4x4 Shorts
Description: The 720 pickup was Datsun's first foray into the 4-wheel drive mini-truck market in both long bed and extra-cab variants. It was introduced as a 1980 model and continued until 1986 when the Hardbody style (model D-21) was introduced as a 1986.5 model. Prior models of Datsun mini-trucks were the 521 and 620 which did not offer a 4-wheel drive option. The 720 featured an independent front suspension with torsion bar springs, a leaf spring live axle rear suspension, and a 4 cylinder engine displacing 2.0 liters at introduction, later enlarged to 2.4 liters. The manual transmission on the 720 drove a divorced transfer case that required extra clearance over a married setup. This resulted in the 720 4x4 models having a lifted look.
Description: Vehicle Engineering and Manufacturing Company (VEMCO) was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1976, when the company began performing 4x4 conversions on full size vans utilizing the Dana developed V-Drive 4x4 system. Built using a Twin I-Beam front suspension, V-Drive added the equivalent of a Dana 30 differential to each beam. Calling their conversions VX4, Vemco four-wheel drive vans had the plush suspension setup that was previously only afforded to passenger cars, and the 4x4 capability reserved for rugged off-roaders, but sadly, only 250 of these conversions were done, so they are rare to say the least.
Description: San Jose, California's Up-n-Down Off Road Center wasn't just another garage to get your truck lifted, rather a driving force in the early days of monster trucks. Of course, most of what they did was lift trucks and trick them out, but some of the monsters that these guys turned out are the stuff of legend.
Description: The Arkansas River passes through Tulsa, Oklahoma, offering fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding, while its downtown enjoys a world-renowned music and art scene. Tulsa is also within two hours of multiple four wheeling destinations, making epic day trip off-road adventures well within reach. Bubba 'Bub' Biggerson knew this and planted his shop, Bub’s 4WD, right in downtown Tulsa back in 1987. Offering a wide range of tires, wheels, and off-road road accessories, along with complete installation and customization services, Bub's was the go-to spot for off-road enthusiasts for the better part of 30-years.