Thanks To Ted
Reader: Thank you, Ted Reese, for writing "Give Us Our Trucks Back," (July '02). I have loved my trucks for years because they are...well, trucks. I am also the person people come to asking what vehicles to buy, and I quit recommending trucks after one of my best friends bought his wife a new 4x4 Suburban. It made me sick to hear her talk about how it drove "just like a car." Yeah, if a car is 20 feet long and weighs 6,000 pounds. Put them back in station wagons.
Rich DeFrancisco
Wurtsboro, New York
Editor: Actually, they'd probably be much safer in station wagons, given the general level of driving skill out there means that folks seem to be willing to expect driving dynamics from pickups and SUVs that pickups and SUVs don't possess.
No Excuse For Ted
Reader: I really enjoyed your 40th anniversary issue, except for one section. Ted Reese's column had no business being in the magazine. He should be considered an embarrassment to an otherwise fine publication. My dad always said, "Ignorance is bliss." If this is true, then Mr. Reese should be the happiest man alive. Thank you for your time.
Unsigned
via fourwheeler.com
Editor: Ted is indeed a very happy man-never happier, in fact, than when he knows he's annoyed someone who disagrees with him. So you've made Ted's day.
Missing In Action
Reader: On the cover of the June '02 Four Wheeler, there's a Yukon wearing a lightbar that is said to be a Trailblazer piece. I have been looking for one of those for a few years but have been unable to find one. Do you have any info as to where those lightbars are sold and about how much they might cost?
R. Smith
via fourwheeler.com
Editor: We received several queries about this, so we looked high and low for Trailblazer. All we've been able to learn is that Trailblazer apparently no longer is in business. If indeed that's correct, we are unable to suggest another source for this lightbar.
Froggy Finds Friends
Reader: I just got the July '02 Four Wheeler. I am especially interested in homebuilt rigs like Mark Claus' Texas Frog. I would like to see more on this rig, as people with the creativity and engineering ability such as Mr. Claus are very rare. Anyone can take a stock vehicle and change it, but to start from scratch and build something out of odds and ends and make it work is a true talent. How rare is this kind of talent? How many true homebuilt rigs do you usually get to see? The pictures were small but it appears that Mr. Claus is also interested in more than function as the rig is finished quite well on the outside.
S.K. Hogg
via fourwheeler.com
Editor: We're happy that you liked the Texas Frog. Interestingly, there is a growing number of such vehicles appearing. One of them, in fact, is expected to compete in this year's Top Truck Challenge. To see it, and to see how it does, be sure to check our coverage starting this issue.
Oops
Reader: I noticed an error in the July '02 Four Wheeler, specifically the "Two-Second News" section. The article indicates that "the new version of the Power Stroke will be the only diesel engine to boast four valves per cylinder." To my knowledge the Cummins 5.9 offered in the Dodge Ram has been equipped with four valve heads since 1998.
John McHenry
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Editor: And right you are. That was our mistake.
Happy Days!
Reader: The happiest day of the month for me is when I open my mailbox and find my shiny new issue of Four Wheeler staring me in the face. I can't wait to read what you have cooked up for my reading pleasure.
OK, that's over with, now time to complain-not about the staff or what they do or how they do it. I wish to complain about the folks who write to tell you how to do your jobs. I say three cheers for the staff at Four Wheeler. Great job with the magazine, guys. I will keep my subscription for another 10 years, at least.
Dave Hausauer
via fourwheeler.com
Win!
Four Wheeler's "Letter of the Month" is the most interesting or informative letter we receive each month. The letter's author will be sent one of Four Wheeler's highly prized Four Wheeler license plates. So be sure to include your full name and address when you write Four Wheeler.
Letter Of The Month
Parent Problems
Reader: I've been a regular reader of Four Wheeler for about two years, and I eagerly await each month's issue. So you may be surprised to learn that I'm very young compared to most of you. I just turned 16. Yet I'm obsessed with trucks, Jeeps and four-wheeling. Unfortunately, my parents are not. They're not against it. They're just not as hard-core as I am. This love of 'wheeling also is shared by some of my friends, and we find it increasingly hard to get our parents to let us go four-wheeling, and to let us buy stuff like tires, bumpers, winches and lifts. Can you suggest a possible cure for the parent problem?
Kirt Hine
Brentwood, Tennessee
Editor: Well, we'll try. First, those of us here with offspring are tickled to death when one of them wants to be engaged in what has to be one of the most wholesome activities around-especially when they earn the money they spend on it, and when they practice that activity in a safe, responsible, Tread Lightly! kind of way. With those elements in place, we think that what we'd do is plan a run. Nothing too risky or tough, just a good fun run to a beautiful spot, where you can stop and maybe enjoy a picnic lunch. Invite your parents to come with you. Keep after them until they can fit it into their schedules. While you're on the trail, keep the music turned down, make sure they stay buckled up, and make sure they follow, as you do, all the usual rules of the trail-you know, pick up trash you see, and at break time, men on the left, women on the right, and so on. When you approach obstacles, talk to them about what you're doing, and why. Let them see how much fun four-wheeling is, and how dedicated you are to doing it properly. Teach them about the activity. Get 'em to spot for you, and to help out when you get stuck. In other words, get them involved. We think that might help. At least we hope it will.