Author: RockCrawler.com

Warn Industries Expands its Bumper and Mounting System Line; Offers All-New Forged Offset Hawse Fairleads

Clackamas, OR (3/18/21) – Oregon-based Warn Industries has released a number of exciting new products into its ever-expanding lineup of truck accessories. This includes new applications in the company’s growing array of bumpers and mounting systems as well as a new line of ultra-rugged forged offset fair leads in the company’s expansive Epic line of accessories.

Added Ascent Applications

Warn Industries is continuing to expand its offerings of Ascent XP front bumpers. These bumpers are for truck buyers who want the aggressive style and rugged protection of a one-piece welded steel bumper, but don’t need to mount a winch.

Remarkably durable, Ascent XP has one-piece construction made from 11 gauge and ¼” steel for extra front-end protection. There’s a built-in slot to accommodate a 30” light bar (not included). Additionally, there are integrated dual light ports to mount auxiliary flood or spot lights (not included). For even more front-end resilience, Ascent XP showcases a welded-on Baja style grille guard tube. New applications include:

Ascent XP for 2017–2020 Ford Raptor
Ascent XP for 2020–Current GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500
Ascent XP for 2019–Current Ram HD 2500/3500

Additionally, there is a new Ascent Rear bumper application for the 2020–current Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500/3500 and GMC Sierra 2500/3500. Ascent Rear Bumpers feature a low-profile design and help to maximize departure angles when off road. They have integrated corner steps for easy access to the truck’s bed, mounts for auxiliary lights, and accommodate sensors where applicable. They also retain the factory tow hitch, electrical plugs, and license plate lights.

All Ascent bumpers wear a durable black textured powder coat over 11-gauge steel that also withstand rigorous 408-hour salt spray testing, delivering up to 2X corrosion protection. They’re designed, tested, and precision made in the USA.

Epic Offset Forged Billet Aluminum Hawse Fairlead

Certain bumper applications require the use of an offset fairlead in order to run synthetic rope. Warn Industries now has fairleads to address this issue and they’re part of the company’s Epic line of accessories.

Made from exceedingly durable forged 6061-T6 billet aluminum, these unique offset fairleads are corrosion, impact, salt, weather, and UV-resistant for the ultimate in strength. Buyers can choose between a black or gunmetal type-III hard-anodized finish for years of good looks. The fairleads have a smooth, large radius to help maximize the life of the winch’s synthetic rope, and are for use with mid-frame winches that mount in a feet-forward position. The design language also matches existing items in the WARN Epic array of accessories.

New Trans4mer Gen III Application Rounding out Warn’s latest products is a new application in the ever-popular modular Trans4mer® Gen III mounting system line. Owners of 2020–current Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks can now equip their rigs with this versatile mounting system.

The new application is designed to accommodate mid-frame WARN winches up to 12,000 lbs. in capacity including the popular VR EVO, ZEON®, or ZEON Platinum winches as well as a host of the company’s Classic Series products.

The Trans4mer Gen III system is a simple, customizable, and modular way to attach a winch to a pickup. Buyers can customize the product to add optional brush guards (sold separately). This application includes heavy-duty brackets and a mid-frame winch carrier, provisions to mount 3″ cube lights, J-hooks for recovery, and a durable, high-tech powder-coated finish to stand up against corrosion. Like all WARN mounting systems, Trans4mer has been thoroughly tested and is made in the USA.

About Warn Industries

Warn Industries (warn.com) is the world’s most recognized brand in off-road products such as hub locks and vehicle recovery winches. The company designs, manufactures and markets a full line of off-road equipment and accessories that enhance the performance of four-wheel-drive and powersport vehicles. Warn Industries is headquartered near Portland, OR.

April 21, 2021

Ford Motor Company Announces Strategic PartnershipARB 4×4 Accessories for the New FordBroncoⓇ

MOAB, Utah., March 30, 2021 – Accessory manufacturer, ARB announces a strategic collaboration with Ford Motor Company to develop a full suite of premium, aftermarket products for the all-new Ford Bronco. For the last few years, ARB has been working hand-in-hand with Ford designers and engineers to ensure each ARB accessory not only complements the Bronco’s heritage and performance, but is fully integrated into the original vehicle design.

This strategic collaboration consists of ARB engineers and designers working together with their counterparts at Ford Motor Company. Chassis structural design, roof load-carrying capacity, suspension travel, snorkel air intake, air systems routing, fridge/freezer wiring, and other salient details necessitated not only CAD and vehicles, but more critically, access to the subject-matter experts who made the new Bronco a reality. The working relationship between Dear born and Melbourne has driven a portfolio of innovative accessory solutions for Bronco customers ready for vehicle launch.

