Could you / Would you run in the TTC?

Would / Could you enter the Top Truck Challenge?

  • Yes

    Votes: 13 72.2%

  • No

    Votes: 5 27.8%
  • Total voters
    18
McCracken

McCracken

Logan Can't See This
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Location
With your mom at a nice seafood dinner
As I grew up and before the age of the internet there were these things called magazines. One in particular holds an annual competition for trucks. One would say this competition tries to determine who the Top Truck is. I started working on my current pile around 2000-2001. I got started on the IFSJA.org website and I came here and it was terrible so I left. At the time not many people (that I knew) wheeled fullsize jeeps and I always wanted to be the first to put in for TTC entry but I decided college, women and beer was a better investment at the time. Then came John Cappa in the Hot Dog J-10 :shaking:. Then a year or two later was the Waggy on 52s o_O So I guess my dream is never going to happen. Oh well, life goes on.

Now to get to the point, for a couple of years I've been thinking about throwing my hat in the ring to see if I get chosen. Is my jeep anything special? Hell no. It's got the original motor and the rest is Chevy 1 ton stuff. I upgraded a couple of things but nothing that'll make your jaw drop. A few years back a guy on pirate by the name of poorboy won. What was his drivetrain? Chevy 1 ton stuff with CTMs on 46s. So it got me thinking, why not? I've got 43s :flipoff2:

So would you? Could you (and by could you I mean could you hang)? Don't talk about gas prices and travel. Just yes or no...I could / would. From my understanding they only had 31 entries this year. So right now seems like the right time to throw down. Please don't think that I think I'm awesome. My pile is just that, a pile but I think Commie-fornia would be a nice place to visit with my pile. If you got voted in at least you'd get a t-shirt :lol:
 
I have no interest in going through those water traps or the log jam obstacle. I haven't seen one since the guy from sc took a yellow jeep there.
 
I too have been a fan of magazine events and such as far back as I can remember. I'd love to run it one day and feel I stand a pretty good fighting chance except for maybe the tank trap lol. The Ultimate Adventure on the other hand... Bring it! Anytime! I'm ready
 
I much preferred the Real Truck Challenge and UA when the buggies took over TTC. Those events seemed more realistic and proving of a rig's capabilities instead of a singular challenge purpose-built truck. When I say that, I think back to the K10 on linked mog's, full exo cage, and a huge propane tank where the bed used to be. It was parted out immediately after TTC.
 
Now is a good time if you are going to enter. Since they changed the comp to not allow buggies, the entries have dropped. Also, Id want bigger tires for those water holes.

I say go for it, but you better have every part as a spare and plenty of prep. If it stays like last year, 2 of the events favor someone that doesnt just do mud.

I personally would rather do UA, but I would love to have the money for a TTC/Mega truck sitting at the house.
 
maulcruiser said:
I much preferred the Real Truck Challenge and UA when the buggies took over TTC. Those events seemed more realistic and proving of a rig's capabilities instead of a singular challenge purpose-built truck. When I say that, I think back to the K10 on linked mog's, full exo cage, and a huge propane tank where the bed used to be. It was parted out immediately after TTC.
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I thought they had two divisions or classes now. Trucks & buggies. In order to be considered in the truck class you had to have the original frame and body or something along those lines.

I don't know if it's a dream anymore. It used to be because that was the biggest stage. Now there's all kinds of desert racing, hill challenges and rock races. I just look at it as, why not? It's kind of like when you were in high school and didn't want to ask the hot cheerleader out. All she can say is no. They already have the voting going on this year so the way I see it I've got a year to make a snorkel, find 200 more horsepower and waterproof my amp so I don't lose the stereo in the tank trap.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
Now is a good time if you are going to enter. Since they changed the comp to not allow buggies, the entries have dropped. Also, Id want bigger tires for those water holes.

I say go for it, but you better have every part as a spare and plenty of prep. If it stays like last year, 2 of the events favor someone that doesnt just do mud.

I personally would rather do UA, but I would love to have the money for a TTC/Mega truck sitting at the house.
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I hate mud. Really. I figure if a man was to stay in the middle of the pack he'd have a fighting chance. Also, Shannon Campbell competed on 42s and from what I gather on pirate the larger tires don't help all that much.
 
Back in 2010 I entered for the TTC for fun. Was very surprised when I received a call in March of that year that I had made the top 50. Must have only had 51 enter that year lol. But just having my pile in the magazine was enough for me. I did send 10 ballots in just to see if I would get voted in, even though I wouldn't have been able to afford that trip let alone compete with the trucks that did make it that year. Still was worth a shot.
 
