Bacchus Extreme Sports Challenge: Road & Off-Road Cycling in Marikina
Dirt Sports + Off-Road - June 2015
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Transcript of Dirt Sports + Off-Road - June 2015
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WWW.DIRTSPORTSNATION.COM
CHILLIN: MASSIVE RADIATOR/ELECTRIC FAN BUYERS GUIDE
YAMAHAS WOLVERINE
R-SPEC: THE CLAWS ARE OUT
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W.D
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STEERING BASICS FOR EVERYTHING
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14
6
RED BULL FROZEN RUSH WINNER BRYCE
MENZIES SLIDES THROUGH A SNOW-COVERED
CORNER.PHOTO: COURTESY OF RED BULL
JUNE 2015
CONTENTSUNDER THE HOOD
DEPARTMENTS
8 WORD
Tune in, Turn on!
10 DIRT SPORTS NATION
Our Familys Slightly Warped Photo Album.
12 411
News From Around The Nation.
72 GEARBOX
Great New Products You Will Want.
78 CALENDAR
Everywhere You Want To Be in 2015.
81 HOURGLASS
A Look Back In Time.
FEATURES
14 RED BULL FROZEN RUSH
Cold Weather, Hot Racing, and Amped-Up Fans
34 WUNDERBAR
This is Not Your Dads Baja Bug
44 THE YAMAHA WOLVERINE R-SPEC
Fun, in a Something for Everyone Kind of Way
48 LIVING THE DREAM
How Ryan Beat Built His Own Short-Course Off-Road Team.
54 BRINGING BACK THE BRONCO
Boyd Jaynes El Diablo Caballo Rides the Baja Penninsula.
62 ITS ALL THE RAGE
Rage at the River Closes Out 2014 SNORE Season
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TECHNICAL
00 TOC STORY HEAD
TOC story description. TOC story description. TOC story description.
00 TOC STORY HEAD
TOC story description. TOC story description. TOC story description.
00 TOC STORY HEAD
TOC story description. TOC story description. TOC story description.
00 TOC STORY HEAD
TOC story description. TOC story description. TOC story description.
PHOTO: BRYAN HARROLD
54
30
62
ON THE COVER
BOYD JAYNES PUT HIS BRONCO
THROUGH ITS PACES DURING A
TEST SESSION.
J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 7
VOLUME 49 I NUMBER 6
TECHNICAL
20 HOT AND
BOTHERED
Explaining Cooling Basics & Radiator/Cooler Buyers Guide
30 THE PRERUNNER
Selecting and Building the Perfect Prerunner
68 KOPYCINSKIS
BRAIN
Steering Trouble
EDITORIAL
NETWORK CONTENT DIRECTOR
RICK PW
EDITOR
MATT EMERY
MANAGING EDITOR
LAURA PELTAKIAN
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
SHAUN OCHSNER
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS AND NEW PRODUCT RELEASES TO: [email protected]
ART DIRECTION &
DESIGN
DESIGN DIRECTOR
ROB MUNOZ
ART DIRECTOR
TRIS MAST
THE FOUR WHEELER
NETWORK ON THE
WEB
WWW.DIRTSPORTSNATION.COMWWW.FOURWHEELER.COMWWW.4WHEELOFFROAD.COMWWW.JPMAGAZINE.COMWWW.MUDLIFEMAGAZINE.COM
MANUFACTURING
& PRODUCTION
OPERATIONS
VP, MANUFACTURING & AD
OPERATIONS, GREG PARNELLSENIOR DIRECTOR,
AD OPERATIONS, PAULINE ATWOOD ARCHIVIST, THOMAS VOEHRINGER
ADVERTISING
INFORMATION
Please call DIRT SPORTS + OFF-ROAD Advertising Department, (949) 705-3179. Related publications: Automobile, Car Craft, Chevy High Performance, Circle Track, Classic Trucks, Diesel Power, 8-Lug HD Truck, Engine Masters, European Car, 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Four Wheeler, Hot Rod, Hot Rod Deluxe, Jp, Lowrider, Mopar Muscle, Motor Trend, Muscle Car Review, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, Mustang Monthly, Recoil, Street Rodder, Super Chevy, Super Street, Surfing, Truckin, Truck Trend, and Vette.
Any submissions or contributions from readers shall be subject to and governed by TEN: The Enthusiast Networks User Content Submission Terms and Conditions, which are posted at http://www.enthusiastnetwork.com/submissions/
Dirt Sports + Off-Road (ISSN 2334-3028), Volume 49, No. 6, is published monthly by TEN: The Enthusiast Network, LLC, 261 Madison Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Copyright 2015 by TEN: The Enthusiast Network Magazines, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions US And US Possessions $19.97 for 12 Issues. Canadian orders add $12.00 per year and all other countries add $24.00 per year (including Surface Mail Postage. Payment in advance, US funds only.
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Happy New Year!
Yeah, I know; youre reading the June issue and its
probably April, but through the magic that is magazine
time, its actually mid January as I write this.
Its already been a long month, but a lot of great things
have happened; I froze my keister off in Maine at the Red Bull
Frozen Rush and got to tour the Yamaha factory in Georgia
where they revealed the new Wolverine R-Spec side-by-side.
Today we were at MPMC, which is were SEMA puts after-
market companies up in hotel rooms and editors walk around
in circles getting the lowdown on all their latest parts. The
SEMA show in Vegas is fun but a little hectic; MPMC is where
we actually get to talk to the companies one-on-one to actu-
ally find out whats going on so we can bring that info to you.
Weve already decided to bring a few of these new parts to you in the form of tech
stories, some of which will be going on Associate Editor Shaun Ochsners Project
Media-Runner. This build will be featured in upcoming issues, but also in video form.
Were planning on producing many videos on tech stories, vehicle features, and
events, both races and fun runs. These videos will be shown on our Dirt Sports + Off-
Road Facebook page as well as on our website, which can be found at
www.fourwheeler.com.
We are planning to drastically expand our online presence this year as most, if
not all, of our printed stories are being uploaded to the Internet, in addition to some
stand-alone content that can only be found online. That content will come in the
form of both printed stories and videos. We love what some of our other mags are
doing, such as the Dirt Every Day videos that our four-wheel-drive brothers are pro-
ducing, and feel thats what we want to bring to the readers of DS+OR. Dont expect
Spielberg, but were aiming for them to be both informative and entertaining.
Its going to be a great year here at DS+OR. We have a lot of plans and ideas on
how to make it stand out and hope that once January rolls around, youll agree that
2015 was the best year ever at DS+OR.
Until then, have fun, be safe, and well see you next month
Matt Emery
TUNE IN, TURN ON
DSSP-150600-WORD.indd 2/23/15 11:26 AM PAGE 8DSSP-150600-WORD.indd 2/23/15 11:26 AM PAGE 8
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ROVs can be hazardous to operate. Improper use can cause severe injury or death. Each rider must wear a seat belt, approved helmet, eye protection and protective gear. Each rider must use handholds/steering wheel and stay completely
inside the vehicle. Each rider must be able to sit with their back against the seat, feet at on oor and hands on handholds/steering wheel and must read and understand the operators manual before riding. Follow all instructions and
warnings. Avoid abrupt maneuvers, hard acceleration when turning and sidehilling. Avoid paved surfaces. Slow down before entering a turn. Dont operate on public roads unless designated for off-highway vehicle access collisions with
cars and trucks can occur. Never engage in stunt driving. Never drive or ride under in uence of alcohol or drugs. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on dif cult terrain. All ROV operators must have a valid drivers license. No
operators under age 16. Never carry a passenger in the cargo box or exceed seating capacity. Do not shoot from or lean rearms or bows against the ROV. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course. For safety and training
information, go to www.rohva.org. Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Arctic Cat urges you to Tread Lightly on public and private lands. Ride only on designated areas or trails. Preserve your future riding opportunities by
showing respect for the environment, local laws and the rights of others when riding. Arctic Cat, Share Our Passion and Wildcat are trademarks or registered trademarks of Arctic Cat Inc.
