Not Everyone loves old iron, and some want a few creature comforts like power steering and fuel injection. For those people out there, we've gathered a small sample of later-model rigs that have been hiding out in our Four Wheeler archives.
Newer Rig: '96 Dodge Ram 1500
Owner: Jon Gustafson
Location: Hawthorne, WI
The Dirt: Would you believe Jon's Ram has more than 209,000 miles on it, and despite all the mods, he still isn't done with it yet. So far, Jon's Ram includes a custom lift that is part 6-inch Dick Cepek long-arm kit, part 3-inch body lift, and part add-a-leaves, raising the Ram enough to clear 42-inch tires. Custom crossover steering controls the meats and homebuilt bumpers protect the body and provide a sturdy mount for the winch. Soon Jon plans to add 5.13 gears, Detroit Lockers, a rollcage, skidplates, and full hydro steering. An injected 440 big-block, Atlas II case, rear steer, and 44-inch Boggers are also in the works. Sounds to us like Jon is building a future TTC competitor.
Newer Rig: '95 Jeep Wrangler
Owner: Steven George
Location: Pell City, AL
The Dirt: Steven George started with a '95 Wrangler, but got the bug to make a few minor changes to suit his wheeling style. The most noticeable difference is the stretch in wheelbase to 106 inches. The stock axles were traded for a Dana 60 up front and a 14-bolt in the rear, both holding 4.56 gears and Detroit Lockers and turning 39.5-inch Super Swampers on 15x10-inch bead-locked wheels. A Vortec 350 resides under the hood and sends power through a four-speed with a granny low and an NP205 with a twin-stick setup.
Newer Rig: '04 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Owner: Brenda Yates
Location: Raleigh, NC
The Dirt: Brenda sent us this picture of her wheeling her stock Wrangler Rubicon on the trails of Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina, a favorite stomping ground of hers. She also says this Jeep is her daily driver and she loves reading Four Wheeler and to keep up the good work. Thanks for the pics and the compliments, Brenda.
Newer Rig: '04 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Owner: Travis & Monica Routh
Location: Battlefield, MO
The Dirt: Travis Routh (and his wife Monica, who reminds her forgetful husband that she owns the Jeep too) owns this very capable '04 Wrangler Rubicon, which has been outfitted with a 6-inch Rough Country suspension lift, making way for the 36x13.5 Super Swamper IROK tires. A cold air intake and 4.10 gears help to get the power to the ground. Travis also has a set of custom rock sliders and a bumper to hold the Superwinch and to keep the sheetmetal straight. For communications and entertainment, the cab of this daily driver is outfitted with a Cobra CB and Rockford Fosgate sound system.
Newer Rig: '05 Ford F-250 Super Duty
Owner: Steve Rumer
Location: Oreland, PA
The Dirt: Steve is pretty proud of his '05 Super Duty and tells us that his truck has a 2.5-inch Revtek lift with LT315/70R17 BFG A/Ts on stock wheels, the rear 10.25 rear axle has Dana 60 locking hubs, the front lightbar supports some Hella 4000 beams, and the stock 5.4L V-8 breathes through a Flowmaster exhaust. One thing Steve would have done differently is to have ordered his truck as a Crew Cab. Next on the list for Steve's Ford is an ARB rear locker. Way to keep things simple, Steve!
Newer Rig: '95 Toyota Pickup
Owner: Amanda Cubbage
Location: Elkton, VA
The Dirt: Amanda Cubbage of Elkton, Virginia, wants everyone to know it is "not what you buy, but what you build" and she has embodied that philosophy well in her '95 Toyota pickup. You see, Amanda and her boyfriend worked together to get a 3-inch body lift and 4-inch suspension lift on her Toyota, then went on to install a set of 35x15.5 Super Swamper TSL SX tires on Mickey Thompson Classic II wheels. Oh yeah, Amanda tells us that she loves Four Wheeler too. See the pattern here?