Meet Top Truck Challenge 2013 judge Toby Lavender!

Occupation: Automotive repair technician/fabricator. I own and operate Lavender Brothers Auto Repair and Triple-X Traction Off Road Performance in Seaside, California. Or should I say, they own me?

Trail rig: 2004 Nissan Titan. Too many mods to list... it's all mods! I own other rigs, but they're all boring compared to the Titan.

Q How many years have you been associated with TTC?
A "Since 2002 when I competed."   

Q What is your favorite TTC event?
A "Frame Twister. SERIOUS action right in yo face!

Q What is one of your most memorable TTC moments?
A "By far, when the Sheeleys rolled upside down in the water in Tank Trap! I've always taken great pride in the fact that we all were so prepared for it and were able to react quickly as a team to keep it from going really bad. Also, riding in Brett Jeromes rig up Tank Trap with Tony Becker after the event was over. It was the most fun I've ever had in the passenger seat of a rig in my life!" 

Before and after photos! We know you have them!

Would you like to get your ride in the magazine and end up with some cool Dickies gear? If the answer to both is yes, then keep reading.

We know project vehicles rarely look the same way they did at the start of the build. After all, a huge part of our hobby is modifying our rigs to make them work better for our needs. Heck, sometimes the rigs are nearly unrecognizable, as years of use (and abuse) can turn a car-show condition four-wheel drive into a battered war wagon. And how about those barn-find beaters that begin as a rusty relic and evolve in to an ultra-clean machine? We know that many of you have great before and after shots of your rides and we want to see them! To give you a little incentive for sending in your before and after photos, we have teamed up with Dickies for a giveaway!

First, second, and third place will all receive some Dickies gear, along with a little swag from the crew at Four Wheeler. To submit your ride, simply send a high resolution before and after photo (at least 1600x1200 or 2MB) to ali.mansour@sorc.com with the title Before After Contest. Be sure to include as much information as possible about the vehicle and a little history on how and why the transition took place. Don’t worry if your beater still looks like a beater, this isn’t a beauty contest.

So dig through those photo archives and let us (and the world) see what kind of progress you have made!

Ten questions for Top Truck Challenge 2013 competitor John Retzloff, driving a '77 GMC K15.

Q What TTC event are you most looking forard to?
A "Event most looking forward to: The new rock course, hopefully. I like rockcrawling the best."

Q What TTC event are you not looking forward to?
A "Event not looking forward to: The Hill Climb. It just keeps getting tougher every year."

Q When in a tough spot are you more likely to throttle out or thnk it through?
A "When in a tough spot I'm more likely to crawl it as much as possible and then throttle when all else fails. I'm a conservative driver."

Q Are you making changes to your rig before TTC?
A "A few changes to my rig. I'm going to an automatic transmission and a NorthWest Fabworks Black Box with NP205, and just generally tightening everything up."

Q How is your spotter/co-driver training for TTC?
A "Spotters are training real hard right now. I have them running 20 miles a day, 300 push-ups, and I throw wrenches at them occasionally (just kidding).

Q If you could go wheeling anywhere in the world, where would that be?
A "If I could wheel anywhere I would like to wheel down in South America after reading about it in Four Wheeler." 

Q What's playing on your iPod/CD player right now?
A "On my stereo I usually have some sort of rock/heavy metal music playing."

Q What was the last movie you watched?
A "Top Truck Challenge 2011. For training purposes."

Q Do you have an averson to poison oak, wild boar, or submerged engines?
A "After having poison oak for three months straight I don't get it quite so bad now, and I hope my GMC won't suffer from Submerged Engine Syndrome, also known as SES."

Q What's one thing people should know about you?
A "One thing people should know about me is that I really appreciate all the helps, support, and votes that everyone has given me this year and over the years. I've made a lot of friends being involved with TTC and will be even competing against some this year, and I wish everyone the best of luck and I hope we all have fun! If my truck isn't broke, most llikely I will be there to help others with their rigs in the pits. Thank you everyone, see you in June!"

Meet Top Truck Challenge 2013 judge Dan Black!

Occupation: "I'm a diesel mechanic for my 9-to-5 job, been doing that for 23 years and I'm a lieutenant for the San Juan Bautista fire department also.

Trail rig: '90 Chevy truck, Dana 60, Detroit Locker, 14-bolt, Detroit Locker, 454ci TBI, TH400 tranny, Doubler, High Angle drivelines, CTMs, drive flanges.