2014 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701. Arctic Cat ATVs and Side by Sides (ROVs) are world-class products from Arctic Cat Inc.
TWO SEATS TO THIS YEARS
HOTTEST ACTION THRILLER.
INTRODUCING THE WILDCAT SPORT NOTHINGS AS WILD.
The path less traveled is more rugged. So we built the 2015 Wildcat Sport. Based on the 60+ horsepower Wildcat Trail, it has a bee er
suspension with a wider 60" stance. Ground clearance is a respectable 13," suspension travel 12.6" rear, 12.2" front. Bucket seats situate
you and your co-pilot over the center of gravity. Nuff said. Take the wheel. The Sport will do the rest of the talking. arcticcat.com
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1010
Visit our Dirt Sports Nation page on facebook!
ITS A CRUSTY PLACE, BUT SOMEBODYS GOT TO LIVE IN IT!
Dont believe the hype, Luke!
SCORE BAJA 1000
This guy makes a perfect candidate for iron manning the Baja 1000. No seat needed!
SCORE BAJA 1000
Its all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
BITD BLUEWATER CHALLENGE
The GPS girls brought to you by Lowrance.
SCORE BAJA 1000
DSSP-150600-NATION.indd 2/23/15 11:29 AM PAGE 10DSSP-150600-NATION.indd 2/23/15 11:29 AM PAGE 10
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Make Ruts.Just because you forge your own path, doesnt mean you have to go it alone. Connect with Summit Racing Equipment and deal with dedicated off-road enthusiasts. Well help you out t your ride to tackle the desert and ship gear the same-day to get you back out there faster.
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12
COMA AND AL-ATTIYAH TAKE DAKAR WINSin stage eight after his Spanish rival,
Jeremas Israel Esquerre suffered a
mechanical issue. The No. 2 Honda, dam-
aged by the crossing of the waterlogged
Salar de Uyuni, had to be towed to Iquique
by Jeremas Israel Esquerre. This decisive
turn of events gave Marc Coma the reins of
the rally, which he kept until Buenos Aires.
Other wins went to Airat Mardeev
(Russia) in the Truck Class and Rafal
Sonik (Poland) in the Quad Class.
Nasser Al-Attiyah won the first stage
but was handed down a time pen-
alty for speeding in the link section.
No big deal for the Qatari. He had sent his
rivals a clear message: This was going to
be his year. The Mini driver rammed the
message home the very next day, taking
an undisputable and undisputed stage
win, the first of an impressive set of five
wins, which shows just how far ahead
of the competition Al-Attiyah was in the
37th Dakar. The newly crowned two-time
champion of the most prestigious rally
on Earth took the overall lead at the end
of stage two and kept it until the end. He
never even hesitated, racking up one win
after another instead of simply defending
his lead even when the slower-but-steady
Giniel de Villiers piled the pressure on him.
In the bike class, Marc Coma bided
his time waiting to pounce at the slight-
est opportunity. Marc found an opening
Addictive Desert Designs, an indus-
try leader in design and innovation
is proud to announce their Baja XT
and XTR Conversion kits for the 15 Ford
F-150. The conversion kits, sold through
its dealers and distributors around the
world, are designed to transform your
new truck into an off-roadready vehicle.
Ford is notproducing a new Raptor
until 2017, but they do have a brand-new
F-150. Therefore, here at ADD we have
been busy! As an industry leader in
design and innovation and with the stop
in Raptor production for the next couple
of years, we wanted to give potential
customers the opportunity to transform
their truck into an off-
roadready vehicle.
Says Doug Parks,
Addictive Desert
Designs, Director of
Sales and Marketing.
At the 2014 SEMA
Show, ADD has
teamed up with Ford
to reveal the all-new 15 Ford F-150 and
has built all-new Conversion Kits for the
platform. Two trucks will be showcased
with two versions, the Baja XT and Baja
XTR. The Baja XT version of the 15 Ford
F-150 will feature various upgrades and
finish off with an under-the-bed shock
kit with rear-wheel travel approaching
14 inches. The second truck, a 15 Ford
F-150 Baja XTR from Addictive Desert
Designs, is a more extreme version and
will be finished off with a bed cage and
shocks that go into the bed to deliver 18
inches of travel in the rear.
ADDICTIVE DESERT DESIGNS RELEASES 2015 FORD F-150 BAJA XT AND XTR PACKAGE
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14
COLD WEATHER, HOT RACING, AND AMPED-UP FANS
FEATUREFEATURE
RED BULL FROZEN RUSHWORDS MATT EMERY
IMAGES MATT EMERY AND COURTESY OF RED BULL
All races are fun to attend, but
the Red Bull Frozen Rush is
maybe a step above the rest.
First, its Pro4 racing with some
of the best drivers around com-
peting on a snow- and ice-covered track.
Second, anytime Red Bull is involved, its
party time.
Only in its second year, the Frozen Rush
has become one of the most anticipated
races of the Red Bull Signature Series.
With everything from off-road racing,
dirt bike events like the Straight Rhythm
and hard enduros, even surfing and
bicycles, the series covers a wide variety
of extreme sports but none may be more
extreme weather-wise as the Rush.
Held at the Sunday River Resort in
Newry, Maine, the weather for this years
event was cold. We mean -20 degree
cold. It actually made the course bet-
ter as the crew was watering the track
so that an ice sheet could form. The
ice was perfect for the metal-studded
BFGoodrich tires to grab into. BFG
installed nearly 700 studs per tire and
some of the racers thought that traction
here was actually better than on some
dirt surfaces.
Nine of the best off-road truck driv-
ers from across the country descended
upon the cut-into-a-ski-run on the side
of a mountain track to try their luck. And
theyd need it, as the course featured
some great obstacles such as a jump
that would send one truck over the top
of another and a huge bowl of a left turn
that redefined the term sweeper.
The finals set up a showdown
between former teammates Johnson
and Menzies, who raced together on
the Menzies Motorsports team for the
past four years. Off the line, the two
trucks were close, with Johnson pulling
slightly ahead at the start. As the two
trucks split on the course, Johnson got
crossed up on the first jump and skidded
sideways off the landing. He minimized
the mistake, but it would prove costly, as
it gave Menzies a solid lead headed into
the six-lap final. Johnson spent the next
five laps trying to catch Menzies, but the
young driver refused to make any signifi-
cant mistakes. While Johnson was able
to gain ground, it was not enough, and
Menzies took the Red Bull Frozen Rush
Championship.
Rickys been my teammate for four
years, and hes pretty much helped me
through everything, Menzies said. Hes
helped me though three championships
in Pro 2, and gave me a lot of advice
coming into this race. To start off the
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ABOVE:
The Red Bull Frozen Rush was held at
the beautiful Sunday River ski resort.
ABOVE:
The track view from the gondola was
killer, but race fans lined the course
when they werent skiing, of course.
ABOVE:
We were photo-bombed while trying to
get a shot of the Red Bull girls.
BELOW:
Thursday was qualifying day, and Scott
Douglas seemed to have the track fig-
ured out as he was flying.
ABOVE:
Any Polaris driver should be used to the
cold, and RJ Anderson, whos seen here
exiting the BFG tent and heading up to
the racecourse, seemed to be at ease
with the low temps.
ABOVE:
BFGoodrich supplied the spiked tires
needed for the course. Its ice, after all.
They also had this setup to make install-
ing the tires easy for the crews.
ABOVE:
Friday was race day, and the fans
trudged up to where the course was laid
out. Yes, its uphill.
ABOVE:
Fans were allowed into the pits
Thursday after qualifying to get a close-
up look at the trucks and a chance to
talk with their favorite drivers. They
were disco lights, too.
J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 15
season with a win is huge, and I couldnt
be more stoked and Ive never been
this tired in an off-road race except for
the Baja 1000.
