2018 198 4WDrive - Jan/Feb

P.O.R.N. INVASION - PIRATE OFF-ROAD A HUGE SUCCESS 

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FEATURES 

6 INVASION 2017: THE 2ND ANNUAL P.O.R.N VALLEY INVASION 

18 HOW TO SHOOT BETTER OFF-ROAD VIDEO 

23 BLINDED BY THE LIGHT 

28 TOP 5 FULL-SIZE TRUCKS AT SEMA 

34 BEST 5 JEEPS AT SEMA 

46 TOP 5 MID-SIZE TRUCKS AT SEMA 

50 15 MINUTES OF FAME: READER'S RIDES 

REVIEWS & INSTALLS 

12 EIBACH PRO-TRUCK SPORT & RHA SHOCKS 

16 YOKOHAMA G003 M/T OFF-ROAD TEST 

24 1976 FJ-40 GETS BESTOP TRAILMAX II SEATS

REGULARS 

38 TRAIL TALK: WHEELING PREP CHECKLIST 

42 PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SEMA 

56 AROUND THE INDUSTRY 

46 

28

FEATURE 

Story by Len Spencer 

INVASION 

The second annual 

Pirate Off-Road Nation 

Valley Invasion 

Cindy Hiltz 



The question that arises after a 

successful event, and before the 

work starts again… is how can 

we make it better? Well… How about 

we make it bigger? How much bigger 

without compromising the quality of the 

event? Let’s double it in size baby! Let’s 

have more trails, twice the people, and the 

BIGGEST prize draw we’ve ever seen. Not 

only that, let’s have some rockin’ cosplay, 

coarse language (Check out FIOFOF on 

the P.O.R.N. FB page on Fridays), glittering 

fireworks, enthusiastic car crushing, dirty 

mud pit action, some outstanding live 

entertainment, and party with the people 

for three or four or even five days (some 

pirates are keen to get started and show 

up on Tuesday for an event where the 

registration is not until Thursday), and oh 

yeah… I almost forgot… 

GO WHEELING! 

This year we had about 200 rigs and over 

350 people on almost a dozen trails with 

everything from mild to wild. Many folks 

wanted to do an off-road 101 and learn 

about the rig they’re driving and then 

do some social wheeling. Enter John 

Cranfield (long time GM of Jeep Jamboree 

Canada) and his lovely co-presenter Larry, 

who not only entertained, but educated 

and astounded with over 250 years of 

combined off-road expertise. They’re old 

AF folks, but we love ‘em. Some wanted 

mud? They slipped on (pun intended) 

over to Cranfield’s Revenge where there 

was enough mud to clog the tires of even 

Cindy Hiltz 

the most fearsome mud warrior. Mud not 

your thing, ‘princess’? That’s ok; the lads 

took the more delicate drivers over to the 

Ringer where they didn’t have to worry 

about a little mud on the tires. 

Now don’t worry folks, if you’re 

somewhere between hairy-chested mud 

monster and delicate rock princess, it’s 

okay… there was something for everyone 

and there will be again in 2018. From 

Jeff Hiltz 


GET EQUIPPED 

2007-2017 WRANGLER JK 

4” SUSPENSION SYSTEM 

• 4’’ coil springs designed for full coil bind while maintaining a factory ride quality. 

Coils are 2door/4door specific for proper ride height 

• Front heavy duty adjustable track bar to properly recenter the front axle 

• Cam washers are included to correct front end caster alignment 

• Extended rear sway bar links are included. These links come with urethane 

bushings to increase performance and reduce body roll. 

• Track bar relocation system is included to reposition the rear axle under your JK 

• 2” bump stop extensions are included to protect your vehicle while still increasing wheel travel 

• Brake line relocation brackets included to allow increased wheel travel 

• Specifically valved Zone hydro or nitro gas shocks for a smooth ride on any terrain 

*3” and 2” Suspension Systems also available (Right hand drive available for 3”) 

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scenic drives up the mountain to a trip 

down Tia’s Trail, dedicated to a beautiful 

and kind friend taken from us far too 

soon, to all manner of social wheeling 

trails of all levels. Tickets went on sale 

December 1st 2017 for Invasion 2018 and 

it WILL sell out fast, so get in there. 

People postponed weddings to drive 

across the country for this event. They’ve 

come from England and Florida, the 

islands (PEI and Newfoundland), and all 

points on the North American map. For 

2018, come out, dress up, see Roger in 

a skirt, party on with the Captain of the 

Fleet, sing, hoot and holler, meet friends 

old and new, and maybe… just maybe, 

you’ll be like Johnny Goodwin, and run 

across the field like your ass is on fire when 

you find out you just won a brand new 

Warn 8274 from our man Gary Mason at 

Dartmouth Dodge. You might be like Bob 

Shay, and have to rise unaided from your 

motorized recliner to accept a set of five 

tires of your choice from Chris Smith of 

General Tire (The Official Traction of the 

P.O.R.N. Valley Invasion) fame, to name 

but two of the many corporate partners 

that make this event fantastic. 

You know, life is a funny thing. One 

day you’re wheeling with friends in the 

1990s, then in the 2000s you’re working 

with Jeep Jamboree Canada, and then in 

the 2010s you’re sitting in a restaurant in 

Truro talking about the vision for Pirate 

Off Road Nation (P.O.R.N. not porn, calm 

yourself, this is a family publication). 

Finally you are on the phone, on the 

road, and on Facebook…talking to 

merchants, potential sponsors, and the 

most important people in any commercial 

venture…the people you serve. Finally, 

you are in the company of the BEST 

volunteer off-road event team ever, helping 

to run and organize the most superlative 

off-road, brand-friendly event in the 

country. To Captains of the Fleet Jeff and 

Cindy Hiltz, and the rest of a list too long 

for publication, this is a public shout out to 

all who make the Pirate Off Road Nation 

and the entire off-road community a better 

place. Bravo Zulu! It was my pleasure. 

You too, could be part of one of the 

greatest off-road party and wheeling 

events on the planet… Or you might just 

Cindy Hiltz 

Cindy Hiltz Cindy Hiltz 


Kimberley Hingwell 

Dean Caldwell 

Cindy Hiltz 

Cindy Hiltz 

be too sensitive and flower-like to handle 

it. That’s not for the P.O.R.N. Krew to 

judge though, look in the mirror and make 

your own decision. 

So, to review people: 

• Something for everyone 

• Cosplay, coarse language, fireworks, 

and live entertainment 

• Drink/drug and drive? Stay the f*%k 

home, we don’t tolerate that AT ALL 

• Prizes 

• Great people 

• Awesome wheeling 

Call Heidi at the Fox Mountain Camping 

Park and tell her you’re a P.O.R.N. 

enthusiast, she’ll know who sent you. See 

you there in 2018! 


INSTALL 

EIBACH 

By Bryan Irons @bryanirons 

Pro-Truck 

Sport & RHA Shocks 

A 

company we know, trust and 

will return to is Eibach. Known 

for creating some of the highest 

quality suspension components, you could 

say that we "like" Eibach, but in truth, 

we're devout fans. Our last endeavor 

was installing a complete All-Terrain 

suspension kit in a Jeep JK a few years ago. 

Cliff notes; we loved that kit, and it is still 

running strong to this day. 

The focus of today's wrenching 

shenanigans involves a dead stock 2010 

Toyota Tundra TRD and our buddy Mark. 

The truck has 150,000 kilometres on the 

factory suspension, and the comfy ride we 

normally associated with the Toyota name 

is long gone — it rode like a New York 

City taxi cab shuttling too many patrons 

to the All-You-Can-Eat buffet. Mark 

knew it was time for the worn parts to 

hit a local scrap yard. We typically expect 

a set of factory shocks to last around 

75,000 kilometres provided the seals 

do not weep fluid. The oil formulation 

eventually breaks down, and the valves get 

weak resulting in poor dampening. This 

deterioration can lead to a loss in traction 

and a poor ride. 

After a quick call we had a fresh set of 

Eibach Pro-Truck Sport rear and Eibach 

Pro-Truck Sport RHA (Ride Height 

Adjustable) front shocks sent our way. The 

"Pro-Truck" and "Pro-Truck Sport" lines 

differ slightly in their performance, but to 

be honest, we doubt Mark would notice 

the difference while ham-fisting the wheel 

around town with a cup of Timmies. The 

main reason for us to step up to the Sport 

and Sport RHA were for the thick zinc 

coating to fend off rust and corrosion, 

PLUS the ability to level the front of the 

truck if so desired. 

