Jump in your time machine and set the date for three decades ago, and you will wonder what your parents were thinking. Four chrome shocks per corner with neon shock boots and triple-tube chrome rollbars with a bank of lights (that weren’t even hooked up half the time) were turning heads and filling the pages of this magazine. At the other end of the spectrum, you had legit wheeling like the Camel Trophy and Jeepers Jamboree. This got us thinking about what current trends are going to stand the test of time and which will be cringe-worthy before you know it.
Hot: LS Engine Swaps
We have seen Gen-3 V8 engines swapped into just about anything, and why Not? The engines are inexpensive, plentiful, make gobs of power, and have huge aftermarket support. Coil packs remove any concerns about distributor interference with the firewall, and adapters are available to mate these engines to nearly any transmission you could imagine.
Not: Diesel Engine Swaps
Diesel engines come in two flavors. There are the older engines like the Cummins 4BT and 6BT that are simple and reliable but will rattle your fillings out, and even the 4BT is heavier than a big-block gas engine. At the other end of the spectrum are modern diesels like the EcoDiesel offered in Chrysler vehicles that would fit well into older Jeeps and trucks, but are rare, expensive, and difficult to wire. If you want an oil burner, it makes more sense to start with a diesel vehicle.
Hot: Stereo With No Head Unit
Head units never seem to live a long, happy life in off-road rigs, where they are subject to dust and vibration far beyond what they were designed for. These days though it is possible to build a sound system that removes the head unit altogether and runs off of your smartphone or MP3 player. Kicker makes amplifiers specifically for this purpose, or you can wire up your own with off-the-shelf components. It will be more reliable, free up space on the dash, and when you get a new phone, you automatically have a new stereo at the same time.
Not: Wakeboard Speakers
This actually started out as a good idea. Speakers that you can attach to roll cage tubing and are rugged and waterproof. Like many things though, the thought process was that if a little is good, than a lot must be better. Now it is Not uncommon on the trails to see vehicles with six wakeboard speakers pointed away from the vehicle blasting music on the trail. Fortunately, this phenomenon seems to be mainly restricted to Northern California, but regardless of where you live, remember to Tread Quietly in addition to Lightly. Not everyone shares your taste in music.
Hot: Self Learning EFI
Systems like MSD’s Atomic EFI, Holley’s Terminator, and FAST’s EZ-EFI bolt on in place of a traditional four-barrel carburetor and can be up and running in a day. They adjust for altitude and work at angles that no other carb could dream of. With the integrated sensors, they are self-learning too, so a laptop or degree in electrical engineering is Not required. This is automotive technology at its best.
Not: LED Light Bars
LED light bars are automotive technology, but Not at its best. Yes, they are vibration resistant and draw very little amperage. They are also compact and tough and make excellent rock lights. So what is the complaint? There are so many knock-off brands now it is difficult to tell quality products from junk. Also, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing too, like this truck from SEMA with a dozen 50-inch light bars on the roof.
Hot: Roof Rack Rollcages
These are Not particularly easy to fabricate, but when they are done well, they add safety and storage space while remaining low profile and sleek. They also don’t take up any valuable interior space and can be tied into bed cages or used to mount light bars. Some drop legs down through the cab to maximize strength, but it can be tricky to seal the tubes from the elements and keep them from making noise when the chassis flexes. Others just run the tubes in front of and behind the cab, depending on how long the unspanned area is.
Not: Exocages
We understand that there are legitimate reasons for building an exo cage. You don’t have enough room in the cab for an interior cage, you want to protect the body, and so on. Some guys use this as justification for installing the exo cage, but the end result is nearly never aesthetically pleasing, and since your vehicle just got four inches wider (at a minimum), it now rubs up against everything it passes.
Hot: Big Tires, Little Lift
AEV defied convention when they released their Highline kit, which raises the fenders on a TJ for more tire clearance without the need to add any lift. This results in better suspension geometry and a lower center of gravity with larger tires for increased breakover angle and trail prowess. Wrangler JKs come with huge fenderwells to fit tall tires with minimal lift, while other models require fender trimming and even modifications to body mounts to shoehorn big meats.