Q How many years have you been associated with TTC? 
A "Been helping at TTC since 1999. I forgot when I started being a judge, it has been too many years, lol."

Q What is your favorite TTC event?
A "I like the Mini Rubicon because it gives me a break from all the running I do, lol."

Q What is one your most memorable TTC moments?
A "Most memorable moment was when the husband/wife team of Wayne and Addie Sheeley went upside-down in Mud Hole 2. I think it was in the Trap and we pulled them out from under the water. Wow, that was scary, but luckily we had planned for it and we all were ready for it."  

What was your worst stuck? How about your best, most creative recovery? These are our worst stucks/recoveries:

Brubaker: A long, long time ago, my wife and I were in California and I decided to impress her with my exceptional sand driving skills (first mistake, considering I had none), so we headed to Dumont Dunes. I was driving a rented S-10 Blazer and since we had flown in from the Midwest I had no air compressor, so I didn't air the tires down (second mistake). It was the middle of the week and the remote area was almost completely deserted, but I hit the dunes anyway (third mistake). It was late in the day (fourth mistake) and all went well for a while and I actually got the Blazer deep into the dunes while throwing down some cool, wife-impressing maneuvers. It didn't last long, though. Soon I had the S-10 stuck bad. I had to take the long Walk of Shame over numerous dunes to find help. Eventually I found a gent driving a fullsize Blazer and he helped with what turned out to be a long, miserable recovery due to the angle and position of which the Blazer was stuck. Since that humbling, educational experience all those years ago, I've returned to Dumont numerous times and by adhering to proper vehicle and tool prep I haven't had any major problems.

Cappa: Technically I wasn’t physically stuck, but I was pretty screwed. I was in Glamis, California, in my first Jeep. All my buddies had motorcycles, so if I got stuck or broke in the dunes there was really no way to get me out. I was young and dumb at the time so I didn’t let that bother me. I drove right into the deep dunes for several years without issues. My Jeep had an axlewrap problem that I tried to cure many different ways. None of them really worked. Eventually the rear driveshaft U-joint on the axle end broke way out there at the bottom of a very large dune bowl. The driveshaft battered around the underside of the Jeep until it got wedged against the frame, which then caused the transmission to split nearly in half. So with the rear driveshaft toast, I removed what was left of it, pulled the valve cores out of the front tires, and somehow the oozing half-scattered transmission stayed together while I drove out in front-wheel-drive. I had to go around and around the bottom of that sand bowl in order to pick up enough speed to get out. I then limped it several miles through the big dunes back to camp.

Mansour: My “worst” stuck (or at least the one I will fess up to) happened only a few months after I got my driver’s license. Years ago when you could still tow trailers onto the sand-covered northern end of Carolina Beach, I decided to haul my Wave Runner out with my diesel truck. Towing across the sand was no big deal, as I had 37s and low air pressure in my tires. The problem arose when I attempted to back my Wave Runner trailer into the water. It was a busy weekend, so I had to go further around the point bend than I would have liked. Backing the trailer in was no sweat, but as soon as I went to drive out, the rig began to head south. It was one of those panicky situations where you don’t have any other rigs around and the tide was coming in, not out. Luckily, a guy in an F-150 happened to see the mess I was in and pulled me out just a few minutes later. It was one of those life lessons when you learn how things could have been a lot worse, and exactly why concrete boat ramps are a much better!

Ten questions for Top Truck Challenge 2013 alternate Brad Daffin, driving a '78 Ford F-150.

Q What TTC event are you most looking forward to?
A "The event I'm looking forward to most is the Tow Test. It is because all I do every day I go wheeling is tow out stuck rigs, so I feel that my truck is very good at pulling stuff."

Q What TTC event are you not looking forward to?
A "The event that I'm most worried about is the Tank Trap, but only because I think the water is a bit deep for most 'normal' trucks."

Q When in a tough spot are you more likely to throttle out or think it through?
A "When in tough spots out wheeling I generally stop to think about a different line or maybe a different transfer case combination. When all else fails, 'go pedal' on the right, lol."  

Q Are you making any changes to your rig before TTC?
A "No major changes. Like most of the guys I'm still out at the lake or in the hills, going to events just like always. I wheel it every chance I get, two to three times a week. I'm bringing what I entered."

