60th Jeepers Jamboree
This year’s running of the famous Jeep-in on the Rubicon Trail marked six decades of Jeeper Jamborees, and organizers made sure the trail ride had some very special features. A 60th anniversary Jeep was raffled off, participants got anniversary shirts and other swag, and a display of some 22 flat fenders in an area called Flatville accompanied the usual festivities at Rubicon Springs. Jeepers also got an up-close-and-personal visit from the Forest Service, which deployed a water-dropping helicopter to help extinguish a nearby fire started by a rollover accident. That delayed the usual Sunday departure up Cadillac Hill (the scene of the fire), but nobody seemed to mind having to spend another day hanging out in the Sierras and talking Jeeps.
Mega Diesel
Looking for a diesel engine with more power than what the factories have to offer? How much power do you want? Gale Banks is now selling the Banks 866T, a 6.6L turbodiesel fitted with a Bosch common-rail high-pressure fuel system, a water-cooled Garrett VNT turbocharger, a Banks AutoMind ECU, and other components designed to pull from 275 to 475 hp and 600 to 850 lb-ft of torque from the engine—and that’s just in the base state of tune.
Gale Banks is also offering this engine in a version (seen here) that makes 575 hp and 950 lb-ft of torque. Upgrades include a heavy-duty long-block and high-strength cylinder heads, high-flow exhaust manifolds and turbo plumbing, and a high-volume oiling system with piston-cooling nozzles. Still not enough? A streetable 1,200hp version is in the works.
These are brand-new engines, not rebuilds, and are sold ready-to-run with a GM-pattern flywheel housing, wiring harness, oiling system, starter, and pedal connections. Prices start at $15,980. Visit www.bankspowertrain.com for more info.
Deere’s New Gator
If you think John Deere’s Gators are all six-wheeled flatbed utility vehicles used to tend golf courses and school yards, think again. John Deere has entered the recreational utility vehicle (side-by-side) market with the RSX850i. The new Gator is available in three states of tune: Sport, Trail, and Base.
The Sport model (seen here) is the hot rod of the group, with sport seats, alloy wheels, Maxxis tires, and adjustable Fox shocks. The Trail model is outfitted with a brushguard, a front receiver hitch, rear bumper, and cargo box rails. The plain RSX is the blank canvas, awaiting factory or aftermarket accessories.
All models come equipped with an 839cc, V-twin, liquid-cooled, four-cycle, gasoline motorcycle engine that produces 62 hp. John Deere quotes a 0-30 mph time of three seconds and a top speed of 53 mph for the new Gator. They ride on fully independent suspensions with 10.3 inches of ground clearance in front and 9 inches of travel in back. All are equipped with automotive-style doors and have an ISO-certified rollover protection structure with three-point belts and lots of grab handles.
In our photo the Gator is painted traditional John Deere green and yellow, but other colors are available, including olive, black, and Realtree Hardwoods HD camo. Prices starts at $12,999 for the base RSX, $14,999 for the Trail model and $15,499 for the Sport. Visit www.johndeere.com/gator for more info.
Calendar
• Nov. 1-3: Cullman Jeep Jamboree, Cullman, AL. Info: wwwjeepjamboreeusa.com
• Nov. 2: Mojave Road trail ride by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Barstow, CA to Las Vegas,NV. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Nov. 8-12: Lone Star Jeep Club’s Fall Run, Superlift ORV Park, Hot Springs, AR. Info: 501.625.3600, www.orvpark.com
• Nov. 9: Riot on the River desert race by HDRA, Laughlin, NV. Info: hdrarace.com
• Nov. 9-11: Desert Splash 2012 by Parker 4 Wheelers, Parker, AZ. Info: 909.239.1162, email info@parker4wheelers.net
• Nov. 9-11: Panamint Valley Days by California Association of 4WD Clubs, near Trona, CA. Info: www.ca4wdc.com
• Nov. 14-17: Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Ensenada to La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. Info: www.score-international.com
• Nov. 17: Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA, Gorman, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Nov. 17: Toy Drive by North American XJ Association’s Sierra Chapter, at the Hollister Hills and Prairie City OHV areas, central California. Info: sierra.naxja.org
• Nov. 18: Advanced Beginner Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, El Paso Mountains, Mojave, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Nov. 21-26: Turkey Run, Superlift ORV Park, Hot Springs, AR. Info: 501.625.3600, www.orvpark.com
• Nov. 24: T&T Railroad Adventure by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, near Lucerne Valley, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Nov. 30–Dec. 2: Transwest Ford Henderson 250 by Best in the Desert, Henderson, NV. Info: www.bitd.com
Note: If you have a 4WD event you want us to publicize, please send the date, location, a description of the event, and contact info—phone numbers and/or email/website address—to Calendar, 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245; fax 310.531.9368; email 4wheeloffroad@sorc.com. Please submit your info at least four months in advance of the event due to our press lead times.