TREAD March/April 2024

What's up, everyone? As I gaze out my window, the world outside is blanketed in a pristine layer of fresh snow, painting a serene, almost magical landscape. The first part of 2024 has been nothing short of a whirlwind of radical trucks and travel adventures that have broadened my horizons and fueled my passion. I am buzzing with excitement to share this issue with all of you. You are going to see a bunch of different builds from over-the-top prerunner builds to purpose-built off-road rigs. This one will definitely be a page-turner. We've also got some inspiring event coverage for you from Rodeo X King Shocks. This event had an amazing turnout with wild rides and amazing people. Everyone came together to host a toy drive to benefit Children’s Hospital…

01. FULL RIVER BATTERY / FT825-34 Full Throttle Series High-Performance AGM batteries are made with high-compression cells and a heavy-duty case. They use pure-lead cells and thin-plate technology to deliver reliable power. Suitable for a wide range of vehicles and applications, Full Throttle Series batteries are designed for exceptional cranking power, performance, and reliability. MSRP $352.99 www.fullriverbattery.com 02. EDGE PRODUCTS / PULSAR XT Pulsar XT is a total game changer for 2.3L and 2.7L Ford Bronco owners. Unlike any other device on the market, this innovative plug-and-play module offers feature control and a Bluetooth wireless switch for power adjustability on-the-fly. Engineered to keep your factory PCM untouched, Pulsar XT is easily removed for dealer services. Users can add up to 55 hp/69 ft-lbs torque while improving drivability, mileage, and throttle…

01. TEREN DESIGNS / CAMPFIRE PUFFY 2.0 This jacket solves one of the most common issues with puffies: burn holes. The outer is made of a proprietary fire-resistant material that is also waterproof, windproof, and tear proof—pretty much all the "proofs" for the wildest adventures. MSRP $399.95 www.terendesigns.com 02. COAST / ZX955 RECHARGEABLE BATTERY Truly a first of its kind, each ZX955 has its own USB-C charging slot, allowing these lithium ion batteries to go forever. In a world where USB-C is the new standard for charging, the ZX955 has become the new standard in rechargeable AAs. MSRP $24.99 www.coastportland.com 03. EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS / NOMAD HAMMOCK STAND This hammock stand can go anywhere your vehicle can, and farther. Its intuitive design makes setting a hammock a cinch. The stand…

“LIVING IN ARIZONA WITH LIMITED SEASIDE VIEWS, SHE DECIDED ON AN EYE-CATCHING AQUA WRAP TO REMIND HER OF THE SOCAL COASTLINE.” Jolk Heyer, known as “aquajeepgirl” in the cyber universe (that’s still something people say, right?), has been exploring the great outdoors in her trusty 2018 Jeep Wrangler, affectionately named “Roxxie,” for a few years now. Her passion for Jeeps and off-roading began during her college days in Southern California, where she cherished every moment in her roommate’s Wrangler. Learning to drive stick, getting stuck in sand, and having endless fun solidified her love for Jeeps. Her Jeep journey started in 2019 when she acquired Roxxie, a leftover 2018 model Wrangler JLU Sport S. While she had hoped to find one in a vibrant color, she found a black 6-speed…

“SINCE ERIC DOESN’T SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON A BOARD THESE DAYS, HE HAS SINCE CHANGED HIS FOCUS TO ALL THINGS THAT REVOLVE AROUND BUILDING CUSTOM VEHICLES AND OFF-ROAD RACING.” Folk who have a passion for extreme sports have a tendency of carrying that same excitement into whatever other activities they choose to partake in. There must be something imbedded into one’s DNA that craves that action, speed, and all things that cause high spikes of adrenaline. Whatever the scientific cause of this is, Eric Conner, who was a professional street-style skateboarder back in his youth during the ’90s, has experienced long-term effects that go along with wanting to land the next big trick in life. From Decks to Dunes Since Eric doesn’t spend much time on a board these…

“WITH OVER 1,000 OFF-ROAD BUILDS ON HAND AND 5,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST TOY DRIVES TO COME TOGETHER IN THE OFF-ROAD COMMUNITY.” The King Shocks Toy Drive took place on Dec 16, 2023, at the King Shocks facility in Garden Grove, California. This was the first installment of this annual event, and it exceeded all expectations. The event was noticeably packed with overland builds, off-road builds, and prerunners, too. From a decked-out Sprinter to a six-figure trophy truck, you could find it here. Toyota was in attendance and showcased three of its brand new Tacoma models. With over 1,000 off-road builds on hand and 5,000 people in attendance, this was one of the largest toy drives to come together in the off-road community. The four-hour…