Wheels Up

2011-12-10T04:53:00.000-08:00

2011 Canadian County Foster Kids Party

Again this year the Austin's are neck deep in preparation for this party. For the past several years we have assisted in providing this small bit of joy for the area Foster Children to help them enjoy a small bit of Joy during the Christmas Holiday Season and to help them understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Keep us in your prayers as on Sunday night the 11th we will be hard at work sharing with these Children and their foster families.

God Bless You and Yours.

2011-12-10T04:49:00.000-08:00

NEW BEGINNING RUN -----NEW YEARS WEEKEND

The New Years weekend the C4X4 and company will be head to Disney, Ok. for the 2nd Annual New Beginning Run. We will headquartering at the Green Country Christian Camp where we have rented a Dorm for the weekend.

Last year we braved the bitter cold in sub freezing temperatures but we did wheel. We are still Watching the weather close, but we will be there. If we have article temps again we will be taking the little jeeps with heaters. If we get a break and have some nice temps we will then turn out the Big Dogs.

Either way it will be a blast so come on out and join us. For information contact David Austin @ 405-249-9183 or daveoffroad@msn.com

2011-11-09T02:23:00.000-08:00

Back in the Saddle again after 3 weeks of helping prepping the Bradfab Buggy and a 9 day trip to Las Vegas for the SEMA show. WOW!!! what a trip. How does time away from work (vacation) make a person so tired?

We had a great trip to the 2011 SEMA show and put the cloths of KINGONE WINCH on the BradFab buggy for the SEMA show. After over a year of testing the performance of the KINGONE WINCH on the BradFab buggy we were proud to represent them at this years SEMA.

WE look forward to a long and lasting relationship with KINGONE.

2011-10-07T01:44:00.001-07:00

About time to start packing. Once again this year C4X4 will be headed out to Las Vegas to cover the 2011 SEMA show. We will to taking the BradFab Buggy out this year to represent "Kingone Winch" from China.

As final details are being worked out, we will begin to spit shine the buggy and get her ready. You can look forward to news about the latest and greatest new automotive items that relate to our Wheelin industry along with Overlanding and Camping.

Also we will have to check out the New and Custom rig on display. We are excited and hope that you will be too.

We will be heading west the last of November to set up.

2011-09-07T02:20:00.000-07:00

WE are back from our Labor Day wheelin trip from Disney, Ok. Had a great time on the rocks and trails. Hot temps for the first too days then rain and cooler on the last day. There was a modest group so not much traffic on the trails.

The carnage bug bit the C4X4buggy again while crawling some boulders and put her out of service for the weekend and now is back in the south wing of Austin Memorial. May be looking at a tranny transplant but right now we are waiting for test results.

Had to take Judy's 4 door JK RUBI out on the rocks and the trails and it worked great. I must say I was very cautious with her watching me very close.

OVER ALL GREAT TIME> Now get out and get your wheels dirty......

God Bless You and yours....

2011-08-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

With the weather continuing to hang in the 100's and no moister to be found,and no relief in site. I am beginning to think about a new event. How about a nice DUST BOGG. Sure don't know how we could find enough water to have a mud bogg.........

2011-07-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it is OFFICIAL NOW. The Austin Clan will be returning to Hollister, Ca. in June of 2012 for the 2012 Four Wheeler Magazine TOP TRUCK CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS. For 2012 they are inviting all of the WINNERS from the past 19 years of events to come back for a BEST OF THE BEST event. Early announcements put the dates at June 4th - 8th. Yes, Brad and Matt Austin won the TTC in 2004 and have already received notification that they are invited back. This will be a HUGE event with a whole lot media coverage. I can't wait.

2011-07-05T02:15:00.000-07:00

Yes the 2011 Crawl 4 Christ was another Huge success this year in Harlan, Ky. We are all still suffering from Jet Lag or in my case Freightliner Lag and have been dragging around quite a bit sense returning. Guess its time to get our Oklahoma leg under us again and keep things rolling. Discussions will soon be under way with the F/F or UCORA to begin setting plans in motion for the 2012 event. But until then lets continue to reflect of the great fellowship, wheeling and new friends from this years event. God Bless You and Yours......

2011-06-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

With less than a week away until we head EAST young man head EAST to the 2011 Crawl 4 Christ event in Harlan, Ky. the final call has been made. We will be loading (2) rigs. The DragonFly and the C4X4 Buggy onto the 28 gooseneck behind Brad's Toter home. His will get about 3 mpg better than mine will so we will sacrifice a little on the room in leu of cheaper traveling expense. Especially since it will just be Judy and myself making the trip from the Yukon, Ok. area.

With the new tranny and axle seals installed in the DragonFly, she should be good to go. Washed and checked out and ready to go on the trailer. The Buggy still awaits the final wash job and fluid check. Now ready to bite the bullet and fuel the Toter. I am estimating about $900 to fill the tanks, but should about make the round trip on the one fill up.

The along awaited C4C 2011 in now upon us and we are loading the wagons. Will be heading out this next Tuesday so we can take our time going out. We hope to get about 300-350 miles behind us Tuesday evening after work and then get in the area of Harlan on Wednesday. Roll into camp before noon on Thursday.

We can hardly wait. Whoooo Hooooo !!!!!!!

2011-05-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

As the count down to the 2011 Crawl 4 Christ is rapidly approaching and every growing list of things to get done seems to get monstrous. With decisions to be made and final preparations to the rig/rigs (number making the trip is still up in the air)to be finalized. We are still deciding whether to take the pickup or Toter home, goose neck or bumper pull trailer. I guess what the price of fuel does in the next few weeks weighs heavy on that decision.

But whatever way we end up going, we are excited that the time is near. Can't wait to get over into the Bluegrass state and fellowship with other Christians that share in out interest of Off Roading.

Less that a month to go until we point our noses toward the East and we will be under way. It is so exciting to see how God has worked in the growth and development of this event.

Jump in and be a part of it. You will never regret going.

2011-05-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

OVERLANDING....Expedition Wheeling. A new excitement in 4 wheelin has taken our web master Randy Putt captive. It has also gotten my attention as we can see it as a exciting way to get more folks evolved in Off roading. It allows for a more milder approach to hitting the trails in your daily driver 4x4, without as much worry about damaging your ride. It combines the world of camping, site seeing and exploring. You can take the family out of a weekend cruise and enjoy the great outdoors.

Randy had just returned from his 2nd Overlanding trip and we look forward to hearing what he has to say about it and see some of his fantastic pictures.

2011-04-22T02:59:00.000-07:00

It is getting close. Yes, with the 2011 Crawl 4 Christ slipping up on us we have started trying to get things pulled together. With this years event being in Harlan, Ky. and the price of fuel in the $4 range, we are looking at a small turn out from Oklahoma. We will be seeing many new faces this year with the large turn out from the Ky, Tn, Va, Oh, Ga, Id and the Carolina just to mention a few. We will be make our mark with a few Okies, Arkies and Sho-Me folks that will be biting the bullet for the fuel cost and parading eastward. We do expect a great overall turn out and another great event.

2011-03-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes just coming home from and event is a BLAST!!!! As we found out this past weekend on our return trip home from the Big Meat Run. While traveling west on I-44 I had just replied to my wife when she inquired if I was alright. (We had been on the trails until 0230 that morning). I told her that everything was great. I was not tired and the truck was running great. Shortly after that we had a BLAST!!!. Both tires on the driver side rear duel blew on the Toter home while we were running 70 MPH. After fighting the rig to a stop we found major damage to the tires and to the truck bed. We were a foot and still 100 miles from home. Thanks to Bostic tire company being willing to come and help us on a Sunday. We were down just about 2 1/2 hours and no one was hurt by the flying debris when the tires blew and slung metal truck bed parts across the Interstate. Thank God for watching over us in what could have turned out very differently.

God Bless You and Yours.

2011-03-14T03:15:00.000-07:00

Just made it back from the Big Meat Run in Disney and it was another HUGE event. No way to know how many rigs or people there was hundreds of rigs. It was like driving in New York City rush hour. Or at least I guess since I have never driven in New York City let alone in Rush hour. Anyway maybe this will give you some idea and this is just at Viagra Hill at Noon on Saturday. There were rigs everywhere else while this was going on.

2011-03-09T03:05:00.000-08:00

BIG MEAT TIME!!!!!!!!! Tonight I am loading the trailers to head out in the early afternoon on Thursday. We have a whole slew of folks headed that way from OKC with our group as well as meeting us there from Missouri. The crowd is going to be huge again this year and the action will be exciting. We will be firing up a cooker at the bottom of Viagra Hill at noon of Saturday and doing the Hot Dog Deal for lunch. We expect a great deal of action at the Hill this year and hopefully we won't trash out the C4X4 buggy as we did on the New Years Run.

