October 1981
First Chevy S-10: "The S-10 is an in-between size, smaller than the fullsize and larger than the mini-truck." First Ford Ranger follows two issues later.
March 1982
Magazine runs two "Sneak Peek" sketches of '83 Jeep XJ; one looks just like the Cherokee, the other not so much.
November 1982
Coverage of 30th Jeepers Jamboree; first coverage of Camel Trophy; Caldwell announces upcoming first-ever Indianapolis 4WOR Jamboree.
December 1982
Bigfoot II graces cover, now with 66-inch Goodyear Super Terra tires. | 
January 1983
First Indy Jamboree a huge success; more than 700 participants and 20,000 spectators. | 
March 1983
First true 4x4 of the Year test; field includes Chevy S-10 Blazer, Ford Ranger, Dodge Power Ram 50 turbodiesel, Jeep Scrambler, GMC S-15 club coupe. Blazer wins. "Rarely has such a perfect combination of on-road comfort, off-road ruggedness, and practical utility come together in one vehicle." |
April 1983
"Datsun is dead; long live Nissan" said the test of 83 1/2 pickup. Editors also took the annual 4xFreaks story to new levels with an entire "4-Wheel & Off the Wall" mini mag within the mag.
June 1983
Caldwell's last issue as editor; in his column he also notes the passing of off-road product pioneer Dick Cepek. Michael Coates assumes editorship in July.
August, September 1983
Magazine bids farewell to the CJ-5 (August): "Look at what the CJ-5 has become in 1983 (at age 28): a confusing mix of macho off-roader and Blazer-style creature comforts. At least they haven't tried to drop rectangular headlights in a CJ-yet." A month later it welcomes the downscaled Cherokee (September), calling the XJ "a tough act to follow in the highly competitive compact utility class."
March 1984
Jeep Cherokee wins the second 4x4 of the Year competition against the Ford Bronco II, Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan King Cab, and Toyota Xtracab. "Jeep not only wrote the book on 4WD but rewrote it as well."
April 1984
Isuzu "Enters the Sport/Utility Race" with the Trooper II.
June 1984
First look at new Toyota 4Runner.
October 1984
Staff names the "Best 4x4s of all Time": '73-'75 Ford F-250, '84 Jeep Cherokee, '82 Jeep CJ-7 Limited, '81-'84 Dodge Ramcharger, '80-'84 Ford F-150/Bronco, '69-'72 Blazer/Jimmy, '77 Bronco, '45-'49 Jeep CJ-2A, '83-'84 GM S-Blazer/Jimmy, '79-'83 Toyota pickup.
March 1985
Isuzu Trooper II wins 4x4 of the Year, beating a 4.3-powered Chevy K10 stepside, 351-powered Ford Bronco, turbodiesel Jeep Cherokee, and Toyota 4Runner 22R. "The dark horse had taken the title by a nose."
July 1985
Michael Coates' last issue as editor. A couple months will pass with Anson filling in as editor before John Stewart takes the helm in the October issue.