To come on Ultimate Adventure once is a dream for most, so when Kane and his wife Denise received the invite for the second time, they were more than happy to make that long trek down from the northeast to yet again torture his mint CJ-8 through some of the toughest trails Texas has to offer. If there was a sleeper in the group this was it, not to mention that Denise was behind the wheel making all us guys nervous to the teeth as she conquered trail after trail with ease. Soccer mom she is not!
Codriver: Denise Riccardi
Representing: You the reader!
Stomping Grounds: Maryland
Vehicle: '81 Jeep Scrambler
Engine: 408ci V-8
Transmission: TH350
Transfer Case: Chevy 203 Ford 205 Offroad Design Doubler
Front Axle: High-pinion Dana 60 narrowed, Eaton ELocker, 4.56 gears
Rear Axle: 9-inch, 35-spline axleshafts, Detroit Locker, 4.56 gears
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: Spring-over with custom offset center pins
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on Walker Evans 17x9 bead locks
Other Stuff: Warn bumpers, Warn 8274 winch
Best Breakage: Radiator, starter, exhaust
A few weeks before the Adventure we received a call from Clay Parish stating that the garage that held his beloved Dragon Wagon had caught on fire with the 4Runner still inside. Our reply was simple-fix it and let's go! Pulling it back together after hundreds of man hours of work, Clay and Eric arrived in Texas ready to wheel even with a melted taillight lens. After watching Clay's '91 4Runner crawl across the great state of Texas we're pretty sure that this caged 'Yota is really nothing more than an overgrown Slinky. Crawling from one obstacle to the next, this 'Yota with its soft coilover suspension swallowed ledges and hillclimbs over and over again. Even with a laundry list of breakage we never caught these two 'Bama boys without a smile on their faces. These guys are what the Ultimate Adventure is all about.
Codriver: Eric Jones
Representing: You the reader!
Stomping Grounds: Alabama
Vehicle: '91 Toyota 4Runner
Engine: 3.4L
Transmission: Factory five-speed
Transfer Case: Dual Toyota cases with Marlin Crawler adapter
Front Axle: '85 Toyota, Longfield axles, Detroit E-Z Locker, 4.88 gears
Rear Axle: Factory, Detroit E-Z Locker, 4.88 gears
Steering: Hydraulic assist
Suspension: Front and rear three-links with 15-inch coilovers
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on 17x10 steel
Other Stuff: Dual Optima batteries, custom exterior cage, Warn 8,000-pound winch
Best Breakage: Ring-and-pinion twice, rear locker twice, rear driveshaft, blown bead, and an electrical gremlin
Using the Ultimate Adventure for R&D testing may sound crazy to some, but the crew at Slee Off Road had the urge to test out their freshly converted solid-axle Land Cruiser, which happens to be the only known solid-axle 100 series in the United States. Without a doubt the most plush ride on the adventure. Christo and Ben squeezed their Land Yacht through trail after trail, proving yet again that Toyotas are just plain tough.
Codriver: Ben Swain
Representing: Slee Off Road
Stomping Grounds: Colorado
Vehicle: '98 Toyota Land Cruiser
Engine: 4.7L I-force V-8
Transmission: Factory four-speed auto
Transfer Case: HF2A fitted with Marks Adapters 3:1 gears
Front Axle: Custom Diamond housing, 80 series rear differential, 80 series knuckles, custom axleshafts, ARB Air Locker, 5.29 gears
Rear Axle: Factory 100 series converted to a six-bolt pattern, Toyota electric locker, 5.29 gears
Steering: Slee Off-Road Hi-Steer system, PSC hydraulic assist
Suspension: Custom Slee Off-Road 7-inch lift
Tires & Wheels: 39-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers on 17-inch Tru-design wheels with Staun internal bead locks
Other Stuff: Slee Off Road front bumper, Warn M12,000 winch, Slee Off Road rear bumper with tire carrier
Best Breakage: Four hub dowel pins, two ring-and-pinions, carrier bearing bolts, bent ARB Air Locker, rear axleshaft, side bearing adjuster, alternator, bent wheel, wheel bearing, rear locker collar
Making sure all the participants stayed powered up was Ryan Hagel from Optima batteries. With only a mild lift and body protection, this mostly stock Jeep Unlimited Rubicon represented how competent the big brother of the legendary two-door is off road. However, we will have to give them the award for most techno garbage. Honestly, who needs two TVs to see the rock behind you?
Codriver: Matt Gannan
Representing: Optima
Stomping Grounds: California
Vehicle: '07 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Engine: 3.8L
Transmission: Stock
Transfer Case: Rock-Trac 4:1
Front Axle: Factory Dana 44, 5.13 gears, Factory E-Lockers
Rear Axle: Factory Dana 44, 5.13 gears, Factory E-Lockers
Steering: Stock
Suspension: 4-inch Rancho long-arm
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch Pro Comp Xtreme MTs on 17x9 Pro Comp Alloys
Other Stuff: Warn 9000 RC winch, Mastercraft seats, Optima batteries (blue, red, and yellow)
Best Breakage: Front axle U