When it comes to being original on the trail, John Lambert's sick Sidekick takes the cake. Built for navigating the tight forest trails of the far northeast, this homebuilt 'Zuk goes to show how a little time and planning can transform almost anything into an awesome wheeling machine. One of the two father-and-son teams that were on the trip, these two quietly cruised their way through the entire adventure conquering overheating issues, balmy humidity, and each obstacle without a single complaint.
Codriver: Gary Lambert
Representing: You the reader!
Stomping Grounds: Vermont
Vehicle: '93 Suzuki Sidekick
Engine: Chevy 4.3L
Transmission: TH350
Transfer Case: Toyota mini-truck with 4.7:1 gears
Front Axle: Toyota mini-truck 4.10 gears, spool
Rear Axle: Toyota mini-truck 4.10 gears, spool
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: Custom three-link front with coils, leaf-sprung rear
Tires & Wheels: 35x12.50 BFGoodrich Baja T/A on 15x8 Trail Ready bead locks
Other Stuff: Custom bumpers, Warn 8,000-pound winch
Best Breakage: U-joint and a water pump
Answering the demands of mini-truck lovers across America, American Expedition Vehicle's Brute created a new chapter in the never-ending book of what can be done to your TJ. Need a Hemi in your new JK? They've got you covered. These Jeep masterminds kept the truck honest to its name by plowing through obstacles that would have sent most mini-trucks heading for the hills. Finally a pickup that simply rocks!
Codriver: Dave Harriton
Representing: American Expedition Vehicles
Stomping Grounds: Michigan/Montana
Vehicle: AEV Brute with Highline body kit
Engine: 5.7L Hemi
Transmission: 5-45RFE
Transfer Case: 241 Rock Trac
Front Axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock Dana 60, ARB Air Locker, 5.13 gears
Rear Axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock Dana 60, ARB Air Locker, 5.13 gears
Steering: Currie HD
Suspension: Nth Degree Mobility 6-inch long-arm
Tires & Wheels: 39-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on Hutchinson Rock Monster wheels
Other Stuff: Optima yellow-top battery, Warn 9.5ti front winch, Warn M8000 rear winch
Best Breakage: Steering box, sector shaft
"Go Prepared" has been Warn's motto for quite some time now, and with the legendary Fred Perry behind the wheel and our official winch master Steve Schoenfelder pulling cable for all of those in need, they couldn't have sent two better guys to represent just that. If you wanted to know which was the right line to drive, Perry was the guy to watch, but don't blink because you just might miss what "making it look easy" really means.
Codriver: Steve Schoenfelder
Representing: Warn
Stomping Grounds: South Carolina
Vehicle: '01 Jeep Wrangler
Engine: 4.7L V-8
Transmission: 545RFE
Transfer Case: 3.8 Atlas II
Front Axle: Rock Crusher 60, CTM U-joints, chromoly shafts, Detroit Locker, 4.88 gears
Rear Axle: Rock Crusher 60, chromoly shafts, Detroit Locker, disc brakes, 4.88 gears
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: Teraflex LCG long-arm, Fabtech Dirt Logic air shocks
Tires & Wheels: 39-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on 17x8.5 Walker Evans bead locks
Other Stuff: Fiberglass hood and grille sloped and lowered for better visibility, Warn front bumper, Warn rocker guards, Warn 9.5 Powerplant
Best Breakage: Heim joint, two bent shocks, ripped link bracket off frame, busted fitting on hydraulic ram
If the Ultimate Adventure had a best attendance award it would go to Tom Boyd. This resident jokester has attended every single UA since the beginning and each year figures out how to create a disguise for what's left of his '71 Ford Bronco. If you're ever lucky enough to see this collage on the trail, our best advice is stand back and enjoy the show.
Codriver: Only the daring
Representing: Legends of the UA
Stomping Grounds: California
Vehicle: '71 Ford Bronco disguised as a CJ-5
Engine: 5.0L
Transmission: TH400
Transfer Case: Atlas II Klune-V Goliath underdrive
Front Axle: High-pinion Dana 44 front, Detroit Locker, Warn hubs, 4.11 gears
Rear Axle: Ford 9-inch, Moser 31-spline shafts, Detroit Locker, 4.11 gears
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: Custom linked front with 14-inch King coilovers, four-link rear with 16-inch King coilovers
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch Krawlers on 17-inch Poison Spyder bead locks
Other Stuff: Warn 9,000-pound winch, dual Optima batteries
Best Breakage: Hub and starter