Changing the rear shock involves a few 

wrenches and an attention span of more 

than 20 minutes per side. The front end of 

the truck requires a more extensive tool 

kit and a set of spring compressors to be 

able to swap the shocks out from the coil 

springs that wrap around them. Plan on 

a full day to get the job done both front 

and rear. More if you have to deal with 

rusty components or if you require more 

frequent refreshment breaks. 

Although we chose to keep the ride 

height in the stock position in the front 

end, the Eibach Pro-Truck Sport RHA 

units have machined grooves built into 

the shock bodies to allow easy adjustment 

from 0mm to 50mm above factory ride 

height. If leveling the front of your truck is 

warranted, then we strongly recommend 

loosening off all of the rubber bushing 

bolts in the front end of the truck and re- 


1 2 

3 

4 

5 

torquing them once the truck is at the new 

ride height. This adjustment will reduce 

the additional wear and strain on the 

rubber components in the front end. 

After the install, which we will outline 

here, the initial results proved most 

impressive. The new dampers calmed the 

slight wheel vibration we had from before, 

and the ride was much improved with less 

"float" over bumps and imperfections in 

the road. 

Eibach Suspension 

eibach.com/america/ 

With the wheel off and the truck supported by the frame, the 

1 swaybar needs to be disconnected and the top mounting bolts of 

the coilover can be removed. 

With some pressure applied to the bottom of the lower control 

2 arm with a jack, remove the two lower a-arm bolts that attach the 

ball joint to the knuckle. You can now remove the jack and the lower 

coilover bolt. 

Using a pry bar, wrangle the coilover assembly out from under 

3 the truck and rehydrate yourself. 

Slight compression of the coil spring is required to change the 

4 shock. Resist the urge to use ratchet straps or any other ill-conceived 

method of compressing the springs. We picked up a set of 

inexpensive compression clamps designed for the job. 

Disassembly of the strut can now begin. Remember to keep the 

parts in the proper orientation and order. 

5 


Turn your attention to the 

6 new shocks. The grooves are 

machined into the body of the 

shock to adjust the ride height if 

you wish. To do this, adjust the 

position of the included snap ring. 

Reassemble the strut assembly 

and remove the spring compressors. 

Reassembly of the front end is 

7 just the reverse of the removal. 

Make sure to torque all the bolts 

once the truck is back under its 

own weight. 

The rear shock replacement 

8 was a simple endeavor compared 

to the front. No special 

tools or other pieces. We found 

that adding a little pressure to the 

spring pack helped us get the old 

shocks out. 

Our hang-up was the rusty 

9 hardware and poor Toyota 

design. We ended up with a pair 

of plyers holding the shock body 

while the top nut was removed. 

The rubber bushings from 

10 the original shocks need to 

be reused so don’t destroy them 

in the process. 

With the new rear shocks 

11 installed and all bolts torqued 

to spec, it’s time for a test drive to 

reap the benefits of our upgrade! 

7 

9 

6 

8 

10 

11 


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REVIEW 

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PERRY MACK 

Yokohama 

G003 M/T 

Off-Road Test 

Climbing hard rock. 

Never go into the woods 

alone, but if you do, drive 

the Yokohama G003 M/T 

In the summer of 2017, we mounted a set 

of Geolander G003 Mud Terrains on 17” 

Deegan 38 rims and got ready to wheel our 

favourite trails. Then the flooding began, 

soon after that the fires started and the 

backcountry was closed. Tales of woe. It was 

October before the fire ban was lifted and I 

finally had an opportunity to test and review 

the tires that had so far only seen blacktop. 

I’ve had Yoko’s before and the traction 

of those All-Terrains was fantastic. I swear 

the grip was so good my Isuzu Rodeo 

could climb trees. However I wasn’t looking 

for trees this trip, I was looking for mud. 

Actually, I was looking for anything but 

pavement. After several days of rain I went 

in search of the trails I knew collected 

water, creating large muddy pools. I was 

so confident in these tires I felt I had to 


Tree down across the trail 

handicap them by not airing down. Packing 

my rubber boots in case I was wrong, I 

started in the valley bottom on a sunny 

18°C day, navigating gravel forest service 

roads up through the hills. The rain was 

so hard and heavy that parts of trail had 

washed away. Excellent. 

Two massive windstorms that 

accompanied the rain days before had 

knocked down trees and power lines 

across the southern part of the province. 

The wind was picking up again, and 

weakened trees swayed dangerously in the 

forest, as I passed downed branches and 

trees on all sides. 

Heading out to test tires by myself was 

starting to look like a bad idea. At one point 

I thought I had been foiled yet again as a 

large tree was down along the trail. Pine 

needles and small branches raining down 

around me, I grabbed the saw to try and cut 

enough branches away to get past. Turns 

out I could, but just barely. 

The G003’s continued pulling me 

effortlessly up the steep mountainside 

as the trail turned from loose wet rocks 

to muddy pools of water. The air turned 

colder as the afternoon wore on and to my 

surprise the water on the trail turned to 

snow. Climbing higher, the snow thickened 

and the large mud pits of my dreams turned 

to slush. However there was still hope. The 

lake at the top of the trail is a managed 

body of water, which is drained at the end 

of the season leaving a muddy shore that 

swallows ATV’s and 4x4’s. 

I finally reached the lake at the trailhead 

after a snowy detour and drove on to the 

shore to find it an expanse of snow covered, 

frozen mud. Foiled again. I pulled out the 

thermos and sandwiches, stared at the 

frozen lakebed, watching my breath exhale 

in cold clouds of vapour. Then it was time 

to head home. Actually past time to head 

home, judging by the lack of light. 

Once again the G003’s provided plenty 

of traction, never losing grip on the hilly 

sections of the trail, across the rocks, and 

through slushy muddy holes. I reached the 

large downed tree I had to cut branches 

from to pass on the way up. Had it moved? 

The trail looked narrower than before. 

The tree had rolled slightly on its broken 

branches and was now blocking the trail 

even more. 

‘God hates a coward’ the saying goes, 

so I crept forward, tires hanging ever 

so slightly over the edge as I navigated 

the narrowest portion of trail, trying to 

squeeze between a small tree at the edge 

and the blocking behemoth on the right. 

Which is when I discovered the edge was 

sand, and my front driver tire was going 

over. Forward was no longer an option. 

I backed up a few feet, got closer to the 

downed tree and eased forward. The tires 

clawed at the sand as I started sliding over 

the edge, again. Turning further into the 

tree to squeeze through, it sounded like my 

fender was being torn away, the back end of 

the Jeep pushed hard left towards the edge 

as the G003’s clawed right to stay on the 

trail. An excruciating sound, but better than 

rolling down the mountainside. 

I drove ten metres further to a safer, 

wider portion of the trail to survey the 

damage. To my surprise the rear fender was 

intact, even though sturdy broken branches 

had hit the tires itself — hard enough to 

push the whole vehicle. Not the durability 

test I had planned (nor wish to repeat) but 

there it was, and the tire was intact. No 

gouges or tears in the sidewall. 

The rest of the trip home was uneventful 

as day turned into night. I wish I could tell 

you how great these mud terrains faired in 

actual mud, but I can’t confirm that, yet. 

But for pavement, hard rock, gravel, loose 

rocks, slushy mud and wet heavy snow; I 

can say they are fantastic. 


FEATURE 

Words and Photos by 

Brady Melville of Pathmaker Productions 

OFF-ROAD VIDEO 


A long lens allows me to stay 

a safe distance from the action 

at Punisher4x4 Racing but still 

get the great shots. 

Four GoPros mounted to 

the #22 car at KOH 2017 

during qualifying. 

Getting up close and personal 

while shooting Loren Healy at 

the Ultra4 Stampede. 

The off-roading industry and the video industry have both 

changed and grown since I started my career in off-road 

nearly twenty years ago behind the lens of a crappy old 

Mini-DV tape video camera. We now live in the world of GoPro 

sports cameras, YouTube, and Live Streaming directly from your 

cell phone, so it has never been easier for the average person to 

get out wheeling and take some fantastic video or photos with 

very little high-tech equipment. The quality of footage from a cell 

phone is not the same as an Action Cam and is a far cry from an 

HD Mini-Cam or DSLR, but everything has its place, and you 

don't need to worry about breaking the bank to get out there and 

shoot video. At the end of the day, content is king, so catching the 

coolest off-road clip ever on your potato phone is better than not 

filming it at all. 

