It looks like an extra from the Road Warrior movie, so Jeff Kay’s Jimmy should fit right in at TTC. Jeff has done most of the work himself, including the trick leaf-sprung suspension using DIY4X components and making his own beadlocks and driveshafts. Time to see if he can wheel it like he can build it!
Engine:350ci GM V-8
Transmission:TH700R4
Transfer case:NP203/NP205 doubler
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:Yukon Grizzly/welded
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:56-in leaf springs, Fox 2.0 shocks/63-in leaf springs, Fox 2.0 shocks
Tires:Grooved 44-inch Interco Super Swamper Bogger
Special features:Homemade beadlocks and driveshafts, DIY4X pinion brakes, full hydro steering, ORD engine crossmember and motor mounts, 10,000-pound Engo winch, NorthWest Fabworks triple-stick shifters
Driver experience:13 years
Jason Sheen, Laramie, Wyoming
1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
Jason Sheen ain’t fooling around. From the monster 8.1L Vortec engine to the 37 years he’s owned this FJ40, everything about him and his build screams “go big or go home.” But will he go to TTC? You decide!
Engine:8.1L Chevy V-8
Transmission:4L80
Transfer case:LoMax 3:1
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio:5.38:1
Suspension, f/r:Four-link with 18-in-travel Fox coilovers/four-link with 18-in-travel Fox coilovers
Tires:43-15/20 Interco Super Swamper Radial/TSL SSR
Special features:Front-mounted Warn 8274 winch, rear-mounted Warn 8000 winch, full hydro steering, chromoly axleshafts, flat belly, Stazworks double beadlock wheels, onboard air
Driver experience:45 years
Eric Kam, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
1986 Chevy K2500
If there’s one thing that helps win at TTC, it’s power, and with over 600 horses on tap, Eric’s “Chevy” sure has enough. Eric tells us nothing on his rig is stock except for the doors. That’s commitment that rivals his willingness to come all the way from the frozen North to compete. Will you give him the opportunity?
Engine:496ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:NP205
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:Welded/welded
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:Triangulated four-link, ORI struts/triangulated four-link, ORI struts
Tires:54-inch Interco Super Swamper Bogger
Special features:Warn 12,000-pound winch, double beadlock wheels, FAST EFI system, four-wheel steering
Driver experience:14 years
Jason Moon, White City, Oregon
1991 Chevy K5 Blazer
Four big tires at each end and a bunch of awesome Blazer in the middle? Sounds like a pretty good TTC rig recipe. Jason didn’t provide a horsepower estimate for the stroker big-block Chevy, but we’re betting it’s spectacular. Care to find out?
Engine:632ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:NP203/NP205 doubler
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:Spool/spool
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:Four-link, 18-in King coilovers/four-link, 18-in King coilovers
Tires:54-inch Interco Super Swamper Bogger
Special features:Warn 12,000-pound winch, full ’cage, EFI
Driver experience:25 years
Jake Brazler, Choiceland, Saskatchewan, Canada
1986 Toyota Pickup
With an entry photo like this, you know the odds that Jake Brazler is gonna put on a show with his ’86 Toyota pickup are pretty good. We’re betting that turbo knows what it’s like to run at full spool for extended periods of time. Will it survive the Tank Trap’s water holes, and will Jake be able to launch out the top of the Hill Climb as spectacularly?
Engine:Turbocharged 3.0L Toyota V-6
Transmission:R154/R150 hybrid 5-spd
Transfer case:Dual Toyota
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/Dana 70
Traction aids, f/r:Spool/welded
Ratio:7.17:1
Suspension, f/r:Leaf springs, shocks/leaf springs, shocks
Tires:44-in Interco Super Swamper
Special features:Rear-mounted radiator, Reid Racing inner Cs, 35-spline RCV ’shafts, Yukon drive slugs, double-shear steering, dual batteries, dual 3-in exhaust with rain caps, internal rollcage, Stazworks beadlocks
Driver experience:9 years
Jeremy Brown, Sherwood, Oregon
1972 Chevy Blazer
Jeremy Brown has entered to be a competitor in TTC before. Now it’s up to you to determine if he’ll be heading Hollister-way come next summer. The Blazer certainly looks up to the task, and with multiple entries under his belt, Jeremy certainly seems committed.