Q How is your spotter/co-driver training for TTC?
A "Spotter/co-driver? Do not have one picked yet. Guess I better, ha lol."

Q If you could go wheeling anywhere in the world, where would that be?
A "I have never really thought about wheeling anywhere in the world. I guess it would be the Rubicon Trail, because everyone always raves about how tough it was in their 'Jeep' so I would like to take a fullsize there."

Q What's playing on your iPod/CD player right now?
A "Ozzy Osbourne, 'Road To Nowhere.'"

Q What was the last movie you watched?
A "The last movie I watched was 'Olympus Has Fallen.'"

Q Do you have an aversion to poison oak, wild boar, or submerged engines?
A "Plants do not bother me, I landscape for a living, lol (seriously). As for submerged engines it's probably never high on anyone's list, nor mine, but hey, it's TTC so I'm in!!!" 

Q What's one thing people should know about you?
A "Only one thing? Come on. OK, simple. My truck and I started out together in 1998 bone stock. I was 28 then. It's now 2013, still driving the same truck with lots more mods than stock, building on it and driving it through all its different stages for the last 15 years. Now I'm almost 43. I feel that makes me a good driver with it and I know its limits on what it can do and cannot do. In other words, experience with the same rig I believe is an advantage along with thousands of miles and many days behind th wheel of it, driving it from the movies to the store to hardcore trails and home. My passion is wheeling."       

U-Bends

It's amazing how the right tool can make like so much easier. I stopped by our local Fleet Pride the other day to have a set of U-bolts made, which they hammered out on the spot. Using a die to match up the correct bend and length of the old U-bolt, they had the new ones bent in a matter of minutes. It's one of those tools that's pretty impractical for the average guy, but when you need something like U-bolt made quickly (on a Friday afternoon no less) it's nice to have.

Ten questions for Top Truck Challenge competitor Paul Boundy, driving a '03 Chevy Silverado 1500 HD.

Q What TTC event are you most looking forward to?
A "I'm looking forward to the Hill Climb and Tow Test the most becaue my truck is long and heavy. It works well at both events."

Q What TTC event are you not looking forward to?
A "I don't think I will fare well at the Frame Twister because of the tight turns."

Q When in a tough spot are you more likely to throttle out or think it through?
A "I'm most likely to use the throttle becaue I feel I can always make it the harder I try!"

Q Are you makng changes to your rig before TTC?
A "I'm adding diff covers, Yukon axles, tuning the motor, rear locker, and rollcage."

Q How is your spotter/co-driver training for TTC?
A "He is learning the rules, watching the other TTC videos and learning from others mistakes that have been made in the past." 

Q If you could go wheeling anywhere in the world, where would that be?
A "At TTC. This will be my dream. Ever since I watched the 2008 video I have not stopped thinking about it."

Q What's playing on your iPod/CD player right now?
A "'Mud on the Tires" by Brad Paisley."

Q What was the last movie you watched?
A "'Here Comes the Boom' on the plane ride back from Cuba."

Q Do you have an aversion to poison oak, wild boar, or submerged engines?
A "No, I don't. There is a cream for poison oak, trees to climb to get away from wild boar, and a wet engine can always be rebuilt."

Q What's one thing people should know about you?
A "One thing I think they should know is that I always go all out."  

Meet Top Truck Challenge 2013 judge Jack Shelton!

Occupation: "I'm a professional bum. I retired from maintenance manager for the San Jose light rail and then truck driver for a hazardous waste company." 

Trail rig: "I have two rigs that I drive. I still have a '05 GMC 2500 HD that was a project for Four Wheeler. It has 550hp, 1,100 lb-ft of torque, a Dynatrac 60 front and 4.56 gears with ARBs. I now have a new project, a '13 Jeep four-door JK. We have already installed Torq Super-14 axles with MetalCloak Game-Changer suspension and body armor. The Jeep is a project for the new B.A.D. beadlock wheels and has a set on it."

Q How many years have you been associated with TTC?
A "I've been involved with TTC since 2002 in different capacities."

Q What is your favorite TTC event?
A "I still like the Obstacle Course the best since it tests the vehicle and the drivers ability in every way"

Q What is one of your most memorable TTC moments?
A "I think my most memorable event was last year when Toby Harrell launched out of the logs on the Frame Twister and was coming straight at me with full open throttle. He shut it down about 15 feet in front of me just as I as going to jump in the muddy 'X'. I'm ready to get together with everyone again this year for a great time. See you all there or on the video."    

