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Our Favorite 4x4s From SEMA

After a while it is easy for your eyes to glaze over after walk past rows of trucks, each trying to outdo each other with a taller lift, more LED light bars, and larger diameter rims. How do you create something that stands out at the SEMA Show? At least for the author, you build something that is functional and not just an expensive, rolling piece of art. If you can’t hop in the vehicle after the show and use for some purpose other than turning heads, it isn’t very practical. Now “practical” is subjective, as 750 horsepower in a flatfender Jeep isn’t practical either, but it is awesome! Other things that rate high with us include race trucks and barn finds. At the SEMA Show this year, these are the 4x4s that caught our attention thus far. American Force wheels had a clever display with a giant pile of sand sculpted into a truck over the course of the SEMA Show. American Force wheels had a clever display with a giant pile of sand sculpted into a truck over the course of the SEMA Show. AEV brings a new vehicle to the SEMA Show Every year AEV brings a new vehicle to the SEMA Show that stands out from the crowd. This year was no exception, as they built a Ram 2500 pickup with a trayback and a 3-inch lift that fits 41-inch tall tires under it. The truck is powered by a 6.7L diesel engine backed by a manual transmission. Willys does Would you go 180 mph in an open Jeep with no roll cage? The owner of this Willys does, as evident by videos on 1320video.com. An LSX engine is stuffed under the hood, with a Procharger that is so big the fender had to be cut out to fit it. If that wasn’t enough, the Jeep is spraying a huge shot of nitrous as well. Nitro Axle and Gear Nitro Axle and Gear brought their Jeep-based rock buggy out, complete with traveling rocks to show off the suspension flex. The buggy is powered by an LS V8 engine to spin 40-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers and has polished aluminum third members in the Spidertrax axle housings. Every year Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road builds a vehicle to take on their Ultimate Adventure. This year they turned this old diesel truck into an expedition rig with a military trailer for a bed and 40-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers. Every year Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road builds a vehicle to take on their Ultimate Adventure. This year they turned this old diesel truck into an expedition rig with a military trailer for a bed and 40-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers. Warn brought this clean CJ-3B “high hood” to show off their new line of Zeon Platinum winches. These winches use wireless remotes that not only spool the cable in and out, but also allow you to unlock the clutch and free spool the winch remotely as well. Warn brought this clean CJ-3B “high hood” to show off their new line of Zeon Platinum winches. These winches use wireless remotes that not only spool the cable in and out, but also allow you to unlock the clutch and free spool the winch remotely as well. Toyota paid homage to their racing history by placing the new Tundra they are racing in the Stock Full Class at this year’s Baja 1000 next to Ivan Stewart’s championship winning T100. The Ironman’s won 34 races with Toyota, including an incredible 17 Baja 500 victories. Toyota paid homage to their racing history by placing the new Tundra they are racing in the Stock Full Class at this year’s Baja 1000 next to Ivan Stewart’s championship winning T100. The Ironman’s won 34 races with Toyota, including an incredible 17 Baja 500 victories. Legacy Classic Trucks had both a Power Wagon pickup and a panel wagon in the show this year. The truck (seen here) was in the Rancho/Dynomax booth. Legacy has made a name for themselves by retrofitting modern diesel drivetrains into classic trucks with show winning attention to detail. Legacy Classic Trucks had both a Power Wagon pickup and a panel wagon in the show this year. The truck (seen here) was in the Rancho/Dynomax booth. Legacy has made a name for themselves by retrofitting modern diesel drivetrains into classic trucks with show winning attention to detail. There are not a lot of Mercedes Gelenvagens at the SEMA Show, and there is only one with portal axles under it. LeTech showed off the amazing ground clearance of this vehicle in front of the South Hall. Their booth had more portal axles in it that we will share with you in the near future. There are not a lot of Mercedes Gelenvagens at the SEMA Show, and there is only one with portal axles under it. LeTech showed off the amazing ground clearance of this vehicle in front of the South Hall. Their booth had more portal axles in it that we will share with you in the near future.
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