TREAD May/June 2026

Spring brings with it warmer weather, flowers, and new opportunities. The frozen north starts to open up for less snowy adventures, while the desert stays bearable, so everywhere feels like an option. I am headed to the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of the month, and I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to soaking up the mossy beauty. The PNW is definitely one of those places that truly fills my cup and gets me ready for the exploration ahead. Do you have a place that fills your cup? Our May/June issue is packed with killer features, great tech, and a new Behind the Builder with RJ Fab. We have some epic feature builds, including the RJ Fab Built Willys, a wild 1953 M37 Monster, Icon’s SEMA…

01. AIR LIFT LOADLIFTER 5000 PROSERIES FOR 2025 4RUNNER Offering up to 5,000 pounds of load-leveling capacity, Air Lift’s LoadLifter 5000 ProSeries kit for the Toyota 4Runner makes towing and hauling comfortable and stress-free. Air Lift’s fully adjustable, industry-leading air springs are the perfect partner for your vehicle. MSRP from $941.00 airliftcompany.com 02. WILWOOD AERO6-DM DIRECT-MOUNT FRONT BRAKE KIT FOR 2025 TUNDRA AERO6-DM six-piston calipers were designed for the specific purpose of providing a direct-mount, large-capacity braking solution with large-diameter rotors for heavyweight and extreme-duty vehicles. For trucks and SUVs, it provides big stopping power for towing, off-road, and enhanced braking with wheel and tire upgrades. Kits listed for specific vehicles are fully compatible with OE master cylinder output and ABS function. OEM-style one-piece 13.38- to 13.56-inch diameter rotors provide…

01. JETBOIL FLASH JAVA 1.8L FAST BOIL SYSTEM This product is everything your group of 2-4 people needs for coffee on the trail. This package bundles Jetboil’s efficient Flash 1.8L Fast Boil system with the stowable Grande Coffee Press, which stores perfectly inside the cook pot. Jetboil’s 1.8L FluxRing cook pot with insulating coozie makes boiling water for coffee—and keeping it warm—a breeze. Start brewing instantly with the turn-and-click igniter and verify that the water is ready with the thermochromatic heat indicator. Whether it’s your first cup of the day or a boost after a long adventure, Flash Java 1.8L boils in seconds so your group can fuel up faster. MSRP $179.99 jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com 02. JGOSUN PORTABLE SOLAR OVEN This amazing portable solar oven cooks a meal in 20 minutes or…

The introduction of a new-generation fan-favorite vehicle can be a trying time. Toyota fanatics are currently going through this transition period, which started with the 2022 Tundra, then the 2024 Tacoma, and most recently the 4Runner, which was redesigned for 2025. Some owners of previous vehicle iterations may feel reluctant to embrace the change, while others run towards the overhauled platforms with open arms. Ryno Liberman of Ryno Built is a proud member of the latter category. Ryno is a master builder of all types of vehicles, and he saw the release of the sixth-gen 4Runner as an opportunity to build one to the extreme. While embarking on a project revolving around a newly redesigned platform is an exciting undertaking, it presents the issue of non-existent parts. Luckily, Ryno interpreted…

Rob Lindsay is a name that carries a weight with it, and it’s a name that also carries a sense of urgency and passion in the off-road world. Rob’s business name, RJ Fab, is well-known and worshiped and is a name that every builder from coast to coast should know by now. If you don’t, well, let this article be a reminder to you that he is nothing short of one of the greatest builders and engineers in the off-road scene. Rob is the owner and creator of RJ Fab, based out of Hesperia, California. He is a no-BS type of guy when it comes to this work, his employees, and his reputation. Nothing about Rob can be described in a humble and calm manner, but don’t let his legendary…

You can never have enough cargo space, and to help increase the hauling abilities of a 2022 Tacoma double cab pickup, we selected a Front Runner Slimline II roof rack system. Not only would the Slimline II be a great visual match to the SmartCap Drop Rack system that was previously installed on the truck, but it would also expand the number of items we could carry at any given time. The installation process is straightforward and requires no drilling. The foot rail system goes on with only minimal modifications to the ditch moldings on top of the cab, and the Slimline II tray is rather easy to assemble. Installation can be wrapped up by lunchtime, and you can be packed up and on the road well before dinner. Follow…