EXPLORING THE HATFIELDMCOY TRAILS WITH KAWASAKI

Words: Shaun Ochsner Photos: Courtesy Kawasaki

Everyone has heard of the most famous family feud in history. Hatfield vs McCoy. William Anderson, better known as “Devil Anse” ran the Hatfield family, while Randolph McCoy ran the McCoy family. The families feuded for decades on the border of West Virginia and Kentucky in the Tug Fork area of the Big Sandy River. The feud resulted in dozens of the family members on both sides getting killed or locked up in jail. Today there is still much speculation as to the original reason for the feud. Over the years, there has been plenty of media coverage surrounding this famous feud, including a mini-series that was produced for the History Channel. The feud also has also brought much needed to tourism to small towns in West Virginia and Kentucky. This is where our adventure begins. A multi-county OHV trail system was formed in the early 2000’s known as the Hatfield-McCoy trails. The trails run through the same areas the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s traveled through and had their famous feuds. The Hatfield-McCoy trail system expands 700+ miles with breath taking mountain views. The trails connect many small towns throughout West Virginia, welcoming OHV enthusiasts to stop into their local businesses.

Kawasaki provided us with the new 2020 Teryx KRX-1000 to explore the Rock House trail located in Man, West Virginia. The Rock House trail has various difficulty levels, making it perfect for riders of every experience. There are hill climbs and obstacles for the more experienced rider. The trail also provides plenty of picturesque views in the hills of West Virginia.

Kawasaki’s 2020 Teryx KRX-1000 is designed to tackle any terrain and a perfect side-by-side vehicle for the Hatfield-McCoy trail system. You’ll find everything from mud puddles to blast through to rocky hill climbs. Throttle response on the KRX-1000 is immediate, getting us up to speed on the trails quickly. One of our favorite features on the KRX 1000 is the automatic engine braking, smoothly gliding us down the trail’s steep hills. The Kawasaki Teryx KRX-1000 comes with FOX 2.5 Podium shocks that keep us comfortable while blasting through the ever-changing terrain.

If you are looking for an adventure, we recommend checking out the HatfieldMcCoy trail system. The trails are open year-round. (you may want to keep an eye on the weather during your visit.) There are fees to use the trail system. A resident or non-resident permit can be purchased at each trailhead and is valid for a calendar year. The permit is good for any trail within the Hatfield-McCoy trail system.

Words and Photos: Jake Headlee

24 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM The Ford Raptor is an extremely capable rig right off the dealer lot, but in this world, we always want more. There are many ways to get that extra boost. Not all are created equal. The front suspension design of the second-generation Ford Raptor, 2017 to current, uses Fox 3.0 shock bodies set up in a coilover design. With this combination, a spacer can be added that moves the lower spring perch higher on the body, pushing the overall loaded height up. RPG Off-Road has put an incredible amount of focus on the performance of Ford trucks, specifically Raptors, F-150s and Rangers. Their extensive product offerings are proof enough that they mean business. We caught up with the guys at Baja HQ in San Clemente, California to follow along on an install and catch other tidbits they do to elevate a 2ndGen Raptor onto 37-inch tires. “RPG is one of a few companies that we like to use for Raptor lift spacers.” explained Danny Ellender of Baja HQ. “They have great quality and fitment, so we always know the install will go smooth and the parts will last.” CNC-machined from the same OEMapproved material used to construct the Fox shocks on the Raptor, the 1.5-inch lift spacers are available in anodized black or matching Fox Blue. They are also available in 2.25-inch lift and 3-inch lift heights. Designed to replace the OEM-collar, the two-piece design clamps to the body using opposing threads with recessed stainless steel allen head bolts. The overall install takes about two hours and requires a spring compressor. No other specialty tools are needed. Just a well-rounded toolbox will do the trick. The install is certainly one that can be done in a driveway, though dealing with compressing coilover springs can be daunting and many local shops can handle the job.

RPG Off-Road’s Coil Spring Perch Collar have an integrated lift spacer built into them. The CNC-machined pieces are durable and will outlast most everything else on the truck.

The factory suspension on Raptors is good, even better with a little extra height. Disconnect the sway bar, tie rod and upper control arm to give the coilover enough room to be removed.

After removing the coilover from the vehicle, the spring gets compressed. The old collar pieces are removed and the new RPG unit is installed. Make sure the shock body is free of debris that may interfere with the spacer clamping the body properly. “I like to make sure the logo faces the same way as the Fox logo.” Said Patrick, a technician at Baja HQ. “It is an extra detail that makes the whole thing look better when it’s done.” The new assembly then drops right back into the same location. Reattach all components just as they were, and you’re set! At this point, you could be done. Go get the truck aligned and off you go. This is where Baja HQ goes the extra mile. When putting 37s on a Raptor, the tires typically rub at the back of the wheel well. Instead of just letting it rub or simply hacking the inner liner, they’ve got a much cleaner way.

Pull the fender flare off the truck to let the inner liner free. Behind the liner, remove the plastic or foam piece that acts as a spacer between the liner and sheetmetal.

Both the fender and the inner sheetmetal get trimmed. After trimming, crimp any sections of sheetmetal that have separated, then paint the bare metal.

Reinstall the fender flare using the factory clips and screws. The flare also helps hold the inner liner, so make sure to reinstall those screws as well. Now that space has been made behind the liner, it gets pushed up against the sheetmetal and is secured using self-tapping screws. With this section of the liner out of the way, the tires will no longer grab or rub it during use.

A set of 37x12.50R17 BFGoodrich AllTerrains were mounted on Method Race Wheel 17x8.5 305 Series Matte Black wheels.

All set! The new spacer collar blends in nicely with the factory components and the trimmed and tucked area is barely noticeable.