New 4WOR Blog

We're going to start something new here at 4WOR, a weekly Blog (that's webgeek talk for an online journal sorta thing). This will be where you get the most up to date info on what we are doing. Cool stuff as soon as we get it, and hints as to what you will see in future issues. Expect a paragraph and a photo per week. Sometimes more, hopefully nothing less.

January 17th, 2006
It's already 2 1/2 weeks into 2006 and still no news from the 4WOR crew? Let's see, Péwé went on a trip to visit our three readers in China, and believe it or not, he actually saw some modified rigs over there. Plus, he had a good time hanging out by the pool checking out the ladies.

Fred went to Pennsylvania and visited the family farm, and took his folks on an off-road trip in a Quigley 4x4 Diesel GM van (www.quigley4x4.com).

First, they stopped at Whaley Enterprise. (www.whaleyent.com).

Jerrod was in the desert this past weekend checking out yet another unibody, (man, does he have a fixation with those things!). This one came with a full cage, and coilovers and bypasses at every corner. Does this look like fun?

Meanwhile, the 5KXJ is still down with a missing head. That Hesco aluminum head we installed last year was a pre-production unit that developed a pinhole leak which overheated the engine and warped the head. Good times. It's all in the name of bringing you the best stories we can.

December 21, 2005
Hey! Can you believe what Santa sent us??? This is a new GM Goodwrench 454 engine from Pace Truck in Niles, Ohio. It's going to end up in the 1991 Chevy project truck of Tech Editor Fred Williams. Fred had his buddy Crazy Joe come by to help unload it, and Joe was very impressed - and excited. Stay tuned as we're going to drop this in the truck during the first week of 2006, and we'll be giving you updates as we do so. Plus, we'll show you some of Crazy Joe's engine swap he is doing to his Toyota 4Runner. Want one of these under your tree? Send Santa to: www.pacetruck.com or ring 'em up at 888.522.8155.

And one last thing of late. It seems our awesome Tech Editor has answered his last Nuts and Bolts question for a while, as David Kennedy has left his post to become the Editor of Diesel Power. If you are looking for a position at 4-Wheel & Off-Road, we are looking for a new Feature Editor. Send us your resume if you have a college degree, and be ready to move to Los Angeles if we give you the nod.

Send it to:
Rick Pewe - I want a job
c/o 4-Wheel & Off-Road
6420 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048

You can also e-mail your information to: 4wheeloffroad@primedia.com

December 13, 2005
We have finally, after nearly three years, gotten Editor Rick Péwé to take his flatfender out for a real trail ride. We also dragged along Hot Rod editor-in-chief and former 4WOR bossman David Freiburger to finally shoot a feature on his clean green Scrambler. The Scrambler feature will be in the back later in 2006, while Péwé's junk, to no one's surprise, nearly caught fire. All in all if was a great weekend even if some of us did catch the flu. Want to go explore the same place? Visit Cougar Butte's off of Camp Rock Road outside of Lucerne, California. But be wary of any large trucks on the highway, we caught this deadly bolt through the windshield of a Tundra we had borrowed to drive out there. Bummer.

November 13, 2005
Hey there truck fans, we know that it's been another lapse of blog action coming from the folks here at 4-Wheel and Off-Road, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten you. In fact we've been trying to crank out stories, get to events, find cool new products and plan our Thanksgiving vacations:
Fred - taking clampy for a dirt trip
Pewe - heading to his family turkey fest
Jones - trying to get his Cherokee back in running order

October 23, 2005
Well, we've been missing in action for a bit, but that's because there is a lot going on around here.

First of all, Fred is beginning the chassis design and building stages of his Fun Buggy project with the new Fabrication Shop at Poly Performance in San Luis Obispo.
Poly Performance
805.783.2060
www.polyperformance.com

Plus, the Avalanche has made it back from the first stages of its new paint job, Semi-Flat black, and the only chrome is on the wheels.
Julian's Auto Body
818.765.8500

Oh, and we told you we'd show the new 4-speed Atlas transfer case from Advance Adapters when we saw it, so here it is. Weighing in at 125 pounds.
Advance Adapters
800.350.2223
www.advanceadapters.com

September 18, 2005
The transfer case wars have begun!
New comer to the transfer case market, STaK 4x4, recently released their three-speed transfer case, (watch for the full story in our January 2006 issue), but as that was going to press, we received word that even more options are coming our way. STaK will now be releasing two new gear ratios for their Monster Box three-speed. The original comes with a 3 to 1 and 5 to 1, but now a 2.43 to 1 and 4.33 to 1 will be available, as well as the first transfer case with a built-in overdrive! Yes, a version with 4.33 to 1 low, 1 to 1 high and .79 to 1 overdrive is on the way. Plus, since their Monster Box was having clearance issues in narrow framed vehicles like early Broncos, that problem has been addressed with their coming B-box that has a slight bend in the case to make it narrower. Expect first glimpses at the Off-Road Expo in Pomona, California on October 8th and 9th. We'll be there - and so should you.

