I received an e-mail – one of many of course. But this one had a link in it. Many emails have links. This particular link was one to remember, because it took me to a website, showcasing off-road vehicles.
Not just any off-road vehicle but the very special ‘Pre-Runner’ truck, from LRC Off-Road. I thought to myself, OK, looks pretty good. Let’s watch this video then. I gasped as quietly as I could in an office environment, because I just saw this huge truck launch itself over a canal. I then realised that I may be able to get a ride in one of these things. It was going to be a happy day.
We had ventured out into Al Awir desert with John Lehmen from LRC, together with a few other 4×4 enthusiasts. John had his large truck that was towing a trailer, with another large truck on it. Very different trucks I might add. This was the Pre-Runner truck on the trailer. It was taken on a trailer, because it wasn’t strictly road legal. I was going to find out why…
Daniel and I had brought our camera gear, including a video camera, to capture this beast of an automobile in action. This thing was fast. Oh so very fast. From a distance, it covered its terrain with ease – dunes, hills and even the poor shrubs that would have regretted sprouting where they were. But the real experience was when we took a ride ourselves. We had to strap in (I was surprised there were no roller-coaster style bars inside) with ‘the real deal’ buckles. I thought to myself, “Will these belts be necessary?” My precognitive conscience then replied, “Yes James, I think they will be. Just you wait.”
With 650 horses powering a full 5000lbs of truck, I was intrigued to see how it would handle, and how fast it would really go once sitting inside. John and Daniel were at the front, with me riding ‘female dog’, in the tiny seat at the back. This was by no means a bad seat, because I could still see what coming towards me, together with what would fill my mouth (broken glass and red sand) if I wasn’t belted up.
The engine was running and off we went. John seemed to handle this vehicle with expert precision, but it was this together with the performance of the all American made engineering of the Pre-Runner truck, that made a mark. Grip was astounding, speed and stability was even more profound, and the noise, oh yes the noise was quite delightful. And all of this was over dunes and obstacles that your typical ‘Land Cruiser’ would struggle with – whether it was on its wheels or not. The ride was shortly over, but I wanted more. I wanted air. I wanted to launch over canals. Unfortunately, there were no canals nearby. Maybe next time.
Here are the full specs and contact info:
Weight: 5000 lbs (2265 kl).
Wheel Base: 128 inch (3.25 mt).
Track Width: 92inch front, 92inch rear
Front Suspension: 25inch travel, unequal length a-arm and j-arm, Fox bypass and coil-over shocks.
Rear Suspension: 31inch travel, 4 link suspension, Fox 4.3inch by-pass and coil-over shocks.
Engine: Aluminum EFI LS2 500 HP.
Transmission: Rancho built TH-400 semi-automatic full reverse manual valve body.
Fuel Cell: Harmon 61 gallon
Steering: Fortin
Tires BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR 37inch
Wheels BTR 17×9 beadlooks
Brakes: Pro Am 6piston, 13.5inch rotors
Seats: Beard
Nets and Belts: Mastercraft
Lights: 2 xenon HD´d
Communication: PCI
Navigation: Lowrance HDS10m
Body: Stock cab w/trailer products glass
Options:
Motor from 500 HP to 750 HP
Steering: Pro Am
Lights: Light bar, bumper light´s and cab light´s.
Contact: info@lrcoffroad.com
http://www.lrcoffroad.com
Published in April 2011
