Adventure Rigs, Issue 4

ADVENTURE RIGS 2020

ADVENTURE RIGS 2020

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TRAILHEAD

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38 4 6 5 4 62

ADVENTURE RIGS 2 00 7 T O Y O TA 4 RUNNER 1 96 9 JEEP WA G ONEER 2 01 5 JEEP W R A NGL ER JK UÂ 2 01 8 SUB A RU CRO S S T REK

UPFIT 32 F O X P ERF ORM A NCE EL I T E SER I E S SHOCK S

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PRO TIP REC O V ER Y - W I NCH I NG B A S IC S

EQUIPPED 14 W HEEL S 18 T I RE S 20 SUSP ENS ION 2 4 30 7 8

P ERF ORM A NCE & A C CE S S OR I E S C OMMS: M I DL A ND R A DIO OU T DOOR GE A R G U I DE

WAYPOINT 68 OF F RO A D R6 6

PHOTO: JUAN VALADEZ

EDITOR'S NOTES

@RAD_Z71

N3 4° 16’15” W 117 ° 30’5”

PHOTO: MATT GIRGIS

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he great naturalist, conservationist, and author John Muir once said, “The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” These words of wisdom from the iconic Scottish-American couldn’t be more true and relevant when a silent killer is going around, restricting many Americans from enjoying a normal life. Millions of city dwellers have been cooped up in their homes because local and state governments have ordered them to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Although many Americans have taken the social distancing to another level as countless have retreated to the wilderness, mountains, and deserts to “have a good look” at our world before they punch out their time cards from this mortal existence. We may not realize it, but John Muir’s writings and influence are felt in America’s relationship with nature and embedded in our environmental consciousness, more so now than ever before.

In this issue of Adventure Rigs, we introduce four adventurers who refuse to let a deadly pandemic and the seemingly Draconian rules imposed by politicians from hitting the trails and find revelry in testing the limits of their rigs and exploring new places.

Jim Hart is a coffee entrepreneur and connoisseur who uses his hulking Jeep Wrangler JKU named HQ as Ground Pounder Coffee’s “delivery” truck. HQ even makes it possible for people they meet out on the

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trails to sample and enjoy freshly made gourmet coffee. Not your typical barista, Jim is a tattooed badass that’s good at fabricating his own custom Jeep parts as he is with brewing a cup of fine espresso. As an experienced adventurer and Overlander, he’s put thousands of off-road miles on his HQ Jeep Wrangler. Jim’s travels got him to drive through the rough country all over California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, all the while making new friends and enjoying the beautiful scenery that each new adventure and location brings.

Alan Wang isn’t new to adventure. He leads one of the off-road industry’s iconic companies, KC HiLiTES, so it should not come as a surprise that he has taken an old 1969 Jeep Wagoneer to new heights. The AdvHulk “Waggy” was a 2019 SEMA Show build to showcase KC’s products and its rich 50-year history. The nostalgic vehicle has been modernized with a powerful new motor, suspension upgrades, and a host of KC’s own lighting products. AdvHulk has been retired from primary car show duties and is now being enjoyed by Alan and his family, exploring and adventuring all over the United States.

Michael Salvador loves to drive fast and marches to the beat of his own drum. So, it’s not shocking that his 4th generation Toyota 4Runner is uniquely a misfit of sorts in the off-road scene. It’s a long-travel 2-wheel drive 4Runner with a Toyota Tacoma front end.

Built for high-speed runs in the desert and to handle jumps, big ruts, and spine-crushing whoops, this garage-built rig has even survived the technical and notoriously difficult Wheeler Pass trails in the winter. Mike fondly refers to his rig as a “soccer mom car,” but all the custom fabrication he’s done to it during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier in 2020 makes his 4th generation 4Runner something other than a kid hauler.

Childhood memories of playing Fun-ToDrive Dashboard toys and a passion for photographing remote scenic landscapes put Juan Valadez on the road to owning an offroad rig. The practicality of fuel-efficiency, coupled with the good off-road capabilities of the Subaru Crosstrek, attracted Juan to build this diminutive dirt demon into an adventure vehicle that does double duty as his daily driver. Rigs like the Crosstrek are sometimes referred to as soft-roaders by off-road enthusiasts, but Juan is out to prove them wrong with his VALATRK Crosstrek and give them a good ribbing back.

When the rest of the world has been waiting for a vaccine for their lives to get back to normal, the four adventurers featured in this issue of Adventure Rigs all seemed to have already found the cure. The world is vast and they’re not waiting for life to pass them by, and using their rigs and passion for outdoor adventure have brought normalcy in their lives that inoculation cannot substitute.

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DUB PUBLISHING, INC. LOS ANGELES : WORLDWIDE Editorial

Rich Calbay | Rich@adventurerigsmag.com Roman Racela | Roman@adventurerigsmag.com David Tobiassen | David@adventurerigsmag.com Advertising

Roman Racela | Roman@adventurerigsmag.com Ricardo Gonzalez | Ricardo@adventurerigsmag.com design DIRECTOR

Rob Munoz

COMPANY INFORMATION Adventure Rigs is published by DUB Publishing, Inc. in Santa Fe Springs, CA. DUB® is also a design, marketing and promotions team, responsible for the development and marketing of many licensed automotive goods, collectibles, and apparel, as well as our sponsor’s key products. Contact: marketing@dubmagazine.com ADVERTISE To place an ad in Adventure Rigs, please contact the Ad Sales departmentat info@adventurerigsmag.com EDITORIAL CONSIDERATION If you have an adventure rig that you think is worthy of being featured, please send an email giving us a brief description of your vehicle, photos, social media handles and contact information.

Features@adventurerigsmag.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. This book is purchased with the understanding that the information presented is from many varied sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher, as to accuracy or completeness. ©Copyright 2019 DUB Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • PRINTED IN THE USA

Art Director

Malik Calimbas Operations

Kiani Tran-Boutros Lisette Carrales CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mercedes Lilienthal, Michael Salvador, Jim Hart, Juan Valadez, Jordan Kepler, Matt Girgis, Rift Media Group CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Juan Valadez, Jim Hart, Michael Salvador, Mercedes Lilienthal

All Other Inquiries Info@adventurerigsmag.com | (562) 228-1737

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WHEELS

4WP FACTORY S-SERIES 877.474.4821 | 4WHEELPARTS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/4WHEELPARTS | @4WHEELPARTSOFFCIAL WHELL SIZES (DXW): 7X9, 20X9, 20X10 AVAILABLE FINISHES: GLOSS BLACK, SMOKE Introducing S-Series, 4WP’s new mesh style street wheel. Designed for late model truck and Jeep owners that seek a clean, custom appearance for their ride.

The S-Series features a 3D mesh design providing a clean, sleek street look.

Available in Black Milled and Smoke finishes, the S-Series wheel is the ultimate in performance and style.

BLACK RHINO CHAMBER 714.891.0700 | LACKRHINOWHEELS.COM | FACEBOOK. COM/BLACKRHINOWHEELS | @BLACKRHINOWHEEL WHELL SIZES (DXW):16X8, 17X8.5, 18X9.5, 20X9.5 AVAILABLE FINISHES: MATTE GOLD, MATTE BLACK The Chamber is Black Rhino’s newest wheel offering with 16x8, 17x8.5, 18x9.5, and 20x9.5 sizes available in 5x114.3, 5x127, 5x139.7, 5x150, 6x114.3, 6x120, 6x135, and 6x139.7 bolt patterns.

Chamber features off-road rally inspired mesh design that is inset in an angular, sculpted lip and further accentuated by a deep bowl concave profile. Standard finish is matte black. An eye-catching matte gold finish is also offered in select 5x127, 6x135, and 6x139.7 fitments.

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CENTER LINE 850BZ ATLAS 714.990.2233 | CENTERLINEWHEELS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/CENTERLINEWHEELS | @CENTERLINEWHEELS WHELL SIZES (DXW): 17X9, 20X9 AVAILABLE FINISHES: STAIN BLACK WITH BRONZE RING The 850 Atlas by Center Line Wheels features an unforgettable spiderweb spoke design and a specialized satin black with bronze accent finish. Offered in 17” and 20” diameters, finding the perfect fitment with this hardy all-terrain performer has never been easier.

GRID OFF-ROAD GD15 866.591.0723 | GRID-OFFROAD.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/GRIDOFFROAD | @GRIDOFFROAD WHELL SIZES (DXW): 17X9, 20X9 AVAILABLE FINISHES: MATTE BRONZE WITH MATTE BLACK, MATTE BLACK WITH DARK TINT, GLOSS BLACK WITH MILLED ACCENTS The GRID Off-Road GD15 wheel is part of their GD 1-piece cast collection. The impressive multi-spoke design is perfect for any lifted truck or Jeep and is available in two sizes: 17x9 and 20x9.

The GD15 wheels are perfect for 5-, 6- or 8-lug applications and are TPMS compatible. They feature a vehicle-specific bolt pattern and center bore, with custom backspacing/offset for the perfect fit.

Available finishes include gloss black with milled accents, matte bronze with matte black, and matte black with double dark tint.

With a load rating of 3,640 lbs., GRID GD15s are ready for the trails, commute or weekend adventures!

MKW OFF-ROAD M206 909.444.0164 | MKWWHEELS.NET/OFFROAD | FACEBOOK.COM/MKWOFFROAD | @MKWOFFROAD WHELL SIZES (DXW): 17X8, 18X8 AVAILABLE FINISHES: MATTE BRONZE, MATTE GREY, SATIN BLACK MKW Off-Road brings you quality wheels with modern designs to help you elevate the aesthetic of your rig. The M206’s 5-lug design is surrounded by slotted windows around the wheel register to give its a unique and moden take on a traditional 5-spoke wheel.