Before we get to gear, I'll go over some basic filming and 

shooting tips that are going to make your videos look better, 

no matter what camera you use. The most important thing 

to remember when shooting off-roading is that the camera's 

perspective isn't the same as what you see in person. You have to 

shoot from a location that gives the rig and obstacle perspective. 

Shooting downhill at someone coming up will result in a video 

that looks like someone driving along a flat road. If you can safely 

stand off to the side or below the rig while staying low to the 

ground, shooting upwards, your video will do a much better job 

of showing how steep and large the obstacle is. 

When shooting with your phone, remember to hold it 

"sideways" to get rid of the black bars in your video. I am 

constantly reminding people to turn their phone sideways, just 

make sure you turn it before you start filming. The last thing I 

want to touch on when filming is your safety. I've seen a lot of 


1. 

2. 

people standing in crazy places trying 

to catch "The Shot" without any thought 

of what could happen if something goes 

wrong. (Here's a short video of me in close 

to get the shot but having an escape route: 

"The Shot" - Ultra4 Racing Stampede - 

https://youtu.be/QLgaVscIdME). Never 

stand downhill from a vehicle without a 

tree to duck behind or an escape route 

planned out. If you're going to film, look 

behind yourself to see if there are any trip 

hazards and plan where to go if the rig 

starts coming in your direction. If there 

are trees, stand behind the large ones and 

hold your camera out the side. I often see 

people standing in front of trees, and it's 

easy to get squished if things go wrong. 

As a full-time photographer, I always 

have lots of special gear but you don't 

necessarily need it. If you're just out for a 

short journey or something unexpected 

happens the cell phone can't be beat. 

Everyone carries one, and you should 

get close to the action to fill the screen. 

Hold your phone sideways unless you're 

shooting and broadcasting a live video, 

which you can do via Facebook, Instagram 

or YouTube, as long as you have 4G service 

and a good data plan since costs can add 

up fast with live video. 

The next step up would be an action 

camera like a GoPro. I currently run 

four of them, and they're fantastic for 

mounting in a variety locations on 

vehicles, including underneath or on the 

suspension. Action cams have a wide field 

of view, so they're great for those up close 

shots to capture all the action. With tons 

of great HD and UltraHD filming options, 

you can get some very high-quality video 

from a small package, and my usual go-to 

settings on the GoPro are 2.7k at 60fps. 

The larger than 1080p recording allows 

me to zoom in on the video without giving 

up quality, which is important because 

the GoPro's real weakness is long distance 

shots. I shoot in 60fps because it is much 

smoother for the fast action in off-roading, 

but expect your file sizes to be very large if 

you use these settings. Being so small the 

action cams were never great handheld 

until powered gimbals hit the market. I 

run two different ones, a made-in-China 

version, and GoPro Karma Grip, both 

3. 

4. 

5. 

1. Buttons allow you to stop and start recording, as well as to tilt 

the angle on the Karma Grip. 2. Custom built shoulder rig for DSLR 

including eyepiece and boom mic. 3. GoPro Hero4 Black and small 

adjustable tripod. 4. My gimbal mount location wasn't great for rolling 

the Pathmaker, Gimbal and GoPro down! 5. Karma Grip Gimbal for 

fantastic smooth shots. 


New! 

TERAFLEX RENEGADE 1.5” LIFT KIT 

FEATURES: 

INCLUDES: 

• Accounts for factory strut angles to maintain correct camber & 

caster up front & camber around back as well as correct wheel offset 

• Spacers are constructed from 6061-T6 billet aluminum to resist 

corrosion from the elements 

1.5” offset front IFS strut spacers, front sway bar quick disconnects, 

1.5” rear strut spacers, 1” rear lower control arm spacers, rear subframe 

spacers, driveline spacers, exhaust spacers, brake line spacers, and all 

necessary hardware. 

• Only kit to include front sway bar quick disconnects 

• Fits all Renegade models 

• Fits up to 28.5” tires (225/65R17) Renegade 1.5” Spacer Lift Kit # 1351200 


DSLR photo taken at Trail Hero 2016. 

of which smooth out the shakiness and 

create gorgeous, steady cinematic shots. 

With the ability to add extension handles 

to get your camera closer to the action 

as well as external microphones, this is 

now my go-to way of filming most rock 

crawling and trail wheeling videos. They're 

small enough to toss in my bag and easy 

to carry while climbing in and out of rigs 

or scrambling up the rocks. GoPro's are a 

more user-friendly option than using a full 

DSLR shoulder rig that requires breaking 

down between each shot. 

Next step up is a small Mini-Cam or 

dedicated video camera. With overall 

decent video formats, built-in sound, and 

some optical and digital zoom, they are a 

great option for filming off-roading but 

not something I carry in my bag as I either 

shoot with action cams or my full DSLR rig. 

For go-fast racing or an event where 

I have to film further away from the rigs 

(like at King of the Hammers) I typically 

use my DSLR camera on a custom-built 

shoulder rig. I fabbed up the rig from $8 

worth of Home Depot parts and various 

things laying around my shop including 

an old Nissan Harmonic Balancer as a 

counterweight and a small heim joint as a 

GoPro mounted 

with Gimbal on 

the Pathmaker. 

cheap gimbal. My DSLR does double duty 

as my photography rig and for shooting 

video. I run a Canon 6D Full Frame body 

with various lenses I select depending on 

location, which allows me to zoom right 

in and take fantastic video of the action. 

I built the shoulder rig to reduce video 

shakiness, (which gets worse the further 

you zoom in) and because it's difficult 

to move around with a tripod. It does 

help stabilize the shot but it is heavy and 

awkward on the rocks, so I've been using 

the action cameras more and saving my 

DSLR for strictly shooting photos. 

Editing software and learning how to 

use it could fill another article, and while 

I use Adobe Premiere Pro for all my video 

you can get fantastic results out of the free 

software from GoPro or iMovie and as 

they all use the same "liner style editing" 

they are all very similar to use. The most 

important thing with all of this is just get 

out there to shoot, post and repeat. 


made a fantasy a reality by leaving 

corporate construction to pursue a career 

as offroad photographer and videographer. 

Share in his adventures offroad at 

www.pathmakerproductions.com and 

www.youtube.com/pathmakerproductions 

for a front row seat on his next journey. 


These Teraflex sunshades take away 

the glare but allow you to still see 

the trail ahead. 

BLINDED 

by the Light 

WORDS BY TOM SEVERIN, 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUDD STANLEY 

It was a beautiful day with a blue sky, 

light breeze, and warm temperatures. 

Perfect for four-wheeling and we were 

nearing the end of a long day. We had 

encountered a lot of obstacles on this trail, 

and we were tired. 

At about 4 p.m., we were climbing the 

final hill. Beyond that was an easy route 

to the highway, and a relaxing evening at 

home. This was no run-of-the-mill hill 

though. 

We were met with deep ruts and torn-up 

soil. Struggling to hold traction on the soft 

soil, we slowly crawled the long, very steep 

hill one at a time. At the bottom of the hill 

– bam! The setting sun blasted through our 

windshields like a blow torch. It took all the 

driving skills we had to remain on the line 

that ensured success. Unfortunately, one 

driver lost it half way up. Sliding sideways 

in soft soil on the trail edge, his Jeep 

JKUR ended up at right angles to the hill. 

Thankfully, the driver managed to stop his 

vehicle as it balanced sideways. 

Encountering a blinding sunset off-road 

is just as jarring as it is in the city. But offroad 

there are additional hazards: steep 

cliffs, large boulders, ditches, ruts, slopes, 

and blind curves, among others. 

There are some simple steps. If you 

can’t see, stop. If other vehicles are behind 

you, warn them you are stopping. Get 

on the radio and let people know what’s 

happening. At this point their vision is 

impaired as well. This is one reason why 

it’s handy to have two-way radios in all 

vehicles. 

Pull down the visor. Put on your 

sunglasses. Put your hat on (the right way 

with the brim in front). Turn on your 

windshield washer. But be careful. This 

action actually cuts visibility for a short 

period, especially with exceptionally dirty 

windows. 

If these simple actions do not improve your 

visibility get out and; 

• Scrub the windshield even more if it 

needs it. 

• Walk the trail to determine the difficulty 

and risk factor as well as familiarizing 

yourself with it. 