2003: Picking up my new pile in Oregon.

 One of the most asked about projects that I have built was the '73 Jeep J-2000 pickup. The 49-inch Irocks were the largest light-truck tire out there at the time and Rockwell axles were really picking up in popularity. I figured I could combine both elements in one vehicle. I usually build around the tires so the J-truck was the perfect platform since it already had a V-8 and a decent transmission.

So why was it called the Hot Dog? Well, Christian Hazel came up with the name (as he does for most of my 4x4s). This one came about because the truck was bent in the middle and we really had no idea what was in it. Someone had swapped out the AMC 360 V-8, TH400 automatic transmission, and Quadra-Trac transfer case for a unknown year (1976-ish) AMC 304, T-18 manual transmission, and Dana 20 transfer case, yet left the original 360 V-8, automatic, and Quadra-Trac badging on the truck. Interestingly enough, all of the names he comes up with are degrading in some aspect, which is ironic since he was the reason I bought this particular truck. In fact, he did all the legwork. I never even talked to the seller until we were at his house 900-something miles away. We decided to make an adventure out of it so we drove up and I planned to drive the truck home. That didn't go as well as planned. You can read that story by CLICKING HERE.

Anyway, I built the truck up in a small two car garage. You can see part 1 through 4 of the buildup HERE. After entering the Hot Dog in Top Truck Challenge in 2005 it was pretty hammered. It made a few more wheeling trips to the desert before I sold it to a guy in Las Vegas, Nevada. He flipped it pretty quick to a guy in the South. Tennessee I think. Somehow the truck found it's way to Illinois where it was sold on eBay to a guy that shipped it overseas to Lebanon. Since then I have seen a few pics and heard a few stories. Well, here is the latest. They guy cut the cab and bed off. I don't think it looks as good. What do you think?

Oh well. Not my truck anymore.

Moab 2004

TDS Desert Safari 2005

2008 In Lebanon with the new owner

2012-2013(?) Cut up with new owner in Lebanon

Ten Questions for Top Truck Challenge 2013 competitor Matt Huit, driving a '81 Volkswagen Rabbit pickup.

Q What TTC event are you most looking forward to?
A "That's hard to say. All of the events have their personalities. I'd probably have to say the Coal Chute, simply because it has yet to be in the competition."

Q What TTC are you not looking forward to?
A "The Tow Test for sure. After towing my rig clear to Hollister to compete, the last thing that sounds fun is more towing!"

Q When in a tough spot are you more likely to throttle out or thnk it through?
A "My wheeling philosophy has always been, 'If finesse fails, stupid pedal will prevail.' That's why my rig is now on Rockwells. But the last few years I have tried to drive more conservatively and save parts. It sucks having the reputation of not being able to last more than 30 minutes without breaking."

Q Are you makiing changes to your rig before TTC?
A "I plead the Fifth Amendment!"

Q How is your spotter/co-driver training for TTC?
A "We are going through drills and working on communication."

Q If you could go wheeling anywhere in the world, where would that be?
A "My dream wheeling vacation would be to run the entire length of the Rubicon Trail, then cover every square inch of Hollister Hills SVRA, load up and head to Johnson Valley and run the Hammers, and finish it off with Moab. That's just the West Coast trip. I haven't planned for the rest of the country yet."

Q What's playing on your iPod/CD player right now?
A "Big & Rich, 'Faster Than Angels Fly.'"

Q What was the last movie you watched?
A "Hardflip."

Q Do you have an aversion to poison oak, wild boar, or submerged engines?
A "Not fond of skin rashes, wild boar is pretty good cooked right, and submerged engines suck!"

Q What's one thing people should know about you?
A "I'm usually the one people call when they need help because I'm always there to lend a hand, even to a competitor."      

One of our loyal readers sent us a cool sequence of of his unfortunate luck out in the dunes near Sealine, Mesaieed, Qatar while playing around in his 200 series Land Cruiser. We're pretty sure this wont be rubbing out anytime soon!

The only upside to this story is that someone was at the perfect spot at the right time to capture the whole sequence for you to cringe over. 

Ouch indeed!!!

