Mello Out
Representing husband and wife wheelers from across the nation, Jeff and Julie Mello demonstrated how good communication between couples translates well onto the trail. Though both of them are very easy-going individuals, they did manage to turn things up a bit during the Adventure and walk away with the award for the most dynamic rollover (see Part 2 next month)! Always a great rig to watch, they made CJ owners across America proud as their simply built round-eyed machine took a beating and kept right on crawling.
The Down & Dirty
Driver: Jeff Mello
Co-driver: Julie Mello
Representing: You the reader!
Stomping grounds: California
Vehicle: '79 Jeep CJ-7
Engine: AMC 360ci
Transmission: T-18
Transfer case: Dana 300
Front axle: Dana 44, Detroit Locker, 4.56 gears
Rear axle: Dana 44, 33-spline, Detroit Locker, 4.56 gears
Suspension: Spring-over axle with frenched rear hangers
Tires & Wheels: 35x13.50 BFG Krawlers on 15-inch Center Line wheels with Champion bead locks
Other Stuff: Hood raked and dropped 3 inches at the grille, custom twin sticks, flat belly with 4140 skidplate, Howell fuel injection, Daystar motor mounts, Warn 9.5i winch
Built for: Rocks
EVO Cruiser
Dedication and hard work are merely words until you know Mel Wade. The owner of Off Road Evolution, the official build shop of the Ultimate Z71, Mel used the trip to R&D his new Evo-lever coilover suspension. Always one to lend a hand, Mel completed the trip without one problem and stayed true to the hard-core nature of the trip by driving his built JK from the end location to sunny SoCal.
The Down & Dirty
Driver: Mel Wade
Co-driver: Kevin McNulty
Representing: Off Road Evolution
Stomping grounds: California
Vehicle: '07 Jeep Wrangler
Engine: Supercharged 3.8L
Transmission: Stock auto
Transfer case: STaK three-speed
Front axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60, ARB Air Locker, Superior shafts, 5.38 gears
Rear axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60, ARB Air Locker, 5.38 gears
Steering: PSC hydraulic assist
Suspension: Off Road Evolution front coilover conversion and Evo-lever rear, modified Full Traction long arm
Tires & Wheels: 40x14.50 BFG KM2 M-Ts on 17-inch Walker Evans beadlocks
Other Stuff: PureJeep bumpers, Kilby on-board air, Mastercraft seats, Warn 9.5ti winch, Adventure Supercharger
Built for: Rocky terrain
Rescue Rod
Back when a truck was still a truck and fenders had flare, there was the Kaiser M-715. Brought to you by the steering experts at PSC Motorsports with a hand from Old Town Customs' Tom Allen and Carl Yarbrough, this retired fire department truck was transformed into a functioning wheeler with the heart of a hot rod in just over a month. Tom and Carl found this decaying in the back fields of Texas, and had everybody on the trip rethinking their next build project and peeking around barns for the rest of the trip.
The Down & Dirty
Driver: Tom Allen
Co-driver: CarL Yarbrough
Representing: PSC Motorsports
Stomping grounds: Texas
Vehicle: '67 Kaiser M-715
Engine: 350ci
Transmission: 700R4
Transfer case: 4.3:1 Atlas II
Front axle: Dana 60, 35 spline shafts, Detroit Locker, 5.86 gears
Rear axle: Dana 70, Detroit Locker, 5.86 gears
Steering: PSC hydraulic assist
Suspension: 4-inch Superlift Wagoneer springs
Tires & Wheels: 42-inch TSLs on 17-inch Trail Ready bead locks
Other Stuff: Warn 9,000-pound winch, train horns, disc brake conversion, Old Town Customs cage and sliders
Built for: Rocks and parties
Clemson Crawler
When you needed a pull on the trail, you didn't have to wait long for Warn reps Steve Schoenfelder and Fred Perry to lend a hand. Driving their custom-built Mini M-715 they even had the chance of demonstrating some of the excellent Warn product line as the first day of the trip would put a freshly built rig on its lid. Always the troopers and in true Warn fashion they knew to "Go Prepared" and got the rig righted and kept on wheeling.
The Down & Dirty
Driver: Fred Perry
Co-driver: Steve Schoenfelder
Representing: Warn
Stomping grounds: South Carolina
Vehicle: '89 Jeep MJ(715)
Engine: 4.0L
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Transfer case: NP231 with a Tera 2-low and Atlas short shift kit
Front axle: Rockcrusher high-pinion 60, 35-spline, Detroit Locker, 4.88 gears
Rear axle: Dana 60, 35-spline Alloy USA shafts, Detroit Locker, 4.88 gears
Steering: PSC hydraulic assist
Suspension: Custom Superlift long-arm front with leaves in the rear
Tires & Wheels: 37x12.50 BFG KM2 M-Ts on 17-inch Race Line Monster bead locks
Other Stuff: Warn front and rear bumpers, Warn 9.5XP winch, custom bed with Warn VTC compressor and aux tank, custom tire carrier
Built for: Rocks