When the folks at ARB set out to build a better trail refrigerator, their goal was simple: One-up the quarter-century-old design they already offered. The revamp would require inclusion of a whole assortment of up-to-date techno-gadgetry, along with a sleek redesigned exterior. The intent was to improve usability while also adding function and efficiency. The new design also needed to be lighter in weight while adding additional carrying capacity at the same time. To achieve this goal ARB worked with Danfoss Refrigeration, known globally as a leading supplier of compressors and automated solutions to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The result of this partnership netted ARB one of the most efficient and quiet compressor units available today. We tested a 50-quart version recently and are pleased to report outstanding results.inline_mediumwraptextright25941236/techarticles/electrical/129_0912_arb_travel_cooler_fridge_freezer129_0912_02_z+arb_fridge_freezer+full_view.jpgTrue

In the world of mud-terrain tires many brands have laid claim to quiet on-pavement performance. However, typically when we test 'em, we sometimes find the word "quiet" was misused. Not so with the newest tread from Nitto. In fact, we believe the new Trail Grappler M/T may just be the quietest mud-terrain tire we've ever tested. And in all actuality, Nitto set out to do just that. Using sophisticated sound analysis equipment, Nitto's team of engineers optimized the Trail Grappler's design until they believed they had the best possible balance between performance and road noise. The pattern ended up looking somewhat similar to one competitor's now discontinued mud-terrain, so Nitto further refined the tire and at the same time added a few tricks that consumers are sure to appreciate.inline_mediumwraptextright25589006/techarticles/wheels/129_0912_nitto_trail_grappler_mt_tire_test129_0912_01_z+nitto_trail_grappler_mt_tire+full_view_tread.jpgTrue

Ford had barely lost the pregnancy weight from birthing the redesigned F-150 last year before the aftermarket was stocking the shelves with components to retool its performance, get it off-road-ready, strengthen its towing and ride quality, and give its looks more brawn. This month we're filling these pages with a peek at some of what's already available for the new pickup.

One of the things that I inherited from my Dad was being what he called a "prankster." He and his fishing buddies used to pull all sorts of practical jokes on each other. While I don't fish much anymore, I sure four-wheel a lot, and there are plenty of chances to pull a trick or two on these guys. Keep in mind that a good prank leaves both the "do-er" and the "do-ee" with a smile and a laugh. It's important that your prank doesn't do physical harm to anyone or a vehicle or to the point of lasting embarrassment.

Where To Write
Address all correspondence to:
Techline
Four Wheeler
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048.

You can also reach us by e-mail at fourwheelereditor@sorc.com; be sure to type the words "Tech Line" in the subject line. All submissions become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department also can be reached through the website at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

As The Turtle Expedition made final preparations for our Trans-Siberian Expedition, we knew we would be driving and camping in temperatures below -85 degrees Fahrenheit. That's 117 degrees below freezing. We needed to learn a little more about antifreeze. Something that could protect us in lower than the typical 20 degrees most of us prepare for.inline_mediumwraptextrightKeeping your coolant in top condition is as important as checking your oil. The Polaris Labs test kit includes a sample bottle.25338992/techarticles/engine/129_0911_truck_engine_coolant_antifreeze129_0911_01_z+antifreeze_coolant_info+polaris_labs_test_kit.jpgTrue

We often receive letters asking about converting a two-wheel-drive vehicle to four-wheel drive. The situations range from using standard parts and converting, say, a 4x2 Jeep Cherokee or a '70s-to-'80s two-wheel-drive Chevy truck-both of which are pretty much bolts ups-to radical conversions of a vehicle that was never offered in four-wheel drive.

With people looking to modify on a budget these days, leveling kits are one of the hottest segments of the truck aftermarket. Leveling kits are more capable than stock, improve the vehicle's look and stance, and because the lifts are mild, they have a smaller effect on aerodynamics and fuel economy. There are also fewer components, which make for a less costly installation as well as a more durable product. And for those who might need to return their vehicle to stock one day, it can easily be done with most leveling kits. Also consider that most manufacturers are building their vehicles with larger wheelwells these days, and you can now fit a 35-inch tire on a fullsize truck with only a 2-inch lift, giving you more ground clearance and better approach and departure angles.inline_mediumwraptextrightReadyLift's leveling kit comes with everything you need to lift and level your Ram two inches.25339367/techarticles/suspension/129_0911_2009_dodge_ram_1500_leveling_kit129_0911_02_z+2009_dodge_ram_1500+readylift_leveling_kit.jpgTrue

Where To Write
Address all correspondence to:
Techline Four Wheeler
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048.

You can also reach us by e-mail at fourwheelereditor@sorc.com; be sure to type the words "Tech Line" in the subject line. All submissions become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department also can be reached through the website at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

Let's cut to the chase. Got a JK? You're in luck: On the following pages you'll find everything you could possibly need to make your Wrangler even better-and plenty of things you didn't think you needed, but now must have. Suspension, interior, exterior, performance, convenience, and much more-if it's for the JK, it's here.

Wheels are probably one of the least understood and yet most important part of your 4x4's drive system. Most of the time, people choose their wheels simply by what design looks good to them. While this is an important aspect, wheels perform a critical function. Select the wrong one for your application and you could create a vehicle that's miserable to drive, or worse yet, cause an accident. From the basics of choosing the right size for your tires to the critical elements of load ratings and construction type, there are plenty of opportunities to get it wrong. That's why we'll spend the next few pages sharing tips with you that will help you find the wheels that are right for the function of your vehicle.

