When most of us think of gated communities, a ton of headaches, restrictions, and old women in BMWs come to mind. But the friendly folks of Florida were thinking on a different level when they started creating the Suburban Estates. The idea was to sell individual lots within the 10,000-acre swampland to create a private community for off-road enthusiasts. Upon purchase you receive a key to the entrance of the property, allowing you 24 hours of access seven days a week for your wheeling enjoyment. As an invited guest of key-holder Mike Carpenter, we were able to take a tour of the property and meet some of the most active members of the landowner's association (yes, like a homeowner's association). The majority of the property consists of soft sandy trails and endless mud pits, some deep enough to swallow 60-inch-plus tractor-tired monsters dead in their tracks. We like the idea of having a private community of wheelers. No need to worry about trespassing tickets or where you're going to camp-and all the wheelers out there are essentially your neighbors. Want to become part of the neighborhood? Check them out at www.suburbanestates.net. Steve and Be Fiske were nice enough to let us ride in their sky-high '78 CJ-5 and experience what life is like at the top. The list of modifications is extensive with some of the highlights including a custom four-link suspension, King coilovers, and Detroit Lockers front and rear.Steve and Be Fiske were nice enough to let us ride in their sky-high '78 CJ-5 and experien There is a real sense of community when wheeling at Suburban Estates. From the moment we got there to the time we left, we never saw a vehicle stay stuck long. Even before you can roll down your window to see how bogged down you are, there is a truck on the way to pull you out. Now that's southern hospitality.There is a real sense of community when wheeling at Suburban Estates. From the moment we g Mike Carpenter drove his '87 Blazer out on her maiden voyage after spending a few weeks making last-minute modifications in his garage. Built for playing in the mud, Mike spun his 40-inch Ground Hawgs through some of the deepest holes there, sometimes pushing water only inches away from the delicate electronics.Mike Carpenter drove his '87 Blazer out on her maiden voyage after spending a few weeks ma Tractor tires, full hydraulic steering, and Rockwells were the standard for the majority of these mud-bogging monsters. It's important to note that most of these beasts are trailer rigs that never see the road, and although Florida does have its share of sky-high pavement pounders, the farm-use tires are only rated for 30 mph.Tractor tires, full hydraulic steering, and Rockwells were the standard for the majority o Some of the holes could swallow your rig whole, literally. After a flat tire from a pull vehicle, snatches from both directions, and a handful of tense moments, the recovery crew was able to extract the sunken Wrangler before any real damage was done.Some of the holes could swallow your rig whole, literally. After a flat tire from a pull v One of the few diesels playing in the mud was Jackie Griner's '89 F-350. He put every bit of the truck's weight and torque to good use, as he was one of the key wheeler's pulling people out left and right.One of the few diesels playing in the mud was Jackie Griner's '89 F-350. He put every bit Whoops! Sometimes that hole doesn't look as deep as it is. We're not sure this Chevy owner was too overjoyed when water began to flow over his hood, but we can only imagine his sigh of relief when they pulled him back out of the hole and the motor fired right up. Not before pulling a few spark plugs and cleaning out the engine, of course.Whoops! Sometimes that hole doesn't look as deep as it is. We're not sure this Chevy owner The welds had barely finished cooling when Ronald Olson pulled his '92 GMC off the back of the lowboy. Unfortunately the 502-inch big-block was only able to scream exhaust for a few minutes, due to the rear axle spitting out the blocks and crumpling the bed sides with his new 44-inch terra tires. Luckily Ronald owns his own heavy equipment business, and when your recovery vehicle is a CAT 950G loader, you can get just about anything out.The welds had barely finished cooling when Ronald Olson pulled his '92 GMC off the back of Most people try to keep their daily drivers and off-road trucks separate, but not Chuck Maisch. Tired of breaking the stock front axles, he decided it was time to step up to a set of 2 1/2-ton Rockwells. The 6.72 gears and 7.3L diesel do a fine job of rolling the 52-inch Michelins both on- and off-road. Even after breaking a front axleshaft he continued to play in mud, utilizing the skinny petal and making the best of two-wheel drive.Most people try to keep their daily drivers and off-road trucks separate, but not Chuck Ma There's not much factory Isuzu left of this truck, but enough to make any 'Zu fan stop and take a look. Dwain Bourland chose to run his hubs flipped outward, offsetting the height of the truck by providing additional width and stability.There's not much factory Isuzu left of this truck, but enough to make any 'Zu fan stop and Getting stuck is all part of the fun for these mud lovers. Local Jeff Breisinger needed a little help after sinking his 35-inch mud-terrains into the endless muck. Wheeling the estates is part of a family tradition for Jeff, as his father grew up doing the same so many years ago.Getting stuck is all part of the fun for these mud lovers. Local Jeff Breisinger needed a By Ali Mansour Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