Engine:454ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:SM465 manual 4-spd
Transfer case:NP205
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Welded/welded
Ratio:5.13:1
Suspension, f/r:Tuff Country leaf springs/Tuff Country leaf springs
Tires:44-in Interco Super Swamper Bogger
Special features:Offroad Design 32-spline upgrade in the NP205, JB Fab twin-stick shifters, Redneck Ram hydro-assist steering
Driver experience:14 years
Ben Green, Fairchild AFB, Washington
1993 Suzuki Samurai
Wouldn’t you love to see how well the factory 63hp engine would do at the Tow Test? Or how the short wheelbase would fare in the Coal Chute? If voted in, Ben’s little Samurai would almost certainly be the underdog, and who doesn’t love rooting for the underdog?
Engine:1.3L Suzuki I-4
Transmission:Factory 5-spd manual
Transfer case:Factory with 6.5:1 gears
Axles, f/r:Toyota 8-in/Toyota 8-in
Traction aids, f/r:Locker/spool
Ratio:4.10:1
Suspension, f/r:Jeep YJ spring-over/Jeep YJ spring-over, traction bar
Tires:36-in Interco TSL Swampers
Special features:Warn 8,000-pound winch, front axle truss, front and rear bumpers, six-point cage, four-point harness, Saginaw power steering box, cold-air intake, front shock hoops, inset rear shocks, hand throttle, two-stage clutch, fold-down windshield conversion, belly skidplate, rock sliders, diff/axle armor, disc brake conversion for rear, tank protector
Driver experience:21 years
John Robinson, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
1996 Dodge Ram 2500
With Unimog axles and a dual T-case setup for 16 forward gears, John should have a match for any occasion. Although he’ll be pulling the Dodge T-case out to get a better rear driveshaft angle. John admits the Ram is a huge beast, but he says he has a 5-ton to haul it out to California if he’s voted in!
Engine:5.9L Cummins I-6 turbodiesel
Transmission:4-spd auto
Transfer case:NP241/Unimog U1300 air shift
Axles, f/r:Unimog U1300/Unimog U1300
Traction aids, f/r:Air locker/air locker
Ratio:6.5:1
Suspension, f/r:Coil spring/coil spring
Tires:54-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC or Michelin XL
Special features:Warn 16,000-pound front winch, Warn 12,000-pound rear winch, stretched wheelbase, onboard air
Driver experience:20 years
John Martinson, Yelm, Washington
1959 Fiat 1100
John Martinson made it to last year’s TTC as an alternate, and whenever he hit the course, the entertainment factor was through the roof. John’s limited time on the course was an equal parts mixture of driver skill, engineering prowess, and exploding nitroglycerine. If you’d love to see for yourselves, fill out the voting form and send it in!
Engine:2.7L Toyota 3RZ turbocharged I-4
Transmission:4-spd auto
Transfer case:Atlas 4-spd
Axles, f/r:Unimog 904/Unimog 904
Traction aids, f/r:Factory Unimog locker/factory Unimog locker
Ratio:7.5:1
Suspension, f/r:Three-link, 2.5-in Sway-A-Way shocks, Fox 2.0 air bumps/four-link, 2-in Sway-A-Way shocks, Fox 2.0 air bumps
Tires:43-in Interco TSL SX
Special features:Honda ECU, external ’cage, red-eye headlights, Warn 8000 and 9000-pound winches, estimated 500 hp
Driver experience:9 years
Kimberly Gray, Amity, Oregon
1975 GMC pickup
They’re baaaack! At least they would like to be. Kimberly Gray is entering her husband Jason’s ’75 GMC in hope she can pilot the vehicle to victory in 2015. In case the pickup looks a tad familiar, Jason won our 2010 Top Truck Challenge with this same vehicle. Will Kimberly be able to pilot it to a repeat victory? Vote to find out.