According to the owner, it was pretty hectic! In case you're wondering, it appears nobody was injured in the whole ordeal and the owner also mentioned that He's having his head scarf dry-cleaned. He went on to say that there's not much else to do in Qatar other than playing in the sand dunes near the Persian Gulf.

If it's one thing we know it's that any roll-over that you can walk away from is a good one. 

That being said, if you have any roll-over pictures you want to share with us, we'd like to see them so go ahead and send them to us!

Meet Top Truck Challenge 2013 judge Jeff Arabia!

Occupation: Owner/operator of Arabia's Overkill Jeep Fabrication (20 years)

Trail rig: '86 Jeep CJ-7, 112-inch wheelbase, custom frame, 410hp all aluminum 5.7L LS1, NV4500, Advance Adapters Atlas II 4.3:1, Currie Rock Jock 60s, ARBs, 4.88 gears, 40-spline rear 'shafts, 35-spline front 'shafts, Spydertrax Pro Series 60 knuckles, PSC full hydro steering, Premier Power Welder, Powertank, rear cutting brakes, front/rear suck-down winches, B.A.D. beadlock wheels, 40-inch Maxxis Trepador tires, Fox 2.5-inch coilovers, Fox bypass shocks, Fox air bumps, storage set up as mobile workshop (Arabia is a mechanic for Jeepers Jamboree).

Q How many years have you been associated with TTC?
A "This is my 7th year with TTC, this is my 3rd year as a judge."
 
Q What is your favorite TTC event?
A "Frame Twister. I love the strategies people have when they enter, and how fast they change once they actually start the course."

Q What is one of your most memorable TTC moments?
A "It has to be when Wayne and Addie Sheeley went upside down in the Trap. We knew it was a possibility, Toby and I were discussing it the prior evening. The whole TTC team was ready just in case. I can't believe how fast and professional the response was, it is a complete pleasure to be a part of such a great team! I love my TTC family and look forward to the mayhem... er, I mean fun, that we have in store for our competitors this year!" 

Ten questions for Top Truck Challenge 2013 competitor Nolan Skopliak, driving a '87 GMC Jimmy.

Q What TTC event are you most looking forward to?
A "Tank Trap! Ever since watching TTC from VHS tapes I've always wanted to run that nasty section."

Q What TTC event are you not looking forward to?
A "I'm not scared to put my truck in any situation or through any type of obstacle or terrain! I drive GB like it's my 4WD buggy (that I also have)."

Q When in a tough spot are you more likely to throttle out or think it through?
A "All depends! I love how my 496 big-block Chevy opens up and I ain't scared to use full pedal! There's a time and place for everything though."

Q Are you making changes to your rig before TTC?
A "Just stepping up my safety stuff is my main concern. I plan on hucking GB into some nasty situations! I've installed some Ouverson axles up front. My truck is staying the same, not really changing it around. It's built, and built for abuse."

Q How is your spotter/co-driver training for TTC?
A "Well, my brother Tyler Skopliak is in that seat. We have 15 years of co-driving experience together. He's used to recovery."

Q If you could go wheeling anywhere in the world, where would that be?
A "Well, for GB I'd say Tank Trap. I've always wanted to get in there!"

Q What's playing on your iPod/CD player right now?
A "Chief Keef."

Q What was the last movie you watched?
A "TTC 2012."

Q Do you have an aversion to poison oak, wild boar, or submerged engines?
A "Long-sleeved shirts, fork and knife, and swimming goggles."

Q What's one thing people should know about you?
A "I do yoga." 

Who are the five Top Truck Challenge 2013 judges? Well, beginning next week you can find out, because we're going to begin a series of blogs that will highlight each judge.

The five TTC judges are integral to Top Truck and they coordinate the logistics of all seven events. They're involved in course design and construction, scoring, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

All of the TTC judges have significant off-road experience and some have even competed in Top Truck.

We sent 'em a few questions and beginning next Tuesday, May 14, you'll get to read what they have to say. We'll plug the blogs in randomly over the next four weeks leading up to TTC 2013.

Do you use a 4x4 for work? We wanna see it! Send a high-res pic and info about the 4x4 to john.cappa@fourwheeler.com.

The off-road workhorse pictured, known as the Tuggster, was built by and belongs to Wininger Drilling in Wasilla, Alaska. It allows the company to safely and efficiently haul a drilling rig into the Alaskan backcountry. It features a 191-inch wheelbase for more stability and climbing. It also has four-wheel steering to help get in and out of tight spots.You can read more about the Tuggster and Wininger Drilling HERE.

