RockCrawler.com

  • The Rodeo in Reno

    Reno is the like the neglected stepchild of off-road. Home to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame and its founder Rod Hall, Reno holds many gems for off-road and the spectacular track at Wild West Motorsports Park is one of them. Originally designed by Tony Vanillo of Off-Road Management Group (OMG), the track boasts severe elevation changes allowing fans a view of the entire race track from the stands. Meant to be the new “Chula Vista”, the track at Wild West Motorsports Park is one of the fastest in terms of top speed.   LOORRS Rounds 13 & 14 August 22nd & 23rd will showcase the racers that love this track and punish the ones that fear it. On this track, when failures occur, they are severe. The racing is guaranteed to be intense in every class!

    CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON RACE-DEZERT.COM

    Gates open at 11:00am Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd.

    Click here for the full schedule of events.

    Click here for ticket information.

    About Race-Dezert.com
    Race-Dezert.com was created by off-road enthusiasts, giving off-roaders a place online to share information about the sport and culture of off-road racing.  Based in Southern California, Race-Dezert.com highlights the off-road disciplines of desert racing, short course off-road, stadium truck racing, rally raid, rally racing and rock crawling.

    Our goal is to connect the world of off-road racing globally, bringing people together through the common denominator of off-road culture.  Whether you are a racer, a promoter, a chase team member, a casual fan, or just interested in learning about off-road, Race-Dezert.com is a place where you can learn about the sport and culture of off-road racing.

  • General Tire Launches Grabber HTS60

    • General Tire introduceS the GrabberTM HTS60.
    • GrabberTM HTS60 replaces popular, GrabberTM HTS and features up to 25% improved tread life.

    Fort Mill, SC – August 20, 2015. General Tire’s newest, all-season, highway terrain tire, the GrabberTM HTS60 is available at General Tire dealers across the U.S. The GrabberTM HTS60 replaces the GrabberTM HTS and is the perfect synergy of comfort, durability and performance for light trucks, SUVs and crossovers. General’s newest addition to the GRABBERTM line of tires offers extremely well balanced product performance with significantly improved tread life over its predecessor. (more…)

  • 2015 King of The Hammers Movie Titled “The Kingdom”

    Trailer for 2015 Nitto King of The Hammers Presented by 4 Wheel Parts Movie Released
    Expected to ship September 2015 – Available immediately for Pre-order

    JOHNSON VALLEY, CA – August 19th, 2015 – Hammerking Productions in conjunction with HeavyMetalConcepts released the trailer for the 2015 Nitto King of the Hammers Presented by 4 Wheel Parts movie titled, “The Kingdom” today. This year’s movie will highlight the intense final showdown between 2011’s King, Erik Miller and 2012’s King, Randy Slawson for the chance to re-claim the throne in 2015.
    (more…)

  • AAM Announces New Axle Components for 2014 GM Trucks and SUVs

    Detroit – August 18, 2015 – American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), a leading manufacturer of axle components, driveshaft components and repair kits for OE vehicles, has announced the availability of new rear axle components for several 2014 GM trucks and SUVs.

    “AAM made some major changes to the rear axles for the 2014 GM Silverado and Sierra trucks, along with the Suburban and Tahoe SUVs,” said Greg Marsh, AAM engineering manager. “As a result, there is a new 9.5” and a new 9.75” ring and pinion gear set combination and new differential cases for each.”

    AAM’s new 9.5” ring and pinion gear kits are available in three different ratios, 3.08 ratio (AAM part #95K2308gearkit), 3.42 ratio (AAM part #95K2342gearkit), and 4.10 ratio (AAM part #95K2410gearkit).

    For the 9.75” rear axles, AAM’s new ring and pinion gear kits are available in three different ratios. They include the 3.23 ratio (AAM part#976K2323gearkit), the 3.42 ratio (AAM part#976K2342gearkit), and the 3.73 ratio (AAM part#976K2373gearkit).

