Four Wheeler
'''Four Wheeler''' was the first, and is the oldest, magazine for the 4x4 and off-road 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.
Four Wheeler is published monthly by Source Interlink Media and headquartered in El Segundo, California[1].
History
The idea of Four Wheeler magazine first came up at a California State Association of 4WD clubs meeting, when the 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 came to topics of concern to the 4x4 enthusiast such as land closures, lift laws, fuel-economy mandates, and automaker bailouts. The magazine also covered on its pages 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.
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 such as General Motors, Dodge and Ram, Ford, Toyota, Jeep, Suzuki, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Hummer, and Nissan.
Four Wheeler has also highlighted various trends in the four-wheel-drive world throughout its history, 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 magazines pages have been the popularity of diesel engines, alternative fuels, bigger tires, suspension lift kits, fuel injection, “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.
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 will 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, rockcrawling, tough-truck racing, Full Pull 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 show 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 Outdoor Channel.
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.
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[2] 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.
Over the past 60 competitions, including 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 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 channel.
Recipients of the awards are:
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
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
Four Wheeler 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.”
Over the years the taglines have included:
- 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
Books
- Four Wheeler Chassis & Suspension Handbook (2004) (ISBN 9780760318157)
External Links
References
- ^ "Audit Bureau of Circulations". Audit Bureau of Circulations. Retrieved 12/31/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Arellano. "Jeep Wrangler Rubicon wins Four Wheeler's 4×4 of the Decade Award". automotive.com. Retrieved January 7, 2010.