Discount Tire Vehicle Build: RESQ1

Who would take a Sawzsall to the body of a perfectly good 4-door Jeep? Better yet, who would then keep cutting all the way through the frame of this perfectly good jeep? We would and actually, we've got a few industry friends that can't wait to get their hands on our vehicle as well.

We've teamed up with JP magazine, Off Road Evolution, Turn Key Engine Supply and a bunch of other great sponsors to build one of the meanest support rigs that the off road communities have ever seen. Its called RESQ1 and right now the build is in total overhaul mode. There is just THREE SHORT WEEKS until it's scheduled unvailing at Easter Jeep Safari 2013.

You've got to check this out!
Click on the concept image below to watch the entire build unfold. Enter your email to be notified of new updates and find out where RESQ1 can be seen in 2013.

 

New Video: http://www.dtcresq1.com/video/

 

Cool concept, but it's still a Jeep.

 

Some changes to RESQ1 may be in the works...

 

But still pretty cool

 

No need to be jealous Tim. Another dead thread bump.

 

That things sick.

 

Update:

Just before the 2014 JK Experience event we removed RESQ1's Utility bed along with the Miller Welder/generator/air compressor, tire changing machine and a bunch of tools. We then took a bed from a military trailer and narrowed it 7" to fit RESQ1. After a few beauty and functional touches (paint, mounting of some tools and installation of new rear tail lights) RESQ1 now weighs in at over 3300 lbs lighter. (Wahoo!!)

Now that RESQ1 is lighter it is a whole new machine on the trails. Here's a creative "Survivor Report" we put together after we returned from the Pacific Northwest JK Experience 2014 event.

For those wondering, RESQ1 will still have all of its cool tools, tire changer and welder but they will be towed behind on a trailer. (being built as we type)

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"SURVIVOR" REPORT:::
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Discount Tire RESQ1's Survivor Assessment - 2014 Off Road Evolution JK Experience Presented by Nitto Tire - Pacific Northwest Tour

Upon returning from the 2014 JK Experience we took RESQ1 for a much needed deep cleaning. We washed, and washed, and washed...and washed. Finally, the last few layers of the Pacific Northwest broke free and we took a step back to evaluate the damage. Here's what we found..

GUTS

Although RESQ1's overheating issues are a thing of the past, RESQ1's power plant couldn't have been happier to be in the cool temps of the Pacific Northwest. RESQ1 loved the crisp clean air and after dropping over 3,300lbs with the swap of a new bed, it acted like a spry new machine out on the trail. RESQ1's motor, cooling systems, drive train, and suspension suffered no damages during the event. We couldn't say the same last year so that's certainly a WIN!

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TIRES

RESQ1's 40" Nitto Trail Grapplers proved to be dominant over the Pacific Northwest terrain. There were many occasions where we found ourselves cringing as we slid into exposed tree roots and pushed through sharp rocks that wanted to cut our tire sidewalls. From deep rutted, slippery logging roads, to high mountain "moon rocks", then high desert sand dunes, and finally sandy Oregon beaches, our Nitto Trail Grapplers never let us down.
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INTERIOR

RESQ1's interior was relatively damage free unless you consider all the foreign objects that needed to be removed...
Cascade Dirt and Mud - Sticky and slippery when wet, loves to bury itself into anything fabric and clings onto anything metal and plastic as if its infused with some sort of gorilla tape. Although difficult to remove, with enough convincing (elbow grease, high pressure water, soap and time) we were able to rid our vehicle and personal belongings of it. That's not to say it was easy.


Moses Lake Sand - Not as fluffy as the southwest variety, it still somehow ended up in our ears, eyes and nose. After cleaning our own bodies we made sure to clean out the vents BEFORE we turned on the A/C or heater. (been there, done that) Nothing spoils your clean smile and dust free interior faster than turning on your dusty vents.


Moon Rocks? - Tan in color, a little like grit from a piece of 80 grit sandpaper... Looks something like this in its natural environment.


Beef, Trail Mix, Wasabi chips, nuts - If you have kids you might find french fries, raisins, cheerios and crackers... We found pieces of beef jerky, traces of trail mix, some odd flavored potato chips and a few corn nuts. With about two dozen fuel stops, road snacks found their way into every seam of the interior. Luckily no snacks are permanently affixed to the interior after a good vacuuming.

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RECOVERY GEAR

Our WARN winch pulled RESQ1 out of a bind twice on the trip. Once when we decided to partake in a little Pacific Northwest lumber jacking....


...and once when we tried to follow Mel Wade down into a deep mud hole; even after watching two others get winched out.

After re-spooling the cable and cleaning out the mud, our WARN winch is ready for more.
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EXTERIOR

So lets just start by saying... there were a lot of trees - A LOT.
Hardtop - A few deep scratches and one decent tree kiss to the upper rear driver side corner...Maybe its time for a soft top.


New Bed - Tire rub took the paint clean off in a few spots and one particular mud hole pinched RESQ1's passenger side rear fender in toward the tire. A stout tree branch was the perfect tool for the fix.


Truck-Lite Military Tail Lights - We can't fault the lights for their location on RESQ1 but we can fault our drivers, to some extent, for smashing them. With the number of three-point turns RESQ1 had to make while threading through the pines, it was inevitable that we'd touch a blind tree or two. Our lack of a rear window didn't help our drivers either. Our next set of rear Truck-Lites will likely be mounted flush with a tail gate.


Cab/Body - Did we mention how many trees there are in the Pacific Northwest!? Yes we did but we didn't mention how close they are together.... Ok, add rain to an off camber heavily treed 4x4 trail and what do you get? Two front doors with dents from the side mirrors getting squished. Hind sight is 20/20. Yes, we should have removed the mirrors... but hey, if we're thinking about a soft top, we should be thinking about 1/2 doors too right?


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FINAL ASSESSMENT & THOUGHTS

When can we do it again?
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END REPORT