There has to be a pro in every group, and ours was professional rockcrawler Dean Bulloch. This guy is a blast to watch and gave us a great look into how the pros handle real-world wheeling. This veteran of our sport was representing BFGoodrich Tires and throttled his supercharged Wrangler through the Adventure.
Codriver: Todd Little
Representing: BFGoodrich Tires
Stomping Grounds: Utah
Vehicle: '99 Jeep TJ
Engine: Supercharged 4.0L
Transmission: NV3550
Transfer Case: Four-speed Atlas II
Front Axle: Terra 60 R, ARB Air Locker, 5.38 gears
Rear Axle: Terra 60 CRD, ARB Air Locker, 5.38 gears
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: 10-inch Rock Krawler
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch BFGoodrich M-Ts on 17x9 Walker Evans bead locks
Other Stuff: Front and rear Warn bumpers, Warn 9500i winch
Best Breakage: None
If there is one guy that you could hear coming it was Phil Rohr and his 406ci CJ-7 that made the trees shake as his Flowmasters muffled the monster rumble. His short-wheelbased Jeep could often be found with one tire, if not all four, bouncing in the air. We would like to thank Phil for his attempt to launch his Jeep to the top of the hill via the 5-foot ledge. Only next time try to put more helium in the tires and give us a heads-up so we can stand on the other side of the tree.
Codriver: Chad Howell
Representing: Flowmaster
Stomping Grounds: Idaho
Vehicle: '85 Jeep CJ-7
Engine: 406ci
Transmission: TH350
Transfer Case: Dana 300
Front Axle: Dana 44 narrowed, five-lug, Dutchman inner axles, Warn hubs, Warn outer shafts, Detroit E-Z Locker, 4.88 gears
Rear Axle: Dana 60, Dutchman 35-spline shafts, five-lug welded, 4.88 gears
Steering: Stock
Suspension: Superlift 4-inch with a spring-over axle
Tires & Wheels: 39-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on 17x10 Allied Rock Crushers
Other Stuff: NOS, custom bumpers, Warn 9.5ti winch
Best Breakage: U-joint, ran out of gas three times, one flop
Representing flatties across America, Jake did an awesome job of keeping the 57-year-old Jeep on all fours. These guys fought through a series of problems that would have sent most guys heading for home, but in true Ultimate fashion they rigged, welded, and glued it back together each time faster than the last. These guys are true real-world wheelers.
Codriver: Glenn Leighton
Representing: You the reader!
Stomping Grounds: Nevada
Vehicle: '51 Jeep CJ-3A
Engine: 350ci
Transmission: SM420
Transfer Case: Dana 18
Front Axle: '77 J20 Dana 44, Detroit Locker, 5.38 gears
Rear Axle: '77 J20 offset Dana 60 welded, 5.38 gears
Steering: PSC hydraulic assist
Suspension: Spring-over axle with 2-inch Superlift springs, shackle reversal
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on 17x9 steel
Other Stuff: Warn 9.5 XP winch, homebuilt bumpers, dual Optima batteries
Best Breakage: Radiator, rear driveshaft, broken weld on torque arm, 56-year-old light switch, one flop, one roll
When it comes to fullsized GM trucks, no company knows them better than Offroad Design. Navigating their colossal rig through the trees and over the rocks with ease were James and Stephen Watson, a father-and-son team that knows the importance of good communication and spotting when out on the trail. From assembly of the ORD Doubler to the countless man hours boatsiding their '85 Chevy, the Watsons have created a truly functional behemoth that will make you think a little bigger the next time you're shopping around for a trail rig.
Codriver: Stephen Watson
Representing: Offroad Design
Stomping Grounds: Colorado
Vehicle: '85 Chevy K30
Engine: 463ci
Transmission: 4L80E
Transfer Case: ORD Doubler, GM 203 and Ford 205
Front Axle: Dana 60, ARB Air Locker, Yukon 4340s and CTM U-joints, GM knuckles, Teraflex 35-spline hubs, 5.13 gears
Rear Axle: 14-bolt, Detroit Locker, ORD 1.5 wheel spacers, 5.13 gears
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: 6-inch ORD 14-inch-travel coilover system in the front using Sway-A-Way coilovers and Hydro bumpstops, 64-inch Tuff Country rear leaves, ORD extended shackles, ORD traction bar, Sway-A-Way internal reservoir shocks
Tires & Wheels: 39-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on 17x8.5 Trail Ready bead locksOther Stuff: 5 inches removed from the door bottoms and rockers, boatside, ORD front bumper, Warn 9.5xp winch
Best Breakage: Broken wheel studs, leaking hydro boost, idle air motor