2005 Off Road Expo - 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

Once again the two-day Off Road Expo blewthrough the Pomona Fairgrounds in Southern California with a whirlwind of rockcrawlers, Baja buggies, trick new parts, and poster girls. We strolled through the three buildings and multiple outside booths till our feet were sore and camera heavy, and once again we found some cool new stuff that we'll hope to get for the upcoming Groundhog Day gift-giving season (seems like a reasonable excuse).

If you are looking for something to do this coming October 7-8, head on out to Pomona and check out all the cool new stuff, show trucks, and did we mention the fine ladies? Be sure to get your hotel rooms early as they fill fast, and don't forget to call ahead if you have a shop or 4x4 business to find out if they have any booth space available.

Ever wonder where the Karnivore rock buggy ended up that we gave away in 2003? After being won, sold, sold again, and passed around a bit, our old pal Larry McRae finally found a place in his garage for it. Larry was on hand with a group of other four-wheelers demonstrating the finer art of boulder dashing on a dozer-assembled pile of rocks. In addition to the rockcrawling display, there were also freestyle motocross demos and plenty of gut-busting food to keep the kids quiet.
Ever wonder where the Karnivore rock buggy ended up that we gave away in 2003? After being
This lovely lass from PolyPerformance was on hand showing off various rockbuggy building parts and this sweet helmet from Zamp. It's not uncommon for us to see folks wearing helmets even on trail rides these days especially when attempting near-vertical rock climbs. You may think they look silly but we prefer the term "special." Information: PolyPerformance, 805.783.2060, www.polyperformance.com.
This lovely lass from PolyPerformance was on hand showing off various rockbuggy building p
Here is a neat little widget that we're thinking will make a splash with home fabricators. If you can't swing the dough needed for a full-blown hydraulic tubing bender, then look into JMR's manual bender which uses a geared box that can be cranked by a hand-held ratchet. Gotta get one? Information: JMR, 805.584.0191, www.jmrmanufacturing.com.
Here is a neat little widget that we're thinking will make a splash with home fabricators.

Transfer cases were the hot ticket at this year's show. We showed you the STaK Monster box in a previous issue ("The Big 3," Jan. '06), and before that even hit the newsstands STaK was coming out with upgraded versions of its three-speed transfer case. Two with new gear ratios (1:1, 4.3:1, and 2.4:1, as well as 1:1, 4. 3:1, and a .79:1 overdrive), and a new bent case for narrow framerails such as those found under an early Bronco. Information: STaK 4x4, 915.584.2400, www.stak4x4.com.
Transfer cases were the hot ticket at this year's show. We showed you the STaK Monster box
Not to be outdone by the new kid on the block, Advance Adapters was on hand with its new four-speed transfer case that uses a planetary reduction box in front of a modified Atlas case. This design offers a standard 1:1 high range as well as a two mid-range low ranges and then a compound low that can reach down to at least 10:1 if desired. With the addition of the reduction box, the new case weighs in at 125 pounds. Information: Advance Adapters, 800.350.2223, www.advanceadapters.com.
Not to be outdone by the new kid on the block, Advance Adapters was on hand with its new f
We thought we had seen all the cool stuff when our wanderings around led us to this new prototype axle from Overkill Engineering. Constructed of steel plate and offering 5 inches more ground clearance than a Dana 60, this piece utilizes a Ford 9-inch centersection and axleshafts with multiple 1480 U-joints to redirect torque and keep everything high above trail obstacles. This was the first one they had built in a 1-ton version, but we'll keep you posted on what they come up with as they are also planning a front steering edition and a 2 1/2-ton variant. Information: Overkill Engineering, 425.212.4496, www.overkilleng.com.
We thought we had seen all the cool stuff when our wanderings around led us to this new pr

We considered two transfer cases to be plenty for one show when we came around the corner and spotted this desert racing transmission and transfer-case combo that includes a six-speed sequential transmission and two-speed transfer case (though the low range is barely 2:1) in one complete package from the English engineering company Xtrac. We were awed when the rep explained how the magnesium case can be fitted with a rear-mounted clutch as well as different bellhousing based on what engine you run, plus a center locking differential and various oil pumps, filters, and coolers for severe terrain. Of course we nearly choked on our corn dog when he told us they retail around $50,000 and are run primarily in race vehicles during the Dakar desert rally in Africa. Got some coin to burn? Information: Xtrac, www.Xtrac.com.