How to Enter Top Truck Challenge
My son is 12 years old, has his own truck, and wants to compete at Top Truck Challenge this year. I know that if y'all choose him for the magazine, the readers choose the competitors. So I'm hoping that if he makes the magazine and if we can convince the readers he's actually 12, they will vote him in just to see what he can do. I'm not asking for a handout or anything like that-I'm just curious about the age info; we'll send in photos and application just like everyone else. Be sure to look for his '95 Ford Ranger on 38s. If nothing else, it could be a "Readers' Rigs" photo-he would love being in a magazine anyway he can.
Shawn Cross
Overton, TX
Sorry to say, your son will have to wait a few more years. We require all competitors at TTC to have a valid driver's license and to be at least 18 years of age. But send us a photo of his truck anyway-we'd love to have a look at it.
Leveling Kits for '04 Super-Duty
I have a 2004 Ford F-250 V-10 Super-Duty Super Crew FX4 and am looking for a lift/leveling kit for my truck. I would like to get 35s under it without compromising the towing ability of the truck. Any suggestions?
Lance Burkholder
Mt. Pleasant, PA
Sure. Poly Performance, Tuff Country, Rough Country, and Daystar all have versions of what you're looking for. Most of them don't recommend a tire bigger than a 33x12.50, but if you don't plan on any serious wheeling (i.e., mostly towing on pavement) with your truck, and/or you don't mind trimming a little sheetmetal off the leading edge of your front fenders, you will probably be fine with 35s.
Bigger Tires for Isuzu Rodeo?
I was reading your "What Hits, What Fits" article (Aug. '09) and noticed there is no information for Isuzus. I currently own a 2001 Rodeo LS. I do not have the budget to lift it right now, so I am wondering what's the biggest tire I can run with no lift? Any information you could give me would be very helpful.
Ian Smith
Via the Internet
Over the years, for reasons of space we've had to "edit out" some vehicle models from our chart-and later-model Isuzus, not being big-volume sellers or very popular trail machines, have been among the casualties. According to our information, you should be able to fit a 29x9.50 under your Rodeo, but anything bigger will require some suspension mods, a body lift, and/or fender trimming.
Tribute to the Turtles
It is great to see the Turtle Expedition in the pages of Four Wheeler again. Years ago I used to subscribe to your magazine just to read about their adventures. I was sad to see them go. At the time I didn't renew my subscription. From what I see online, they seem to have many more followers than just me. Please continue to have them in your magazine. If they look to become a regular part of Four Wheeler again, it looks like I'll have to subscribe. Thanks again for bringing them back!
Shawn
Lompoc, CA
You're very welcome. We hope you saw the Jan. '10 issue, where they explored the backroads of Baja.
24 Volts to Light Up the World
This is in regard to your "Letter of the Month" from Spc. Powell (Nov. '09), who was seeking a 24-volt light upgrade for his Army MRAP.
Forty years ago, when I was a crew chief on a C-130 in the Vietnam War, the aircraft lights were 24-volt.
The same cargo plane is still used today. A landing light would light up the world. Maybe Spc. Powell can make contact with a crew chief at a supply base. We did a lot of horse-trading in Vietnam.
Richard J. Comer
Pittsview, AL
Dept. of Corrections
In our recent Top Truck Challenge Prize Guide (Dec. '09), we neglected to include Lightforce (714/460-4247, www lightforce.com), who generously donated a set of off-road lights to all of our competitors and co-drivers. Our apologies for the omission.