Not: Sky High Lifts
We tend to see these on 3⁄4- and 1-ton diesel trucks, and they leave us scratching our heads. Huge lift kits degrade towing ability, make it hard to get in and out of the truck, and raise the center of gravity to the point that it causes pucker in off-camber situations. Limit the lift to just enough in order to clear the tire that you intend to run.
Hot: Fabricated 9-inch Housings
Fabricated axlehousings are lightweight, offer great ground clearance, and make it easy to weld on suspension brackets. They are even available as front axles with steering knuckles, something Ford never offered from the factory. There are nearly limitless gear ratio and locker options to plug into your fabricated housing to.
Not: Factory JK Axles
Jeep made a vehicle that is easy to add 35-inch tires to, but unfortunately, the axles aren’t up to the task of supporting larger tires. Thin axletubes, weak inner knuckles, and plastic ball joints have created a lot of opportunities for the aftermarket to upgrade JKs. Unfortunately, most of the sleeves and trusses on the market won’t do you much good after your axles are already bent.
Hot: Rigs You Can Drive To The Trail
Many of our favorite trails are point-to-point destinations, like the Rubicon and Pritchett Canyon in Moab. This means that if you are trailering your rig, you have to either arrange for someone to move your tow rig or go back out the same may you came in. Even if it isn’t your daily driver, having a trail rig with street manners eliminates a lot of headaches.
Not: Moon Buggies
Three gallons of fuel? Zero uptravel? No room for passengers or gear? Admittedly these vehicles can climb obstacles that most people canNot even fathom, but the sacrifices are just too great for anything other than competition. It is Not an accident they have fallen out of favor in recent years.
Hot: Trailers Appropriated As Beds
Military trailers are cheap, strong, and have large wheelwells, making them perfect pickup truck beds. Even if you don’t have a military truck, an off-road trailer added to the back of your truck can make for a unique vehicle with functional storage. This trend is popular in Australia but hasn’t completely caught on in the States quite yet.
Not: Flatbeds
Yes, flatbeds can be functional, and you don’t have to worry about denting them. They are the automotive equivalent of a mullet though, with a business truck cab in the front and a party bed in the rear. Storage and adequate tire clearance can be issues for a flatbed too and should be taken into consideration when building.
Hot: Factory 4x4s (Including UTVs)
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Ram Power Wagon, and Ford Raptor are all amazing vehicles right off the showroom floor, with front and rear locking differentials and supple suspensions. They can embarrass a lot of built rigs with the right driver and then be driven home after airing up the tires. UTVs are following the same trend, with manufacturers offering more horsepower and suspension travel each year in an effort to outdo each other.
Not: Too Much Of A Good Thing
There was a time when guys ran buggy leaves and double shackles for bragging rights on the RTI ramp. The thing is, these suspensions tend to be unstable on the trail when climbing obstacles. There is such thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to articulation. The same can be said of gearing. Just because your Toyota has a 500:1 crawl ratio doesn’t mean that you have to run in double-low for the entire trail.
Hot: Overlanding
Gear like drawer systems and freezer fridges can make long trips to the backcountry much more comfortable. And we like the idea of a vehicle with a modest suspension lift and mild increase in tire size that can take you places free from Subarus while still being driven every day.
Not: Overlanding
You don’t need a rooftop tent and factory steel rims in order to have a good time. In fact, a lot of gear like sand ladders and solar panels make a statement but never get used. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need these items and a shirt with 20 pockets in order to explore the great outdoors.
Hot: Tweener Tires
One of the Hottest new trends in the tire market is “tweener” tires that are more aggressive than an all-terrain without being an all-out mud tire. Mickey Thompson, Dick Cepek, Cooper, Pro Comp, Goodyear, Nitto, and Toyo are all producing tweener tires that are aggressive enough for wheeling but quiet and long lasting on the pavement as well.
Not: Overly Busy Wheels
We seem to be stuck in the dark ages of rims. Companies appear to be in some sort of secret competition to see who can produce the wheel with the most rivets and bolts. We long for the days of a simple five spoke or multi-hole design. The current offerings look completely out of place on vintage vehicles and are difficult to keep clean to boot. And don’t even get us started on 22 and 24-inch-diameter wheels.
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