21: Cheston Beck, Clinton, Utah '78 IH Traveler
Save some sheetmetal, very little remains stock on this sweet-looking Moab rock rig. It's been quite a while since we've had a Harvester in Hollister. Should Beck's Traveler get the chance to make the trip?
Engine: 460 Ford V-8, bored 0.030 over
Transmission: C6
Transfer case: Chevy NP205
Axles, f/r: Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 5.38:1
Suspension, f/r: Dual-triangulated four-link, Deaver 6-inch coils, Pro Comp shocks/4-inch Scout leaf springs, Revolver shackles, Pro Comp shocks Tires: 42-inch TSL Super Swampers
Special features: Warn M12000 winch, Edelbrock 750 carb, weld-on bead locks, eight-point rollcage, bed-mounted fuel cell, bed bobbed 12 inches, front axle relocated forward 2 inches, crossover ram-assist steering, custom half-doors, Zolatone paint, Warn hubs
Driver experience: 14
22: Kenneth E. Johnson, East Syracuse, New York '83 Jeep Scrambler
There's no winch in this photo, but Kenneth assures us he has installed one since the pic was taken. Rockwell axles and lockers are always a potent combo--will it be enough to win our voters' support?
Engine: 302 Ford V-8 with Comp roller valvetrain
Transmission: T-18 four-speed
Transfer case: NP205 with 1410 yokes
Axles, f/r: Rockwell 2 1/2-ton/Rockwell 2 1/2-ton
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Skyjacker 6-inch Chevy leaf springs/Rusty's Off Road 5 1/2-inch Cherokee rear leaves, double shackles
Tires: 44-inch Swamper Boggers
Special features: 12,000-pound T-Max winch, USA 6x6 double bead locks, 19-gallon fuel cell, full rollcage
Driver experience: 7 years
23: Kevin Myers, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota '04 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Given the 54-inch tires, those boulders Meyers is climbing must be monsters. He'd certainly be at home in the Mini Rubicon, and perhaps our readers will give him the chance to crawl it at TTC `08.
Engine: 502 Chevy ZZ Ram Jet V-8
Transmission: TCI-built TH400 with full manual valvebody
Transfer case: Atlas 6.0
Axles, f/r: 47-spline Rockwell 2.5-ton/47-spline Rockwell 2.5-ton
Traction aids, f/r: Ouverson locker/Ouverson locker
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Four-link, King 3.0 coilovers, Currie Anti-Rock sway bar/Four-link, King 3.0 coilovers, Currie sway bar
Tires: 54x19.5-20 TSL Boggers
Special features: Front and rear Warn 9500 winches, four-wheel disc brakes, drive flanges, full hydro steering, onboard air, dual alternators, Powertank, front and rear cutting brakes, 18-gallon fuel cell, Staun bead locks, CD player for trail tunes
Driver experience: 17 years
24: Jeffrey J. Bentley, Champaign, Illinois '91 Jeep Wrangler YJ
A relative newcomer to four-wheeling, Bentley has already managed to build himself a quite-capable YJ. Now he says he's ready for the ultimate hard-core `wheeling challenge. Readers, what say ye?
Engine: Chevy 350 TPI V-8
Transmission: TH350
Transfer case: Atlas II 3.8
Axles, f/r: 35-spline high-pinion Ford Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: Eaton E-locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 5.13:1
Suspension, f/r: Custom four-link, Walker Evans shocks/Custom four-link, Walker Evans shocks
Tires: 49-inch IROKs
Special features: Warn 9.5ti winch, full rollcage, 12-gallon RCI fuel cell, full hydro steering, wheelbase lengthened to 106 inches, chromoly axleshafts, CTM joints, Tom Wood's driveshafts, Marsh bead locks, AP Racing seats
Driver experience: 3 years
25: Corey Fowler, Ithaca, Michigan Mystery Jeep Scrambler
A bridesmaid in past TTC balloting, Fowler has not yet made a list of Top 10 finalists. We love the Olds powerplant and the beefy suspension specs. Will our readers give Corey the nod this year?
