Send Us Your Rigs
Want to see your vehicle in Readers' Rigs? Of course you do. So go ahead and send a description of everything you have done to your rig, and include a good photo of it. No, you don't need no stinking application. Just go ahead and send it to:
Readers' Rigs
Four Wheeler
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515.
Or send your description and high resolution digital photos to us via www.fourwheeler.com.
Redding Romper
This '00 Toyota Tundra belongs to Tyler Meeks of Redding, California. Tyler went with a Rough Country 4-inch suspension system to help make room for a set of 33-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers on Moto Metal wheels. A K&N filter and 3-inch exhaust system help motivate the rig. While Tyler admits he doesn't wheel his rig as often as he would like, the plan is eventually to add lockers, a winch, and bumpers for serious trail abuse.
Shasta Express
Greg Watson of San Jose, California, owns this '98 Chevy Silverado crew cab dualie. A 6-inch Pro Comp suspension system makes room for 35-inch BFG Mud-Terrains, and the fuel-injected 454 big-block keeps the whole package moving with ease. Alcoa wheels provide just enough bling, while an after-cat dual exhaust system produces a steady rumble around town. Seen here launching his '05 Master Craft wake-boarding boat, Greg utilizes his Chevy for work and play.
Tenacious Toys
Don French of Escalon, California, built this Toyota-based buggy in a little over two years. His goal was to build the most capable rig he could for as cheap as he could. The '90 Toyota pickup project was stock with a 3.0L V-6 and five-speed manual transmission. From there, Don added dual transfer cases, Dana 60s front and rear, lockers, 5.38:1s, and a flexy four-link suspension system. A set of 49-inch Interco IROKs on Trail Ready bead-locked wheels takes care of the traction, while an LS-1, Turbo 400, and an Atlas transfer case all remain on the wish list.
Vintage Value
Bob Arnett drives this '63 Willys daily. On his days off, Bob enjoys the spectacular scenery and awesome trails surrounding his home in Parachute, Colorado. The rig is motivated by a 5.7L Chevy V-8 mated to an NV4500 manual. A Dana 300 splits power between a Dana 44 front axle and a Dana 60 rear. The factory leaf springs provide plenty of flex and a set of Toyo Open Country M/Ts supply the traction. We love seeing clean old trucks like Bob's on the trail. Way to go, Bob!
Spring Chicken
This '87 Chevy 1-ton pickup is the starting point for 3-year-old Andrew Hairapetian of La Canada, California. Andrew's father, Henrick, purchased the truck in hopes that some day Andrew will enjoy wheeling it with dad. Featuring a fuel-injected big-block, a stock Dana 60 front axle, and a 14-bolt rear, this rig has a good foundation for a future trail pounder. Planned mods include a complete restoration by GM Truck Center of Burbank, California, and a set of custom winch bumpers front and rear. So 13 years from now when Andrew gets his license, he will be ready to tackle the outback in a rust-free retro truck.
Will 'Wheel For Choucroute
Our man in Alsace, Reno Lamb, sent us this pic of his '89 Range Rover in the snow near his home in Sochaux (that's in France, but we like him anyway). Reno's trick Rover sports a 4-inch Equipe "Extreme" lift, 4.11:1 gears, a rear Detroit, 35-inch Fedima Sirocco mud tires, some custom fender trim, and a Warn 9.5ti nestled in a James Faroud front bumper. Reno, who uses the Rover mostly for local club rides or for rustling up firewood in the forest, says he has some $20K invested in his ride; "that makes, what, $30K?," he asks. Well heck, by the time this hits the newsstand, it might be $40K, but we still think it's money well spent for such a cool-looking and functional trail rig.
Great White
This '05 Ford Super Duty belongs to Jason Kokoska of Celebration, Florida. The truck sports a set of 17x9 Pro Comp wheels with 37-inch Pro Comp Xtreme ATs. Making room for those massive meats is a 6-inch Rize Industries lift kit with an additional 21/2-inch Cage Off-Road spacer. The rear setup consists of 6-inch Deaver springs on factory F-350 blocks. The 5.4L engine gets help from a K&N filter and a TJM snorkel. Jason also added a Diablo Sport computer tuner, two Flowmaster 40-series mufflers, and 4.56:1 gears. The exterior is adorned by an ARB front bumper with a MileMarker 12,000-pound winch, a Defender roof rack with four Hella Black Magic lights, HID headlights, LED taillights, and emergency strobe lighting. Nice truck, Jason!
Moab K5
Chuck Brackenbury built this custom '84 K5 Blazer specifically to tackle trails around his hometown of Moab. For now, the drivetrain is mostly stock because this is Chuck's first buildup and he wanted to focus on the sheetmetal first. The rear of the truck is tapered for clearance, and a pair of custom trimmed front fenders allow the 35-inch BFG A/Ts to stuff without rubbing. The doors have been modified for better visibility, and the interior was Rhino Lined prior to the addition of a full rollcage. Chuck built a pair of bumpers himself and next came the spare-tire mount. Chuck says he wants to upgrade the stock axles next.