The Ultimate Adventure 2012 "Dirty Dozen-ish"

Who Will Go On The Ultimate Adventure?

Each year we put out a call-to-action for all off-roaders who deem themselves and their rigs fit for the task of a full week of 4 wheeling covering multiple states and thousands of grueling miles. We want them to apply to take part in a once in a lifetime adventure, the Ultimate Adventure. Ever since the beginning of Ultimate Adventure we have gotten hundreds of applications from hopeful readers eager to join the elite ranks of those who have gone before.

We present to you, our online fans, a view inside the decision making for who is to join us on our 2012 Ultimate Adventure. The deadline to enter has passed and we have narrowed down our selection to these 11 applicants. Who exactly is going on UA12? We can’t tell you. Not because we don’t want to but because we haven’t decided yet. We want your opinion! Tell us who you would like to see join our crew on Ultimate Adventure 2012 by commenting on these 11 finalists in the “Comments” section below! And stay tuned to www.4wor.com for more updates on Ultimate Adventure 2012!

Remember, you are not voting on who will attend Ultimate Adventure. This is not a contest and the final decision is up to the 4-Wheel & Off-Road staff. We are only looking for INPUT and OPINIONS on who you would like to see join us on this trip.

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant Bray Dierker Ford Ranger

Driver: Bray Dierker
Age: 24
State: Illinois
Entered Before: Nope
Vehicle: 1996 Ford Ranger
Engine: Ford 4.0L V6
Transmission: 4.0L m5od case with 3.0L internals (3.72 2.20 1.50 1.00 0.79 gear ratios)
Transfer Cases: BW1350 crawl box (manual shift 2.48:1) in front of a BW1454 t-case (e-shift 2.48:1)
Front Axle: Narrowed 1979 HP D44
Differential: Aussie Locker
Ratio: 4.56:1
Rear Axle: 1999 31 Spline 8.8
Differential: Welded
Ratio: 4.56:1
Front Suspension: Coil sprung radius arm
Rear Suspension: Leaf sprung with anti-wrap bar
Tires: 35" Super Swamper SSR - 37" Kevlar MTR's are en-route
Winch: Warn M8000
How long have you owned this vehicle: 9 Years
How long have you been wheeling: 7 Years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant Eddie Stewart 1970 Ford Bronco

Driver: Eddie Stewart
State: Colorado
Vehicle: 1970 Ford Bronco
Engine: Ford 302 V8
Transmission: NP435 4-speed
Transfer Cases: 5.0:1 Atlas
Front Axle: HP Dana 60
Differential: Detroit
Ratio: 5.13:1
Rear Axle: Dana 60
Differential: Spool
Ratio: 5.13:1
Front Suspension: Three link with 12” Fox Coilovers
Rear Suspension: Double triangulated 4-link with coil springs
Tires: 38” Goodyear MT/R’s
Winch: Warn 8000lb
How long have you been wheeling: 40 years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant Jeep Wrangler Jimmy Jack

Driver: Jimmy Jack
Age: 38
State: CA
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 1959-2000 Willys/YJ/TJ
Engine: Chevy LT1
Transmission: Turbo 400
Transfer Cases: 203/205 ORD Doubler
Front Axle: Dana 60
Differential: Locked Solid
Ratio: 5.13:1
Rear Axle: Shaved 14-bolt
Differential: Detroit
Ratio: 5.13:1
Front Suspension: 3-link with Bilstein coilovers
Rear Suspension: 4-link with Bilstein coilovers
Tires: 40” Goodyear MT/R’s
Winch: Warn 8274
How long have you owned this vehicle: 13 years
How long have you been wheeling: Since 1991-ish

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 2005 Toyota Tacoma Jody Ardrey

Driver: Jody Ardrey
Age: 31
State: OK
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 2005 Toyota Tacoma
Engine: 4.0L V6
Transmission: Automatic
Transfer Cases: Doubler with front 2.28 and rear 4.7 gearing
Front Axle: Dana 60
Differential: ARB
Ratio: 5.38:1
Rear Axle: 14-bolt
Differential: ARB
Ratio: 5.38:1
Front Suspension: 3-link with 14-inch travel ORI struts
Rear Suspension: Alcan leaf springs
Tires: 40” Goodyear MT/R’s
Winch: 10,000lb
How long have you owned this vehicle: 2 years
How long have you been wheeling: 5 years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 1974 Jeep Cj5 Joel Mcjones

