The Ultimate Adventure 2011 Invited Readers

These Six Readers Have Recieved the Golden Ticket

Through countless hours, many sleepless nights, and gallons of office coffee we have finally finished the task of narrowing down the 2011 Ultimate Adventure applicants from the huge pile of envelops and photos that sprawled over our office, to the twelve finalists that you saw here on our website, and finally down to the six readers that have received the invitation to go on this year’s trip. So without further ado we would like to introduce to you, for the first time ever, the six readers and their rigs that will be joining the 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine staff, distinguished cronies, and honored sponsors on the 2011 Ultimate Adventure! Get ready, it’s going to be a wild ride!

131 1105 Ultimate Adventure 2011 Applicants 99 Nissan Frontier

Mike Marrero Deltona, FL
1999 Nissan Frontier
Engine: Nissan 3.3 liter V6
Induction: Stock fuel injection
Transmission: Stock 4 speed auto
Transfer case: Stock TX10
Front Axle: Dana 44 high pinion, ARB 5.13 gears
Rear Axle: Rockcrusher high pinion 60, ARB 5.13 gears
Front Suspension: Custom 3 link with coilovers
Rear Suspension: 63” hybrid leafpacks
Tires: BFG KM2’s 315/75R16
Winch: Warn 9.5Ti up front, M8000 out back
All Non-Stock Equipment: Custom suspension front and rear, custom utility bed, dual batteries, full high steer, mangled ARB front bumper, rock sliders, gas tank skid, on board air, winch rope on both winches, Working CB radio, a little armor plating to the cab. Air intake, cat-back exhaust, upgraded motor mounts, ceramic coated factory exhaust manifolds, I’m sure there is more, just have a mind block right now.
Years wheeling: 22 years playing, 6 on the grander scale of traveling

131 1105 Ultimate Adventure 2011 Applicants Walden Dunes

Blake Shepherd Longmont, CO
'78 Jeep J10 Honcho
Engine: Rebuilt AMC 360
Transmission: NV4500 5 speed
Transfer case: Atlas 4 speed 10:1
Front Axle: Dana 60 with a Detroit and 5.38's
Rear Axle: 14 Bolt with a Detroit and 5.38's
Front Suspension: Stock leaf spring 2 inch lift SOA
Rear Suspension: 63" Chevy Leaf Springs
Tires: 42x15.50R17 Goodyear MTR's with Kevlar
Winch: Champion 8000
All Non-Stock Equipment: Exo skeleton transfer case, transmission, axles, drive shafts, suspension
Years wheeling: 20 years

131 1105 Ultimate Adventure 2011 Applicants 2010 Rubicon JPG

Corey Osborne Montrose, CO
2002 Jeep TJ
Engine: 4.0L
Induction: EFI
Transmission: NV3550 5 speed
Transfer case: NV231 4:1 Tera Lo
Front Axle: D30 ARB 4.56
Rear Axle: D44 ARB 4.56
Front Suspension: Custom 3-link w/ coil-over
Rear Suspension: Custom 4-link w/coil-over
Tires: 37" BFG KM2
Winch: Warn
All Non-Stock Equipment: Stretched to 101", PSC Hydro Assist, Warn 5x5.5 conversion, alloy axles, Rockhard cage, King coil-overs
Years wheeling: 15 years

131 1105 Ultimate Adventure 2011 Applicants 85 Toyota FJ60

Chuck Wigham Divide, CO
1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60
Engine: Chevy 383 Stroker
Induction: TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Transfer case: NP203 matted to stock FJ60 split case
Front Axle: FJ60 9.25" Long Field 30 spline 4.88
Rear Axle: GM 14 bolt shaved 10.5" 4.88
Front Suspension: Stock FJ60 leaf springs on SOA with shackle reversal
Rear Suspension: Stock FJ60 leaf springs on SOA with add-a-leaf
Tires: 37" TSl SSR
Winch: Mile Marker 9500
All Non-Stock Equipment: Bumpers, crossover steering, york compressor, skid plate, sliders
Years wheeling: 33 years