Engine: Balanced 455 Oldsmobile V-8, bored 0.030 over, 770 Truck Avenger carb
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: Divorced NP205
Axles, f/r: Rear Rockwell 2.5-ton/Rockwell 2.5-ton
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Custom four-link, Bronco coils, Pro Comp shocks/Four-link, Bronco coils, Pro Comp shocks
Tires: 44x19.5-15 Super Swamper Boggers
Special features: MileMarker 12000 winch, FK spherical rod ends, suspension links fabbed from 1 3/4x0.125 DOM tubing, Marsh wheels, custom front and rear Reese hitch receivers, full hydro steering, full rollcage
Driver experience: 7 years
26: Debbie Chadbourne, Clovis, California '04 Homebuilt Dozer
Friend of TTC Debbie Chadbourne sent in two sterling entries this year. If this legendary West Coast rig is chosen, she says her late husband's homebuilt buggy will be piloted by driver Ken Boatman.
Engine: 502 Chevy propane-injected V-8
Transmission: SM465
Transfer case: NP205 with Klune-V
Axles, f/r: Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 5.13:1
Suspension, f/r: Four-link, 2 1/2-inch Race Runner coilovers/Four-link, Race Runner 2 1/2-inch coilovers
Tires: 49-inch Super Swamper IROKs
Special features: "Too much to mention." (Debbie)
Driver experience: 20+ years
27: Dale M. Wilson, Belding, Michigan '79 Jeep CJ-7
Well-engineered monster Jeeps have been successful in the past; does this one have what it takes to get your vote?
Engine: 509ci GM V-8
Transmission: Turbo 350
Transfer case: NP205
Axles, f/r: 2.5-ton Rockwell/2.5-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Welded
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: 12-inch Superlift '73-'87 Chevy leaf springs/8-inch custom leaf springs with 4-inch blacks and anti-wrap bar
Tires: 49x21/16.5 Interco IROKs
Special features: The list of mods is extensive; we wish we had the room to print it all here. Some of the highlights include a modified Quadrajet carb, a TH350 with all the fixings, and a heavily reinforced frame Dale says is "bombproof."
Driver experience: 15 years
28: Ryan Lloyd, Waterloo, Illinois '89 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Looks like this is a Jeep that has lived a hard life and is asking for more. Be careful of what you wish for--you might just get the Tank Trap.
Engine: 383ci GM V-8 (est. 550 hp)
Transmission: Turbo 350
Transfer case: NP205
Axles, f/r: 2.5-ton Rockwell/2.5-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Coil spring, four-link/Coil spring, four-link
Tires: 46-inch Michelins
Special features: All of the brackets on this rig were hand-made, and the only things left stock are the frame and body. The axles are chromoly, and the steering full hydro.
Driver experience: 7 years
29: Scott Morris, Sunman, Indiana '07 Machine Wave Weapon Chassis
Morris has been standing on the sidelines for many years, always voting for his favorite TTC rigs. This year he says he is ready to shoot it out with big boys. Will you give him his shot?
Engine: 502ci GM V8
Transmission: Turbo 400
Transfer case: Four-speed Atlas with 10:1 low range
Axles, f/r: Dana 80 center, Rockwell outers/Dana 80 center, Rockwell outers
Traction aids, f/r: ARB Air locker/ARB Air Locker
Ratio: 5.38:1
Suspension, f/r: Triangulated four-link, Fox 2.5x18-inch Fox air shocks/Triangulated four-link, Fox 2.5x18-inch Fox air shocks
Tires: 49x21/20 Interco IROKs
Special features: This vehicle was built and designed with TTC in mind, and with hybrid axles, a full tube chassis, Stazworks double internal bead locks, Howe steering, and an interesting suspension, it has the credentials to compete.
Driver experience: 19 years
30: Eric Stephens, Paradise, California '70 Chevrolet C-10
The exoskeleton on this Chevy just hints at how serious this rig is about taking on the brutal elements at TTC.
Engine: 454ci GM V-8
Transmission: Turbo 400
Transfer case: Doubled NP203/205
Axles, f/r: 2.5-ton Rockwell/2.5-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Three-link with 14-inch Sway-A-Way shocks/Three-link with 14-inch King shocks
Tires: 52-inch Michelin XLs
Special features: Exoskeleton, rear steering, and the suspension to beat concrete culverts into submission.
Driver experience: 40+ years
Be sure to check out pages 4 & 5 to see the rest of the TTC '08 Hopefuls!