Early in the rebirth of the Bronco, Ford Motor Company called in a panel of industry experts, including ARB USA President, Doug Pettis.

“Ford took a completely new approach to customer-centric design with the Bronco,” said Pettis. “Personalization and customization is in the DNA of this project. Ford went the extra mile to ensure the Bronco was built to be accessorized, modified, and personalized to suit the demands of the consumer; especially the overland traveler.”

“ARB’s manufacturing expertise, powered by innovative engineering and design, has been the driving force behind our growth for over four decades,” said Pettis. “The unique combination of ARB’s aftermarket presence and our 35-year history working with OE’s as a tier-one manufacturer, was the primary driver of Ford’s decision to onboard ARB.”

The full suite of Bronco accessories from ARB will be available to new Bronco customers this summer through over 1,000 Ford dealerships and authorized ARB retailers throughout North America.

ARB is Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of 4×4 accessories. We also have an international presence, with an office in the US and an export network that extends through more than 80 countries around the globe. Our philosophy, however, has never wavered from its original course –quality, reliability, and practicality above all else.

April 21, 2021
2021 OPTIMA Batteries King of the Hammers Results Story

Randy Slawson Wins The World’s Hardest One Day Off-Road Race & Takes Home His Third Crown

February 8, 2020 (Hammertown, CA)- King of the Hammers has a reputation as the most difficult one day off-road race in the world, pushing team and machine to their breaking point, and beyond.  Attrition in 2021 was as high as ever, with only 37 of 84 competitors reaching the finish line within the 14-hour time limit.  There were numerous lead changes, mechanical carnage, and drama as the race unfolded over 190 miles of unforgiving terrain in Johnson Valley, the largest Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) area in the United States. In the end, Randy Slawson and his cousin Dustin Emick edged out JP Gomez and Marcos Gomez to join Shannon Campbell and Jason Scherer as three-time winners of the event. For his efforts, Slawson took home a $65,000 pay check and a brand-new Ford Bronco. “My year begins and ends in February. It’s not in January, like everybody else’s,” Slawson explained. “This is the only thing that I live eat, breathe sleep, dream – King of the Hammers.”

While many of the top teams have adopted independent front suspension (IFS) for faster speeds in the desert, Slawson has stayed loyal to the Spidertrax solid axles under his Bomber Fabrication buggy.  And unlike other forms of racing where the driver writes a check to buy a race car, Slawson crafted the buggy with his own hands, building not only his own winning car but Chayse Caprara’s Bomber that won the 4WP Every Man Challenge (EMC) the day prior. “The last time I had one of my customers win the Every Man Challenge I won the 4400 race the next day. I was like, just taking it as an omen,” Slawson revealed at the finish line. “And right then Jason Scherer rolled by, and he waved me over to his car, and he gave me a fist bump. He said, ‘you’re gonna win it this year.’”

Fast qualifier JP Gomez and his brother Raul Gomez rounded out the podium in their single-seat UFO Fabrication cars. “I don’t want to start on the pole again, it sucks!” JP joked after crossing the finish line. “It took me about a lap and a half to finally calm down. Just slowly catching up my pace. And then that’s how I went the whole rest of the day.” Raul stopped to assist Tom Wayes after Wayes suffered a violent rollover in the desert, valuing the safety of his rivals over his own success on the track. “When I pulled up, I turn my car off and I yelled for him to see if he was okay. And he didn’t say anything so then I radioed the pit and couldn’t get him out,” Raul Gomez recalled.  “Then Cameron (Steele) and Wayne (Isrealsen) pulled up and Tom told us to keep racing.”

Bailey Cole finished in fourth place for the second year in a row, matching his finish on the prior day in the Every Man Challenge the day before. “We really stayed in the zone all day,” Cole shared. “We wanted to just go out and get the hard rocks out the first lap when the car was healthy so we did Backdoor on Lap One. And then we just continued our pace with the desert and we picked off probably ten cars in that desert loop, the car was handling great.” Drift racing superstar Vaughn Gittin Jr. finished in fifth place in his Ford Bronco buggy.

