RockCrawler.com

Category: Press Release

  • Warn Industries Releases All-New Elite Series Front Bumpers for Jeep JK Wrangler

    Warn Industries Releases All-New Elite Series Front Bumpers for Jeep JK Wrangler

    Clackamas, OR (9/10/2018) – Warn Industries is excited to announce the release of the all-new redesigned Elite Series front bumpers for the Jeep JK Wrangler. Hot on the heels of the Elite Series bumpers for the JL, the JK Elite front bumpers feature all-new styling, a variety of options for increased off-road performance, and the ability to mount a WARN winch with a capacity of up to 12,000 lbs.

    Designed, Engineered, Tested, and Made in the USA
    The new WARN® Elite Series front bumpers for the JK Wrangler are designed, tested, and made in Clackamas Oregon—and certified to withstand an industry-leading 12,000 lbs. of pulling force without deformation. The bumpers have integrated off-road jack lifting points and shackle-mounting tabs for additional off-road recovery options. All WARN bumpers undergo rigorous field testing and lab pull testing to ensure rigidity in the most abusive conditions.

    For the ultimate in corrosion protection, these bumpers wear a durable flat-black powdercoated finish that undergoes a five-step pre-treatment process featuring zirconium nanotechnology, and are engineered to withstand 408 hours of salt spray testing. This will ensure the finish lasts and lasts.

    When buyers are ready to mount a WARN winch, they can be assured the Elite Series is up to the task. Warn has engineered the bumpers to position the winch in a manner so the engine gets maximum airflow. Speaking of winches, the bumpers will accommodate the WARN ZEON, ZEON Platinum, VR, XD9, XD9i, 9.0Rc, and 9.5xp models allowing users to truly “go prepared.”

    Available in Multiple Configurations
    The Elite Series bumpers for the JK come in one of four versions:

    • Full-Width without Grille Guard Tube
    • Full-Width with Grille Guard Tube
    • Stubby without Grille Guard Tube
    • Stubby with Grille Guard Tube

    The Full-Width Elite Bumpers, as seen above, will clear 37” tires with only a 2” lift and factory wheel offset. The Full-Width version also includes built-in light ports to mount OE or aftermarket fog lights.

    The narrower Stubby version provides maximum off-road performance and tire clearance—ideal for hardcore off-roaders. It has similar features as the Full-Width version, but with increased approach angles. This bumper also allows for mounting aftermarket lights above the bumper.

    Additionally, Warn is offering a durable skid plate (sold separately) for the JK that compliments all of the new Elite Series bumpers.

    About Warn Industries

    Warn Industries 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 powersports vehicles. Warn Industries is headquartered near Portland, OR.

     

  • Zion Outback Safaris Inc. Purchased by Larry and Cheri McRae

    Zion Outback Safaris Inc. Purchased by Larry and Cheri McRae

    SPRINGDALE, Utah, August 7, 2018 – Zion Outback Safaris Inc. dba Zion Jeep Tours Utah’s premiere outdoor recreational tour and guide service, announces that off-road athlete, sportsman and businessman, Larry McRae and his wife Cheri McRae of St. George, Utah have purchased the company, effective July 2018. (more…)

  • BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Reimagined on Small Scale for Radio-Control Vehicles

    BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Reimagined on Small Scale for Radio-Control Vehicles

    Latest-generation off-road tire miniaturized for RC-hobbyist community

    GREENVILLE, S.C., July 17, 2018 — Radio-control car enthusiasts have a new way to improve the performance of their RC vehicles. BFGoodrich® Tires, a leader in off-road tire development for the past 40 years, has partnered with Pro-Line Racing, a leader in RC parts and accessories, to reimagine the BFGoodrich® Mud-Terrain T/A® KM3 as a fully-licensed RC vehicle tire. (more…)

  • Rugged Ridge Releases New Hitch Thimble and Halo Recovery Rope for Universal Off-Road Applications

    Rugged Ridge Releases New Hitch Thimble and Halo Recovery Rope for Universal Off-Road Applications

    Simple Combination Turns Standard Hitches into a Vital Recovery Device

    Suwanee, Ga. (July 10, 2018) – Rugged Ridge®, a Truck Hero Inc. company and leading manufacturer of high-quality Jeep®, truck and off-road parts and accessories, today announced the availability of its new Hitch Thimble and Halo Recovery Rope for various applications. (more…)

  • ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2018-UP Jeep Wrangler JL 2.5″ Suspension Systems

    ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2018-UP Jeep Wrangler JL 2.5″ Suspension Systems

    ICON Vehicle Dynamics is excited to announce the release of our full lineup of 2.5″ suspension systems for the 2018-UP Jeep Wrangler JL. Aimed at drastically improving (not just maintaining) on and off-road ride quality these systems include a combination of dual rate coil springs, 2.0 Aluminum Series or 2.5 Series shocks, link arms, track bars, bump stops, sway bar end links, and all necessary hardware for a complete install. The JL is a much more “refined” vehicle compared to previous Wranglers, and with improved suspension geometry and more robust components this new Jeep sees significant performance gains with the introduction of ICON suspension products. (more…)

  • First Look: Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-MT

    First Look: Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-MT

    Closeup: Yokohama GEOLANDER X-MTHow many times have you been wheeling in the past 10 years and noticed someone on Yokohama GEOLANDAR tires? Never? The GEOLANDAR line was popular in the 80’s and 90s…but all but vanished from the offroad enthusiast market.

    On July 1, 2018, that’s going to change. 

    I was invited to attend the media release of the new Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-MT G005 series at Johnson Valley CA, home of the famous Hammers trails. This area is well known for its brutal terrain and challenging wheeling. What better location to put this new Extreme Mud Terrain tire through its paces.

    The GEOLANDAR X-MT boasts a highly aggressive tread pattern, excellent for rocks, sand, dirt and mud. It’s built to contend one on one with the other kings of the rock crawling market, including the BFGoodrich Krawler. Our test mules ran the 40×13.50R17LT size on a variety of built rigs. I piloted the well-known GenRight Terremoto with Tony Pellegrino keeping a close eye on me…from the back seat <wink>

    Our test covered much of the GenRight KOH Experience course. The GEOLANDER X-MT tires handled every mistake I made…carrying too much speed into a washout, tagging rocks, missing turns and taking optional lines, and generally just overdriving my skillset (I’m a crawler, and 600+ horsepower and suspension to match shows my driving weaknesses). The GEOLANDAR X-MT didn’t care…traction was excellent, directional stability pulled me back on the lines easily, and the tires found plenty of traction when I failed to read lines on the rocky climbs. Honestly, they almost made me look like I knew what I was doing.

    The GenRight Terremoto, shod in 40" Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-MT tires.We tested in the 8-10 psi range…the tires easily wrapped around obstacles and found traction. The high void ratio allowed the X-MT lugs to hold onto edges and pull the tire up and over. That same open design allowed them to excel in the sand, similar to a paddle tire. Sidehills were no issue either, the center tread design helped control any issues there. 

    The new GEOLANDAR X-MT boasts the following:

    • Open design tread blocks, designed to offer optimal traction, controlled crawling and easy self-cleaning…combined with aggressive sidewall and shoulder lugs, they should offer excellent sidewall protection
    • Triple-density polymer compound for long wear and cut resistance
    • New GEO-SHIELD construction with a 3-ply construction and extra thick sidewalls
    • Computerized tread pattern to minimize noise and maximize comfort for those trips between trailheads

    Testing was with the 40×13.50R17 and Yokohama is keeping them big for the GEOLANDAR X-MT. Available sizes will cover 17-20 inch wheels and 35-40 inch diameters…and yes, there are 42’s coming. Also coming are 38″ and 40″ tires for 22″ and 24″ wheels. Stickys??  YES…but availability may be limited initially to the race programs. 

    I was impressed with what Yokohama brought to the terrain, and look forward to seeing them hit the market and the enthusiasts. Watch for the new GEOLANDAR X-MT on the trails and I suspect you’ll be impressed as well. 

    GEOLANDAR X-MT's on Chocolate Thunder in Johnson Valley
    A week after this photo was taken, Cameron Harris placed first at the Old School Rock Crawl in Legends Class with his Yokohama GEOLANDER X-MT tires….congratulations!

     

    Sidewall flex with the GEOLANDAR X-MT tires
    The GEOLANDER X-MT tires made short work of every obstacle.

     

    LOTS of void space on the GEOLANDAR X-MT's
    Yes, there is some serious void ratio on the X-MT’s

     

    One of the many great trails we ran on GEOLANDAR X-MT tires.

     

    Tony Pellegrino and his Terremoto climbing Chocolate Thunder on GEOLANDAR X-MT tires