If you've had your finger on the pulse of the trail-riding world over the last decade then Poison Spyder Customs is a familiar name. Poison Spyder's lineup of hardcore hardware deftly mixed no-nonsense trail function with an unmistakable sense of style. Success bred success and bred more success until one day owner Clifton Slay, found himself in the middle of something so big it had annihilated the fun factor. Determined to simplify his life, Slay reluctantly closed the Spyder web down in late '08. The company was just a memory until Larry and Cheri McRae decided that a living, breathing Poison Spyder was essential to the trail-riding world and that they were going to do something about it. The McRae's met with Slay, exchanged cash and handshakes, and Poison Spyder was back to life.
That same finger on the pulse of the trail-riding world should tell you that Larry McRae is no newcomer. Larry was one-half of the All-Pro Off-Road rock-crawling team that won the '03 rock-crawling championship, with Jon Bundrant at the wheel and Larry filling the spotter's role. "Although we were surrounded by Toyota rigs with All-Pro, we're longtime Jeep enthusiasts," Larry clarifies. The McRae's moved Poison Spyder's headquarters from Denver, Colorado, to Banning, California. Where's Banning? It's close to Johnson Valley and the Hammer trails: a peerless testing ground.
While Poison Spyder's lineup for older Jeeps was well-established, the JK product line was somewhat limited when Clifton closed the doors. This gave Larry and Cheri a chance to pick up where Slay had left off. We crossed paths with Poison Spyder at last October's Off-Road Expo, and arranged an afternoon on the rocks.
"We bought our JK as a test bed for new products," Larry explained. "Then we fell in love with it. We were going to keep it mild, but that's not what Poison Spyder is all about." As a result, the Spyder flagship includes one-off custom suspension, Currie RockJock Dana 60's, Poison Spyder Crusher front fenders, Crusher rear flares and corners, Poison Spyder Rocker Knockers, and an Atlas II transfer case, among other upgrades.
Oval dimple dies on the Rocker...
Oval dimple dies on the Rocker Knockers pull you in, but the durability sets the hook. The optional angled outboard slider bar adds clearance in the rocks. Cool detail: the under-body mounting system includes drains for debris that could otherwise collect and cause rust.
Behind the Rocker Knockers...
Behind the Rocker Knockers flat against the body you’ll find Poison Spyder's JK body armor which overlays and protects the sheet metal.
How much does a new OEM evaporative...
How much does a new OEM evaporative canister cost? JK owners will never have to find out if they run a Poison Spyder evap skid plate. It's made from 3/16-inch-thick laser-cut steel and re-mounts the system 3/4-inch higher in the chassis.
The front Crusher flares look...
The front Crusher flares look classy and subtle front a distance, but a closer look underneath shows they're just as trail-capable as the Rock Brawler front bumper that leads the way. The under-fender reinforcement and the attachment method are strong enough to have survived a drive-on fender test. Check out Poison Spyder's website for further details and photographic proof.
The Crusher Corners follow...
The Crusher Corners follow the JK's corner body contours, which are angular instead of round like their other Wrangler predecessors. Rear Crusher Flares offer body protection in conjunction with a bolt-on glide rib mounted just below the soft top's lower line.
Even with 39-inch BF Goodrich...
Even with 39-inch BF Goodrich Krawlers, the Crusher Corners allow for plenty of bump travel.