They battled. They perspired. They hurt. They broke parts. Indeed, the challengers of Four Wheeler's Top Truck Challenge 2002 each took themselves and their rigs to the limit last June at beautiful Hollister Hills. And the payoff at the Friday awards ceremony was significant. Top Truck First-place winner John Reynolds took home a Warn HS9500i winch, a portable Fridge Freeze, a set of Detroit Lockers, a set of CTM U-joint joints and a $500 gift certificate, courtesy of the gracious folks at 4Wheel Parts Wholesalers. Sure, there was just one team lucky (and skilled) enough to win the whole shebang, but that doesn't mean the other nine TTC participants went home hungry and empty-handed. Besides stuffing them with breakfast burritos and other yummy things, we also gave all the TTC competitors some cool prizes. From axles and jacks to gloves and multi-tools, we set these guys up so well they thought we were about to propose. Nah, we just wanted them to be happy. And when the last-place finisher received his banner, Leatherman tool and shocks, well, even he was a little astonished. Hey, they all earned it!
Check out all these amazing prizes, because if you're selected for Top Truck Challenge next year, you might be winning them. Here's the stuff that'll make anybody jealous.
Brrr On The Go
Made of marine-grade aluminum, Fridge Freeze is the portable 12-volt/110-volt refrigerator/freezer that'll keep your food and drinks cold without ice. The Fridge Freeze can be used in 100-degree heat while drawing just 3.2 amps. In a 70-degree temperature, it only draws 2.3 amps. What makes the Fridge Freeze unique is that it uses an exterior aluminum casing as its condenser. Each Fridge Freeze is made with solid aluminum handles and stainless steel hardware. Information: Fridge Freeze, Dept. FW, 5343 Banks St., San Diego, CA 92110, 619/220-6003, www.fridgefreeze.com.
King O' The Jacks
With its 7,000-pound capacity, the incredible Hi-Lift Jack lifts, winches, clamps and pushes your 4x4 in all the right directions. Affordable and durable, these jacks now feature a great-looking powdercoated finish for a longer lasting jack. Information: Hi-Lift Jack Company, Dept. FW, P.O. Box 228, Bloomfield, IN 47424, 800/233-2051, www.hi-lift.com.
Slipping Into Traction
Tractech's new Detroit Electrac helical-gear premium locker was one of the pieces of hardware given away at Top Truck Challenge. A top-quality piece of equipment, when you need full lock-up to get where you are going, you can just flip a switch. Presto, you're locked up. Information: Tractech Inc., Dept. FW, 11445 Stephens Dr., P.O. Box 882, Warren, MI 48090, 800/328-3850, www.tractech.com.
Safe And Locked
This rear cargo security drawer is made from 16-gauge steel and offers nearly 7,700 cubic inches of storage space. The lockable drawer is designed to install in place of the rear seat in a Jeep CJ, YJ or TJ or any other vehicle with sufficient space. A textured powdercoated finish protects the unit. Information: Tuffy Security Products, Dept. FW, 25733 Road H, Cortez, CO 81321, 800/348-8339, www.tuffyproducts.com.
Strap City
We brought several of Pro Comp's Big Mama 4-inch-wide 40,000-pound recovery straps for the week's extraction use and expected to use up a few in the process. We ended up not hurting these things, so we were able to reward even more of the competitors with this nifty prize. Pro Comp straps are available in the lightweight 1-inch 10,000-pound ATV strap, all the way up to the massive 4-inch model. Straps are made of high-strength nylon throughout, with end loops that are extra stitched and encased in tear-resistant leather. Information: Explorer Pro Comp, Dept. FW, 2360 Boswell Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91914, 800/776-0767, www.explorerprocomp.com
Steer Clearly
Having trouble turning your big tires? The Rock Ram provides the added power necessary to turn those larger tires. The AGR Rock Ram System doubles your turning force for easy off-highway steering as well as improved highway manners. The pressurized Rock Ram cylinder stabilizes the steering to control excessive wheel movement and vibration, thus increasing tire life and improving on-pavement handling. Information: AGR, Dept. FW, 4920 Rondo Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76106, 800/662-3649, www.agrperformance.com.
Get-Back Bag
Warn's Accessory Kit is designed for winches of up to 9,000 pounds. It comes with a snatch block, 2-inch by 8-foot tree trunk protector and shackle, gloves and a solid Grade-7 choker chain with hooks. The kit will remain complete and undamaged in its handsome red heavyweight nylon soft case. Also, the case features four internal pockets for organizing your other recovery accessories. Information: Warn, Dept. FW, 12900 S.E. Capps Rd., Clackamas, OR 97015, 800/543-9276, www.warn.com.
Get Tanked
Advanced Air Systems offers the Powertank, a great air source for air tools and airing up your tires after a day on the trail. The tank, which uses compressed CO2 to deliver big bursts of power, was awarded to both the First- and Second-place finishers. Information: Advanced Air Systems, Dept. FW, 2214 Babson Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95758, 800/641-3206, www.powertank.com.
Good Gears
Anyone who's anyone on the trail knows it takes tough gears to get massive torque and crawl-ability to make it through mud bogs, sand and rocks-not to mention the Tank Trap. Superior Axle & Gear offers a wide variety of gearsets for almost any axle application. Anyone planning on switching to larger tires-or perhaps doing some towing-would do well to install a set. Information: Superior Axle & Gear, Dept. FW, 3954 Whiteside St., Los Angeles, CA 90063, 888/522-2953, www.superioraxle.com.
Pull Me Out, Scotty
Warn's HS9500i winch went to our First-place winner. It offers reliable power and speed during winching. With a 9,500-pound pulling capacity and 125 feet of cable, Warn's HS9500i is a natural at TTC. Its no-load line speed of 62 feet per minute helps ensure that you'll make it to the finish line before your time is up. Information: Warn, Dept. FW, 12900 S.E. Capps Rd., Clackamas, OR 97015, 800/543-9276, www.warn.com.
Weld To Do
Weld anywhere with the highly efficient, completely solid-state Mobi-Arc welder. The device was designed to connect to virtually any alternator. During normal driving, the alternator is regulated at 14 volts. When welding leads are connected to the control unit and an arc is struck, the Mobi-Arc automatically and instantly switches the alternator into a high-current mode and electronically protects the vehicle's battery and electrical system. Optional expansion modules allow the user to create hyper-accurate voltage output for battery jump-starting and boost-charging applications. Available modules are programmed for 14, 28, 36 and 42 volts. Modules are programmable for custom applications as well. Information: Mobile Welding & Power, Dept. FW, 805 Niantic Ct., San Diego, CA 92109, 858/583-2146, www.mobi-arc.com.