To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the legendary Top Truck Challenge, we’ve invited all of the past champions of Top Truck to Hollister Hills, California, to compete in an unprecedented, history-making, weeklong mega-throwdown on seven of the gnarliest challenges known in the wheeling world. We’re calling it Top Truck Champions’ Challenge (TTCC), and it’s going to be incredible.

Since its inception in 1993, Top Truck has morphed considerably to adapt to the changing world of off-road competition. For example, we don’t waste time with the Show-n-Shine and the Ride-n-Drive any longer. Nowadays, Top Truck is lean and focused. Competitors at this year’s Top Truck Champions’ Challenge will compete in our seven famous events consisting of the Tow Test, Frame Twister, Mud Pit, Obstacle Course, Hill Climb, Mini Rubicon, and Tank Trap.

We didn’t put any stipulations on what the past champions can drive in TTCC. They can drive the rig they originally competed with or something completely different. What’s interesting is that the majority of TTCC competitors have chosen to drive their TTC-winning rigs. Others have created new rigs and some have even borrowed rigs.

Over the next several pages you can read a detailed overview of half of this year’s TTCC rigs (in no particular order) along with some comments from the drivers. The second half will publish next month in part two of “We Are The Champions,” so look for them in the November issue. Full coverage of all the TTCC action will follow in the December issue.

The most obvious change to Naeger’s rig since the last time we saw it in 2008 is the addition of 16.9-24 (52.8 inches actual height) BKT tractor tires. The meats are mounted on TrailReady 24-inch beadlock wheels with inner reinforcement rings. These tires are traction monsters, but slightly smaller in diameter than the 54-inch cut Boggers that Naeger ran in 2008. A Warn 9.5xp winch is at the ready in case the BKT’s get stopped cold in any of the events.

The most obvious change to Naeger’s rig since the last time we saw it in 2008 is the addit

Name: Jeremy Naeger
Champion in: 2008
Driving: 2008 Avalanche buggy

In 2008, Jeremy Naeger, Bloomsdale, Missouri resident and president of Custom Differentials, tied with Clayton Kraatz for First Place. Naeger will be returning to Hollister, California, behind the wheel of the same ’08 Avalanche buggy, albeit with a few mods. This year, there will only be one Champion.

A 350ci GM Ram Jet V-8 sits nestled in the chassis and Naeger estimates its output at 350 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. However, a flick of a switch activates a NOS fogger kit from Redline Performance that offers another 150 horsepower. The engine is fitted with 24-pound injectors (replacing the stock 22-pound injectors) and Hedman headers and it’s cooled by a mid-mounted C&R Racing radiator with a 16-inch-diameter electric fan. Other mods include a Painless Performance wiring harness and a pair of Optima YellowTop batteries. Power is routed through a Transmissions To Go-prepped TH400 transmission with a manual valve body, Stef’s pan, and a Hurst Pistol-Grip shifter. A Sumner Machine Works NP203/205 doubler sends the power to the axles. On the rear of the transfer case is a custom brake rotor with two Wilwood four-piston calipers.

A 350ci GM Ram Jet V-8 sits nestled in the chassis and Naeger estimates its output at 350

Sounding Off
Most memorable moment from 2008: “Tying for First. On the last day I was hoping for Second and had my doubts on that. We had no idea we still had a chance.”
Wants First Place in: “Tank Trap. It was my favorite event.”

“I know I’ll be up against a lot more expensive, lighter, and bigger horsepower rigs, but will try to finish every event as high in the points as we can and maybe the big guys will mess up.”
—Jeremy Naeger

Inside the rig, Naeger monitors underhood activity including engine rpm, voltage, oil pressure, transmission temperature, and fuel pressure, via Auto Meter gauges. Other interior features include a Grant steering wheel and a hydro-steering toggle switch that’s conveniently located on the right side of the steering column.

Inside the rig, Naeger monitors underhood activity including engine rpm, voltage, oil pres

The Details
Driver name/city: Jeremy Naeger/Bloomsdale, Missouri
Occupation: President of Custom Differentials
Vehicle model: 2008 Avalanche buggy
Estimated value: $66,000
Engine: GM Ram Jet 350ci V-8, 150hp NOS nitrous kit, Hedman headers, Flowmaster mufflers
Transmission: Transmissions To Go TH400 3-spd auto, manual valvebody, Hurst Pistol-Grip shifter, Stef’s pan
Transfer case: NP203/205 doubler
Suspension (f/r): Four-link, 16-in-travel King triple-rate remote-reservoir coilovers/four-link, 16-in-travel King triple-rate remote-reservoir coilovers
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell, Ouverson Violator axleshafts, Ouverson Violator locker, Ouverson Violator U-joints/2½-ton Rockwell, Ouverson Violator axleshafts, Ouverson Violator Full Spool, Ouverson Violator U-joints
Axle ratio: 6.72:1
Wheels: 24x11 TrailReady beadlock w/inner reinforcement rings
Tires: 16.9-24 BKT tractor