The pair prevailed over a star-filled
field. With guys such as Rob MacCachren
(who would finish Thirdoverall), RJ
Anderson, Scott Douglas, Chad Hord,
Carl Renezeder, Brian Deegan, Todd
Leduc, and Carl Renezeder, there wasnt
a slow guy in the bunch.
As we stated, this was a fun race to
attend and one that wed recommend to
any serious off-road enthusiast to take
in at least once. But as all of the Red
Bull Signature Series events are bound
for NBC TV, theres still a chance for
you to see this race and all of their 2015
offerings. Theyll be out at the Mint 400
too. We cant wait for the party to begin
there.
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ABOVE:
One of the great features of the Frozen
Rush course was the over and under
jump. The course split at one point and
one side had this jump that sent the
trucks over the other lane. Fantastic!
ABOVE:
Though some may see this as not a real
race, dont tell that to the racers. They
were all very serious and the racing was
intense.
ABOVE:
The final came down to Red Bull
teammates Ricky Johnson and Bryce
Menzies. At the first split, Johnson had a
slight advantage.
ABOVE:
At the finish it
was Menzies
who leapt
through the air
to take the win.
BELOW:
With champagne
spraying, Menzies,
Johnson, and Third
Place finisher Rob
MacCachren cele-
brated with the fans.
16
RED BULL FROZEN RUSHFEATUREFEATURE
SNOW BOUNDHow BFGoodrich Makes The Frozen Rush Possible
While racing on ice has been around as long as theres been racing and cold weather, it takes a special tire to be able to actually attain enough traction to even move on ice. And that tire usually has spikes attached to them.BFGoodrich has a lot of experience producing race-winning tires
for extreme conditions, and this purpose-built All-Terrain T/A FR2 race tire was specially designed for the Red Bull Frozen Rush event by BFGoodrich engineers. The foundation of this race tire is the BFGo-
odrich short-course race tire, which com-petes in the Lucas Oil Off Road Race Series. However, with the added element of packed snow and ice, the tires needed something elsemetal studs. BFGoodrich engineers used specially
designed alloy studs individually positioned into each tread block to maximize the grip the tire would provide. Nearly 700 alloy studs were affxed to the FR tire in precise locations to provide the right mix of traction and turning ability for the course. The result was not only great traction for the racers, but the tires
also sent giant roosts of ice and snow billowing into the sky, which was great for the race fans. A win-win for everyone.
DSSP-150600-RUSH.indd 2/26/15 2:44 PM PAGE 16DSSP-150600-RUSH.indd 2/26/15 2:44 PM PAGE 16
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Maintains OEM steering geometry Retains factory alignment specs Differential skid plate designed to protect drivetrain Improves ground clearance
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BFGOODRICH MADE THE
FROZEN RUSH POSSIBLE
RIGHT:
With their tent and
tires at the ready,
BFGoodrich and
their studded tires
made an event like
the Red Bull Frozen
Rush possible.
BELOW:
Even if the temps hadnt at times
been as low as -20, heavy gloves
would still be needed to mount these
prickly tires.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM WHEATLEY
BELOW:
Bryan Deegen
always seems to
have the most
enthusiastic fans.
ABOVE:
Menzies and
Johnson were all
smiles.
ABOVE:
Once the racing was over, the drivers
signed autographs and tried to keep
warm.
LEFT:
With nearly 700 studs affixed to every
tire, the BFG T/A FRs actually gave
the trucks more traction that in a typi-
cal dirt scenario.
ABOVE:
Each tire is drilled and the studs are
then pneumatically inserted and
affixed in place with adhesive.
18
FEATUREFEATURERED BULL FROZEN RUSH
DSSP-150600-RUSH.indd 2/26/15 2:45 PM PAGE 18DSSP-150600-RUSH.indd 2/26/15 2:45 PM PAGE 18
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WARNING: The Polaris RZR can be hazardous to operate and is not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid
drivers license to operate. Passengers must be at least 12 years old. Drivers and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, and
seat belts. Always use cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding
and alcohol/ drugs dont mix. All drivers should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws
before riding on trails. Walker Evans is a Registered Trademark of Walker Evans Racing. All rights reserved. 2015 Polaris Industries Inc. BUILD YOUR ULTIMATE RZR AT POLARISRZR.COM
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combination of industry-leading 110HP ProStar EFI power, industry-exclusive Walker Evans suspension, high-performance all-wheel drive agility and all-day
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HOT AND BOTHERED
WORDS DEANNA SCANLON
IMAGES DEANNA SCANLON AND COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
EXPLAINING COOLING BASICS & RADIATOR/COOLER BUYERS GUIDE
FEATUREFEATURE
ne;
OK, so the cooling system on your truck is not nearly as sexy
as those new shocks or lights. The cooling systems on your
rig, however, are much more complicated than it may seem.
Its also far harder to appreciate the importance of your cooling
system compared to how cool those new shocks are.
So why go to the expense and effort to upgrade your cooling
system? Well, quite honestly, any cooling expert will tell you that
a purpose-built cooling system will help achieve optimal engine
performance while protecting your not so inexpensive equip-
ment, helping you to avoid situations that lead to equipment fail-
ure and unnecessary wear and tear.
Chris Paulsen of C&R radiators says, choosing the correct
cooling system components for your application, be it casual off-
roading to full blown racing, starts with understanding certain
cooling basics. As Paulsen has eloquently written in his website
based Cooling 101, there are several factors to consider.
Actually, there are a lot of factors, especially when talking
about off-road vehicles. From cooling configurations, contribu-
tors to heat in the system, the core construction itself, including
material, type of welding, fin pitch, fins
per inch, tube spacing, overall thickness
in comparison to frontal surface area,
water flow, airflow, and application.
Adding in the harshness of the off-road
environment and how a vehicle can be
driven hard at even low speeds let alone
wide open along a power line road, and
you get the idea that there is much more
to this cooling thing than meets the eye.
While engines have steadily improved
over time, they still have some inef-
ficiency in their design, which at its
basic is changing chemical power (fuel)
to mechanical power. Burning fuel cre-
ates heat obviously, but how the engine
is tuned needs to be evaluated as well.
Running advanced timing and a lean fuel
mixture creates big power, but also high-
20
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J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 21
er than normal temps. Something like a
restrictive exhaust system can place high
demands on the system.
Even something as trivial as a leak-
ing radiator cap can cause heat in the
system to increase. Were sure everyone
knows that modern cooling systems are
pressurized. Pressurizing the system
increases the boiling point with every psi
of pressure, increasing boiling point 3 dF
at sea level. That means any leaks raise
the temperature of the fluid even if all
other factors are within spec.
You may never have thought about
it, but its possible for an engine to run
too cold. With the advent of EFI and
computer-regulated engines such as the
LS series, gone are the days of simply
removing the thermostat. In fact, if the
water temp isnt sufficiently high enough,
then the computer wont kick on and
the engine wont produce its full amount
of power. Modern vehicles need to run
within a specific temperature range and
if they dont get hot enough, they wont
run well. Too hot is obviously not good,
but too cold isnt good either.
Understanding your demand will guide
your choices in system configuration and
construction. Beyond OE open systems
there are two other types of cooling sys-
tems. The first is a closed system with a
surge tank equipped with a radiator cap
and fill neck, the second being a pres-
surized system with an accumulator that
acts as an air spring, a pressure relief
valve, and a quick disconnect to add
pressure that exceeds normal tempera-
ture expansion.
System configuration is not the end
of the discussion, however, as core con-
struction also comes into play. Paulsen
says, an all-aluminum core is preferable
as it eliminates lead solder, which slows
heat conduction. They are also usually
TIG welded, allowing for ease of custom-
ization, but perhaps the best part is that
they are up to 30 percent lighter than
older brass-style radiators.
