Wacky Rubicon stats:
2006 LJ

• 1978 Warn 8724 winch (used from neighbor)
• Home made front bumper and winch mount
• Home made rear bumper and spare carrier
• 4″ Clayton Offroad Longarm suspesion (kick ass)
• JKS quick disconnects (crapola)
• High Angle Driveline Rear driveshaft (1350 U-joints)
• Alloy USA chromoly axles front and rear
• Poison Spider Customs rocker guards
• 20lb CO2 tank (ebay)
• 36″ Super Swamper bias TSL’s
• 15×8 black steel wheels (with s#!t-loads of weight on them)

Here is a selection of pics showing the transformation of the Rubicon from it’s mild mannered showroom form.

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see (http://sevenmile.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=413) for lift install writeup.

Welcome to the return of Sevenmile Recommended Listening. Music to ‘wheel to, and drink to, but not necessarily at the same time.

Kicking off the return of the Recommended Listening to sevenmile.net is a modern classic of angry, beer soaked, redneck rock from the group HELLYEAH.

Born from the ashes of Damage Plan (RIP Dimebag) and dipped in the new metal sound of Mudvayne, HELLYEAH delivers a sound that is solid and melodic, but true to its metal roots. In other words, there are some “slower tunes” on this CD, but this is not easy listening. This is well crafted hard rock with serious balls, polished enough for radio play, but probably too nasty for the typical radio audience.

One listen and it is obvious that these are very accomplished and talented musicians. What is also obvious is that they are here to rock and have a good time, not just show off their chops. Standout tracks include the blistering and definitive opening “Hell Yeah” and “You Wouldn’t Know”, which is decidedly radio oriented, but containing the necessary edge and unmistakable Vinnie Paul backbone.

However the finest track on the CD (and worth the price of admission) is undoubtedly the instant classic “Alcohaulin’ Ass”. Pure genius in it’s simplicity and crossover appeal.

HELLYEAH  Itch’s Sevenmile rating: 4 out of 5 BFH

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Motor Trend (and Truck Trend) are showing off a very interesting Jeep Military prototype vehicle. The J8 bears a striking resemblance to the Scramblers of old, and is being designed for the military, with all the associated durability and capabilities. This includes a 7700lb tow capacity, 2900lb payload, and a snorkel! Definitely not the grocery-getter JK we are used to seeing on the roads. Apparently, the J8 is slated to be built in Egypt and will see duty in Africa and the Middle East.

This will undoubtedly bring up a lot of questions from you Jeep fans. Questions like; how many are being built? will they ever see US soil? will a civilian (Super-Rubicon) version be built? Etc.

I suppose another issue would be the price. Since the current JK is in the neighborhood of $30K, how much would the J8 go for? Probably a pretty scary number.

Here is some more dirt on the J8 from Edmunds.

Remember; “a vehicle with 10 inches of ground clearance will not go over a 12 inch rock”, and “the ideal speed for rock crawling is 123 miles per hour” (okay, I took some creative license with that one). Ummm…thanks for the info.

More valuable tips at TreadLightly.org

“Big and brawny and brimming with hi-tech gadgetry.” That’s how AutoCar.co.uk describes Toyota’s latest latest Land Cruiser variant in the UK. Not sure that’s how I would describe it, but I’m sure it drives great. I love checking out the Euro versions of Trucks and SUVs. Their idea of brawny seems a bit different than ours. Of course, we must remember that this is the land of the Rover…one of the most capable (and problematic) off-road vehicles in the world.

Note that it is available as a diesel…why won’t the US auto industry put diesels in mid-size trucks and SUV’s? From what I understand, diesels are becoming more environmentally friendly (and they get great mileage, right?). Is this one of the great oil industry conspiracies?

Thanks to Wacky for the tempting photos and info from one of the favorite trails. I’ll leave it to him to elaborate on the details, but it looks like Greenridge is in typical form. Good size bogs for September…

Still need a write up on the monster Rubicon…

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Proof that some people will try anything. Video title says this is a Bronco II, but I can’t quite tell.

Most Ford fans, and all off-road folks, will remember this promising Ford Concept vehicle from 2004. Did this vehicle represent the perfect Bronco, or a possible return to prominence for Ford among recreational off-road drivers?

Probably not…but it would have been a good start.

I realize that being in the west, being an avid outdoor recreational user, and actually driving my vehicle off road puts me soundly in the minority when it comes to target demographics for new vehicle design. That said, I would desperately like to see a vehicle that gives me a compelling reason to own a Ford again.

Lets review…I am middle class, educated, and an un-apologetic Ford Fan. I have owned 2 Mustangs, a Ranger, an adopted Explorer, and a Full Size Bronco. But my last 4 vehicles have been import sedans and a Japanese truck. Why? Because Ford is missing me and those like me.

The Focus is too young (and disposable), the Taurus/Fusion are too boring (rental cars), the Explorer is a giant station wagon (a good one, but still a station wagon), the F Series Truck/Expedition are great (but impractical for most people), the Ranger is too small, the SportTrac is not really capable off-road, etc…I will own another Mustang some day, but I’m not quite to the point of a mid life crisis yet.

You can probably see where I’m going with this. I want a mid size vehicle that will do it all. Something capable of performing soccer mom duties, picking up the groceries, getting me through the snow, and getting me to my favorite fishing/hunting spots…and I’m talking about some roads that would maim the Explorer or Sport Trac. I’m talking about a real Crew Cab Ranger or an Explorer that drives and performs like a Ranger or F150 (not a Suburu Outback). I’m talking about a true Sport/Utility vehicle. Not a crossover!

As I said, I may represent a niche too narrow for Ford to pursue. But wait…how many Jeep Wrangler Unlimiteds, Nissan X Terras, Frontier Crew Cabs, Tacoma Quad Cabs, FJ Cruisers, and H3′s have I seen on (or off) the road recently? Hmmm…maybe there is a market.

So here’s my message to Ford: The Bronco is an Ace up your sleeve in a segment of the market where you are losing or just holding your own. Take another look at the list of vehicles I just rattled off, and play your Ace before the category cools. Give me a reason to be a Ford owner again.

End of Tirade.

Need to brush up on Bronco history? Here’s a link to Wikipedia.