Everyone loves action. Unfortunately, we rarely get usable pictures that prove it. Sometimes drivers attack an obstacle with speed, and other times it is finesse that pulls them through. Luck always seems to play an important role with the outcome. In either case, capturing the moment on film is equally difficult. So we assembled this section to showcase rigs that were caught in the moment, by some very lucky photographers.
Caught in action: '01 Jeep Wrangler
Proud Owner/hometown: Lee Cook/Centerville, Maryland
Juicy details: This TJ is mostly stock except for a 4-inch Superlift suspension system, a set of 32-inch BFGs, and Smittybilt bumpers front and rear.
Super cool: Lee doesn't let a heavy snowfall stop his winter wheeling fun. Instead, he locks it in low and takes to the streets.
Caught in action: '91 Chevy 1/2-ton
Proud Owner/hometown: Marcus Grosshans/Mulliken, Mississippi
Juicy details: This potent blue beast actually started life as a 2WD. Now the '92 body is alive and well on an '85 Chevy frame. It has a fuel-injected Bow Tie 350, a Turbo 400 automatic transmission, an NP205 transfer case and 31/44-ton axles.
Super cool: Marcus is only 17 years old!
Caught in action: '91 Nissan Pathfinder
Proud Owner/hometown: Matt & Mark Guerrero/Phoenix, Arizona
Juicy details: This Pathfinder remains mostly stock with the exception of 32-inch BFG tires, a 3-inch body lift, and a 3-inch suspension lift.
Super cool: Matt and his twin brother Mark both own equal parts of this Pathfinder. Matt claims sharing the rig is both challenging and more affordable. Good strategy, guys!
Caught in action: '79 Toyota Pickup
Proud Owner/hometown: William Edwards/Spanway, Washington
Juicy details: This Toyota is stuffed with 6 inches of leaf spring front and rear, as well as a welded rear differential, 34-inch TSL Swampers, custom bumpers, and a custom exhaust system.
Super cool: We see that William keeps his dirt bike in the bed just in case he has to run for parts.
Caught in action: '78 Toyota BJ 40
Proud Owner/hometown: Jani Markela/Haarajoki, Finland
Juicy details: This Land Cruiser rides on Volvo C303 portal axles and 35-inch Boggers. Many custom items such as bumpers, a tucked bellypan, and a modified mechanical PTO winch help this rig tackle the toughest terrain in Finland.
Super cool: We actually have a reader from Finland, and he built this rig all by himself.
Caught in action: '46 Willys CJ-2A
Proud Owner/hometown: Bud Hegwood Jr./Centerville, Ohio
Juicy details: This Jeep has been through a complete frame-off restoration. Bud uses it for a yearly deer-hunting vacation with his father and brother-in-law. The rig is as stock as they come, except for a 12-volt electrical system, which helps power a Ramsey winch when needed.
Super cool: Equipped with 7.50-16 Military tires and chains all around, along with a custom five-gun rack on the hood.
Caught in action: '85 Toyota Pickup
Proud Owner/hometown: Bill Queen/Monument, Colorado
Juicy details: This rig features a 3-inch Downey suspension lift, ARB air lockers, a 4.0:1 Atlas transfer case, an ARB front bumper with an 8,000-pound Warn winch, and a set of 35-inch Goodyear MT/R tires on Pro Comp wheels.
Super cool: This shot was taken at Moab's infamous Golden Crack obstacle, a far cry from the vehicle's typical daily-driver routine where Bill claims he averages 20 mpg.
Caught in action: '97 Jeep Wrangler
Proud Owner/hometown: Jason Holland/Simi Valley, California
Juicy details: Riding on a Rubicon Express 4.5-inch suspension system, this Jeep is a close twin to our own project Teal J. Sporting a Kilby gas-tank skidplate, a Currie front bumper, a Warn HS9500 winch, and front and rear Air Lockers, there aren't many places this little TJ can't go. Traction comes from 34-inch Interco TrXus tires mounted to 15x8 Rockcrawler wheels.
Super cool: This picture was taken on the Surprise Canyon trail in Panamint Valley, California, before it closed.
Caught in action: '04 Ford Ranger
Proud Owner/hometown: Steven Becker/Cincinnati, Ohio
Juicy details: This Ranger rides on a 4-inch Superlift suspension system and 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw tires. It also has a 3-inch body lift, a Warn 9500ti winch, and K&N air filter.
Super cool: Steve claims to have broken his buddy's front bumper in half once when he was attempting to unstuck his truck.
Caught in action: '97 Jeep Wrangler
Proud Owner/hometown: Phil Schuyler/Santa Cruz, California
Juicy details: The highly modified TJ features a stock engine and transmission. After that there really isn't anything else from the factory. There's an Atlas II transfer case to help manage torque. For axles, Phil runs Currie 9-inchers front and rear. Each has a Detroit Locker and 4.56:1 gearing. The suspension system is a mixture of Rubicon Express parts and other custom-fabbed components. Up front, a Warn winch is on standby in case Phil needs to suck down the front end. Out back, the gas tank was relocated up 6 inches for added ground clearance, and a portion of the stock frame was replaced with tubing as well. The 36-inch Interco Iroks are mounted to MRT bead-locked wheels.
Super cool: When Phil's not out defying gravity in his Jeep, he's on the trails riding his trail bike.