Christian Hazel

Cal, San Diego

Editor-in-Chief at Four Wheeler Network

Host, 4x4 Garage Show at Motor Trend

Host of 4x4 Garage show on Motor Trend, Four Wheeler Network, author, photographer, video, dad, Guitarist, Masshole

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Articles

Helpful Tips and Tricks to Get Your New Project vehicle Home Safely

4 weeks ago | hemmings.com | Christian Hazel

The deal is done! All that searching, dreaming, and saving has paid off and you’ve successfully forked over your hard-earned cash for that vehicular project for which you’ve been jonesing over. The endorphins are hitting hard and you’re absolutely giddy with anticipation to give it a complete going through, investigating all the intricacies, hidden gems, and true condition of that new-to-you whateveritmightbe. It’s an electric high, for sure. But not so fast, Bucko.
The YJ Is The Best Value In Used Jeep Wranglers

Sep 18, 2024 | hemmings.com | Christian Hazel

It was 1980-something and news hit pieces on how unsafely small SUVs handled emergency road maneuvers were all the rage.
DIY Brake Job: 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser

Aug 15, 2024 | hemmings.com | Douglas Glad |Christian Hazel |Jeff Smith |Grant Cox

The 1991 FJ80 replaced the aging FJ60 as the 4×4 wagon in Toyota’s luxury line of trucks. Although the then new trucks were more comfortable and featured EFI and coil spring suspension, the brakes were rated as marginal by offroad enthusiasts with trail experience. We agree that the brakes on our 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser were not great, but some of that comes from a simple lack of maintenance. The 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser has 11.25-inch front disk brakes and 10.5-inch rear drums.
How to Choose What's Best for Your Jeep

Mar 4, 2024 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

Backspacing vs. offset, steel vs. aluminum, bolt pattern, and other considerations when selecting wheels for customizing your Jeep. When it comes to owning a Jeep, there's one modification above almost all others that every owner seems to make and that's new wheels and tires.
Build a Bombproof Dana 60 With This Ball Joint Eliminator Kit

Feb 2, 2024 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

Installing an American Iron Offroad Dana 60 ball joint eliminator kit. We frequently toss the word "bombproof" around when describing nicely built front Dana 60 axle assemblies. Things like high-strength lockers, heavy-duty axletubes, beefed-up knuckle assemblies, and, of course, high-strength alloy axleshafts with big, burly U-joints and/or CVs. But there's one area that is often ignored when building a bombproof modern Dana 60 front axle: ball joints.
Bilstein Suspension Upgrade for Toyota Tacoma

Jan 22, 2024 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

Bilstein delivers a major upgrade to this 2023 Toyota Tacoma, with no drawbacks!In terms of versatility, reliability, availability, and all the other ilities you can think of, it's hard to make a better choice than a Toyota Tacoma, no matter what you're going to be asking of your pickup. But that's not to say the vehicle doesn't leave the aftermarket room to make improvements.
Part 3 of the 4x4 Garage 2020 Ford F-350 and Vintage 1956 International S-120 Builds

Jan 4, 2024 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

We get dangerously close to completing the custom S-120 build for 4x4 Garage, presented by RealTruckThe 2020 F-350 we built to the specs of Jeff Ismail of IH Parts America was a relatively easy lift, with hardly any fabrication required to get the Viair 485C Gen 2 Performance dual compressor kit and Firestone rear suspension airbags mounted. The rest of the products we selected from the RealTruck almost installed themselves with no drama.
Old Ford Bronco Guide: History, Generations, Specifications, and FAQs

Dec 21, 2023 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

Ford's original SUV has become a hot commodity. Here's what you need to know if you're in the market for one of these classic Blue Oval off-roaders. Classic pickups and SUVs have really screamed up in price since the beginning of this decade, but the same can't be said for classic Ford Broncos built from 1966 through 1977.
Old Jeep Trucks Buyer's Guide: History, Generations, Specifications, and FAQs

Dec 14, 2023 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

We dive into early full-size Jeep pickups from 1963–1987. When Jeep pickup trucks were unleashed upon the world back in 1963 the styling was fresh, with crisp, clean lines that stood out like a squared-off handkerchief in the breast pocket of a pinstripe Mad Men ad exec's pinstripe suit. But by the end of the platform's run in 1987, there's no denying that the old, boxy Jeep trucks seemed outdated and stale from a styling perspective.
Part 2 of the Ford F-350 and Vintage 1956 International S-120 Buildups on 4x4 Garage

Dec 4, 2023 | motortrend.com | Christian Hazel

The Ultimate Towing F-350 and Insane International coming to 4x4 Garage, presented by RealTruck. Christian HazelWriter, PhotographerRyan FossPhotographerDec 5, 2023The 2020 F-350 and 1956 International S-120 builds that Christian Hazel and Johnny Wood are doing for MotorTrend's 4x4 Garage show, presented by RealTruck, are well underway, and there's some exciting stuff happening.