We will also be keeping an eye on the C4x4 buggy and my (former rig) Big Yeller to be sure they don't get into any tangles. You know there are still some hard feelings between the 2 rigs since the new kid came to town and I found a new home for Big Yeller....

2011-02-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

6:11:54 (unofficial time) unofficial winner of the 2011 King of the Hammer is the Shannon Camp.bell in the Monster Energy Buggy....

2011-02-11T03:53:00.000-08:00

Last Chance Qualifiers Race results @ the King of the Hammers Race.

Randy Slawson #4448 09:41
Brian Shirley #18 11:01
John Webb #4468 11:30
Jason Blanton #966 11:37
Matt Peterson #212 11:38
Rusty Bray #4498 11:38
Jon Moulden #2175 12:28
Dustyn Friesen #313 13:06
Mike Klensin #143 13:12
Bill Kreisel #407 13:20
Casey Currie #2 13:45
Darren Henke #4441 14:30
Jon Cagliero #27 14:30
Jason Spegal #69 14:40
Ritchie Carter #4474 14:50
Jermey Hengl #85 14:54
Greg Hussey #4450 15:26
Garland (BO) Tucker #6 16:17
Keith Northrup #1028 16:38
David Buchberger #911 16:38
Alex Hardaway #421 16:47
John Bennett #4491 16:50
21 Rob Lynch #44 26 17:18
Mike Stowe #44 17:26
Brian McCarthy #415 17:30
Shawn Inman #187 17:42
Billy Briney #4439 18:08
Joey Archuleta #127 18:12
Tim Emick #4443 18:32
Brian Tilton #4416 18:35
Greg Lund #701 19:39
Matt Lee #79 19:41
Jeff Hollfelder #67 19:56
Joe Bunker #864 20:41
Andy Gladen #541 20:55
Tim Diekman #4343 21:06
Jeremy Hammer #97 21:33
Louie Keener #4496 21:52
Mike Dora #4409 21:58
Jim Brown #104 24:30
Joel Withers #4447 28:50
Andy Johnson #124* DNF
Michael Amaral #4487 DNF
Casey Beach #4484 DNF
Jason Abernathy #722 DNF
Gary Ferravanti JR. #4475 DNF
John Goodby #450 DNF
Jack Childers #4469 DNF
Warren Thomas #257 DNF
Justin Abernathy #721 DNF
Nathan Unruh #63 DNF
John Dunn #700 DNF
Zach Steele #7214 DNF
Nicholas McGaha #505 DNF
Phil Pelaez #678 DNF
Paul Hoffman #4483 DNF
Michael Foster #3430 DNF
Harold Fijman #777 DNF
Scott Sines #88 DNF
Gregg McNair #1544 DNF
Ryan Pierce #72 DNF
Chris Garrison #9 DNF
BJ Allen #4426 DNF
Chris Pook #4477 DROP
Matthew Legg #4464 DROP
Michael Smith #56 DROP
Terill Johnson #4442 DROP
Jason Fowler #879 DROP

2011-02-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

We want to give a big thumbs up to 4x4Him for making their appearance at the KOH this year. You can see their toter in the back ground of the Pirates 4x4 interviews at the Race. Also Wheelers for Christ for offering up the free tacos at Hammer Town. Thanks for Flying you flags at this HUGE event..... God Bless You and Yours....

2011-02-10T02:20:00.000-08:00

Here are the results from the last Chance Qualifier Race for the King of the Hammer Race

Brian Shirley #18 11:01
John Webb #4468 11:30
Jason Blanton #966 11:37
Matt Peterson #212 11:38
Rusty Bray #4498 11:38
Dustyn Friesen #313 13:06
Mike Klensin #143 13:12
Casey Currie #2 13:45
Darren Henke #4441 14:30
Jon Cagliero #27 14:30
Jason Spegal #69 14:40
Ritchie Carter #4474 14:50
Keith Northrup #1028 16:38
David Buchberger #911 16:38
Alex Hardaway #421 16:47
Rob Lynch #4463 17:18
Brian McCarthy #415 17:30
Shawn Inman #187 17:42
Tim Emick #4443 18:32
Brian Tilton #4416 18:35
Matt Lee #79 19:41
Jeff Hollfelder #67 19:56
Joe Bunker #864 20:41
Andy Gladen #541 20:55
Tim Kiekman #4343 21:06
Jeremy Hammer #97 21:33
Louie Keener #4496 21:52
Mike Dora #4409 21:58
Jim Brown #104 24:30:00
Joel Withers #4447 28:50:00

2011-02-10T01:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaWZas9Co1Y

Enjoy some video thanks to Bower Motorsports Media from the Last Chance Qualifier from the King of the Hammer

2011-02-08T08:16:00.001-08:00

King of the Hammers; Journal by Charlene Bower

by Bower Motorsports Media on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 9:26am

Monday February 7, 2011

Chaos? Is that the word to use? Or is that too heavy of a word? Is it organized? Is it slightly out of control? Are they ready? Well, we found some of those answers today. And really, it depends. There were some pits that we wandered into that were classy, put together and the rig was sitting there ready for the bikini girl to jump on the hood for a photo shoot. Others were slightly battled. A few challenges here and there, detailed but still putting the tight turns on the nuts and bolts. And then there were the other pits. Yea, these were the fun ones. They were tearing apart, reorganizing, fixing, remounting, hammering, tools and parts flinging everywhere. And when I say tools, I mean there are some really awesome pits that seriously look like they emptied their whole garage into the trailer.

We have heard a lot of crazy stories about getting to lovely California. Lucas Murphy had miles and miles of ice and chaos, but they kept going in the left lane…”a little snow makes the ice more sticky.” Eric Millers crew got stranded in the median for hours waiting for a tow truck after hitting a snow drift in their brand new Toterhome. How about some teams that claim 8 hours to go over 100 miles? Trucks were crashed, trailers had blow outs, motorhomes have caught on fire. Normal, right?. And some not even being able to leave because the ‘right-on-time-management’ packages of parts that they were waiting for couldn’t deliver because of the snow and rain across the country. Even the Griffin Boys fight was cancelled because the flight crew had to be on the ground for 8 hours and due to weather the previous day they had not been able to get there on time. Are we really surprised? This is part of the fun of the event. Even just trying to get here.

Today started tech for the 70 Last Chance Qualifier cars. The line was pretty long, and the weather was HOT. So hot, you didn’t even want to lean up against the car because they burned you. Can’t complain about the weather out here for sure! The drivers were mostly new names to me, so it was great to meet them all and check out their rides. We will have a lot of those videos up after we get back home when there is “real internet”.

The Mandatory drivers meetings were tonight, first the LCQ meeting and then the whole racer meeting. Dave and Jeff led the groups through some course changes but most importantly they focused on the safety aspect of the race for both the racers and the spectators. Hammerking has always been a step above the guidelines, so coming into the new situation isn’t that difficult for the team. Amazingly they have over 150 volunteers that come out and help…Thank you to the Volunteers!

Tomorrow is the first day of green flag racing. 70 competitors will work for 21 spots available in the main race. 1-35 will be running tomorrow starting at 8am. If you hear a rumble…it is just the desert floor firing on all cylinders!

2011-02-07T03:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Charlene Bower of Bower Motorsports we will be trying to keep you updated as to the going on at the King of the Hammer.

King of the Hammers; Journal by Charlene Bower

by Bower Motorsports Media on Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 6:19pm

Saturday February 5, 2011

As the lakebed fills, some also go back home, and some haven’t even finished their rigs to leave home yet. I made my home in the lakebed. Getting in so late last night, I opted to wait until this morning to finish up my jobs of creating a house out of my trailer. Done! House and office is set up!

We went to the Johnson Valley Community Center for breakfast. A $5 breakfast that was amazing! Pancakes, Sausage, Eggs! Yummy! We also got to meet the people that live in Johnson Valley, including Betty Munson who is the editor of the Johnson Valley Journal that covers all the areas news and is very active in the process of keeping the land open for public use and not letting the military take it for operations. In talking with her and the others in the room I learned that Johnson Valley has about 300 full time residents and is approximately a 10 mile by 10 mile area. They don’t have any businesses, so the closest towns are the same ones we are using, Yucca Valley and Lucerne Valley. They love the desert and are great people to sit and chat with.

A lot of the media came in today, including from Bower Motorsports Media my Mom who holds the extremely important roll of chief cook and my Dad who will be helping take videos that we will have up after the event. Crawl Magazine and Heavy Metal Concepts are also parked up by us, Pirate4x4 got their stage arranged in the Griffin Tent and Chad Brock Photography came in as well.

At dinner I made a few very important phone calls, the first was to JT Taylor who was still at Torchmate’s shop running a four man crew trying to get the car finished. “It is so cool looking! It is really going to be an amazing car!” They still hadn’t even fired it…yet. The second call was to Kevin Yoder who was out in his barn and said he was going to make it a short night only working until 1am was the goal. “I will make it for raceday! It is badass, my favorite car so far!” Yoder isn’t planning on being on the lakebed until Wednesday night. We also gave Kevin Sacalas a quick phone call who had broken his manual transmission earlier in the day and had already headed home to start on the repair. His hands were greasy, he was under the rig, and he had his phone on silent, so we got the word later that everything was under control and parts would be to the shop by Tuesday.