Engine:454ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH475
Transfer case:NP203/NP205 doubler
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:Detroit Locker/spool
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:Four-link, 2.5-in-diameter coilovers, FOA air bumps/four-link, 2.5-in-diameter coilovers, FOA air bumps
Tires:54-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC
Special features:Grayfab ’cage, RuffStuff hardware and joints, Stazworks double beadlocks, Warn 9.5cti winch, propane injection
Driver experience:18 years
Matt Green, Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada
1968 Pontiac GTO
If you’re gonna chop a classic Pontiac A-body to make an off-road vehicle, at least do some cool stuff like big-and-little tire treatment and a rowdy big-block that’s not a Chevy or Ford. With a big-block Pontiac engine, a hot rod stance, and some (hopefully fake) GTO badges, Matt’s ’68 Pontiac is certainly unique.
Engine:455ci Pontiac V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:Divorced NP205
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Locker/locker
Ratio:3.55:1 front, 4.10:1, rear
Suspension, f/r:Four-link, air shocks/four-link, coils, air shocks
Tires:42-in (front) and 44-in (rear) Interco Super Swamper Boggers
Special features:Custom beadlock wheels, frame, ’cage, and suspension; 9,000-pound winch, high-stall converter and shift kit in tranny, high-performance engine build, heavy right foot
Driver experience:20 years
Michael De Prima, Hollister, California
1983 Chevy K30
He’s already there. Probably right now as you’re reading this. Practicing, planning, and plotting to win TTC 2015. If we lived right in the same town as where the event is held, at least we know that’s what we’d be doing. So why not give him a shot and send in your vote.
Engine:350ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:SM465 4-spd manual
Transfer case:NP205
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Detroit Locker/welded
Ratio:4.56:1
Suspension, f/r:52-in leaf springs/56-in leaf springs
Tires:42-in Interco Swamper
Special features:On-board air, hydro-assist steering, 6-in front shackles, TBI injection, 10,000-pound winch
Driver experience:4 years
Michael Sproule, Morgan Hill, California
1975 Chevy C10
If it’s really a C10, then it’s a pretty nice conversion to a 4x4 K10. Either way, Michael seems to have hung the right hardware in the right places on this Chevy pickup. With 1-ton axles and not much body to get butchered by the brutal TTC courses, will this farm truck plow the field of competitors?
Engine:350ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:NP205
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Yukon Grizzly locker/spool
Ratio:4.88:1
Suspension, f/r:2.5-in-lift Pro Comp springs/63-in-long leaf springs
Tires:39.5x13.50-16 Interco Swamper Irok
Special features:Front and rear Smittybilt XRC 10,000-pound winches, hydro-assist steering, high-steer crossover steering linkage, Artec Industries rear axle truss and pinion guard, custom flatbed, interior ’cage, MasterCraft Racing seats, TBI injection
Driver experience:14 years
Mike Jaskolski, Laramie, Wyoming
1976 Chevy Blazer
The spec sheet on Mike Jaskolski’s ’76 Blazer reads like a dream parts list. He dumped the best of everything into it, from the way-built big-block Chevy engine all the way to the Premier Power Welder under the hood. Mike has owned the truck for over 10 years, and it seems he’s been building and perfecting all that time. Will it translate to a TTC win? Vote to give him his chance.
Engine:555ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:NP203/NP205 doubler, LoMax 3:1
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Yukon locker/Yukon locker
Ratio:5.13:1
Suspension, f/r:Offroad Design three-link conversion, 14-in King shocks/custom four-link with 16-in King shocks
Tires:44-in Pitbull Rocker
Special features:Warn 12,500-pound winch, Holley EFI, 300M RCV shafts, PSC double-ended full hydro steering, shaved rear axle, 17x12 Stazworks double beadlocks, Dart block and heads, 300hp nitrous system, 300M transmission internals, 10-point ’cage and custom tube work, way more.
Driver experience:20 years
Joe Osuch, Mesa, Arizona
1985 Chevy K30
It’s got a modern 5.3L engine swapped in front of the stout K30 driveline and enough winches to haul the moon around. It looks like the former dualie pickup now-turned off-road recovery vehicle really wants into the competition. Will it wind up needing to rescue itself or will it survive and conquer? Use your ballot to find out!
