Reader: I was just wondering what happened to all the past UA vehicles such as the Super Duty, Avalanche (aka the red pile), and the Tacoma. Does Rick still have the Jeep from the first UA? I have been a subscriber for a very long time and have never really heard of where these vehicles ended up. The magazine is awesome. Keep up the good work!
Jay
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: As a matter of fact, I do still have the A1 Jeep, and even drive it every chance I can. The other piles also share towing and trail duty, even though some are more thrashed out than others. We plan to do a project rig roundup and other cool stories for our 30th anniversary, so keep checking every month for new stuff coming your way.
Reader: The Sterling plant, which builds the 8.8-inch, 9.75-inch, and 10.5-inch axles, which was part of Ford then spun off to Visteon, is now a Ford plant again. The change occurred January 1, 2006. Keep up the great work.
Brian Line
Ford Motor Company
Transmission & Driveline
Engineering CAD
Editor: Thanks for the update. We appreciate industry insiders keeping in touch and keeping us up to date!
Reader: What happened to project Big Red Sled? So much for getting some info on building up an IFS truck. Too much work for you guys, or what? I guess project solid-axle-swap is next. More of the same old Dana 60/14-bolt garbage I read everywhere else. What about the average guy who can't afford all that? Not everyone works for an off-road magazine and scores this and that for the simple fact that the manufacturer wants its products promoted. C'mon, guys. Let's see something a little different for a change.
Clutch Newman
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: Tech Editor Fred Williams replies in his defense: The whole idea of Project Red Sled was to test IFS; unfortunately I started with a truck that needed a new engine. I put one in and then the transmission went out, I had it rebuilt and was working on some body armor (sliders, bumpers, and so on) so I could go drag it through some rough trails to test the IFS when the tranny went out again. So now I need to pull it out again, go through it again, figure out why it stopped working, and hopefully fix that problem. Yes, there is a 60 front that could go in it, but I would rather keep the IFS and have every intention of doing so until it either doesn't break or makes me broke trying to fix it. Truthfully I think building IFS to be as strong or stronger than a solid axle will also be more expensive than a solid-axle swap, but I have every intention of trying.
Thanks for reading and I will get it back in the book just as soon as I can.
Reader: I read your Dec. '06 issue and the one thing that gets me every time I open it is this letter of the month from the "American" truck owner. First, I am an American Soldier in the U.S. Army. I am as American as you can get and believe firmly in buying American (world's largest Ford and Jeep fan) and supporting this country in any way that I can. However, your last sentence in your response sums it up completely. Every car company in the world is sharing parts and services these days. If it's built in America, by American workers, it's as American as any other vehicle. By the way, his "American" truck is running Mazda gear from front to rear. I'm American all the way, but I also know that Toyota (Built in America) makes one tough truck. Let's stop trying to force our opinions on everyone else and try having fun in the dirt.
Sgt. Patrick Knowlton
via 4wheeloffroad.com