• If you have another person with you, 

have him get out and spot. Ideally, have 

your spotter stand so he blocks the sun 

from your eyes. 

• Using hand signals from your spotter, 

inch your way along until you can see for 

yourself again. Eventually you will have 

moved such that the sun is no longer 

directly in your eyes. 

As an alternative, if you can’t see 

your spotter well, give him a radio. The 

instructions may not be as precise, but at 

least you are getting directions from some 

who can see the trail. 

Finally, in the worst case, wait for the 

sun to set. You still have the period of civil 

twilight (20-30 minutes) to get off-the trails. 

Or perhaps you get to experience the bonus 

night run! Incidentally, if you catch a bright 

sunrise one morning, the steps are similar. 

Oftentimes just waiting for the sun to rise 

higher does the trick. 

Do some vehicle maintenance when you 

get home. Buy new windshield wipers if 

needed. If your windshield is all pitted from 

years of trail blasting, buy a new one. 

The setting sun, which is beautiful out in 

the country, can be hazardous if it catches 

you at the wrong time. Learn how to react, 

and you’ll be back on your journey. 

Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD 

owners how to confidently and safely use 

their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult 

terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit 

www.4x4training.com to develop or improve 

your driving skill. 


INSTALL 

BESTOP 

TrailMax II Seats 

We knew we had scored a 

deal on our latest project rig 

— a smokin' deal. But that 

doesn't mean that we scooped the perfect 

ride, and we planned the changes as we 

trailered the old iron home. The 90's offroading 

time capsule of a 1976 Toyota FJ- 

40 had barely landed in the yard when the 

kids dubbed it "Tim Toyota". It looked bad 

even from 30 metres, then once behind the 

wheel, it got even worse; to the point that 

driving the rig was literally a pain in the 

ass. Step #1 was to get a new place to park 

our kiester. 

The 90's were a great time for rebuilding 

a wicked off-road rig and 

the Land Cruiser platform was a solid 

foundation. 'Tim' was a prime example of 

how it was done with a junkyard Chevy 

V8 swap, a junkyard power steering 

conversion, junkyard onboard air and 

(wait for it) junkyard seats. The laughable 

loungers were mounted to a sturdy oneinch 

square tube frame with electric 

motors in the power seats that were big 

enough to pull an anchor on a tug, and 

made the seating position more of a crow's 

nest then a pilot's chair. With the steering 

wheel grinding on our legs and our heads 

thumping against the fibreglass roof, this 

wasn't a wheeler; it was a death trap and 

should have been named "Christine." 

TrailMax II seats from Bestop and a 

set of sliders for a (gasp) Jeep were ordered 

as we just didn't feel safe rolling around 

town in Tim, and were certainly not going 

to feel at ease with our family riding along 

(with the exception of an in-law or two). 

At this point, we didn't care if the seats 

were not a direct fit as the framework was 

butchered to the point of no return. We 

chose the TrailMax II's for a variety of 

reasons, the first of which is the success 

we have had with Bestop soft tops over 

the decades. Durable materials and easy 

to clean (read; kid-resistant) designs let 

us believe that the seats will last a long 

time - just like the tops. A welded steel 

tubular frame provides the support for 

the springs and different density foam 

in the seat, making them durable for the 

long haul. We have broken more than a 

few factory sheet metal framed seats in 

the past. We could have splurged on a 

fancy set of suspension seats, and they are 

typically our first choice, but annoyingly 

deep bolsters on a daily driver and a 

smouldering credit card told us to go with 

a quality seat at an affordable price. 

After the install, we got to take the 

rig wheeling a few times, and freelance 

writer Budd Stanley took Tim on a West 

Coast adventure. He claims that ten 

solid hours behind the wheel were not 

a problem (this also explains the smell). 

The reclining mechanism works very well, 

and in conjunction with the back bolsters, 

keeps you in place on the trail. The 

seatbacks also have storage pockets that 

are a nice touch in the cramped quarters 

of a Land Cruiser. The seat bottoms are 

a comfortable length, and we have yet 

to bottom the seats out driving over 

rough roads. We especially like the slider 

mechanism as they take up little room, 

feel solid, and do not add any rattling to 

the already noisy cab. Follow along here as 

we spend a day cutting out the old-nasty 

and install the new-hotness while keeping 

Tim's mojo intact. 

Bestop products 

www.bestop.com 


1 

2 

We would swear that the 

1 seat covers were so old they 

were developing bald spots, but 

chances are that’s a chemical burn 

or some other affliction we would 

rather not know about. It’s all just 

so wrong and had to go. 

The possibly bipolar previous 

2 owner had intelligently reused 

the original Toyota mounting 

brackets, and even used hardware 

in places to bolt the seats down, 

in others, the seats were welded 

to whatever steel was “close 

enough”. The vast majority of our 

install time was spent digging for 

buried treasure and old purchase 

receipts. Who remembers when 

Sears sold mud tires? 

With the death trap seats 

3 removed and the interior 

sanitized, we moved on to 

assembling the seat tracks to 

the bottoms. Leave the plastic 

on the seats unless you want to 

make them a mess before the final 

install. We didn’t put the backs 

on just yet as we wanted to be 

able to get them in and out of 

the rig a few times for placement 

adjustments. 

3 

Join us www.instagram.com/4WheelDriveCanada Volume 19/8 

25

With the bottoms secured 

4 to the framework and 

just tacked together, we put 

the backs on to make sure 

everything fit properly before 

we set the Miller welder to 

“permanent”. 

We didn’t paint the brackets 

5 as we felt that would take 

away from Tim’s theme of abuse 

and neglect. You will notice that 

the passenger seat sits a little 

higher then the driver, this is to 

be able clear the fuel tank. 

Installed and ready for the 

trail. 

6 

4 

6 

5 



FEATURE 

BY BRYAN IRONS @BRYANIRONS 

TOP 

5 

FULL-SIZE 

Trucks at 

SEMA 

SEMA 2017 had eye candy for all disciplines and tastes in the 

automotive arena as builders and designers all aimed at a target 

audience. Editor Irons prefers his trucks useful, built like a Sherman 

tank, and with enough power to border the ridiculous. Editor Mack 

likes cup holders, blow-your-hair-back sound systems, and self-parking 

amenities to make up for driver skill. Director of Sales Tansem prefers 

a GPS system with all the local "Gentleman's Clubs" preprogrammed 

and multiple mirrors to check his hair. Seeing as Irons was the only one 

picking winners, let's see what we found this year. 


NITTO CHEVY HIGHLANDER 

This 1972 Chevrolet K50 crew cab was placed front and centre of 

Nitto Tires' booth. An anvil tough Cummins 12-valve resides under 

the massive hood and is propped up by a custom chassis by Randal 

Robertson. The Highlander spec interior is a comfy place to row the 

5-speed NV4500 as it sends power to a set of 40's to round out this 

behemoth. 


SAFECRAFT RAM 

Every time we walked by the Safecraft booth and 

caught a glimpse of the wicked chase truck, we 

contemplated how much trouble we would be in 

with the better half if we rolled into the driveway 

with it. "But honey, it has four seats?" would likely 

be our last words. The stout cage and race-bred 

trailing arm suspension showed the beautiful craftsmanship 

and engineering involved to create a Bajacapable 

rig such as this. 

DURAMAX CHEVY RACE TRUCK 

Coined the ‘Million Dollar Diesel' and built by 

the creators at Battleborn Engineering, we can 

certainly imagine the price tag reaching this point. 

The mid-ship Duramax Diesel means business, and 

with 30" of rear suspension travel and 25" from 

the independent front, all that torque will be put to 

good use. Exhibiting welds completed with savantlike 

perfection, and more custom billet machined 

parts than a NASA space shuttle, it's almost a shame 

to think this truck will be bashing over jumps and 

hoops in the near future — almost. 


FORD SD126 

From the creative minds at Ford HQ we were given this eye-catching Super-Duty single cab in a 126" wheelbase 

perched on 42's. The factory 6.7L Power Stroke diesel under the hood, and in a custom chassis to 

handle the power, we can only hope to see a rig like this available at a dealer near us. 

MAXXIS POWERWAGON 

We had a hard time just getting this rig into a single 

frame while at SEMA. With a great mix of new and 

old starting with a classic hydraulic powered winch 

sitting just in front of a Whipple supercharged 6.4L 

Hemi motor, the truck was a spectacle and always 

had a crowd around it. Given the chance, we'd drive 

the 40's off this thing! 




