I AM LEGEND.... A very special TJ Wrangler

This Jeep has been the 4WD1 accessory and suspension display vehicle for many years, and (IMHO) would have to be one the best of its model around. 

Our pride and joy starred on the front cover of 4WD Action magazine (Issue 133) The article and photos inside covered seven pages. You can read the full article here.

The equipment list is extensive and comprises high-quality components that have been professionally fitted.

WARN products include a Rockcrawler front bumper with winch plate, grille guard, tow hooks and shackles, rear bumper with off-road hitch receiver with shackle kit, and Warn’s top-of-the-line 9.5ti Thermometric winch featuring Warn’s sealed housing for extreme-duty water resistance.

RUGGED RIDGE products include 7inch wide flares, deep-wall floor mats, neoprene seat covers and window sliders. Plus, stainless steel bonnet latches, bonnet hardware, lamp guards, vent cover, mirrors, fuel bezel, side bar/steps, windscreen hinges and windscreen-mounted light bar.

RANCHO products include a Rockcrawler 2.5 inch suspension featuring patented high-articulation control arms, coil springs, Pro-Series nitrogen remote-reservoir ride-adjustable shocks, dash-mounted in-cab shock absorber adjustment system, RS5000 heavy-duty steering damper, and sway-bar disconnects.

Mechanical improvements include a slip-yoke eliminator kit utilizing a heavy-duty transfer case output shaft, double-carden rear propeller shaft, 4.1:1 diff ratios, new LSD in the rear, 8x15 Mickey Thompson Classic II alloy wheels, 33x12.5R15 Goodyear MTR radials, Skyjacker steering rod, K&N air filter, and titanium-compound disc brake pads.

Other items include a Mopar chrome grille, Mopar CD player with roof-mounted sound bar, and stainless steel KC Daylighter lamps (1 x pencil + 1 x flood). The soft-top is an American Bestop product with tinted rear windows.

Meet Bruce Poole (Cool) Warn winch distributor

(Question): Hi Bruce! Thanks for meeting with us. What is your main role at Ateco Automotive? How long have you been with the company?

(Question): What is your favorite beer and camp-cooked meal?

(Answer): Prefer Tooheys Draught, but happy with whatever’s going. Meals, no real favourites - all good! 

(Question): What is the best part about your job at Ateco Automotive, and what is the hardest?

(Answer): Best, hearing from dealers/customers that are happy. Hardest, thankfully rarely, dealers/ customers that are never satisfied.

(Question): One of your own ‘drives’, is a great example of a 1960’s Mustang. I know hot-rods, and early Mustangs are something you have a real passion for. What other things are you interested in? (Sports, hobbies, music - anything?)

(Answer): Drag racing, cars and boats. Rugby union & league. Music that rocks, old and new. 

(Question): No expense spared, what would be your 'dream' 4WD?

(Answer): Would be happy with a fully turned out '80 series turbo diesel.

(Question): What is the best off-road destination you have been to, and where else would you love to go?

(Answer): Cape York (been too). Fraser Island (love to go)

(Answer): Questionable quality in much of the really cheap product is reflected in the price. Warns quality and manufacturing standards are consistent. Warn has set these standards in the market that the others are trying to follow.

(Question): What decision factors are best kept in mind when it comes to selecting and purchasing a new electric self-recovery winch?

(Answer): Purchasing from a known, reputable supplier who understands your winch recovery requirements and can offer long term product support. As Warn has been distributed in Australia by Ateco for over 40 years, product support is a given. 

(Question): What is your favourite Warn product?

(Answer): Warns 9.5 XDC

(Answer): National sales manager, going on 23 years employment with Ateco!

(Question): At 4WD1, we’ve always found doing business with you a first-class experience. You know your stuff. There’s never a hassle, and you could probably pull-down and rebuild a Warn winch blind-folded…. How did you first get involved with Ateco, as well as develop such an in-depth understanding of the products.

(Answer): Employed by Ateco back in 1988 to set up machinine shop facility to maunufacture 24,000lb truck winches for military contracts. My back ground as a fitter/toolmaker, with experience in transport hydraulics has made it easier for me to understand products and applications. Progressed from workshop, sales reprentative, into current management position. 

(Question): Over the past decade, the Australia marketplace has seen boat-loads of cheap electric winches imported from China. From your experience, what (generally speaking) is the difference between much of the cheap Chinese product and the more expensive Warn winches?