Each system is different, but factors
such as fins per inch (FPI) and tube spac-
ing affect heat dissipation. Youd think
that high FPI would work well in race
applications, but FPI in off-road applica-
tions may be as little as 12 FPI to allow
for dispersal of debris. Paulsen further
suggests that low FPI in off-road applica-
tions may not be the best solution but
may be better handled with a proper
grille to deflect dirt and mud to allow a
higher FPI for better heat transfer.
As your system is just that, a system
that works as a whole, you have to con-
sider the implications of airflow and
water flow. While core thickness may
increase cooling capacity, the decrease in
airflow volume and velocity needs to be
considered. A continual source of ambi-
ent air needs to be supplied to the radia-
tor with high pressure in the front and
low pressure behind. This is where grille
opening, duct work, airboxes and high
CFM electric fans come into play.
Water flow is determined by the pump.
However, its combined with tube area
to determine fluid velocity. Pressure and
velocity are two different things, and
then theres water turbulence, which
decreases heat rejection. Flow rate and
core size can be determined to maximize
heat transfer. However pressure drop/
changes must be taken into account.
Lastly, fluid retention is accomplished
with the use of recovery tanks, radiator
caps, and fill neck. The fluid retention
systems also add the necessary benefit
of keeping air out.
There are a lot of determining factors
when thinking about how to keep your
engine cool, thats why its good to talk
to a cooling professional about your
vehicle and what it is that youre going to
be doing. They will need to know what
performance changes you have done
and what typically type of driving you
do. Then they can suggest, or even build
you, the perfect type of cooling system
that you need. Cooling your ride isnt
rocket science, but it is science nonethe-
less.
We have assembled a buyers guide
of what some of the best radiator and
cooler builders are building. These may
not be on your vehicle per se, but these
builders probably either offer a pre-built
unit for it or they can build a unit just for
your vehicle using the knowledge theyve
gained and the input you give them.
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FEATUREFEATURE HOT AND BOTHERED
22
RADIATORS
C&R RACINGOFF-ROAD RADIATOR Whether beating through the extreme conditions of the desert or off-road closed course racing the C&R Off-Road Radiator is custom designed to your application. C&R offers complete cooling systems for these high horse-power, low airflow vehicles.
C&R RACING
317.293.4100www.crracing.com
C&R specializes in different mounting situations for theharsh environment of off-road racing. The radia-tors are custom-built to the height, width, fitting layout, and mounts speci-fied by your application with a heat exchanger option.Standard and cus-tom radiators are available.
C&R RACINGJEEP RADIATORThis radiator utilizes our all-aluminum race-proven 36mm closed-tube center core. With features like water jetted mounts for the factory fan/shroud includ-ing overflow tank, A/C condenser, and transmission oil cooler allow it to install same as factory.
C&R RACING
317.293.4100www.crracing.com
Off-road or on-road this new C&R Racing radiator will keep your engine cool and get you there and back.
CBRPRO CLASS RADIATOR Take it from the pros; CBR Performance Products special-izes in manufacturing high-per-formance custom all-aluminum, off-road radiators. Our radiators feature a 100 percent all-aluminum core. All CBR radiators feature the unique wider tube configuration and revolutionary louver fin design angle, allowing the best cooling performance in the most extreme conditions imaginable.
CBR
951.245.2900www.cbrperformance.com
All CBR radiators are 100 percent TIG welded and made from aircraft-grade aluminum. Ingenuity, dura-bility, strength, and perfor-mance are built into all CBR radiators for your everyday demands. This Pro Class Radiator features two in-tank heat exchangers and two air-to-oil coolers located at the bottom of the radiator.
CFR PERFORMANCEThe CFR EMC=3 modular cooling system is capable of cooling just about anything you can throw at it. The EMC=3 has a huge 3-inch-thick massive cooling core with three rows of 7/8-inch high volume and high-flow heat transfer tubes with an optimized 15 fins per inch of cooling power. The EMC=2 has an oversized 2-inch-thick cooling core with two rows of 1-inch high volume and high-flow heat transfer tubes with an optimized 15 fins per inch of cooling power.
CFR PERFORMANCE
800.838.8024www.cfrperformance.com
These advanced cooling modules also include eight separate 3/8-inch x 24 threaded bungs for attach-ing optional mounting bracket kits and hardware allowing the unique option of using this radiator as a traditional top and bottom tank design or the modern crossflow design.
CHAMPION COOLING SYSTEMSRADIATOR #716Champions 716 radiator is the radiator of choice for 73-91 Chevrolet C/K trucks, Blazers, and Suburbans with V-8 engines. It also fits in corresponding GMC trucks and SUVs. This popular crossflow radiator is avail-able in a two-row configuration with 1-inch tubes, or our standard two, three, and four-row versions with either 3/4-inch or 5/8-inch tube spacing, depending on part number.
CHAMPION COOLING
SYSTEMS
951.245.9464www.championcooling.com
Champion also offer a fan/shroud configuration for enhanced looks and extra cool-ing power. All Champion radia-tors are backed by a limited life-time warranty.
Looking for an aluminum replacement radiator for your Ford F-Series pickup or Bronco? Look no further than our 433. This stout radiator is available in a two-row configuration with 1-inch tubes, or our standard two-, three-, and four-row versions with either 3/4- or 5/8-inch tube spacing, depending on part number. The 433 will fit in trucks and SUVs with V-8 engines ranging from 1968 to 1979 and easily cool upward of 800 hp.
CHAMPION COOLING SYSTEMS
951.245.9464www.championcooling.com
CHAMPION COOLING SYSTEMSRADIATOR #433
Champion also offers a fan/shroud configuration for enhanced looks and extra cool-ing power. All Champion radiators are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
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Powerboard Rebate From BESTOP
Valid 1/1/15 to 6/30/15
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FEATUREFEATURE HOT AND BOTHERED
24
C&R RACINGEXTERNAL HEAT EXCHANGERC&Rs External Heat Exchangers offer the option to have the heat exchanger in the tank of the radiator. Oftentimes packaging doesnt allow, so this design gives the ability to place for convenience of plumbing out of harms way. The addition of plates in the stack increases oil cooling capability.
C&R RACING
317.293.4100www.crracing.com
CBR PERFORMANCEMINI OFF-ROAD OIL COOLER KITCBR Performance Products has brought Mini Coolers to the market.These coolers can fit in those tight, confined spaces and are constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum. They feature a unique internal turbulized fin design that improves the flow of oil more efficiently and benefits from its low pressure drop design configuration and maximum heat transfer.
CBR PEFORMANCE
951.245.2900www.cbr-performance.com
This cooler comes with custom billet tanks and integrated shroud, with two, 4-inch SPAL fans for maximum airflow and cooling performance. The coolers can be used for universal cooling applications such as differential, power steering, and small engine cooling applications.
CHAMPION COOLING SYSTEMSRADIATOR #1165This radiator is designed specifically for 83-94 Ford F-Series trucks with diesel engines. Available in two-, three-, and four-row cores, this beast of a radiator will keep your Diesel powerplant running at its optimum temperature.
CHAMPION COOLING SYSTEMS
951.245.9464www.championcooling.com
Champions radiators are made from the highest grades of aluminum, are 100 percent TIG-welded (no epoxy) with high-density furnace-brazed cores and louvered fin technology. Available in two, three, and Monster Series four-row cores, the radia-tors can cool even the largest engines (over 1,000 hp). We also offer a line of low profile as well as high-performance fans and fan shrouds for extra cooling power and a truly custom look. All Champion radiators are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
DERALE PERFORMANCEPOWERPACKSDerale Performance has integrated their high-performing shrouded Powerpacks with the ultimate fan controller. Using high-output waterproof/dustpoof elec-tric fans incorporated into aluminum shrouds these Powerpacks can conquer even the most extreme conditions.