BEST 

5 

JEEPS 

SEMA 

BY BRYAN IRONS @BRYANIRONS 

of 

In a changing world, the sea of "belly button" Jeeps at SEMA 2017 is 

a reminder that some things never change, even if you want them to. 

Our efforts to find unique four-letter Mopars that didn't make us want 

to lay down in front of traffic was a tough task, and we humbly thank 

Editor Mack for not making us find more, as it was an effort to find 

five. These may sound like soapbox blitherings, but in truth, only a few 

wondrous pieces of ingenuity and craftsmanship with a seven-slot grill 

caught our eye. And now, in no particular order; 

SYNERGY JKC-1 

JEEPSTER 

First glance would only reveal a 

well-restored 1971 Jeepster Commando 

C-101… the truth of the 

matter is that the JK chassis under 

the rig is also hiding a potent 

LS power plant for propulsion. 

The use of a JK chassis is nothing 

new; it's the skill involved in keeping 

the factory looking interior 

and body lines that make this rolling 

happy-thought of ours rise to 

the top. 


MILESTAR JKU…WAIT A SEC… 

Different, functional and obtainable are three words that this rig from 

Milestar Tires brought to the tip of our tongues. In a world of extreme 

and crazy, the simple formula of taking a 2007 Jeep JK and adding a 

Chris Dirham Motorsports Gladiator front-end appeals to us. The factory 

3.8l under the hood coupled to the stock slush box barely make enough 

power to scare a squirrel, let alone break anything with the 40's strapped 

to Walker Evans beadlocks. We wish this one sat in our garage. 

SUPERWINCH 

FRANKENBRUTE 

With rigs being turned into flat 

decks all around us, we were 

hard-pressed to "like" this beauty 

sitting in the Superwinch booth, 

but clean fab work and the possibility 

of a fruitful and useful life 

A.S. (After SEMA) changed our 

hearts. What started life as an ‘06 

LJ, has been transformed by an 

AEV cab conversion, blown 4.0 

under the hood, and Dana 60/70 

combination for axles driving the 

Pitbull Rocker 37's. 


JCR OFFROAD COMANCHE 

Every year we attend SEMA, JCR Offroad makes us smile in one way or 

another with what they manage to create. Joe's pizza delivery truck was 

parked in their booth this year, shod with 37" Nitto's attached to Terraflex 

Dana 60's front and rear filled with good stuff from ARB, RCV and a 

host of others. The rear has been converted to coils to handle the highspeed 

deliveries, courtesy of the blown 4.0 under the hood strapped to a 

6-speed manual and rock-trac T-case. How you gonna top this??? 

WELD RACING'S 

"HYBRID" CJ-7 

Maybe we are just dreaming about 

the possibility of our rig growing 

up to be like this big tire monster 

parked in front of the Weld Racing 

Wheels booth. Some believe 

that the rear steer is unnecessary, 

but in capable hands and the right 

rig, it can make a behemoth like 

this squeeze through tight trails. 

Clean fab work and properly 

placed amenity controls make us 

think this LS-powered CK will see 

a trail in the not too distant future. 


MOST DECORATED FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS RIDER IN X GAMES HISTORY / 

X GAME 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN RALLY CROSS / 6 LUCAS OIL OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS! 


TRAIL TALK 

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY BRADY MELVILLE OF PATHMAKER PRODUCTIONS 

WHEELING 

PREPAREDNESS 

CHECKLIST 

A 

fter 20 years off-roading in the 

backcountry with friends, we 

take for granted all of the things 

you should bring out on the trail with you 

to be well prepared for any circumstance. 

With the recent rise in popularity of offroading 

and the connected nature of the 

world these days via mobile phones and 

social media, I have begun seeing a lot of 

"come save me" posts online from novice 

wheelers. With more reports of people 

leaving vehicles and returning to burned or 

looted rigs, it's more important than ever 

to be self-sufficient in the bush, whether 

it's getting unstuck, fixing a broken part, 

or having the necessary gear in case of a 

medical emergency. Realizing a lot of these 

wheelers are mostly new to off-roading I 

wanted to go over a basic inventory of gear 

that I have packed in my rig to ensure that 

it makes it back to the shop every night. 

Growing up on the southern part of 

Vancouver Island means there are fantastic 

places for off-roading, but in the hills and 

dense forests there are large areas without 

cellphone or radio reception. We quickly 

learned that after traveling just 50km 


down a gravel road or trail, in many ways, 

you're on your own, and you need to be 

well prepared. It's smart to travel with a 

second vehicle, so that if you have any 

mechanical problems or get badly stuck, 

you at least have a way back to civilization, 

and hopefully enough people to help if you 

get in a sticky situation. Before I get into 

the list, I should also note how important it 

is to have all this gear fastened down. You 

never plan on being on your roof, but when 

it happens, you don't want to be hit in the 

head by a stray piece of equipment. 

In my opinion, the number one essential 

for any off-roader is a good tow-strap, if 

you get stuck, you need a way to get pulled 

out, or if you break down, you need to get 

pulled home. A good 20' tow-strap with a 

20,000lb rating is also much preferred to 

chain because a little bit of stretch can help 

get you out of the mud without losing your 

fillings, and as a bonus, you can use it as a 

tree saver or anchor point while winching. 

Included with any tow-strap should be a 

few 5/8" or larger shackles so you can safely 

attach to a tow point on your rig, without 

having to worry about your strap slipping 

off sketchy tow hooks or trailer balls. 

Next item on my list is a good quality 

first-aid kit. It doesn't come up often, but 

you only have to drive home with an oily 

rag taped around your finger once to make 

you want to always have a decently stocked 

kit with you. 

The largest item on my list but one of 

the most useful is the classic Hi-Lift Jack. 

Requiring a bunch of space either inside 

or outside the vehicle they range in size 

from 48"-60" and are essential for any offroader. 

From lifting the vehicle to using it 

as a come-along, to taking off the handle 

and slipping it over a broken tie-rod, it᾿s a 

must-have piece of equipment for anyone 

heading off the pavement. 

A basic socket set is great to have as well 

as a tool bag with a few assorted items that 

don't come in your socket set, like pliers, 

a hammer, duct tape, a small container 

of fuses, electrical fittings and tape, as 

well as a few hoses, clamps and zip-ties. 

Tool bags strap down much easier than 

hard toolboxes and also pack away much 

smaller, so I have found them the best way 

to bring hand tools with you. You can easily 

pull them out of the rig and bring them to 

where you need them, which is a pain with 

bolted down tool boxes. Make sure to put a 

flashlight or headlamp in your bag because 

sometimes an early morning can turn 

into a late night on the trail, and it᾿s never 

fun to be caught out after dark without a 

flashlight. 


Under my rear seat, I built a storage 

box for the things I don't need very often 

but are essential to bring including motor 

oil, brake fluid, steering fluid and coolant. 

Sometimes a small branch can work its way 

in and knock off a hose, after which you can 

quickly find yourself short a litre of fluid. 

I also run a winch on my rig, which I 

highly recommend for anyone spending 

time in the backcountry, and carry the 

accompanying winch gear. Since I run 

steel cable on my winch, I make sure to 

have a pair of leather gloves, so I don't 

have to worry about getting poked by a 

loose wire strand on the cable. You'd think 

that an 8,000lb winch for a 6000lb rig is 

more than enough, but you'd be surprised 

how quickly you can overpower even an 

8,000lb winch. So another important piece 

of equipment is a snatch block. Basically, a 

large pulley designed for a winch line that 

you connect to a shackle and a tree strap, 

and then back to the rig. It effectively 

doubles the pulling power of your winch, 

helping you get out of the stickiest 

situations as well as letting you pull in 

different directions if need be. 

Having watched a rig burn to the 

ground before, it's always important to 

have a fire extinguisher in your rig. With 

many manufacturers making great quick 

release mounts these days there is no 

excuse to not have one in reach of the 

driver at all times. 

The last few things I make sure to pack in 

my toolbox include a pair of jumper cables, 

rain gear, a tarp, as well as various spare 

parts like u-joints, an extra hub and axle and 

other small items that you learn are your 

'weak link.' Without a huge amount of gear, 

you can be entirely self-sufficient on the trail, 

which not only allows you to be safer in the 

backcountry but also lets you explore further 

afield and push your rig a little harder and 

still make it home! 


made a fantasy a reality by leaving 

corporate construction to pursue a career 

as offroad photographer and videographer. 