Driver: Joel McJones
Age: 34
State: MI
Entered Before: Yes
Vehicle: 1974 Jeep CJ-5
Engine: 5.3L from 2002 Yukon
Transmission: GM 4L60E
Transfer Cases: Dana 300 with 4:1
Front Axle: Dodge Dana 60
Differential: Detroit Locker
Ratio: 5.38:1
Rear Axle: GM 14-bolt
Differential: Lincoln Locker
Ratio: 5.38:1
Front Suspension: Double triangulated 4-link with 18” FOA coilovers
Rear Suspension: Double triangulated 4-link with 18” FOA coilovers
Tires: 38” Super Swamper
Winch: Warn 8274 Front / Ramsey 8,000 Rear
How long have you owned this vehicle: Since 1996
How long have you been wheeling: Since 1996

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant Suzuki Samurai Nic Pook

Driver: Nic Pook
Age: 31
State: BC
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 1985 LWB Suzuki Samurai
Engine: Toyota 22RE
Transmission: Toyota 5-speed
Transfer Cases: Toyota dual t-case with 4.7 gears in the rear
Front Axle: Toyota
Differential: E-Locker
Ratio: 5.29:1
Rear Axle: Toyota
Differential: E-Locker
Ratio: 5.29:1
Front Suspension: Custom 3-link with coilovers and airbumps
Rear Suspension: Custom 4-link with coilvoers and airbumps
Tires: 37” BFG KM2s
Winch: Warn 8000
How long have you owned this vehicle: 5 years
How long have you been wheeling: 8 years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 1980 Jeep Cj7 Roger Grendahl

Driver: Roger Grendahl
Age: 31
State: ND
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 1980 Jeep CJ-7
Engine: Chevy 400
Transmission: SM 420
Transfer Cases: Dana 300 with Tera Low 4:1 kit
Front Axle: Dodge Dana 60
Ratio: 5.13:1
Rear Axle: Chevy 14-bolt
Ratio: 5.13:1
Front Suspension: 1.5” Rubicon Express YJ springs, spring over
Rear Suspension: 1.5” Rubicon Express YJ springs, spring over
Tires: 42” IROK’s
Winch: Warn 9.5TI
How long have you owned this vehicle: 9-years
How long have you been wheeling: 6-years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 1942 Willys Mb Sebastian Varas

Driver: Sebastian Varas
Age: 41
State: Santiago Chile
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 1942 Willys MB
Engine: Chevy LY6 6.0L
Transmission: TH350
Transfer Cases: Dana 300
Front Axle: Dana 44
Differential: ARB
Ratio: 4.11:1
Rear Axle: Dana 44
Differential: Detroit
Ratio: 4.11:1
Front Suspension: SOA with Waggy springs and Fox shocks
Rear Suspension: 4-link with FOA coilovers
Tires: 36” IROKs
How long have you owned this vehicle: 3-years
How long have you been wheeling: 26-years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 1989 Jeep Comanche Sheldon Haynes

Driver: Sheldon Haynes
Age: 43
State: Alberta Canada
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 1989 Jeep Comanche
Engine: 4.0L I-6
Transmission: Stock 5-speed
Transfer Cases: NWF Black Box and Atlas 4.3
Front Axle: Dana 60
Differential: Detroit
Ratio: 5.38:1
Rear Axle: Sterling 10.25
Differential: Detroit
Ratio: 5.38:1
Front Suspension: Coil springs
Rear Suspension: Power Wagon leaf springs
Tires: 40-44” Boggers/Rockers
Winch: Front: 9.5 Rear: 8,000
How long have you owned this vehicle: 8-years
How long have you been wheeling: 18-years

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 2002 Chevy Trailblazer Lt Steve Carroll

Driver: Steve Carroll
Age: 32
State: UT
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 2002 Chevy TrailBlazer LT
Engine: 4.2L I-6
Transmission: 4L60E
Transfer Cases: 231 box 4 rocks, 241 with SYE
Front Axle: Dana 60
Differential: Spartan Locker
Ratio: 4.56:1
Rear Axle: 14-bolt
Differential: Detroit
Ratio: 4.56:1
Front Suspension: Factory disk brakes, CV driveshafts, 5” forward
Rear Suspension: 5” back
Tires: 42” TSL Swampers
Winch: 10k
How long have you been wheeling: Since 1997

Ultimate Adventure 2012 Applicant 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser Tim Mills

Driver: Tim Mills
Age: 23
State: AR
Entered Before: No
Vehicle: 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser
Engine: 4.5L DOHC I-6
Transmission: AISIN A442F
Transfer Cases: HF2A – Converted to part-time with center diff lock
Front Axle: Toyota 8” HP
Differential: Toyota E-Locker
Ratio: 5.29:1
Rear Axle: Toyota 9.5”
Differential: Toyota E-Locker
Ratio: 5.29:1
Front Suspension: Radius arm
Rear Suspension: 5-Link
Tires: Michelin XML
Winch: Warn M12000
How long have you owned this vehicle: 2-years
How long have you been wheeling: 10-years

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By Jason Gonderman

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Carlosalbertosolis
6/6/2012 at 4:44 PM suerte a ese willys Mb por su ruta 2012 !!