Lucas Murphy and his crew from Massachusetts came in for dinner and entertained us with their 3000 miles and 50 hours of antics that they had been thrashing each other with. I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt! They had made a stop at the Parker425 to run a TrophyLite Truck, but didn’t get more than 13 miles before being done.

As the sun went down, the fun went up and again I headed over to Greg from Raceline Wheels fire where we found Joel from Bilstein and Chris who will be head-tech inspector for the event. In Lucas’s search for Dave and Jeff, we wound up at the camp fire with Mike and Les from Odd Angle who will LCQ #14, Chris Garrison who will LCQ #65, Stephen Watson who will be co-driving for brother Brandon Watson of Offroad Designs, Rick Mooneyham from Trick Toys with his dad and brother. While we were absorbing the heat, although not very cold, Brad and Roger Lovell rolled onto the lake bed to set up.

I would say it was around midnight when Dave left the front gate after helping direct people where to park in the right part of town. A great day. A lot of people moved in, and I am excited to start talking to them all.

The event kicks off at noon tomorrow! Wow! Its almost Hammertime!

Photo Album from Today on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=125714130804022&notes_tab=app_2347471856#!/album.php?aid=42335&id=125714130804022

2011-02-04T03:12:00.000-08:00

What!!!!! Is that light I see at the end on the tunnel.... Is there improvement in the weather conditions. Things must be looking better after 3 straight days of frozen air lines, stuck trucks, busted leaf springs from the pot holes and trucks that won't start. Who was the smart guy that came up with that postal say," rain or snow or steel or hail" bet he was was work in a warm office. Yes for the first time in now the 4th day we had enough trucks to meet the USPS requests.

Now I really like the snow and enjoy getting out and playing with it, but I getting too old for all this work related fun. I did not even feel like getting out and playing when I finally got home like Judy, Matt and Larry did.

OK!!!! We have survived and will live to play another day. :)

2011-01-26T07:58:00.000-08:00

BradFab Buggy is back together and all the parts for the C4x4 buggy have arrived. Looking at having her on the ground and moving under her own power by the weekend. Should be ready to go and give it another shot at the Big Meat Run on March 11-13th. Can't hardly wait. That will be 2 1/2 months without hitting the dirt or the rocks. I am in withdrawal.... :)

2011-01-20T04:36:00.000-08:00

Well the damage reports from the New Beginning Run for the Clan and parts are in route and repairs are underway. We are looking at a new ring gear and pinion on the BradFab buggy. The C4X4 buggy suffered one busted axle shaft on the driver side, 1 steering knuckle driver side, one busted axle joint driver side, one u joint on rear drive shaft and a busted yolk on the rear drive shaft. Parts are in route to repair both rigs and they will be ready to tackle the terrain at Disney once again at the Big Meats Run on March 11-13th.

Now its time to go cash in the aluminum cans so we can pay for the parts. :)

Stay tuned to C4X4 in the following months as we continue to bring you coverage from across the country of events and each month new product review and news about the off road industry.

Until next time... OKIE OUT.... and God Bless You and Yours.

2011-01-06T02:35:00.000-08:00

WE had a great turn out at Disney, Ok. for the "New Beginning New Years Run". This was the first year for this run so we were well satisfied with the turn out. 23 rigs braved the Cool temperatures and hit the rocks. We had rigs from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa. It was a great time and some good wheelin. OHH YEA, and some breakage as well. You can check that out on C4x4 around the middle of Jan. in the January issue of C4X4.

Yep the C4X4 buggy came back to camp in tow behind the Billy Goat buggy with help of our new Bubba Rope tow strap. Those really do make for a smooth pull. :)

2010-12-30T03:11:00.000-08:00

Well we have started loading for the New Beginning Run @ Disney on New Years. As we were loading we heard some grinding from the Billy Goat Buggy. Bad gear in the Transfer Case. Had to remove and build another from junk yard parts. Got it installed but also found 3 busted teeth on the ring gear of the front Dana 60. It has been disassembled and Matt is headed on a parts run this morning. Should have it back together and ready to load by dark tonight. If we don't find anything else... :)

2010-12-28T02:35:00.000-08:00

The packing and loading process has began for the "New Beginning Run" on New Years. Brad and I went to the fuel stop and got what diesel we needed. OUCH!!!!! $450 between us to feed the Toter Homes for the round trip. We will start hooking the trailers up and checking tires tonight then start loading up some of the rigs. We will be hauling 6 rigs to Disney for the weekend.

We are expecting a real nice little turn out. Matt Little and his family of Little Boys Offroad Toys from the Dallas metro area will be joining us with his Highline TJ-8 straight off the show floor at SEMA. This is one sharp rig.....

Not doing anything. Run down and join us for a great weekend of wheelin.....

2010-12-11T05:12:00.000-08:00

UPCOMING EVENT: The New Beginning Run (New Years) will be held on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. (12-31-10/ 01-01-11). This is being held in leu of the former Tour De Sober runs that had been held for many years. The Austin Clan and Associates will be hitting the rocks at Disney, Ok. There also may be a small sector of heading for SMORR in Seymour, Mo. Stay tuned to this blogg and/or UCORA.ORG for the latest information on the New Years activities.

Okie- Out
God Bless You and Yours

2010-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday Brad and a group from west and south Oklahoma check out a new location near Hinton, Ok. He got to sling a little dirt.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....33915&comments

2010-11-26T04:11:00.000-08:00

OK!!!! Now this turkey is stuffed... With Thanksgiving behind us and what a GREAT Day we had with the whole Austin Clan its time to look at something else. It's time to get down and dirty. C4x4 will begin our testing and review of the new Bubba Rope. And where do you test a rescue recovery rope at. You got it. In the MUD..... Yep, I said it, I'm headed for some mud. You all know that I hate mud, but we just have to find out how this BUBBA ROPE works for recovery, so its out for some muddin action. :)

2010-11-19T03:44:00.000-08:00

Well is anyone else having issues adjusting to the time change. Since I sleep in a split shift and come home to sleep in the afternoon it is almost dark when I get up. With cool damp weather I am having problems making myself get out to the shop and get anything accomplished. Maybe I have just turned into a dead beat since returning from SEMA. Well bear with me and I will get back to making some things happen in the shop. I have been covered up with activities related to contacts made at the SEMA show. We have a lot of products that are starting to come in for us to do products reviews and articles on, so we will begin doing some testing this next week. Some will not take long to test and others will be a on going test and review. Stay tuned to C4X4 and keep updated on some of the newest products that are just hitting the market.

God Bless you and yours.

2010-11-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

WOW!!!!! What a time in Vegas at the SEMA SHOW. I had heard it was huge but had no idea. We will be bringing you some product review on some of the cool stuff that we seen while we were there and check out the pics in this months C4X4 issue. 4 hard days of walking, talking and looking and maybe seen 20% of what there was to see. We are glad to get back home and back in the saddle again.

2010-10-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

JUST ABOUT TIME: C4X4 will be heading to Colorado around noon tomorrow. (10-29-10) Will be hooking up with a couple of Wheelers from the UCORA Forum from that area and running a couple of trails. A heavy snow storm has rolled in forcing them to deviate from the trails planned earlier but have some nice ones picked out for us to test the RUBI out on. Then it will be on to Vegas for the SEMA show. We will be bring some of the newest and coolest blings that are headed to the shelves in your area soon. Will proabaly be doing some reviews for the next few months because we will be doing some testing of some of the gadgets and then reporting our findings to you. We are excited to get out on the road and gather this information for you all. We will also have a story up on our Colorado Run hopefully prepared by one of our host.

Until we get back. God Bless You and Yours
Okie- Out (Wheels UP)

2010-10-18T03:41:00.001-07:00

Well we will be heading EAST for the 2011 Crawl 4 Christ. Plenty of time so start saving the pop cans and scrap metal to sell for fuel money. Yes, the call has been made for Harlan, KY. for mid June 2011. I am so excited to get the C4X4 Buggy on some of those Kentucky trails. Start making plans now......http://www.crawl4christ.com/

2010-10-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

AUSTIN CLAN EXPANDS!!!!!!!!!! Dayton Allen Austin born 10-01-10 to Brad and Sabrina Austin

2010-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Well the wheels have not been turning too much this month. We are setting around waiting on Dayton Austin to get here. With Brad and Sabrina expecting their new son in the next couple of weeks, we are hangin close to home. We are going to be doing a little parading around unless Sabrina decides to stir things up and go into labor at Parade time. The Austin Clan will be running in the Chezch parade in Yukon, Ok. and then the next week we will be represented at the Maize Fall Festival in Maize, Ks. Yep..... we just going to be parading around. We will be bring you covage of some Colorado trails and some Sema action real shortly.