Share in his adventures offroad at 

www.pathmakerproductions.com and 

www.youtube.com/pathmakerproductions 

for a front row seat on his next journey. 


ONE SIZE FITS ONE. 

At WeatherTech ® we don’t believe in one size fits all. That’s why our DigitalFit ® 

FloorLiner is laser measured to perfectly contour your vehicle’s floor, providing a 

custom fit and the ultimate in protection. And with a lifetime warranty, it’s guaranteed 

to outlast even the harshest Canadian winters. 

WeatherTech.ca 

888.905.6287 

© 2017 WeatherTech Canada 


SEMA 

PRODUCT 

SHOWCASE 

Antigravity Lithium Ion Battery 

The ATX30 is a lightweight, high performance starter battery intended 

for vehicles up to 600 hp and can be used for any 12V vehicle in a starter 

battery application. A built-in circuit board makes sure the lithium-ion 

battery inside is fully managed and protected and is designed so that the 

battery knows when it is close to being completely drained, for example 

you leave the lights or stereo on in the vehicle at a camp or work site. 

You get back to find your battery is dead. Normally you need a jump 

starter or assistance, but with their RE-START batteries you just press a 

button on the battery, and access the remaining reserve capacity of the 

battery, which is enough to get you about five start attempts. What’s 

the down side? They are not a deep discharge battery for powering 

high-amp systems, nor are they good for winching due to their lower 

amp hour capacity compared to lead/acid batteries (that are roughly 3 

times larger and can weigh up to 25 kg more). Lithium-ion batteries are 

extremely lightweight (70% less than lead/acid batteries), providing extremely high 

cranking power in a very small package. It weighs 6 lbs, has 880 Cranking Amps and has 15 amp hours. Its 

dimensions are 166 mm x 126 mm x 173mm tall (6.5” x 5» x 7» tall). 

MSRP: $430 USD www.antigravitybatteries.com 

Cartridge to Spin-on Oil Filter Adapter 

Cartridge filters on Toyotas can be a pain to work on - tough 

to get off, plastic pieces that break, hard to access locations 

- especially if you have under body armour to protect 

your engine from Canada’s tough roads and trails. Baxter 

Performance has designed and built an adapter to convert 

your cartridge system to an easy to use and reliable spinon 

oil filter. They also offer cartridge filter adapters that will 

allow you to go to a remote set-up porting off the very end 

or the sides depending on your orientation and clearances. 

The one product they offer that will work for virtually any 

engine (truck, boat, plane) is the inverted remote filter mount. 

A variety of porting options allow you to mount high in the 

engine bay for easy access. 

MSRP: $180-$230 USD www.bpadapters.com 


Tough Guard FormFit Hood Protector 

When I hear a truck product is designed, manufactured and tested in 

Alberta, I have to get excited. Albertans get it all - brutal cold, extreme 

heat, towering elevation changes, all on roads and highways that 

see tonnes of rock launching RV’s, tractor-trailers, and heavy, heavy 

machinery. The Tough Guard FormFit is a distinct hood protector 

constructed from a UV stable acrylic capped ABS, with a bolt-on look 

designed to match the style of bolt-on fender flares (whether they 

are truly bolt-on or not). It is a no drill install, with no modification 

required, as the parts attach with 3M automotive tape and patented 

stainless steel clips on the hood edge. These folks are not a new startup 

but are Focus Auto design, with over 30 years experience making 

OEM hood protectors. They have styles to match most trucks, so go to 

their website for pricing and shipping information for your 4x4. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G6G6N7drds. 

MSRP: $180 www.formfithoodprotectors.com 

Factor 55 Flatlink Multimount 

Recoveries can be exceptionally difficult in Canada from 

the tight, steep, tree-lined trails of British Columbia 

to the soggy forests of Ontario to the open bogs of 

Newfoundland. We’ve always been fans of the Factor 

55 Flatlink, and the addition of multiple attachment 

points to ease difficult recoveries makes us love them 

even more. The oval hole opening is extremely versatile 

and will fit over either the pin or bow end of 3/4” pin 

shackles, the pin ends of 7/8” and 1” pin shackles, and 

over most OEM tow hooks. The Flatlink Multimount has 

a max load limit of 16,000 lbs and a breaking strength of 

40,000 lbs. Rubber pads to protect your fairlead and it 

is suitable for synthetic or wire line. The sum of all these 

features (and more) means everyone should own one. 

MSRP: $200 www.factor55.com 

Filteröl Advanced Oil 

Filtration System 

Speaking with the engineers from Pareto Point 

Industries (PPI) is almost like having a conversation 

with a theoretical physicist who has discovered dark 

matter. I understand the result, just not all the big 

words they use to explain how they got there. Here’s 

the boiled down version - for oil; you’re on your own 

with dark matter. More horsepower and torque from 

smaller, lighter engines is the design trend around 

the world, and especially appreciated in Canada. 

The price of this improved power to weight ratio is 

an engine that works harder, so clean oil becomes 

an increasingly important component to engine 

longevity. The system from PPI removes particulate down to 2 microns in size, compared 

to the 25-40 microns that a typical spin-on filter removes. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 

studies show the most serious engine damage is from debris smaller than 10 microns. The Filteröl 

system works in combination with your spin on oil filter to achieve two-micron oil filtration. It’s a bolton 

system that should deliver longer engine life, fewer emissions, more mileage, more oil volume, and 

better oil and filter service life. 

MSRP: $100 USDhttp://www.paretopoint.com 


Insane Audio 

JK 2001 

In-Dash 

Infotainment 

We’ve always felt shackled by 

the stock infotainment system 

in our 2015 Wrangler Sahara JK 

Unlimited. A vehicle that is so 

exceptional off-road should have 

an equally exceptional set of 

electronic features. The JK2001 

from Insane Audio is much more 

than an improved audio/video 

unit. The Bluetooth OBDII adapter 

and Torque app will let you view 

real time engine data and view 

and clear engine diagnostic codes. 

It is backup camera ready so 

you can see what’s behind you 

when you switch into reverse 

and you can connect a forward 

facing camera to effectively see 

through your hood. Their own 

NavEngine navigation software 

provides 3D maps and topography 

with the latest street and trail 

maps in both the USA and 

Canada. The operating system is 

Android 6.1, which means you can 

download and use ANY android 

app - whether it’s Netflix, traffic 

software, or Google Earth. The 

unit comes with 32Gb of storage 

built-in, and will accept microSD 

cards with up to 256 Gb of 

storage. Connect to your phone 

to draw from your existing data 

plan, stream audio and video, take 

calls - it’s all there behind a high 

resolution touch screen in an IP66 

rated housing. A demo unit is on 

the way to 4WDrive so look for 

a complete hands-on review in a 

future issue. 

MSRP: $1250 USD Insaneaudio.com 

CB/AM/FM Signal Booster 

Wish you could use your CB and 

AM/FM radio without having two 

antennae on your rig? Rugged Ridge 

has created a Multiplexor System kit, 

which permits you to simultaneously 

use your CB antenna as both a CB 

and an AM/FM antenna. This creates 

one system that delivers three bands 

of radio signal, all while keeping the 

wires hidden, in an easy 30-minute 

installation. The fender mounting 

point allows for a better range of CB signal 

than the “industry standard” which mounts 

on the tailgate. The use of a CB antenna 

also provides better AM/FM reception 

than the factory antenna. Depending on 

your choice of antenna, your CB/AM/FM 

reception will vary. Rugged Ridge says they 

have had great results with their Firestik. 

4WDrive recommends using a spring on 

the base of the antenna to prevent any 

damage to the fender when/if the antenna 

catches a tree limb.Rugged Ridge also 

assures us that there is no signal bleed 

between the two lines allowing you to sing 

along to your favourite radio tunes and 

broadcast it to everyone on the trail at the 

same time. The kit is specifically designed for 97-06 Wrangler TJ/ 

07-18 Wrangler JK, and contains all the necessary wiring, connectors, 

coaxial cable and hardware (but not an antennae). 

