These Incredible Hobbit Homes Bring Tiny House Living To The Next Level

#1 Green Magic Homes

A company in Florida, called Green Magic Homes, can bring your Hobbit living fantasy to live.

via http://www.littlethings.com/

#2 Pre-Fab Pods

These homes are pre-fab and eco friendly, made to reside under grass and soil.

Green Magic Homes

#3 Inside

These pods are not only cute on the outside, but the inside is charming. They are also weather resistant, 100% non-toxic, non-corrosive, fire resistant, and emit no carbon.

via http://www.littlethings.com/

#4 100 square Meters

The10 square meter Hobbit holes are take 10 days to make and can survive harsh elements, and even an earthquake.

via http://www.littlethings.com/

#5 Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Made from fiber-reinforced polymer, they are protected from sun and water.

via http://www.littlethings.com/

#6 Choice Of Sizes

You can choose from a studio all the way up to a 3 bedroom, and some have garages and wedding gazebos.

via http://www.littlethings.com/

#7 Fruit And Vegetable Farms

Some get really creative, doubling the structures as fruit and vegetable farms. Take that Bilbo Baggins.

via http://www.littlethings.com/

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These Islands Are Above The Arctic Circle, But They're Warm And Gorgeous All Year Long

The islands of Lofoten in Norway are known for two things: Their stunning beauty, and their relatively warm temperatures. Lofoten is above the Arctic Circle, yet its average temperature is above freezing all year.

Steffen Schnur/Moment/Getty Images

Lofoten is a grouping of islands in northwest Norway. It's known for its stunning cliffs, calm inlets and idyllic seaside fishing towns.

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Because Lofoten is above the Arctic Circle, in summer the nights are really long, and in winter they're really short. In fact, the sun never sets between May 25th to July 17th, and it never rises between December 4th and January 7th.

Colin Weston/Stockbyte/Getty Images   

Despite these extremes in daylight, Lofoten has a very temperate climate. That's thanks to the gulf stream, which pushes warm air across the Atlantic and up the coast of Norway. Lofoten has the greatest positive temperature difference in the world, relative to latitude. Lofoten is high above the Arctic Circle, yet the average temperature never gets below freezing.

Babek Tafreshi/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Thanks to its northern location, Lofoten gets a spectacular showing of the Northern Lights.

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TERRIFYING World's Most Dangerous Roads (Photo Gallery)

#1 Karakoram Highway

Image via blogspot.com

This highway linking Pakistan and China reaches altitues of 16,000 feet and is no laughing matter. You wouldn't want to fall off this one.

#2 Guoliang Tunnel Road (China)

via http://www.oddee.com/

This tunnel/road is 1,200 meters long and was built by locals in the 70's. It took 5 years to construct this road that tunnels in and out of some of the steepest peaks in China.

#3 The Road Through The Himalayas

via http://www.complex.com/

This road through India has more curves than any road should. Trucks commonly fall down the steep grades of this road.

#4 Road Of Death

via http://www.trilulilu.ro/

This Bolivian road is not only long, but it is called the road of death for a reason. It is responsible for 100-200 fatalities a year.

TOYOTA MADE A MODERN VERSION OF MARTY MCFLY’S DREAM TRUCK

Rounding out its celebration of Back to the Future Day, Toyota created not one, but three modern interpretations of Marty McFly’s dream truck from Back to the Future Part II and simultaneously debuted them in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. I think you’ll agree; the result is pure nostalgic magic.



Expertly blending 1980s magic with a modern truck, this 2016 Toyota Tacoma sports some subtle but distinctive upgrades.

Note the KC HiLites Gravity LED G46 and KC HiLites Daylighter Gravity LED

Image: Toyota

Perfectly setting the retro tone, Toyota slathered the truck in the appropriate 1985 paint color code. Then it lifted it on a custom off-road suspension to mimic the ride height. Toyota also bolted up some Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Wheels wrapped in appropriate BFGoodrich tires.

The custom tailgate makes the look.

Image: Toyota

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Jeep Wrangler Supercharged by GeigerCars

GeigerCars presented recently a supercharged version of the Jeep Wrangler Sport. The Jeep Wrangler Supercharged by GeigerCars is powered by the 3.6 liter V6 engine, which has been upgraded to develop 356 hp and 417 Nm of torque. This is an extra 80 hp and 70 nm of torque in comparison to the standard version of the Jeep Wrangler. The new supercharger package for the Jeep Wrangler includes a cold air intake system, a reprogrammed ECU, a charge air intercooler, and a four-outlet-pipe stainless steel sports exhaust system. This is a bolt-on supercharger so it does not need any internal engine modifications. This supercharged Wrangler comes with a lifted suspension (2.5 inches) for improved ground clearance. GeigerCars' supercharged Wrangler sits on Bilstein dampers, 18-inch alloys and 305/70 Mickey Thompson tires.


