On The Warpath

Joe Wright was inspired by a few prior trips rockcrawling with the group that ran this trail, and he felt the urge to buy a buggy of his own only months ago. It runs the ever-popular Toyota powertrain and driveline, which crept over most everything without any issues all day long.

Joe Wright was inspired by a few prior trips rockcrawling with the group that ran this tra

Las Cruces, New Mexico, has always been a well-known spot for serious rockcrawling. For the avid four-wheeler its very name brings to mind images of skyward pointing vehicles climbing through some of the most challenging trails in the Southwest. The entire surrounding area is perfect for any kind of off-road enthusiast to enjoy the constantly changing terrain that keeps people coming back year after year.

On The Warpath Toyota Pickup Rock Climbing

Toyota trucks are very popular for rockcrawling because of their nimble size, reasonably priced aftermarket parts, and lightweight but durable drivetrain. Chris Serna has been wheeling this ’83 Toyota with a modified 22RE, a 5-inch Trail Gear lift, 30-spline front axles, and 35-inch grooved TSLs for seven years with nearly no major problems.

Toyota trucks are very popular for rockcrawling because of their nimble size, reasonably p

The Warpath Trail is located an hour north of Las Cruces and just east of Caballo Reservoir, and it definitely lives up to its name. The trail doesn’t get used very often due to its being so difficult, but from what we hear there are even harder trails in the area. We’re looking forward to covering them in the future.

On The Warpath Custom Buggy Rear Three Quarter

This slick-looking creation belongs to Tracy Hooker. It took about two years to complete and has all the good stuff. A 5.0L V-8 powers a 60 front with full hydraulic steering and a 14-bolt rear. Both axles are four-linked and are suspended with 16-inch coilover shocks for an extremely supple suspension.

This slick-looking creation belongs to Tracy Hooker. It took about two years to complete a

A large group of vehicles on a trail as hard as this can spell disaster, or at least you know you’re in for a really long day. It was definitely a long day, but our group of 12 vehicles was very well equipped and experienced with the area, which made all the difference. The entire group got through the mile-long trail in just around seven hours with no major carnage beyond a fan belt, one torn brake line, a tire knocked off the bead, and obviously a bit of body damage.

Josh Simmons met Curtis Hill on a trail run a few years back, and they have been wheeling together ever since. You can hardly call Simmons’ Jeep a YJ beyond the body. He’s running a 383 stroker with a customized SM465 and NP205 combo that powers dual steering 21⁄2-ton Rockwells turning 47s.
Josh Simmons met Curtis Hill on a trail run a few years back, and they have been wheeling
Jeffery Jacobson is definitely a Jeep Scrambler fan. The ’85 Jeep is powered by an LT1 backed up by a Turbo 400 with an Atlas II transfer case that spins high-pinion Dana 60s with 43-inch TSL SXs.
Jeffery Jacobson is definitely a Jeep Scrambler fan. The ’85 Jeep is powered by an LT1 bac
Chris Thompson’s buggy is built on a Hendrix Motorsports chassis with modified Toyota running gear. The 22R motor, helically geared WSG transmission, and dual transfer cases put out a healthy reduction to the 4.38-geared Toyota axles. The rearend has been welded, and the front has an ARB. It is suspended by 14-inch Fox air shocks and rides on 39.5-inch Iroks.
Chris Thompson’s buggy is built on a Hendrix Motorsports chassis with modified Toyota runn

Ray Torres inherited this very clean ’42 Willys back in 1980 in stock form. Over the years he has transformed it into this 1-ton giant with a custom frame that was fabricated to obtain an ideal 115-inch wheelbase. It’s packed with a 4.3L Vortec and a Dana 20 with a Klune-V that churns the Detroit-locked Dana 60 and 14-bolt with 44 inch TSLs.
Ray Torres inherited this very clean ’42 Willys back in 1980 in stock form. Over the years
Chris Franich’s Toyota 4Runner is far from stock, and they both handled this extreme trail well all day. Power comes from a Ford 5.0L V-8 coupled to a Toyota R150 transmission. A Marlin Dual Ultimate transfer case setup sends power to the 5.38-geared Dana 60 front and 14-bolt rear. Detroits make sure that all of the 42-inch Iroks are turning.
Chris Franich’s Toyota 4Runner is far from stock, and they both handled this extreme trail
Bobby Baird brought his Toy up from El Paso to run it through the brutal Warpath Trail. He has been building it for two years now and is running a reliable modified Toyota driveline. The rearend is welded, and a Lock Right was installed in the front differential along with 30-spline Longfields. Dual transfer cases provide a great low range to the 35-inch MTRs.
Bobby Baird brought his Toy up from El Paso to run it through the brutal Warpath Trail. He

This is the seventh Toyota truck that Byron Mullins has built. He and his wife Megan drove this ’87 Toyota through mother nature’s body shop with 4-inch All Pro lift springs up front and 63-inch Chevy springs in the rear. The front end has been swapped out for a solid axle with high steer, 5.29 gears, and a Detroit Locker, and the rear end is spooled. Both axles are spun by dual transfer cases that combine to make a 4.7:1 low range.
This is the seventh Toyota truck that Byron Mullins has built. He and his wife Megan drove
Curtis Hill grew up in the Caballo Lake area not 10 minutes from the Warpath Trail and was one of the original vehicles to find it and make it through initially. He absolutely loves rockcrawling and is always smiling ear to ear while driving his CJ that has been highly modified to handle the severe terrain in New Mexico. With a tuned port Corvette 350 coupled to a customized NV4500, a Dana 300, and 5.38-geared four-linked Dana 60s with beadlocked 44s, why wouldn’t you be smiling?
Curtis Hill grew up in the Caballo Lake area not 10 minutes from the Warpath Trail and was
Chris Jaskolskis buggy was built to mimic his daughter’s Barbie Power Wheels Jeep. This is no plastic-wheeled sidewalk pounder, although it sees the same kind of abuse on a bigger scale. He isn’t timid about trying any new obstacles with the tried and true 4.0L I-6 and an Atlas 5:1 powering a 14-bolt and a Dana 60 with CrMo shafts.
Chris Jaskolskis buggy was built to mimic his daughter’s Barbie Power Wheels Jeep. This is