2008 Jeep JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited

The Wolford family of Cache Valley, Utah, has been backcountry exploring for generations. Two of the off-roading Wolfords are father Al and son Tim. Al has a 2008 JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited and Tim owns a 2006 TJ Unlimited. Both vehicles have been to Mount Logan Off-Road, where the staff worked their magic and turned both vehicles into competent backcountry explorers.

Follow along and you'll get an idea of how competent they are...

Al's JK
Al Wolford purchased a brand new 2008 JK Rubicon Unlimited with 3.8L V-6, overdrive automatic tranny, Rock-Trac transfer case with 4.0:1 low range, Dana 44 front and rearends with electric locking differentials, and power everything. He immediately took the JK to Mount Logan so they could build the JK.

While 44s are good, 60s are better. Al had a pair of Currie Enterprises Rock Jock high-pinion 60 front and rearends delivered to the shop for installation. The Rock Jocks both have 5.38 gears and Detroit Lockers. Al has mentioned many times how he enjoys not having to remember to switch his lockers on and off. A PSC ram-assist steering system keeps effort down, on street or trail. Mount Logan installed a Rancho long arm JK suspension and Walker Evans Racing adjustable reservoir shocks. The Rancho system uses radius arms up front and an innovative rear long arm/wishbone setup. The JK with this suspension clears 37x12.50R17LT Cooper Discoverer STT tires mounted on 17x8 Walker Evans Racing beadlocks, and performs very well.

For armor, an Expedition One rear bumper with tire carrier was installed. The Expedition One design is strong and, while it has a swingaway arm to carry the spare off the body, only requires the unlatching of the tailgate to open. Rock Slide Engineering rocker guards keep rocks at bay and a Teraflex front bumper carries a Warn PowerPlant HD 12,000-pound winch. The PowerPlant's air compressor works very well for air needs in the backcountry.

Al ditched the OE top in favor of an Off-Road Heroes top. The innovative top uses the roll cage for the frame and is slanted in the rear so maneuvering through trees is easier. At Al's request, Off-Road Heroes built rear panels with no windows so he can scrape through the forest and keep soft windows scratch-free.

Before selling the business to his sons, Al owned Wolford's Collision in Logan, Utah. Wolford's gets calls for backcountry extractions and towing all the time and Al loves to go into the mountains on rescue jobs. Interior bags and pouches carry everything he needs to pull off even the most extreme vehicle rescues and extractions.

Al's JK does everything he asks of it. From backcountry rescue missions to exploring, it's comfortable and competent. The other plus to this build is that Al seldom trailers his JK to the trail. He drives it on the highway, does the trail, then, drives home.

Pretty cool.