'03 JP-bodied Jeep CJ-8 ScramblerDave Knight not only volunteered to bring the official vehicle for Detroit Locker rep Scott Frary, but also agreed to build it in the three weeks prior to the trip. Dave and Scott rode around in Dave's '03 Jeep CJ that is built mostly from aftermarket parts. The only original Jeep parts on it were the steering column and brake pedals. In addition to showing off what the Detroit Lockers could do, this rig also showcased Dave's and his brother's business, JP Off Road, a company that makes Jeep bodies out of wood (actually, they are made of aluminum, but we wanted to see if you were awake). One of the best things about this rig is that it was running a Jeep TJ-style coil-sprung suspension with a healthy Gen III Chevrolet engine. Sadly, the oil pan on said engine had a slight disagreement with a big rock from Alabama, and the rock won. However, a replacement was quickly found at the local Chevy dealership and the rig was boppin' down the trail again.
Driver: Dave Knight, Malibu, CAEngine: Vortec Chevy LS1Transmission: 700R4Transfer Case: Atlas II 4.3Suspension: Curry J-arm, triangulated rear, 4-inch lift, Rancho 9000 shocksFront Axle: Currie-built Dana 60, Teraflex, Detroit Locker, 4.56 gearsRear Axle: Ford F-450 HP Dana 60, Currie-built Detroit Locker, 4.56 gears, Wilwood discsTires: BFG KrawlersWheels: Extreme alloySpecial Features: Aluminum body, AFW/JP hybrid frame
'88 Suzuki SamuraiYou think you're hard-core? You're not. Now Tim Hardy-that's hard-core. His Suzuki Samurai had no top, no climate control, no radio, and no doors and looked like it'd gone through a garbage disposal, and this is before the adventure started. But Tim drove (not trailered) his little Zuk, by himself, almost straight through from judging at this year's Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge in California to meet us a day late on the other side of the country. Through the extreme heat, dryness, cold, rain, and snow, Tim persevered to come on what's been called the most fun Ultimate Adventure yet. We were witness to Tim getting pelted with raindrops the size of meatballs as he drove, never letting the smile leave his face. He and his Zuk continued to amaze everyone with their slow and steady approach to everything. Tim's driving style is all about finesse, and he crept his 10hp Samurai through the most difficult of sections. And though his EZ-Locker creaked and cracked and moaned like it was going to let go all week, it stayed together and the only real damage he suffered the entire trip was a popped bead, which was quickly remedied with a little bit of air.
Driver: Tim Hardy, Kelsey, CAEngine: Rebuilt 16-valve four-bangerTransmission: Stock manual five-speedTransfer Case: Stock with homemade 4:1 low-rangeSuspension: Stock rear springs used in front for a spring-over conversion and to move the axle farther forward, custom triangulated three-link rear with quarter-elliptic springsFront Axle: Stock housing with 26-spline side gears and axleshafts, 5.12 gears, Detroit EZ-Locker, Subaru Birfield jointsRear Axle: Sidekick housing retubed for offset transfer case, 5.12 gears, Dana 44 side gears machined to inside carrier, 31-spline axleshafts, Detroit EZ-LockerTires: 35x13.50x15 Maxxis MudzillasWheels: 15x8 American RacingSpecial Features: GCW under 2,000 pounds with driver inside, custom cut and welded CV shafts and driveshafts, body you'll never have to worry about (it's already trashed)