While we would love to invite each and every reader who applies to go on our Ultimate Adventure the reality is that we can not. This years decision was harder than ever but after countless hours, many phone calls and emails, and several sleepless nights, for us and the invitees, the 4-Wheel & Off-Road staff has chosen the six readers that will be joining us on our 2012 Ultimate Adventure. And here they are in no particular order!
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
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
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
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
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
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