131 1105 Ultimate Adventure 2011 Applicants 75 Ford F250

Philip Dunievitz Reno, NV
1975 Ford F-250
Engine: Ford 460
Induction: Carburetor
Transmission: NV4500
Transfer case: Atlas 4-speed
Front Axle: 35 spline D60 ARB airlocker 5.18
Rear Axle: 35 spline D60 ARB airlocker 5.18
Front Suspension: Parallel 4-bar with King coil-overs
Rear Suspension: 62" Chevy 1/2 ton leaf springs SOA
Tires: 40" Goodyear MTR's
Winch: Warn 9.5
All Non-Stock Equipment: HOWE ram assist steering, DOM roll cage, mastercraft seats, hydroboost brakes, highlift jack
Years wheeling: 30 years

131 1105 Ultimate Adventure 2011 Applicants 89 Jeep XJ

Paden Sarcino Sussex, NJ
1989 Jeep Cherokee
Engine: Stroked 4.0
Induction: EFI
Transmission: AW4
Transfer case: 231
Front Axle: D44 OX 5.13
Rear Axle: Ford 9" spool 5.14
Front Suspension: 4-link w/ coils
Rear Suspension: 4-link w/ coils
Tires: 37" IROK/ 37" Super Swampers
Winch: Warn M8000
All Non-Stock Equipment: On-board air, roll cage, hydraulic assist
Years wheeling: 7 years

By Jason Gonderman

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HonchoBlake
6/20/2011 at 7:34 PM Finished painting the J10 factory white color. Also removed the old exo cage in favor of a better one. All .125 wall DOM. Changing fluids and a few other loose ends and I'm ready to roll!

001HULK
6/18/2011 at 3:08 AM Just got all four wheels back on the ground. Did a quick shave on the 14 blt and morphed together a set of older and newer leaf packs to get the bent ones out and serviced all the wheel bearings while i was at it. Even found a broken 35 spline hub when i was in the front!!Ouch!! More unexpected fixes. Less than two weeks to go. Just about done doing all the little things that get pushed off time and time again. Go time is almost here!

oddrod4x4
6/10/2011 at 4:07 PM Update... Got a new gearset in the rear of the amigo. rear end is painted link bars are painted. rear end back in place. psc steering box and hydro assist showed up yesterday, radiator is in. cb should be on the brown truck today. still lots to do though.

wahlstrom1
6/10/2011 at 2:36 PM 3 weeks to go guys... your gonna have a blast. Anyone following Keith, pack a jerry can!

Mark4130
6/4/2011 at 6:18 AM If you could figure out how to make it voice activated it Tommy could keep it going the whole trip.

001HULK
6/3/2011 at 8:48 PM Ya just hoom it up to some peddals and have Tommy start kickin!! Lord knows he has enough energy to peddal across the mississippi!!

oddrod4x4
6/2/2011 at 8:42 PM Does anyone know how to make one of those propeller trailer hitches actually work?? I think i may need it for the trip!

001HULK
6/2/2011 at 3:54 PM I didnt see a disclaimer in the original email but im sure it still stands. Just in case someone does not know, any and all trip details are to remain confidential until the publication of the magazine. We wouldnt want to spoil any readers appetites now would we!!

001HULK
6/2/2011 at 3:50 PM Ya no doubt about that. Bring your scuba gear!!!

InstaGator
6/1/2011 at 10:24 PM Just got the email. This is going to be a sweet trip!!!
Lator.....

oddrod4x4
6/1/2011 at 2:56 PM I think he is gonna keep you on the edge of your seats until the last minute. Keeps things more interesting that way. I want to see the ultimate f150 in action!!!!!

jaymcjay
6/1/2011 at 1:30 AM Looks like a good group going this year! Im certainly a little bummed the buggy and I didnt make the cut but im glad all of you did. Happy wheeling!

HonchoBlake
5/31/2011 at 6:40 PM Rick Pewe said he was sending out an email regarding the UA, but I have not received it. Has anyone heard any updates?

oddrod4x4
5/31/2011 at 5:41 PM Got the timing belt and water pump done on The Mego over the weekend. Gonna try to get a radiator to fit it today so I can get moving forward on the core support while i wait on my hydro assist parts. Yee haw!

001HULK
5/31/2011 at 5:25 PM Thats the difference between professionals and enthusiest. Professiknals have a whole other back up vehichle in the trailer or pits. We on the otherhand carry around duck tape and bubble gum along with ability to adapt and overcome. The first one is easier but the latter of the two is much funner and allows more time to enjoy cold beer!!

ColoradoCruiser
5/31/2011 at 2:53 PM I have been getting lots of advice on what might break and what I should carry for spare parts. If I packed all the parts that have been suggested the springs would break from the weight.

