Send questions, comments, and suggestions to: 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine, Attn: Christian Lee, 2400 E. Katella Ave., Ste. 700, Anaheim, CA 92806, or christian.lee@primedia.com.
Propane Conversion
Q: First of all, I enjoy the magazine a lot, and I really enjoyed the coverage of the CAOS Fall for All. I was wondering, though, about the advantages to running on propane and how you convert a truck to run on it. If you could provide me with some information that would be great!Scottvia e-mail
A: Scott, I've been intrigued by propane conversions ever since meeting rockcrawling competitor Jeff Mello of Rage 4th Racing, who regularly competes and wins in his propane-powered Jeep CJ. It's a great concept and offers virtually no discernable differences (aside from positive) to that of gasoline power. With the price of gasoline rapidly climbing, it's also good to see that an alternative fuel such as propane can be used to produce such great results on the trail.
Although I could run at the mouth about the benefits of such a conversion, I saved it for the story in this issue (p. 54) wherein we detail the installation of a propane system from GotPropane.com on the RocZuk Suzuki Samurai. Check out the article for more information.
Yellow Project TJ Update
Q: I was wondering if there is an issue with updates about the yellow Jeep that was built - and please tell me it wasn't turned into a truck Jeep. I've been building my Jeep just like that one. To me, that Jeep looks like the perfect TJ. If there is an issue or you have any pics or anything, please let me know. Thanks.Dustin Sheppardvia e-mail
A: Dustin, our yellow Project TJ not only looks like the perfect TJ, but it acts the part as well. And, once we complete the latest stage of its buildup - a Brute pickup conversion from AEV - it will be even better than ever. Though you may not approve of the conversion (per your plea in your letter), we're pretty stoked on it since we'll not only be gaining a lot of much-needed wheelbase (24 inches) but also a 6-foot pickup bed to carry more gear than we ever dreamed. Check out the second stage of the Brute conversion in this issue, and you can plan on seeing a complete overview of the yellow TJ's construction - including the final stages of the Brute build - soon. As for an overview of the yellow TJ in its pre-Brute form, you can check out www.4wdandsportutility.com. The article, "Project TJ Buildup Review: 30,000 Miles and Still Jeeping," is posted under the "Technical" heading on the sidebar to the left. You'll find the story and pics on page 2. We've made a few changes to the TJ since that article originally appeared, and most will be noted in the final Brute build article in the September issue. Thanks for reading.
FJ Cruiser Rack
Q: In the Apr. '07 issue of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine, there was an article on an '07 Toyota FJ Cruiser. It shows a roof rack on it that is not the stock one that you get from the dealer. It looks smaller than the stock rack. Can you tell me where to get the one that's in that article? I would really appreciate it. I just love my new FJ!Kathy Chavezvia e-mail
A: Kathy, the FJ Cruiser you mention belongs to Jon Bundrant, owner of All-Pro Off-Road in Hemet, California. The roof rack atop the FJ is in fact a stock component - Jon just removed the forward and upper sections of the factory rack and left the rear section in place.