2010-09-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

Busy times here @ C4X4 and @ the Austin Homestead. We are so excited to announce that Randy Putt has join our staff and is handling the webmaster work and will also be covering events, editing and writing articles. Also at the home 20 we are burning the candle at both ends in getting Big Yeller ready to move to her new home. We will also be heading to the SEMA show in Vegas the last of October and stopping in Colorado for a scenic trail run. We are really looking forward to putting Nana's New Rubi in the dirt...... Then you can be looking forward to seeing what is new in the 4x4 world from the SEMA show as we nose around and hob nob with the industry leaders. Until later. Okie Out........

2010-08-30T02:09:00.000-07:00

OK!!!!!! OK!!!!!!! So the last deal for Nana a Rubi fell through because of somebody running a stop light and wrecking the white Rubicon the day before we were to pick it up. But I was able to find her another real nice 08 Wrangler. This was was not as far away. Purchased from Jackson Dodge in Enid, Ok. ............... Now Nana's HAPPY so we can all be HAPPY :) Now lets go wheelin....

2010-08-26T02:39:00.000-07:00

Well that was not to BE!!!!!!! Guess that was not the Jeep for Nana. Just 25 hours before my flight was to leave the guy from Texas called and informed me that on his way to work a guy ran a stop light and hit the Jeep I was to pick up the next afternoon. He said I guess you don't want it now..... I guess he is right....... I was able to get my flight canceled and get a refund with 15 minutes to spare.... :) NOW!!!!!!! BACK TO THE JEEP SEARCH.....

2010-08-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Well there is another Jeep headed toward the Austin Corral. Yep!!!! This one will be a daily driver for Nana. I will be "leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again". Yeah!!! I will be hoppin in the big bird and flying to Austin Tx come tomorrow after working all morning. Landing in Austin and driving 8 hours home to be here in time to go to work at 0300 Thursday morning.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ hope the phone doesn't ring too often on Thursday. I will post up some pictures of Nana's New Work vehicle (Jeep Unlimited Rubicon) in a few days. I'll get another hand me down vehicle out of the deal, just like when I was growing up. :(

2010-08-06T02:14:00.000-07:00

Going to be a HOT TIME IN THE OLE TOWN TONIGHT!!!!! As we start preparing to hear for the Wheelers for the Wounded event this next weekend @ Disney, Ok. I slipped a little peek at the extended weather forecast. WOW!!!!!!! it is going to be a hot one. Will probably be slipping into the water holes on a regular basis all weekend to cool off. When it is hot outside it is super hot on the rocks @ Disney. Might want to bring them eggs to fry as the rocks will be sizzling. Good thing this is for a good cause or it might not be worth it.........

2010-07-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

Now you have a chance to own a C4X4 Icon...... The Big Yeller is up for sale for a couple of weeks as a Rolling Chassis. Currently with the drivetrain on the shop floor and a busted case on the Turbo 350 tranny there is an opportunity to get the Roller. With 2 1/2 ton Rockwells with Detroit Lockers in both axles, custom 4 link rear suspension, full hydro steering, fully plated Yj frame, 115" wheel base, and 9500 Patriot Ramsey winch all for just $7500.00. Make this beast your own and stick your own powertrain in it and save...... email daveoffroad@msn.com for more information or call 405-249-9183

2010-07-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the new C4X4 Buggy made it's official debut at the Crawl 4 Christ 2010 Event. She showed up looking good but did suffer and event ending blow on Double Whammy when she shelled the rear Dana 300 transfer case in the Box 4 Rocks doubler. I had to call on the old faithful Big Yeller to fill the void for the rest of the event.

2010-06-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

Crawl 4 Christ 2010 in Seymour, Mo. @ the SMORR Park has came and gone, but what and impact it made on the folks that attended the event. Stay tune as we get the story all put together for your enjoyment...

2010-06-08T08:21:00.001-07:00

Well the time is about upon us. The 2010 Crawl 4 Christ is just days ahead. Folks will start heading that way in a matter of hours from Az. and Pa. As for me and my crew, we have started loading now. And who gets to tag along as my rig. WE shucks, i just can't make up my mind.... I may just take them both....

2010-06-04T04:18:00.000-07:00

What!!!!! What that you say?????? Whats going on with Big Yeller?????? Why the fast trip to Florida? What's the deal with that Maroon Buggy?????? Guess you are going to just have to stay tuned in..........

2010-05-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

We have started with our testing on the First 8.5 TDS Kingone Winch that I have ever laid my eyes on. So far from what I have seen and what we have done with it I must say we have been very impressed. We will be giving one of these Winchs away in the Crawl 4 Christ RAffle, along with many other items. If you have not signed up for the event yet time is running short. We will see you there.

2010-05-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Fixing to head out again.(5-25-10) This time we are headed to the Sho-Me run @ Seymour, Mo. We are putting a little twist in the trip. Just Nana and I are going and we are going VIA Panama City, Fl. Some folks are telling me that is not really a short cut.

So what is going on? Guess you will just have to keep checking in to find out.

Also remember that the 2010 Crawl 4 Christ event is coming up in June and it is shaping up to be a HUGE event. I'm hear 2 winches, set of suspension seats, on board air systems..... Wow!!!! what a Raffle there is going to be.......

2010-04-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

LET'S GO WHEELING!!!!! Myself and Nana are loading the wagons as we speak. We are headed to EUCHA, Ok to the Spring Valley Ranch for the 1st Annual Backwoods Crawl.

This is located in NE Oklahoma and not too far away from Disney, Ok. We are excited to see this new place. It is just now being opened to 4x4 for special events.

Bet I will have some pics and information up for you next month, so don't forget to check in..........

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2010-04-15T03:49:00.001-07:00

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2010-04-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

Well in the Grandpa Business again: Welcome Emma Austin!!!!
Big thanks to Andy and Traci...

2010-03-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

WOWWWSER: What a turn our at the Big Meat Run for 2010. There was a noticeable movement toward the tube chassis buggies. A whole bunch more of them making the scene in Disney. Oh yes and a lots of people..... Check it all out in the April issue.

2010-03-01T05:57:00.000-08:00

Let go clear some trails.... Yep, I ready to get some work done. But before we get too carried away I do want to be sure that Mike Mobley will be available to go and give us an hand with his Trail Blazer... No, that ain't what it is call but that is want it does. You got a tree in the way. Just stand back and let this little baby work. We will give you some more information here on C4X4 in the near future.

2010-02-17T03:51:00.000-08:00

SURVIVORS!!! No, not the TV shows that you hear about of TV. This is the one you don't think of. This one is your local Flower Folks (Yukon Flowers & Gifts) and many others across the county, that when the Valentine's Day Rush is finally over and everyone is happy. These Valentine Day Hero's stagger home and collapse to finally get a few hours rest before starting into the clean up mode to get the shop back to normal.... Hours and hours have been spent in preparations, taking orders, filling orders, hand making all arraignments and then delivering them when everyone wants them all at the same time.

But it is all still part of the passion of making people happy so as the memories or 2010 start to fade we will move forward with anticipation of 2011

And now we can get back to the Fun Stuff. Time to get ready for the BIG MEAT RUN IN MARCH!!!!!

2010-02-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

Well our general area did not get hit that hard. 1" of ice and 8" of snow. We do feel for some of our fellow OKIES from the south down in the Marlow and Duncan areas that are now 6 days without power. You guys are still in our prayers.

2010-01-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

Well I guess it can happen, but who would have thunk it. A second major winter storm heading for Oklahoma. First the blizzard on Christmas Eve and now this one!!! Guess we will wait and see. They are saying major ice storm, power outages, deep snow. This one could beat the 07 Ice storm that took power out for over 300,000 OKies.

Ok!!!! I like playing with the 4x4's but I would rather not have to use them to survive. Have plenty of fire wood stacked up and plenty of candles. We will keep you posted as it goes. Of coarse unless we are without power. This thing is suppose to hit central Oklahoma in the morning...

2010-01-11T03:09:00.000-08:00

YES!!!! January issue is up and I hope you enjoy the adventures in winter wheeling. In the upcoming February issue we will be bringing more cold weather wheeling with the Tour De Sobers runs over the New Years Day weekend.

Also planning is well underway for the Crawl 4 Christ 2010 event that will be held at SMORR park in Seymour, Mo. on June 11-13th. This is going to be a great event and continues to grow in size.

Could this years Crawl 4 Christ be the largest gathering of Christian 4 wheelers to ever gather in one place at one time? IT COULD BE!!!! AND YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO MISS BEING A PART OF THAT NOW WOULD YOU.....

Until then. God Bless You and Yours.
DAVID AUSTIN-- OKIE OUT....