Gittin’s Ford teammates Jason Scherer and Loren Healy finished 9^th and 13^th respectively, with all three Ford Broncos racing taking the checkered flag. “This race is gonna have like a 70% attrition rate and three out of three Broncos finished,” Scherer exclaimed. “It’s like batting a thousand.”  Scherer and desert racer Cameron Steele shared the lead early on in the race, but both had issues that pushed them back in the standings. Fuel management was an issue for not only Scherer but contender Wayland Campbell as well.  Scherer’s navigator Jason Berger, known for his physical fitness, ran into the main pit to retrieve fuel, and Andrew McLaughlin pulled Campbell in to the pit.  King of the Hammers is a “no chase” race, meaning that racers can help each other but can’t receive other assistance outside of the designated pit locations.  Perhaps most amazing is that UTV winner Kyle Chaney and last year’s UTV winner Hunter Miller finished 11^th and 12^th overall in their Can-Am Maverick X3s against a field of unlimited cars with V8 engines and 40-inch-tall tires.

The OPTIMA Batteries King of the Hammers Presented by Lasernut is the grand finale of nine days of racing in Johnson Valley in front millions of online viewers watching unparalleled life coverage from the desert. The event started with the Toyo Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy with $285,000 up for grabs. The event then added rocks to the mix with the All Balls Racing King of the Motos, Can-Am UTV King of the Hammers Presented by PROGRESSIVE, and the 4WP Every Man Challenge.  King of the Hammers races combine punishing desert terrain and huge boulders in the notorious Hammer trails.  The unlimited 4400 class runs the same two laps as the UTV and EMC races, but ups the ante with a third lap adding even harder trails with ominous names such as King’s Graveyard and Hell to Pay.

Missed the action or want to watch it again? Replay the live broadcast shows at YouTube.com/ultra4racing.

**OFFICIAL FINISHER RESULTS**

Past Winners

2020- Josh Blyler and Jared Erdman

2019- Jason Scherer and Jason Berger

2018-Jason Scherer and Jason Berger

2017- Shannon Campbell

2016- Erik Miller and Robert Ruggiero

2015- Randy Slawson and Michael Slawson

2014- Loren Healy and Casey Trujillo

2013- Randy Slawson and Michael Slawson

2012- Erik Miller and Robert Ruggiero

2011- Shannon Campbell

2010- Loren Healy and Rodney Woody

2009- Jason Scherer and Jason Berger

2008- Shannon Campbell

2007- JR Reynolds and Randy Slawson

February 11, 2021

Bumper Blitz: Warn Industries Introduces All-New Ascent XP; New Applications for Ascent HD, Trans4mer Gen III, and Powersports

*WARN Ascent XP front bumper for 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500.*

Clackamas, OR (12/22/20) – Warn Industries is expanding its bumper offerings for both truck and powersports applications. This includes the release of the all-new Ascent XP bumper line. This lineup caters to truck owners who want the look and protection of a welded truck bumper, but don’t need a winch. Additionally, Warn has released new applications in its rugged Ascent HD series, versatile Trans4mer Gen III offerings, and a new powersports bumper for the Polaris General. All bumpers offer the exceptional durability, uncompromised quality, and rugged designs buyers expect from the Oregon-based company.

Ascent XP – Rugged Style and Added Protection
The all-new Ascent XP bumpers are ideal for the buyer who’s looking for rugged looks and added front-end protection, yet isn’t looking to mount a winch. Like Warn’s standard Ascent™ bumpers, the XP has a low-profile look, welded one-piece construction, and a state-of-the-art powder-coated finish.

Remarkably durable, Ascent XP has one-piece construction made from 11 gauge and ¼” steel for extra front-end protection. There’s a built-in slot to accommodate a 30” light bar (not included). Additionally, there are integrated dual light ports to mount auxiliary flood or spot sights (not included). For even more front-end resilience, Ascent XP showcases a welded-on Baja style grille guard tube. And like all Ascent bumpers, this product accommodates oversized tires and wears a durable black textured powder coat over 11-gauge steel that also withstands rigorous 408-hour salt spray testing, delivering up to 2X corrosion protection. Made in the USA.

Ascent XP is currently available for the following applications:2020–Current Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/35002011–Current Ford Super Duty F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550

Ascent HD – Heavy-Duty Performance and Design

*Ascent HD front bumper for 2020 GMC 2500/3500.*

Warn Industries now offers its heavy-duty Ascent HD front bumper for more full-size pickup trucks. These stout bumpers debuted with Ford Super Duty and Ram HD applications, and they’re now available for more trucks. These new versions have three grille guard options to suit any need and style. New applications include:

2020 Silverado HD 2500/3500 Ascent HD Bumper with Full Guard
2020 Silverado HD 2500/3500 Ascent HD Bumper with No Guard
2020 Silverado HD 2500/3500 Ascent HD Bumper with Baja Bar
2020 GMC HD 2500/3500 Ascent HD Bumper with Full Guard
2020 GMC HD 2500/3500 Ascent HD Bumper with No Guard
2020 GMC HD 2500/3500 Ascent HD Bumper with Baja Bar

The Ascent HD front bumpers are made with more metal than the standard Ascent bumpers offering a more robust product for heavier trucks. Built with 1/4″ and 3/16″ steel, these stout bumpers have the ability to accommodate mid-frame winches up to 12,000 lbs. (5443 kg), such as WARN® VR EVO, ZEON®, and ZEON Platinum, and also now Warn’s large-frame Heavyweight Series winches up to 16,500 lbs. (7484 kg) including the M12, M15, and 16.5ti. Ascent HD bumpers let truck buyers equip their pickups with a much broader range of winch products to get the exact setup they need. Their extra-stout construction also offers additional front-end protection from trail hazards. Made in the USA.

Trans4mer Gen III – Strong, Durable, Configurable: New Applications

*Trans4mer Gen III Mounting System with bolt-on full grille guard headlight bundle.*

The modular Trans4mer® mounting system has been a popular choice for truck owners of all types for years. The latest applications in the Trans4mer Gen III lineup are now available. This includes:

2020 Super Duty Trans4mer Gen III Large Frame Mounting Kit: This kit allows the largest WARN truck winches, such as M12, M15, and 16.5ti to mount to new Ford Super Duty applications.
2020 Super Duty and 2019+ Ram HD Gen III Trans4mer Series Mounting Kit: For owners of WARN Industrial Series winches, this Trans4mer kit lets work trucks get more done.

The Trans4mer Gen lll retains the factory front bumper, and uses extra welds and fewer bolts than previous models for a clean, easy install without cutting, drilling or grinding. They’re also easy to order, with kits that have no more than two part numbers. Constructed of heavy-gauge steel with a durable black powder coated finish to protect against corrosion, these kits are made in the USA.

Trans4mer Gen III kits allow for customization. Required is the base winch mounting kit. This includes brackets and a winch carrier. They also include J-hooks for increased recovery options and provisions to mount lights.

Next, there’s an optional center grille guard constructed of 2″ tubular cross members. There are also tabs to mount auxiliary lights. The grille guard has replaceable rubber trim for added style and protection.

For buyers who want the most complete system, they can opt for the full grille guard bundle. This includes welded uprights as well as headlight guards. The combo of a grille guard and headlight guards adds the most protection in the Trans4mer Gen III lineup.

Bumper for Polaris General UTVs: Performance and Protection

*WARN 2016-2021 Polaris General 1000 and 2020-2021 Polaris General XP 1000 bumper.*

For the Polaris General owner looking to add vehicle recovery as well as added front-end protection, Warn Industries released this new bumper.

Built from tough 1/8” steel and powder coated for exceptional durability, this sturdy bumper will allow WARN VRX and AXON powersports winch models to be mounted on the General 1000 and General XP 1000 for increased front end protection and recovery duty. The bumper also showcases welded recovery points ready for shackles (sold separately), and the design helps to maintain the General’s factory lines while sitting high to provide ground clearance and off-road performance. For maximum corrosion protection, this bumper wears a durable black textured powder coat which withstands rigorous salt spray testing, delivering up to 2X corrosion protection

About Warn Industries
Warn Industries (warn.com) is the world’s most recognized brand in off-road products such as hub locks and vehicle recovery winches. The company designs, manufactures and markets a full line of off-road equipment and accessories that enhance the performance of four-wheel-drive and powersport vehicles. Warn Industries is headquartered near Portland, OR.

January 7, 2021

ARB Releases Pressure Control with Compressor Connect

One of the key features of ARB’s vehicle accessory interface, LINX, allows users to set and control the compressor directly from the device without the need for an inflation or deflation gauge. ARB engineers have developed a standalone system that gives all users unmatched convenience and control when it is time to air up and down.

Introducing ARB’s Pressure Control Module, a Bluetooth module that allows hands-free operation during the air-up or down process. Simply plug the hose into the compressor and straight into the tire and operate the compressor via your phone using the Compressor Connect app.

With the ability to set a target pressure or save up to four custom presets for common uses such as sand, pavement, or gravel, the Bluetooth module will let air out or pump air into the tire to hit the desired pressure and advise you via vibration and/or audio alerts. Using this module removes the need for a tire gauge, streamlining the process when in the moment.

The Pressure Control Module is downloadable for iOS or Android.

