You won't see any Scouts, early Broncos, or musty CJs in this collection. These late-model rigs represent what's exiting the end of the modern assembly line. They may be loaded with modern conveniences and run the gamut of models and styles, but their commonality is that they've all gone under the wrench of their owners to make them more capable.
Owner/Hometown: Matt Robinson and Daniel Heaton (F-150 and Ranger, respectively)/Mountain City, Tennessee
What they are: '93 Ford F-150 and '84 Ford Ranger
The dirt: It seems to be the Blue Oval or nothin' for these two 'wheelin buddies. Robinson's '93 F-150 has a 302ci V-8, E40D transmission, 2.5-inch-diameter exhaust, 3-inch suspension lift, 3-inch body lift, 15x10 Rock Crawler wheels, and 35x12.50 Dunlop Mud Rover tires. Heaton's '84 Ranger has a 2.8L V-6, four-speed manual transmission, 4-inch suspension lift, 3-inch body lift, 15x10 "bullet hole" wheels, and 33x12.50 mud-terrain tires.
Oh, and...: This photo was taken after a long day of wheelin' on some local trails on Stone Mountain.
Owner/Hometown: Chase Patterson/Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
What it is: '94 Ford F-250
The dirt: Prepped to explore the far reaches of the Outer Banks, this 351ci-powered F-Series has a custom 6-inch solid-axle conversion that fits a Dana 60. Out back is a Ford 10.25-inch axle with a limited-slip. Both axles are geared at 4.10:1. A 6-inch Skyjacker leaf-spring suspension with supplemental airbags resides in the rear and allows fitment of 36x14.5-16.5 Parnelli Jones tires on 14-inch-wide Weld Typhoon wheels.
Oh, and...: Island Offroad designed and installed the solid-axle conversion.
Owner/Hometown: Jason Rinfret/Milford, Massachusetts
What it is: '97 Dodge Ram 1500
The dirt: Rinfret's do-it-all Dodge has a 360ci Magnum engine that has been enhanced with a Hypertech Power Programmer and a 3-inch-diameter dual exhaust. A 5-inch Rough Country suspension makes room in the 'wells for a set of 35-inch BFG mud-terrain tires mounted on 15x10 Mickey Thompson Classic II wheels.
Oh, and...: There's a Detroit Locker in the rear differential and Ox U-joints pressed in the yokes.
Owner/Hometown: Jesse Hendrix/Columbia, Louisiana
What it is: '94 Chevy 1500
The dirt: Louisiana's backcountry is just waiting to be explored, and Hendrix has prepped his Chevy for the task. He has installed a set of Hedman Hedders, dual exhaust, and a Juice Box chip to the V-8 engine to improve power. Underneath, a 3-inch body lift makes room for a set of grippy 33-inch Mud Brute tires on 16x10 Mickey Thompson wheels.
Oh, and...: Hendrix says, "There ain't much more to it except for having an old-style 350."
Owner/Hometown: Eric & Barbara Zimmerman/Livermore, California
What it is: '85 Toyota SR5
The dirt: The Zimmermans purchased their Toyota brand-new, and over the years there isn't much they haven't modified. The injected 2.4L engine sports an LC Engineering dual timing chain and headers, DOA camshaft, and large-bore throttle body with flow-matched injectors. Power is sent to the axles via a Marlin Crawler 4.7:1 transfer case. Speaking of axles, the custom front uses an FJ80 third member and features a Detroit Locker, 5.29:1 gears, Marfield axleshafts, and crossover steering. The custom rear axle uses a third member from a V-6 model and sports an ARB Air Locker and 4340 alloy axleshafts. Also underneath the rig, there's a 5-inch suspension lift using All-Pro springs and a custom-built 3-inch body lift. The body lift was installed for the express purpose of creating room for a second fuel tank. The rig rolls on 35-inch Goodyear MT/Rs that are mounted to 15x10 TrailReady bead-lock wheels. Up front, a custom bumper holds a Warn 8,000-pound winch. When exploring, the Toyota tows a Back Country trailer with a 2-inch lift and 35-inch Boggers on 15x10 TrailReady wheels.
Oh, and...: The Zimmermans have driven their rig over the Rubicon six times.
Owner/Hometown: Bill King/Pueblo, Colorado
What it is: '93 Jeep Cherokee
The dirt: It may look stock, but its not. The driveline features an Auburn Gear ECTED locking differential in the front Dana 30 and a Trac-Lok limited-slip in the rear Chrysler 8.25 axle. The suspension was created from three different kits and totals 4 inches of lift. The 4.0L engine sports an Airaid cold-air intake, E3 spark plugs, a Poweraid throttle-body spacer, a Firepower ignition, a Venom 400 control module, a Banks head pipe, and a Dynomax after-cat exhaust. Other mods include T&T weld-on frame stiffeners, an Olympic front bumper, a 12,000-pound MileMarker winch, a Valley spare-tire carrier, a Warn transfer-case skidplate, a cowl induction hood, and a Rusty's Off Road rollbar.
Oh, and...: The Cherokee was totaled when King, a paint and body tech, purchased it.
Owner/Hometown: Chris Doherty/Greenville, South Carolina
What it is: '94 Ford F-150
The dirt: Big plans are on the drawing board for this F-Series. The plans include a set of 60s and a big-block engine. Doherty is chipping away at the buildup and has installed 6 inches of lift and a 3-inch body lift to help make room for a set of 36-inch TSL radials. Other mods include a set of nerf bars, an aftermarket front bumper, and a winch.
Oh, and...: Doherty says; "The coolest thing about this truck is that my daughter was brought home from the hospital in it. I had a step stool in back for my wife. The worst part of the truck is when my pit bull, Demi, takes it out in the mud without me."
Owner/Hometown: Greg Medrano/Sun Valley, California
What they are: Jeep Cherokee and Toyota Tacoma
The dirt: Medrano was a bit cagey with the information on his two rides. All he told us is that the Jeep has a Rough Country 4.5-inch lift and 33-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. The Toyota has coilovers in front and 32.5-inch Swampers.
Oh, and...: Hey Medrano, next time tell us the year of your vehicles and include a number so we can call you if we have more questions.