Side X Side Outfitterz Kawasaki BOB
| Rick “Wally” Wallace is an adventurer. It was his interest in dirt adventures that inspired him to purchase his first Side X Side in 2005. His off-road rides have taken him to the Grand Canyon, Moab, the Rubicon Trail, Calico, and many other places in the western United States. Where many see their UTV as a toy, Wally sees it as a tool. Wally’s company, Side X Side Outfitterz, is geared toward outdoorsmen and women who use their vehicles for more than speed. They sell to long-distance adventurers who take their Side X Sides on 500- to 1,000-mile trips. They produce turnkey vehicles to carry everything someone would need to go camping for two or three days at a time. When Wally is talking with first-time Side X Side owners, he tells them to “Respect it like it was your only way home.” Considering this may actually be the case, it makes sense to use a little bit of caution and common sense. For the Battle of the Builders, Side X Side Outfitterz produced what they call their “Adventure Teryx,” a unit designed to get out into the wilderness and back again with ease. Their choice of a camouflage paint scheme coincides with the vehicle’s functionality. A custom cage features an EZ-Lift two-tire rack with ratchet tie-downs; tabs for a removable half-windshield; tabs for lights (which they used to mount 4” Baja Designs Fuego HIDs); an optional removable aluminum roof; and room for a 5-gallon fuel jug. A roof rack is helpful for transporting supplies. The front bumper has a removable skid plate so that a winch and fair lead can be mounted. The rear bumper has a 2” hitch for towing a trailer. The stock suspension configuration remains the same for stability, although the manufacturer’s A-arms are replaced with billet A-arms all around. Walker Evans adjustable shocks, Maxxis Bighorns (26×9x12), and black OMF Beadlocked Wheels soak up the terrain. Heated MasterCraft seats with hydration pouches along with 3” MasterCraft 5-point harnesses keep the driver and passenger comfortable for long days out on the trail. Driver fatigue is reduced with an ergonomically designed Momo shifter knob and a Momo quick-release steering wheel. An important feature on the Adventure Teryx is the Lowrance Baja 540c unit, installed with a Side X Side Outfitterz Aluminum GPS Mount. A GPS unit is the one thing Wally wouldn’t leave camp without. The motor was left virtually untouched because stock provides a greater amount of reliability, which is very important when traveling into the rough country. Wally did swap the CDI and the ignition. Upon customer request, he will also change out the exhaust and rejet the carburetor. While Wally enjoys his work modifying Side X Sides, his main goal is to get out of the city and into the country. He leads family, friends, and customers on off-road tours to locations such as Laughlin, the Grand Canyon, Tonopah, and Bridgeport. If you are interested in joining them, check out their web site at www.sidexsideoutfitterz.com. Of course, only those with a keen sense of adventure need apply. |
|
