Why are we running photos of our sister magazine Four Wheeler's annual Top Truck Challenge? If you say it's because they bribed us with a lot of money, then you'd be only partially right. Actually, since our loyal, if not dimwitted, editor got himself voted in this year, we got to check out the action, and it was spectacular - as were the four other Jeeps that were voted in alongside Cappa's slimy J-2000. If you want to see more of the insane Top Truck Challenge action, pick up the November 2005 issue of Four Wheeler magazine, or visit its Web site at www.fourwheeler.com/2005toptruckchallenge/
Hard Facts
Owner: Jay Albrecht
Vehicle: 2000 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Engine: Chevy 383 fuel-injected stroker
Transmission: TH400
Transfer Case: 4:1 Klune-V underdrive, 3.8:1 Atlas II
Suspension: 8-inch Skyjacker coils front and rear, Pro Comp MX6 shocks, custom links for 5-inch-longer rear wheelbase
Axles: Wagoner Machine Shop Dana 60, 4.88 gears, Detroit Locker, 35-spline shafts (front); Wagoner Machine Shop 14-bolt, 4.88 gears, Detroit Locker, chrome-moly shafts, Chevy disc brakes (rear)
Wheels: 15x14 TrailReady bead locks
Tires: 46x19.50-15 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws
Built For: Extreme off-roading the first time around
Hard Facts
Owner: Tom Lawlor
Vehicle: 1967 Kaiser/Jeep M715
Engine: Chevy tall-deck 427 big-block
Transmission: 2 1/2-ton Spicer 3053A five-speed overdrive
Transfer Case: NP205 with PTO
Suspension: Leaf spring
Axles: 2 1/2-ton Rockwell, 6.72 gears, Detroit Locker, Overson Engineering axles and drive flanges, disc brakes front and rear
Wheels: 20x10.5 double bead locks
Tires: 395/85R20 Michelin XML (46x16)
Built For: Extreme light weight (yeah, right)
Hard Facts
Owner: Don Brown
Vehicle: 1955 Willys Pickup
Engine: Stock Chevy Vortec 454
Transmission: 4L80E four-speed auto
Transfer Case: Klune-V underdrive, NP205 with twin sticks
Suspension: Three-link with Panhard bar, 14-inch travel, 2.5-inch King coilovers (front); four-link with 14-inch travel, 2.5-inch King coilovers (rear)
Axles: Dana 60, 5.13 gears, ARB locker (front); 14-bolt, 5.13 gears, spool (rear)
Wheels: 16.5x10 USA 6x6 steel double bead locks
Tires: 18.5/44-16.5 Boggers with small lugs cut out
Built For: All around wheeling domination
Hard Facts
Owner: Jerry Duffy
Vehicle: 1981 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
Engine: Chevy ZZ502, TPI fuel injection
Transmission: 4L80E four-speed auto
Transfer Case: 3.8:1 Atlas II
Suspension: Triangulated three-link with Currie Johnny Joints, King coilovers, Eibach springs (front); triangulated four-link, Alcan quarter elliptical springs, King shocks (rear)
Axles: Dana 60, 5.13 gears, ARB locker, 35-spline shafts (front); Dynatrac Pro Rock Dana 60, 5.13 gears, ARB locker, 35-spline shafts, disc brakes (rear)
Wheels: Champion 15x12 bead locks
Tires: 18.5/44-15 Super Swampers
Built For: Built around the engine