Table of contents for September/October 2025 in TREAD

Have you heard the old proverb about turning tart-tasting lemons into lemonade? Sure, we’ve all heard that line, but there’s so much wisdom in it even though the sentiment has become cliché. When life changes for one reason or another, and you must adapt to forge ahead, a helpful practice is to take inventory of what you currently have on hand to work with and sweeten it to taste. The scope of that statement is wide, so let’s zoom in and focus on how it relates to truck building. Most of us may feel the itch to go out and buy a shiny new pickup from time to time, but then reality sets in. Why commit to forking over a hefty down payment, annoying monthly payments, and a bump in…

Your dad may have had an OBS Ford pickup back when you were younger, but we guarantee it wasn’t as cool as Paul Fisher’s F-350. Known as All-American Sender for obvious reasons, this full-size Ford launches into the sky like a rocket ship and lands with cat-like grace. All Paul wanted was a legit freestyle prerunner, and one the dust settled, that’s exactly what he got. While the trail to get here hasn’t been quick, or cheap for that matter, Paul continued to grind at a steady pace, reminding himself to listen to what his truck needed along the way. Of course, the entire OEM suspension setup was gutted. In its place, Paul assembled a massive upgrade from stock using a Dirt King tubular frame, a center-mount A-arm front setup,…

Navigating today’s knife market can feel daunting, with countless brands ranging from legendary names to hidden gems quietly earning their stripes. Out-the-front (OTF) knives have surged in popularity due to their rapid deployment, convenience, and tactical appeal. Let’s delve deeper into four exceptional OTF blades, highlighting both their standout features and the intriguing brands behind them. CobraTec Small Raptor Starting our journey is CobraTec, a brand that initially flew under my radar due to limited exposure. When I first encountered the Small Raptor, priced attractively at $139.99, I approached it cautiously, expecting compromises typical of budget-friendly knives. Surprisingly, the Small Raptor exceeded expectations dramatically. The blade action is notably smooth and consistent, with almost no blade play, making it incredibly reliable for daily tasks. Crafted from durable D2 steel, known…

Building a truck capable of overcoming extreme terrain isn’t for the weak of heart. It also isn’t an activity for those who are impatient either. When built right, these machines can create plenty of positive, memorable experiences. When they’re rushed and not properly debugged, the good times can quickly come to a screeching halt while out on the trail. Richie Pilozo, a US Coast Guard member from Rancho Santa Margarita, California, knew there were certain pitfalls he had to avoid while creating a truck for his whole family to enjoy. The routes around these speed bumps aren’t usually known for being time- or money-saving, but they are valuable learning experiences that result in owning a reliable, battle-ready rig. The first thing Richie addressed before building his 2001 Tacoma was his…

2025 has been a major year for the Overland Expo Group. Following the smashing success of the 1st annual Overland Expo SoCal in Costa Mesa, thousands of off-roaders, overlanders, and van-lifers made their way down to Flagstaff, Arizona, to join in on yet another weekend of good food, great community, and some awesome rigs. The original Expo West has been the largest and most popular up until this year, with a four-event schedule that stretched across the country from north to south and east to west. While some skepticism on the potential turnout existed (due to the possibility that the 2025 addition of the new California Expo would cannibalize interest in the Flagstaff event), the overall attendance certainly held up to West’s legacy. 2025 proved to be a big year…

01. AMSOIL PREMIUM CAR CARE PRODUCTS AMSOIL has launched three new additions to its line of premium car care products engineered to clean and protect vehicle interiors and exteriors. Known for formulating superior lubricants, AMSOIL has applied the same commitment to quality and formulation expertise to its car care line to deliver a superior experience to consumers. Introducing Quick Detailer, Wheel + Tire Cleaner, and Tire + Trim Protection! MSRP From $13.99 www.amsoil.com 02. JL AUDIO STEALTHBOX REAR SUBWOOFER JL Audio Stealthbox rear subwoofer for Polaris RZR vehicles (2019+). This Stealthbox subwoofer generates rock-solid bass while fitting neatly under the driver’s side rear seat—with no loss of cargo or passenger space. It’s constructed with a rugged, hardshell enclosure and includes all the mounting hardware needed for a secure installation. Stealthbox…

Comfortable, reliable, safe, and tastefully designed. When it comes to Toyota, it’s nothing short of all those characteristics, but what if you took what is already good and made it even better? For Southern California local Oscar Orellana, that is exactly what he did with his 2023 Toyota Tundra iForce Max. You can find Oscar and his Tundra cruising the coastline of Long Beach or thrashing in the deserts of California. Oscar bought his 2023 Toyota Tundra after previously selling his 2016 Toyota Tacoma built for overlanding and camping. Oscar says he wanted to step into a rig with more off-road capability, and I don’t blame him one bit! The thrill in off-roading ranges from fast deserts to slow rock trails to camping sites with friends and more. Finding new…