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WHEELS

RACELINE 949G - 7X

TIS OFF-ROAD 556

800.529.4335 | RACELINEWHEELS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/RACELINEWHEELS | @RACELINEWHEELS WHELL SIZES (DXW):17X8.5 AVAILABLE FINISHES: SATIN BLACK, GUNMETAL

877.283.9433 | TISWHEELS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/TWENTYINCHESSTRONG | WHELL SIZES (DXW):17X9 AVAILABLE FINISHES: SATIN ANTHRICITE WITH CAST BLACK BEAD RING

Aggressive off-road inspired 7 spoke design. Debossed Raceline logo on spoke. Simulated beadlock lip with stainless steel bolts. Black out bolt on cap with contrasting embossed Raceline logo. Push through cap for 8-lug applications. Constructed out of heavy duty A356 aluminum.

Passes or exceeds all DOT standard load ratings.

@TISWHEELS

TIS Wheels has been well known for their large diameter wheels on higly modified full-size trucks and SUVs. With the increased popularity of the Overlanding or adventure travel scene, TIS Wheels now enters 2021 with 17 inch wheels for smaller rigs perfectly suited for traversing backcounty roads and rugged terrain. Their aggressive V-spoke 556 wheel with similated beadlock ring ups the ante when it comes to off-road styling.

TITAN 7 T-AK1 714.909.0866 | TITAN-7.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/TITAN7WHEELS | @TITAN7WHEELS WHELL SIZES (DXW):17X8.5 AVAILABLE FINISHES: SATIN TITANIUM, MACHINE BLACK, TECHNA BRONZE Titan 7 Wheels “T-AK1” stands for All Terrain Attack is a fully forged wheel that features an anti-slip knurling for added traction. A unique triangulated inner spoke machining reduces weight while keeping the wheel structurally strong. THe T-AK1 is a premium off-road wheel that is one of the lightest of its kind. Reduced unsprung weight improves driving, handling, and fuel efficiency, and paired with their Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty, you have an unbeatable wheel that is “Forged For All”.

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TIRES

4WP FACTORY XTREME R/T 877.474.4821 | 4WHEELPARTS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/4WHEELPARTS |

@4WHEELPARTSOFFCIAL

The 4WP R/T Xtreme tires were engineered and designed for the Jeep and truck owner in mind. These Xtreme R/T tires feature a robust tread design and a 3-ply sidewall intended to give the vehicle a rugged look while the firm side lugs protect from any sharp objects. These R/T tires have open shoulder grooves and mud ejectors that launch dirt, mud, sand, gravel and snow while providing maximum traction. Proving these hybrid tires can handle any off-road terrain.

The 4WP R/T unique tread design breaks airways to prevent howling and harmonic sounds that irritate inside the cabin. Making this tire one of the quietest on the market. The high-ratio contact area on these tires provide added stability, handling and tread-life.

AMP TIRES TERRAIN PRO A/T P 866.894.3351 | AMP-TIRES.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/AMPTIRES | @AMPTIRES The AMP Terrain Pro A/T P delivers a longer tread life and withstands demanding environments.

With deep and multi-function tread grooves, it provides enhanced traction in a wide variety of conditions while delivering a smooth and controlled ride. A broad selection of sizing and a 60,000-mile warranty drive the Terrain Pro A/T P to be one of the leaders of the pack.ide added stability, handling and tread-life.

NITTO TIRE RIDGE GRAPPLER 805.233.4987 | NITTOTIRE.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/NITTOTIRE | @NITTTIRES The Ridge Grappler is the perfect balance between an off-road capable tire and a comfortable, quiet all-terrain tire. Nitto gave the Ridge Grappler noise-reducing variablepitch tread blocks and alternating shoulder grooves help to clear mud quickly while the Lateral Z grooves give more biting edges for traction.

The Ridge Grappler also comes available in an F load range rating in select sizes.

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RADAR TIRES RENEGADE R7 M/T 231.645.6452 | OMNI-UNITED.COM/RADAR | FACEBOOK.COM/RADARTIRESOFFICIAL |

@RADARTIRES

The Renegade R7 M/T is a mud terrain tire that has been designed specifically for extreme off-road applications. This range is designed to fit SUVs and light trucks and is suitable for vehicles with lift kits.

It features a reinforced 3-ply casing for high durability and state-of-the-art Stone-Ejector-Technology. An ideal choice for drivers who want no compromise with off-road traction and handling. Full range of sizes from 16”-22”. F-load range sizes available.

TOYO TIRES OPEN COUNTRY M/T 800.442.8696 | TOYOTIRES.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/TOYOTIRES |

@TOYOTIRES

The Open Country M/T is legendary for durability, off-road performance, long tread life, and an aggressive tread pattern. It’s designed to help trucks work hard on pavement and then work just as hard when roads are muddy, snowy, and rocky - or when there are no roads at all.

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SUSPENSION

BDS SUSPENSION 6” RADIUS ARM SYSTEM FOR 2019+ RAM 2500 517.279.2135 | BDS-SUSPENSION.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/BDSSUSPENSIONS | @BDSSUSPENSIONS Take your late model RAM 2500 up a few notches with BDS. Available in 3”, 4” and 6” lift sizes, these heavy duty radius arm systems improve performance and capability while maintaining on-road handling and ride quality. Kits include progressive rate coil springs, HD radius arms, track bar bracket and forged pitman arm, rear coil springs to level the stance, transfer case indexing and more. Depending on the size of the kit they’ll offer clearance for 35-38” tires under your late model RAM 2500. Price: $2,355.88

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ZONE OFFROAD 3” ADVENTURE SERIES LIFT KIT FOR 2020 CHEVY/GMC HD TRUCKS 888.998.9663 | ZONEOFFROAD.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/ZONEOFFROAD | @ZONEOFFROAD Add some style and performance to your new 2020 HD with the 3” adventure series lift kits. These 3” kits mount off the factory suspension geometry and can be returned to stock if you ever decide to do so. They use high-strength upper control arms (UCA), indexed torsion bar keys, swaybar relocation and differential relocation brackets along with your choice of Nitro or FOX gas shocks to take performance and capability to the next level with clearance for 35” tires. Price: $999.99

ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS JEEP JL/JT CENTERLINE STEERING STABILIZER 951.689.4266 | ICONVEHICLEDYNAMICS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/IVDSUSPENSION | @IVDSUSPENSION ICON’s Centerline Steering Stabilizer eliminates the common push/pull sensation associated with traditional steering stabilizers. Features include a clear anodized 6063 aluminum shock body for corrosion resistance, a 5/8” chrome plated hardened steel shaft for durability, premium 5WT shock oil that provides consistent damping characteristics across a wide operating temperature range, and a CNC machined billet aluminum 1-3/8” tie rod clamp featuring FK spherical bearings for precise operation.

Price: $304.45

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SUSPENSION

BILSTEIN B8 6112 FRONT COILOVER KIT 800.537.1085 | BILSTEIN.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/HTTPS:/BILSTEIN.US/ | @BILSTEINUS Designed for the serious off-road adventure seeker, the Bilstein B8 6112 kit is the ultimate suspension solution. This front coilover kit optimizes off-road and on-road capabilities with a 60mm digressive piston for increased damping control. Our B8 6112 shock absorbers come equipped with an adjustable spring seat perfect for leveling or lifting your vehicle, increasing ground clearance, and installing larger tires. Price: $799.00

EIBACH PRO-TRUCK-COILOVER 2.0 800.507.2338 | EIBACH.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/EIBACH | @EIBACH_WORLD Eibach’s all new Pro-Truck Coilover 2.0’s are here! Developed utilizing an extended-travel monotube design and variable force valving, Eibach Pro-Truck Coilover 2.0 delivers control during on-road transit and compliance for maximum traction on the trails. Price: $849.00

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TRECK BY ROAD ARMOR #RULEYOURADVENTURE

MODULAR & CUSTOMIZABLE

HIGHLY CAPABLE & EXTENSIBLE PLATFORM PATENT-PENDING HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STEALTH SERIES AT

ROADARMOR.COM/TRECK

ROAD ARMOR #RULETHEROAD #ROADARMOR

 roadarmor.com  877-294-2726

 RoadArmorBumpers  road_armor

PERFORMANCE/ACCESSORIES

BODY ARMOR 4X4 SKY RIDGE 2-PERSON PIKE TENT 951.808.0750 | BODYARMOR4X4.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/BODYARMOR4X4 | @BODYARMOR4X4 Sky Ridge Pike roof top tents are great in backcountry camping, comfort, and convenience. Made from 420D Rip-Stop Poly Oxford material keeps the elements out while you get a restful sleep in the backcountry. The robust tent base is constructed from welded aluminum tubing with insulation and an anti-scratch alunimum sheet.

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VISION X ARMOR SERIES LIGHT BRACKETS FOR JEEP GLADIATOR 888.489.9820 | VISIONXOFFROAD.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/VISIONXUSA | @VISIONXUSA Vision X has stepped up to create a new line of bulletproof off-road light brackets beginning with the Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT. No more shaky, weak, and cheap brackets! Their new Armor Series line of off-road light brackets are specifically designed to take a beating and come back for more. Torture tested in off-road racing, the new brackets are made entirely of 4130 alloy hardened American steel. These new brackets allow you to mount your Vision X LED Light Canons directly to your Jeep without any cutting or drilling using factory mounting points. Stay tuned for more Armor Series brackets at visionxoffroad.com

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PERFORMANCE/ACCESSORIES ORACLE LIGHTING SIDETRACK LED LIGHTING SYSTEM 800.407.5776 | ORACLELIGHTS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/ORACLELIGHTS | @ORACLELIGHTS The new Sidetrack LED Lighting System for Jeep Wrangler JL (2018-2020) and Jeep Gladiator JT (2020) models has tactical-inspired body cladding and is equipped with multi-function integrated LED lights that provide benefits to both driver and passengers. The LED “Turn Indicator” addresses a potential visibility issue with the US-spec Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator models which do not have a clear indicator on the side of the vehicle.

Provides a needed benefit for lifted Jeeps.

