Reader: Guys, come on. This project went right out the window the moment you brought the Dodge into the picture. Leaf-spring rear? The JK doesn't come with leaf springs. This buildup should be called "the ultimate Dodge buildup." You are chopping up the JK's body to fit on a different chassis. You have lost the basic design of the JK's suspension, on road and off. You performed the buildup at a shop famous for building rock buggies. Why don't you just have them build you the ultimate JK rock buggy instead? You want a diesel, check with Chrysler's old German buddies. They have a few that might actually fit in the vehicle that used to be a very capable trail rig before you guys "modified" it to accept a completely different everything.
I love your magazine. The articles and tech features are awesome, but your statement about the readers wanting to know "if it could be done" seems like justification for you to do something about as intelligent as stuffing a Hemi into an all-wheel-drive Caravan. Keep it real.
Pete
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: A Hemi in a Caravan? How cool! You know, we'll look for a company that specializes in Caravan upgrades so maybe that will be our next project. Sorry, but you're way wrong. Remember that we used a 2WD Wrangler, not a "capable trail rig" as you asserted. Remember that we took it to Twisted Customs for a cage and paint work, and AEV did the majority of the conversion work. As far as a diesel engine is concerned, we did check with Chrysler. In fact they did some computer modeling with us so we could see if the Cummins 5.9L would fit (which it does quite well, thank you very much). And what is wrong with a leaf-spring rear suspension? Just because a JK has coils doesn't mean those are the best. Why else would the aftermarket come up with alternatives? Bottom line; it can be done and we did it. Period. Check out the final installment in this issue. We think you'll like it.
Reader: When I e-mailed my "and Cons" letter (In Box, Apr. '07), you either took so many things out of context, or eliminated quotation marks so as not to make yourself look like the kind of jerk that you really are. Now, Mr. Adam Hershman sends his opinion and you could do nothing more than make smart-aleck remarks in parentheses.
I have reached the conclusion that you are nothing more than an egocentric idiot and I ask that you terminate my subscription immediately.
By the way, why not rename your publication J & H (Jeep and Hummer) as it seems you believe those are the only two trailworthy vehicles out of the box.
Bob Perilstein
Colorado
Editor: Thanks for replying. I'm sorry that you feel I insulted you with my reply. However, I edited it for clarity and brevity. Removing quotation marks was done as a matter of proper usage, and I don't believe I took anything out of context, and thought that overall you made a valid point which is why I used your letter. I did not agree with some of your statements, which is what I replied to. That is my job as editor, and as noted at the beginning of In Box, we have the right to edit your letter. As for Mr. Hershman's letter, I replied in parentheses because I felt few people could follow his long diatribe to the end and then read my reply without getting confused. That is a different type of editorial style that worked well for clarity and the differences of opinions presented. As for my answers being smart-alecky, if you read the story again carefully, you will see that every single thing I replied to was true.
Take the time to do a true scientific count of features, testdrives, and event coverage in the magazine over the last 10 years, and you'll see that we don't believe that the Hummer and Jeep are the only two trailworthy vehicles right out of the box. For instance, the Jeep Rubicon didn't win the 4x4 of the Year in 2005; a Volkswagen won in 2004, and the Lexus (made by Toyota) won over the Jeep Rubicon and the Hummer in 2003!
I'm not upset that you reached the conclusion that I'm an egocentric idiot, as your other conclusions fail to make any sense either. However, I will pass your request on to cancel your subscription.