2010-01-07T01:34:00.000-08:00

SORRY!!!!!! We are running a little behind this month. The issue will be up very soon. With the Holiday and the Oklahoma Blizzard taking up so much time we just ran out of days. Thanks for your patience. God Bless....

2009-12-31T04:14:00.000-08:00

It never snows in Oklahoma. I do want to know who it was that was praying for a WHITE CHRISTMAS, because this is who I want praying for me. We got BLASTED!!!!! 14" of snow, 45-60 mph winds and drifts of 4'-6'...... That ain't suppose to happen here in Oklahoma....

2009-12-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

Breaking News!!!!! The Humble Hill Toppers from Kansas will be holding a "Tour De Sober" run @ SMORR in Southwest Missouri. That will be in addition to the "Tour De Sober" run that is being held in Clayton by C4X4 and the Austin Clan. After looking at the weather forecast we might should change the names to "Frost Bite" this year...

2009-12-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

Man it is definitely time to be deck the halls. Today on Saturday Dec. 12 the Austin homestead is finally going to get a tree up. Judy has 6 trees up at the flower shop but there has been no time for ours yet. With activities at Church and the Foster Kids Christmas party the preparing some of the rigs for the Tour De Sober run there has just not been any time. Now for about 2 weeks we will have some decorations at the Austin's maybe. Of coarse today is not over yet. Something may still come up and prevent our plans from happening. We might just have to post a picture of a tree on the wall. That should work.

Well, whether we get our tree up or not, I want to take the time to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....

God Bless You and Yours...
The Austins

2009-11-21T04:06:00.000-08:00

Tour de Sober...... It is approaching very quickly. With so many rigs out of service it was in a little limbo, but last night we made the call. It is going to happen if we all have to push wheel barrels. Its just been going on too long to not have it. So it is back to burning the candle at both ends and "get er done" mentality. It will be back to Clayton, Ok. again this year. We are not looking for a big turn out because at that time of year you never know how the weather will treat you. But it is......"GAME ON"

2009-11-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

Well we got Brad back out of the woods and had a very productive week. With the joints now in hand and Brad back in the shop, we now have a ROLLER with the Blue Beast 3 build. Updated information and pictures will be in the December issue of C4X4.
Keep a watch because in the next 45 days it is going to be Fast and Furious.....

2009-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

CORA Wheelin Trip

We had a GREAT turn out and the Cora trip to Disney. We had 32 rigs show up and 3 groups. The CORA CLUB, Christian Crawlers from Arkansas and a good group of OKIES.
There was a lot of carnage and one major extraction from Little Blue which required 4 winches. It was a great week in of fellowship and wheelin in all. We totaled 3 broken leaf springs, one smashed passenger side and windshield ejection, and one engine Hydro locked in the water.

2009-11-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

The long awaited time has came and I must go...... Some 6 months or better ago the CORA club from Wichita, Ks started planning a club run to Disney, Ok on Nov. 6-8th. Over the time I conned them into giving me an invite. Then I let it slip out (intentionally) that we all were going to be there. We are now having folks from 4 states coming to the small event. Not so small anymore. We are looking for between 20-25 rigs and an estimated 50-60 people total coming over the weekend.

We are looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and see some old friends. (old in the time I have know them, not in age ;).

Wagons are loaded and I am fixin to hit the road. We will tell ya all about it later. It is going to be a blast.

OKIE OUT

2009-10-30T03:42:00.000-07:00

SHE THINKS MY TRACTORS SEXY

Well, this may not be the picture you were thinking you might see here, and I must say that granddaughter Addie is barely impressed enough to get on the tractor but at least she sat on it with me. Now that bring up the question, what in the world do I need a tractor for on 2 1/2 acres? Well its for my farming. It seems like I grow all kind of old vehicle parts. They just grow up amongst the weeds and I have to have the tractor to harvest my crops.

It is sure going to make harvesting the old Rockwell axles, old Chevy engines, and what ever else sprouts up in the field. I also will use it to work the gravel lot next to the Flower Shop. So, don't you see? I really need it......

Well, my wife kind of thought the same thing, but she does let me have some toys if I am nice. Now, I need to got back out side and move a u joint from the old barn to the shop. Better use the tractor, I don't want to hurt my back. :)

Okie Out---- God Bless You and Yours

2009-10-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

NEXT OF THE SCHEDULE

Things are really shaping up as we move into next month. The CORA club out of Wichita, Ks are having a club run at Disney over Nov. 6-8th. Judy and myself have decided to join them on their run. We have posted information on the run on UCORA and received a lot of interest in this run. Although this is an official CORA run, C4X4 and UCORA are going to be present and well accounted for. As of right now we are looking at 20-25 total rigs that are planning on attending.

They are basing out of the Green Country Christian Camp. We are looking at mostly mild to medium built rigs for this run and will be running a lot of trails. We will also be hitting the ROCKS of coarse.

They have recently received an excessive amounts of rain in Eastern Oklahoma requiring the Corp of engineers to be running the flood gates for an extended period of time to bring down the lake level of Grand Lake.

What this means is that a lot of the rock gardens and the river bottom will have changed greatly. So the river bottom trails will be different as will all of the rock piles. This make for a all new experience. So if you have been there before, expect it to be different.

SO if ya ain't doin nothin, then come on down. It will be a blast.

2009-10-13T03:38:00.001-07:00

Well it was a fun weekend despite the wrath I receive at home when I rolled in with my new purchases. Had a great time with Matt at the auction on Saturday and he and Andy playing and loading our prize possessions that we had acquired. Now it is off to the scrap iron place on Wednesday to test out my purchasing abilities. I can not be normal, but this stuff is fun......

2009-10-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

PARADING AROUND YUKON
Well it is time for the annual Yukon parade this Saturday. We try to put a few Jeeps into the parade when we are in town. We missed last year because of the DC-1 race. We are a little light in numbers with Brad and Matt both not having their rigs ready to go, so it looks like the Austin representation will be myself, Judy and Andy. Again we have recruited some of the guys that wheel with us often. No candy tossing again this year as they fear for the safety of the children. They are allowing candy to be handed out but you have to have someone walk along the sides and hand it out. :( Stay tuned and we will post up some pictures if we can get someone to take some.

2009-09-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

FREE TRIP !!!!!!

WOW this is exciting. An all expense paid trip. I don't know, maybe it doesn't
really qualify as such, but it was fun doing it this way.

I had decided to head to Springfield, Mo. to visit my Dad and see if I could help him with some thing for a couple of days. Then, suddenly there was a light came on. I need to clean up some junk. I will see if I can sell enough scrap to pay for my trip. Kill 2 birds with one stone.

First off I pulled an old pickup around to a pile of aluminum and galvanized mixed material. It was scrap that Brad had cut away from an old truck bed when he made his toter home. I have loaded this into 2 different trucks and onto the trailer at least 3 times and then it would get unloaded because someone need to use the rig before I got the time to haul it off.

Not this time, I am serious. The I loaded a small pile of junk radiators and a/c condensers and 1 old catalytic convector. Took the old truck to work and head to the recyclers as soon as I got off of work.

Results:
Scrap: $112.00
Converter: $ 50.00
day total $162.00 Not Bad

Day two was the battery day. Loaded 8 junk batteries into the truck and headed off to work.

Results
Batteries $55.00

That gives me a combined total of $217.00

Hey!!! That should do. I will stay at Dad's house and eat Dad's food and it will take 1 tank of gas up there and 1 tank of gas back. :) That should handle it. I will even have some walking around money while I am there.

My banker will never even know I went.......

Give that a try before your next 4x4 trip. It might make it a lot easier.
OKIE OUT God Bless You and Yours

2009-09-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

You never can tell what you will get into if you don't go wheelin. Brad passed on this years Labor trip this year since he didn't have anything to drive and went fishing with David Brookshire (father-in-law) instead. I don't know if this is what they were fishing for or not but this is what they ended up with.

2009-09-03T03:31:00.001-07:00

KASH 4 CLUNKER

Not the same program that you are thinking about but we have to determine what type of a CLUNKER to put together for KASH!!! Mr. Matthew KASH became the newest member of the Austin Clan last week and is doing well. Matthew KASH was born to Matt and Jenny this last week becoming the 3rd grandchild for Judy and Myself.....(FIRST BOY) That is why this matter is so urgent.

