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Four Wheeler magazine was the first, and is the oldest, magazine for the 4x4 and off-road pickup truck and SUV enthusiast. The first issue was published in February 1962, and in 2012, the internationally read magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary. Four Wheeler focuses on new-vehicle evaluations, project vehicles, the technical aspects of building a vehicle (such as how to install aftermarket accessories and do complete engine swaps), product tests, outdoor equipment and machines, 4x4 shows and competitions, and travel and adventure.

History
The idea of Four Wheeler first came up at a meeting of the California State Association of 4WD Clubs, when the would-be editor shared his thoughts with those gathered. He later sent out a subscription advertisement, and the first subscriber was based in Utah.

Four Wheeler has been responsible for spotlighting many issues and affecting change when it comes to topics of concern to the 4x4 enthusiast such as land closures, lift and aftermarket-equipment laws, and fuel-economy mandates. In the 1980s and 1990s the controversies reported on the television shows “60 Minutes” and “Dateline” about the Jeep CJ-5 and Isuzu Trooper’s stability and handling were also covered in the magazine.

Four Wheeler has always been first to showcase cutting-edge vehicles, whether ones built by the readers or new factory pickups and SUVs from domestic and foreign automakers. The magazine has also highlighted various trends in the four-wheel-drive world, including ones that have withstood the test of time and others that lasted mere months. These include the rise of dune buggies to the birth of four-wheel-drive vans and SUVs. Other trends followed on the pages have been the popularity of diesel engines, alternative fuels, bigger tires, suspension lift kits, fuel injection, and “smart” technology such as computers and safety equipment. The August 2011 issue of Four Wheeler pointed to the continuing trend of street-legal, daily-drivable Jeeps on the trail in place of the more heavily modified, built-from-the-ground-up rock rigs.

Four Wheeler is published monthly by Source Interlink Media. It is distributed in 23 foreign countries, plus Canada.

Event Coverage
In addition to holding its own popular annual event called Top Truck Challenge, Four Wheeler has filled its pages with legendary off-road events, races, and club activities.

Motorsports has played a big part in Four Wheeler’s history, with the magazine actively reporting on off-road races such as SCORE and the Baja 500 and 1000. In the February 1974 issue, Four Wheeler had the story of its own win in the Baja 1000 while driving a Toyota Land Cruiser. Four Wheeler has also covered competitive rockcrawling, such as the ARCA series, the Camel Trophy, and events such as mud bogging, noncompetitive rockcrawling, tough-truck racing, truck pulls with weighted sleds, monster truck races, and Jamborees.

Auto shows have also been written about in the magazine, including the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which is a popular place for automakers to reveal all-new vehicles, and the annual SEMA Show, in which aftermarket companies display new products ranging from exhaust to wheels.

Top Truck Challenge
The first Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge took place in 1993, and the event, also called TTC, is held at the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area near Hollister, California. The original concept was to test the engineering capabilities of 4x4 vehicles, and it remains the case today, inviting readers “who own ‘the world’s best four wheeler’ to put up or shut up: Take us up on our Top Truck Challenge—the search for the best truck—and send in an entry,” as the February 1994 issue stated.

Although competitors are now selected by Four Wheeler readers, that process didn’t actually begin until 1995. Competition vehicles no longer needed to also be street legal starting with the 2004 Top Truck Challenge. Over the years, the challenges have included an obstacle course, a mini Rubicon trail, and the Tank Trap. In 2012, Four Wheeler held the first-ever Top Truck Champions’ Challenge, pitting Top Truck Challenge Grand Champions against one another for ultimate bragging rights. Segments from Top Truck Challenge can be seen regularly on television on the Outdoor Channel.

