Llash Van Raden of Roselle, Illinois, bombs through wakes and pages at the same time. The waterproof August issue survived the waterspray and now resides in Van Raden's collection. There are many uses for the pages of 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine. Here are a few: Use it as a coaster, for bait and tackle, to swat gnats, or to create origami swans.
Junkyard Wars
Thanksgiving dinner won't be the same ol', same ol' this year. Junkyard Wars will be airing its season finale during Thanksgiving week on The Learning Channel (TLC). The "Mega Wars" battle pitted U.S., U.K., and Russian teams against one another to compete for the title of Junkyard Warlord, a trophy made of junk, and bragging rights. Their challenge? To build a killer off-road rig that could race on a dry lakebed, tackle a gnarly hillclimb, and amphib its way across a lake. Jason Bunch of Tri-County Gear, Barry McGarraugh, Joe Ruggles, and Matt Swain made up team USA. The grown men played in their toybox junkyard for 20 hours of build time, and then went to the desert for a little bit of race time. Bragging rights begin as soon as the show airs Thanksgiving week. Check your local listings for TLC's Junkyard Wars "Mega War" season finale.
Campfire Talk
Are you into the F-150? Automotive News reported that Ford might expand its Norfolk, Virginia, plant. The $375 million, 350,000-square-foot expansion will allow Ford to increase production of standard and specialty F-150 models.
Have you seen the Jeep Liberty? What do you think about it? E-mail frazierw@emapusa .com. We'll publish the results of our survey in an upcoming Drivelines.
Subaru has recalled '95-'99 Legacy sedans due to faulty front springs. Subaru says that the paint used on the Legacy springs may corrode with road salt contact, thus causing the spring to break. The recall involves vehicles in states where road salt is used. If you live in such a state and own a Legacy, check with Subaru of America at 800/SUBARU3 or contact your local dealer.
Plans, plans, and more plans. Automotive News reported a collaboration between DaimlerChrysler and Caterpillar in a diesel engine project where Cat will build diesel engines for DC's Freightliner commercial trucks. Plans have yet to be decided on for the medium duty versions.
Former Chrysler Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has a new job at GM as vice chairman of product development. The deal, Reuters detailed, will give Lutz an opportunity to breathe new life into the auto manufacturer. Lutz, known for developing Chrysler's line of products, has agreed to a three-year commitment. "I'm taking this job because it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity-the opportunity to help in the ongoing rebuilding of not just an American icon, but a global icon," Lutz said.
Recalls in just-auto.com news. Roughly 216,000 '97-'01 Dodge Dakota, Ram, and Durango models have a potential problem with the driver-side airbag. Contact your local Dodge dealer if you own one of these vehicles.
4xFun
Sierra Treasure Hunters four-wheel-drive club hosted Disabled Sports USA for a four-by-fun day in the High Sierras. With a grant from the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, a new statewide partnership has been formed between the California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs Safety and Education Foundation and Disabled Sports USA. This partnership created an opportunity to expose a wide variety of individuals to the sport, while offering new and unique experiences to learn safe and responsible operation of off-highway vehicles. For more information on Disabled Sports USA four-wheel-drive trips you can contact them at 530/581-4161. And for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts who would like to volunteer at these events please call 530/221-1949.