Check out these Extreme Sand Racers.

What do you get when you have more money than you will ever be able to spend, a lot of open desert to play in, and a desire to kick up some sand? Well these guys from United Arab Emirates decided to go all out and create some insane vehicle. Some of the 6-cylinders are pushing over 1500 hp, and the big V8's are throwing out even more! Watch this incredible drag race over the sand in these suped up SUV's.

Edit 1: Full volume is highly recommended.
Edit 2: To be fair these are more like time trials as opposed to drag races. But still fun to watch.

Enjoy

My own personal trip down the Jeep rabbit hole.

I would like to take a moment to share with all of my readers the Jeep that made me fall in love with the brand.

This is the 1998 Cherokee XJ that I used to own before I handed it over to my step son when he needed a reliable mode of transportation for work. I traded a 1998 Ford F250 with a rusted out frame for this XJ. Both had almost identical miles and mechanically were in the same condition so it was a straight up trade. When I took delivery it was a bone stock XJ with about 135k on the clock and a severely sagging suspension.

The first thing to go was the broken and ugly side molding. When I took the Fender flares off the screws in the brackets broke as is the way of their people. So rather than fixing it, I figured I would leave them off and see how I liked the look.

The next stage was a completely homebrew lift. Up front I went with ZJ coil springs but I sadly do not remember exactly what shocks I went with. In the rear I went with HD leaf springs for a 2 inch lift (although it ended up giving me more due to the stiffness) and skyjacker shocks. I upgraded all of the bushings and dropped the t-case 1.5 inches to compensate for the added angle on the drive shaft. I made my own brake lines and called it a day.

Once that was all said and done the brakes got a complete overhaul. Everything from the lines to the pads were replaced. Everything that stopped the vehicle was brand new. Of course while I was under there I replaced the steering stabilizer and shortened the exhaust (who needs a muffler anyway!)

Under the hood I got rid of the factory airbox and replaced it with a Spectre cone filter that amazingly fit right onto the stock intake hose. The oil blowoff hose was replaced with an even smaller Spectre filter, because why not? All plugs, wires, the distributor cap and rotor were replaced and the vacuum ball inside of the bumper was relocated to between the battery and fuse box. the fuse box, vacuum ball, and fan shroud were painted the same OD green as the front grille and wheel centers for effect (although I'm not quite sure what the effect was).

While I was under the hood I decided to replace the non working factory fog lights. I wired in a new toggle switch to go with the back up light over ride (more on that in a minute). The fog lights that I used were nothing special, just a pair I picked up on clearance at Advance Auto Parts. I mounted those in the same spot as the factory lights.

In this picture you will see 3 toggle switches. the big one at the top is for the fog lights. the middle one was currently unused, but was going to be for my fan over ride that I never got around to wiring up. The bottom switch was my back up light over ride. As is the case in the XJ, my Neutral Safety Switch was going bad. So what I did to counteract that was wire up a switch that had two different functions. Firstly it would allow me to turn on my back up lights in the event that they didn't come on on their own but would also allow me to turn them on without the vehicle being in reverse if I needed to be back there for some reason. Sadly I never got around to installing the upgraded lights back there...

So that is it. Other than basic maintenance and a few sensors needing replaced that was my first Jeep "build". I hope you like it, I look forward to getting work started o my Commander. I have quite a few ideas now I just need the time and extra money to get them started.

Just another BAD ASS Power Wagon!

Just bringing you guys another offering from the guys at Legacy Classic Trucks. This time I wanted to show a range of vehicles from them. The first is what they do best. Power Wagons.

Then to follow up here is a Toyota Expedition Land Cruiser. While it isn't their normal work, it is still a well built machine.

Top nine vehicles for Overlanding (in no particular order)

What exactly is overlanding you may be asking yourself. To put an actual definition on it I would call it a self-reliant travel to a remote destination where the journey to get there is more the goal than the actual destination. Think of it as a road trip but without the roads, or at least without paved roads. What separates overlanding from off-roading is the core activity itself. Generally speaking when you are off-roading you are with a bunch of your friends and their rigs and making a day out of it. When you are overlanding you are going somewhere. To quote Doc Brown, "Where we're going, we don't need roads."

When you scour the internet looking for overland rigs most of what you will find is well above the $10,000 mark and some rigs can get well up into the hundreds of thousands. What I have done here is put together a list of vehicles that can, for the most part, be obtained and outfitted for overlanding with a budget of $10,000. They are in no particular order, just a list for you to think about.

Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 1987-2001
If any of you have read any of my other posts you will undoubtedly know that I am a Jeep guy. My daily driver is a Jeep Commander and I had a nice Cherokee XJ that I sold to my son. There are two things that any Jeep enthusiast will tell you. One, the Jeep 4.0-liter Straight Six engine is a bullet proof work of art. They are reliable and easy to work on should the need arise when you are out and about. Two, "It's a Jeep Thing". There aren't many places that you can't take a Jeep and Jeep lovers will take any chance they can to let you know exactly where they have gone. Depending on where you live a stock XJ can run you anywhere from $500 to $6000 based on the current condition and mileage. The nice thing about any Jeep really, is that there are no shortage of parts available to customize and outfit your rig. You can spend as little as $400 piecemealing a lift together or you can drop $4000 on a lift kit. Either way you can get the job done.

Suzuki Samurai 1985-2001
The Suzuki Samurai is another all terrain vehicle that has no shortage of after market parts available. Although small, this "cute ute" is very capable. A quick search shows that these can be found for as low as $1000 while some that were already built up had a price tag of over $20,000. It is not uncommon to see a Samurai that has been stripped down to nothing more than a frame with a steering wheel, engine, drivers seat, and transmission zipping through trails and or sand dunes. Much like the XJ, the Samurai is another vehicle that has a very devoted group of owners.

Ford Ranger XLT 1998-2011
Unless you get one through a site like Craigslist or one that has been ridden hard and put away wet, expect to get into one of these machines for just under the $10k budget. Because of their popularity and ruggedness, most Ford trucks hold their value quite well. Available with a 2.5-liter SOHC i4 or a pushrod 4.0-liter V6, the Ranger had any option to meet your needs. While the i4 may not have had the power of the V6, it had a slightly better gas mileage for those long overland trips. As with any of the other pickup trucks on this list, the availability of a cap for the bed was perfect for when you needed a place to sleep on your trip and didn't want to bust out the tent.

Toyota 4 Runner 1995-2009
1995 to 2009 covers both the third and fourth generation of the Toyota 4 Runner. Sharing a chassis with the Land Cruiser Prado, the third generation 4 Runner was available with either a 2.7-liter i4 or a 3.4-liter V6. Both engines were more than capable to get you through whatever terrain you are wanting to go. Much like the Cherokee, the 4 Runner in stock form is highly capable for all of your overland needs. That does not mean you won't have a good choice of after market upgrade options at your disposal.

Subaru Outback 1994-present
Some of you may be thinking that since the Subaru Outback doesn't belong on this list because it is not a truck. I assure you that, and anyone who has owned one can attest to, the Subaru Outback may be able to perform right along side any of the vehicles on here. Sure, it won't have the suspension travel necessary for rock crawling, but how often are you really going to need that much travel? I miss my Outback. If there was any vehicle, other than my Jeep that I had the utmost confidence in when it came to off road capability, it was my Outback. While the after market lifts for Subaru's aren't as plentiful as for say, a Jeep, they are out there. If you have any doubt as to what these things are truly capable of take a trip over to Battlewagons and see what can be done. Subaru;s hold their value pretty well so while you may not be able to find a new one for under $10,000 you can definitely find an older model well within that price range.

Toyota Tacoma 1995-2004
Admittedly I don't know much about the Toyota Tacoma other than the very rabid fan base they have. Affectionately referred to as Taco's, these are just as plentiful in my area as Cherokees, just as nicely priced. While the Toyota Tacoma is quite adept at traversing all terrains in it's stock form, you would be hard pressed to find one (at least in my area) that isn't already outfitted for off road use. Known the world over as the Hilux, the first generation Tacoma is available in the US with a 2.4-liter i4, a 2.7-liter i4, or a 3.4-liter V6. Just like the Ford Ranger, one of the things keeping the Tacoma in the top tier for overlanding is the bed.

Isuzu Trooper 1991-2002
The second generation Trooper was a complete redesign to keep up with the changing landscape of the SUV market. Pre 1996 the Trooper still used a part time four-wheel drive system requiring the manual locking in of the hubs. Next to the Vanagon, the Trooper is one of the more rarely spotted vehicle in my area making the prices when you do find them for sale relatively high. Stock from the factory the Trooper is pretty capable for whatever you need it for.

Toyota Land Cruiser 1984-2015
Starting in 1984 the J70 was introduced. Much like Jeep's war-time pedigree, the Land Cruiser was created as an all around Utility Vehicle. Offered with everything from a soft top version to the troop carrying military version. What ever version you are lucky enough to have in your garage there is no doubt about the rugged capability it offers. Out of every vehicle on this list, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the only vehicle that truly needs no after market mods to make it better. Regardless of the low price tag you can find these for the Toyota Land Cruiser definitely keeps it's own against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz G Wagen, and the Land Rover Discovery.

