Four Wheeler March 2018

One of the coolest facets of my job is that I get to meet fellow wheelers. My first gig for a 4WD publication was in 1989, so the number of folks I’ve met through the years at various events probably number far into the thousands. A question I like to ask fellow 4x4 fans is: What do you consider to be the perfect wheeling weekend? The answers are always interesting. As wheelers, our perfect wheeling weekend may be the culmination of years of off-roading that caused us to ultimately find that extra-special, drop-everything-and-go type of wheeling that lights us up. For me, four-wheeling was born of necessity. Living in northern Illinois farmland, a 4x4 was required equipment. In the springtime and after heavy rain, fields and pastures were surprisingly challenging, with…

KEN.BRUBAKER@FOURWHEELER.COM HOW YOU CAMP Our boondocking camping rig is an ’09 Power Wagon with an Outfitter Caribou 6.5 truck bed unit. The truck is mostly stock with the only addition being airbags and a compressor with the bags resting on Daystar cradles. A Panasonic CF19 Toughbook (eBay @ $250) with a USB GPS module sits inside the cab on a tablet mount for navigation and route recording. We carry a full set of Pioneer tools mounted outside of the camper unit on a homemade rack, which also mounts a Smittybilt canopy. Twelve-volt power is recharged on two-plus day trips by a portable 50W solar panel. A homemade hitch-mounted rear step eases the in-n-out for the old bones and of course we carry a full set of tools, first aid, and recovery gear. Trips…

EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM THAT’S INTERESTING Want a Jeep Wrangler, but really only want one if you can pay at least $178,000? Well, technically, calling the Rezvani Tank a Wrangler is only 0.00006 percent correct. It’s a “rebodied” one, and then the rest lives up to its Tank name, via standards and options: 500hp V-8, two choices of off-road packages (includes Dynatrac axles and Fox shocks), thermal/night vision, tow package, ballistic armor…and on. Read more at rezvanimotors.com. -> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calculated U.S. fatal traffic crash data for 2016, and the numbers are up 5.6 percent since 2015. Distracted-driving fatalities are down 2.2 percent, but drunk driving is up 1.7 percent. Motorcycle deaths jumped 5.1 percent. -> Porsche Passport—it’s a new subscription dealio for access to Porsche vehicles via an app. You’ll get to…

Catch these shows on motortrendondemand.com Jan 5 Put Up or Shut Up, Episode 7 Jan 10 Ignition, Episode 187 Jan 12 Dirt Every Day, Episode 72 Jan 15 HOT ROD Garage, Episode 61 Jan 17 Head 2 Head, Episode 97 Jan 22 Roadkill, Episode 74 Jan 26 Junkyard Gold, Episode 4 Jan 29 Roadkill Garage, Episode 26 Jan 31 Engine Masters, Episode 31 Feb 2 Put Up or Shut Up, Episode 8 Feb 5 Roadkill, Episode 75 Feb 7 Ignition, Episode 188 Feb 9 Dirt Every Day, Episode 73 Feb 12 HOT ROD Garage, Episode 62 Feb 14 Head 2 Head, Episode 98 Feb 19 Roadkill, Episode 76 Feb 23 Junkyard Gold, Episode 5 Feb 26 Roadkill Garage, Episode 27 Feb 28 Engine Masters, Episode 32 Mar 2 Put Up or Shut Up, Episode 9 Schedule Key: Original Programs * The program information provided is subject to change.…

EDITOR@FOURWHEELER.COM JK CENTER STEER ICON Vehicle Dynamics introduces the 100 percent bolt-on Centerline Steering Stabilizer for the ’07-current Jeep Wrangler JK. The new Centerline Steering Stabilizer is said to provide consistent steering damping via a through-shaft design. Features include nine levels of adjustability to custom-tune your desired steering feel. Each kit includes high-clearance mounting; a rotatable reservoir; a clear anodized 2-inch-diameter 6063 aluminum shock body; 5⁄8-inch chrome-plated, hardened-steel shaft; and a high-temperature long-wear seal pack. The CNC-machined billet aluminum 13⁄8-inch tie-rod clamp and rod end house FK bearings. INFO: ICON Vehicle Dynamics, 951/689-4266, iconvehicledynamics.com BRIGHT BOLT BREAKING Thanks to a built-in LED light, you can now see exactly where you spray Liquid Wrench Pro Penetrant and Lubricant. The new FlashSight LED light is located directly above the spray nozzle, improving lubricity accuracy in low-light…

jered.korfhage@fourwheeler.com WHERE DO YOU TURN WHEN YOU NEED SOME wheeling destination inspiration? Asking for advice when planning a 4x4 trip often generates similar responses. Off-road enthusiasts will sing the praises of trophy destinations like Moab or the Rubicon, but sometimes we just want to explore a trail that isn’t world famous. We’ve shaken the dust off some lesser-known destinations across the U.S. Read on and find everything from rolling forest roads and scenic drives to mud bogs and rockcrawls. Be sure to do your homework and check out the contact info and links we provided to make sure your plans aren’t foiled by seasonal closures, restrictions, or a permit requirement. Now get out there and explore! Black Hills of South Dakota What: Thanks largely to the work of local 4x4 clubs, the Black…