Reader: I think you did a fine job testing the contestants for 4x4 of the Year. The Toyota Land Cruiser, in my opinion, is the clear winner, but I wonder how most of the other vehicles would have fared with about $30,000 worth of upgrades?
C. Payton
Ft. Worth, TX
Editor: How about another ride instead of upgrades? Well, that would be about 15 cool 4x4s for around $2,000 each, or better yet, 30 for $1,000 each, or 52 for $577 each-one for each week of the year!
Reader: I just read the 2008 4x4 of the Year and I have a question: Is pushing your base consumer away a new marketing process? I am worried about the direction this mag is going! A four-wheel-drive station wagon winning, plastic everywhere, overhangs that a field mouse could jump up and touch, tires that are better fit on an ATV? I can remember when a 4x4 with a locker, V-8, and 35-inch tires would be a true off-roader's dream. As a person who owns an off-road shop, and a SEMA sponsor, I see you're not worried about the people who sell off-road parts like lifts. What's the cost of putting an 8-inch lift kit on the Toyota Land Cruiser? Rick Pw, please decide what's important, selling Toyota or giving a fair opinion on the 4x4s. As for knowing what your base is, I can tell just by looking at the ads in your magazine.
Ken Martin
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: Sorry guys, we picked the Land Cruiser purely on ability, not whether it could be modified with a lift kit cheaply or if people would buy it. The test picks the best, not what you think should win based on componentry. Oh, and in our January issue we had one Ford, one Nissan, and one Toyota ad. Then in February we had two Chevy, two Jeep, 1.1 Toyota, and one Nissan. In March there was one Jeep, one Nissan, and one Toyota ad. Does all that sound like we're selling out to Toyota? I don't see it! But I did love your field mouse comment!
Concerning your recent Land Cruiser issue stating that there is a solid front axle version sold in the Middle East, could you please supply more information concerning this statement? I saw information to the contrary at a UAE Toyota Web site.
Randall
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: Good reason, because we were wrong. We received incorrect information, and apologize. Unfortunately the solid-axle Land Cruiser has gone the way of the dodo bird.
Reader: I have ordered the Ultimate Adventure videos/DVDs for my son every year for Christmas for at least the last five years. I want to order it again, but haven't seen the ad in his latest issues of your magazine. Can you tell me where I can order it? By the way, my son loves your magazine and reads each issue cover to cover, many times over! He's now 18 and starting to build his own truck.
Barb Macrafic
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: No worries. Here's the info. Simply log onto our Web site at ww.4wheeloffroad.com and the links will take you to where you can buy it. hanks for watching!