You can contact STaK 4x4 at 915/584-2400 orwww.stak4x4.com.

September 11, 2005
This week the ultimate Avalanche was dropped off at the body shop for a new windshield, enough body work to make the doors seal again, and a new paint job. We're not sure what color it will end up, but we requested, mean, ugly, and something out of Mad Max. In three weeks, we'll let you know what we got.

August 29, 2005
We just got some more information about the 4-speed Atlas "Trans-Four" Case that is being developed. Click HERE to read the press release in Microsoft Word format.

Check out this crazy Willys wagon sporting coil over shocks, a V8 and Dana 60 front axle on a bronco frame that Fred Williams saw at a recent visit to Off Road Unlimited in Burbank, California. Next week you'll see pictures of what guys are building in the shops of calgary Canada.

August 28th to September 3rd
This week, things are heating up as we move towards the three day Labor Day weekend.

Jerrod Jones: I visited trails in Montana with some Jeeps, an Early Bronco, and a 2nd-gen 4Runner on 40s. We took a little ride with a congressman who is very into wheeling - good to have friends in the political circle! This week it's back to wrenching duty as I try to get the Lawg ready for CTC on Sept 24th, while at the same time trying to figure out why the ECU in my '94 Dodge hates me.

Fred: I recently got back from checking out the new STaK 4x4 3-speed transfer case in Texas, and then test driving Suzuki's new Grand Vitara in Canada. The transfer case is very impressive, the GV is not so much. My plans for Labor Day include a trail ride outside of Calgary, Alberta Canada.

David Kennedy: Was off in Detroit at General Motor's Milford Proving grounds to see the newest GM engines and transmissions. He drove 2006 Silverado 2500HDs with the new 6.6L (LBZ code) Duramax (360 hp / 650lb-ft of torque) backed by the newly upgraded Allison 1000 now with six speeds! He also spied a sneak peak of a light duty 3/4-ton with a 4.9L Duramax V6 backed by a 4L80E. No word on when we might see this engine in production - but now we know it exists. David also got his first chance to drive a Hummer H1 (Duramax/Allison 6-speed version) after being at the magazine for five years. He had to keep it on the pavement, and can now say no matter how cool you think these trucks look on the street - they're no fun to drive on the pavement. It's just too cramped inside!

August 7th to August 13th
So what's the crew up to this week?
Well Editor Péwé is out of town checking out the new Jeep Commander and filming a segment for a show on the Speed Channel. Then it's off to Camp Jeep for a preview of the longer Dodge MegaCab, all the while working with our Art Director Alan Huber to design the covers for the next 6 months. Of course, the real news is that Rick has a new family member with four fuzzy feet, and two floppy ears. A real Jeep-dog in training.

Jerrod Jones finally got the rear axle of his Cherokee fixed and is busy rounding up some ladies for the party he's gonna have since his parents' beach house will be empty for a week. Hopefully he'll have some good pics for next week's blog.

Dave Kennedy is typing away at the second segment of Ultimate Adventure as well as bench racing about what his next weeklong warrior will be. (He has some Unimog axles rusting away and dreams of a full-size Ford on ginormous tires).

Fred Williams spent the past weekend exploring the Angeles Forest in his Operation Army Truck. Apparently there is one OHV trail open, (more like a 26 mile dirt road), known as the Rincon trail, and if you are in the LA area looking for an easy drive with camping, he recommends it. Simple directions: head to Azusa, California, go north on 39 up into the canyon, stop at the OHV area and get a pass and lock combo, (they are there Saturdays, bring cash, and be there before 6 pm). Then head into the hills. Fred says bring bug spray, be careful with fire, and expect pin striping from branches if you are driving a full size, but the views are great and there is very little traffic for a trail so close to the city.

July 31st to August 6th
Well, we sent Fred up to Advance Adapters to get the inside scoop on their new 4-speed Atlas and here is the dirt. Fred snuck into their shop and found a few guys messing with what looked like a new transfer case. But, before he could get details, the Advanced crew drug him into the lunch room to try and feed him candy rather than info. While there, Fred battled off their sugar-fied interrogation and countered with some in-depth questions. He not only found out about their new 4-speed Atlas, but also a bunch of other cool stuff coming from AA. Though he wanted to learn the full story on the Atlas 4SP, most of it was still locked down in the maximum security Advance Adapters vault, but he did learn that it will have gearing options for everything from low-speed rock crawling to high-speed dune or mud wumpin, but it will not have an overdrive. As for when it will be available he learned that you could have one under your rig by next year's Moab Easter Jeep Safari.

Another cool product coming from Advance is their new Divorced Atlas, allowing gearing and drive options when replacing your ancient divorced case, or if you are looking for an easier way to do a 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive conversion.

In addition, if you are looking for even lower gearing, AA now offers a 6-to-1 low range for their Atlas. Plus Advance is soon releasing their own low range box for Toyotas. So, if you are considering going to dual cases, now you can order the reduction box with completely new parts, (no junkyard bits), with a new casting that does not require any machining for the 5-to-1 gears that Advance offers.

