Table of contents for November/December 2025 in TREAD

Mean looks? Check. Horsepower? Check. Overlanding capabilities? Also check! There is nothing from the front to back or top to bottom that hasn’t been touched or thought about when building this bad machine! This is Corey Stenlake’s 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 shining bright in White Knuckle W12 paint with beautiful black and strong orange accents showing off the small details over and under this truck. Alright, let’s dive into this build and look at the details of this creation. Starting in the front, you may notice it’s running a 2022 Ram facelift with an OEM grille and OEM headlights, but don’t worry about it losing its way in the dark! This truck has seventeen Baja Design lights from bumper to bumper in all the places you can think of, including…

When you think of a Volkswagen Bug, you probably picture a small, cute, simple car with a rear four-cylinder engine that you can take out on the weekends. Well, if you thought that, then you have everything wrong when it comes to ROKBUGY. This machine is just an example of what the people over at Rockstar Performance Garage are up to in collaboration with the many companies and sponsors that have helped bring this crazy rig to life. Meet Nic Ashby, a Southern California local who is the brains behind this build and the creative imaginer that took this build from a rendering to one of the baddest and most capable off-road vehicles to drive on this planet. Starting on the outside of the machine, you notice first up that…

Back in April, I headed to the Los Angeles area with my wife. She works in international shipping and needed to check on a facility in California. I figured I would tag along and enjoy the trip and see what kind of connections I could make in the knife world while I was there. It ended up being more than just a business trip for her. It turned into a chance for me to meet a couple of people I am glad to now call friends. The first was Dom Baca, a photographer who goes by @pixel.the.ghost on Instagram. He has serious skills behind the lens and a creative eye that makes his work stand out. He is working on some cool projects that are worth keeping an eye on.…

Overlanding is built upon camping, as well as reaching trails and destinations across the United States and other countries. This level of excitement has allowed this genre of off-roading to gain popularity around the world. And what better vehicle than a 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro outfitted with some of the best wares from the biggest names in the overlanding community to do it in? Over 7 months of research, time, dedication, blood, and sweat went into building one of the most reliable fun-havers. Before too long, it was ready to step off the pavement to travel and camp in some of the toughest terrains and biomes spread across the United States. Meet Kevin Castillo, the owner and creative mind behind the 22 Pro Taco build. This 2021 Toyota Tacoma…

Driving along Greys River Road is an enchanting experience that immerses you in the natural beauty of Wyoming. The road winds its way through the Bridger-Teton National Forest, offering breathtaking views of rugged mountains, dense forests, and the sparkling river. As you drive, you’ll notice the dramatic landscape shifting with elevation, showcasing the diverse flora and fauna of the region. The road is over 76 miles and runs across Wyoming from Alpine to LaBarge, although alternate routes can send you to other destinations. It’s easy to spend a week exploring this area. The journey begins with smooth pavement that soon transitions to a well-maintained gravel road, embracing a more rustic feel. Along the way, there are numerous pullouts where you can stop to take photographs, enjoy a picnic, or simply…

01. JKS QUICKER DISCONNECT SWAY BAR END LINKS Enhance your Jeep Wrangler’s handling and performance with JKS Quicker Disconnect sway bar end links. The Quicker Disconnects have a heavy-gauge steel construction and computer-controlled MIG-welding to ensure unsurpassed strength and quality. A powdercoated finish offers added durability. The Quicker Disconnect sway bar end links are sold in pairs and are available in applications to accommodate vehicles lifted for a 0- to 2-inch lift or vehicles with a 2.5- to 6-inch lift. Select the Quicker Disconnect sway bar end links designed for your vehicle’s specific application needs. MSRP $176.95 summitracing.com 02. TCI 4L60 OFF-ROAD TORQUE CONVERTERS TCI’s 4L60 off-road torque converters are the first in a new series featuring a low stall speed between 1,800 and 2,400 rpm to prevent “pushing through”…

Creativity, fabrication, and an idea turned to life? That is just what gets you to the computer. Let’s not forget the hours, days, weeks, or even months that go into planning, prototyping, and creating your own chassis—let alone one you release to the world to purchase. Meet Tim and Mike Rogers, owners of TMR Customs out of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, bud! These good ‘ol boys are the creative geniuses behind the TMR Trail Buggy. This beautiful machine is equipped with some top brand names across the off-road industry, like Baja Designs, Atlas Transfer Case, and many more that make this Trail Buggy the unstoppable beast that it is. Let’s kick off this article diving into some key details. This rig features a complete TMR tube chassis kit from front to…