I have heard that he has been waking up a couple of time a night just worrying about whether he wants to build Matt's old Chevelle with a new TBI 350 engine or should he go ahead and get started on his Jeep. I mean these type of things are the primary concern to a young man. Well, we hope to assist Kash in his decision in the near future so he can get started. Right now though we will let him rest as he is very tired. He needs some rest because his mom has been waking him up a couple time a night. :)

Wecome Matthew Kash and Congrats to Matt and Jenny

2009-09-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

Pulling my hair out. Well, if I had any, I would be. Over the past few months I have been Daily Driving a 92 Jeep Wrangler a lot of the time. This last week I ran into an issue. At some time the wiper motor had been replaced and some loose wires hanging under the dash. One of the wire had gotten wrapped around the parking brake pedal and shorted out. After several attempts to find blown fuses, breakers, ect. I have determined that it must have burnt the wiper switch or the intermittent relay. Now I know I have thrown a half dozen of the relays away when building the big rigs, but that doesn't help now.I have now set into replacing the wiper switch which of coarse is located inside the steering column. After a trip to the tool store for a steering wheel puller and several hours of going deeper and deeper into the column and with the help of my son I have retrieved the rascal. Soon as time allows I will undertake the tedious task of replacing the switch and reassembling the column. Man I hate steering columns. And as my luck will more than likely turn out this will not fix the issue.I may have to pull someone else's hair out!!!!! Bare with me as I continue to fight this issue and pray for patience for me. It is my nature to get frustrated and just do some rigging but I want to fix this the right way.... I'll keep you all posted. I would post some pictures but I am afraid I would loose it and through the camera against the wall.

2009-08-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

OK!!!! I've got a job for you all. Judy and the DragonFly won the "BEST OF SHOW" at the Oklahoma City 4 Wheel Parts show. She is now up for the total 4 Wheel Parts award. And $1000 prize. She needs your vote. Go to 4wheelparts.com and go to the the Facebook contest. Then to the Jeep Show and Shine contest link. Click on the become a fan tab. Then vote for the Purple Dragon Fly Project Jeep on the 1st Page. Thanks

2009-08-21T03:08:00.000-07:00

It is amazing what people can do with all of these photo editing deals they have now. You know that had to be how this picture got put online because you know that I am just way to cool to get caught up in this kind of a deal.

Picture was taken by Brain Davis Photography at the 2009 Crawl 4 Christ. Left to right is Judy Austin, Angie Burgoon, Amy Hill, and David Austin
This was part of a fabulous concert put on by Amy HIll

2009-08-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Big news from this past weekend. C4x4 escorted Judy and the Project DragonFly jeep down to the Trailchaser 4x4 club show held at 4 Wheel Parts in Oklahoma, City. Judy and the Dragonfly walked tall in taking the Best of Show honors. A good friend of the family Phil Bargman took the honors of Best 40" and larger sized tires Rock Crawler at the show. Good Job!!!! Check for more on the event in the Sept. Issue...

2009-07-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

As mentioned a few blogs ago, The Blue Beast 2 has departed the Austin Corral. That leave a big vacancy in our herd. So you guessed in. A New Project is on the horizon. Starting this next month you can watch as the progress continues in the BradFab shop, but you better watch fast. There will be no dusk sitting on this Project. Get a good seat and hang on as the 3rd generation of Blue Beast starts taking form before your eyes.

2009-07-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Has it quite raining? You hear the old saying when it rains it pours. Well its been pouring at the Austin homestead. While in the panic mode of getting all the Jeeps ready, the raffle items sorted, the paper work in order and the arrangements done, and everything packed for the Crawl 4 Christ event, the pouring continues.

After getting the swimming pool painted and prepped for the summer the old pump would just not pick up the prime and start pumping. While continuing to work on that problem the electric motor on the pump then give up and quits. After getting a submersible pump running just to circulate the water we go to Tractor Supply and buy a new pump and all the pvc fittings to get her going. While working on the pool pump the fan on the house A/C reply's I'm done!!!!! And the temperature on both the house and my wife begin to rise. While we are getting the Jeeps loaded we start to Lowes to get some more pvc and finish the install of the pool pump. Our A/C tech makes the extra effort and shows up and installs the new fan motor. We finally get the new pump and motor installed in the pool and it will not pick up the prime to pump water. Time is running out and we have to get on the road. We shock up the pool heavy and leave the little circulating pump running and hope for the best.

Upon returning from Disney, we find out there has been a storm and dumped 2" of rain into the pool and it looks and smells like lake water. Again we attempt to get the pump to prime, no luck. We remove the pvc and reseal new fittings to the pump. Still no luck. Judy adds chlorine tabs to a set of pantey hoses and the tabs eat through the hoses and dumped the tabs on the bottem of the pool where they will corrode and eat through the new paint. Still no luck with the pool pump. Next day and about 10 days since the pouring has started I tear apart the filter valve and do my best to rebuilt it with no new parts because the no longer make parts for that valve. Finally last night it accepts the prime and starts pumping water. The new pump has now held up for 12 hours so maybe the pouring is beginning to stop.

But praise God for giving us the energy to keep on a keepin on. Oh! yeah!! Judy just informed me that the water heater in the north end of the house has quit heating. Oh well!!!! Won't get bored.

God Bless!!! Hey!! Is that another cloud I see off to the west?

2009-07-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it back from the 2009 Crawl 4 Christ in Disney, Ok. The EVENT was a hugh success with over 90 people and over 50 vehicles showing up for the festivities. Be sure and check out the pictures and story in the August edition of C4X4.

Don't be late checking the August issue as we are going to have a special project starting and a continuation of some others along with a new style of article on the Crawl 4 Christ.....

Okie Out
David Austin--Wheels Up

2009-06-30T02:40:00.000-07:00

BACK ON THE BIKES

Thought we would slip in a little fun before heading off this week to the CRAWL 4 CHRIST event. We had caught wind that there was going to be a very large showing of 2 wheelers in Oklahoma City this past weekend.

The national “H.O.G. RALLY” was holding it’s festivities at the Oklahoma State Fair grounds where they had over 4000 registered participants. With all the unregistered attendees the number grew to over 10,000 bikes on the streets of OKC.

As the sun started settling in the western skies of Oklahoma the bikers headed to Bricktown for the evening. The city officials had blocked off the streets of Bricktown early in the evening to car traffic and only allowed motorcycles in. The bikes filled every possible parking lot and lined the streets and even parked down the centers of the roads to allow the multitude of bikes a place to put down their kickstands.

After meeting my brother Rex and his wife Sara for a quick dinner we all headed down into the area. Even though myself and Judy were sporting a Honda Goldwing we were allowed into the festivities. They had bands playing a various locations and booths set up for all types of activities.

The display and sheer magnitude of the bikes lining the streets were most impressive as you could find about any type of bike that you wished to look at from decked out factory bikes to custom built and custom painted designs.

After myself and my brother were done drooling over what bikes we had time to inspect we chose to get out of Dodge before the vast amounts of alcohol being consumed started taking effect on its consumers.

We then enjoyed a nice quite ride out around the lake and then head on home, because 1100 is very late for this old 4 wheeler.

2009-06-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

CRAWL 4 CHRIST Its about time. In 7 days Judy and myself will be heading east to Disney. Seems like it was just yesterday we decided to hold this off year event. We had decided to do a National event every other year but the interest has been terrific. We are sure expecting this years event to be much larger than our maiden event last year in Hot Springs. Maybe the $2.25 gas verses the $4.25 gas that we had last year. I think also that due the the setting of the Church Camp we will be able to enjoy much more fellowship.

The concert is going to be sooooo exciting and this year for the devotion we have a real preacher... THE PASTORNATOR (Guy Fredricks) from the Blue Grass State. WOW!!! is this going to be COOL!!!! I heard the TOPIC is going to be "NO FEAR"... And don't even get me started of the RAFFLE stuff that we have coming in...... And the EVENT T SHIRTS.....man did Creator Design do a great job on them. Its alright with me if nobody else buys any of the 2X larges. I can wear them though out the year. BUT OK, If you need a 2X I will let you buy it...

I am so excited that I can't hardly wait. Let's get loaded and get headed that way. We hope to see you there.

God Bless You and Yours
Wheels UP

2009-06-18T02:57:00.000-07:00

PARTING IS SUCH SORROW!!!

Just the time you get them all raised up. Teach them how to behave. Get them direction in life and away they go. They never call, they never come and visit and they never even write. Yes a close family member has moved out of the nest. For the 2nd time now a well known ride that Brad Austin had built from the ground up, broke to ride, proven in the rough, has now searched out another place to call home.

The first was the famous Blue Beast which carried Brad across many trails and rock and finally across the finish line and into victory lane at Top Truck Challenge in 2004. Now the Blue Beast II, one he built with the capabilities to perform beyond ones own imagination. The one to climb the highest mountains and cross the deepest streams. Yes, the famed Blue Beast II climbed onto a trailer behind a strangers pickup last night and road off into the sunset.

Seams we always have the greatest timing when selling our rigs. With Nana’s little grey YJ we pulled the trigger just one week before the Tour de Sober run, leaving her to ride herd in a loaner, and now the BB II packs its bags 2 weeks before the Crawl 4 Christ run. Now Brad must mount up of his Project Black Jack Jeep. The little Jeep Wrangler TJ will have to carry the burden for this event.

