Drivers: Tom Boyd and Lazy the Dog, San Diego, CAEngine: Cobra 302ci, balanced and blueprinted, Nology spark plug wiresTransmission: TH 400Transfer Case: Atlas II, Klune-V Goliath underdriveSuspension: JD Fabrication custom four-link design, King coilover shocksFront Axle: Reverse-rotation Dana 44, 4.11 gears, Warn axles and hubs, CTM U-jointsRear Axle: Ford 9-inch with Strange centersection, Moser axles, 4.11 gears, Detroit LockerTires: 37x12.50-17 BFGoodrich KrawlersWheels: 17x9 OMFsSpecial Features: Warn 9000 winch, loose nut behind the wheel, subtle paint job by George Jr. of G&R Enterprises, waterproof ammo box, Homer on front of hood, chassis and suspension by JD Fabrication
'92 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Ex-staffer Trent McGee showed up again this year, but with Black Diamond's Wrangler instead of his beat-down Blazer. The Wrangler was adorned with Black Diamond's prototype X2 suspension system that helped Trent navigate an almost flawless Ultimate Adventure. Trent had gotten away with not having to winch all week until the very last day, when his luck ran out. His carnage list was kept to a minimum, though, as only a worn-out U-joint and a small steering-column fire plagued him. As our host and trail leader on the final day of the trip, Trent treated us to wheeling at the Hot Springs ORV Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We'd like to say thank you, one more time, for showing us around his neck of the woods, and for helping to pick up the stragglers in the back.
Driver: Trent McGee, West Monroe, LAEngine: 4.0L I-6Transmission: Stock manual five-speedTransfer Case: Atlas II with 3:8 low rangeSuspension: Black Diamond prototype X2 suspension system with coilovers in front and spring-over conversion in the rearFront Axle: Dana 30, 4.56 gears, Detroit Locker, Warn hub conversionRear Axle: Dana 35, 4.56 gears, Detroit Locker, Warn full-floater kitTires: 37x12.50-17 BFGoodrich KrawlersWheels: 17x8 Trailready bead locksSpecial Features: Hand throttle, Line Locks, Currie bumpers, Currie Rocker Protectors, Ramsey 9000 winch
'03 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon
What would Ultimate Adventure be without its inventor? Cole Quinnell, former 4-Wheel & Off-Road editor and creator of the Ultimate Adventure, made it out with Jeep engineer Dave Yegge from the DaimlerChrysler headquarters. Cole left us to move in with DaimlerChrysler, and now that he's gone we can tell everyone how he used to beat us with canes when he was angry. (Just kidding, Cole). Cole and Dave brought an almost stock Rubicon Wrangler with them to tour on the Ultimate Adventure. The only aftermarket performance modifications made were a lift and larger tires. And from the results of the trip, it looks like Jeep has done its homework. The only damage Dave's and Cole's factory Rubicon suffered was a small scratch on the windshield frame, but then again, back in Detroit, that might be enough to make it a "crusher car."
Drivers: Cole Quinnell and Dave Yegge, Detroit, MIEngine: 4.0L I-6Transmission: NV3550 five-speed transmissionTransfer Case: Rock-Trac 4:1 low-range Suspension: Superlift 531/44-inch liftFront Axle: Dana 44, 4.10 gears, Tru-Lock selectable lockerRear Axle: Dana 44, 4.10 gears, Tru-Lock selectable lockerTires: LT315/75R16 Goodyear MT/RsWheels: 16x8 Jeep Moab aluminum wheelsSpecial Features: Warn 9.5ti winch and Warn off-road kit, Tuffy oversized security drawer, onboard GPS unit and monitor