MSRP: $154 USD www.ruggedridge.com 

Automated 

Power Step 

You know your truck is too high 

without a step, when your fatherin-law 

falls out. And he’s the guy 

that lets you borrow his tools, 

garage, and lets you store your 

‘extra’ trucks in his yard. Which is 

why we took it as a sign when we saw the Generation 2 Articulating 

Powered Step Slider from Rock Slide Engineering. It opens and closes 

automatically with your doors, the extruded aluminum tube provides 

rock slider protection, and the included lights make the step easy to 

see when they open. It’s a maintenance free unit with the waterproof 

motor sealed inside the unit. Michael Sampson from Rock Slide says 

you can install it in about two hours using factory holes (so no drilling 

required), it has load capacity of 300 kg (650 lb) and each side 

weighs 13.6 kg (30 lb). It’s fast, quiet and provides a 20 cm (8 in) drop 

to keep very important people in your life happy. I don’t mean your 

spouse - keep your expectations in line with reality. 

MSRP: $1700 USD for Wrangler JK and $1850 USD for trucks 

www.rockslideengineering.com 


Waterproof HD 

Air Compressor 

Mid-size trucks and SUV’s are loved for their 

compact size and loathed because there never 

seems to be enough room in the cab or under the 

hood to mount all our off-road accessories. Kleinn 

Air Horns has produced a 150 psi, 100% duty air 

compressor that can be fully submersed. Tuck this 

unit under the truck, safe from impacts but without 

worrying about water, mud, dust and dirt. A filtered 

snorkel air-intake insures the compressor receives 

clean dry air. 

MSRP: $400 https://kleinn.com 

Lund Max Rack 

Using the Canadian philosophy of ‘better to have 

it and not need it’, we like to bring everything we 

might need on the road with us. A big country 

means big distances so getting home can take 

a long while. The Lund Max Rack is constructed 

from aluminum so you don’t add too much extra 

weight while you load your gear. You can mount it 

to the cross bars of your SUV, or the door jams of 

your truck (by selecting the appropriate no-drill 

hardware kit for your truck). The included front 

40” light bar seems especially relevant during 

the very short winter days north of the 49th. An 

optional rear light bar is also available. 

MSRP: $1025 USD www.lundinternational.com/lund 


FEATURE 

TOP 

5 

MID-SIZE 

Trucks at 

SEMA 

With word of Ford's Ranger possible coming back to market and the 

Chevy Colorado making waves in the industry, it was no surprise to 

find a plethora of mid-sized trucks adorning the SEMA grounds in 2017. 

With our own Dodge Dakota build in the works, we can certainly see 

the appeal. Here's what we spotted during our stay. 

WHEELS 1 

CHEVROLET ZR2 

Sporting Dirty Life's new (depending on how they are mounted) DOT- compliant beadlocks (keep an eye 

out here for more on them in the future), this Fiberworx fender-clad Colorado had all the right parts attached 

to it, making for a wicked high-speed forest road cruiser or a comfy daily driver. We really dug the 

heavy wall plastic front bumper that can take a beating and keep rust at bay. Plenty of sponsors made this 

truck happen, and we would love to get our hands on this one, even if only for a short time. 


COOPER TIRES 5.11 

TACTICAL TACOMA 

We were drawn to this Toyota 

Tacoma in the Cooper Tires' booth 

and kept finding subtle touches 

on it every pass. From the sunken 

spares to the stealthy mounting 

of the auxiliary lighting (thank 

you for not adding a gargantuan 

light bar), it was hard to hate this 

tan desert trail killer. The suspension 

was exactly what we would 

expect from Camburg — dialed in 

and ready to rock. All the tactical 

gear hanging off the side may be 

a little much, but that can easily 

be remedied! 

BFGOODRICH CHEVY S-10 

Complete with multiple shocks per corner and a cab full of mojo, this 

90's desert throwback hit a homerun for us. As a current NORRA race 

rig, it's good to know that this truck is still being used as it was intended. 

Originally a factory backed race truck competitor and winner 

in the past, a full restoration has been completed by Todd Richards 

Motorsports, and last we heard, the truck is up for sale. We need a 

raise. 


HONDA RIDGELINE RACE TRUCK 

We don't get to see those words in a title very 

often, but this Ridgeline still had the hint of race 

fuel smell about it from the 550 hp 3.5l factory 

block under the hood. The beautifully put together 

showpiece from the Proctor Racing Group and 

Honda Racing isn't just an exercise in desert racing, 

but a class winner as well. For those that think the 

Ridgeline is a full-size truck, please send your hate 

mail to editor@Suncruisermedia.com. 

CHEVROLET COLORADO ZR2 

Working in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles, this 

overlanding-themed Colorado felt perfect to us. With a 2.8l Duramax 

diesel powerplant under the hood, factory lockers both front 

and rear, and an aggressive but useful stance, we'd let this truck 

follow us home any day. Flush mount control pods for fresh water 

and auxiliary power/air outlets grace the sides of the rig and were 

just the tip of the iceberg of parts and pieces we hope AEV will 

bring to market. Please, please, please, please, can I have one??? 


Act now before it is too late! Rugged Ridge’s Trail Access Program is designed to support the 4WD 

community by protecting trail access. Grants are now available for 2018. This easy grant application is 

available to US 501 (c) non-profit organization and Canadian non-profit organizations. Grant available 

up to U$5,000 and must be used for public full-size 4WD vehicle trails. 

Grants now available for US & Canadian trails. 

Create | Maintain | Protect 

For more information or to apply, visit www.RuggedRidge.com/trailaccess 


Photos by Steve Rock Intro by Perry Mack 

15 Minutes 

of FAME 

2017 Reader Rides 


Chris Beveridge's 2012 FJ Cruiser 'Playtime 

III' in memory of the great times spent on 

his grandfather's boat 'Playtime II'. 

Alex Loiselle's 1963 Haflinger. 

Brian Saliba's 2007 FJ downhill. 

A few times in 2017, our on-location journalist Steve Rock invited 

wheelers out for a ‘Fifteen Minutes of Fame Photo Shoot’ in Ontario. 

What came back is probably one of the most diverse compilations 

of Ontario wheelers and their vehicles ever seen in print. The staff 

at 4WDrive raise the red and white, and salute every wheeler who 

came out for these events. Cheers! 


Brad Roylance's 2013 Subaru Imprezza 

one inch lift Grabber AT2 tires. 

Daryl & Margaret Dennis's FJ and 

homemade trailer fresh from 6 week 

18000km trip to Alaska. 

Dave Landry's FJ 

build in progress. 

Dennis Dorion 

In Focus Photography. 

Gianluca D'emilio's 

stock 2013 JKU Moab. 


Craig Quann's 2017 GMC 1500. 

800-284-2902 

The 

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Rod Ends, Bearings, Radius Rods, Weld-in Bungs, 

Uniballs/Cups, High Misalignment Spacers and much more... 

We don’t just sell’em 

We Race’em... 

www.rodendsupply.com 

the adventure begins 

after dark 

never compromise 

True off-roaders know when the sun goes 

down the adventure begins. Check out our 

broad selection of off-road lights for trucks, 

Jeeps, UTV's, ATV's or anything else you drive 

past where the pavement ends. 

LIFETIME 

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LED Light Bars 

Choose from 7 unique series 

of LED Off-Road Light Bars. 

No other source offers as 

much versatility. 

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Auxiliary work lights with 

a variety of options and 

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about any need, anywhere. 

LED Mini-Aux's 

Small in size with big light 

output. Mini Aux's are ideal 

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53

Hawk Hodgson's 2002 Dodge Ram 

2500. 

James, Janet, Cameron and Alex Roberts' 

1977 CJ7 Quadratrac, Chevy 400 transmission. 

Land Cruiser water crossing. 

Jordan Soares' 

Suzuki Vitara. 

Jen's 2017 JKU Sport 

2.5In Lift 33s. 

Michelle Lyons' 2015 

Jeep Wrangler 3.5 

inch Rubicon Express 

lift #jkgirlmich. 

Max Towronto 2007 

FJ Cruiser. 

Padre Jay's 1983 CJ8 Scrambler. 

Ray Morrison's 2008 

Jeep Wrangler stock. 

Rikki Lovejoy's 2004 

Subaru Legacy Outback. 


Ron Gaudet. 

Ryan Kelly's 

2016 Patriot 

@babyjeepoverland 

Sean Richard Jackyl's 

Offroad F150. 

Scoob Snacks -Lefty- 

Chevy Tracker. 

Ted Johnson's GMC. 

Steve Brennan's 2002 

Subaru WRX Forester suspension. 

