Reader: I've been watching Four Wheeler TV for a while now, and I saw your show on the "Ultimate Adventure," where you went to a few off-road parks in Illinois and Wisconsin. I'm from Wisconsin and I'm new to four-wheeling, so where can I find a list of nearby off-road parks and trails so my buddy and I can go 'wheeling?
Russ Voege
via fourwheeler.com
Editor: You may have us confused with another 4x4 magazine-but you have definitely come to the right place. If you bought this month's issue on the newsstand, you already have our special 48-page "Where to Wheel" guide, with hundreds of listings of 4x4 parks and recreation areas across the U.S. If you didn't-well, head on down to your local newsstand and pick it up today!
Reader: OK, I read my Nov. '04 issue and it's time to talk about Top Truck 2005. As a participant in TTC 1994 (I had a fantastic time and won a great Ramsey winch), and as a 30-year Four Wheeler subscriber, I have some thoughts to share.
The event, along with a segment of the off-road community, has evolved to a highly modified extreme. While this is generally OK, it progressively leaves behind more and more four-wheel enthusiasts who more typically drive less radically modified and more streetable vehicles. They need a chance too.
With the robust growth and success of the TTC event, it is important to stay flexible and consider some future accommodations that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Now is the time to open an additional TTC class for potential competitors otherwise unable to participate. For the guy or gal who thinks they really know how to drive, create a class with some vehicle rules that will seriously challenge their off-road driving skills: A class to bring out the driver in the driver, like the olden days, before giraffe-sized articulation became the norm. NASCAR and Indy use vehicle limitations to bring out the driver's abilities. For starters, only truly street-legal rigs may apply. Limit the tire size to, say, 32 inches. Restrict the percent of tread that may extend beyond the fender. No fenderwell or wheelwell modifications. Factory engine required but could have bolt-on mods. Suspension and differential upgrades can be considered.
Have fun picking a name for the new class-Contemporary, Limited, Stock Plus?
Frederic Humes
TTC '94
Coronado, CA
Editor: A 32-inch maximum tire size? Yikes, we took enough flak for limiting competitors at Real Truck Club Challenge to 40s! Either way, we have discussed holding alternative Top Truck-type events in the future, perhaps including a Top Truck Champions' Challenge where all the past winners of TTC would be invited back to Hollister to compete against each other. (Readers, what do you think?) For now, though, our plates are pretty full with the two events we do hold each year ... but we're keeping our options open.
Reader: Back in 1987, I dated a guy for two months who had an '83 Chevy Blazer that had a suspension lift, big tires, and so on. I was in love (with the truck, not the guy). From then on, I wanted my own truck. I subscribed to your magazine for a couple of years and dreamed, as life went on. I finished college, got a teaching job, got married, and had three kids. Two years ago, it became apparent that I was finally going to get a truck. With the three kids, I needed a four-door. I wasn't sure what to get, but I needed a lot of room. I again subscribed to your magazine to dream some more, and to figure out what I needed and wanted to get.
My husband really has no interest in cars, trucks, or anything mechanical, so I got to pick the truck. Well, after 17 years of dreaming, I became the proud owner of an '04 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab. I'm in love again! I love the Hemi and the height. I wanted to thank you guys for helping me make my decision and keep me dreaming. Thanks to your magazine, I have a long list of mods and I can't wait to get started. Although my truck is still stock (it's only a month old), I have mudflaps and a satellite radio system to put in today. This will start the check-off of the long list. My dream now is to get it into "Readers' Rigs." Thanks again!
Mary Brady
via fourwheeler.com
Editor: We'd be happy to consider your Dodge for "Readers' Rigs" when you've finally finished your labor of love. 'Til then, we'll make sure your truck is adorned with a Four Wheeler license plate. And thank you for writing!