    Due to the pinion gears having metric threads, AAM includes the pinion nut, collapsible spacer, and pinion seal packed with the gear sets. New ring gear bolts must be purchased separately (AAM part #40064367). Marsh points out the previous versions of the GM 9.5” products will not fit the 2014 models. The 8.6” rear axle in the 2014 SUVs does carry-over all the parts in previous models.

    AAM’s new differential cases for the 2014 GM trucks and SUVs are available in two sizes and will work for both the 9.5” and 9.75” gear sets. AAM part #40090727 is a differential case with internal gears for 3.23 and lower ratio gear sets, and AAM part #40090728 is a differential case with internal gears for 3.42 and higher gear ratio sets.

    In addition, AAM is making available axle shafts for the 2014 Sierra and Silverado (AAM part #40103091) and the 2014 Suburban and Tahoe (AAM part#40103092)., New pinion flanges, seals, cover pans and bearing kits will also be offered soon from AAM for these 2014 GM vehicles.

    Marsh also notes changes to the 2014 powertrain application information so technicians can identify the axle they are working on. The 8.6” axle is used with the 1500 series 4.3L V6 pickup (carry-over), the 9.5” axle is used with the 1500 series 5.3L V8 pickup and SUV, and the 9.76” axle is used with the 1500 series 6.2L V8 pickup and SUV. The 9.5” and 9.76” axles share the same 12 bolt cover plan. The 9.5” and 9.76” axle size is cast into the passenger side top portion of the carrier web.                         

    AAM parts are the same OEM production parts many shops have come to demand when installing replacement parts. AAM parts fit right, install right and perform right the first time. For more information and to find a local distributor, visitwww.demandaam.com, call 313-758-4176 or email info@aam.com.

    About AAM Aftermarket
    AAM Aftermarket provides its customers with high quality, reliability, durability and performance in every aftermarket part it sells. AAM designs, engineers, tests and validates components to meet the same exacting specifications as the parts that they replace. AAM Aftermarket offers a comprehensive line of aftermarket axle and driveshaft components that were originally built for OE vehicle manufacturers.

    About AAM
    AAM (NYSE: AXL) is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars and crossover vehicles and commercial vehicles. In addition to locations in the United States (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden and Thailand. For more information on AAM, please visit www.aam.com.

  • Trail-Gear is now offering FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kits

    The Trail-Gear FJ80 knuckle rebuild kit contains all of the replacement parts you need to service your steering knuckles including gaskets, felts, seals, spindle nut & washers, and shims. New spindle bushings, trunnion bearings, and steel outer felt covers are also included. The stamped steel outer felt covers are not found in other most other kits. If you’re using your FJ80 in the rocks you will want to replace these covers when you service the knuckles. The FJ80 Knuckle kit has all the parts you need to service both left and right knuckles. Available with or without wheel bearings.

    Available Options:

     FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kit, 303441-1-KIT, $72.45

     FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kit w/Wheel Bearings, 303749-1-KIT, $124.95

  • Trail Exploration at the 49th Annual All-4-Fun

    Jason & Mariah Kaminsky recently returned from their participation in the 49th Annual All-4-Fun event, hosted by the Mile High Jeep Club in Buena Vista, Colorado.  While Jason was busy competing at the WEROCK event in Goldendale earlier in the week, the couple managed to make it over to the event on Thursday to blow off a little steam.

    Jason & Mariah met up with a few friends from the Tucson Rough Riders and signed up for the Hancock Pass trail during Thursday night’s social hour.  Friday morning, everyone was ready to leave at the designated 8am start time and we headed off into the mountains!  For anyone who has never wheeled in this area; it’s an amazing mountain setting with 13,000 and 14,000 peaks all around.  Historic mining roads provide access to the many peaks, valleys, and high mountain lakes throughout the area.  Some of the more notorious trails in the area include Iron Chest, Carnage Canyon Boulder Trail, and the Holy Cross City Trail. (more…)