Letters & Stuff
Send your questions, comments, etc. along with your name, address and phone number to:
- Off-Road Adventures,
- 801 W. Artesia Blvd.
- Compton, CA 90220
or email:
Kyle’s Truck Isn’t Getting Any Prettier
Back in Dec ’04 my truck was in the Letters & Stuff column, “My rig is a smidge ugly but she’s waay articulate!” Well here’s the newest pic, it’s an Oops! While attempting an off camber spot she just rolled over.
Thanks, Kyle Gage, Sonora, CA
The “Doesn’t Like Tall, 2 Wheelers From TX” Debate Continues
I want to comment on Scott from Pennsylvania and his comments on 2WD vehicles. 4WD is great and I have owned several that were well equipped and could go almost anywhere. I spent many years managing oil exploration crews all over the US, Africa, Middle East and So. America. My favorite pastime was exploring the backcountry in CO, WY, MT, UT and CA. I have had two very capable 2WD vehicles that often went places some 4WDs didn’t. I loved it when three Jeeps showed up at the top of Mosquito Pass (11,000 ft +) in Colorado and refused to believe that I had driven my ’67 Ford Country Squire wagon (410ci Cobra Jet, C-6, and limited slip) up there, they were convinced it was a publicity stunt and there must be a helicopter hidden somewhere. There were several times that I took my ’72 Ford F-250 2WD (410ci, T-10 4 speed, 3.50/1 Limited Slip Dana 60, oversized 16 tires & electric winch) into the backcountry to rescue stuck 4x4s. There were many places in Africa, Middle East and So. America where 4WD was not available on all vehicles, but we still went in and got the job done!
There are several things that are often overlooked by off-roaders:
- A well equipped 2WD vehicle is far more capable than most people realize.
- The single most important piece of “equipment” in ANY vehicle is a well-trained and experienced driver!
- An experienced and well-trained assistant (in my case my wife!) to help guide one through really bad spots and be a safety observer and spotter is priceless.
I love 4x4s but will NEVER knock a 2WD off-road vehicle. It really upsets me to see the elitism of some “off-roaders”! If you want to play in the mud or crawl rocks you better have the baddest 4x4 you can put together. But for most of us who just love to explore the back roads, take our families to camp or picnic away from the crowds, an off the shelf 4x4 or slightly modified 2WD will work just fine. I would much rather have the option of what I want OR CAN AFFORD to add to a new or used vehicle, than be forced to buy a fully equipped stump jumper when I may have to spend 90% of my time in it going to work, getting groceries and taking the kids to their activities.
For someone on a limited income or raising a family, serious choices on money expended are critical for survival! When one does not have to worry about how much they spend, go for it, but don’t knock those who buy a simple 4x4, or 2WD and over a period of years slowly upgrade their baby! Lets all enjoy what we have and not look down on who cannot afford what we may have. By the way I am 72 and have been off-roading since I was 14 when I got my first license.
- Harry Miller,
- San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mark’s Stomper & Shaker
I look forward to finding your magazine in my mailbox each month and just thought I’d love to see my 2002 Dodge Dakota Quadcab 4x4 that I call Stomper in it. It’s got a 3” Rancho suspension lift, 3” Performance Accessories body lift, 33x12.50 BFG A/T KO’s, and a Keystone shaker hood with a custom 3” lift built for the shaker scoop to match the 3” body lift, otherwise the scoop would sit inside the engine compartment. I sure hope you can share one or more of my pictures with your other readers.
Thanks, Mark Perkins, Olympia, WA
A Smaller Crawler
These are pictures of my custom-built rock crawler. It is about 3 inches high and 6 inches long. I have about 20 dollars in it. It can flex about 2-inches. The crawler has BF Goodrich Krawler T/A’S on it with a Warn winch and a detachable trailer.
Brian Hutchins, 12
Chris Collard Is A Big Know Nuthin’
Chris Collard obviously is well experienced in 4 wheeling the Baja, and I certainly enjoyed his rendition of his misfortunes, however he don’t know nuthin’ about carrier airplanes! F-16s are Air Force fighter aircraft not to be seen anywhere near an aircraft carrier unless they are overflying one at 40,000 feet. Fighters launched from aircraft carriers are the F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Hornets, and they require tremendous acceleration by huge, steam-powered catapults just to get up to flying speed, even with both afterburners blasting. F-16s are not capable of sustaining such forces and are not so equipped. Keep up the good work guys!
Jesse Carter, Santa Clara, CA
Jesse, Whoops, you are right. Although I do fly a Cessna, I’m a wannabe Top Gun pilot but, “don’t know nuthin’” about carrier airplanes. What I do know is that they are way-fast, way-cool, and watching them in action is an instant adrenalin rush. Kind’a like having a Trophy Truck blasting by at 80-plus mph six feet from the front of my lens. Thanks for setting us civilians straight.
— Chris Collard
P.S. Jesse, if you have any connections in high places, hook me up with a ride. F-18 or F-16, I’m easy.
As the editor, I feel it’s my duty to go with Chris on this ride.
— D.S.