My wife thinks I should leave it in the garage so it doesn't get any damage in the next month. I told her that Olympians don't stop training a month before the Olympics because they are worried about injury. She thinks that's not the same but I think it is.

HonchoBlake
5/30/2011 at 10:33 PM The Honcho just returned from a 500+ mile trip to the sand dunes. It towed my camper great and pulled the hills at the dunes really well. No mechanical issues whatsoever

001HULK
5/27/2011 at 4:21 AM Dang, that thing is gonna be bad with a 6.0l in it. Plenty of power then, and ya there goes your gas mileage!!! And actually Gator those are battery boxes on each side behind the cab. Marine style boxes from wammart just slighty modified and some mounts to hold them up. Pretty soon we can post some pics back and forth. We get a chance to correspond more once things get off the ground and running a little.

wahlstrom1
5/27/2011 at 3:39 AM I'm just plugging away on my rebuild, got the new driveline in. Just gotta start building crossmembers and the front suspension, and then get the wiring/plumbing done to get it running again, 6.0L Chev power this time around! There goes my 20mpg at sealevel from last year......

InstaGator
5/27/2011 at 2:40 AM Hulk, I was wondering if you could post or send me some detailed pictures of your bed? We are building a new one for this trip and I just wanted to see some of the little things that i have been able to catch or not catch from the vid. Like the ammo box under the bed just behind the cab. Thanks.
Lator....

001HULK
5/26/2011 at 7:45 PM Ouchh!! I hate waiting on parts. Is that the 60 you were gonna put in the Amigo? Whats up Wahlstrom!! Sage advice my friend. Save the good parts for 60 mph and above. Ya, sleep deprivation should definately be a training requirement for the UA. 4hrs a night seems to be normal. That doesnt seem to bad but after seven days it starts taking its toll

ColoradoCruiser
5/26/2011 at 6:39 PM I was up until a little after midnight last night. I worked on the roll cage until about 8pm when a guy showed up at the shop I was at needing to load non running deuce and a half. Spent two and half hours helping load it and then drove 60 miles home. Kind of like UA training I guess.

wahlstrom1
5/26/2011 at 4:51 PM You guys are gonna have a blast, I can hear the sheet metal wrinkling already! I'd pack all the uncommon parts for your rig besides all the usual (shafts/joints etc), I toasted a rear driveshaft last year, but had a spare so I straightened the bent one for the last trail day then threw the good one back on for the road. Spare belts, fluid etc... If you like to sleep a lot, practice staying up til 1-2am and getting up at 6, at a minimum.... if you have a heavy throttle foot, plan on pulling all nighters, haha.

oddrod4x4
5/26/2011 at 4:39 PM I got my pinion yolk and some front driveshaft parts ordered yesterday. Gotta go pick up some drive flanges and hope that my front bumpstops show up soon. Then all i have to do is.... everything else. geeze.

InstaGator
5/26/2011 at 2:23 AM It's funny you say that. I am pretty sure he said that in one of the DVD's. The only problem I have is trying to explain it to my non-wheeling co-workers. They can't understand that why I am going through so much effort to do what they feel is a week long road trip. I scored an extra day off tomorow for more prepping. I can't wait for this trip.
Lator....

001HULK
5/25/2011 at 7:36 PM Thats the spirit. Our fearless leader once told me " if you knew where you were going it wouldnt be an adventure" As much as I hate to admit it he was exaclty right. No matter which angle you approach it from there is no argument to that statement. No worries buddy. Just make sure you bring a bundle of straws, 3rubber bands, 2 packs of wrigley's (spearmint flavor so it smells good as your driving down the road) and a roll of tin foil!!!!

oddrod4x4
5/25/2011 at 5:55 PM Tick Tock... is right. My amigo is on the lift with the front end in shambles. Im a little nervous about getting some prerunning time in. Oh well. Thats the adventure part.... right?

David Chappelle

001HULK
5/25/2011 at 3:50 PM Thats a great idea. Nice easy swap if anything should go wrong. I wish I could do the same with my D60. There is an aftermarket company that makes a "super 60" but its a little spendy for my "recreation vehichle" . The F-150 is lood great. The guys over at R.E.D. Are doing a bangup job. I cant wait to see what type of CV shafts they are gonna incorporate with the super stout set of arms that are being built. Oh yeah, tick tock..... Its gettin close. Real close.