VW Vanagon 1979-1990
Much like the Subaru you may not feel that the Vanagon belongs on this list. At first glance it appears to be a slightly lifted Mini-Bus but throw a set of snow chains on the Vanagon and it will get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. A quick search on autotrader.com only brought in 12 results country wide under $10,000 but there were some offerings as low as $3000. The biggest difference between the Vanagon and the Mini Bus was the fact that the engine was water cooled which means that it had a heater that actually worked. This is a key piece of hardware to have functional in your overland rig for those long winter treks.

So there you have it, my top nine (in no particular order) best vehicles for Overlanding. What do you think?

Legacy Classic Trucks of Jackson Wyoming are creating absolute perfection.

Yesterday I wrote about the guys at Legacy Classic Trucks of Jackson Wyoming and the awesome Jeep Scramblers they are building. Today I am back with just a small album of another one of their finished projects.

They don't have any information listed on their website about this beast but either way enjoy the pure awesomeness.










All photo's credit go to legacyclassictrucks.com

Have $100,000+ you want to spend on a Jeep? Here you go.

Photo credit autoweek.com

Sure, you can special order a Brute that will run you around $100k but it won't be like one of these. Legacy Classic Trucks of Jackson Hole loves building custom beasts, most notably old Powerwagons. They have ventured out and decided to make some custom Jeeps, specifically Scramblers. The Scrambler was an option offered on the 1981-86 CJ-8's although if you bring them any CJ they can convert it to the longer wheel base for you.


Photo credit autoweek.com

The first thing they wanted to do was create a Jeep that was different than all other built up rigs out there. To do so they started with the weight. Your average custom rig weighs up to ~6,000 pounds with all of the added parts, stiffeners, body armoring, and accessories. These Scramblers achieve a curb weight of around 3,300 to 3,400 pounds. To get this weight they replaced every possible part that could be changed over with aluminum.


Photo credit autoweek.com

Of course they leave every part that needs to be tough alone like the axles. Up front you get a Dana 44/60 and the rear gets a Dana One Ton full floating ProRock 60 with optional locker (why would you not get a locker though?).


Photo credit autoweek.com


Photo credit autoweek.com

The shocks on the pictured rig are long travel Kings with bump stops, and it meets the pavement earth on 37 inch Toyo Open Country RT tires.


Photo credit autoweek.com

Should you decide to buy one of these gorgeous rolling pieces of art you get two options for the engine. Either a Chevy LS3 V8 or a Banks 630T turbo-diesel V6. Either way you will get the power and torque you need to get you wherever you are going. Pricing for the V8 starts at $110,000 and the Diesel starts at $125,000. To get yourself into one of these Scramblers you will have a minimum of six months wait. But it would certainly be worth it, wouldn't it?

What does FCA have in store for us at the 50th annual Jeep Easter Safari?

I know, I know...

Jeep isn't a European car manufacturer so why would I be writing about it? You ever see that movie Six Degrees of Separation? Jeep is part of Chrysler, which is owned by FCA, which stands for what? Fiat Chrysler of America, so technically they are an Italian car manufacturer. It's thin, but it is holding water... kind of. But we'll go with it anyway.

It is no secret that I am a Jeep person. I park my 2008 Commander in the driveway right next to my W212 E Class. I try and keep abreast of what FCA is doing with my beloved brand and try to stay updated on what is coming down the pipes.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Jeep Easter Safari in Moab, Utah and the 75th anniversary of the Jeep brand in general. Each year at the Easter Safari Jeep unveils it's newest concepts, some of which end up in production or at the very least end up leading to a new production. Last year we got to see the Jeep Chief which was a new take on the original Cherokee, the Jeep Wrangler Africa which is an Overlanders wet dream come true, the Grand Cherokee Overlander, the JK2A Staff Car which is an obvious throwback to Jeep's WWII beginnings, The Red Rock Responder, the Cherokee Canyon Trail, and the Renegade Desert Hawk. All of these, even the Renegade, were nothing short of spectacular, so what could Jeep possibly do to top it this year? We will have to wait until March 19th to find out, but in the mean time Jeep has given us one small teaser to go on.

Is this going to be a 707 HP Wrangler? While it is highly unlikely that we will ever get a Wrangler with the Hellcat drive train, but one can certainly dream. I mean, after all, we are getting a Hellcat driven Grand Cherokee labeled the Trackhawk, so maybe we will. Who knows.

Sometimes customization can go a little too far, maybe?