DERALE PERFORMANCE
323.266.3850www.derale.com
With the integrated patented PWM Fan Controller that utilizes Pulse Width Modulation to constantly adjust elec-tric fan speeds from 0-100 percent, maintaining the optimal engine operating temperature. With built-in soft start technology, Derale has effectively introduced OEM reliabil-ity and function to the aftermarket. Made in the United States.
FLEX-A-LITEALUMINUM RADIATOR AND ELECTRIC COMBO Flex-a-lite introduces its Flex-a-fit aluminum radiator and electric fan com-bination as a direct-fit for 99-12 fullsize GM trucks and SUVs (except with 8.1L or diesel engines).
The Flex-a-fit radiator has greater coolant capacity than the stock radia-tor, and it features two-row, all-aluminum core, hand-welded to side tanks with patented T channels to dissipate heat more efficiently. Radiator mounting brackets are included for direct bolt-in fit to the stock location, and the T channels provide secure attachment for these mounting brackets.
FLEX-A-LITE
800.851.1510www.flex-a-lite.com
This dual 15-inch electric fan moves up to 6,000 cfm of airflow a Flex-a-lite Variable Speed Controller that start the fans at 60 percent power and increases fan speed as the temperature rises.
OIL COOLERS
FLEX-A-LITEALUMINUM RADIATOR, DUAL-ELECTRIC FAN Flex-a-lite has expanded its line of direct-fit Flex-a-fit aluminum radiator and electric fan combinations for fullsize trucks to now include the 04-07 Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 with the 6.0L PowerStroke turbodiesel engine. The system also includes a Flex-a-lite exclusive clutch fan emula-tor that plugs into the existing control system, sending feedback to the truck ECM and avoiding potential check engine codes.
The radiator increases coolant capacity in the core by 16 percent, and it is hand-welded to the side tanks to withstand additional engine pressure. The Flex-a-fit high-performance aluminum radiator is manufactured in the United Sates, featuring a two-row core, hand-welded to side tanks with patented T channels.
FLEX-A-LITE
800.851.1510www.flex-a-lite.com
The dual 15-inch elec-tric fans move up to 6,800 cfm of airflow. The entire core surface of the radiator is covered with a sealed shroud design.
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www.ExplorerLighting.com
*Purchase any set of four (4) Pro Comp Pro Runner Monotube shocks or struts and receive up to $75 via mail-in rebate. Rebate also eligible on set of four Pro Runner shocks purchased with lift kit. Applies to stock on hand. Valid on purchases made April 1 June 30, 2015. Rebates are mail-in only. Limit one rebate per household. Redemptions must be postmarked no later than July 31, 2015.
For terms, conditions and downloadable rebate form, please visit ProCompUSA.com
For details on the Pro Comp Promise, visit www.procompusa.com/installation.aspx#warranty
For details on the 90-Day Ride Guarantee, visit www.procompusa.com/monotube/pro-runner-terms.aspx
www.ProCompUSA.com 800.776.0767
BUY 3, GET 1 FREE* PRO RUNNER MONOTUBE SHOCKS
APRIL 1JUNE 30, 2015
*AVAILABLE ON PRO RUNNER SS MODELS
Single Cir-Clip ensures stronger shock body
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Clear Coated Finishfor long lasting protection Height Adjustable Billet Collar Included *
Pro Runner SSvs. Competitors comparable product
$104.99 $110.99
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$74.99 $79.99
Pro Comp PromiseLifetime and completely transferable
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WHY CHOOSE PRO COMP?
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ELECTRIC FANS
FEATUREFEATURE HOT AND BOTHERED
26
DERALE PERFORMANCEHYPER-COOL DUAL COOL REMOTE COOLER Derale offers this compact yet powerful Hyper-Cool Dual Cool Remote Cooler. Perfect for engine, transmission, fuel, differential, or power steer-ing needs, it utilizes an efficient 19-row Stacked Plate Cooler with two 5-inch waterproof/dustproof electric fans attached by an aluminum mount-ing bracket/shroud combination. Includes two -8AN male fittings and -inch barb fittings.
DERALE
PERFORMANCE
323.266.3850 www.derale.com
CBR PERFORMANCEXL OFF ROAD OIL COOLER KITCBR Performance Products specializes in manufacturing custom, high-performance, all-aluminum oil coolers. These coolers are constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum and feature a unique internal turbulized fin design that improves the flow of oil more efficiently and benefits from its low pres-sure drop design configuration and maximum heat transfer.
CBR PERFORMANCE
951.245.2900www.cbr-performance.com
This cooler has a custom integrated shroud and two, 12-inch SPAL fans for maxi-mum airflow and cooling per-formance. These coolers are compatible with all engine oil and transmission fluid appli-cations. All coolers are rated up to 150 psi and go through a vigorous testing cycle before they are released.
DERALE PERFORMANCESCOOP COOLER Derale Performances Scoop Cooler is another industry exclusive, using Ram Air technology to force-feed air to their highly efficient 10-Row Stack Plate Cooler. Featuring a unique mounting bracket that sandwiches the cooler and the intake scoop, there are a wide variety of mounting options, all of which are designed to provide a clean, attractive, and highly efficient cooler. Derales Scoop Cooler is a heavy-duty cooler in every sense of the word, with integrated turbulators running through each row. It can be used for a wide variety of cooling needs from engine and transmission to power steering and fuel.
DERALE PERFORMANCE
323.266.3850 www.derale.com
Its all-aluminum design is lightweight while the furnace-brazed construction is tested to withstand pressures up to 300 psi, and guaranteed to 250 psi. The cooler is equipped with 7/8-inch x 14 (-10 AN) inlet/outlets; -6AN, -8AN, and -10AN fittings are available.
FLEX-A-LITECOOLER COVER GUARDS FOR TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE OIL COOLERSFlex-a-lite Cover Guards are formed and punched from 1/8-inch aluminum. They securely mount on Translife oil coolers using Flex-a-lite Gator Clips. The design allows airflow, but protects the cooler from debris that could potentially damage it.
FLEX-A-LITE
800.851.1510www.flex-a-lite.com
Translife oil coolers from Flex-a-lite have long been trusted to protect automatic transmissions, power steer-ing and other vital components from damage caused by oil overheating, and now Flex-a-lite has developed a line of cover plates to protect these oil coolers from rocks and other debris.
FLEX-A-LITE DUAL-ELECTRIC FAN SYSTEM FOR 04-07 FORD SUPER DUTY WITH POWERSTROKE Made for their new aluminum radiator for the 04-07 Ford Power Stroke, this fan shroud features dual Flex-a-lite 15-inch electric fans that move up to 6,800 feet per minute (cfm) of airflow. Thats the highest airflow of any Flex-a-lite electric fan system.
FLEX-A-LITE
800.851.1510www.flex-a-lite.com
The system also includes a Flex-a-lite exclusive clutch fan emulator that plugs into the existing control system, sending feedback to the truck ECM and avoiding potential check engine codes. The electric fans are operated by a Flex-a-lite Variable Speed Controller that starts the fans at 60 percent power and increases fan speed as the temperature rises and lets you adjust the tempera-ture at which the fans turn on (between approximately 160 and 240 degrees Fahrenheit). The controller also includes terminals to activate the fans when the vehicle air conditioning is turned on, as well as cockpit manual override control for tow mode or water crossings.
MARADYNE MACH TWO EXTREME ELECTRIC COOLING FANMaradynes Mach Two Extreme Dual 16-inch fan provides increased cooling and better fuel efficiency for both early and late-model gas-powered trucks and SUVs with 33- to 34-inch wide radiator cores.
MARADYNE
800.403.7953www.maradyneHP.com
For increased off-road durability, the heavy-duty, 225-watt units features sealed motors that are IP68-certified dust-proof and waterproof.