ORACLE LIGHTING Oculus Bi-LED Headlights 800.407.5776 | ORACLELIGHTS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/ORACLELIGHTS | @ ORACLELIGHTS Introducing the all-new Oculus™ Bi-LED Headlamp system by ORACLE Lighting. Featuring advanced LED projection with 4,000 Lumens of high-quality illumination for enhanced driver visibility in all weather conditions. ORACLE’s Precision LED projector provides optimum light distribution and beam angle. Installs using original mounting hardware and headlight wiring is Plug & Play into the factory connector without additional relays or harnesses. Designed specifically for the Jeeps Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT.

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DECKED TRUCK BED STORAGE SYSTEM 208.721.0785 | DECKED.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/DECKED.USA | @DECKEDUSA DECKED brings innovative, secure, weatherproof and organized storage in an easy-access, ergonomic storage solution to trucks and vans. Get more from your truck with DECKED. Get organized with a perfect solution for secure, weatherproof storage. American-made and built to stand up to any job.

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PERFORMANCE/ACCESSORIES

DS18 BC60L PROCHARGER 954.924.1213 | DS18.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/DS18SOUND | @DS18_SOUND BC60L Procharger is a high-performance power supply that can give a maximum current of 60 amps and operate in 3 different phases for the most efficient charging. The 1st phase (Elevation) is a pulsating constraint current. The 2nd phase is (Absorption) which gives constant voltage. The 3rd phase is Equalization. This phase keeps the battery at safe resting voltage but sends pulses of 14.5v every 5min to give the battery maximum charge while safely balancing the battery for longer battery life.

PRICE: $429.99

MAGNAFLOW OVERLAND SERIES PERFORMANCE EXHASUT SYSTEM 800.990.0905 | MAGNAFLOW.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/MAGNAFLOW | INSTAGRAM:@MAGNAFLOWEXHAUST MagnaFlow’s Overland Series was created with off-roaders in mind, built to provide owners with an exhaust system that enhances their outdoor adventures without limits. The new Overland Series cat-back exhaust line is currently available for the 2003-2009 Lexus GX 470, 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner V8 and 2010-2021 Lexus GX 460 and 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. More additions are in development and coming soon for the

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1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner and 2003-2020 Toyota 4Runner V6. With a focus on supporting today’s adventure vehicle builder, MagnaFlow worked hard to find a balance between high clearance performance and mindful exhaust sound to resonate well with both driver and nature.

The Overland Series leverages MagnaFlow’s dyno-proven performance while also benefiting from a less aggressive, more refined exhaust tone made specifically for exploring and epic long drives.

PRICE: $599.00

Photos provided by Carter Reed, Sport Truck USA, Inc. ©2020 STILLWATER DESIGNS

rs e f o o ® Subw . s T s R a p b Com ount. Big Thin-m

ized t Author ne. s e r a e n nli ur Visit yo r, in-store or o le a e D KICKER

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COMMS

MIDLAND MXT275 2-WAY RADIO MIDLAND MXT275 If you are looking for a powerful radio that won’t take up too much dashboard space, look no further than the Midland MXT275 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio. This low-profile, high-power radio is simple to use and includes a fully integrated handheld mic. A favorite among Overlanders and off-roaders alike, the MXT275 is powerful and compact making it perfect for your rig.

Unlike a traditional CB radio that’s limited by law to 4 watts, the MXT275 is packed with 15 watts of power. Whether you’re traversing a heavily wooded mountainside or communicating with far-off fellow Overlanders, this radio is powerful enough to get the message across.

Measuring at only 5.25” W x 5” D x 1” H which is nearly half the size of a traditional CB unit, this compact radio packs a big

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punch in a tiny package, making it perfect for those with limited dashboard space.

which brand of radio you or your adventure buddies may already have.

EASY TO INSTALL AND SIMPLE TO USE

NOAA WEATHER ALERT AND REPEATER CHANNELS

The MXT275 comes with everything you need for a quick and easy install, including a mounting bracket and hardware, 12V power cord with DC adapter, detachable antenna, and magnetic mount with a 6-meter cable.

The controls live on the mic, making it simple and straightforward to use. With 15 preprogrammed channels, it comes ready to use out of the box – no programming required.

Additionally, there is no tuning of the antenna required like there is with CB. You can quickly communicate with other walkie talkies and MicroMobiles with the MXT275. This radio can communicate with all Family Radio Service (FRS) / General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios no matter

We all know how frustrating – and dangerous – it can be when you’re stuck in the middle of a powerful storm while on the trail. The MXT275 includes a NOAA Weather Alert to make sure you’re aware at all times of incoming weather.

It receives alerts directly from the National Weather Service, so you know when to take cover without having to rely on cell phone service.

Need even more range? The MXT275 features 8 high-powered repeater capable channels. You can extend your operating range even further in obstructed terrain by using a repeater and these channels. The MXT275 is quickly becoming the new standard in off-road communication.

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UPFIT

NEW FOX PERFORMANCE ELITE 2.5 SERIES SHOCKS

WORDS: AR STAFF // PHOTOS: AR STAFF & FOX

T

he Adventure Rigs team and other media outfits had a chance to join Fox to test out their new Performance Elite 2.5 Series shocks for the Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT. The 107 degrees Fahrenheit desert temperature made the conditions perfect to test out the new shocks against its siblings - the Performance Series and Factory Race Series.

Fox brought out 4 Jeeps equipped with different suspension setups - factory stock, Performance Series, Performance Elite 2.5 Series, and Factory Race Series shocks.

Fox partnered with 4WP in putting together the event in Riverside, California for media and 4WP executives to experience the entire Fox lineup of Jeep-specific products and introduce their Performance Elite 2.5 shocks to the public. It was an eye-opening experience for those who attended. The premier performance shock manufacturer chose to launch their new 2.5 aluminum body Jeep shocks through 4WP and by the time you read this they should already be available at your local 4WP retail locations.

The stock Jeep Wrangler felt capable and at home on the 2-mile dirt trail where we were doing our testing. It had no problems going over small obstacles and rutted sections of the trail and was adequate but lacking. It wasn’t until we’d ridden on the Fox-equipped Jeeps that we realized why the hell would one keep their stock Jeep shocks and not upgrade.

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Fox’s “entry-level” Performance 2.0 Series shocks were a big improvement in handling ruts, washboards, whoops, and loose dirt on the trail. However capable the Performance Series shocks were, it was apparent they lacked the refinement, smoothness, and adjustability of its Factory Race Series big brother. The Jeep (owned by King of the Hammers Champion Jason Scherer) equipped with the Factory Race Series shocks was a completely different beast.

We could feel the tires planted on the ground at all times, but at the same time gave us a sensation of floating over the rough sections of the trail. Jason showed us the full capability of the shocks drifting around technical turns at high speeds and flying up rutted hills. Fox’s “Go Big” top of the line shocks is a truly refined suspension system in itself.

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The new Performance Elite 2.5 Series shocks were developed to bridge the price and performance gap between the Performance Series and Factory Race Series products. The Gladiator test mule we were in went around the 2-mile dirt trail much smoother and noticeably faster than both the stock Jeep and the one equipped with Performance 2.0 Series shocks. It’s safe to say that the Performance Elite 2.5 Series shocks felt closer in performance to the Factory Race Series than to its little brother. Having 2.5” diameter aluminum shock bodies and external reservoirs proved to be beneficial in the sweltering afternoon temps as the ride quality didn’t seem to diminish with extended use. Just like on the Factory Race Series shocks, the external adjustments on the reservoirs to control compression and rebound allowed the Performance Elite 2.5 Series on the Gladiator to adapt to varying terrain and driving style with the turn of a knob. These new shocks can handle a lot of abuse as it was designed with durability in mind with its redundant sealing packs and oversized shafts. Just like all Fox shocks, this new offering from Fox is fully-rebuildable which gives you the confidence to “Go Harder”!

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TRAIL BLADE MTS

FULL-CONTACT

SPORT

THE NEW BEAST ON THE BLOCK Inspired by modifications done by Atturo’s short-course off-road racing teams, the Trail Blade MTS is the first tire in our exciting new Trail Blade Sport series. Built to rip and grip in the muddiest terrain, the MTS features a hungry tread of grooves, sipes, and a unique four-lug pattern. As the best new mud tire available, the MTS is ready to chew through the most grueling conditions. Don’t be afraid to play dirty and Go Your Own Way.

Get a custom fit for the way you roll.

Find your local Atturo dealer at

ATTURO.COM/MTS

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N35°46’4 2” W 1 15°14’36”

IT’S COOL TO BE DIFFERENT 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2WD WORDS / PHOTOS: MICHAEL SALVADOR |

[FROM PAVEMENT TO DIRT]

I

grew up being into cars, mainly the Tuner car scene - autocross, drifting, and time attack races. As I matured, I started to appreciate cars other than just import cars.

I love the heritage of American Muscle, the sexy lines of European race cars, and the technological innovations in Asian vehicles. I certainly can appreciate classic cars more than anything.

I was about 18 years old when my first real exposure to the off-roading scene happened.

One day my brother’s best friend took me off-roading in his 1986 SAS (Solid Axle Swap) Toyota pickup truck powered by a 22R-TE motor. Before this, I wasn’t really into offroading, but I was aware of the scene. This single event riding shotgun in a Toyota pickup sparked my interest in off-roading even more. Then I went off to college in Colorado, and one of my closest friends in school had a 1988 2-door Jeep Cherokee with the I6 motor and 4-speed in it. That thing ripped!

These exposures to 4x4 vehicles solidified my interest and involvement with off-road rigs.

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@4THGENMIKE

“IT’S COOL TO BE DIFFERENT. BESIDES THE APPARENT FRONT END TACOMA SWAP, MY GOOD FRIEND BRADLEE AND I FABRICATED THE FRONT BUMPER AND I FABRICATED THE REAR BUMPER BY MYSELF.” ADVENTURERIG SM AG .COM

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IT’S COOL TO BE DIFFERENT: 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2WD

The Sparco Fighter driver’s seat makes Mike feel safe and secure on sections of the trail that his 4Runner shouldn’t be driving fast through.

[LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON]

The 4Runner is my first off-road vehicle and the first build I ever did.

With my 4Runner being 2WD, I went in not knowing much of what mods I could do to the rig. The 4Runner wasn’t the first choice, to be honest.

The Tacoma was, but it was out of my price range. I wasn’t always a Toyota fan. I was a fan of Nissan because of the cars they had produced from the 1970s to the early 2000s. Toyota was a thing in my family though, so I just naturally gravitated towards the Toyota brand. When I was growing up, my dad had a 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 in that “old man” gold color. Haha. I loved that 4Runner! So, the 4Runner brings back some childhood memories.

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[MARCHING TO THE BEAT OF HIS OWN DRUM]

When it came to picking out parts, it was a matter of quality, pricing, and the ever so favorite question: “Do I need it?” As far as philosophy goes, I always stood by, “It’s cool to be different.” Besides the apparent front end Tacoma swap, my good friend Bradlee and I fabricated the front bumper and I fabricated the rear bumper by myself. The Taco front end was “made-to-fit,” which is what I like to say. It sets me apart from everyone else. It’s different and I love it because I did it. It fits my personality. I also built the drawer-platform in the trunk during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. It keeps everything organized in the back of the truck.

IT’S COOL TO BE DIFFERENT: 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2WD

I love to go fast and I love to be different. How many 4th generation 4Runners do you see out there with long travel kits, 35” tires, mobbing around in the desert? Very few, and I know all of them, which is pretty cool. The very few I know are all very humble, down to earth dudes and it sucks to say it but we’re sometimes frowned upon by many in our community. 4Runners are these 4x4 machines that are either built to do some crawling or used for Overlanding.

We mix ourselves with both the crawling and Overlanding crowd, and having suspension setups that allow us to do high-speed desert runs makes us feel like oddballs and misfits at times. We don’t fit in a specific rig style or philosophy of use. Maybe we belong to a new off-road category.

[GREASE MONKEY...NOT BY CHOICE]

For the most part, I do most of my parts installs and all the adjustments. My buddy Bradlee has helped me from the beginning when it came to the fabricating of my bumpers. In my opinion, the off-roading scene in Las Vegas is getting smaller, with fewer shops into the type of offroading that I do. Most of the people I know that can help me are in SoCal. Upfitting this rig never ends. There is still so much needed to be done to my 4Runner. That list contains lower control arm (LCA) cam tab gussets, solid motor mounts, and possibly a spring under rear-end swap.

So far, my favorite mod on the 4Runner are the seats...out of everything done to the rig, the seats are my favorite. I picked up a Sparco Fighter seat for it and it is my favorite seat ever.

Buckets in an SUV, let alone a soccer mom car?

Heck Yeah! Haha. In all seriousness, the seats keep me in place while off-roading. I feel safe and secure on corners and sections of a trail that you usually shouldn’t be driving through fast, like whoop sections.

King Shocks long travel suspension make going through whoop sections a breeze.

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I’ve also installed race headers. Yes, you read that right. One of my favorite mods is that my 4Runner has URD Spec U race headers...meaning there is no catalytic converter. Yes, it’s loud, and yes, I’d get State reffed in California, but luckily I live in Nevada.

tons of trails out there leading to Laughlin and Primm. Through all this, there are jump sections and a lot of whoop areas. Mind you that this is the area that The Mint 400 uses, so trophy trucks and other race rigs receive a good bashing through there. I love speed and I try to push the 4Runner’s limits out in the open desert.

[NOT A DESERT TORTOISE]

I did go on a challenging technical trail ride a few years ago in the winter at Wheeler Pass, which is supposedly a 4x4 only trail. It’s a trail from the

Locally, my favorite trail is just the Jean, Nevada dry lake bed. There are

Jean Dry Lake Bed is a local favorite of many Las Vegas off-roaders because of its miles of unobstructed flat surface.

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IT’S COOL TO BE DIFFERENT: 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2WD

northwest area of Las Vegas that dumps you out in southern Nevada in Pahrump. Out of the 7 trucks that went, 3 of us were 2WD and I was the only one that kept my momentum up. Unfortunately, we didn’t finish it because a Tundra in our crew kept getting stuck and a 2nd Gen Taco broke its carrier bearing. The only thing I broke off was my quarter panel trim on my driver’s side, stuffed with my 33” Hankook Dynapros at that time.

My 4Runner isn’t much of a road trip vehicle because of the horrible 12mpg I get on it. But, when I do local stuff or drive to the lake, I always prepare for those “just in case” situations… primarily when I work the Mint 400. I always get the tires checked, bring spare parts (mainly tie rods), toolbox, and pack up my spare 35” tire in the back. I also make it a habit to always check my suspension hardware and my wheel lugs before and after each outing.

After those things, I check coolant, oil, and the essential part when you’re in the desert, A/C!

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I

n anticipation of KC HiLiTES’s 50th Anniversary in 2020, Alan Wang, CEO of KC HiLiTES, wanted to build one that captured both KC’s heritage of the 1970s, while showcasing KC’s latest innovations. Alan considered many classic rigs - from a Toyota Land Cruiser to a Ford Bronco but eventually decided on a classic Jeep Wagoneer. He then brought in Rick DeWeese, who meticulously built the infamous 1966 Dunewhore Bug, to find and build what he envisioned. Rick searched

“far and wide” and finally located a 1969 Jeep Wagoneer in Southern California.

He was fortunate enough to find this “survivor” Jeep in almost mint condition, but just restoring it to its original stock form wasn’t enough. Rick wanted to put his creative spin on this build.

After months of working with Nick Valentine from NVFab and understanding Alan’s requirements, the AdvHulk Wagoneer debuted at the 2019 SEMA

Show. The nostalgic vibes with modern amenities of AdvHulk became a hit at SEMA and made Top 10 Overland Vehicles.

From there, the AdvHulk Wagoneer made its public debut at Four Wheeler Adventure Expo in Costa Mesa, California and there was a surprise reveal of the RC MiniAdvHulk provided by RC4WD. We asked Alan more about his backstory with the Wagoneer build.

Vehicle Year: 2015 Vehicle Make: Jeep Vehicle Model: Wrangler JKU 46

Owner’s Name: Jim Hart Instagram: @ground_pounder_hq1 Photographer’s Name: Jim Hart and Logan at Rift Media Group

N34°16’15” W 117 ° 30’5”

ADVHULK 1969 JEEP WAGONEER OWNER: ALAN WANG | @KCHILITES WORDS: KC HILITES STAFF // PHOTOS: JORDAN KEPLER @LOST.SASQUATCH / MATT GIRGIS @RAD_Z71

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ADVHULK: 1969 JEEP WAGONEER

“I wasn’t expecting the Wagoneer to have the creature comforts of a newer rig, and I quickly realized patience is key.”

Modern conveniences on an old classic make this 1969 Wagoneer a reliable and comfortable adventure rig.

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N34°16’15” W 117 °30’5”

“After finally meeting George, the original owner of the Wagoneer, and seeing the care that it takes to restore a classic vehicle, I now have a newfound appreciation of the art. I wasn’t expecting the Wagoneer to have the creature comforts of a newer rig, and I quickly realized patience is key. Some of the things like the old tailgate window motor had to be rebuilt. The locks and old crank windows had to be realigned. The windshield wipers had to be redone. Some of the newer upgrades like the motor, transmission, and gearing, had to be tuned a bit more to get the AdvHulk to its optimal performance. It just took more time.

My ultimate goal is to take this Wagoneer on long off-road adventures, so we continue to make adjustments. Since SEMA Show 2019, my team and I had a chance to take out the Wagoneer to off-road trails from King of the Hammers, Big Bear, and the Santa Ynez Mountains. I’m so grateful that my staff is deeply passionate about the products we make and even more passionate about using them.

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ADVHULK: 1969 JEEP WAGONEER

N34°16’15” W 117 ° 30’5”

“I know they (KC HiLiTES staff) had a lot of fun doing the shakedown runs, but now I’m looking forward to taking my family out with this beast and creating new memories with my wife and kids.”

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“...[found a] “survivor” Jeep in almost mint condition, but just restoring it to its original stock form wasn’t enough.

Rick [the Wagoneer’s builder] wanted to put his creative spin on this build.”

I know they had a lot of fun doing the shakedown runs, but now I’m looking forward to taking my family out with this beast and creating new memories with my wife and kids.”

Being a KC shop build, expect the 1969 Jeep Wagoneer to feature a host of KC HiLiTES products. From the top, they worked closely with NVFab to fit a custom Pro6 M-RACKS and a Rear Chase Bar on the back. The A-pillars are Slimlite LEDs, which can be used with a variety of 6” covers. The headlights are Gravity Pro, with additional Carbon Pod Gravity inserts embedded within the grill. The front blinkers were repurposed with a 10” KC FLEX LED Light Bar. The fog pockets use the Amber Gravity G4 Fog Lights. Then, the Green Cyclone Universal Rock Light Kit was installed throughout the underbelly of this beast, while matching Green Cyclone accessory lights were used for under dash lights. To finish it off, they added a Diffused Cyclone accessory light for the interior dome lighting.

