Reader: What ever happened to your Project Xterra? You do know that the Xterra community is probably your fastest-growing new segment in four wheeling. Give us some attention and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Sure, they're not rockcrawling Superjeeps, but they will go anywhere a Cherokee or a 4Runner will go. While I'm at it, why is an Xterra with a new bumper, skidplates, and lockers at both ends always described as heavily modified, while a Jeep that has nothing stock remaining on it is just a good old Jeep? Keep up the good work!
Joseph P. Painter
Oklahoma City, OK
Editor: As a rule, project vehicles are loaned to us by the participating OEMs for a year, maybe two-after which, for liability reasons, they are returned to the manufacturer and typically crushed. So at this point, we regret to say, our poor Project X probably resembles a big yellow cube with a snorkel sticking out of it.
Seriously, though, we enjoyed building that project-it was a real looker on the street, and with front and rear lockers and aggressive tires, it did quite well at Moab and similar venues. And you're right-with a few minor mods, Xterras can be surprisingly capable vehicles.
Reader: I felt insulted by the article written by Dennis Pierce about ATV'ers ("Low Rage," Jan. '05). Not everyone is like the ATV'ers Dennis talks about in the article. I've been to Colorado three times for four-wheeling. The first time was in my '94 Wrangler, which had a 2 1/2-inch suspension lift. It was great being out there, but we were limited to moderate trails such as Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass.
That's the problem. The only way to do difficult trails is with a highly modified Jeep, spending thousands of dollars on lockers, tires, winches, gears, lifts, and miscellaneous drivetrain alterations in addition to the cost of the Jeep-not to mention any body damage and/or drivetrain failures from difficult trails. I cannot see spending that much money on a Jeep for off-road use and worrying about not being able to get it home if it breaks on the trail.
I spent around $7,000 on my new ATV. That's with four-wheel drive, a Warn winch, a locked rearend, and a selectable front locker. It's an '04 Yamaha Grizzly 660, it is set up for anything, and it's indestructible. The only things that need to be done to it are wear items (brakes, fluids, tires).
The next two times in Colorado-with my ATV-difficult trails were pretty much a walk in the park. We did Webster Pass, Red Cone, Holy Cross, and others with not one single mechanical failure or body damage. If I had taken my Wrangler, I am pretty sure it would have suffered some damage. That would be no good at all.
I really do not have any problem with Jeepers. I love watching Jeepers four-wheel, and I love four-wheeling a Jeep. I don't know why Jeepers have a problem with ATV'ers. Maybe they are upset because they spent thousands of dollars on lifts, tires, wheels, rock sliders, lockers, and so on, in addition to the cost of their vehicles. My ATV will go more places than their money-pit Jeeps will. I'm not trying to debate this issue-maybe we all just need to get together (Jeepers and ATV'ers) and talk this over a cup of coffee and doughnuts.
Eric Lorenz
O'Fallon, MO
Editor: We had a feeling we'd get some angry letters about this column-though we must commend yours in particular for being so respectful. And you make some good points about the bang-for-the-buck value of your ATV. And sure, your quad can squeeze through a lot of tight spots that a 4x4 simply can't. On the other hand, one of the coolest challenges of four wheeling is trying to master the art of shepherding a heavy, V-8-powered truck over a trail that barely seems wide enough for a mountain goat. And nobody ever said that four-wheeling was an inexpensive pastime. That said, if we should happen to meet you on the trail sometime, the coffee and doughnuts are on us.
Reader: Can you help me? Would it still be possible to get a back issue from the mid-'80s? I was a subscriber then too. I remember getting an issue that did a full-spec layout on the "Fall Guy" TV truck.
Jim Ariola
Batavia, IL
Editor: We get a number of letters like this every month. We wish we could help, but back issues from Days of Olde are sadly long gone. Some articles from past issues are available for purchase as reprints. Contact Wrights Reprints (877/652-5295) for more info.