1997: Goin’ Hollywood
Grand Champion: Geby Wager, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Vehicle: 1986 Jeep CJ-7
Folks had never seen anything as extreme as Wager’s big-block-powered, 2½-ton-shod, independent suspension-equipped CJ and it left everyone speechless. Wager only won one event (Acceleration), but he was consistent in all the others finishing in the top four in each. For the first time TTC was videotaped for Four Wheeler TV.
The Details
Engine: Cadillac 502ci V-8, Holley 800cfm carburetor
Transmission: Ford T-19
Transfer case: NP205
Axles (f/r): Modified 2½-ton Gama Goat, Powr-Lok/modified 2½-ton Gama Goat, Powr-Lok
Suspension (f/r): Custom independent, air springs, Fox shocks/custom independent, air springs, Fox shocks
Tires: 44-inch Super Swamper TSL Boggers
1998: Year of the tube chassis
Grand Champion: Heath Biggs, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Vehicle: Scorpion MK1
Biggs’ Scorpion was the first tube-chassis rig to compete in Top Truck and it left a lasting impression. Actually, it was a sign of trends to come, we all just didn’t know it yet. More than just a pretty face, Biggs’ rig dominated TTC ’98 with three First Place finishes and three Second Place finishes. It was the first time a non-Jeep-based rig took the TTC crown.
The Details
Engine: Chevy 350ci TBI V-8
Transmission: 700-R4
Transfer case: Atlas II, 3.8:1
Axles (f/r): Dana 44, Detroit Locker/Dana 60 ARB Air Locker
Suspension (f/r): AES multilink, Firestone airbags, Bilstein remote-reservoir shocks/AES multilink, Firestone airbags, Bilstein remote-reservoir shocks
Tires: 35-inch Super Swamper TSL Boggers
1999:So long, rattlesnake-infested tire pit
Grand Champion: Grady McLeod, Sacramento, California
Vehicle: 1948 Willys CJ-2A
McLeod took command of Top Truck ’99 and won five events. No one saw it coming. He was up against an amazing collection of vehicles including a Viper-powered TJ, mid-engine minivan, and a Chevy K10 with a 557ci marine engine. Interestingly, he won the whole shootin’ match and took home the driving elegant award to boot. This was the last year for the rattlesnake-infested tire pit.
The Details
Engine: Chevy 350ci V-8, modified Quadrajet carburetor
Transmission: TH350
Transfer case: Toyota w/Marlin Crawler 4.7:1 gears
Axles (f/r): Dana 44, ARB Air Locker /Toyota V-6, ARB Air Locker
Suspension (f/r): Spring--over-axle w/Jeep Wagoneer springs, Rancho shocks/custom quarter-elliptic springs, four-link, Rancho shocks
Tires: 38.5-inch Super Swamper SXs
2000: Winning by sheer determination
Grand Champion: Sam Patton, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Vehicle: 1984 Jeep CJ-7
One of the most memorable moments ever from Tank Trap is of Patton straddling his Chevy V-8, spraying Chem Tool into the intake so his waterlogged engine would fire long enough to get him and co-driver Mike Cox (who was piloting the rig while peering around the open hood) the last few feet to the finish line. Patton barely edged out Steve Rumore’s Sniper buggy in points to claim Grand Champion.
The Details
Engine: Chevy TPI 350ci V-8
Transmission: 700-R4
Transfer case: Atlas II 4.3:1
Axles (f/r): Dana 60, Detroit Locker/Dana 60, Detroit Locker
Suspension (f/r): 2½-in-lift Superlift leaf springs, Currie shackles, dual Old Man Emu shocks/2½-in-lift Superlift leaf springs, Currie shackles, Sam’s Offroad traction bars, Old Man Emu shocks
Tires: 39-inch Super Swamper TSL Boggers
2001: A fullsize odyssey
Grand Champion: Brian Waddell, Vancouver, Washington
Vehicle: 1972 Chevy Suburban
Just when it looked like short wheelbase rigs were going to win Top Truck forever, along comes Waddell and his massive Suburban. He only won one event, but placed Second in three events and it was enough to eke out a win over another fullsize, the GMC Jimmy of Off Road Unlimited’s Stephen Watson.
The Details
Engine: Chevy 454ci V-8, Holley Commander 950 EFI
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: NP203/205 Doubler
Axles (f/r): Dana 60, vacuum-operated McNamara Locker/factory Eaton, Detroit No-Spin
Suspension (f/r): 8-in-lift Skyjacker leaf springs, Rancho shocks/6-in-lift Skyjacker leaf springs, shackle flip, Rancho shocks
Tires: 44-in Super Swamper TSL Boggers