Top Truck Challenge Winners

2011 Truck Class: Steven Montpas, ’49 Willys pickup; Buggy Class: Alex Sanders, ’08 homemade buggy

2010 Truck Class: Jason Gray, ’75 GMC pickup; Buggy Class: Mike Karwath, ’09 Sigma

2009 David Green,’04 homemade tube buggy

2008 Clayton Kraatz,’06 Evolution Warthog; Jeremy Naeger, ’03 Avalanche buggy

2007 Matt Thorson, ’00 Jeep Wrangler

2006 Brent Burton, ’97 Jeep Wrangler

2005 Jerry Duffy, ’81 Jeep CJ-8

2004 Brad Austin, ’91 Jeep Wrangler

2003 Toby Harrell, ’75 Chevy Blazer

2002 John Reynolds, ’73 Ford Bronco

2001 Brian Waddell, ’72 Chevy Suburban

2000 Sam Patton, ’84 Jeep CJ-7

1999 Grady McLeod, ’48 Willys CJ-2A

1998 Heath Biggs, Scorpion MK1

1997 Geby Wager, ’86 Jeep CJ-7

1996 ’47 Willys, CJ-2A replica

1995 Randy Ellis, ’80 Jeep CJ-5

1994 Anthony Fox, ’79 Jeep CJ-5

1993 Jim Piatt, ’84 Jeep CJ-7

Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year
Annually, Four Wheeler hands out two prestigious awards to automakers of new 4x4s, Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year. As voted on by the editors, it is a rigorous competition that began in 1974 with the Four Wheeler Achievement Award, given to the 1974 Jeep Cherokee. In 1988, pickup trucks were separated into the own contest. Vehicles are evaluated in categories such as off-road performance, highway performance, mechanical and empirical data, interior, and exterior. The 2012 competitions took place over five days and 1,000 miles, and had a panel of seven judges.

Combining the past 60 competitions of both Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year, the title has been awarded to 13 different manufacturers, with Jeep and Dodge/Ram tied with 10 trophies each. No manufacturer has won both Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year in the same year. In 2012, Motor Trend magazine included a behind the scenes look at the Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year competitions in an episode of “The Downshift” on the Motor Trend YouTube channel.

Winners of Four Wheeler of the Year

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland WK2

2010 Toyota 4Runner Trail

2009 Nissan Xterra Off-Road

2008 Hummer H3 Alpha

2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JK

2006 Toyota Land Cruiser

2005 Volkswagen Touareg V-10 TDI

2004 Lexus GX470 (w/Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System)

2003 Lexus GX470

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland ZJ

2001 Nissan Pathfinder

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ

1998 Dodge Durango

1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ

1995 Land Rover Discovery

1994 Land Rover Defender 90

1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ

1992 Chevrolet K1500 Blazer

1991 Ford Explorer two-door

1990 Ford Explorer

1989 Range Rover

1988 Chevrolet K1500

1987 Nissan Pathfinder

1986 Jeep Comanche

1985 Toyota SR5

1984 Jeep Cherokee XJ

1983 Chevrolet S-Blazer

1982 Dodge Power Ram 50

1981 Toyota SR5

1980 Ford Bronco

1979 Chevrolet LUV

1978 Ford Bronco

1977 Dodge Macho Power Wagon

1976 International Harvester Traveler

1975 Chevrolet Blazer

1974 Jeep Cherokee

Winners of Pickup Truck of the Year

2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

2010 Ram Power Wagon

2009 Hummer H3T

2008 Ford Super Duty FX4

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71

2006 Dodge Ram TRX4

2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon

2004 Nissan Titan

2003 GMC Sierra Quadrasteer

2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab

2001 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD

2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab

1999 Chevrolet Silverado Z71

1998 Toyota Tacoma XtraCab TRD

1997 Dodge Dakota Club Cab

1996 Toyota Tacoma XtraCab

1995 Ford F-250 SuperCab Power Stroke

1994 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2

1993 Ford Ranger SuperCab

1992 Dodge Dakota Club Cab

1991 GMC K2500 HD

1990 Mitsubishi Mighty Max

Taglines
Ever since Four Wheeler debuted in February 1962, the magazine has featured a tagline on its cover to speak to the content of the magazine. The taglines give insight into the ever-changing interests of readers and the trends in the 4x4 market. Therefore, as the industry and trends changed over the years, so did Four Wheeler’s tagline. As of 2012, the tagline is “The World’s Leading 4x4 Authority.”

Taglines Through the Years

The Magazine of Back Country Driving & Camping

The Magazine of Back Country Cars

The Magazine of Four-Wheel Drive Cars

America’s Leading Off Road Magazine

The World’s Leading Four Wheel Drive Magazine

The Magazine of Off Road Vehicles Combined with Sport Buggies

Everyone’s Off Road Magazine

The Original Since 1962

Editors
John Cappa: 2011-present

Douglas McColloch: 2005-2011

Jon Thompson: 2000-2005

Mark Williams: 1999-2000

John Stewart: 1986-1999

David M. Cohen: 1986

Rich Johnson (Senior Editor): 1984-1985

Dianne Jacob (Executive Editor): 1983-1984

Julian G. Schmidt: 1982

Dennis Adler: 1980-1981

Bill Sanders: 1971-1979 and 1981-1982

Lou Kjose: 1971

Robert Leif: 1969

Robert Ames: 1963-1971

Granville King
One of the most popular Four Wheeler writers was Granville King. He was Four Wheeler’s Baja correspondent form 1984 until the time of his death in 1989. He wrote a variety of stories for Four Wheeler, including his “From the Backcountry” series, which was an account of a life devoid of many modern trappings, but filled with backcountry adventures and mechanical tips.

Books
Four Wheeler Chassis & Suspension Handbook (2004) (ISBN 9780760318157)