JGibson
5/30/2012 at 11:44 PM You´ll be surprised with that Willys MB from Chile.
I´ve seen it on the Atacama Desert sand dunes and it´s just amazing how Sebastian can handle all that power with such ease... Good luck Sebastian!!!!

okie4rnr
5/9/2012 at 2:55 AM The Tacoma is sick! Jodi is cool as hell and the builder is phenomenal. I have seen this truck up close and let me tell you the pics dont do it justice. These guys have poored thier heart and souls into this truck and it shows.

I would also like to see the trailblazer there too, the sami is pretty cool too.

musty_elbow
5/8/2012 at 3:31 AM I really like the Tacoma! I have been reading some of the posts and I think it's pretty cool if he really uses it as a daily driver. Loved to see it on UA. I hope to see Sebastian's ride on UA also. Takes a lot of heart to go to that much trouble!

supervaughn
5/7/2012 at 7:24 PM Looks like a great group of rigs! I've seen Joel's CJ5 drop a shaft deep in Brittany Spears, and make it out singing Opps I did it again! Solid rig and soild dude!

zuki4x4chick
5/7/2012 at 5:35 PM The LWB Samurai is such a well built unique wheeler. Nic has put so much time and epic fab skills into the LWB, he deserves a crack at this amazing adventure!

Sheldons Commanche is another well built tough rig ! Using his talent in fabrication and big boy parts to handle anything!

These guys are both top notch in the wheeling community with rigs to match! Go Canada Go !

My Third choice would be Sebastian's Willies Jeep. Its so badass.

wahlstrom1
5/7/2012 at 1:51 PM My top three would be:

Bray's ranger, it's built how mine should have been (doubler FTW!)
Nic's LWB Sami, It'll make Tim drool.... very badass rig.
Sheldon's COmmanche, has all the makings of a proper UA rig.

MuttKick
5/7/2012 at 1:47 PM Certainly wanna see the Sami there!!!!
Toss in the MJ as well so the Canadians can speak Canadian to each other, Éh?

Skop
5/7/2012 at 7:20 AM That LWB Sami is pure awesomeness so I vote for nic pook

The 4dr Tacoma of joeys has U.A all over it

The white jeep of sheldons also appears to have what it take to make U.A

khecht
5/3/2012 at 3:33 AM Love the trial blazer, this guys has building very capable rigs for quite sometime and would be up for the challenge!!!!!

1badgirl
5/2/2012 at 8:05 PM I'm kinda new to this, but the blue tacoma rocks!! I totally think it has what it takes to go the distance.

ColoradoCruiser
5/2/2012 at 6:40 PM First of all this is a nice group of rigs and I wish everyone good luck on being picked to go on Ultimate Adventure this year.

Here is my pick six:

Eddie Stewart - From Colorado so that gets him points from me and he has a Bronco which I like.

Jody Ardrey - Looks like a fun Taco and I have thought about building one like that so I would be interested to see how he and the Taco do on UA.

Joel McJones - He has entered before and has a rig that will be fun to see on the off road portions.

Nic Pook - Nice looking Samuria to add to the mix of V8's and One ton's.

Sebastia Varas - Bringing a rig in from Chile that's commitment.

Steve Carroll - The TrailBlazer would something different to add to the UA group.

offroadaholic
5/1/2012 at 3:30 PM i would choose the trailblazer because this is the first one have ever seen lifted up.

quadrazer
5/1/2012 at 3:00 AM Bray Dierker and his Ranger have one of my votes. If for no other reason than to see how far the young man gets on a welded 8.8 rear end.

Seriously, it looks capable. My other vote is for the Trailblazer, for the same reasons as mentioned already.

