42.Brent Wade
Napa, California
1988 Suzuki Samurai
Located just two hours north of Hollister Hills, this underdog might have a slight advantage when it comes to driver experience.
Engine: Sidekick 1.6L EFI I-4
Transmission: Stock five-speed
Transfer case: Stock with 6.5:1 low gear
Axles, f/r: Toyota/Toyota
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit/Detroit
Ratio: 4.30:1
Suspension, f/r: Leaf springs/Leaf springs
Tires: 35-inch TSL Boggers
Special features: Homebuilt snorkel, Ramsey 8000 winch, CV driveshafts, custom bumpers
Driver experience: 10 years
43.Shawn McNearney
Kellogg, Idaho
1943 Willys MB Crawler
Shawn's competition rock rig would be right at home on the Mini Rubicon. We only wonder if he knows how deep the water gets in the Trap.
Engine: Propane Chevy 350 V-8
Transmission: TH350
Transfer case: Atlas II
Axles, f/r: High-pinion Dana 60/High-pinion Dana 60
Traction aids, f/r: Welded spiders/Welded spiders
Ratio: 5.13:1
Suspension, f/r: Four-link, King coilovers/Four-link, Walker Evans air shocks
Tires: 37-inch BFG Krawlers
Special features: Custom body, Warn 8274 winch, hydraulic steering
Driver experience: 10 years
44.Wesley Wells
St. Augustine, Florida
1969 Kaiser M135A
Fully equipped, this beast looks to be a fierce competitor for this year's event. Will the readers agree?
Engine: LDT 465 turbo multifuel
Transmission: 3053A five-speed
Transfer case: Rockwell T-136
Axles, f/r: 2 1/2-ton Rockwell/2 1/2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit/Detroit
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Stock leaf springs/stock leaves
Tires: 48-inch Michelin Terras
Special features: 30,000-pound PTO winch, 12,000-pound Warn winch, full hydraulic steering, custom snorkel
Driver experience: 10 years
45.Chris and Miya Dowds
Petaluma, California
1984 Jeep CJ-7
These two are Rubicon natives. Their Jeep is set up right for the type of trail work they enjoy, but will it work at TTC?
Engine: 4.2L Jeep I-6
Transmission: NP435
Transfer case: Dana 300 with 4:1 low
Axles, f/r: Dana 60/Dana 60
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit/Detroit
Ratio: 5.13:1
Suspension, f/r: BDS 4-inch spring-over/BDS spring-over
Tires: 39.5-inch Super Swampers
Special features: Mopar EFI, chromoly high-steer, PSC hydraulic steering, MileMarker 9000 winch
Driver experience: 12 years
46.Tyler Kehde
Garden Hill, Manitoba, Canada
1982 Toyota Pickup
This Toyota lacks some very important equipment for some areas of the competition. However, with good luck, a skilled driver, and a proactive crew, it might happen.
Engine: 350 Chevy V-8
Transmission: TH350
Transfer case: Stock
Axles, f/r: Dana 44/Dana 44
Traction aids, f/r: Toyota electric locker/Toyota electric locker
Ratio: 4.11:1
Suspension, f/r: 14-inch leaf springs/14-inch leaves
Tires: 40-inch Ground Hawgs
Special features: Rear-mounted radiator, MileMarker 12000 winch
Driver experience: 3 years
47.Jeremia Yanna
Bradenton, Florida
1966 Ford Bronco
Big power, big axles, and plenty of experience. Will this tube-frame Bronco make the cut?
Engine: Ford 460 V-8
Transmission: C6
Transfer case: NP203/205
Axles, f/r: 2 1/2-ton Rockwell/2 1/2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit/Welded spiders
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Four-link, 2-inch Sway-A-Way coilovers/Four-link, Sway-A-Way air shocks
Tires: 44-inch Super Swampers
Special features: Rear 8500 Ramsey winch, front Warn 12000 winch, fully hydraulic steering, rear steer, four seats
Driver experience: 14 years
48.Christian Rigal
Moraga, California
1971 Toyota FJ-40
This FJ buggy looks like it has what it takes to qualify. Will the readers pick Christian to represent Toyota enthusiasts this year?
Engine: Chevy TPI 350 V-8
Transmission: SM465
Transfer case: NP205
Axles, f/r: 2 1/2-ton Rockwell (not shown)/2 1/2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit/Detroit
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Four-link, 18-inch air shocks/Stock FJ-40 leaves
Tires: 49-inch IROKs (not shown)
Special features: Sectioned body lowered 8 inches to frame, fuel cell, Warn HS9500 winch, 111-inch wheelbase, "lead-weighted right foot"
Driver experience: 1 year
49.Mike Taufen
St. Cloud, Minnesota
1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Mike's YJ represents the basic TTC equation. Beefed and ready for action, could this 500hp Jeep be the next TTC champion?
Engine: Chevy 350 V-8
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: Atlas II 4.3
Axles, f/r: Dana 60, D70 outers/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: ARB/Detroit
Ratio: 4.56:1
Suspension, f/r: Five-link, King coilovers/Five-link, King coilovers
Tires: 44-inch Super Swampers
Special features: Warn 16500 winch, heavy-duty CV driveshafts, Be-Cool radiator, hydraulic steering
Driver experience: 12 years
50.Noel "Dozer" Chadbourne
Clovis, California
2004 Rock buggy
The name says it all. The choice, however, is yours.
Engine: Propane Chevy 502 V-8
Transmission: SM465
Transfer case: NP205, Klune V
Axles, f/r: Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: Spool/Detroit
Ratio: 5.13:1
Suspension, f/r: Three-link, 2 1/2-inch Race Runner coilovers/Four-link, Race Runner coilovers
Tires: 46-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claws
Special features: Hydraulic steering, Dedenbear knuckles, aluminum radiator, Warn 9.5ti winch, custom tube chassis
Driver experience: 20 years