DSSP-150600-COOL.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 26DSSP-150600-COOL.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 26
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LG1
Incredible Lateral Support
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Harness Belt Capability
Available in Cloth, Microsuede,
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Baja XP
$85 - $149
Harness BeltsMoab Baja JP Sport Seat
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FREE SHIPPINGFor all brakes, suspension and other parts and accessories on all orders over $50. Visit www.tirerack.com/freeshipping for details.
Pro-Dampers Set Speci cally developed to complement
the unique characteristics of Eibach
Pro-Kit
Tuned by Eibach engineers to achieve
maximum performance, but without
excessive stiffness or ride harshness
Increase ground clearance
Added clearance for larger wheels
and tires
Average lift 1.0-2.0" front
Excellent on-road stability and handling
All-Terrain-Level KitPerformance Suspension
Designed to increase ground clearance for improved off-road performance
Added clearance for larger wheels and tires
Eibach All-Terrain-Lift Springs are precision-engineered for better off-road
capability and superior on-road stability and handling
Depending on your trim level and options, the All-Terrain-Lift Kit can
give up to 2.0-3.5" of lift
Million-mile spring warranty, two-year shock warranty
For Jeep Grand Cherokee
For Jeep Wrangler
Pro-Kit Springs Great combination of looks, handling
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Lower center of gravity
Average lowering 1.0" front and
2.0" rear
All-Terrain-Lift Kit Performance Suspension for the
Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler
application shown
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30
FEATUREFEATURE
street as a daily driver as well as in the
desert. All of which begs the question:
How do you build the perfect prerunner?
HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE IN THE BANK?The first question to ask yourself when
you are looking at buying or building
a prerunner is how much do you want
to spend and what can you afford. Do
you have a spending threshold? A fully
built luxury prerunner can run almost
half a million dollars while just adding
some aftermarket parts to a truck you
may already own will cost maybe a few
thousand dollars. Price is dependent on
THE MEDIA-RUNNERDirt Sports + Off-Road has a new proj-
ect on our hands. We are going to take a
stock 14 Ford F-150 pickup truck and turn
it into a simple prerunner. The vehicle is
going to remain street legal for use as a
daily driver, while adding the functional-
ity of being able to drive it through the
desert and access race courses and other
desert trails. We will feature a six-part
build on the truck in upcoming issues of
DS+OR magazine.
The feature series will showcase the
entire process from removal of stock
parts to installation of the aftermarket
parts. The series will include these how-
tos along with dos and donts from the
manufacturers. We are planning on add-
ing a suspension package, shocks, lift kit,
and, of course, wheels and tires that are
worthy of running through the desert.
We will add a lighting package allowing
us to light up the desert and see in the
dark of night. The engine will be upgrad-
ed with a performance package as well
as a communication system.
Finally, we will make modifications to
the body, upgrading the overall function-
ality and look of the truck. We want to
make it comfortable to drive both on the
THE PRERUNNER
SELECTING AND BUILDING THE PERFECT PRERUNNER
WORDS SHAUN OCHSNER
IMAGES SHAUN OCHSNER AND AGUSTIN JIMENEZ
DSSP-150600-PRE.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 30DSSP-150600-PRE.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 30
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ABOVE:
There is a wide selection of vehicles that
can be modified as a prerunner.
ABOVE:
The four-seat buggy is a great dedicated
prerunner for running through Baja.
BELOW:
The Luxury prerunner is popular
among the more well-to-do. And yes,
some of these trucks are really used to
prerun races.
ABOVE:
Four-seat buggies can accommodate
friends, crew, or additional codrivers on
prerun.
LEFT:
Even suspension
systems like this
Ford beam can
be made to work
well off-road.
ABOVE:
From basic to over the top, prerunners
can be built on any budget. The key is to
know what you are going to do with it
and how hard youre going to run it.
ABOVE:
The street legal prerunner can be used
on weekends and as a daily driver. Being
street legal (that means insured, too),
these trucks are able to travel on every
road in the United States that allows
motorized traffic.
J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 31
what vehicle you will use. There are a ton
of parts out there that vary in costs. Are
you going to buy parts and do the install
yourself? Are you going to contract out a
shop to do the install? Having answers to
those questions is the first step to build-
ing your prerunner.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION?Once you have figured out your pre-
runner budget, the next question to ask
is what is it going to be used for? If you
are adding off-road parts to your exist-
ing daily driver, you need to make sure
you keep the vehicle street legal. Laws
require you to have windshields and
working lights. There are plenty of sus-
pension packages, tires, wheels, lighting
and performance parts you can add to
your existing truck to make it a street
legal prerunner to drive to work every
day while enjoying some time out in the
desert.
Most fully functional prerunners have
long travel suspension installed. This
includes extended upper and lower
control arms, extending the track width,
large coilovers, limit straps, and bump-
stops to keep your shocks from bottom-
ing out. With a long travel kit, your stock
fenders get in the way and you need
to install fender flares. If your prerun-
ner is going to be fully dedicated to the
desert and you are planning on towing
it with a trailer every time you go out
to the desert, there are less rules you
need to worry about. A windshield is not
required, although you still have to regis-
ter the vehicle with the DMV. In California
and several states you must get an Off-
Highway sticker and pay a yearly fee. Be
sure to check your state regulations to
avoid any problems.
The more parts you add to your
prerunner, the more time you have to
spend on maintenance. While a small
buggy can be cheap, easy, and simple to
maintain, a fully built truck will require
additional prep time, changing fluids,
cleaning, and inspecting parts. Prep
time is dependent on how hard you run
your prerunner. If you are constantly out
hard charging through the whoops, you
definitely want to inspect your shocks
and other suspension parts on a regular
basis. The same goes for overworking
your motor through the silt beds.
WHAT COLOR DO YOU WANT?Prerunners come in all shapes, sizes,
makes, models, and colors. There are
parts for every existing model of truck out
DSSP-150600-PRE.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 31DSSP-150600-PRE.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 31
-
ABOVE:
The Media-Runner build will take a stock
F-150 and transform it into a true off-
roadworthy rig. All of the stories will
be featured in upcoming issues of Dirt
Sports + Off-Road magazine.
LEFT:
We will change out
the stock wheels
and tires for off-road
performance wheels
and tires on the
Media-Runner.
ABOVE:
The front grille
will get an off-
road lighting
package capable
of lighting up
even the darkest
desert nights.
BELOW:
Intake and other performance parts
as well as the stock air filter will be
replaced on the Media-Runner.
ABOVE:
A very popular option is the Ford
Ranger. Rangers are simple to build and
cheap to maintain, but work very well as
prerunners.
32
THE PRERUNNER
there to turn your vehicle into a prerunner.
For those driving Fords, Chevys, Dodges,
Toyotas or Nissans, the choices are nearly
endless. The most popular and fastest
growing prerunner category has been the
Ford Raptor. There are literally dozens of
aftermarket kits for these vehicles. Stewart
Raceworks located in Santee, California, is
known for their luxury prerunner builds.
Started by Craig Stewart in 1995, the com-
pany can fully modify your existing vehicle
or build one from the ground-up, complete
with creature comforts for ripping up the
best of Baja!
Top-level Trophy Truck teams use
these prerunners to prerun in Mexico.
Their setup is identical to a Trophy Truck.
The vehicle is fully caged with a high-
end tube frame and has the best suspen-
sion package, fullsize wheels and tires.
No Parker Pumper is needed because the
all the window glass remains intact to
keep the air conditioning inside the vehi-
cle and the elements out! The interior
has been redesigned with race gauges,
race-style steering wheel, race seats,
harnesses, and gear shifter. Luxury items
have also been added such as a leather
dash and satellite radio. The motor has
been upgraded to emulate a race motor.
The rear bed has been taken out to allow
for shocks, fuel cell, and spare tire.
Every detail means everything, says
Stewart. Building the perfect prerunner
is all about preference and how far you
want to take it. You can go as extreme as
building a full rollcage into your vehicle
or as simple as adding some after-
market suspension, wheels, and tires.
