Four-Wheeler's Bible [Paperback]

Jim Allen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Motorbooks Workshop | Publication Date: December 14, 2002

Take your four-wheeler into the hills safely and responsibly with expert guidance from four-wheeling fanatic Jim Allen. Beginning with basic modifications, such as increasing ground clearance and traction with larger wheels and tires, Allen gathers speed for more advanced and radical mods, such as installing lift kits and increasing suspension articulation. Step-by-step photo sequences guide do-it-yourselfers through a variety of rewarding modifications.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Indeed, in the world of four-wheeling,4-Wheeler's Bible is "The Book." -- Four Wheeler Magazine, April 2003

Veteran and novice four-wheelers alike will find a plethora of usable trail tricks in this book! -- Off-Road Adventures Magazine, January 2003

Book Description

With the best information on the latest Jeeps and other off-road vehicles; the most trustworthy advice on buying, maintaining, and modifying used and vintage models; and the most up-to-date news about events, courses, and competitions, this new edition of the Four-Wheeler’s Bible is a resource no four-wheeler will want to be without.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (December 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760310564
• ISBN-13: 978-0760310564
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-Popping , Entertaining & Educational, March 2, 2003

By 

Charles A. Wells (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Four-Wheeler's Bible (Paperback)

I'm telling all my friends about this book. It's the most complete, in-depth book on 4-wheeling I've ever read. It's packed with so many eye-popping color photos, at times, I thought I was actually on the trail. Jim Allen's down-home style had me laughing out loud. Whether you've been 4-wheeling for years or just bought your first SUV, you won't be able to put this book down.

The 224-page book covers everthing you need to know before, during and after 4-wheeling. Topics include: attitudes and ethics, preparation, emergencies, beginner to advanced mechanics, tires, traction, vehicle modifications, tools, equipment, recovery techniques, navigation and much more. In his unique, tongue-in-cheek style, Allen talks about testosterone poisoning, Chop Suey Mud, vehicular hemorrhages, the battle for traction, what's the diff, manhandling, and the winching hall of shame. You'll learn such things as when anti-lock brakes are dangerous, what to do when a spotter holds up two clenched fists, how to safely step over a winch cable and how to avoid embarrassment by having that one piece of equipment every 4x4 should have.

Don't miss this chance to capitalize on Allen's 28 years of 4-wheeling experience. His credentials include time as off-highway-driving instructor and master technician for Land Rover as well as twenty years wrenching his own vehicles. He is an accomplished photographer and has written six books and nearly 1,500 magazine articles on 4-wheeling.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of info, maybe not all useful, August 29, 2005

By 

W. L. Holder (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Four-Wheeler's Bible (Paperback)

This is a good book. It contains a lot of information, although not all of it is useful. This is a great book for someone just getting into four wheeling.

My personal thoughts are that this book should have been Jeep or LandRover specific (Those are the authors obvious favorites) instead of trying to be all encompassing of 4x4's. Basically, there was not enought specific information on any type of area or vehicle, and not enough gereral information. The author seemed stuck somewhere inbetween, making this book not really good for either use.

I did read the book cover to cover, so I guess it couldnt have been that bad either. I gave it four stars because it did have some info and was a pleasant book to read.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jim Allen's 4-Wheeler's Bible, January 31, 2004

By 

Evan Thomas (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Four-Wheeler's Bible (Paperback)

Jim Allen's casual style will keep the seasoned off-roader's turning pages without overwhelming or intimidating the new comers.

The 4-Wheeler's Bible doesn't simply proclaim a technique "right" but explains the reasoning behind it. The vehicle and trail shots are not the typical 4x4 book's fluff, but are excellent tools in demonstrating both good and bad driving techniques. Jim Allen spends as much time documenting and illustrating the common mistakes as he does the proper techniques, in doing so he allows the reader to not only learn from his experience but from other peoples mistakes (I know I'd much rather learn from someone else's crunched bumper or seared drive shaft than my own).

You will not only read the 4-Wheeler's Bible cover to cover, but you'll find yourself referring back to it over and over again.