#35 Dane Bathurst, Elk Grove, California
1985 Toyota 4Runner/Buggy
Hammers-tested, this tube-framed Toyota comes courtesy of the NorCal-based Hooligan Rock Crew. A Toyota has never won at Hollister before, but rigs running 53-inch Michelins have. Will readers give this rig a chance to bring some kaizen mojo to Hollister this summer?
Engine: Propane-injected 4.3L Chevy V-6
Transmission: Toyota 5-spd manual
Transfer case: Dual Marlin Crawler
Axles, f/r: Rockwell 2 1/2-ton/Rockwell 2 1/2-ton
Traction aids, f/r: Welded spiders/welded spiders
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Trangulated four-link, Fox 18-in air shocks/triangulated four-link, Fox 18-in air shocks
Tires: 53-in Michelin XMLs
Special features: Warn 8274 winch, full hydro steering, custom tubework, 12voltguy switch panel, Fox 4-in air bumps, custom pinion brakes
Driver experience: 10 years

#36 Jason Howerton, Gilroy, California
1970 Chevrolet C-10
Plenty flexy and not down on power, this Gilroy-based Chevy surely knows its way around the Frame Twister. There's no such thing as home-field advantage at TTC, though, and no local has ever won the competition. Perhaps Jason's rig will break the streak?
Engine: 8.1L Chevy V-8
Transmission: GM SM465 manual
Transfer case: Jed's Adapter NP203/205
Axles, f/r: Dana 60/full-floater GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/welded spiders
Ratio: 4.56:1
Suspension, f/r: Leaf springs/leaf springs
Tires: 42-in Interco Super Swampers
Special features: Warn 8274 winch, "nothing is stock"
Driver experience: 10 years

#37 Jess Wade, Mount Pulaski, Illinois
1999 Jeep Wrangler
At first glance, this TJ's drivetrain seems pretty unremarkable-until you get to those axles. With that setup, ground clearance should be abundant, and since this photo was taken at the Badlands, we assume this rig's owner knows his way around some pretty nasty rockpiles. Readers will make the final call. Engine: 4.0L Jeep I-6
Transmission: Chrysler AX15 manual
Transfer case: Cable-shift Atlas 3.8
Axles, f/r: Unimog 2 1/2-ton portal/Unimog 2 1/2-ton portal
Traction aids, f/r: OE locker/OE locker
Ratio: 7.56:1
Suspension, f/r: Three-link, coilovers/three-link, coilovers
Tires: 44-in Interco TSL Boggers
Special features: Warn 9500 winch, Hummer 12-bolt beadlocks, PSC full hydro steering, 11/4-in Heim joints, Mastercraft seats, RCI fuel cell
Driver experience: 18 years

#38 Raymond Towner, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
1972 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser
Old Land Cruisers are the epitome of coolness to us, and this '72 seems well set-up for challenging trails. On the other hand, a truck on 35-inch tires hasn't won at Hollister since 1994, and the obstacles at Hollister aren't just challenging, they're sheer hell. The Tank Trap trolls are licking their chops.
Engine: 350ci Chevy TBI V-8
Transmission: GM TH700R4 automatic
Transfer case: TLC/Advance Adapters
Axles, f/r: Toyota 8-in/Toyota 8-in
Traction aids, f/r: Lock-Right/Lock-Right
Ratio: 4.11:1
Suspension, f/r: 3-in lift springs, shackle reversal, Rancho RSX5000 shocks/FJ-60 springs over axle, Rancho RS9000 shocks
Tires: 35-in BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2s
Special features: Four-wheel disc brakes, Longfield axleshafts, custom cage, Optima battery
Driver experience: 18 years

#39 Jon Fanning, Tigard, Oregon
1982 Chevrolet K30 Crew Cab
This cool-looking 1-ton relies on old-school leaf springs to make room for the Boggers. That long wheelbase should help out this rig on the Hill Climb, but the Frame Twister and Obstacle Course are another story altogether.
Engine: 454ci Chevy V-8
Transmission: GM TH400 automatic
Transfer case: NP203/205
Axles, f/r: Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r: Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio: 4.56:1
Suspension, f/r: 8-in Superlift springs/6-in Superlift springs, 2-in blocks
Tires: 39.5-in Interco Super Swamper TSLs
Special features: Warn 12,000-lb winch, H1 beadlocks, custom flatbed, rear disc brakes, crossover steering w/ram assist
Driver experience: 10 years

#40 Alex Sanders, Salem, Arkansas
2008 Chevy Buggy
This rig's owner claims its unique front suspension is capable of 33 inches of travel. All we can say is, we'll believe it when we see it, and perhaps our readers will give us the chance by voting it into this year's field. We're always ready to be amazed by homegrown engineering at TTC.
Engine: 350ci Chevy V-8
Transmission: GM SM465 manual
Transfer case: NP205
Axles, f/r: Rockwell 2 1/2-ton/Rockwell 2 1/2-ton
Traction aids, f/r: Welded spiders/welded spiders
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: "Custom grader ball"/leaf springs
Tires: "46s"
Special features: Warn 8,000-lb winch in front, 15,000-lb winch in rear, full hydro steering, 30-degree carb adapter "to prevent flooding"
Driver experience: 11 years

#41 Chad Stegall, Lumberton, Texas
1987 Suzuki Samurai
In its owner's words, this Lone Star Suzuki "is hungry for some Mini-Rubicon." That's good, because our landscape architects at Hollister Hills are always hungry for competitor carnage. Perhaps our readers will give Chad's Samurai the chance to conquer the ultimate rockcrawl test this year.
Engine: 383ci Chevy stroker V-8
Transmission: GM TH700R4 automatic
Transfer case: Not noted
Axles, f/r: Rockwell 2 1/2-ton/Rockwell 2 1/2-ton
Traction aids, f/r: Welded spiders/welded spiders
Ratio: 6.72:1
Suspension, f/r: Four-link, 16-in Fox coilovers/four-link, 16-in Fox coilovers
Tires: 49-in Interco IROKs
Special features: "Nothing stock besides the hood"
Driver experience: 15 years

#42 James McMillion, Tahoma, California
19861/2 Suzuki Samurai
Photos of your rig on the Rubicon always grab our attention, and this Rubi-tested Suzuki runs an intriguing mixture of Samurai, Toyota, and Chevy parts. Those 37-inch Goodyears might be a little short for the Mud Pit, but we'll never know for certain unless you decide this rig belongs in Hollister this year.
Engine: 1.3L Suzuki I-4
Transmission: Stock w/ Trail Tough mount
Transfer case: Twin-stick Suzuki w/6.5:1 low-range
Axles, f/r: '88 Toyota, Longfield shafts/Toyota high-pinion
Traction aids, f/r: ARB Air Locker/ARB Air Locker
Ratio: 5.29:1
Suspension, f/r: Toyota rear springs over axle/1/2-ton Chevy leaf springs
Tires: 37x12.50 Goodyear MT/Rs
Special features: Calmini header, Warn 8,0000-lb winch, "mighty long skidplate," rear drive disconnect, beadlocks, frame stretched 6 inches
Driver experience: 11 years