I know this isn't my normal thing to report on, but since technically I am about to show a Volkswagen, I guess I should be alright. A Reddit user named bowie-in-space found this interesting specimen in a parking lot in New York.

At this angle you can see some odd, yet functional mods. It may be completely out of the ordinary to see a Volkswagen Beetle with a Bull bar, winch, and KC off road lights. However it isn't a completely useless idea. Certainly the roof rack adorning this custom Bug is nothing if not useful. If you take a moment to look at the picture and pay attention to the details you will see the spare tire on said roof rack. Why does it matter, you may ask? Just take a second and look at it... go ahead... That tire doesn't look like any tire that would ever belong on a Beetle. If we walk around to the rear end and look at the other side:

Now it all makes sense. Someone took the time, effort, and money to put a lift kit on this Volkswagen Beetle along with the aforementioned oversize tires. What makes this whole custom job seem like a waste of time is the fact that the only Volkswagen Beetle that was ever produced with Volkswagen's 4motion All Wheel Drive system was the RSi version that was produced from 2001 to 2003 with the VR6 engine in it. This most certainly is not one of those models. Whether it is a front wheel drive vehicle or some sort of custom all wheel drive system, no one can argue that this isn't an interesting Beetle. It certainly looks like it can get some work done.

What does a $4.3 million dollar Mercedes Benz look like?

What do you get when you take a $500,000.00 Mercedes-Benz SLR and customize it with 500 rubies and gold plating? Well one guy did it so we can see what it looks like!

Ueli Anlicker from Winznau, Switzerland is, among other things, a Restaurateur, a night club owner, a cafe lounge owner, an owner of a modern art/design studio, and his crown jewel which is a museum dedicated to  his custom designed red and gold Motorcycles and Cars.

His custom creations make for an impressive resume but there are a few that stand out. At one point he owned a custom 550 hp Ferrari 512 BB and a custom built 180 hp Honda CBX1000. Both of which he topped out at 205 miles per hour! Of course though his prized creation is his Mercedes-Benz SLR which he calls "Red and Gold Dream".











Love it or hate it, you won't forget it.

If you know Swedish you can check out his website www.anliker-ueli.ch for more info.

Delorean DMC-12 to see new production. Your childhood dream is now a reality.

Those of you who are old enough to actually remember the 80's definitely fantasized at least once about owning a Delorean DMC-12. The vehicle was introduced way back in 1981, but went out of production in 1983. However, due to the vehicle being featured in the Back To the Future trilogy, the car has quite the cult following. Since 1995 it has been possible to purchase a refurbished Delorean DMC-12 direct from the company for around $45,000 to $55,000.




Last month a new bill went into effect that allows small production vehicles to be made without having to worry about current highway safety standards as long as the vehicle being produced is a replica, or at least made to resemble, a car that is no less than twenty five years old. Because of this, the Delorean Motor Company expects to release 300 brand new models using a stockpile of old-new stock and OEM spec parts. Expect to pay right around $100,000 for one. But really, can you actually put a price on a childhood dream?

When Mercedes Roamed the Earth

As a fan of Mercedes-Benz, cars in general, and a huge movie buff, it is not often that I get to see or interact with something that involves a combination of the three. That being said, this past June I had a chance to visit the Birmingham, Alabama Mercedes Benz production facility for work (yes I do actually have a day job!), and while there we got to visit the Mercedes Benz museum they have on site. Among the many very cool and very rare vehicles they have on display there was a locked room that, as an employee of Mercedes Benz (dealership), we were given access to. As we walked through the now unlocked door we were greeted with a small room filled with four or five cars, all under covers. Among them were the first-off-the-line 163 chassis ML350, the concept ML that toured the show circuit, at all the way at the front of the line was a very weird looking camo painted SUV.

My eyes went immediately to this particular vehicle. Not because of how eat it looked with its camo paint job or its weird selection of accessories attached to the outside, but because it looked familiar to me. I had definitely laid eyes upon this vehicle before but for the life of me I couldn't figure out where. That was until I walked around the front of it and saw the large stuffed Velociraptor that was laying down in the back seat. Then it dawned on me! This was one of the movie props from Lost World: Jurassic Park! How freaking cool is that!?

I was able to snap a few pictures before our tour moved on and I would like to share them with you now.



If you look in the background of this picture you can see the uncovered front passenger side of the first ever Mercedes Benz ML350 to roll off of the assembly line. That black markings all over it are the signatures of every employee who worked at the plant.The Birmingham plant was opened in the US specifically for the production of these vehicles and this was the first vehicle produced here.



So how cool is this? For someone like myself who loves theses cars, and loved the Jurassic Park movies, this was my happy place!