And finally, Advance has a new vehicle speed sensor that attaches to the tail housing of Dana 300s (that have the AA tail shaft), Atlas, or Orion Land Cruiser transfer case. This 40-pulse speed sensor allows for a more seamless integration with late model, computer-controlled, fuel-injected GM engines. Imagine dropping a Vortec into your Jeep or Cruiser and not having any Check Engine lights to bother you.

So, though he didn't get the full story on the 4-speed, Fred did find out some neat stuff is going on outside of Paso Robles California. Keep watching the magazine and when we learn more we'll pass it on.

July 28th
4-speed Atlas!!
Imagine our surprise when across our desk today came the following Press release "Advance Adapters releases new 4-speed Transfer Case" Yes a 4-speed transfer case. Imagine the gearing possibilities. But will it have an overdrive built in? What low ranges? 2-to-1, 3-to-1, 4-to-1, 5-to-1, 6-to-1? Unfortunately they didn't include the gearing options, just that it would be 16-inches long, and cost around $3000. We decided to send Feature Editor Fred Williams knocking on their door to find out the inside scoop. He may come home with photos and the complete story or he may get escorted to the door by Advance Adapters security. Tune in on Monday and we'll let you know.

July 24th to July 30th
We know what you're thinking, "what happened to those 4WOR guys, this blog was moving along great, and then two weeks of nuthin!"

Well, we were out of the office exploring some trails for the 2005 Ultimate Adventure. Yes, David Kennedy got the Chevy done, and Fred finally got Clampy back in the dirt. Both trucks did great, the GM has a few more dents, and the Clampster's exhaust is hanging on by bailing wire, but it was an excellent trip all-in-all and you can read about it starting in our November issue.

So What do magazine folks do after a week and a half out of the office? We mostly just try and get back into the job portion of our job where we must sort photos, write stories, and prepare for the next issue deadlines coming at us fast. Everyone is stressed out and trying to come up with schemes to get back in the dirt where we like it. If you want to see some of our 4x4's plan on making it to the Off road Expo in Pomona California this October 8-9th. Also, we are considering taking a few full size trucks out to Johnson Valley for some smash-n-bash, so drop us a line if you are interested in being there: fred.williams@primedia.com Just an informal run of fullsizes getting junked on big rocks. Here is a preview of the UA truck on the trail and how Clampy ended up. Check back next week for more of what's going on.

July 4th to July 10, 2005
It's Friday and the Tuff Country Truggy is ready for the 2005 Ultimate Adventure - and it only took 48 hours of blood, sweat and tears to convert it from a Caltrans orange shell in the parking lot to a full-fledged trail rig. Company V.P. Kelly Davis says they decided to use a Tuff Country lift kit "instead of going with the hovercraft prototype as seen in the first pictures we sent."

Who says only staffers can have goofy Ultimate Adventure updates? Check out these photos sent to us on Tuesday by Scott Sweeney of Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension. He says they have a couple of long nights ahead of them, but they plan to have the "Truggy" ready by Saturday.

June 27th to July 3rd, 2005
Fred's losing it.

As for David kennedy and the Ultimate K-10? Hopefully it's coming along just fine.

Thursday June 23, 2005
Fred is getting it done! Dual cases are in the old Clampster so the little squirrel cage 4-cylinder should be much happier turning 39.5 Krawlers - now can he get the axles and driveshafts in? Will the steering clear the springs? Is spring under gonna work in the rear? Will the welded rust hold together? Tick tock, tick tock, time's moving faster than Crazy Uncle Freddy. Monday or Tuesday of next week, we'll let you know.

June 19th to July 25th, 2005
Fred's still working on Clampy. Trying to get all the parts together, so that he can go exploring some dirt boulevards. Imagine how excited he was when this dual cases adapter arrived from Advance Adapters, and it was packed with tons of free ear plugs! Time's ticking on Fred's story deadline, will he get it done? Bossman Rick Pw just got back from Pre-running this year's Ultimate Adventure trip. When asked if he found any gnarly trails he just smiled deviously and told us to get back to work.

Ultimate K-10 frontman David Kennedy has been busting knuckles at GM Truck Center trying to get this year's ride ready to rock. This week it's time work on a rollcage, and start prepping for paint. Meanwhile Jerrod Jones is keeping the torch burning at the office while trying to get his stories in on time, his current projects running, and his imaginary Dodge Dakota build-up planned out.

June 12th to June 18th, 2005
Clampy is getting re-born!
Our Old 86 Toyota has been neglected, rejected, and dejected. But no more. Feature Editor Fred Williams is busting knuckles and breathing rust dust trying to get this truck ready for a summer wheeling trip. We're not gonna tell you the whole story, but plan on seeing an Extreme makeover under Clampy's old skin. 39-inch tires are the goal so there's gonna be some serious cutting and welding to make it work. Schedule to read all about it in our October issue, or watch for more details here. (There are some hints in the picture)