TREAD March/April 2025

The New year has already been a wild ride and it’s only going to get better! Yes it’s still snowy, wet and cold up here in Idaho, but there are plenty of adventures to get into and pla ces to explore in the warmer parts of the world. Our March/April issue has something for everyone in it. You will find coverage from SEMA and the Rodeo X King Shocks Toy drive, a few special features from overland cooking to off-road towing, and much more. You’ll meet Dillon and his overland Porsche, Garrett’s 2013 Mazzulla Silverado, Brady Taylor’s Bison build, and a family’s passion-built Willy’s. We’ve also got an update on the TREAD Edition Tacoma and a tech install on a wicked front bumper from Body Armor 4x4. And don’t forget…

01. FULLRIVER BATTERY FT438-UTR Modern off-road vehicles require more from batteries than ever before. Increased power demands from more powerful engines, winches, light bars, GPS, audio systems along with higher levels of vibration, mean a standard starting battery is no longer sufficient. Fullriver batteries are an option for Baja trucks, UTVs, side-by-sides, monster trucks, military vehicles, and more. MSRP $248 fullriverbattery.com 02. AFE MOMENTUM GT COLD AIR INTAKE SYSTEM W/ PRO 5R FILTER Momentum’s unique filter-to-housing interface was built to feature the largest air filter possible. This 8-inch tall, pre-oiled 360-degree radial flow air filter features a 4-inch flange and AFE’s pre-oiled Pro 5R media with five layers of progressively finer cotton gauze media for maximum performance. Its inverted top and large surface area provide much longer life between maintenance…

01. GERBER GEAR BUSHCRAFT AXE Surviving in the wild takes knowledge, keen awareness, and tools you can depend on. Gear that multitasks is key when every ounce is accounted for. The Bushcraft Axe addresses two primary needs: starting fire and building shelter. The ergonomic design reduces weight and improves grip for long-haul use, and the blade features machined relief for deeper cuts. Yet, the genius is in what you can’t see: two gear storage compartments that are water-resistant and can house paracord and a mini size lighter (or fire starting material). MSRP: $90 gerbergear.com 02. JACKERY EXPLORER 1500 PORTABLE POWER STATION The Jackery Explorer 1500 brings power that is stable and safe, with 1534Wh capacity, 1800W AC outputs, and fast recharging efficiency, which will run up to seven appliances at…

We are making more progress on the TREAD Edition Tacoma! Last time, you saw us finish up by installing the new Body Armor 4X4 topper. Since then, we have made a few more changes. I was sick of just having a plain white Tacoma, so it was finally time to get with Jaden Andersen of Andersen Printing. Jaden took a few measurements and had the layout finished in no time. He got it printed, and it was time to pull the truck in to de-badge it and get the wrap installed. All I can say is WOW! Jaden really knocked it out of the park with this one. This topo style design really brought the truck to life and lets you see where we are headed with the final vision…

Dillon Houck isn’t new to doing things differently. He started competing in robotics with his older sister Emily when they were only 12 and 13. They later co-founded a media company at the ages of 16 and 17 that they still operate today. So when he dove head-first into the overlanding community to learn how he wanted to build his next project, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the path would be… unique. Dillon’s love for life on the road was instilled early. The Houck family moved full-time into a 34-foot RV for nearly two years, traveling the country doing ministry and consulting work when Emily and Dillon were only 3 and 4 respectively. “We saw over 20 states and went to Mexico a handful of times before I…

As we all know, upgrading the front bumper on these newer rigs is a must. Getting rid of the flimsy plastic front bumper on the TREAD Edition Tacoma and upgrading it with Body Armor 4X4’s HiLine front winch bumper and high clearance wings seemed like the right choice. The install was straightforward. The only part that was a little stressful was cutting the front plastics for the high clearance wings (a week before SEMA). It turned out to not be a big deal after all (I was just overthinking it). With a little help from my buddy Jason Sorenson from Straight Auto Restoration, we had it knocked out in no time. This upgrade really changed the look of the truck and added some great functionality. 2. We removed the top…