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ADVHULK: 1969 JEEP WAGONEER

Vehicle Specs • 1969 Jeep Wagoneer Lighting

• Custom Gravity Pro6 M-RACKS • Rear Chase Bar • KC FLEX LED 10” Light Bar • Gravity Pro Headlight • Gravity Insert from Carbon Pod • Slimlite LED A-Pillar • Amber Gravity G4 Fog Lights • Green Cyclone Universal Rock Light Kit • Green Cyclone Under Dash Lights • Diffused Cyclone Dome Light Under The Hood

• V8 Motor: LY6 6.0L with LS3 cam by NVFab

• Holley Performance ECU and harnesses • Aeromotive fuel pump and filters • Novac Radiator/Core Support and mounting brackets Drivetrain

• 4L80 Transmission and rebuilt transfer case by Maximum transmissions

• Currie Enterprises F9 front and rear axles

• Reid Racing high steering knuckle • Warn hubs • Custom shifter and linkage by NVFab • Custom steering linkage by NVFab • Tom Woods drive shafts and transfer case slip yoke eliminator kit

• Power steering solutions. Ram assist and rebuilt/upgraded steering box

• Fuel safe cell. Cradle/mount built by NVFab

• Magnaflow muffler, complete stainless • 3” exhaust built by NVFab • Hooker exhaust manifolds Electrical

• X TC Power Products Switch Power Control Systems

• Electrical wiring by Hardwired Performance

• (2) Optima Battery Red Top Batteries Body Protection

• Custom Front and Rear Bumper by NVFab

As a KC HiLiTES shop build, the 1969 Jeep Wagoneer features a host of high quality KC HiLiTES products.

• Custom Tire Carrier by NVFab Wheels & Tires

• Walker Evans Racing 17” Wheels • BFGoodrich KM3 M/T 37” Suspension

• ICON 2.5” Reservoir Shocks • Atlas leaf springs front and rear Recovery

• M8274-70 Warn Winch (70th Anniversary Edition)

• Factor 55 Flatlink Interior

• Full Intercom System by Rugged Radios

• Rockford Fosgate Audio System • Custom Rear Cargo area • SnoMaster Small and Large Fridge • PRP Seats / Harness / Recover Ropes • Tie Straps • Custom carpet, door panels, and headliner by V&M upholstery

• Center console wrapped by NVFab 52

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THE DAILY GRIND N3 7 °38’39” W 91°2’5 4”

2015 JEEP WRANGLER

JKU

OWNER/WORDS: JIM HART | @GROUND_POUNDER_HQ1 PHOTOS: JIM HART AND LOGAN AT RIFT MEDIA GROUP | @RIFT.MG

Vehicle Year: 2015 Vehicle Make: Jeep Vehicle Model: Wrangler JKU 54

Owner’s Name: Jim Hart Instagram: @ground_pounder_hq1 Photographer’s Name: Jim Hart and Logan at Rift Media Group

[HUMBLE BEGINNINGS]

I

don’t have any formal training in the automotive world, but my dad was very skilled when it came to vehicles and I learned a lot from him. I vividly remember watching him wrench on his cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles as a kid. I got my tinkering and grease monkey knowledge from him. My dad was never afraid to dive into a project after reading his manuals. I watched, learned, and became familiar with how things worked, and it wasn’t too long before he allowed me to do more than hand him tools. I later found out that giving them to him prepared me for the next step by becoming familiar with different tools and predicting when he would need them. I guess this is how they should teach you in mechanics training because it works. He would eventually allow me to assist him and ask my opinion on what he should do next. After many years of learning and working with him, I became very comfortable diving into automotive projects.

When I was about ten years old, my dad had a green 1979 Chevy Blazer that he had customized; she was beautiful. I truly enjoyed off-roading with him and his friends as a child and this started my desire and ambition to own a truck when I grew up. Wouldn’t you know it, my first vehicle was a tan 1970 Chevy Chevette 4-door when I turned 16 years old. It was no truck or even remotely an off-road vehicle, but it saw some terrain that it was not intended for due to my desire to be off pavement. It proved to be a very sturdy vehicle!

I had always had my sights on my dad’s Blazer, but that never came to be.

Soon after the Chevy Chevette, my parents purchased a blue 1970 Chevy Silverado for my high school graduation. This truck was a two-door short bed pick-up that saw many East Coast trails during its life. It started with a 2” lift and 33” tires and ultimately ended up on a 4.5” lift and 38” Super Swampers. If I knew then what I know now, this truck would have been different with much higher quality components. Even with my limited budget and knowledge of what it takes to build a sturdy off-road vehicle, she proved to be a pretty capable vehicle in the muddy wooded terrain of Ohio and North Carolina. I truly loved my Silverado, she was a deep royal blue and her V8 sounded great!

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Part of adventure travel is dealing with equipment failure, such as a sheared trailer axle, and being prepared to overcome challenges.

[A BREAK FROM THE BOW TIE]

Even though Chevys were a big part of my life, I can remember as a child when I would draw trucks, they would always be Jeep-looking vehicles and would always have the round KC lights and huge knobby tires on them. I also enjoyed the 1/4-ton Jeeps in military service.

They were bare-bones but seemed as if they would go anywhere. I missed the opportunity to purchase a few Jeeps in my life and when I found my Jeep, HQ, while on a flight returning from the UK, there was no way I was letting this one slip away!

[MODULARITY]

The Jeep Wrangler is like the AR-15 of the vehicle world. There’s an infinite number of quality aftermarket parts available, and as long as you aren’t afraid to dive in, there’s very little that someone with moderate mechanical skills can’t tackle. You can create a truly personalized look; even if someone else has the same part or parts, the odds of another Jeep identical to yours are pretty low.

HQ has gone through three suspension lifts and some pretty extensive modifications. Having been from the East Coast and now living on the West Coast, I was unaware of the vastly different types of off-roading. At first, I wanted HQ higher on bigger tires, but that quickly evolved into wanting it more robust and more capable of crawling over rocky terrain and at the same time providing my wife and me the ability to camp wherever the rig could take us.

When we first started driving on rocky technical trails, I found it to be a bit nerve-racking. I was always worried about breaking or bending something on the stock Dana 44s even with sleeved and gusseted ones. HQ had sustained a few pretty good battle scars before our most recent modifications and bent a couple of axles, fenders, and creased a door. Running 37” tires on semi-float axles proved to be a no-go for us after bending two inner axles. Now that we are trailing on much beefier components, there is very little concern about breaking

something. I continue to drive HQ as I did before the modifications, but now I can concentrate 100% on the trail instead of being concerned about damage. The Dana 60s open new trail opportunities too!

After seeing a few different four-tire air-up systems, I decided to design and build my own.

I use an ARB twin air compressor connected to a 2.5-gallon tank that feeds two built-in air chucks that are in each rear wheel well. The interior airlines are 3,500 psi fire-rated hydraulic hoses connected to the chucks in the wheel wells with bulkhead fittings. The exterior lines are typical shop red airlines with a T-fitting at the chuck end and a short line to the rear wheel and along to the front. Once connected, it is an open system that airs all four tires at the same time without any leaks.

I have done almost all of the modifications to HQ myself so that I would become familiar with the vehicle and how all the components work together rather than having someone else build it and not have that intimate association.

However, I use Rock-Tech Offroad in La Habra, California, to ensure everything was done right and do the final tweaking after completing something like adding the Dana Ultimate 60s and Clayton Off-Road Long Arms. Having a professional eye look over my work always gives me peace of mind.

[THE DAILY GRIND]

HQ is primarily our company’s (Ground Pounder Coffee LLC) coffee delivery rig. We have a custom made slide-out for the rear driver’s side door that either holds two 100-cup brewers or a custom-designed 5 station pour-over unit that I designed. HQ provides us with the ability to take our coffee to even the most remote locations and share it with anyone and everyone. HQ also provides my wife and me the ability to explore the outdoors in our downtime.

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THE DAILY GRIND: 2015 JEEP WRANGLER JKU

“The Jeep Wrangler is like the AR-15 of the vehicle world....You can create a truly personalized look; even if someone else has the same part or parts, the odds of another Jeep identical to yours are pretty low.”

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I started Ground Pounder Coffee LLC because I love coffee and desire to meet new people who enjoy getting out in the world. What better way to meet people than to share delicious coffee with them and talk about awesome adventures?

Ground Pounder Coffee became a reality when I met Brian Zielinski on a flight from New York to Los Angeles. While sitting across the aisle from him, I could tell that he was looking in my direction and asked me about my watch and commented on my tattoos. At first, I tried to avoid making eye contact with him. However, after he started the conversation, we quickly hit it off, and very soon after, Ground Pounder Coffee LLC was born. Brian is the owner of a coffee roastery and has been my mentor since I started Ground Pounder Coffee.

[THE FAVES]

My wife and I truly enjoy the ability to camp comfortably anywhere HQ can take us. Our Ursa Minor camper on top of the Jeep allows us the

flexibility to camp in areas where you cannot set up ground tents. It’s a game-changer when it comes to adventure travel. We have added a ton of lighting to HQ that provides us with plenty of visibility for trail running and camp lighting. Our trail lighting is from KC HiLiTES, and our camp lighting is from Hard Korr lighting. When all our lighting is combined, there is only one direction without light, and that’s straight up. We like having peace of mind when we’re exploring or camping in remote locations. Everything that we’ve done from the frame down gives us that. Riding on the JE Reel 1350 canyon crawler driveshafts, Clayton Offroad long arms and skid plate system, AEV High Capacity springs, Dana Ultimate 60s, Steer Smarts Yedi XD steering components, 38X13.50R17 Falken WildPeak M/T tires, and Raceline Monster beadlock wheels provide comfort knowing that unless something goes catastrophically wrong, we will make it through any obstacle we might encounter on our adventures.

[WE’RE NOT DONE]

JEEP…The never-ending story! Truly the only two things that I would like to do is add more efficient shock absorbers to the suspension system and a V8 motor to HQ. I have been looking into better shocks or coilovers for a while now and have always wanted to put a bigger heart in HQ. The V8 would provide us with the needed power to haul the supplies we need to the remote locations where real adventures happen.

[AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ADVENTURE]

Last year I set out on a 16-day adventure with my friend and PR representative Ryan Cacacho and my dog Cody. We traveled from Southern California through Arizona, around the north side of the Grand Canyon, through Escalante National Monument to Moab in Utah. From Moab, we took the Rim-Rocker trail toward Montrose, Colorado. A sheared trailer axle cut Rim-Rocker short on the way out. Ultimately, we ended up in Ouray, Colorado, where we met up with LOST Jeeps SoCal members.

We spent the next six days hitting trails like Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass, Hurricane Pass, and several others. Ryan and I camped at the top of Imogene Pass one night, where we saw both the sun setting and moon rising at night and vice-versa the next morning. Ryan took a fantastic photo of HQ with Ursa Major in the sky overhead. My daughter graduated from Navy boot camp while I was on this adventure, and I watched her graduation on my phone with my cell booster. After saying goodbye to our friends of LOST Jeeps SoCal, Ryan, Cody, and I decided to tackle the Rim-Rocker trail from Montrose to Moab. From Moab, we traveled around the southern side of the Grand Canyon and we spent the last night at Kaibab, in Arizona,

“I have done almost all of the modifications to HQ myself so that I would become familiar with the vehicle and how all the components work together...”

“I think the most memorable local trails are the ones shared with friends, no matter how easy or technical they are.”

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THE DAILY GRIND: 2015 JEEP WRANGLER JKU

Multi-day adventures to epic locations in California, Arizona, and Colorado that we go on aren’t the only ones that bring great experiences. Now that we live in southern Nevada, we are finding even more awesome trails! I think the most memorable local trails are the ones shared with friends, no matter how easy or technical they are. Having said this, I do enjoy trails like Metal Masher, Copper Cache, and John Bull; the rockier, the better.

bolt torques to fluid levels. I change my oil, rotate tires, clean air filter, check steering and differential fluid, grease every fitting and joint, test radios, check the fire extinguisher, check first aid kit for expired or missing supplies, test lighting, and replace batteries in tools that require batteries. And then, I check again. I check twice because if I get distracted on the first go around, I will catch it on the second check. Bolt torque specs are checked easily by using a product called Cross Check. This product saves a lot of time during PMCS. Once a bolt or nut is torqued down, and this product is applied and dried, Cross Check will crack if torque spec is lost, quickly identifying a potential problem.

Prior planning prevents poor performance.

[TRIP PREPPING]

[PRO TIP FOR ROOKIES]

where we camped next to a beautiful lake.

This was a 3,000-mile trip consisting of just over 1,000 miles off-road and lots of camping.

The adventures experienced and the new friendships made on this trip were amazing!

Our 16-day trip to Colorado took about two weeks. Planning and preparing for a long-range trip like that takes a bit of time. Mapping our route and procuring supplies (food, water, and fuel) are the most important. I research the areas that we will be traveling through, looking for everything from private lands, closed trails, trail conditions, and look for the most scenic routes. I use Gaia Maps for trip routing. While on the road and trails, I run both standard GPS and Gaia maps that provide me with as much route detail as possible. I also have a physical map in HQ. Physical maps are often easier for me to look around when searching for alternate routes.

Due to limited storage capacity in the Jeep, I look for restocking points for food and water along the route. When it comes to packing, I tend to overdo it. It’s better to have things and not need them than to need them and not have them. Typically, after gathering everything I think I will need, I lay everything out and go through it, looking for redundancy and evaluating the necessity of certain items.

Then comes the packing portion, squaring everything away as organized as possible. On the way to the first fuel point, I conduct a load check. I break hard, accelerate rapidly, and turn hard left and right looking for things that are not adequately secured. These items can become dangerous projectiles in the event of an accident or become incredibly annoying as they rattle constantly.

Our trip preparation goes beyond just mapping and gathering supplies. I follow the PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services) before every big trip. I check everything from

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We were once new to off-road and adventure

travel, and the biggest tip I have for first-timers is to go with someone who has been there before. Traveling as a group will significantly reduce frustration and possible trouble. I genuinely enjoy taking people out on their first-time trips because it helps them relax, and I remember the details that are often taken for granted when you’ve been doing this for a while. If a first-timer doesn’t have a friend to take them on their first adventure, they need to keep it short and close range. Being close to civilization will provide an easy recovery and a safety net in the event of trouble. Have working communications and share your location with a friend! Practice setting up your camp even before you leave your driveway. Be familiar with how every single camp equipment works. This will allow you to set up on trail more efficiently and get accustomed to your camp set-up and where things belong.

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N3 7 °38’39” W 91°2’5 4”

CROSSING OVER 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK OWNER / WORDS / PHOTOS: JUAN VALADEZ |

@VALATRK

Vehicle Year: 2015 Vehicle Make: Jeep Vehicle Model: Wrangler JKU 62

Owner’s Name: Jim Hart Instagram: @ground_pounder_hq1 Photographer’s Name: Jim Hart and Logan at Rift Media Group

N35°3 7 ’16” W 117 °21’4 2”

I

grew up loving cars. I didn’t have many toys when I was a kid but one that is memorable for me was the original Fun-To-Drive Dashboard.

It was my favorite toy that made me aware of how much I would love being behind the wheel someday. My favorite cars were the 1967 Ford Mustang and the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS. I’ve always had a passion for photography. I remember as a child, my father would always watch the National Geographic channel. I was intrigued to see how close these photographers got to wild animals and the types of photographs they would capture. I began my photography journey back in November of 2016. It wasn’t until I started photographing landscapes that I realized the necessity for an off-road vehicle. So, I’d have to say that photography led me into the off-road scene. I wanted a car that could get me to remote areas to photograph certain landscapes.

[CHECKING ALL THE BOXES]

The Subaru Crosstrek I have now is my first off-road vehicle build. I’m a big fan of the Subaru brand and I love the aesthetics, size, and fuel efficiency of the Crosstrek. I work pretty far from home and fuel economy is a priority for me. I wanted a vehicle that I would be able to drive daily and go off-roading with. The Crosstrek checked all the boxes for me. I love the build’s transformation process. Seeing my stock Subaru change from a plain-looking all-wheel-drive compact car to what it looks like now and the much improved off-pavement capabilities have been a real treat.

[NOT SO SOFT]

I find it somewhat funny that some enthusiasts started referring to small all-wheel-drive rigs like the Subaru Crosstrek and Jeep Renegade as soft-roaders because of their relatively limited off-roading capabilities.

Compared to wholly built out Wranglers, Gladiators, Tacomas, and 4Runners that can tackle more challenging terrain, the Crosstrek is obviously at a disadvantage with its shorter suspension travel and lower ground clearance. I honestly do not believe that what we do in our Crosstreks is different from off-roading because you’re technically going off-road when going on trails or Overlanding. I do not consider my Crosstrek a soft-roading rig. Part of exploring and off-roading is to test the capabilities of your rig. Just like Jeep owners know their rigs have limitations, I also know the Crosstrek’s limits, but I’ve put it through the test on some pretty challenging trails and it hasn’t disappointed me.

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CROSSING OVER: 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK I’ve taken my Crosstrek on countless trips already, but the most memorable one so far was to Anza Borrego State Park Specifically, the Hills of the Moon Trail.

[PICKY PICKING PARTS]

I pick my parts after doing extensive research. I like to look into hard-working companies that, for the most part, build their products in the U.S. I compare parts from various companies and decide what I think would work best for my rig. There are three modifications right now on the Crosstrek that I love. The first is the Prinsu Design Roof Rack for second-generation Crosstreks. The second is the Warn Industries semi-hidden bumper kit. Lastly, the Rigid Armor swing-out spare tire carrier is a must-have for Crosstreks built for Overlanding. I went with these three companies because I believe they make high quality, functional products.

Regarding the Prinsu Rack, it is so sleek and practical that it has allowed me to customize what I carry and organize my light system and awning. I went with the Warn Industries bumper instead of a tubular custom off-road bumper because I like Crosstrek’s OEM aesthetics. I also felt that this option added a more aggressive 64

look to the rig. It’s super functional since it allowed me to install a Warn 55S winch for self-recovery. As far as Rigid Armor, I wanted to have the option to haul my spare tire on a carrier as opposed to strapping it on my roof rack.

Since I previously owned their drop-down spare tire carrier and was very impressed with the quality. Therefore, I decided to get their swingout option to get easier access to the trunk.

I’ve done most of the wrenching on my rig, so it gives me a lot of sense of accomplishment when I’ve added new mods to the Crosstrek. I’m planning on installing a dual-battery system and rock sliders to give my rig some extra protection for my rocker panels and undercarriage from getting absolutely thrashed.

[CROSSTREKIN’ IT]

I’ve taken my Crosstek on countless trips already, but the most memorable one so far was to Anza Borrego State Park. Specifically, the

Hills of the Moon Trail. From the research I had done before planning that trip, I knew it was a moderate to difficult trail. I wanted to explore this trail because of its renowned reputation. It was a caravan of three rigs - all Crosstreks. We faced some challenges, but also advantages.

Having smaller rigs allowed for us to get through some pretty narrow areas a lot easier. However, halfway through the trail, this particular area made us think that the Crosstreks weren’t going to be able to handle it. Nonetheless, the adventurer in me motivated everyone else to continue the trail! We got our shovels and began digging away dirt and rock to create a better passage. I’m glad we all made it through, only to find out that further down the trail, we would have to head back the same way we came because going forward wasn’t an option. The trail turned into a path of large rocks that only bigger rigs could handle. When we reached the same location that we previously had difficulty with, that’s when the most memorable moment

there was a good samaritan with a rock-crawling Jeep who winched me out of that predicament.

After that, I was able to finish the trail. It was a great adventure for sure!

[TRIP PLANNING]

I make it a point that I’m prepared to go on a trip even before my tires hit the road. I make sure my off-road maps are updated and check that my rig would be able to do certain trails and to make sure that I can get to certain areas to Overland. I make sure the weather is right to go on a trip. Most of the time, the destination and weather dictate what gear and supplies I need to take with me on the journey. I make sure that I have all the basics - camping gear, recovery gear, and tools if anything goes wrong. Obviously,

I give my rig a once over for mechanical and maintenance items. I check that my battery and everything under my hood is functioning correctly. I make sure that all bolts are properly torqued. I inspect my tires and ensure that everything is up and running.

