Project Crawlorado – Build Update #1
Long days and long nights, neglecting family and friends and banished to the fab shop as he slaves away on his latest project build. While those may or may not be the words from Kevin Stearns of Pacific Fabrication, I’m sure that sentiment has crossed the crew’s mind as they overhaul this year’s Ultimate Adventure entry to represent BDS Suspension. If you haven’t heard how this build came together check out the UA Winner! article and find out more about the plans at Crawlorado build plans. With less than 2 months to complete the transformation (all the while managing the shop’s day to day business), the crew at Pacific Fabrication set out to tear down their shop truck, a timid looking beige 2011 Chevy Colorado with a healthy 5.3L V8 under the hood. The stock suspension, steering, axles and bumpers were pulled to prep for the new components. From there measurements were taken and calls were…
Congrats to the Navy Offroad Team for finishing the Mexican 1000!
Congratulations are in order for the Navy Offroad team of wounded warriors and disabled veterans who competed in the 2015 Mexican 1000 late last month. This NORRA sanctioned event brings out big names in offroad racing and vehicles of all makes and budgets. With a team of motivated veterans they set out months ago to resurrect the historic Flyer One military buggy (aka LSV or Light Strike Vehicle) for competition and finished with an impressive 32nd overall and 6th out of 11 in their Class. Retired Admiral Mike Shatynski and retired Navy SEAL Tim King piloted Flyer One and ran flawlessly over the 1335 miles of unforgiving Baja terrain ranging from rocky hill climbs to rambling sand trails and river fords to bottomless silt. Mike Shatynski mentioned how the buildup to and the race itself meant so much to the team members.  He added that racing 1000 miles down the Baja peninsula was the closest thing…
PowerNation Truck Tech: Watch them convert a 2WD Jeep to 4WD
If you’re a fan of PowerNation (formerly PowerBlock) like we are this weekend’s episode will be one to watch or record on your DVR. Truck Tech airs on Spike TV, NBC Sports, and CBS Sports this weekend Ryan is taking you through the swap to build up a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2WD by converting it to the proper 4WD so its ready for trail use. Along with the Rubicrawler reduction box and stock NP241 t-case, this Jeep gets love from a new front axle, BDS long arm system, Fox shocks, Nitto tires, KMC Enduro beadlocks and more. Check out the episode online, the parts list and more at http://powernationtv.com/episode/TT2015-08/wrangler-re-do-2wd-to-4wd or watch it on TV or Roku.
Project Crawlorado – BDS 2015 Ultimate Adventure Rig Build Plans
Project Crawlorado, dreamt up by the guys are Pacific Fabrication and BDS Suspension. If you haven’t read how the project came to be, head back and read the last article, 2015 UA vehicle winner.  The plan Pacific Fabrication is getting started on the tear down and will be overhauling the 2011 Chevy Colorado 4WD over the next few months leading up to the Ultimate Adventure this summer. The midsize truck has a full-size 5.3L V8 putting out 300hp/320tq stock. Pacific Fabrication specializes in GM-powertrain upgrades so this truck is sure to be a screamer. The stock engine and tranny will be backed up by a Off-Road Design Magnum T-Case sending power to a pair of Dynatrac 60s, running 4.88 gears and lockers. Suspension under this Colorado will be modified BDS JK 4-link long arm up front with BDS coils, JKS ACOS adjustable spacers to dial in the ride height and Fox 2.5 remote resi shocks.…
BDS F250 takes on Moab, UT
After a long haul across country for Easter Jeep Safari, the BDS hit the trail for the annual Fullsize Invasion to show the big trucks aren’t scared to wheel out in Moab. While it isn’t as nimble as a short wheelbase rig or as capable with open diffs, where’s something to say for pushing the limits how what a rig can do regardless of what that limit is. After several months of development and testing in the BDS R&D shop we were impressed with the performance of the suspension. The Fox coilovers and shocks accented the BDS 4-link system for a planted suspension out on the trail, capable of hard cornering and improved articulation. The coilovers soaked up the bumps and harsh terrain like it was nothing giving us a chance for some high speed passes. For the Full-size Invasion this year we ran Golden Spike Trail out across the crack and then…
BDS Project Slate Goes Up For Sale
After 2 years of faithful service BDS is selling Project Slate, our workhorse 2013 RAM 3500. While its served us valiantly over the last couple years as a show hauler, promo truck, and test mule for new product development and show, its time to let this late model Cummins go and bring on the next project. We bought this truck new back in 2013; one of the RAM HDs equipped with the new radius arm front suspension. It gave us a leg up in the development and first-to-market releases of 2” leveling and 4”, 6”, and 8” suspension lifts for the late model RAMs. In Fall of 2013 the decision was made to transform this into the bad ass show piece it is today. Within 4 short weeks the truck was transformed into Project Slate and shown at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas (watch the buildup videos). After hauling our…