If you want to run the courses of Baja
and dont need a street legal prerunner,
Craig Stewart recommends the four-seat
buggy. The buggies have full suspension,
Parker Pumper, large wheels and tires,
beefy motor, and windshield to keep the
elements from flying at you. They are
great for bringing codrivers, crew mem-
bers, and friends along on your prerun.
Everything goes back to function and
what your prerunner has been designed
to do. You want to make sure your parts
hold up and are properly installed to
avoid breakage and failures while run-
ning the Barstow whoops or Baja silt
beds.
HOW WELL DO ITOur Project Media Runner will take
note of many ideas that the top builders
have used, and do those that we think
will apply to our final idea. Sure, we
could pop for Ferrari leather like some of
the luxury prerunners that are really plat-
ed Trophy Trucks, but lets be real. And
that will be the key to this build: taking
good ideas and bringing reality into the
mix. It will have what a prerunner really
needs: suspension, lighting, safety, and
enough performance mods to get back
to camp (quickly!).
Stay tuned as we publish the build. We
plan to get this thing done so we can go
have fun! And by fun, we mean having it
get us to the races and to the best parts
of the course to get the best pictures
and video. If we happen to need to blast
down a sandwash or over a few whoops
to do it, so much so the better.
FEATUREFEATURE
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34
To many, the Baja Bug represents a
nostalgic, bygone era in off-roading.
I personally had a 5/1600 and loved
it even after I wadded it up prerunning the
500 many, many years ago. I really miss
that car.
We say this not to demean the current
crop of Class 5 racers who are still out
there running the beloved Bugs, but the
fact remains that the sport has evolved
so much over the years that the 5s
should almost be considered a vintage
class.
Evolution through racing (and rule
changes) has taken vehicles such as the
Trophy Truck and Class 1s and 10s from
humble beginnings to where they are
today. But the Baja Bug? Due to many
reasons, it is still much as it has been for
the past 50 years.
PODIUM PREP SERVICE BAJA BUG
WORDS MATT EMERY // IMAGES BOYD JAYNES
THIS IS NOT YOUR DADS BAJA BUG
DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:32 AM PAGE 34DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:32 AM PAGE 34
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J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 35
work on, and inexpensive to operate.
They were also a ton of fun in the dirt.
Having been the shop foreman at Dale
Dondels Racer Engineering, Dudley
knew how to take this newer Bug and
turn it into a prerunner that has all of
the fun that the old Bugs had, as well
as turn it into something that features
everything that a very off-roadcapable
vehicle should have. It has up-to-date
suspension and performance, a killer
appearance, and is just VW enough to
make us old-timers take a long apprecia-
tive look.
He began by custom design-
ing a fully tubed chassis. The
front suspension features not
only custom A-arms and ProAm boxed
spindles, but King 2.5 coilover shocks
with 3.5 King bypass shocks as well.
Total wheel travel is 20 inches. Braking is
done with ProAm 13-inch rotors that are
clamped with ProAm six-piston calipers.
Rear suspension features custom
made boxed trailing arms along with
King 2.5 coilovers with King 4.0 bypass
shocks. Again, its ProAms six-piston
calipers and 13-inch rotors that handle
the braking chores.
ProAm was also the choice for the
wheels as their 17x8 Forged Race
Wheels have been equipped with
BFGoodrich Baja KR (37x12.50x17) tires.
If you were hoping for VW power (as
were we), then you may be a bit disap-
pointed. Power actually comes in the
form of a mid chassis-mounted 442ci
Ford V-8. Featuring fuel injec-
tion that is controlled by a
Life Racing ECU, the Chris
Patton Racing engine
puts out a healthy 630
Then, Jason Dudley of Podium Prep
Service got a hold of this 97 Volkswagen
Beetle. What he built is nothing short of
transformational. Volkswagen built the
new Beetles as an homage to the car
that put them on the map. The old bugs
have been called the most sold car ever,
and most of us who are over 50 prob-
ably owned one at one time or another.
They did have their downsides,
but they were fun, easy to
DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:32 AM PAGE 35DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:32 AM PAGE 35
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LEFT:
Hiding beneath the bodywork is the Chris
Patton Racingbuilt 442 Ford engine. Bolstered
by Life Racing ECU that controls the fuel injec-
tion along with a Wilson billet throttle body/
intake manifold fed by air cleaners. The spent
fuel is routed out by a set of custom Big Dawg
Stainless Steel headers. All told, this engine
produces 630 dyno-true horses.
ABOVE:
Mounted on ProAm Forged Race Wheels, the 37-inch BFGoodrich
Baja T/A KR tires are ready to take on, well, Baja.
36
PODIUM PREP SERVICE BAJA BUG
horses. A dual UMP air cleaner feeds
the air to a Wilson billet throttle body/
intake manifold before being burned.
Once smoked, the gases are then exited
through a set of custom Big Dawg Kody
Kirch Stainless Steel headers.
An Albins transmission gets the power
to the rearend while CBR handles the
radiator and trans cooling chores.
We know what youre thinking: This
doesnt look like a Beetle. But trust us,
beneath the custom aluminum panels,
it is. Dudley and his PPS crew did the
majority of the work, who along with
Aaron Kuykendall and Gabe Naranjo
added the many beautiful touches to
the exterior of the Bug. Touches such as
the sculpted intake/cooling scoop that
doubles as a roof rack/mount for the KC
HiLites HID Pods are truly inspired. This
car looks good; theres no other way to
describe it.
With the bodywork done, Mike Skaug
of Hemet, California, added the DuPont
Audi Satin Gray along with the black
accents.
Would you believe that the power
widows still work? They do, though the
interior is not one that the VW designers
may recognize, as its been redone in
race chic. The dash is a custom unit that
not only houses a Motec dash logger, a
10-inch Lowrance GPS/Pioneer stereo
system with hands-free talk and backup
camera and a huge switch panel, its all
covered in black Ferrari leather. Stylishly
efficient, to say the least. Armandos
Custom Upholstery in San Jacinto,
California, did the stitching.
The Sparco Evo III seats and Sparco
steering wheel color match the door
panels and headliner, again thanks to
Armandos. Theres even cupholders in
the custom center console! An Albins
floor shifter and Crow harnesses add
off-road cred, but the most interesting
thing is that Dudley is using the Parker
Pumper fresh air system to pressurize
the cab.
Don Christianson at American Wire
Harness is responsible for the intricate
wiring found on the car, though Dudley
had a hand in that process too.
Dudley and his Hemet-based Podium
Prep Service have taken what was
known as a chick car, and turned it into
one that owner John Van Hattem can be
proud to drive. It may have taken them
three years to produce, but this Baja
Bug is one for the new millennium.
DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:33 AM PAGE 36DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:33 AM PAGE 36
-
ABOVE:
The beautifully sculpted scoop does double duty as a roof rack
and as a mount for the multiple KC HID Pods.
ABOVE:
The rear body section acts as the engine cover as well as a place
to protect the spare tire. Notice the license plate cutout; yes, this
vehicle is street legal.
LEFT:
A King bumpstop ensures
that even in the biggest
hits, the beautiful A-Arms
are protected.
RIGHT:
The ProAm boxed
spindles can only be
described as state of the
art.
ABOVE:
Featuring custom-made boxed trailing arms along with King
2.5 coilovers and King 4.0 bypass shocks, the rear suspen-
sion produces 20 inches of rear wheel travel. Braking chores
are again done with a set of ProAm six-piston calipers and
13-inch rotors.
J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 37
DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:33 AM PAGE 37DSSP-150600-MIM.indd 2/23/15 11:33 AM PAGE 37
-
ABOVE:
The silhouette may seem familiar, but this Baja Bug is an all-new creation.
ABOVE:
A Motec Dash keeps the driver up to
speed on what the car is doing.
RIGHT:
This four-seater features Sparco
Evo III seats with Crow harnesses.