Landtortise89
5/1/2012 at 2:02 AM trailblazer must go seen this thing in person and it's freaking crazy awesome. All the comfort of the socer mom ride and the capability of the a werock buggy.

djthumper
4/30/2012 at 4:51 PM Seriously, how many lifted Trailblazers has anyone seen? You need to take advantage of Steve and take him along to see what that this is capable of. You do not see very many of them lifted and actually used for off-road excursions.

coles
4/30/2012 at 1:17 PM Joel and his CJ-5 would be an excellent addition to the UA 2012. Building his rig from the ground up he knows what it takes, from building in the shop to repairs on the trail he's more than willing to take on the challenge.

blue_waffle
4/30/2012 at 9:29 AM Ok, I respect the dedication that Sebastian is displaying, willing to ship up here, and wheel with a bunch of idiots in country you don't know. inspiring. But my first choice goes to McJones and his CJ5???? That isn't any more CJ than it is Chevy....However, JmcJ has a ton of time and effort into building that rig, and it appears to be a very capable ride. I say let him beat the tar out of it, see if it hold up...if it doesn't you sure wont here him complain about it, he'll just fix it and continue on his way.

OKSwampDonkey
4/30/2012 at 3:45 AM That's one badass Tacoma!!! Let the dude in and put that beast to the test. UNLEASH THE FURY!!!! UNLEASH THE FURY!!!

CBScout
4/29/2012 at 3:35 PM A Trailblazer?? Are you kidding me?? Who builds one of those??? LOL

I bet you have never had one enter before and never will again. Better take advantage and take him.
He should be able to haul enough gear for 3 weeks of wheelin

I think it looks sweet to.

texman
4/29/2012 at 2:03 AM that´s chilean ford looks badass

outdoorjunkie
4/29/2012 at 1:29 AM Like the tacoma, think it would look good in the line up in the magazine. Looks like a daily driver and not just off road. To build one for both is impressive.

celle
4/28/2012 at 9:59 PM Sebastian's Willy's all the way... built from ground up.
Teach the Americans some driving lessons !!!

Bring it it On !!! Go CHILE !!

jaymcjay
4/28/2012 at 12:29 PM Sebastian, have you decided to man up and drive the Willys up from Chile?

Better start driving now!

mikaus
4/28/2012 at 9:54 AM All very nice rigs but I'd love to see the Willys from Chille there.

Chevycrew
4/28/2012 at 5:41 AM The trailblazer is unique, really rare to see a different rig built!

Intensebik
4/28/2012 at 5:05 AM The blue Tacoma is one of the sweetest builds I've seen in a LONG time. I've heard it might be the dudes daily drive as well. I'd have to say it just may be my dream truck... Hope this guy gets in on UA.

Psychozuk
4/28/2012 at 4:01 AM I think that they are all great vehicles but my favorite would have to be the blue 2005 Toyota Tacoma. I have always been a Yota fan! I really think that this truck will look great and perform great. You can tell that the owner has put a lot of detail into getting it just right. I really like the EXOcage fab work. I also like that it is setup with 3 link and 40s. Oh, and the bobbed stubby bed!! Sweet ride man!!!!! They would be fools not to pick your rig!! Good Luck!!!

Brandonlamb
4/28/2012 at 3:59 AM I would like to the trail blazer in action.

InstaGator
4/28/2012 at 2:59 AM I think they are all set up quite nicely for the UA. I am sure there will be no shortage of jk's and tj's this year. CJ5's however are getting scarce. A Willys with a LS in it is just the cats meow! From Chile no less will be an adventure even Pewé would be jealous of. A stretched Zuk, a sweet Bronco, a Landcruiser and a Trailblazer will give UA the variety it needs to stand out. Have fun guys!

oldskoolss
4/28/2012 at 2:52 AM Good list. All very deserving. I'm a little partial to that awesome tacoma.

chicken77
4/28/2012 at 2:32 AM I like the Trail Blazer. We saw that thing in Moab over EJS it was cool. And I like the Tacoma too.

jrig4runner
4/28/2012 at 1:25 AM GO JOEL!!!! YEAH BUDDY!!!! (Sorry, I might be a little biased!! :-)) Seriously, these are all great rigs. My favorites (other then Joel's obviously) have to be Steve's Trailblazer and Sebastian's old Willy's. You don't see many guys wheel Trailblazer's and you've got to give it to the guy that wants to travel from CHILE!! to participate. Congratulations to everyone that's made it this far. I know the hard work and dedication that go into these rigs!! Awesome Dirty Dozen -1!!!

jaymcjay
4/28/2012 at 12:29 AM Looks like a good group of rigs, looking forward to wheeling with you all!

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