A Half-Century Of Four Wheeler

Aug. ’02

Technology— and Sometimes It Overwhelmed Us
“Now you don’t see it and now you do! The first V-8 production engine in a bobtailed four-wheel drive rig will be available through Ford dealers by the time you read this article.”—Apr. ’66, “V-8’s Are Here!”

“Scout enthusiasts have long wanted a V-8 powerplant in their rig and Four Wheeler’s test of Internationals’ all new V-266 engine model proved that the wait was well worth while.”—Sept. ’67, “About That Scout…V-8”

“In all of four wheeling there is one aid that could save you as efficiently as a winch, tow strap, shovel or hi-lift jack…if you haven’t guessed by now, both are born of the electronic age. The first is a CB radio, the second is an 8-track stereo tape deck and AM/FM radio.” —May ’75, “Project Sound”

Nov. ’79, “The Jeep in WWII and Korea”

“Finally. For years we have been carping about the lack of power windows and power door locks on the wide Chevy 4x4s. It appears that someone is listening.”—Mar. ’77, “Four Wheeler of the Year”

“While researching this article, Four Wheeler learned that research and development is proceeding rapidly in OEM circles to finalize so-called “smart” suspensions for four-wheel drives...suffice to say that the driver of a “smart” suspension will have total control of ride height and suspension stiffness.”—May ’84, “What’s New in 4WD Suspension”

Sept. ’89, “Rear View”

“Many of us are afraid of computers. As a result, many of us are afraid of electronic fuel injection because it’s computer-controlled.”—Jan. ’88, “Reprogramming for Performance”

“Again we have the Ford MPI system versus the Chevy TBI system. We like the Ford 302 better than the Chevy 305…”—May ’92, “What’s Under the Hood?”

“Four Wheeler’s Extraordinary Innovation Award, Honorable Mentions: Isuzu Trooper: But Isuzu has always pursued fundamental, proven virtues. That’s why we were surprised to see the Trooper had the first power folding mirrors available on a 4x4.”—Jan. ’93, “Four Wheeler of the Year”

“Held every two years, the Tokyo Motor Show is a window into the future. It was at the Tokyo Motor Shows in the past that we saw our first hand-held GPS system, the first electronically adjustable shocks, the original RAV4 concept, and…the Amigo…”—Mar. ’00, “4x4s of Tomorrow”

Dec. ’09, “Shaken & Stirred, Top Truck Challenge 2009

“In the following pages we’ll cover several points of contention—gas or diesel? carb or injection? leaf springs or coils?”—Sept. ’08, “Great Debates”

Um…??!!
“Ever been on an extended camping trip when you longed for the luxury of freshly ironed clothing?”—Dec. ’62/Jan. ’63, “Outdoor Camp Iron”

“Letting children get to know and respect ‘Daddy’ as a pal and a capable person able to care for his family in ‘out-back’ areas helps to strengthen their faith in his advice regarding other matters.”—Dec. ’62/Jan. ‘63, “Four Wheeling and the Fair Sex”

“Are you interested in making your four wheel drive rig pay off in real pay dirt? In relics and artifacts of the Old West; in antiques which will bring you huge sums from collectors; even in gold, silver and other valuables?”—June ’63, “There’s Gold and Ghosts in Them Thar Hills”

“Handy Clothes Hanging Stand: Do you long for the opportunity of keeping at least a few of your clothes looking “go-to-town-fresh” on one of those extended four wheeler campouts?” —Dec. ’66, “Grub Box”

“If Dad is in agreement, a four wheel drive trip can prove especially valuable as a way of allowing the children to share his interests.” —Feb. ’67, “Grub Box”

“Included in the kit are a survival rifle and ammunition, a nine-foot tent, a rocket launcher and rocket flares, an assortment of hand tools, an official Air Force Survival Manual, a first aid pack, rations, water and other essential survival components.”—July ’68, “Survival in a Kit”

“Four wheeling alone is fun. When coupled with a goal of artifact hunting or treasure seeking, it becomes even more so.”—Nov. ’68, “Spanish Sword”

“Four Wheeler was intrigued with the idea that perhaps some of our readers might be interested in buying a second, or vacation, home…with that thought in mind we’ve decided to run a series of articles dealing with the fundamental aspects and complexities of building and owning a vacation home.”—May ’73, “Want to Really Get Away?”

“A 12-year-old shows how to install a Pair of ABC hi-back contour bucket seats in just two hours!”—Feb. ’74, “Rip Off Old—Slip on New”

“We know we need a short gear for the backcountry and yet a much taller rear end gear for the highway. It’s like needing black paint one place and white paint in another.”—Jan. ’76, “All About Differentials”

“The favorite topic of four wheelers everywhere seems to be the final yard a 4x4 can be forced upward before a) the wheels lose traction, or, b) the vehicle flips on its back and slides down on its roof. Just why this mania is so widespread remains a mystery.”—June ’76, “Travelin’ Light”

“How to Enjoy, not Cuss, Your 4WD...”
—Mar. ’77, Story Title

“The physical presence of a new 4x4 is something seen, smelled and fondled. One salesman, in fact, reported that one buyer leered at a new model so hotly, he was afraid he’d try making love to it!”—Mar. ’77, “4x4 Rides—Test Run or Milk Run?”

“The newest rip-off victims, for which four wheelers will probably receive a lion’s share of blame, are cacti.”—July ’77, “Four Wheelin’”

“In Search of the World’s Greatest Mexican Restaurant.”—July ’79, story title

“There seems to be no more exciting subject off road than precious metals.”—Jan. ’82, “Off Road Sportsman”

Nov. ’81, “Toyota Trek!”

“Toyota is the Barbara Walters of vehicle chic, the prime time of hip motoring, the Top 40 and People magazine of fast living on four wheels.”—Oct. ’82, “Toyota’s New 4x4 Tercel Wagon”

“Four Wheeler Gets Drunk.”—Apr. ’84, story title

“Jumping is exciting, no question about it. It’s exciting to do and it’s exciting to show. Look at all the pictures depicting jumping trucks in advertisements and on the covers of magazines. Jumping is exciting.”—Mar. ’88, “Jump Master”

“No, a “sport-ute” is not an American Indian in a track suit.”—July ’88, “Balance of Power”

“A Chevy engineer once described Four Wheeler as “a magazine that shows people how to fix what we do wrong.”—Nov. ’92, “Random Input”

May. ’02, “Furious Ford”

“Project Wrangler: Part 48.”—Dec. ’96, story title

The Editors
Robert Ames 1963-1971
Robert Leif 1969
Lou Kjose 1971
Bill Sanders 1971-1979
Dennis Adler 1980-1981
Bill Sanders 1981-1982
Julian G. Schmidt 1982
Dianne Jacob (Executive Editor) 1983-1984
Rich Johnson (Senior Editor) 1984-1985
David M. Cohen 1986
John Stewart 1986-1999
Mark Williams 1999-2000
Jon Thompson 2000-2005
Douglas McColloch 2005-2011
John Cappa 2011-present

Four Wheeler Taglines Through the Years
The Magazine of Back Country Driving & Camping The Magazine of Back Country Cars The Magazine of Four-Wheel Drive Cars America’s Leading Off Road Magazine The World’s Leading Four Wheel Drive Magazine The Magazine of Off Road Vehicles Combined with Sport Buggies Everyone’s Off Road Magazine The Original Since 1962 The World’s Leading 4x4 Authority