Engine:5.3L GM V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:NP203/NP205 doubler
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Detroit Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio:5.13:1
Suspension, f/r:6-in lift/shackle flip
Tires:40x13.50R17 Toyo M/T
Special features:2,200 rpm stall converter, Superwinch Talon 12,500-pound front winch, twin Superwinch Talon 18,000-pound winches in the rear
Driver experience:20 years
Zane Buchanan, Marlin, Washington
1979 Chevy K30
It only looks like 2013 TTC competitor Aaron Fava’s monster Crew Cab Chevy. But Zane Buchanan’s K30 crew cab is a beast of its own. With almost 1,000 hp on tap, the huge power just about matches this truck’s huge dimensions. Will a Crew Cab reign supreme again?
Engine:632ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH400
Transfer case:NorthWest Fabworks BlackBox NP205
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:ARB Air Locker/welded
Ratio:5.38:1
Suspension, f/r:Four-link, 18-in Radflo coilovers, 4-in air bumps/four-link, 18-in Radflo coilovers, 4-in air bumps
Tires:44-in Interco Super Swamper Boggers
Special features:Hummer H1 beadlocks, Warn 12,500-pound winch, 300hp Zex nitrous system, full chromoly axleshafts, 1410 U-joints in driveshafts, bed removed, altered wheelbase
Driver experience:10 years
Mitch Beck, West Jordan, Utah
1971 Ford Bronco
We had a super-clean, super-capable vintage Ford in last year’s TTC event with Tracker Bain’s early Bronco. Will we get another this year? Like Tracker’s Bronco, Mitch Beck’s buildup seems to tick all the buttons for a reliable candidate that won’t need to go to the glue factory.
Engine:351ci Ford Windsor V-8
Transmission:C6
Transfer case:Strong Box underdrive, NP205
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:Spool/spool
Ratio:4.10:1
Suspension, f/r:Long-travel three-link, 16-in coilovers/56-in Chevy springs with 14-in shocks
Tires:44x18.50-16.5 grooved Gumbo Monster Mudder
Special features:Ford kingpin front axle with 35-spline shafts, 1410 U-joints, rear disc brakes, hydroboost brakes, full-hydro steering, recentered H1 beadlocks, 22-gallon fuel cell, TBI injection with custom tune, engine built for a reliable and usable 320 hp
Driver experience:13 years
Nadim Samara, Brummana, Lebanon
1983 Land Rover Defender 110 pickup
If voted in, Nadim Samara would almost certainly win the award for furthest traveled. Even though he’s building his Defender pickup in Lebanon, he’s ready, willing, and able to ship it stateside if voted in.
Engine:6.0L LQ4 GM V-8
Transmission:NV4500 5-spd
Transfer case:Atlas 3.8:1
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:ARB Air Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:Four-link, EMF joints, Heretic Fab links, dual 16-in ORI struts with reservoirs/four-link, EMF joints, Heretic Fab links, dual 16-in ORI struts with reservoirs
Tires:54-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC
Special features:Jeepspeed 32-gallon fuel cell, Warn 8274 winches front and rear, CBR radiator with dual fans, PRP seats, Crow harnesses, chromoly exocage, dual Odyssey batteries, Ready Welder, 75hp nitrous system, Z06 cam, custom ECU tune
Driver experience:17 years
Clay Gibbons, Central Point, Oregon
1988 Nissan Pathfinder
Dare to be different? Don’t mind if he does! There aren’t too many Nissan Pathfinders being built for serious off-road use, and almost none to the level of Clay Gibbons’ ’88. And the crazy solid axles and 8.1L Vortec engine are only the beginning since Clay is currently adding an exocage and reworked tube armor in anticipation of making the event.