Things don’t always go as planned when you’re out in the backcountry. That’s why I have contingencies so I can make it back home in one piece. I have my Warn 55S winch, Pro Eagle off-road jack that never leaves the trunk, all the recovery gear, and tools. However, I would say that one of the most important things is my Midland USA GMRS 2-Way radio. It is essential to have good comms when you’re out there adventuring.

of this experience occurred. I was the leading rig and I couldn’t see anything because of how elevated that part of the trail was. I decided to turn my tires to the driver’s side as much as possible, hoping to land safely. Once I made it through, I radioed the rest of the group to do the same. However, for whatever reason, the last rig got stuck in a pretty bad ditch. We got to work immediately with the shovels and used the tow straps on the vehicle to attempt to pull it out.

Fortunately for everyone, we were successful and all three rigs made it out of the trail safely.

The final destination was good old steaks and some brews.

As tricky as Hills of the Moon Trail was, it’s not the most technical and challenging trail I’ve been. As far as the most challenging trail I’ve done, I would have to give that to Phillips Loop in Calico, California. I was about to finish the trail when my rig got stuck. My front skid plate got stuck on top of a pretty large rock. Luckily ADVENTURERIG SM AG .COM

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N3 4°56’41” W 1 16°50’21”

VEHICLE SPECS Wheels/Tires

• 15x7 Black Rhino Sandstorm wheels • 235/75R15 Milestar Patagonia A/T tires Performance

• Optima Red Top AGM BCI Group 75/25 Starting Battery • Magnaflow Exhaust Suspension

• Rallitek 2” Lift Kit, Overload Springs, Adjustable Rear Control Arms. Bilstein B6 Struts Armor/Exterior

• Warn Industries Semi-Hidden Bumper & Grill Guard • Primitive Racing Front, Mid and Rear Skid Plates • Rigid Armor Spare Tire Carrier with Rotopax and Shovel mount OEM Wind Deflectors

• Perrin License Plate Relocator (rear) Lighting

• Trigger Six Shooter Controller • Baja Designs S8 40” Driving Combo LED Amber Light Bar • Baja Designs Squadron Sport Amber LED Driving/Combo (Pods) • Baja Designs Squadron-R Sport LED Driving/Combo, Amber (Fog Lights)

CROSSING OVER: 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK

• Baja Designs S2 Sport Work/Scene LED (Side Lights) • Baja Designs S1 Work/Scene LED (Rear LIghts) • Baja Designs S2 Sport, LED Red (Chase Lights) Recovery Gear

• Warn Industries 55S Winch • Factor 55 Flatlink Shackle • Factor 55 Hitch Link 2.0.

Gear Storage, Organization, Racks

• Prinsu Design and CBI Offroad Fab Roof Rack • ROAM Adventure Co. Rugged 95L Case Electronics, Communication, In-Cabin Accessory Mounts

• iDrive USA Throttle Controller • Midland USA MXT275 GMRS Radio • Midland X-Talker 2-Way Handheld Radios • Ram Phone Mount • Owlcam (Intelligent Dash Cam) Camping Gear

• 23 Zero 180R Awning • Shiftpod 2 • Nomadica Outfitters Titan Flat Chairs • Kovea Cupid Heater • Big Tent Outdoors CLAYMOR3 Lights • DMOS Delta Shovel • Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit Camp Kitchen Gear

“I began my photography journey back in November of 2016. It wasn’t until I started photographing landscapes that I realized the necessity for an off-road vehicle. So, I’d have to say that photography led me into the off-road scene.”

• Kovea AL Bamboo One Action Table • Kovea Retro All-In-One Mini Stove • Kovea Fire-Z Torch • Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 55 Hard Cooler Miscellaneous Gear

• Pro Eagle 2 Ton “The Beast” Offroad Jack • MORRFlate Quad and Digital Gauge • Ecoflow Tech Delta 1300 Portable Power and 85W Solar Panel • Factor 55 Extreme Duty 20” Soft Shackle • O verland Gearguy GPC Tool Bag and Spare Tire Carrier Trash Bag Version 2

• Rhino USA 3/30” Recovery Strap • Tuff Stuff 4x4 Air Compressor • Rotopax 2 Gas Gallon • Rotopax 2 Water Gallon • Xbull Track Boards

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Color Change as Tough as the Terrain Avery Dennison® Supreme Wrapping™ Film Rugged Collection Vehicles get even tougher with the new Avery Dennison® Supreme Wrapping™ Film Rugged Collection. The 3D conformable, textured color change film gives your ride the look and feel of a bed liner without the permanent application. Take on the roughest terrain with Rugged Supreme Wrapping Film in four new colors:

Rugged Onyx

Rugged Combat Green

Rugged Bedrock Grey

Rugged Marsh Green

Are you ready for rugged? Visit graphics.averydennison.com/swf © 2020 Avery Dennison Corporation. All rights reserved.

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68 WAYPOINT

WORDS/PHOTOS: ADVENTURE RIGS STAFF

R

oute 66 Shooting Sports Park in San Bernardino, California hosted offroad and firearm enthusiasts and aftermarket companies to its first Offroad R66 event on October 4, 2020.

October usually marks the month when California weather starts cooling down, but that wasn’t the case during Offroad R66. The soaring temperatures didn’t stop the Adventure Rigs team and more than 600 off-road and firearm enthusiasts from flocking to the 90-acre shooting park to show off their Overlanding rigs, hang out with friends, grub out at the food trucks and do a bit of target shooting at the designated shooting bays.

Offroad R66 had a charity raffle of items and products generously contributed by Route 66 SSP, event sponsors, and participating exhibitors and hosted by Rig Talk (@Rig.Talk). The proceeds of the raffle will be donated to CAL FIRE to help prevent future wildfires and devastation in California.

Offroad R66 was put together by Route 66 SSP (@R66SSP) in coordination with Jimahajer Garage (@Jimahajer), Seibon Carbon, and Adaptive Defensive and Pistol Training (@Adapt.Training).

For more info on their upcoming events check out www.offroadr66.com.

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OFFROAD R66: RIGS, RAFFLES AND 2A

69 N 34°15’ 26 ” W 117 ° 2 7 38”

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70 WAYPOINT

Pick the prize you want to win!

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Off-road and gun enthusiasts flock to win some prizes provided by the event sponsors.

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PRO TIP

WINCHING BASICS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO WORDS / PHOTOS: MERCEDES LILIENTHAL

E

ducation is just as important as having a quality winch and recovery accessories. Knowing how to properly use your gear could potentially save your life or those around you. Winches and recovery gear should be understood, practiced with, and maintained. A worst case scenario comes when a precarious situation arises and you have no idea what you’re doing.

You need to have a solid understanding of a winch, an excellent discipline in safety protocols, plus solid knowledge of equipment ratings and materials when using recovery equipment. You know everything about your iPhone, right? Now, it’s time to learn basic winching principles to keep you winching safely and successfully.

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KNOW YOUR ROPES AND RECOVERY POINTS Winch rope varies. Synthetic rope is lightweight and easy to handle, it won’t develop sharp barbs over time, but it is more prone to damage from abrasion.

Steel rope is strong and abrasion-resistant making it good for utility applications as well as regular vehicle recovery. However, it weighs more and stores more potential energy. No matter which winch rope you run, using a heavy-duty set of gloves when winching is important. Have you ever heard of rope burn or metal slivers?

PROPER RIGGING IS IMPORTANT Knowing your vehicle’s proper recovery points is also important. There’s a big difference between a tie-down point versus an intended recovery point. A vehicle’s owner’s manual should specify the location of your tow points (or the vehicle you’re recovering’s tow points) if they don’t have an off-road bumper.

Make sure that all recovery or tow points aren’t rusted out and are up to the forces imparted by a winch. Next to your winch itself, it’s critical to keep these recovery points intact.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHACKLES Shackles are important to have during a recovery; they allow for different rigging configurations and can be connected or disconnected quickly.

Understand their working load limits and make sure their weight ratings are suitable to your adventure rig. Shackles can be made from soft and flexible synthetic rope or forged or cast metal. Forged is best as the manufacturing process will push out any air pockets that may compromise strength. Having two to three shackles with you is important, hand tighten metal screw pins until tight, and then back off a quarter turn. Ever need vice grips to undo a shackle after a recovery? The pulling force against an already tight shackle pin has caused this.

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PRO TIP RIGGING Tree straps are an integral part of the winching process. They’re less damaging to trees and lighter than chains or wire ropes. Tree trunk protectors are non-elastic and shouldn’t be used for vehicle-tovehicle kinetic recovery as the lack of elasticity can damage vehicles. However, tree straps are great to anchor a winch line to a tree or large boulder during the recovery process.

Make sure your anchor point isn’t rotten or damaged. Affix the tree trunk protector low on said object, connect it with a shackle, and attach your winch line for recovery.

WINCHING 101 Before you initially use your winch, you’ll need to stretch the line. Do this for either synthetic or wire rope. By doing this, you eliminate the rope dropping between other layers, causing it to potentially crush the line.

Any time you winch, the following steps should allow for a smooth and safe recovery.

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RECOVERY RINGS AND SNATCH BLOCKS Several types of recovery rings, snatch blocks, or pulleys are on the market.

Even though they’re different, they basically work the same. These items are used to dissipate loads correctly across a tensioned winch line, and essentially double the pulling power of any winch or change the pulling direction without damaging the winch rope.

But, using these items will cut your winch’s speed in half. The pulling capacity will effectively be twice your winch’s rating, but recovery will go half as fast. Know what works best with your specific setup.

• Slow down and think things through.

• Always use the safest techniques possible when recovering a vehicle.

• Use gloves, they’ll improve grip and save your hands.

