Pomona Fairplex Off Road Expo 2008 - Four Wheeler Magazine

Each October Southern California's Off-Road Expo show detonates inside the confines of Pomona Fairplex like a volcanic emporium, bursting with an array of eye candy designed to benefit corporations and enthusiasts alike. Nobody leaves empty-handed and all share the opportunity to absorb a piece of California dirt subculture. Since the show's inception some nine years ago, the event has drawn hordes of desert junkies, extreme rockcrawlers, mud boggers, and sand addicts out to an absolute drool-fest under the hot California sun, or as in the case of this year's exhibition, light drizzle. That's right, the Expo is here to stay, and for some companies the event triggers a who's who showdown that some claim rivals SEMA, minus the frivolous electronic gizmos and over-the-top gold-flake paint schemes. Fortunately we had our staff on hand to evaluate the event and document the best-in-show for your viewing pleasure.

2008 Off Road Expo Pics 2008 Toyota Tundra

Although General Tire does not yet offer the new desert-race-inspired Grabber tire to the non-desert-racing public, this mildly built '08 Tundra was sporting a set. Lacking DOT approval, these race-only answers to BFGs Baja Project tires are the hottest thing going in off-road racing. Rumor has it the new tires were used during the filming of the much-anticipated Hollywood blockbuster Fast and Furious 4. Sources tell us these new tires will be seen on Reese Millen's newly constructed Trophy Truck as part of a stunt sequence featured in the film. The film is set to debut June 5, 2009.

2008 Off Road Expo Pics Trrek Top Jeep Jk

Bestop surprised us with this unique-looking JK soft top called Trektop. This product is made with the same premium fabric that maintains its shape in any temperature, like the O.E. soft top, yet it features a removable rear curtain that provides more of that open-air experience for passengers. The front portion still maintains our favorite feature that exposes the front of the cab on two-doors. However, both the front and rear can be exposed using this top in a four-door model. Info: 800/845-3567, www.bestop.com

Our own Source Interlink booth was a happening spot during the show. Four Wheeler's own Project 'Con Artist and Project Rhino were on hand for fans to see.
Our own Source Interlink booth was a happening spot during the show. Four Wheeler's own Pr
We spotted TV Star Jesse James's Trophy Truck on display in one of the massive exhibit halls. Onlookers in the know would recognize this rig anywhere due to many subtle yet distinctive West Coast Chopper-style details.
We spotted TV Star Jesse James's Trophy Truck on display in one of the massive exhibit hal
Our own Sean P. Holman was observed signing up and paying dues for membership to the California Off-Road Vehicle Association. Supporting organizations such as CORVA is essential to ensure our 4x4 trail systems remain open for generations to come.
Our own Sean P. Holman was observed signing up and paying dues for membership to the Calif

Cornay Company was on hand to showcase its new CVX-30 driveshaft technology. These high-angle driveshafts are designed to withstand high speed and high torque, while providing long life, even at angles up to 30 degrees. Info: 303/651-9099, www.cornay.com
Cornay Company was on hand to showcase its new CVX-30 driveshaft technology. These high-an
Off Road Evolution's booth was quite impressive with six custom-built JKs, each sporting a variety of wicked suspension revisions including the Evo Lever rear coilover conversion and trick Evo Flex front coilover upgrade. Owners Mel and Lisa Wade headed up a friendly and knowledgeable staff to meet and answer questions for showgoers.
Off Road Evolution's booth was quite impressive with six custom-built JKs, each sporting a
Gen-Rite wowed Jeep TJ fans with its awesome body stretch kits. Essentially these kits allow users to lengthen the wheelbase of a Jeep TJ up to 5 inches over stock. Also on display were Gen-Rite's clean-looking Hi-Fender conversion kits, which allow 35-inch tires with no lift on TJs. Info: 805/584-8635, www.genright.com
Gen-Rite wowed Jeep TJ fans with its awesome body stretch kits. Essentially these kits all