Vince Pratt's 

1999 Jeep. 

Ted Mills' Jeep Rubicon. 


AROUND THE INDUSTRY 

The Chevy Colorado is making huge 

inroads into the consciousness of the North 

American public as new trim lines, models, concept 

vehicles and builds are introduced, opening our 

eyes to the possibilities that this mid-sized truck 

generates. We were blown away by the ZR2 model, 

which we test drove on-highway, rock crawling, 

and on a high-speed off-road track in Colorado 

(watch our YouTube video www.youtube.com/ 

watch?v=BZEK4DTOVpg). As part of their 100 

years of making trucks, Chevy has introduced the 

Midnight and Dusk editions. The Midnight Edition 

features an all-black exterior finish, 17-inch fivespoke 

black accessory wheels, and a black sport bar 

with off-road LED lighting. The ZR2 Dusk Edition 

offers the same content as the ZR2 Midnight, but 

can be purchased in all other ZR2 exterior finishes, 

with black accents throughout. 

“The Colorado ZR2 Midnight and Dusk Edition 

models offer customers even more personalization 

choices because the truck market is too diverse for 

a ‘one size fits most’ strategy,” said Doug Kenzie, 

brand manager, Chevrolet Trucks in Canada. 

Performance features include a lift raising it 

50mm (2 in.) higher than Colorado Z71, a 90mm 

(3.5-in.) wider track, an off-road suspension with 

cast-iron control arms and segment-exclusive 

Canadian designed Multimatic DSSV dampers. They 

are the first off-road shocks to feature positionsensitive 

spool valve technology, making the truck 

equally adept on and off the road. 

Other standard ZR2 features include segmentexclusive 

front and rear electronic locking 

differentials, hill descent control, an aluminum 

skidplate that protects the radiator and oil pan, 

off-road rocker protection, Autotrac transfer 

case, transfer case shield, four-wheel disc brakes, 

modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio and special offrode 

mode setting. 

Mercedes Benz X-Class 

What? A mid-size pickup from Mercedes-Benz? 

New for 2018 this pickup truck ‘unites the typical 

traits of a pickup - robustness, functionality, 

strength and off-road capabilities - with the 

classical characteristics of a real Mercedes - design, 

comfort, driving dynamics and safety’ say the 

PR people at Mercedes Benz. The truck will be 

available in three trim levels; Pure is the basic 

version, followed by Progressive for improved 

quality and comfort, and Power for ‘high-end urban 

lifestyle’. A top-of-the-range V6 diesel with 258 

horsepower will be released mid-2018 however 

the market launch will start with the diesel X 220 

d (163 hp) and X 250 d (190 hp) as well as a gas 

engine (165 hp) in selected markets. Customers 

can add a styling bar, side bar, canopy, various 

covers as well as numerous cargo and off-road 

solutions. Thanks to the wide track, the spring and 

damping system tuned for the comfort typical of a 

Mercedes, and the coil springs, as well as internally 

vented disc brakes on the front and rear, the 

X-Class is expected to offer great on-road handling, 

while the engageable 4MATIC all-wheel drive with 

low-range gearing and optional differential lock 

should provide solid off-road performance. 

However, we won’t get it in Canada. I put a call 

into Mercedes Benz Canada to politely say WTF? 

I was told, “Target markets for the Mercedes-Benz 

X-Class are Latin America, South Africa, Australia, 

and Europe. The fact that North America is for the 

time being not among the target markets is due to 

the positioning of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class. While 

we may be a big pickup market, one usually thinks 

of a full-size model when referring to a premium 

pickup.” Just sounds like cowardice to me. 


ZR2 Completes “Vegas to Reno” 

Adding to its off-road cred the ZR2 completed 

‘the longest off-road race in America – the “Vegas 

to Reno”. The essentially stock ZR2 finished 136th, 

which doesn’t sound terrific but it did finish. Only 

204 of the 336 competitors finished the 867 km 

(539 mi) course. Driver Chad Hall said, “This truck 

is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. I 

clobbered some things on the course that would’ve 

broken many of the vehicles we competed with in 

the past.” Mods were limited to racing mandated 

items like a roll cage, a 166 L (44 gal) racing fuel 

tank, and racing seats with safety harnesses. The 

crew also attached KC HiLiTES racing lights, twoway 

radios, and a GPS system, as those were also 

required. 

Mid-Size Pick-up Truck of Texas 

Continuing on with the theme of mid-size pickups, 

Texans love the Tacoma. To be specific, the 

TRD Pro, as 75 journalists with the Texas Auto 

Writers Association (TAWA) at the TAWA Truck 

Rodeo chose it over all others. "The Tacoma 

has built a reputation for quality, durability and 

reliability, and we're honoured that TAWA has 

named the Tacoma TRD Pro the Mid-Size Pickup 

Truck of Texas for the second straight year," 

said John Myers, Toyota vehicle marketing and 

communications national manager. 

While we love the Taco too, the award would be 

more credible if we didn’t know that Toyota Motor 

North America headquarters opened in Plano, Texas 

in July. Coincidence? Doesn’t matter the Tacoma is 

still a solid, reliable performer. 

SURUS - Silent Utility 

Rover Universal Superstructure 

GM introduces SURUS — a hydrogen fuel cell powered, fourwheel 

steer concept vehicle on a heavy-duty truck frame 

that’s driven by two electric motors. With its capability and 

flexible architecture, SURUS could be used as a delivery vehicle, 

truck, or even an ambulance — all emissions free. GM 

introduced the vehicle at the fall meeting of the Association 

of the United States Army (AUSA) in October. The platform 

could be adapted for military use. SURUS leverages GM’s 

newest Hydrotec fuel cell system, autonomous capability, 

and truck chassis components to deliver a high-performance, 

zero-emission heavy-duty truck. Benefits include 

quiet and odour-free operation, off-road mobility, field 

configuration, instantaneous high torque, exportable power 

generation, water generation (essentially the ‘exhaust’ produced 

by hydrogen fuel cells) and quick refuelling times. 


AROUND THE INDUSTRY 

A PROTOTYPE AND HEAVILY 

CAMOUFLAGED FORD RANGER was seen cruising 

the Colorado highways recently. Aside from aggressive 

looking wheels, a front skid plate and front tow hooks, very 

little is known about the nameplate that hasn’t been sold in 

North America for over a decade. As of the end of August, 

the Toyota Tacoma leads US sales in the midsize pack with 

the Chevy Colorado, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline and 

GMC Canyon following. In fact, the Tacoma with 129,362 

units sold, bests the Colorado (71,763 units) & Canyon 

(20, 347) combined. Is there any more than market share 

table scraps left for the Ranger? We believe so. Although 

the Ranger is late to the table by a few years, Ford has 

the advantage of being able to learn from its competitor’s 

mistakes. They can learn which interiors sell best, which parts of the country they sell best in, which 

marketing is effective (something Ford excels in), and which powertrains sell best. And they have the Ford 

F150 engines and transmissions to draw from to meet driver demands. Rumours indicate that there will be 

a Ranger Raptor to compete with the successful Chevy ZR2. Ford is learning. 

ZR2 Utility Truck 

Spy shots also reveal a ZR2 utility truck cruising the 

streets of Milford, Michigan. Sporting utility toolboxes 

in lieu of a pick-up truck bed, a beefier suspension 

and a snorkel. At the media event, a similar 

truck was used as the support vehicle and included 

an extra 2.5 cm (1”) lift and 33” tires to support the 

utility bed. It suggests that this GM prototype is 

being targeted towards our oil and gas, forestry, 

logging and utility companies. While the snorkel 

seems redundant, consider the flooding in many 

regions every year. 

ZH2 

Since we are throwing out letters to follow ‘Z’, 

let’s look at the ZH2, which is an off-road-capable, 

hydrogen fuel-cell electric pickup truck developed 

for the armed forces. At almost 2 metres tall and 

2.1 metres wide, it is rumoured to be built on a 

stretched midsize pickup chassis, the same used 

in the second-generation Chevy Colorado. Reinforced 

inside and out, the ZH2 rides on 37-inch 

tires and a specially-modified suspension that 

allows it to traverse inhospitable terrain. Paul Rogers, 

director of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive 

Research, Development and Engineering Center 

(TARDEC) says, “Fuel cells have the potential to 

expand the capabilities of Army vehicles significantly 

through quiet operation, exportable power 

and solid torque performance, all advances that 

drove us to investigate this technology further.” 


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