• Throw a winch damper (like a backpack, heavy jacket, etc.) on the line prior to winching—it’ll force the line downward in the event of rope failure.

• Know where your danger zones are before winching. Make sure everyone is at least the rope’s length away from your vehicle before you engage your winch.

• Don’t ever step over the line if under tension, or stand alongside the line if actively winching. Standing behind your door or inside the vehicle will shield you from harm if the line breaks.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Practice using your winch. Exercise various recovery setups so you’re familiar with your equipment, their dynamics, and limitations. Be familiar with your winch. Know how it works before you need to actually use it. This will give you the confidence to keep your head straight, play it safe, and be smart when a recovery is needed.

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OUTDOOR GEAR GUIDE

PLANETARY DESIGN OVRLNDR PRESS 406.728.7008 | PLANETARYDESIGN.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/PLANETARYDESIGN | @PLANETARYDESIGN Planetary Design adds a rugged new French press with a patented removable base for easy cleaning while on the road or in the campground to its BruTrek brand of coffee gear. The 28-fluid-ounce OVRLNDR Press also features Planetary’s Bru-Stop plunger to prevent coffee from overbrewing. The OVRLNDR Press has a 28-fluid ounce capacity, which is perfect for the serious coffee lover or for sharing with others. And it is available in Brushed Steel or Mountain Lake, Obsidian and Red Rock colors with a textured finish. Building on Planetary Design’s 15-year track record of success producing innovative, durable French presses for outdoor enthusiasts, the new OVRLNDR Press is now available for purchase at Planetray Design’s online store. $50.00

SALEWA MOUNTAIN TRAINER LITE MID GTX BOOTS 303.444.0446 | SALEWA.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/SALEWAOFFICIAL |

@SALEWA

If you’re looking for a stylish, rugged, waterproof, and lightweight hiking boot that you can use anywhere and anytime on your Overlanding expeditions, wait no longer! Engineered for moving faster and lighter on all terrain, the MTN Trainer Lite Mid also performs well on rocks. Its highly wear-resistant, but lightweight, TPU-coated fabric upper has suede inserts for stability and is coupled with GORE-TEX Extended Comfort lining for durable waterproof protection without sacrificing breathable comfort. The unique lasted midcut boot construction includes their trademark 3F system that connects the instep, sole and heel to ensure a comfortable, supportive and flexible fit. This is further supported by the shock-absorbing EVA midsole for longlasting rebound. For additional stability and protection, there is a flexible ankle cuff, heel stabilizer and rubber toe cap. Overall your foot has good freedom of movement, yet still feels well supported. With climbing lacing right down to the toe to allow fine-tuning for greater precision in technical terrain. Underfoot, the outsole guarantees reliable grip thanks to the Pomoca compound rubber and tread pattern with deep lugs and grooves and the versatility to cope with a wide range of terrain from mud and grass to rock, ice and snow. The men’s MTN Trainer Lite Mid is a lighter mid-top, 3-season alpine footwear solution for technical hikes, and long backpacking routes in all weathers. $199.00 78

KIFARU SHAPE CHANGE 800.222.6139 | KIFARU.NET | @KIFARU_INTL | FACEBOOK.COM/KIFARUINTERNATIONAL The Shape Charge has an internal frame sheet with 18� stays with EDC Omni belt capability that gives this 2,050 cubic inch pack the ability to carry a good amount of gear without committing to a full framed duplex pack. The lid has three zippered pockets, one on top with a key hook, large center pocket with three slot pockets made of 4 way stretch. The lid continues to zip all the way around and down making it a full top and frontloading pack with zippers at the bottom on each side. The front panel has 7 rows by 4 channels Molle webbing and has a mesh pocket on the inside. The inside upper back of the bag has 4 rows by 8 channels of Molle, a bladder hanging tab and Chamber pocket connection points. The upper compression straps can either be anchored to the edges of the front panel or connect with each other to lock out the zippers for top only access. The lower compression attaches inside the side water bottle pockets and pass through to the front of the pack. All compression straps are removeable. Paired with the Sherman pocket, the pack has many options from weapons carry to compressing helmets and packages. Proudly made in the USA. $315.00 - $412.00

VOLCON GRUNT 512.400.4271 | VOLCON.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/VOLCON.EV

@VOLCON.EV

With premium craftsmanship, serious torque and nimble handling, the Grunt effortlessly navigates diverse terrain and inclement weather so you can get to your next stop with ease.

Batteries can be recharged in less than 2 hours with any household outlet. A fully charged battery has a range of 100 miles that is also swappable which means less time charging and more time on the trail. The Grunt comes with a 50 horsepower electric motor with a top speed of 60 MPH. The low seat height and different ride modes make the Grunt easy and fun to ride for all. $5,995.00

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OUTDOOR GEAR GUIDE

BENCHMADE BUGOUT KNIFE 404.210.6576 | BENCHMADE.COM/BUGOUT-FAMILY.HTML | FACEBOOK.COM/BENCHMADE | @BENCHMADEKNIFECOMPANY The Bugout was designed for the modern outdoor adventurer, incorporating the lightest, best performing materials in an extremely slim yet ergonomic package. $170.00

BIG AGNES MAD HOUSE 6 TENT 877.554.8975 | BIGAGNES.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/MOTHEROFCOMFORT | @BIGAGNES_ Stronger, more stable, and plenty of room for large groups and families, the Big Agnes Mad House tent keeps you covered and comfortable through all four seasons. No need for multiple tents and setup time, the Mad House features a fabric wall that is quickly and easily accessible to create a two-room condo.

Stash the divider to create an open area for relaxing and stretching out at your base camp, or to host a group meal while protected from the elements. This durable, dome style tent was built to withstand the harshest of conditions and keep the whole team happy wherever you find adventure. $999.95

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GARMIN MONTANA 700 SERIES HANDHELD GPS GARMIN.COM/OUTDOOR | FACEBOOK.COM/GARMIN | @GARMINOUTDOOR Garmin releases an updated Montana 700 series handheld GPS with a large 5” glove-friendly touch screen display that’s 50% larger than the previous Montana model. With mounting options for a variety of activities, the Montana 700 series can be adapted for use on ATVs, boats, cars, motorcycles and RVs. Whether on- or offroad, these handhelds seamlessly transition from trails to road navigation thanks to the preloaded TopoActive and City Navigator maps (700i/750i only). The Montana 700i and 750i offer Garmin inReach satellite communication technology which enables two-way messaging, interactive SOS alerts, location tracking and weather updates. $599.99 - $799.99

ENLIGHTED EQUIMENT REVELATION SLEEPING QUILT 507.474.6225 | ENLIGHTENEDEQUIPMENT.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/ENLIGHTENEDEQUIPMENT | @ENLIGHTENEDEQUIPMENT The Revelation is Enligtned Equipment’s original and best selling quilt! A favorite of long distance hikers, the Revelation Quilt is known for its amazing versatility, thoughtful design, and ultralight weight. On warm nights, the Revelation can lay open as a blanket, and in colder temperatures, you can cinch the adjustable 1/4 length zipper footbox closed. This design allows you to dial in a comfortable night’s sleep in a wide range of different temperatures and climates.

The Revelation is a quilt, not a sleeping bag, which means it’s designed to be used with a sleeping pad to provide insulation underneath you, between you and the ground.

The Revelation doesn’t have a full-length zipper or a built-in hood, saving weight and space in your pack. $280.00

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TOYOTA TRD-SPORT TRAILER TOYOTA.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/TOYOTA | @TOYOTAUSA Toyota, a brand known for its deep off-roading roots and rugged reliability, unveiled the TRDSport Trailer, a creative ‘basecamp’ solution concept vehicle allowing overlanding explorers to quickly set up camp and then continue on their remote adventure. Toyota really saw the Tacoma bed as a perfect overlanding platform.

It’s well built and offers a lot of space, giving the ability to take things to the extreme. The TRD-Sport Trailer features a scissor-lift that raises an innovative rigid platform several feet out of the bed. There’s a Yakima four-person tent with an awning and fly fishing-pole holders, a custom-built toilet and trash can, a refrigerator, a hot water heater, a shower with curtain, a generator, an Optima Yellow Top battery, a 16-gallon fresh water reservoir tank, a 15-gallon grey water holding tank, and a slide-out sink and stove. The trailer package rolls on TRD Pro wheels fitted with General Grabber X3 285/70R17 rubber. All the TRDSport Trailer’s conveniences allow explorers to extend their adventures in comfort. The end result is an overlanding multi-tool that pairs perfectly with Toyota’s pickup and SUV lineup.

We aren’t sure if this overlanding trailer will make it to production, but at least this should inspire you to build one on your own if Toyota wants to keep it a concept vehicle.

TRAIL'S END

Ad Index 38 Atturo Tires www.atturo.com 67 Avery Dennison www.averydennison.com 31 BDS Suspension www.bds-suspension.com 4-5 Black Rhino www.blackrhinowheels.com 45 Body Armor 4x4 www.bodyarmor4x4.com 61 Camburg www.camburg.com 11 Cooper Tires us.coopertire.com 82-83 DUB IR www.dubirtint.com 86 Eibach www.eibach.com 6 Gram Lights www.mackinindustries.com 57 Grid Off-Road www.grid-offroad.com 17 ICON Vehilce Dynamics www.iconvehicledynamics.com 41 KC HiLiTES www.kchilites.com 29 Kicker www.kicker.com 49 LTA Manufacturing www.ltamanufacturing.com 71 Mayhem Wheels www.mayhemwheels.com 86 Nitto www.nittotire.com 53 Powerbass USA www.powerbassusa.com 23 Road Armor www.roadarmor.com 36-37 TIS Off-Road www.tiswheels.com 76-77 TIS Off-Road www.tiswheels.com 13 Vision Wheels www.visionwheel.com 7 Volk Racing www.mackinindustries.com

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PHOTO: JUAN VALADEZ