Engine:8.1L Chevy V-8
Transmission:Allison 5-spd auto
Transfer case:NP206
Axles, f/r:Dana 60/GM 14-bolt
Traction aids, f/r:ARB Air Locker/Detroit Locker
Ratio:5.13:1
Suspension, f/r:Custom four-link/custom four-link
Tires:46-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC
Special features:Custom beadlocks, fuel cell, front and rear Warn winches, way more
Driver experience:18 years
James Hagood Jr. (Spike), Gold Beach, Oregon
1933 Ford BB/46
It’s not often we receive a “before” photo with no “after,” but we think James has what it takes to rip this build out in time to make TTC. First, he’s a wildland fireman so he’s completely off for the months of January and February, during which time he’s going to assemble the vehicle with parts he has on hand. Second, he was Aaron Fava’s co-pilot for the 2013 TTC event and wants to get that First Place finish that he and Aaron missed out on. Will he get the chance? Will we have an off-road-rodded ’33 Ford in the event? Vote!
Engine:350ci Chevy V-8
Transmission:TH350 auto
Transfer case:Custom DT Drop Box
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:Spool/spool
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:DT Fab four-link, nitro shocks/DT Fab four-link, nitro shocks
Tires:44-in Interco Super Swamper Boggers
Special features:82 years of patina’d awesomeness
Driver experience:22 years
Tim Spurlock, New Paris, Indiana
1978 Ford F-150
We couldn’t print the big air photo of Tim Spurlock’s ’78 Ford because it was blurry, but trust us when we tell you he goes for height and distance. Tim owns and runs a hardware store in his Indiana home town and has been mud racing all of his life. Will you give a local small business owner a chance at fame and glory? Come on, will you?
Engine:557ci Ford V-8
Transmission:C6
Transfer case:SCS 12-in drop box
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:ARB Air Locker/spool
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:Triangulated four-link with Overtime CNC 20-in coilovers/triangulated four-link with Overtime CNC 20-in coilovers
Tires:54-inch Interco Super Swamper Bogger
Special features:Fuel injection, Warn 9,000-pound winch, roller cam, ton of billet tranny parts, Kevlar clutches, manual valvebody, 4,000-rpm stall converter, Dedenbear C02 air shifter system with Biondo digital controller, Overtime CNC ’shafts and billet aluminum hubs, PSC double-ended ram hydraulic steering system, SCS quick change transfer case with 12-in drop, custom rollcage, custom race seats, custom five-point harnesses, radiator and battery mounted in bed, two sets of tires on custom wheels (Boggers or 14.9-24 tractor tires)
Driver experience:20 years
Scott Taylor, Newton, Pennsylvania
2012 Jeep Wrangler
So far, Scott Taylor’s ’12 Wrangler is the only entry we got for a vehicle manufactured this century. If voted in, his mostly stock Wrangler would certainly be the runt of the litter, but it wouldn’t be the first time we had a rig shod with little 35-inch tires in the event. He’s made all the modifications to the vehicle himself in his college university’s parking lot and says only a crazy person would drive his Jeep. Perfect!
Engine:3.6L Chrysler V-6
Transmission:WA580 5-spd auto
Transfer case:NVG231
Axles, f/r:Dana 30/Dana 44
Traction aids, f/r:Locker/locker
Ratio:3.21:1
Suspension, f/r:2-in coil spacers/2-in coil spacers
Tires:35x12.50R17 Goodyear Duratrac
Special features:Rough Country 9,500-pound winch, aftermarket bumpers, cut flares, swaybar disconnect, lights, jack mount and cargo baskets, K&N intake, custom exhaust
Driver experience:3 years
Richard Yeamans, Medford, Oregon
1997 Jeep Wrangler
Richard Yeamans has entered to be a TTC competitor for the past two years. Is the third time the charm? His Jeep certainly looks up to the task and everybody loves hearing the pop of a turbo blowoff valve. Especially when it’s connected to an American V-8.
Engine:Turbocharged 5.2L Chrysler Magnum V-8
Transmission:46RH 4-spd auto
Transfer case:NP205
Axles, f/r:21⁄2-ton Rockwell/21⁄2-ton Rockwell
Traction aids, f/r:Yukon Grizzly Locker/spool
Ratio:6.72:1
Suspension, f/r:Four-link, FOA coilovers, air bumps/four-link, FOA coilovers, air bumps
Tires:44-in Interco Super Swamper Bogger
Special features:Eight-lug conversion and four-wheel disc brakes on the Rockwell axles, full-hydro steering, Warn 9,500-pound winch, full ’cage, way more.
Driver experience:20 years
