2009 Upcoming Trends For 4x4 Trucks - Limited Articulation

As I write this, we're still mired in the doldrums of 2008, with a souring economy and sagging markets, and lots of insecurity. It's the kind of atmosphere that just makes us want to...well, hop in our Jeep, head for the hills, and spend a few days in the backcountry, away from TV and magazines and the Internet, and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. While the coming year will doubtless hold some surprise for us all, there are a few trends we've seen developing in the 4x4 market that we'll be watching carefully in the future.

Small is beautiful: In an era of expensive gas, wheelers are rediscovering the virtues of going smaller with tire sizes, engine displacement, and even their own trail machines. We've seen a big growth in the number of older Toyotas, Suzukis, Trackers, and other four-cylinder 4x4s at trail events over the last couple of years, as builders place their emphasis on low-low gearing, suspension articulation, and grippy tires over high horsepower or gobs of torque. And, of course, we've really seen a big spurt in the growth of two-seater UTVs, which only makes sense. You don't need to refinance your house to buy one, there are plenty of aftermarket parts for them, they can fit on a lot of trails that bigger rigs can't, and they're simply fun as heck to drive too.

Another hot trend, this one in suspension tech (of sorts), is the proliferation of leveling kits for fullsize trucks. They improve a truck's clearance, they can allow room for bigger tires and wheels, they're relatively inexpensive, most of them are fairly easy to install, and they usually keep your truck perfectly street-legal. We've got a tech piece this month on a new system for fullsize Chevys, and we'll be covering more leveling kit installs in the coming months. We'll also be publishing a big buyer's guide later this year so you can find out who makes 'em for your truck.

In the coming months, we'll also be exploring some aftermarket resources for some hot new rides-the new Dodge Ram and Ford F-150, to name only two, are both terrific new trucks, and we imagine there will be a number of folks in the aftermarket who'll be offering products for these rigs by year's end. We'll be keeping you posted either way. We'll also continue exploring aftermarket options for those pesky side-by-sides and UTVs, such as our Project Rhino, and other affordable mini-wheelers.

Also new this month, a good ol' trail toy returns to our stable. A lot of you have written to us over the years asking about our old "Superburb" Suburban project. Well, it was owned by a former staff member, so the truck went away when he left the magazine a few years ago. But, as fate would have it, our own Robin Stover recently purchased the big Sub', and this month he brings it back for a totally new buildup, which starts on page 68.

Next month: Four Wheeler of the Year, a staff ride on the Rubicon, and other assorted atrocities. Stick around-the year is still young.

-Douglas McColloch