ColoradoCruiser
5/23/2011 at 6:34 PM The EGOBOOST. Looking good.

I worked on putting together a spare third for my front FJ60 axle. I had the parts laying around from some spare stock thirds and trashed 4.88 thirds.

I also cut up a stock steering arm to add two additional studs to the four bolt steering arms.

001HULK
5/22/2011 at 11:30 PM Ya, did some test running this weekend and had a blast. Tried some new canyon a couple of buddies found and put the old heffer on her side. All went extremely well and was back on all four i under 3 minutes id say, thanks to my trusty Warn winch no doubt. Came out with two new scratches on the exocage and that was it. Im statting to feel about ready for the trip. Now im wishing we could post pics on this site!!

InstaGator
5/22/2011 at 9:23 PM I got a fair amount done this weekend, not as much as I would have liked, but progress was made. Waiting on parts stinks.

Did you guys see the UA F150?

http://www.youtube.com/user/4wheeloffroad?blend=6&ob=5
(copy and paste link)

Bed-bob, boat sides, sky roof and IFS. Should be a sweet rig.
Lator....

ColoradoCruiser
5/22/2011 at 12:47 PM Its Sunday morning. I'm still here!

HonchoBlake
5/22/2011 at 9:20 AM Did some more work on the honcho. Built another transmission crossmember with a 2" drop and finished up the rear tool box. The NV4500 doesn't rattle as much now that the drive line angles are less severe.

I received a 911 call today. They said a buddy of mine flopped his TJ and nobody could rescue him. The J10 Honcho was able to get down into the pit and winch him out with no problems. The new crossmember held up great

InstaGator
5/21/2011 at 2:52 PM If you can host them somewhere else, you can always put a link here. Even if we have to copy and paste to view them.

HonchoBlake
5/21/2011 at 4:18 AM Wish I could post pics on here.

Made a tool box out of black diamond plate that fits between the rear frame rails. Also sanded and painted the entire rear cage assembly.

Changing fluids this weekend, then towing the camper to the Walden sand dunes next week. Gonna spend a week bashing the J10 at the dunes.

Hoping not to break too much, before the UA starts!

InstaGator
5/18/2011 at 11:33 PM I heard the end of the world thing today on the radio and all I was worried about was UA2011, that is how stoked I am about this!
Lator....

ColoradoCruiser
5/18/2011 at 10:43 PM With that last comment I guess I know why you have a name like InstaGator....

InstaGator
5/18/2011 at 9:50 PM I heard reports that the end of the world is coming this weekend, that will not affect the trip, will it?
Lator.....

001HULK
5/18/2011 at 8:25 PM Right on. After the emails start flying ill have to get his info from you in case I run into any similar problems. Great idea making it an offset diff. Love to hear when new ideas work out.

ColoradoCruiser
5/18/2011 at 5:34 PM I worked Wayne Demanja at C-Fab.com
to make some custom parts for my 14 bolt. I modified it to be a passenger side drop to match up with the Toyota split transfer case. Wayne builds desert racers and has lots of experience with how to make parts that can take a beating without breaking. I took my 14 bolt pinion assembly to him and he machined a solid spacer that has the correct preload and assembled the pinion assembly. All I had to do was put it back in the axle. While he works on my junk I get to wander around his shop and look at the 5 or 6 custom desert racers he happens to be working on at the time.

001HULK
5/18/2011 at 2:18 PM Spares are a great idea. Im bringing spare shafts for all four corners. I replaced my shafts after breadking a stock inner shaft on last years UA. Since then I rebuilt them with some over the counter u-joints and assembled my old 35 spline outers and another set of stock inners as to save time on any trail repairs. If I do break one I'll ust have to take it easy on the skinny pedal since I'll be running inferior componetns. Havn't ever had issues with the 14 bolt shafts but have spares just in case. The UA is the last place you want to get caught with your pants down and definately the one trip you dont want to miss a day of while waiting for parts!!

HonchoBlake
5/18/2011 at 5:17 AM I'm gonna check my 14bolt too. I haven't touched it since installing 5.38's/detroit/disks two years ago. Same goes for my GM D60 up front. Need to check those king pins and bearings.

Is anyone bringing spare GM D60 knuckles or shafts? I don't have spares, but thinking about picking up another D60, just for parts.