Daystar showed off its newest innovation: D-ring bumper protectors. Now there is no excuse for that annoying clanking noise you always hear coming from the bumpers of 4x4s on the trail. These polyurethane collars snap into place easily and prevent any and all contact between the shackle and the bumper. At only $16 for a pair, this new product is sure to be a hit.
Daystar showed off its newest innovation: D-ring bumper protectors. Now there is no excuse
This JK lightbar by KMA Fabrication allows JK owners an easy way to add auxiliary lighting above the windshield where lighting is most effective. The easy bolt-on bar is constructed from 0.120-wall HREW tubing and comes raw for custom coloring. The design will accommodate up to four 8-inch lights. Holes are predrilled in the lightbar for wiring. These bars start at $359. Info: 559/493-8314, www.kmafabrication.com
This JK lightbar by KMA Fabrication allows JK owners an easy way to add auxiliary lighting

Displayed proudly in the Poly Performance booth was Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road's Project Fun Buggy. Conceptualized by Tech Editor Fred Williams, this marvel of ingenuity and clever packaging blurs the lines between rock racer and trail/street machine. Designed from the get-go to be DOT-legal, this rolling testbed provides much insight to the future of purpose-built rigs. We look forward to seeing this rig compete at King of The Hammers in February 2009.
Displayed proudly in the Poly Performance booth was Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road's Projec
We stumbled into the booth belonging to Perry's Fab N Fiber and discovered this new front fender and hood combo made of fiberglass designed to fit all '08-'09 Toyota Tundras/Sequoias. The setup replaces the factory sheetmetal with wider front fenders that can accommodate a larger tire and an aggressively restyled fiberglass hood. The complete kit starts at $800. Info: 619/463-1361, www.mcneilracinginc.com
We stumbled into the booth belonging to Perry's Fab N Fiber and discovered this new front
Advance Adapters debuted its latest low-range Jeep sensation; the Rubi Crawler. This bolt-on planetary unit installs in place of the tailhousing for any Jeep equipped with the 42RLE automatic ('03-'06 TJs and '07-'09 JKs). The unit requires no driveline modifications and adds an extra gear reduction of 2.72:1. Estimated pricing is said to be around $1,600, and the unit is expected to be available by the end of March 2009. Info: 800/350-2223, wwww.advanceadapters.com
Advance Adapters debuted its latest low-range Jeep sensation; the Rubi Crawler. This bolt-

Icon Vehicle Dynamics is the newest member of the suspension industry family. The company's booth was definitely one of the hot spots of the show. In it we found a whole assortment of high-quality suspension systems for popular builder rigs such as the Toyota FJ and Jeep JK. Oddities included a cute-looking Japanese Kei utility pickup truck sporting a lift and Rhino wheels and tires. Info: 951/272-4266, www.iconvehicledynamics.com.
Icon Vehicle Dynamics is the newest member of the suspension industry family. The company'
Pro rock racer Larry Gipson's crawler was on display outside between two of the exhibit halls. This custom chariot is powered by an LS1 V-8 mated to a Powerglide transmission and Stak-prepped Dana 300 transfer case. Each of the Spidertrax 9-inch axles feature 35-spline 300-M shafts and Detroit Lockers. The 37-inch Pit Bull Rockers are mounted to 17-inch Trail Gear beadlocked wheels.
Pro rock racer Larry Gipson's crawler was on display outside between two of the exhibit ha
Perhaps the sweetest truck in the show was this clean Ford F-150-based prerunner belonging to Garron Cadiente of G&R racing. "Technological marvel" is an understatement when you consider how many man hours went into this street-legal fabrication masterpiece. And with a price tag right around $250,000, we know why we don't see them all over the place. Toyo Tire's booth enjoyed steady traffic both days thanks to this work of art.
Perhaps the sweetest truck in the show was this clean Ford F-150-based prerunner belonging

Superior Axle had a trick new axle upgrade on hand for TJ owners with Dana 35 C-clip rear ends. This C-clip elimination kit allows the customer a much more reliable axle retaining method. These kits include 30-spline dual lug pattern alloy shafts and retail for right around $600. Info: 888/522-2953, www.superioraxle.com.
Superior Axle had a trick new axle upgrade on hand for TJ owners with Dana 35 C-clip rear
Tuffy showed us its new external door lockers, a sensible design that ensures theft protection for vulnerable Jeep JK hard doors. High-security 10-tumbler locks allow only the owner to unlock and remove the door locker assembly and then remove the hard doors. Prices start around $36 for a pair. Info: 800/348-8339, www.tuffyproducts.com
Tuffy showed us its new external door lockers, a sensible design that ensures theft protec