Well, I guess that does bring up the question of what is next, now doesn’t it? I guess you will just have to stay tuned in C4X4, because even though you don’t know what the creation will be. You do know that it is coming and you do know that it will be unique and that by staying hooked up to C4X4 you will be one of the first to know and you can follow along as that story unfolds.

No doubt it will be a one of a kind and you can follow along step by step as it is all pieced together. So I know for a fact that you will not be drifting too far away from your computer.

So until the process begins, and it won’t be too long we will leave you wondering.

God Bless
Okie-Out
David Austin—Wheels Up

2009-06-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

As reported we made our trip to Seymour, Mo. to the Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch and the 1st Annual Sho-Me run. We were pleasantly surprised by the excellent facilities and hospitality. The conditions were a little muddy from the rain on Friday night and again on Sunday morning but we had a great time. This place should be put on your must visit list.... Check out the story by Randy Putt in the current issue and be watching for the MORE SMORRS article in next months release.

Don't go too far away for next few months because there is a lot happening and a lot coming up..

God Bless You and Yours
David Austin Wheels UP

2009-06-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

SMORR--- YES, I LOVE S'MORES....

Wiki encyclopedia describes S'more as

A s'more is a traditional campfire treat popular in the United States and Canada, consisting of a roasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. The name "s'more" means "some more", as in: "give me some more!".

That's what my first response was when I heard of SMORR a few years ago. Then after getting educated up a little I learned that SMORR stood for Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch which is located just outside of Seymour, Mo. Ever since I learned that I have wanted to get over there and check it out. Since I was raised about 15 miles from there it naturally struck me as a real place of interest.

Over the time since I have learned about SMORR I have heard nothing but good things about the park and knowing a little about the terrain I knew that it should have great possibilities.

Anyway, I am finally going to get it worked into the schedule. Friday evening part of the Austin Clan will load up and head to Missouri to the 1st annual Sho- Me run that is being held on June 13th & 14th at SMORR.

You can't ever tell. Despite what my wife and my doctor tells me, I might just enjoy some S'MORES while we are wheelin at SMORR.

Keep watching for the report in next months issue as I am sure we will find some super wheeling judging from what the Christian Crawlers reported from their last month's run there.

Until Then-- God Bless You and Yours & OKIE_OUT

2009-06-03T03:12:00.000-07:00

Granny does 100 +

I know that those of you that usually read my blog are expecting me to start into a story of my wife, Judy(NANA) and some story about her getting a ticket in her HEMI Charger or something like that, but this time you are wrong.

I'm am going to tell of our next trip that takes place this weekend and about an exceptional lady. We are traveling to Springfield, Mo this weekend to attend a party for Thelma (Mobley) Luttrel. This is my wife's grandmother and she is celebrating her 100th birthday this weekend. I fell in love with this lady over 37 years ago when I was just dating her granddaughter and she went to spoiling me then. With her exceptional perception for quality people.... myself & Nanny became very close right from the start. She sensed maybe even before we did that I was the one to marry and spend the rest of my life with her beloved granddaughter Judy. From that time on I have felt very close to Nanny as she has to me.

At the age of 100 she still lives at home by herself in Springfield. Though she receives a lot of assistance from he son Don and his wife Ann, she is still very self sufficient. We are really looking forward to celebrating this occasion with her and the rest of the friends and family.

This does though indeed instill a great deal of fear into my 3 sons when they see all the similarities between Nanny and my wife Judy. I think they greatly fear that they will have to put up with Judy's scrutiny for well over the century mark as well. Just kidding Nana.

Well, we must prepare for our departure but we will be talking back to you real soon as next week we prepare for a Jeep trip back to the Show-Me state and to the SMORR offroad park in Seymour, Mo. on June 13-14.

Until then. God Bless You and Yours
Okie-OUT

2009-05-26T02:50:00.000-07:00

WHAT? No wheelin on Memorial Day!!!!! Yes, you heard it right, With the Sho-Me Fun Run coming up on June 13-14th and then the Crawl 4 Christ on July 2nd-4th Judy and Myself decided to get some business taken care of around home this weekend. We hosted a small cook out for our Sunday School class and the mowed, weed-eated, cleaned the pool and got it ready to paint and picked up shop trash. Felt more like LABOR DAY to me that Memorial Day!!!!!

Not all of the Austin Clan slaved all weekend. Brad and Sabrina went to the lake fishing and Matt and Jenny also went to another lake somewhere in southern Oklahoma. Andy and Tracie done some cookin out with some family and friends.

Brad bagged a nice little Bass that almost tipped the scales to the 9 lbs mark.... bad luck struck Matt as they traveled home. With a damaged boat trailer wheel the boat had to spend the night at some friends house about 40 miles to the south.

2009-05-01T03:06:00.000-07:00

Well the Crawl 4 Christ 2009 Event in Disney, Ok on the July 4th weekend is just around the corner now so its time to start making those plans. This will be a very inexpensive event to attend since wheeling is free, lodging is cheap, entertainment is free, and fun and fellowship is priceless. So start making your plans to attend and contact me at daveoffroad@msn.com or by phone @ 405-249-9183

See you there in just about 2 months

2009-04-24T02:55:00.001-07:00

HEADED BACK TO NORMAL....... Well, the wedding has now came and gone as has all of the company. It was great to get to visit with friends and family even though in was in between all of the hustle and bustle of the action. The WAR ZONE got cleared in time for the onslaught of visitors and the piles got reestablished.
On the Big Day things went great. The Camaro looked super and survived the post ceremony decorations as everyone left the paint alone and settled for shoe polish on the windows and a few drag behinds.
The happy couple are taking a few days to settle into their home and will depart this weekend for their honeymoon.
We wish the best to Brad and Sabrina and wish them many happy years together.

2009-04-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

WAR ZONE!!!!!!!

I know you have all seen the terrible pictures of a war zone with debre and junk laying every where from the artillery blast and destruction. It is awful the mess that is made. Well I am here to tell you that is the scene at my house this week. Thank God that the cause is not that of a war, but the results look a whole lot the same.

With Brad's wedding just 2 weeks away and the incoming stream of welcomed friends and family a battle plan was drawn up. It included new tile in the hall and the main rest room and carpet in 3 bedrooms. If you have never tried to find a way to relocate 3 bed rooms of furniture, all the cloths out of the closets, and all of the shoes from underneath our bed (my wife could have shod the entire country of India) and all the other stuff we seem to have been shoved into the closets until later, you have never really had a challenge.

With every other room in the house now the receiving location of all of our valuable excess, the whole house now appears as though a mortar has struck. As I set in my recliner last night for just a few minutes to rest, I had to strained to see the TV over the mound of dabre located in the center of the living room floor. It was hard to even see part of the big screen TV located on the south wall.

And can you tell me why it is an absolute necessity that the old carpet be vacuumed clean before the carpet layer removes it and disposes of it. Are we really fooling them into believing that we had no dust under our bed?

Well as the sun rises this morning the war is over and the dust will begin to settle. By tonight the carpet will be install and the rebuilding will begin. I just fear it will be like when you dig a hole in the ground. You can never get all the dirt back in the hole it came out of. And then where will we stash all of those good clothes that are 2 sizes too small that we are going to be able to wear as soon as we lose the weight after the wedding.(OH!!! you too!!!)

Oh well, a month from now it will all be forgotten and we will be worrying about something else. And by the way.... Just how many pairs of shoes does a person need?

Until later.... OKIE OUT--- David Austin

2009-03-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

HOW SMART AM I ???????
Sorry no pictures but quite a ride. On Thursday I bought a set of Rockwells on ebay that were located in Carl Junction, Mo. (Joplin) I decided that Saturday would be a good day to go after them. Even with a winter storm watch I would wait and make the call on Saturday morning. I got up at 0300 and came into work and went to listening to the weather. They had received 24" of snow and 10 foot drifts less than 100 to our northwest but the temperature in Oklahoma City had just barely remain warm enough that our road were just wet. We were suppose to get 3-6 inches of snow. The radio was saying if you wanted to travel south, east or north east you should be OK.
So I chose poorly, I believed the weather people. Brad and I headed out for Joplin at 0900 for the 3 hour drive to Joplin. About 30 minutes out of Oklahoma City we started getting into moderate snow. Another 30 minutes the roads were getting slushy. We started seeing accidents as people failed to slow down. As we reached Tulsa we were in a flat out Blizzard. We stopped at the Flying J truck stop because we wanted to keep the tank full if we ran into any problems. By the time we left the truck stop it was all we could do to get back onto interstate because of the 6" on wet snow and slop on the ramps. We struggled to cross over the I44 bridge out of Tulsa onto the turnpike. Our little F 150 Ford was struggling to find enough traction to pull our empty bumper trailer up the incline. At this time we were just hoping to be able to arrive and get the axles loaded before they closed at 600 PM.

As we fought our way to Big Cabin, Ok the snow eased and we got our tires back on wet pavement and were successful in making it into town and getting loaded.

