Question: I hear that Editor rick pw always wears sandals no matter what the weather is like. How does he keep his feet warm on cold days?
laura
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Our editor-in-chief grew up in Alaska, so to him it's always summer everywhere else, no matter what time of year it is. Since his Jeep has a big-block V-8 under the hood, if by chance it should get below negative 5 degrees, he can simply hang his little piggies out the side of his Jeep, under the body near the exhaust, and give them a reheat.
Question: I have an old Dodge truck and my seats are completely ratty. luckily my uncle has an upholstery shop and is willing to recover them in any material i want. Do you think i should use vinyl, leather, or fabric? Which will hold up better to the wet muddy wheeling we have up here in the Northwest?
Randy
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I used to live in the Northwest for a short time and i understand your issue, though i think you are overlooking the perfect mate-rial, alligator skin! Alligators live in the water and mud so their skin should hold up great and they are tough since they like to fight and wrestle with each other and whatever they are killing so you know their hides are durable. Alligators have been around for hundreds of thousands of years so you know the new seat covers will last. And even though gators live in very hot and humid places, they seem to be comfortable so your seat won't stick to your back and get all clammy on those warm summer nights. yes, i do believe gator skin seat covers are the way to go.
Question: If you were going to build a truck, what buggy would you start with?
Larry
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I would start with an antique buggy such as those used during the chariot races of the roman Empire. if you could find one in pristine condition, say in your grandma's attic or buried in the hills of italy, you could most likely sell it on eBay or to some museum and have enough money to buy whatever truck you wanted.
Question: If you were going to build a rock buggy, what would be the perfect donor rig to use?
Jerry
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I would start with any 1-ton truck with a front and rear solid-axle fuelinjected V-8 and manual or automatic transmission. i would then upgrade to an aftermarket transfer case so you can get more low-range gearing or add some sort of doubler or reduction box in front of the stock transfer case. Since Chevy parts are so common, i'd probably look at an '87 K30. i admit that you can make a great buggy out of a lightweight '85 fuel-injected Toyota solid-axle mini-truck, but if you want big power, strong axles, and a tough transmission, then a 1-ton is where it's at.