PODIUM PREP SERVICE BAJA BUG
ABOVE:
Done by a
major hot rod
upholstery
shop, the inte-
rior has all the
off-road tricks
needed, and a
few that only
a high-end
custom would
have.
38
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BUILDSHEET
PODIUM PREP SERVICE BAJA BUG
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
// PROAMRACING.COM
// BFGOODRICHTIRES.COM
// KCHILITES.COM
// LIFERACING.COM
// WILSONMANIFOLDS.COM
// CBR-PERFORMANCE.COM
// ALBINSGEAR.COM.AU
// SPARCOUSA.COM
// ARMANDOSCUSTOM.COM
CHASSIS:
MANUFACTURER: Podium Prep Service
WHEELBASE: 129 inches
OVERALL LENGTH: 211 inches
OVERALL HEIGHT: 81 inches
TRACK WIDTH: 92 inches
WEIGHT: 4,360 pounds
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN:
MANUFACTURER: Ford 442ci
BUILDER: Chris Patton
HORSEPOWER: 630
TORQUE: 580
INDUCTION: Fuel Injected
INTAKE MANIFOLD: Wilson
IGNITION: Life Racing ECU
AIR FILTER: UMP
EXHAUST: Big Dawg Custom Stainless
COOLING: CBR
PLUMBING: XRP by Jason Dudley
WIRING: American Wire Harness
TRANSMISSION: Albins
REAREND:
SUSPENSION:
FRONT SUSPENSION: A-Arm 20 inches of travel
REAR SUSPENSION: Trailing Arm 20 inches of travel
SHOCKS/FRONT: King 2.5 Coilover Shocks, 3.5 King Bypass Shocks
SHOCKS/REAR: King 2.5 Coilover Shocks, 4.0 King Bypass Shocks
BRAKES:
FRONT: ProAm 6-piston with 13-Inch Rotors
REAR: ProAm 6-piston with 13-Inch Rotors
WHEELS/TIRES:
WHEELS: 17x8 ProAm
TIRES: 37x12.50x17 BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR
EXTERIOR:
BODYWORK: 1997 Volkswagen Beetle with Custom Aluminum Hood and Rear Deck and Fenders
PAINT/GRAPHICS: DuPont Audi Satin Gray
LIGHTING:
FRONT: KC HiLites HID Pods
REAR: Laser Star LED
INTERIOR:
DONE BY: Armandos
STEERING WHEEL: Sparco
SEATS: Sparco Evo III
HARNESSES: Crow
DASH: Custom Aluminum Wrapped with Ferrari Leather
GAUGES: Motec Display
SHIFTER: Albins
GPS: 10-inch Lowrance
RADIO/INTERCOM: Pioneer, Kenwood 110 watt Race Radio
FRESH AIR: Parker Pumper
PODIUM PREP SERVICE BAJA BUG
40
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44
FEATUREFEATURE
know its hard to believe, but not every-
one wants to race their side-by-side. So
when the cover was ultimately pulled
off and the Wolverine R-Spec finally saw
the light of day, there was a collective
sigh.
Rather than taking on the RZR XP,
Yamaha chose instead to go after
When representatives from
various off-road editorial
outlets gathered in Newnan,
Georgia, for the unveiling
of Yamahas new Wolverine
R-Spec, there was the usual speculation
about what exactly we were about to see.
Some, like us, were hoping that it
would be something fully race-ready to
rival Polaris 1,000cc RZR. Others werent
so sure, given Yamahas history of being
the scapegoat of every (mainly unwar-
ranted) lawsuit that came down the pike
regarding side-by-sides and that Yamaha
usually markets products like this to
the widest customer base possible. We
THE YAMAHA WOLVERINE R-SPECFUN, IN A SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE KIND OF WAY
WORDS MATT EMERY
IMAGES MATT EMERY AND COURTESY OF YAMAHA
DSSP-150600-YAM.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 44DSSP-150600-YAM.indd 2/26/15 2:46 PM PAGE 44
-
ABOVE:
The new Yamaha Wolverine was under
wraps when we arrived at Yamahas
Newnan, Georgia, factory.
ABOVE:
The assorted media types crowd around
the new Wolverine.
RIGHT:
A full cage surrounds the
seats, which are closer
together than on past
Yamaha side-by-sides.
In fact, the entire rig
is narrower than past
models and the edges of
the frame slope upward
slightly, allowing for good
ground clearance.
LEFT:
Theres little
doubt that the
new Wolverine
is attractive, and
its 700cc engine
should be able to
get its two pas-
sengers around
quickly.
ABOVE:
Given Yamahas often-unwarranted legal
bashing, theres little surprise that the
warning sticker is larger than the elec-
tronic dash.
ABOVE:
The air cleaner element is located
beneath the center console, and no tools
are needed to get to it. Yes, those are
cupholders.
ABOVE:
After hearing about the new rig, it came
time for the unveiling.
J U N E 2 0 1 5 // www.D ir tSpor tsNat ion .com 45
the 700cc Arctic Cat Wildcat Sport.
Displacing an odd 708cc, the Wolverine
R-Spec features fuel injection and dual
overhead cams along with a healthy
compression ratio. While Yamaha didnt
give us an exact number, we figure it has
to be in the 60hp range.
That engine is coupled to their
Ultramatic fully automatic CVT trans-
mission that uses a one-way sprag clutch
to eliminate freewheeling. Yamaha made
maintenance easy thanks to the air-
cleaning element being located beneath
the large center console, which requires
no tools to remove and access holes for
engine and transmission drain plugs.
The Wolverine R-Spec features what
Yamaha calls their On Command four-
wheel-drive system. Theres a knob on
the dash that allows riders to choose
between 2WD and 4WD with a limited
slip, or 4WD where the differential is fully
locked.
Other nice items on the Wolverine
R-Spec include a narrow(er) chassis
along with a sloping hood that allows for
better forward view. Its easier to miss
those rocks when you can see them.
Speaking of rocks, theres a full skidplate
that runs the entire length of the unit.
Another way that Yamaha aided in
clearance was to bow the front A-arms.
They are higher near their center mount-
ing points and then angle down at the
wheels. This allows for 9.7 inches of sus-
pension travel up front while still keeping
the frame clearance high at 11.4 inches.
The overall wheelbase for the two-seater
is 81 inches.
Y
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-
ABOVE:
Fully adjustable KYB piggyback-style
nitrogen shocks adorn the Yamaha
R-Spec model. Wheel travel is 9.7 inches
in front and 10.6 in the rear.
ABOVE:
Twin-caliper disc brakes are found on all
four corners.
ABOVE:
In order to get increased wheel travel
while keeping good ground clearance,
the A-arms are curved. A heavy-duty
skidplate runs the entire length of the
Wolverine R-Spec.
ABOVE:
The Yamaha exclusive 26-inch Maxxis
Bighorn 2.0 tires should provide ample
traction in a variety of terrain.
LEFT:
The tailgate can be
positioned either at the
normal position or up
front of the all-plastic,
injection-molded bed.
BELOW:
Yamaha even offers the Wolverine in camo and green, in
addition to the well-known Yamaha blue.
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THE YAMAHA WOLVERINE R-SPECFEATUREFEATURE
The overall weight is kept down thanks
to the molded plastic bed, rather than
the steel unit on the Yamaha Viking. Just
about every other body piece found on
the Wolverine, including the standard
equipment suntop, is also made from the
tough, injected-molded plastic in-house
at their factory. In fact, the entire unit is
produced at their Georgia, U.S. factory.
One of the few choices that a customer
can make is to decide whether they want
power steering or not. Yamaha offers the
model with either a speed-sensitive EPS
(Electric Power Steering) or not. Wed opt
for the EPS, but were kind of lazy that
way.
Though this was strictly a reveal and
we couldnt actually drive the Wolverine
R-Spec, it looks like it has everything that
one could want in a well-equipped side-
by-side: It has a good amount of wheel
travel, and