Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Four Wheeler

EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM JEEP BREACH Is your Jeep’s 3.6L Pentastar engine laboring to pull in air like it’s trying to breath under water? S&B’s Air Intake Kit for ’12-’15 JK Wranglers provides filtration protection while allowing a bunch more airflow into the engine. The result is more power, mileage, and peace of mind. S&B’s Air Intake Kit comes complete with the high-flow element and everything you see here. INFO: S&B Filters, 909/947-0015, sbfilters.com BOTH WAYS It doesn’t matter whether you have 120 or 240V power, Miller Electric’s new Millermatic 211 welder has you covered. Just switch the tip on the Multi-Voltage Plug and the machine does the rest. Features like Advance Auto-Set makes welding as easy as using a cell phone camera. No need to mess with wire speed or heat. Just…

editor@fourwheeler.com MOST FACTORY SAGINAW-BASED POWER steering systems found in early GM and Jeep vehicles hold about a quart of fluid. Hitting the trail with larger tires and traction adding devices can put a huge demand on the system and cause it to overheat and fail. There are many different aftermarket power steering upgrades available, but since our power steering pump and steering box worked fine for our needs and appeared to be in good shape, we decided to simply increase the fluid cleanliness and capacity on a budget. For this garage mod we used several easy-to-find items that you can get online and at your local auto parts store. These mods can also help make your at-home ram-assist system work more efficiently and reliably. It only takes an afternoon to…

KEN.BRUBAKER@FOURWHEELER.COM In the Mar. ’01 issue of Four Wheeler, we wrote about our first drive of the ’02 Jeep Liberty prototype over the Rubicon Trail. We wrote that the then-new Liberty, the KJ in Jeep lingo, was originally designed to be the replacement for the Jeep Cherokee XJ and called the XJR. In the story we wrote, “Jeep spokesman tell us that Cherokee will be built and sold alongside the Liberty for the next 12-18 months, and a decision will be made after that time about the Cherokee’s future.” As we all know now, the Liberty was in fact sold alongside the Cherokee for a short time until Cherokee XJ production was ended by DaimlerChrysler. The Liberty was trotted out at a time when the Jeep house only had three…

Lexani has long been known for introducing radical new wheels, and this time around the company just released a new wheel called the Invictus-Z. This new wheel employs an array of trendsetting stand-alone characteristics that take personalized customization, extreme big brake clearance, and deep lip allure on a jaw-dropping journey. It’s skillfully designed and engineered to achieve massive brake caliper and rotor clearance yet still perfectly fit today’s extraordinarily high offset sport and luxury vehicles as only Lexani can do. Formulated from lightweight aluminum alloy, these length, tipped, concave, spoked stunners act as eye magnets perched in front of cavernous 5-inch-deep outer rim lips. Traditionally, Lexani innovation has always been on the forefront when it comes to custom wheel design and styling. Leading the way once again, Lexani launches its…

Tnce you read the title and see the rides that grace this page, there’s really not much more to say. From the menacing looks of these vehicles, you can only tell that American Vintage Steel is this wheel maker’s passion, which is why it should come as no surprise that the company behind it all is called Mob Steel. The one-time hobby turned automotive lifestyle— and now business—was all executed by Adam Genoi; and now he and his team of artisans have become front-runners when it comes to designing and crafting the worlds’ most menacing and tricked-out vehicles. We met this team of artisans years ago and since then, they’ve continually pumped out some of the most awe-inspiring project builds we’ve seen in that time. It comes as no surprise…

ken.brubaker@fourwheeler.com AFTER RUNNING THE FRAME TWISTER, Top Truck Challenge 2015 competitor Christopher Bowman said, “I loved it. Loved every minute of it, man. I wouldn’t change a minute of it. We broke, we got through it, we motored, we’re here, I’m excited!” And that, wheeling fans, is the kind of intensity that permeates the incredible, legendary, action-saturated Top Truck Challenge, better known simply as TTC. If you’re not familiar with TTC, here’s the lowdown: Four Wheeler readers selected the 10 competitors from reader-submitted entries. You can read all about the competitors and their rigs in the Nov. ’15 issue of Four Wheeler or on fourwheeler.com. The 2015 event, held at the Hollister Hills SVRA near Hollister, California, marked the 23rd anniversary of this off-the-hook week-long competition, and it included seven…

editor@fourwheeler.com THE DIVERSITY OF VEHICLES IN THE off-road hobby is one of the top things that keep us passionate about what we do. Jeep, Chevy, Ford, Ram, International, and so on; all have a home in the wheeling world. More often than not, the make is less important over what’s actually been done to the vehicle. Heck, we’ve seen dirt-ready Mustangs that were downright awesome! Ryan Drexler’s ’95 Ford Bronco is a great example of what brand loyalty, outdoor enthusiasm, and a sound financial investment can create. As is the case with many of us, Drexler’s love for his fullsize Bronco wasn’t out of any practical reason, but more an excitement for the Bronco platform. Having owned the rig for years, Drexler had a vision for what he wanted. The…

EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM AXLE HIERARCHY Q Regarding “Weakest to Strongest Axles— King of the Hill” on fourwheeler.com, I have questions. For rear axles, how does a Dana 70 come out ahead of a GM 14-bolt? And a 14-bolt ahead of a Rockwell for a front application? Although I agree, most people disagree that a 14-bolt is tougher than a 21⁄2-ton Rockwell. I think we know where AxleTech 4000 axles stand in this game. JEFF NOGGLE VIA FACEBOOK.COM/JOHNCAPPA4X4 A You have to keep in mind that this story was written back in 2007. Some new axles have hit the market since then. However, I will still stand behind the list and for good reasons. First, remember that this list is based on the stock axle assemblies. We compared the overall strength of the…

It’s been said that wheels and tires are the ultimate statement of self-expression, but they’re also an extension of your style— and sometimes your pocketbook. It’s not to say that the most expensive wheels are best, because we all know money can’t buy class. But if there’s one thing to remember, then remember this: Your wheels will say more about you than your ex, so choose wisely. There’s a certain camaraderie when it comes to wheels. If you see someone with the same manufacturer or same caliber of wheel, it creates an instant bond. But get caught riding dirty on a brand of wheels they don’t approve of, and you’ll soon become the butt of every joke. So if you’re in the scene to be seen, you already know what…

Rotiform launches new wheel styles and shares its suggested mild-towild fitments for your Audi. A wheel isn’t just a wheel. It’s an extension of your personality, style, and pocketbook. Much like a Rolex doesn’t compare to a Timex, wheels are a fashion statement that can make or break your car. Ask any purist who’s truly into the wheel game and they’ll tell you firsthand that there really is a difference. Rotiform has long been making noise and creating waves, but now the company is back with some new styles that are sure to please. Remember, wheels are much more than just tire holders. They’re the one mod on your car that gives it character and connection and the only mod to evoke emotion and attitude. For us to explain these…

EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM THAT’S INTERESTING The inductees into the 2015 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame are Shannon Campbell, Chris Collard, Michael Gaughan, Curt LeDuc, and Jerry Penhall. Learn more at ormhof.org. Winning: Strategic Vision’s 20th annual Total Quality Index, which surveys owners of new ’15 models, ranked the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited tops for the entry SUV category and the Dodge Durango for midsize. Ram nabbed best non-luxury brand. And Fiat Chrysler itself ranked the highest among all automakers for the first time. AAA studied numbers and punched figures and learned that 8 out of 10 drivers are actually getting better mpg than the EPA window sticker’s claim. One million eight-speed transmissions assembled at the Fiat Chrysler Kokomo Trans Plant, in case you’ve been trying to keep track. Certify studied some business-spending things…

EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM ANYONE BUILDING SHORT WHEELBASE 4x4s in the mid-’60s was worried when they heard Ford was making one too. Any time the Ford juggernaut shouts, “Cannonball!” and gets ready to jump in the pool, little guys like Jeep and International Harvester grab their noses and get ready for the tidal wave. We haven’t seen many internal documents from Jeep but when the International Scout first appeared in a market pretty much owned by Jeep, Kaiser Willys was quick to check it out, find weak links, and pass those along to their sales people. They also studied the good points to learn how they might be incorporated into future Jeeps. Engineering subjected them to various tests, including durability. Being primary competitors in the same small, but growing, market, both Jeep and…

editor@fourwheeler.com WHEN LOOKING FOR A USED ’95-’04 Toyota Tacoma, you’ll quickly realize that they seem to hold their value incredibly well. As with most vehicles, you’ll find some Tacoma trucks that have been very well maintained. They look as though they have been in a vacuum their whole life. Expect to pay a premium for these examples. We saw some that were priced up to $14,000, which seems insane for a 10-year-old mini truck. Other owners fail to perform even the most basic recommended maintenance, yet still try to justify an exorbitant price. Fortunately, Toyota Tacoma pickups are incredibly reliable, so there are only a few things to look out for. You mostly want to steer clear of the trucks that have been literally vandalized with modifications and attempted repairs.…

In the past decade, we’ve seen it all. Spinners, clear wheels, custom finishes, floating wheels, and the list goes on. Yet as wheel companies battle to build the hype, we wait each year to feature the wild and the zany, and this year it’s looking like Savini Wheels may have just lit up the competition. The introduction of the company’s new finish is sure to have you gleaming with envy. And while it’s not for everyone, it will certainly be big news for those looking to stand out and make a statement. Savini Wheels’ latest finish appears docile and standard during the day, but at night is when it comes to life. In association with Lumilor Lab, Savini Wheels teamed up to introduce an exclusive paint that illuminates when electricity…

In the past few years, gas prices may have spiked, but the one thing that’s trailed right be-hind it is the return of lifted trucks. It’s kind of ironic when you consider that these fuel-guzzling trucks work against your pocketbook, but then again, it’s just a cost to be the boss. Since the popularity of lifted trucks has returned, it comes as no surprise that other wheel companies are now scrambling to introduce their own lineup of off-road wheels—but it seems as if RBP has the game on lock. Because of its keen foresight and belief in the market, RBP started this line years back and has since become the goto brand when it comes to stylish off-road wheels. With a reputation for style and performance, RBP has created a…