Don't do this.

Some things you have to see to believe. One of my friends at BDS Suspension captured this disaster waiting to happen on the way to Moab, Utah. It's hard to imagine the type of bind they must have been in to commit to moving something as large as this with a Jeep Wrangler. Pulling it is one thing, but stopping is what's most important. I hope they made it to wherever they were headed and that no one got hurt along the way.

Because Bentley's are lame.

I just ran across this news story about a bunch of wealthy guys pitching in to build a working replica of the Tumbler (aka the newest gen Batmobile).

If that was impressive enough, they are going to race it in the Gumball 3000. Click the link for more info and photos.

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/batman-fans-build-real-life-dark-knight-tumbler-211037030.html

Bilstein recently gave us a sneak peek at their newest shock offerings for off-road applications. The innovation in their product just keeps getting better every year. How awesome does a 60-mm BTS bolt-in adjustable-ride-height shock sound?

That's a 5100 series ride-height-adjustable shock for a Jeep Grand Cherokee WK at the top while the big and beefy 60-mm BTS shock is below. You'll notice that the shock body is bigger than an iPhone. Speaking of which, Bilstein has a new iPhone App, the iRC App, which allows you to control your shock settings individually right from your iPhone even while driving - allowing you to dial in the perfect shock tune for your off-road truck. Of course, this is something that's only available in their B16 line of performance shocks for cars, although it would be cool to eventually see this end up in their off-road offerings.

The 60-mm BTS shocks are a direct descendant of the legendary off-road racing technology and brings the proven performance from Baja to street applications that see occasional and even heavy use in the dirt. The 60-mm BTS shocks also feature a large diameter piston bore for increased oil capacity and durability to help eliminate shock fade when driving through whooped out desert roads.

One of the key benefits of the 60-mm BTS shocks is that they can use a lighter spring rate while still delivering more than enough shock damping to deal with large bumps at high speed. 

By far, the coolest thing we saw was Bilstein's Clubsport shock, which are double adjustable for both rebound and compression via two aluminum anodized knobs at the bottom of the shock body. Unfortunately, these are only available for Tuner cars, although, we're willing to bet that if we make enough noise about this, we might just end up seeing this feature in the near future in Bilstein's line of off-road shocks. 

What do you guys think about Bilstein's new 60-mm BTS adjustable-ride-height shocks?

Today we said farewell to our 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year winner (the Ram Power Wagon) and welcomed our 2013 winner, the Ram 1500 Outdoorsman into the long-term test fleet. We will miss the rugged capability of the Power Wagon and you can read the final 20,800-mile review in the August '13 issue.

The 2013 Ram 1500 has already wowed us with a lot of features that make us love the truck. The new eight-speed automatic behind the 5.7L Hemi V-8 is just awesome. It really utilizes the V-8s power better than the previous transmission. The shifter knob (instead of a stalk) takes some getting used to but it's easier to use than a clunky stalk. Stay tuned for the full first quarter review of our long-term 2013 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman in an upcoming issue of Four Wheeler.      

In less than two weeks we'll start a fascinating and entertaining series of blogs highlighting the competitors and alternates that you voted in to compete at Top Truck Challenge 2013! 

A few weeks ago we sent them 10 questions and beginning Monday, May 13, you'll be able to read what each competitor has to say, in their own words. These blogs will publish three per week, ending the week prior to Top Truck Challenge.  

These competitors are undoubtedly a tad busy nowadays spinnin' wrenches on their rigs getting ready for our seven-event mega throwdown in Hollister, California. They'll compete in the Tow Test, Frame Twister, Mud Pit, Obstacle Course, Hill Climb, new-for-'13 Coal Chute, and the infamous, mind-blowing Tank Trap.

So please join us beginning Monday, May 13!   

Now that most non-traditional truck buyers have fled the truck and SUV market for presumably more comfortable and more fuel efficient crossovers, the market is ripe for the return of traditional workhorse 4x4s. Ya know, the kind of trucks and SUVs that real truck buyers want. Vehicles with real function and durability...and solid front axles. Nissan has been selling this awesome Patrol Cab Chassis pickup overseas for years. Why can't we have a version of it here? Typically the answer is government crash standards and emissions. Should I rub a little more salt in the wound? You can order it with leaf or coil springs in the rear (coils are standard up front) and it features a manual transmission behind a 3.0L turbodiesel that averages over 20 mpg.

