Avalanche Engineering - The Assassin

The Assassin is relatively light, weighing a svelte 3,100 pounds. A tube chassis that weighs a mere 175 pounds helps bring this about. As with many of the newest rockcrawling rigs, the bulk of the weight is in the axles, tires, and wheels. The minimal mass allows the 4.3L V-6 to propel the vehicle in an authoritative manner. The engine is backed by a TH 350 automatic transmission feeding a Klune-V box (at 2.72:1) and then a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case.

The suspension is all custom, employing a three-link at both ends and 14-inch Sway-A-Way coilover shocks at each corner. The rolling stock on the Assassin has been interesting. Steve has run everything from 37-inch BFG MTs to monster 48x15x20-inch Michelins. He is planning to run the current season using prototype 37x12.5x17-inch BFG tires wrapped on custom Avalanche wheels with special TrailReady bead locks.

We caught up with Steve and Drew in the sandstone canyons of Farmington and later at the shop in Bayfield, Colorado, for a pair of photo shoots. In addition to building cutting-edge creations, these gentlemen know how to drive. With umpteen years of experience between them driving all manner of 4x4 vehicles in their local Colorado terrain and weather, there is very little that rattles (or rolls) them. The Assassin is capable of astounding antics, and Steve and Drew are more than willing to continue to push the envelope of design and gravity.

Avalanche Engineering has two full-on fabrication facilities in Colorado that can build just about any type of vehicle that you desire. With the Advantage, Titan, and High Mark axles anchoring such vehicles as the Assassin, Sniper, or anything else you happen to dream up with them, Avalanche Engineering may be your ticket to helping define cutting-edge 4x4 technology. With its sights set squarely on four-wheeling supremacy, the Assassin is a sure hit.