In terms of styling, the GeigerCars Jeep Wrangler Supercharged comes with a front bumper bull bar, a metal front skid plate, and a special rig at the rear for carrying the spare wheel and a water tank. There is also a roll-over bar at the exterior of the A-pillars, and LED auxiliary lights. GeigerCars sets the price of their supercharged Wrangler at 64,200 EUR.

via:zercustoms

The Kraken by COP4x4

Camp Crocker, the owner of COP4X4, is infamous in the Jeep building industry for his one of a kind creations. “The Kraken” is a prime example of the unique type of builds created at Phoenix, Arizona’s COP4x4. When purchasing a Jeep for a build, Camp has a few guidelines he follows. He prefers Jeeps to have around 130,000 miles and to be completely stock. Stock Jeeps are best. When creating the types of builds done at COP4x4, there is little to no room for error. Starting with stock Jeeps, COP4X4 doesn’t have to worry about the vehicle’s measurements and specs being compromised. The Jeep also needs to have the power package (locks and windows) and a hard top. Even with the high number of miles, most if not all of the drive train and many additional components will be updated when the build commences. Therefore, there is no advantage to start off with a lower mileage vehicle.

The motor of choice for this build was the 5.7 Hemi. Camp is known for dropping the 5.7 liter Hemi engine in his Jeeps. With that reputation, COP4x4 is one of the “go to” shops for those who are looking to drop a Hemi in their Jeep. The 350 HP motor was mated with a 545 RFE auto transmission. This is just what a Jeep like the Kraken needs to keep cruising at 75-80 MPH down the freeway. Of course, at 9 MPG one might be a little more selective on how often the Jeep is driven. The transfer case was updated with one from a Rubicon. The lower gear ratio will be well utilized when off-roading. The rear axle was replaced with one from a Ford F-350 because the added strain from the 54’’ tires would have snapped the stock axles.
Equipped with 20×12 Fuel brand wheels and 19.5/54/20 Mickey Thompson tires, this monstrosity is illegal to drive in California because the frame is 14″ too high. However, it’s legal in Arizona. Luckily for Camp, he only visits California and doesn’t live there. To compensate for the lift, the Kraken has a heavily modified Tereflex 6″ long-arm kit along with “TNT” custom front brackets as well as welded custom brackets for added third arm support. The Kraken also has a Tereflex heavy duty front steering system and assist ram.

For a most effective color scheme, Camp painted the trim to match the body and used billet round washers throughout the vehicle. The Kraken has several in-house COP4X4 brand parts as well. Examples are the solid aluminum door hinges and handles. He also added COP4x4 skins and sliders that add to the substantial look of the vehicle.  He added Smitty-built front and rear bumpers for a beefed up look, along with a Bulldog winch with synthetic rope. A winch is always a good thing to have along when off-roading, and Camp plans on personally testing his latest build.
When I asked Camp how difficult it was to drive this beast around, he replied “It drives and handles just like any other well-lifted jeep”. I thought he was being sarcastic. However, he let me take it for a spin, and I have to say that it really isn’t that much different and handled remarkably well.  Now, some may feel like they are operating an “AT-AT Walker” (the walking robot from the Empire Strikes Back for all the readers who aren’t nerds) but this beautifully modified Jeep drives as smooth as a standard lifted Jeep.
Camp has been busy making the rounds by taking his latest and biggest creation to well known events like the Moab Jeep Safari and the TDS Jeep Safari. Being a big supporter of our military, the COP4X4 Kraken was also designated as the lead vehicle in a military escort that passed through Arizona.
If you have been wishing you could modify your Jeep, the COP4X4 team can surely make your dreams come true.
via:lifeofcustoms.com

Check out the world’s first high speed sport amphibian car The BMW’s GIBBS Quadski

Finally, a vehicle has been manufactured to be driven on land and water too, it’s BMW’s GIBBS Quadski amphibian car, the world’s first high-speed sport amphibian car that has a 1.3 liter BMW engine that’s powered by four cylinders, and it pushes out 175 horsepower, also it features a speed of 72km per hour on land and water too!