With bad weather reports still coming from the Tulsa area we adjusted our loading plans. We ended up buying 4 axles so we had them set 1 axle in the rear of the Ford for traction and the other 3 on the trailer. This did make quite a load to the little F150 but weight is usually a good thing on slick roads. We decided that we would just head home and make it how ever far we could and maybe get a room or spend the night in the truck if we had too.

As we headed home anticipating hitting the worse with every mile we remain blessed with wet roads most of the way home. There was some slush and heavy pockets of snow but the Oklahoma Department of Transportation stayed on top of the storm.

We made it back right at dark and had completed our mission. It just turned our little 6 hour trip into a 11 hour expedition. We thank God for watching over us even when we make poor decisions.

Okie - Out
God Bless You and Yours

2009-03-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

WHY DO I DO THESE THINGS. A late winter storm is forecast for Oklahoma. 10-14 inches of snow in the North West and blizzard conditions forecast. 10-15 foot snow drifts. Just 4-8 inches for our area. So what do I do? I buy some Rockwell Axles in Carl Junction, Mo and agree to pick them up the next afternoon. Well the weather forecast usually misses. We will see.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=190295869704

2009-03-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

ALL THE FAST AND FURIOUS ACTION FROM THE 2009 BIG MEAT RUN IN DISNEY,OK IS ON THE WAY. DON'T GET VERY FAR AWAY AS YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THE ACTION IN THE APRIL ISSUE.

2009-03-18T03:08:00.001-07:00

Well, the wedding carriage is just about done now. Just lack a little cleaning and grooming. Hey and we have a full month to go. Maybe we should do it again and paint in CAMMO!!!

2009-03-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

A Day Away!!!!

Despite being behind of everything we are trying to get done Brad and myself were guest of Brad's father in law to be and His father in law (Fred) to a day of fun and Striper fishing @ Texoma lake Saturday. We went down on Friday night and hit the water at 0600 on Saturday morning. We done the guide thing so we just kinda kicked back and enjoyed. After about 5 hours on the water we had about all we could legally tote home. We then returned back to the OKC area where David Brookshire (Brad's father in law to be) cooked up a mess of fish and treated us to all the striper we could eat. Great Day then back to the shop..

2009-03-05T03:47:00.000-08:00

As preparations of the Wedding Carriage continue so does the progress. After this last weekend we had Brad sneezing BLACK AND BLUE boggers from breathing the paint from the wild 2 tone paint on the Camaro.

2009-03-03T03:47:00.000-08:00

With the top half of the Camaro painted it was our plans to continue the the painting this weekend, but cold temperatures changed our plans. Instead we moved on ahead with the installation of the power train. The rebuilt turbo 350 was bolted up to the 468 big block Chevy power plant. Hoisted onto cherry picker and installed into the Wedding Carriage

2009-02-24T05:45:00.001-08:00

The Pre-Wedding festivities continue!!!!! And for us in the BRADFAB shop that means we continue forward with the wedding chariot. That is as you are now aware of is the revamping of the 68 RS SS Camaro. Brad got the first of the painting sprayed consisting of the Gloss Black section which is found on the upper section of the car. Now the black is just about cured out and the paint for the lower part of the car will soon come.

2009-02-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

EBAY JEEP!!!! COME BACK HOME……PLEASE

After owning vehicles for over 40 years I had a first to happen. It is called Grand Theft Auto.

On Friday 2-6-09 I was received a call from my insurance agent that the insurance on my Big Red Ebay Jeep (featured in an article in 4-08) was due. I had put full coverage on it while it sat on our lot beside the flower shop for sale. I told me agent to just cancel it on Monday 2-9-09 because I was going to take it back to the house for awhile. It had been sitting there for sale for about 3 months and was getting very little interest because of the economy. Well, as thing usually go, I got busy and didn’t get it moved home but didn’t worry about it too much since I would be hauling it the 3 miles home on a trailer.

Then the hail storm came and I thought, Man I sure messed up by canceling the insurance. To my surprise the 1995 YJ had escaped unharmed while others vehicle in the same lot had sustained damage. Still I remain busy with the upcoming Valentines Day rush at the flower shop and did not get the YJ escorted home.

After the very busy Valentine’s week and weekend I returned to work at the trucking company to get some rest. On Monday 2-15-09 I left work at noon and pulled into my wife’s flower shop at 1230 to find the Big Red Jeep YJ was missing. Yep, it had been stolen 1 week after I had canceled the insurance. Now, I never claimed to be real smart and this proved it. Judy was real nice not to be telling me how dumb I was at this point as if I hadn’t already figured that out.

I went in and call the Yukon City police and filled out a report. They were all real familiar with the Jeep because they had been watching it for the 3 months as it sat on the lot on Main Street for sale.

While I was waiting for the police to arrive I put the word out with the boys. I called Brad, Matt and Andy and told them to spread the word about the Jeep. They all went to calling their wheeling buddies and Brad had a friend send a text out to all the county deputies in the area. Matt sent a text out to all of the folks he could think of. As soon as the report was completed I went to the computer and put the word out to all of the contacts I had along with all of our Christian 4x4 Clubs across the country and on UCORA. It was now 430 pm and I had done all of the leg work that I could. I set back from the computer and bowed my head and prayed to the Lord. I told him. Lord, I have done everything that I know of to do. I have put the word out to everyone I can think of. You know that I can’t really afford to loss the money invested in this Jeep that I have for sale. At this time I turn it over to you Lord. It is now in your hands to handle as you see fit.

My wife had made dinner arrangements with some friends to eat out. Just as well go ahead with life as it is out of my hands. As we pulled into the restaurant at 530 pm, within an hour of me turning it all over to our Lord, my phone rang. It was my middle son Matt. He asked me if that Jeep had a black diamond plate tail gate on it. I said yes it does. He told me that some of our close friends Nik Kennedy and Wes Harkins had called him and they were following the Jeep just outside of Noble, Ok. That is about 50 miles away. I called Nik and to make certain of the Jeep’s identity I gave him all the details I could and we determined that it was for sure my Jeep. I told him to dial *55 and tell the police where they were and ask for help and I was headed that direction.

I told our friends Don and Caleta Duncan I was headed to Noble and if they wanted to go to get in the hold on. We then headed Judy’s Charger south toward noble. Yes, I might have exceeded the legal posted speed limit a little.

Within 10 minutes Nik called me back and told me that the Noble police had the pickup and trailer and another pickup pulled over and had placed 4 teenage boys into their police cars and were awaiting my arrival. In about another 20 minutes our dinner party arrived. Brad, who had also received a call and headed that way. We pulled into the parking lot at the same time. We identified the Jeep as being ours and the one that was stolen. It turned out that one of the 4 wheelers on the trailer had also been stolen 2 days earlier in Yukon and one of the others was also stolen elsewhere. Nothing had turned in on the 3rd one as of that time.

The 4 Juveniles were taken to the Noble Police station and their parents were call to come to the station. By this time Matt had gone to the house and hooked onto a trailer and had also arrived at the scene so we could haul the Jeep back home.

I instructed Judy to go ahead and take our dinner guest across the street to the Pizza Hut so they could get something to eat. After all, this was one dinner date they would probably not forget after their ride down. After about another hour of paper work we were allowed to load the Big Ebay Jeep onto our trailer and escort it home.

Everyone I tell this story to says, boy, you were sure lucky. I simply reply there was no luck involved in this recovery what so ever. There is just one way that this recovery could have all fallen into place without our Lord being in control. Nik and Wes were suppose to have been headed down to Lexington, Ok to pick up a friends jeep about 3 hours earlier, but had been detain for some reason. Nik and Wes were 2 of the very few guys in the Oklahoma City area that knew this Jeep almost as well as I did. The Noble Police were right on Main street in Noble when they got the call and seen the Jeep roll by with our heroes following right behind. These are just a few of the details that had to fall into place to make this all happen.

There is no way, except God being in total control for this Jeep to have been recovered in the way that everything fell into place. I give 100 % of the Glory to God for his aliening of the details which resulted in us regaining procession of the EBAY JEEP. Now don’t you think that this gave a big old boost to this OKIE FAITH. You dog gone betcha it did.

The next day I washed the Big Red off which they had been playing with in the river and found no significant damage. Just some soft top bows busted. It is such a blessing to have her home and sitting out back and still lookin good and nothing really to do except find another soft top frame and back up for sale in goes.

That wraps up this weeks excitement or at least I hope that concludes it. I guess I will still have to go to court over this little episode. But, that’s all for now.

Okie-Out and Blessed
David Austin.

2009-02-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

NO 4X4 WORK IN THE SHOP!!!!! With the women folks all busy with the usual pre-wedding rituals, Brad is busy with his own. He is hard at work in the preparation of his OLD 68 Pro-Street RS SS Camaro. The body work and paint preparation is being tended to while burning the midnight oil.