Maybe my two year old 1410 U joints will hold up

001HULK
5/18/2011 at 4:20 AM Really tough too say how you want to plan it. Buy enough to last the week from the last grocery store before we leave op the first day or just go for every other day at a time. Every other day is a road day and we stop at gas stations where you can take what you can get. It will cost you a little more but then you wont have to worrh about so many perishables at a time. Definately bring lots of dry food items like trail mix, granola bars, corn nuts, beef jerky etc. The General likes to run a tight schedule so you dont always have time to cook or prepare a time consuming meal. Not to mention there is always the possibilty of misfortune take any excess time as well. I know I spent lots of "spare time" tightening this or that and looking over as much as I could.(more like the 3-5 mins you might be lucky to find) just think quick and easy for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is when youll have a little more time to enjoy your meal, or check on that newly aquired noise and vibration!

InstaGator
5/18/2011 at 12:59 AM I have a question for you Hulk: How many days worth of food & drink should I be prepared to carry at a time? Trying to figure out how big a cooler I should bring. Thanks.
Lator....

001HULK
5/17/2011 at 5:40 PM Just bring it down to Cali. We can fab one up this weekend over a couple of 18 packs and get aquainted seeing as how we will be spending a week on the trail. Then we can run out to my back yard and do some shakedown in Hammertown. Wait, I just remembered how much gas is going for nowadays. That would probably eat a good bit of your UA funds!!! Cant wait to see how it comes out.
Now im gonna go home and check my pinion on my 14 bolt as well. I have never heard of a solid spacer though. Where did ya pick that idea up and what do you think of the end result when you get to setting your bearing preload?

ColoradoCruiser
5/17/2011 at 3:26 PM I have been working through the drive line to make sure everything is ready. I found my pinion loose on the 14 bolt so I took that to Wayne Demonja to make a solid spacer instead of the crush sleeve.

I'm taking the cruiser to Redlinecircletrack.com today to put a killer roll cage in it.

001HULK
5/17/2011 at 2:23 AM Datsun...thats a classic. I swapped out and put a link system up front with some coilovers.

InstaGator
5/17/2011 at 1:30 AM I have the Datsun from Fl. what kind of suspension did you put under the heavy Chevy?
Lator....

001HULK
5/16/2011 at 8:20 PM What are you driving InstaGator?

InstaGator
5/16/2011 at 5:44 PM Yeah, I was putting in 4:1 gears in the transfer case when I got the call. That was the biggest change. The rest of the stuff is cosmetic, tuning or just fixing those little things that you tend to ignore until a trip is coming. I know it will be worth it though.
Lator.....

001HULK
5/16/2011 at 3:05 PM Ya, 6 weeks isnt very much time. Trust me, as time flys by you cant help but feel less and less ready when in all actuality you were ready when you sent in your application (at least i hope you were) try not too change too much if you can. Just maintinence everything on your rig fluids, oils, greasable parts etc etc. Listen to me go, here i am saying dont change too nuch and I just put a whole new type of suspension under my rig!!! No worries though. We will be wheeling with some of the best guys out there who can patch anything with bubble gum and a popcycle stick.

InstaGator
5/16/2011 at 12:29 PM I can't wait!! After years of watching the vids and reading the mags, I feel like I won the lottery. 6 weeks left to prepare and it seems like I have a ton of things to do.

I was wondering who the other picks were, looks like a great crew.

HonchoBlake
5/16/2011 at 5:37 AM Wow - I absolutely CAN'T WAIT to ***

I'll be driving the big Honcho on 42's and know all about how to fit that beast on the trails.

001HULK
5/14/2011 at 7:37 PM Great choices! Now i know there is gonna be some body damage with all these full size rigs coming along. Im the guy who drove the big green chevy last year and I was quite nervous when I found myself in the midst of a whole bunch of jeeps and a couple other less than fullsize rides!!! If i wasnt behind Mel's M37 (which wasnt very often) I was left trying to find my own lines. Dont get me wrong, making your own line or new trail is often one of the most exciting parts about this sport but its a whole other ball game when there is a handful of cameras and a whole lot of people watching your every tire rotation and the fact that someone did make it before you setting the bar already high that brings it up to another level of intensity. Oh ya, dont forget the fact that you could be several thousands of miles from your home and your little shop that made the whole thing happen. Congratulations to the above readers. This will be an experience of a lifetime. I cant wait to hit the trail with you guys!

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These Six Readers Have Recieved the Golden Ticket

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