Reader:I wanted to let you guys know that I really appreciate all the effort and hard work you guys put into the Massive Mud Tire Test (May '07). In October 2006 I put a set of Dick Cepek Mud Country 35x12.50R15 (the exact set you tested) on my '79 Ford Bronco. They worked outstanding for me because my truck is a daily driver and weekend wheeler, but I didn't know if I made the right choice because the tires were so new. I bought the first set of the Mud Countrys that my local 4x4 shop ever sold and used your magazine to show them what tires I wanted when I went there. Ever since I got them I have been looking for what you guys thought about them. Well now after reading the Massive Mud Tire Test I know I made the right choice. Thanks again for all the hard work that you all went through to make that test happen.
Jeff Van Fossen (17 years old)
Frenchtown, NJ
Editor:Thanks for reading. That's what makes our job worth all the other stuff, and we appreciate it.
Reader:I was wondering if you guys would do an article following up on some of the rigs you guys have built over the years, like the Ultimate A-1, the 14-day Flattie, and the Ultimate Avalanche. I would be very interested to see the things that have held over the years, things that you changed, and things that you were glad you left alone. I really enjoy the magazine and hate it when people leave to do other things, but you guys have kept the magazine going with everyone there today. I am going to resubscribe to the magazine again now that I am home from overseas. Thanks for the support of all of us over there.
Ben Joiner
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor:As a matter of fact, we'll be doing a follow-up on many of our past rides, whether we still have them or not. Look for more of our 30th Anniversary celebration series in future issues for more detail.
Reader:Wow! I love how your editors add their own wording into something I wrote. The addition was..."Here's a picture of my American Truck." That really angers me and makes me want to say "F*** your magazine" I will no longer need your magazine after 5 years of subscription.
Sincerely, Mr. Zwegat
P.S. Sorry for the late response, I was out on business overseas.
Editor:So, Mr. Zwegat, do you know what the term Editor means? Or what it means to edit? Or the fact that at the beginning of the In Box we specifically state "We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, or other purposes" ? Yes, we added the last line "Here's a picture of my American truck" because you enclosed the picture of your American truck; did you not? It seemed silly to just have a photo of a random vehicle floating around the page without any information about it, and seeing that you enclosed it with your letter we figured you wanted it published. Our mistake and we're sorry. You also might want to notice that we corrected your spelling and grammar mistakes as well. So, to appease you, here's your Dec. '06 In Box diatribe printed again, but without the editing.
I have been noticing the recent FJ Cruiser articles, advertisements, write ups and build ups. I can't believe that Petersens was that desperate to give into Toyota's deep financial pockets. The advertising was pushed way overboard and is starting to get a little irritating now. I am tired of seeing the same heavy gauge paper with black and white photos of a Toyota FJ that is trying to wedge their way into the American market. I hope that I am among other true 4x4 enthusiasts that blind site a poor advertising campaign to go out and buy a Toyota. Please try to stick to the magazines heritage of offering technical information, events, parts, advise, and pictures and not become a mainstream magazine that is solely sponsored by a Japanese company. I would enjoy to hear a truthful response from you.
Thank You, Peter Zwegat
4-Wheel & Off-Road welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include an address or a telephone number so the sender can be verified. Once verified, your name may be withheld at your request. Letters published in this magazine reflect the opinions of the writers, and we reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, or other purposes. Due to the large volume of mail we receive, we regret that we cannot reply to unpublished letters or return photos. Digital photos must measure no less than 1600 x 1200 pixels (or two megapixels) and be saved as a TIFF, an EPS, or a maximum-quality JPEG file. Write to: Editor, 4-Wheel & Off-Road, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515, fax 323.782.2704, E-mail to: 4wheeloffroad@primedia.com