Four Wheeler – October 2019

fourwheeler.com FOUR WHEELER OCTOBER 2019 63

1-2. Though it persevered through many thumps,

bangs, and scrapes, and clung to the frame by one

fastener and two cable ties, the factory plastic bum-

per’s life finally came to an end. GenRight Off Road’s

aluminum rear bumper matched our raw aluminum

color scheme and also increased the Jeep’s departure

angle—while still weighing significantly less than

similar steel options.

3-4. After removing the stock hardware and recovery

points, we drilled mounting holes into the framerails

according to GenRight’s detailed instructions.

5-6. We coaxed the bumper onto the framerails using

a plastic dead-blow, inserted the two recovery points

into their respective slots, and tightened the included

hardware down to the recommended torque spec.

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Lastly, since many of the Jeep’s travels take
place without a hardtop or doors, we needed
to organize and protect our cargo from the
elements. Smittybilt’s GEAR Trail Bag and its
three divided compartments made easy work
of keeping the pots and pans separated from
the socks and jackets. The only way to improve
on the GEAR Trail Bag was to seal it in a
90L waterproof Dry Duffel from Stuffsack.
com—no amount of rain, dust, mud, or snow
can make it past the welded rubber seals; ask
us how we know.

Debrief

We’ve logged over 2,000 topless, doorless

miles in the Jeep since its completion, and we

can safely say that all of our goals were met.

The Dynatrac ProRock44 front axle and JKS

coilovers replaced a suspension setup that

was once stressed by mere residential railroad

crossings. Now it can support a full payload of

expedition gear while cantering down rough

trails and articulate impressively when tasked

with rockcrawling lines. Spotting backwoods

campsites after dark in the rain has never been

easier with the array of KC lights, and the

sPOD continues to keep our Jeep’s accessory

wiring unbelievably simple. Whether explor-

ing the backcountry for three days or bouncing

through a grisly garden of obstacles, we are

prepared with the tools to keep our tires aired

down and biting, gas tank fully fueled and ar-

mored, and gear for cooking camp meals safe

and organized. Keep an eye out for this Jeep as

we continue to explore the trails and backroads

of the United States—and beyond.