When you get your hands on a stock Jeep Gladiator, it doesn’t take long before the itch hits and you want to make it your own. That’s exactly why we kicked off this first part of our multi-issue build series for Tread Magazine. We set out to transform our 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon into a rig that looks tough, drives great, and handles the trails and the streets without breaking a sweat. We teamed up with Skyjacker to install its 2.5-inch dual-rate long-travel coil spring lift kit, paired up with Black Max shocks. This isn’t your basic lift kit; it’s a performance-focused setup designed to deliver a better ride, more flex, and a stance that looks the part. To make sure everything stayed lined up after the lift, we added…

In 2019, the founder of Terra Crew, James Holguin, had an idea. What if we created an event that catered to multiple genres of car culture but at a grassroots level? We could call it SPEED METAL. I simply replied, “I love it; let’s get to work.” 6 years later, we have just accomplished our 3rd successful year of Speed Metal and have even grown it to include two days of action instead of one. When James and I were spitballing this idea, we came to the conclusion that our BIG goal with Speed Metal would be that it would be a multiple-day event encompassing off-road driving, moto riding, rally driving, and drifting while having a small concert every night featuring some of our favorite bands from different genres, much…

Camper shells, toppers, caps, or covers—the terms are used interchangeably. Call them what you will, but one thing is certain— there’s no shortage of these truck bed accessories on the market. After a bit of research, however, it became clear that not all bed covers are built the same. Fiberglass truck bed shells have been a staple in the scene for decades but as trends change, manufacturers do what they can to stay on the cusp of evolving consumer demands. Enter SmartCap—a company with its design and manufacturing center located in the wilderness of Durban, South Africa. SmartCap created the world’s first stainless steel modular truck cap system that is a true product of its environment. This cap was designed and tested in harsh outdoor conditions to withstand abuse from…

One nice bonus of owning a business within the automotive community is coming across unbelievable buying opportunities every now and then. Chris Gardner owns and operates Maximum Offroad Transmissions in Hesperia, California, which means that he lays his eyes on a lot of badass trucks. One of Chris’ buddies was selling an ’84 Chevy pickup due to it having a blown trans. Even though the truck wasn’t running, there was lots of potential still left, and Chris was quick to spot it. The C10 was basically a cab on top of a custom frame and drivetrain—both fully built to handle extreme off-roading. Chris bought the truck as is and quickly realized that the upkeep of trucks built to shred on dirt isn’t cheap. Not one to give up so fast,…

If you’ve never been to Jeep Beach in Daytona, Florida, it’s something you need to add to your calendar. Over the weekend, I had the chance to experience one of the most welcoming and high-energy automotive events I’ve ever attended, and it’s safe to say Jeep Beach 2025 delivered on every front. We kicked off our weekend by diving straight into Vendor Row, and wow, it was buzzing. This stretch wasn’t just about shopping; it was about innovation, inspiration, and seeing just how wild and creative the Jeep world can get. Vendors weren’t just setting up basic booths. They were showcasing vehicles built to the nines, outfitted with the best gear the industry has to offer. Walking through the aisles felt like flipping through the best parts catalog you’ve ever…

Nestled in the rugged beauty of east-central Idaho, the small town of Arco serves as a gateway to some of the most stunning off-road trails and landscapes in the region. For an off-road enthusiast seeking a picturesque escape or great campsites, Arco offers a variety of trails that showcase the area’s unique terrain and natural wonders. The Landscape of Arco, Idaho, and Arco Pass Arco is surrounded by incredible geological features, ranging from expansive high desert plains to volcanic formations. The nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument is a significant highlight, featuring a vast expanse of lava fields and unique rock formations that create a surreal landscape reminiscent of another planet. This otherworldly terrain is a testament to the region’s volcanic past, offering a glimpse into the powerful forces…

Have you ever considered wanting to take your truck from pure stock to making it a next-level rig? That is exactly what we were expecting to do with a 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The idea behind getting just the traditional TRD package was that it would be a solid starting point, but also bring to light what we could do and how exciting things could get if we started adding to the mix. We started by adding wheels and tires to the rig. WARN was not someone you would look at normally for wheels, but these rock and look great paired with a nice set of TOYO tires. We don’t want to add way too much weight to this vehicle, but there’s going to be so much that we could get…