Every so often while sifting through the weekly deluge of Readers' Rigs entries, we stumble across an action shot that requires a second look. Sometimes we even pass these shots around internally with comments like "ouch," or "I bet that hurt" attached. In most cases, these shots are of vehicles helplessly stuck, or upside down, or flying through the air haphazardly. Most of them are low-resolution and unusable for print. But every so often, a gem or two will land in a file we call "Action." The following represents a good cross-section of what's contained in that file, and of what readers actually do with their rigs out on the trail.
Beat Down Bogger
Matt Marglon of Castro Valley, California, was able to stick his 1973 K-10 Chevy Stepside in the main mud pit at Hollister Hills OHV Park. Even with the power of a 454 big-block, Matt had to recruit help to free his rig from the tacky Hollister goop. Don't worry, Matt - we know firsthand how bad that mud can get. Matt's rig also sports an SM465 four-speed transmission, an NP205 transfer case, and 1-ton axles. Additionally, 37-inch Boggers and a 6-inch suspension lift are present under all that mud.
Wet 'n Wild 1-Ton
Doyle Bean of Rineyville, Kentucky, uses this 1983 Chevy longbed as a daily driver. The beast sits on a 6-inch Rough Country suspension lift along with a 3-inch body lift. The combo clears 39-inch Boggers on Mickey Thompson Classic II wheels. A 650hp 454 big-block is stuffed under the hood and is mated to a built Turbo 400 automatic transmission. The torque is split by an NP205 transfer case. Both axles are 1-tons with 4.56:1 gearing and limited-slips. Doyle also runs homemade traction bars to help keep the rearend planted. Doyle says the truck performs well at mud bogs and tractor pulls. We bet he's right.
Big Red
This desert-pounding Dodge Ram 3500 was built by Greg Bordman of Twentynine Palms, California. The rig features a 500hp 24-valve Cummins turbodiesel engine and a whole host of Baja-proven aftermarket products. For instance, Greg runs fiberglass front fenders and bedsides, a KORE race suspension system, and a TST Powermax CR fueling box. He also added a bigger turbo and a South Bend clutch to keep the beast moving. The rig rides on 37-inch Toyo MTs and Walker Evans bead-locked wheels (not shown). Greg tells us he spends most of his free time speeding through sandy washes near his desert home.
Two to Tango
Justin DeClerck from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, sent in this shot of two Suzuki Samurais. The one in front is an 1984 with a Toyota diesel engine and running gear out of a European-model pickup. It's armed with 5.71:1 gears, lockers, and 35-inch Boggers. The second one is a 1990 with a stock engine, a Calmini 6.5:1 transfer case, and a homemade snorkel. It looks as though Justin has plenty of open space to play in.
Bog Master
This 1978 Chevy 3/4-ton is owned by Chris Eich of DeMotte, Indiana. Chris says he hasn't had to pull out his winch cable yet. We suspect that has something to do with what Chris has under the hood. A built 454 big-block is mated to a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. An NP205 transfer case divvies up the torque between a front Dana 44 and a rear Corporate 14-bolt. A 6-inch suspension lift makes room for 37-inch Super Swampers on aluminum wheels. Other modifications include a MileMarker E-12000 winch, custom traction bars, crossover steering, and handmade tube bumpers.