SET TARGET
PRESSURE

CUSTOM
PRESETS

December 1, 2020
FOX Shocks Dominate 2020 SCORE Baja 1000
15 of 25 4-wheel vehicle classes won by FOX drivers

El Cajon, CA – November 24, 2020 – FOX-equipped vehicles swept several classes and took overall victory at the recent SCORE Baja 1000, cementing the manufacturer’s dominance in the toughest and longest continuously-held desert race in the world. Luke McMillin and co-driver Larry Roeseler piloted their #83 vehicle to first overall and first in the Trophy Truck class, with FOX athletes claiming 15 of the top 25 relevant classes.

“This year’s race will be marked as one of the toughest loop courses ever and we’re proud to say that FOX shocks held up to the abuse, taking home wins in nearly all classes,” FOX’s new Director of Motorsports Bobby Smith said. “With nearly half the field failing to finish, the victorious FOX drivers are a testament to the performance and durability baked into our technology. Consumers can feel good about the fact that this translates into the products they get to drive on or off-road. Congratulations and thank you to all racers that choose FOX in their pursuit to conquer the brutal Baja desert and rise to the top of the podium.

“A special congratulations to Luke McMillin on earning his first Baja 1000 overall win along with his teammate and Baja legend, Larry Roeseler,” Smith added. “It was only a matter of time before he finally achieved that goal, and we are honored that he chose FOX to help get him there.”

The Event

Many of the world’s best desert racers flexed their muscles at this year’s BFGoodrich Tires 53rd SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts, which started and finished in Ensenada, Baja California November 22. One hundred eighty-five vehicles toed the start line, with racers from nearly 30 U.S. States and 15 countries. By the end, just 99 racers finished.

The Course

This year’s SCORE Baja 1000 was a loop race of 898.40 miles in the northern state of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The distance was a race-record for a SCORE Baja loop race. It started for the 46th time and finish for the 27th time in Ensenada, a coastal city on the Bahia de Todos Santos area of the Pacific Ocean, 80 miles south of the U.S. border at San Diego.

“It was a great day,” McMillin said at the finish line. “Larry did an amazing job; he just kept it in line and had no downtime, which is exactly what you need to do in the first half of the SCORE Baja 1000. He brought me a clean truck; we were third and were right up there with the top leaders when I got in. We got some gnarly silt and some tough bumps out there. It’s hard to pick up your pace in a 1,000-mile race and don’t beat up the truck too much, so we tried to be strategic on that. It was a tough course, but a great course.” McMillin drove the second 430-mile leg to the checkered for a finishing time of 19 hours 10 minutes 24 seconds.

The Results
- FOX drivers claimed 8 of the top 10 4-wheeled vehicles, including a sweep of the top 4 in the premier SCORE Trophy Truck class:
  - 1^st – Luke McMillin & Larry Roeseler
  - 2^nd – Rob MacCachren & Josh Daniel
  - 3^rd – Bryce Menzies & Andy McMillin
  - 4^th – Cameron Steele & Bobby Pecoy
- FOX also swept the top 5 positions in in Class 1 with Cody Parkhouse taking the win, while Jimco Racing Inc. CEO Robbie Pierce claimed victory in the SCORE TT Legends class;
- In Trophy Truck spec, Dan Fresh and Jeff Bader finished first in class and 7^th overall along with FOX Motorsports Tuner Mike Kim and Service Technician Erick Rivera as navigators;
- FOX-equipped UTV’s swept all four UTV classes, took the top 5 in the Forced Induction class, the top 4 in the Naturally Aspirated class, and claimed the top 10 positions of all UTV classes combined:
  - Pro UTV FI & UTV overall winner – Wes Miller
  - Pro UTV NA winner – Francisco Arredondo
  - Pro UTV Unlimited winner – Eliott Watson
  - Pro Stock UTV winner – Carolina Sanchez
- In total, FOX-equipped vehicles claimed 15 class wins and 26 podium positions across all 25 4-wheel-vehicle classes.
Additionally, three FOX UTV drivers soloed the entire race (Adrian Orellana, Marc Burnett and Kristen Matlock), in the car for over 26 hours or more. Good suspension definitely helps and prevents driver fatigue.

The race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour special on the ABC TV Network’s World of X Games programming. First airing is set for Jan. 3, 2021 on ESPN2. It is being produced by SCORE in association with award-winning BCII TV of Los Angeles. Announcer is Hall of Fame racer and FOX athlete Cameron Steele. Complete SCORE Baja 1000 race results here.

To learn more about FOX suspension, visit ridefox.com.
November 27, 2020