Pre-History
Before there was a 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Petersen Publishing put out two editions of a similarly themed one-shot called The Complete Book of Four-Wheel Drive in 1974 and 1976. Its road tests, vehicle buildups, and hands-on tech laid the foundation for the magazine to come. In fact, several of the road tests that appeared in the first 4-Wheel & Off-Road were lifted, then underwent some rewriting, directly from the second edition of this magazine.
Timeline 1977-'85
1977
Petersen produces four "bi-monthly" issues of 4WOR; calls 1978 "The Year of the 4x4"; first look at all-new Ford Bronco in Issue No. 3; Mike Anson listed as Senior Editor in No. 3.
March 1978
First monthly issue; Editor Anson's column about land use, fuel economy regulations, "separating cars and trucks in the overall mpg figure." Annual subscription price is $9.
April 1978
Price as tested of new Bronco, $9,782, includes C6 trans, A/C, AM/FM, cruise, big fuel tank, 10R-15LT BFGs, Western alloy wheels; Toyota Land Cruiser tested in same issue lists for $6,548.
June 1978
First coverage of Tierra del Sol event.
July 1978
First appearance of Nuts & Bolts tech column.
December 1978
Chevy LUV built by Isuzu is first factory 4x4 mini-truck. Editors rate it "exceptional." | 
April 1979
First "4x4 of the Year" award, treated as April Fool's joke, is awarded to Baskin Robbins ice cream store; first factory Toyota 4x4 pickup tested, called "Land Cruiser tough." | 
May 1979
First appearance of Bigfoot monster truck, standing "8 feet 6 inches tall." The F-250 is built with a blown 460, Rockwell military axles, Detroit Lockers, 22.5-14 steel wheels and 18-22.5 Firestone Super All-Traction tires (though they look like 44-inch Ground Hawgs to us). |
October 1979
Cover blurb re new-for-1980 trucks: "Part Time Is Back"; first coverage of Mickey Thompson indoor off-road race at Los Angeles Coliseum; test of $5,995 Canadian Suzuki mini 4x4, called "The fuel-efficient off-road vehicle of the 80s."
November 1979
Cover blurb: "Hydrogen: Future fuel?"
December 1979
Mike Anson moves to publisher; Craig Caldwell named as Editor
March 1980
Caldwell's story on the Baja 1000 is called "In Rosarito, No One Can Hear You Scream": "I had gone 22.1 miles before getting sick, short of my goal by a mere 608.6 miles. But at least I had something new to think about-why car-sick racers should wear full-face helmets."
June 1980
"Jeep Thrills" is one of several long-lasting cover themes launched during Caldwell's tenure.
February 1981
BFGoodrich Radial Mud-Terrain T/A first tested: It "bites like a pit-bull in minimal traction situations."
March 1981
First Jeep Scrambler tested: "The Jeep version of a mini pickup."