This unique amphibian car was manufactured by a Detroit-based team, who supported this car with Gibbs’ “High Speed Amphibian” HAS – technology that includes about more than 300 patents.

Quadski can transform itself from a land car to a watercraft during only five minutes, and it has a proprietary marine jet propulsion system along with a fantastic wheel retraction.

via:1mpics

Mopar Muscle is Monster Jam's first OEM monster truck in over a decade

New monster trucks seem to join the Monster Jam circuit every year, but it's not often that one gets the official blessing of an automaker. That's about to change, however, as Chrysler's truck division has teamed up once again with Hall Brothers Racing – which already fields the championship-winning Raminator and Rammunition trucks – to field the series' first new Original Equipment Manufacturer monster truck in over a decade.

Dubbed Mopar Muscle, the new Ram monster truck will debut at the Monster Jam in Detroit on Saturday at Ford Field, at the first of six such events in which Mike Miller (who, incidentally, named his son Hemi) will drive the truck throughout the year.

Here's what you need to know: Based on a 2014 Ram HD pickup (or at least made to look like one), Mopar Muscle stands 10 feet tall and weighs over 10,000 pounds, and it's powered by the legendary Gen II 426 Hemi that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. But instead of leaving the massive 7.0-liter engine as is, Hall Brothers Racing enlarged it to 565 cubic inches – a mind-boggling 9.3 liters – and supercharged it to 2,000 horsepower. That's a whole lot of muscle no matter what it's packed into. Check it out in our high-res image gallery above. You can also check out the full schedule of events in the press release below to see if the truck is coming to your area this year.

via:autoblog.com

J. Ruiter Reboot Buggy

"I've got a secret car club," designer Joey Ruiter tells me. The club in question is defined, in both spirit and literal membership, by the gold and black t-shirt he's wearing that bares the shorthand exclamation, "MIDZWL" across the chest. The letters are shorthand for the phrase "Might as well..." and represent the attitude of the kind of person it takes to build the vehicle I'm here to see and drive: the Reboot Buggy.

"Might as well" is a phrase uttered and heard with some frequency amongst the circles of car guys and tinkerers the world over. "Well, I needed to replace the front discs anyway, so I figured I might as well get a bigger set of Brembos. Then I wasn't sure I had exactly the clearance I needed from the wheel, so I guessed I might as well get a set of eighteens while I was at it; and at that point, I might as well do the rear brakes, too..." You know this guy. Perhaps you are this guy.

Ruiter is most certainly "that guy," as evidenced by the imposing black, open-topped-box vehicle that I'm wide-eyed over in his Grand Rapids, MI garage. The Reboot Buggy started as "the notion of a city car" and an "exercise in curiosity," and ended up here, with a vehicle that can jump over sand dunes, pick up the kid from school, turn every head that it passes and enthrall car writers like me enough to make the trip to come see it. The "Reboot" part of the sobriquet was meant as a concise definition – what you get when you strip away all the conventions of car building, and make a pure, functional vehicle. An eye for interesting form, a love of machines and more than a handful of MIDZWLs later, and you end up with this beastie. Henry Ford never had it so good.
via:autoblog.com

Jeep Wrangler by Vilner takes extreme luxury off-road

Vilner turned its customary and intensely luxurious attentions to a two-door Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited back in 2012, following that up this year with its take on the four-door version. A coat of lustrous black paint outside is brightened up LED headlights, foglights and taillights and layers of chrome laid on the grille, mirrors, door handles and fuel filler cap.

Stance gets an injection of brawn from the 20-inch wheels, and they'll roll faster thanks to the power upgrade from 197 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque in the 2.8-liter diesel to 257 hp and 412 lb-ft.

Inside is furious red, with cross-stitched crimson leather and Alcantara demanding your focus. When you can look away from that, you'll find the raw metal parts painted black and again ornamented in minor applications of chrome. Feel free to feast on it in the high-res gallery above.
News Source: Vilner, Carscoops
via:autoblog.com

Russian Monster Trucks On Mean Tires Eating Snow For Breakfast!

With huge tires on this winter machines, the from Russia and these monster trucks seem capable of conquering any terrain on the planet! Imagine this, that they have no problems crossing snow, and ice, or soft and wet ground and even float on water and have a jet propulsion! Amazing right?! Well check out these strange and bizarre monster trucks that will go about anywhere, except the moon!