Want it to have all the common U.S. airbag and interior safety features? Fine, toss a Frontier cab on the overseas frame and solid axles. Don't like the flatbed? Fine, give it the Frontier bed too. Personally, I'm tired of all the excuses why the OEs don't offer versions of these great solid-axle diesel trucks here in the states. It's time for a change, trucks and SUVs on car chassis are not good enough. I want real trucks and SUVs back on the market and I don't want to have to buy a 3/4-ton to get it.     

Have you ever wondered what happened to our project Trailhugger '08 Hummer H3 Alpha?  So have we. You see, it was sold by our parent company a few years ago and as expected we lost track of it. Well, it recently popped up for sale in Texas on eBay. 

Below is what our matte-painted, de-blinged Trailhugger looked like when it was on display in the GM booth at the '08 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.  You'll recall it had a number of mods including remote-reservoir shocks, Light Racing JounceShocks, BFG tires, Gobi roof rack, wireless PIAA lighting, Warn winch, DeFelice winch mount and skidplating, as well as a slew of Hummer accessories like roof lighting, brushguard, and rocker protection. 

After studying the photos on eBay it appears that most of those items are still intact, though it looks like someone has added side steps, fender flares/mudflaps, white-lettered tires, a steering wheel cover, and a new audio head unit.

We have received word that the H3 has been purchased and is now in the hands of its new owner .

The Big Three thought that it would be a good idea to kill off their mid-size truck line and focus more on building better full size trucks, believing that their customers would follow the brand loyalty motto and jump into their larger truck segment. Apparently they didn't do their homework right because mid-size truck buyers ended up jumping ship to companies who still offered a mid-size truck.

GM has recognized it made a huge mistake when it decided to kill off their mid-size truck segment. GM is now planning to to bring back the Canyon and Colorado mid-size truck segment to compete in the mid-size truck market. The Big Three were obviously wrong about abandoning the mid-size truck segment because instead of their full-size sales jumping, Toyota's Tacoma sales jumped up 16 percent in 2012 and is already up 22.9 percent in it's first quarter this year.

Honestly, we think it's a smart move on their part but if we were running the show at GM, we would definitely not bring back the Canyon and Colorado names since they'll just conjure up images of a complete utter failure of a truck. The biggest reason the mid-size truck didn't work out for the Big Three was because they lost sight of what mid-size trucks were supposed to be and the fact that their fuel economy was about the same as their larger and nicer full-size brothers, it put the final nail in the coffin. 

It's going to be tough for GM to succeed in the mid-size truck market if they don't offer an affordable truck that can achieve at least 25 mpg to really separate them from the rest of the field as a better option over the full size market. With Ram Trucks getting ready to release their new Ram 1500 V6 EcoDiesel that will deliver 25 mpg in a full size truck, it's going to be tough for GM to drive sales towards it's mid-size trucks.

We think it would be really awesome if GM decided to offer a mid-size S10 pickup, or whatever name they want to call it, with a healthy 300 horsepower V6. It would be even better if they offered it from the factory with a solid front axle much like the Wrangler JK.

What do you think? Would you be interested in buying a new mid-size GM truck with real solid axles and a 300 horsepower V6 that got 25 mpg?

Hennessey Performance just got their supercharged VelociRaptor 600 approved by the California Air Resource Board! What does a 600 horsepower VelociRaptor sound like, check out the video and decide for yourself it this thing is as bad ass as it claims to be. 

So how fast is the CARB legal VelociRaptor 600? Fast enough to blow the doors off the much lighter second generation SVT Lightning! With 600 horsepower on tap at 5,700 rpm's, the VelociRaptor 600 will do 0-60 in  5.2 seconds and run the quarter mile in 13.6 seconds at 103 mph through the lights.

We think giving the Raptor 600 horsepower is just awesome! The top speed is 110 mph but that's more of a tire limitation than anything else, although, we wouldn't recommend trying to find the top speed in the dirt. It's amazing what modern off road trucks can accomplish compared to just a few years ago let alone a few decades ago. One thing's for sure, Hennessey Performance is still pushing the limits of the Raptor to near race truck levels!