TTC has never been my thing. The last few years it just seems to be purpose built rigs that would get a lot of attention at 'Big Gay Truck Land' aka mud pits the rest of the year. Half the junk that ends up in that event just seems gargantuan and dumb. Just not something I would sink money into. But if you wanna do it and have the means, throw your name in the hat and let us know. I'm sure a few of us would throw in $5.95 to buy an issue and vote for you in hopes we see pictures/video of you beating the ever living hell out of your rig.

Now Ultimate Adventure, that is something I would build a rig for if I had the means. Its something I've always wanted to do. Even this event is just becoming an excuse for vendors to buy in and show off their products, though. All about dat $$$.

Tim Hardy's Sammi is 100% the spirit of the event IMO. Take a well tested trail rig, pack it with your gear and head out on the road. I still get the urge to pull my sammi tub and frame out of the woods behind the shop and put it together when I see pics of this thing.
aimage.fourwheeler.com_f_69459596_w660_h440_q80_re0_cr1_ar0_tim_hardy_suzuki_samurai.jpg
 
He's been rocking that Zuk forever! I love that he's kept the hammered appearance.

McCracken said:
I thought they had two divisions or classes now. Trucks & buggies. In order to be considered in the truck class you had to have the original frame and body or something along those lines.
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I honestly have no clue what they do now. I stopped following it when I couldn't even afford one of the tires these guys were running, much less build something that could even be competitive.
 
I think (if you accept) they will give you a set of tires from Mickey Thompson. I believe they are in the 46" flavor. If I ever did make it I think I'll just keep rocking the 43s. I'm used to them and know the limitations. Plus I'm afraid I'd snap something a lot quicker.
 
A lot of this year's entries look like pretty simple, home built rigs. There are a few that are over the top, but not as many as in years past. I do see a few that have $10,000+ motors, but to each his own.

I liked a few years back when the 60s model 'Burb on 44s won. It was simple and proven and it worked! I say give it a shot. If I had a truck I felt like beating the pure hell out of and was big enough to fit some bigger tires under, I might would give it a shot. I just feel like my K30 would need to be much more flexible (I'd still run leaf springs though), I would need 44s or bigger, and I'd need to pipe some 4" pipe off the turbo for a snorkel. Otherwise, I feel like I could do fairly well. It has a solid drivetrain, plenty of gearing, and wouldn't starve for fuel. I'd HATE to do the frame twister or tank trap though.
 
I'd still run them. I'd just need something better than the stock rear 10 leaf pack and some 4" Tuff Country front springs.
 
And why can't we do a more local TTC event? Or better yet, a local UA event?
I've gone wheeling with Mid Carolina Jeepers a lot over the years and most trips are somewhat UA based which I absolutely love! 4 days, 3 locations is about the biggest I've done so far. Nothing short of epic. Can't wait wait to get out and do it again with an even bigger group! Let's do it!
@97tjguzzy is the man for planning these trips.
 
Once I get my Junk finished I'd be all over a "NC4X4 Mo Better and Mo Fun Than an Ultimate Adventure" adventure, but alas.... Who knows when that will be.


...... but back on point, Hey if it's something you've wanted to do and you have the means..... Have at it!!! I know I would!
 
Mine could probably hang w a little work but I wouldn't have chance at winning.
 
I would never run the TTC.

Top two reasons:
1) I live on the East coast, and the event is held on the West coast
2) Tank traps (I do not own an amphibious vehicle)

When I first got into wheeling back in 2002, I thought the TTC was cool. After a few years, I began to think it was lame, and haven't bothered to follow it or read about it for probably 8 years now.


I would love to attend an UA type event on the East coast one day, but I would not participate unless tow rigs can be used between sites. Neither of my rigs are street legal anymore.
 
drkelly said:
I would never run the TTC.

Top two reasons:
1) I live on the East coast, and the event is held on the West coast
2) Tank traps (I do not own an amphibious vehicle)

When I first got into wheeling back in 2002, I thought the TTC was cool. After a few years, I began to think it was lame, and haven't bothered to follow it or read about it for probably 8 years now.


I would love to attend an UA type event on the East coast one day, but I would not participate unless tow rigs can be used between sites. Neither of my rigs are street legal anymore.
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I feel the exact same. It would be much more realistic being able to tow vehicle from place to place.
Not many, if anyone actually drives a rig on tons and 39's or bigger back and forth to wheeling destinations, it's just not practical or smart.

Considering the price of tires, fuel, damage to high strength items like ujoints without needle bearings, it's a pretty dumb thing to do.

I would like to do it if towing from place to place were an option.
 
Mac5005 said:
I would like to do it if towing from place to place were an option.
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Purpose = defeated
I'll drive mine anywhere and everywhere and built it specifically for stuff like this. Not everyone's cup of tea but for me its all about the pleasure of being an independent builder.
 
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