. They had the block bored the rear fenders five inches. The Kollmans left
0.030-inch over stock and balanced, they added the original gauges and converted the Willys’
a Holley 600-cfm double-pumper carb, and wiring to 12-volt to adequately power the new
matched it with an aggressive cam, a larger audio system and other electronics. This truck,
intake, and Hooker 2.5-inch headers. The mill named Total Recall by the Kollmans, is a fine
exhaled through a set of Flowmaster mufflers, example of a classic build that didn’t push the
and the result was buckets of torque and enough extremes of lift height, horsepower, or hype.
horses to keep the Willys floating atop the sand
when the couple went riding in the dunes. We’d like to see your Willys truck and hear
The driver rowed through the gears on the how you’ve built it, maintained it, or even how
BorgWarner T-18 four-speed and engaged four- it’s still put to work. Send a note to editor@
wheel drive through the Dana 20 transfer case. fourwheeler.com and feel free to include high-res
images of your Willys if you have them. FW

FOUR WHEELER (ISSN 0015-9123) September 2022; Vol. 59, No. 9. Copyright © 2022 by Motor Trend Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Published monthly by Motor Trend Group, LLC, 831
South Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA, and at additional mailing offices. Single copy price is $6.99. SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S. APO, FPO and
U.S. Possessions $19.97 for 12 isssues. Canada orders add $12.00 per year and international orders add $24.00 per year (for surface mail postage). Payment in advance, U.S. funds only.
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to FOUR WHEELER, P.O. Box 37198, Boone, IA 50037.

82 SEPTEMBER 2022 FOUR WHEELER fourwheeler.com

THE ALL NEW

Highway Terrain

Make the HTX2 part of your passion.

Built with an additional reinforcement ply for added
durability — drive, tow, haul or take to your favorite
destination. The remarkable Roadian HTX2 delivers

the long-mileage, all-weather, high-performance
experience every adventure needs. With three

sidewall options, now’s the time to find out what it
means to drive a true highway terrain tire.

UP TO 70K MILE 3 PEAK MOUNTAIN SCAN HERE FOR INFO
TREADWEAR SNOWFLAKE
WARRANTY CERTIFIED

NexenTireUSA.com

THE BUCK
STOPS HERE.

BILSTEIN B8 6100 for Bronco

• Big 2.65” O.D.: 30% increase from Sasquatch
• Uses original spring and top-hat
• 60mm digressive piston improves ride comfort and

control over rough terrain
• Bronco specific tuning

B8 6100 Typical Lift Heights with OEM Springs

Circlip With Sasquatch Badlands Trim
Location Package Level

4 Door 2 Door 4 Door 2 Door

#6 2.3” 1.7” 2.6” 2.0”

#5 2.0” 1.4” 2.3” 1.7”

#4 1.7” 1.1” 2.0” 1.4”

#3 1.3” 0.8” 1.6” 1.1”

#2 1.0” 0.5” 1.3” 0.8”

#1 0.7” 0.2” 1.0” 0.5”

WAY AHEAD.