Where To Write
Address all correspondence to:
Techline
Four Wheeler
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048.

You can also reach us by e-mail at fourwheelereditor@sorc.com; be sure to type the words "Tech Line" in the subject line. All submissions become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department also can be reached through the Web site at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

It has been about a year since Ford redesigned its F-150 for the 2009 model year, replacing the already excellent 2004-08 trucks. As F-150 owners upgrade to the current model, the market is starting to see an influx of old trucks, making them more plentiful and affordable. When Ford introduced the last-gen F-150 in 2004, it was a benchmark in quality, especially in the interior and exterior designs. The platform has proven to be solid and offers a great foundation for a build-up. So whether you are considering an upgrade to your '04-'08 F-150, or looking to pick one up in the used truck market, Pro Comp has an exceptional suspension system for you to consider.

Let's face it: four wheeling is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. If you just took a bucket of mud and smeared it all over your 4x4 to make it look like it had been somewhere-well, stop reading here. The Turtle Expedition trucks have been following backroads through mud, snow, salt, grime, dust, slop, and everything in between for 35 years. That's a lot of dirt! A frequently asked question by readers has been, "How do you keep them so clean?" The short answer is, "Take a rag, apply elbow grease, and wipe off the dirt."

Conventional wisdom has it that long-tube headers offer more performance than short-tube headers, albeit at more expense and installation effort. We decided to test that conventional wisdom and share the results.

At our local 4x4 club's outing last week, one of the members showed me a new fire extinguisher that he had just bought. He said it was foam and wouldn't make a mess like a dry chemical extinguisher would. I told him that was great but to look at the extinguisher closely. Did he see a UL rating number on it anywhere? Nope. In fact, this extinguisher had no markings at all. It didn't even have a gauge on it to let me know if it was charged.

Where To Write
Address your correspondence to:
Techline
Four Wheeler
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048.

You can also reach us by e-mail at fourwheelereditor@sorc.com; be sure to type the words "Tech Line" in the subject line. All submissions become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department also can be reached through the Web site at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.

Will Traction Control Make Lockers Obsolete?
On the newest 4x4s, especially SUVs, traction control is enhanced electronically, in some cases so well it might appear that adding another locking differential device would be unnecessary. These electronic traction control (ETC) systems work by applying braking control to a spinning wheel, thus transferring power to the wheel that has the most traction. Should a wheel lift while crossing a tree root, or a slick spot appear on a road or trail, these systems work automatically to keep the family SUV moving. ETC systems are popular because they're essentially free technology. Once you have four-channel ABS, you can add ETC at very little cost. So the question becomes, given the superb, seamless capability of the brake-based traction control system: Does anyone really need a traction-adding differential any more?

Have you ever wondered how hard it would be to swap a 2003 5.9L Cummins 24-valve diesel engine in place of a 7.3L Power Stroke diesel in a 2002 Ford Excursion? Well, when we heard that Attitude Performance technician Tony Zuccarello was planning this exact swap, and he was retaining the Ford 4R100 transmission, we were intrigued. Hence, we made plans to follow the install to see how it all came together. In the end, some aspects of the swap were far easier than we expected, while others were challenging to say the least.

The venerable Ford Bronco, a true icon in the American wheeling landscape, has been out of production for--get this--13 years. It seems like yesterday that you could walk down to the local Ford dealership and pick up a fullsize Bronco, in white for those more daring trips. From 1980 to 1996, the Bronco came standard with the notorious, yet rugged Twin-Traction Beam TTB front suspension.

During a recent visit to California's Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreational Area, we noticed a 2000 Land Rover Discovery that the park officials use to patrol some of the more remote regions of their 800-acre Upper Ranch facility, the same location where we conduct our annual Top Truck Challenge event. After a brief conversation with one of the rangers about the vehicle's day-to-day use, we were befuddled by the rig's mildly-built nature.

No More Excuses: Time to Get Involved
I am going to stand on my soapbox this month. Every few years, I get the urge to do this. So if you're reading this column this month and expect me to show or tell you how to fold, spindle, or mutilate some part of your vehicle, you might just want to turn to another page. However, if you want to continue four-wheeling on public lands, then please read on.

It doesn't require a degree in genealogy to see that this new tire is from Interco, the company that brought us the original Super Swamper TSL and the infamous Bogger. There's even a hint of the flowing lines of a TrXus STS in this design. And, as it turned out, there's a little of each of those tires' strengths and weaknesses in the SS- M16.

Hard to believe, but it has been ten years since Goodyear established a new benchmark in off-road tire design with its Wrangler MT radial. Now, with a growing number of tire manufacturers than ever offering more choices for truck and SUV owners, Goodyear evidently thought it was high time to up the ante yet again-and this time, the Wrangler MT/R, now sporting a new directional and asymmetric tread design, has some advanced tech tricks up its sleeve.

Another tire bridges the gap between the traditional mudder and all-terrain. Dick Cepek's new F-C II fills this gap ably by being better in the dirt than an all-terrain, but not quite so unhandy on the street and in inclement weather as a mudder.