If you've got a Jeep Gladiator, congrats! You’ve got one of the most versatile rigs on the road. But let’s be honest, straight off the lot, it still needs a little help in the style and function department. The last issue of TREAD focused on setting the perfect stance and adding a killer set of wheels and tires. In this tech article, we’re diving into a couple of key bolt-ons to get this 2020 Gladiator looking sharper and working harder. First up, we’re tossing on a set of Dominator D6 running boards from Go Rhino. These steps don’t just look tough; they’re wide, flat, and ready to take a beating, perfect for helping you climb in and out without scuffing up your rockers or busting a shin on the way…

When building a 1990s Bronco, you have so many visions in mind. Prerunner? Rock crawler? Cruiser? Restomod? The options you have for yourself are endless. Motor options? Where do I even start?! Bluey is a Bronco of many different genres of motorsports that breaks necks and raises eyebrows everywhere. There’s nothing short of craziness when it comes to this build, and it features some big names in the off-road industry to help make Bluey what it is. Meet Kevin Jones, a California family man who many may know as Ultra4Jones from his years of racing in the Ultra4 world. He developed a vast fanbase that spreads across the U.S. and beyond! This is his vision of a 1996 Ford Bronco XL Bluey. This Bronco’s original purpose was to compete in…

Growing up, I had the privilege of spending two years of my childhood exploring the United States with my family in a “well-loved” 1998 Fleetwood Bounder. To this day, my father still stands behind the only somewhat sarcastic statement that it was a GPS that kept their marriage alive. That was in 2010, and while the love that my parents have for each other has not changed, the world of digital navigation absolutely has. Now, more than 15 years later, I am finding my own ways across our beautiful land of opportunity on my own terms. Fortunately, I am doing so with a little bit more ground clearance (though with a lot less storage space.) So, what happens when it is time to pull off the highway? Where does one…

01. YETI LOWLANDS BLANKET Your plush, all-terrain blanket for outdoor ventures, sandy beaches, and muddy pups. Durable, waterproof Hydrobarrier™ layer Repels dirt and pet hair Machine wash and dry Includes protective carry bag to sling over your shoulder MSRP $200.00 Yeti.com 02. THERMACELL PATIO SHIELD MOSQUITO REPELLER LANTERN Whether you’re in the backyard or backwoods, this battery-operated lantern will help you stay free from mosquitos—no spray, DEET, or open flames required. It offers 15 feet of protection, using naturally occurring repellents found in plants. MSRP $26.99 Thermacell.com 03. GEYSER SYSTEMS PORTABLE SHOWER WITH HEATER Tired of showers that waste time, water, and energy? Experience the portable shower that’s easy on your consumption and designed for nomadic living. ● Fast Setup: Ready in 3 minutes● Ultra-efficient: 0.8 gallons lasts 15 minutes●…

When most people hear “rally,” their minds jump to the greats like the Dakar, Monte Carlo, Trans-Siberia, etc.—legendary events defined by grueling terrain, screaming engines, and drivers who eat dust for breakfast. Those rallies are all about pushing both human and machine to the brink in unforgiving conditions. Safari Party? Well… it’s a little different. It’s part rally, part adult summer camp, and part fever dream. It’s an event for Porsche enthusiasts who prefer their paint chipped, their tires muddy, and their stories just a little bit unbelievable. It’s a place where quarter-million-dollar builds and ten-thousand-dollar garage projects run side-by-side—where the only podium finish that matters is who brought the best campfire story. The Visionaries Before we even talk about the 2025 “Trees to Seas” edition, allow me to introduce…

Meet Team Nacho—Ignacio “Nacho,” Ricardo, Aron, and Chuy Arana. This is a family race team based out of Southern California with the heart and desire to give it their all in the attempts of chasing a trophy. This team is the epitome of hard work and motivation, with Ignacio’s long background in mechanics and being the owner of Nacho 4xFour in North Hollywood, California. He took his love for cars and decided it was time to get behind the wheel and try the competitive side of racing. Nacho originally started off his racing career in the Ultra4 King of the Hammers 2024 Rookie Program, and it ignited the racing itch for this entire team. In 2025, Nacho wanted a different class, a different challenge, and a different taste for the…

When planning for an event that, as a photographer, you’re capturing and covering for the off-road media, the entire process can take only days prior to the event. But for me, it is something completely different. I started planning, prepping, and reaching out to brands months in advance to secure a spot with them and began organizing the drivers, teams, and companies that I will represent behind the camera lens. My main subject of this race was Slowride. Some may ask who they are, so let me give you a brief rundown on Slowride. They are a rad brand out of Hesperia, California, that idolizes making clothing for the informed and the driven. They are a brand behind the original Slowride Garage and Class 11 Racing Team, and boy are…