4X4 Off Road Rally Event Tradition Continues

A very eager competitor in the annual 4x4 off road rally takes air during a really wild ride in the mud pit afternoon event. Photo by: Matt Murray / www.thewhistlernews.com on June 2, 2012

On the first weekend in June each year the Pemberton Off Road Rebels club presents a great 4X4 off road rally event. Many friends and families come together to enjoy this very family friendly outdoor event. The 4X4 off road events are held across two days and provide a variety of entertainment for the spectators. It was free for the public to attend during 2012. The location of the off road track is between Whistler and Pemberton on HWY 99 at Green Rivers.

The photo below shows the hill climb event that was over 300 metres in length and very steep. The competitor in the photo below is driving using no hands as he waves at the camera. The runs during the hill climb competition are measured by distance and time.

A truck climbs to the top of the 300 metre hill during the competition at the Permberton Off Road Rebels annual event. Photo by: Matt Murray / www.thewhistlernews.com on June 2, 2012
There was a wide variety of vehicles that entered the competition. The challenges for the 4X4 off road vehicles are all viewable for the general public to enjoy across the two days of the rally. The photo below shows a more stylish off road vehicle that is based out of Pemberton, BC.

A competitor blasts to the top of the hill climb competition at the 2012 4X4 Pemberton Off Road Rebels Rally event. Photo by: Matt Murray on June 2, 2012
The mud pit event is one of the most exciting and a spectator favorite. This is when the event crew digs a very large trench and fills it with mud. Then the competitors drive at speed over a jump into the mud pit and race to the other side to complete the timed event. The competitor with the fastest time wins the event.

source:thewhistlernews

Who’s Ready For An FWD Land Rover?

From Ferrari’s manual-free pledge to BMW’s move to front-wheel-drive, the auto industry is breaking down formerly untouchable barriers left and right.
The latest: longtime four-wheel-drive specialist Land Rover will build a front-drive version of its forthcoming compact “SUV Coupe” known as the LRX. The new model, which debuts at this fall’s Paris Auto Show, will generally be available with all-wheel-drive, but after launch a front-drive base version will become available. Though Landie had previously foresworn FWD models as being incompatible with the brand’s values, there’s been a change of heart and according to Autocar, the Tata Motors-owned marque
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cannot ignore the growth of the two-wheel-drive SUV segment

There’s been no word thus far about the LRX’s availability in the US, but if it does arrive stateside don’t expect FWD versions to be imported. And don’t expect the LRX codename to grace its rear deck either: five names are said to be under consideration for the model, one of which is “Land Rover Compact” and none of which is “LRX.”

1943 M3 HALF-TRACK

Between the world wars, the US Army sought to improve the tactical mobility of its forces. With the goal of finding a high-mobility infantry vehicle, the Ordnance Department had evaluated the half-track design by testing French Citroën-Kégresse vehicles. The White Motor Company produced a prototype halftrack using their own chassis and the body of the M3 Scout Car.

The design, using as many commercial components as possible to improve reliability and rate of production, was standardized in 1940 and built by the Autocar Company, Diamond T Motor Company, and the White Company.
Offered with a choice of White 160AX or IHC RED DIAMOND 450 engines, the M3 was driven through a manual constant-mesh (non-synchromesh) transmission with four forward and one reverse gear,[1] as well as a two-speed transfer case. Front suspension was leaf spring, tracks by vertical volute spring.[ Braking was vacuum-assisted hydraulic, steering manual, without power assist. The electrical system was 12-volt.
The M3 was the larger counterpart to the M2 Half Track Car. The M2 was originally intended to function as an artillery tractor. The M3 had a longer body than the M2 with a single access door in the rear and seating for a 12-man rifle squad.[clarification needed] Ten seats were arranged down either side of the vehicle, with three in the cab. Racks under the seats were used for ammunition and rations; additional racks behind the seat backs held the squad's rifles and other stowage. A small rack for mines was added on the outside of the hull just above the tracks. In combat, most units found it necessary to stow additional food, rucksacks and other crew stowage on the outside of the vehicle. Luggage racks were often added in the field, and very late vehicles had rear-mounted racks for this crew stowage.
Early vehicles had a pintle mount just behind the front seats mounting a .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun. The later M3A1 adopted a raised, armored 'pulpit mount' for the .50-caliber, and .30-caliber (7.62 mm) machine guns could be used from mounts along the sides of the passenger compartment. Many M3s were later modified to the M3A1 standard. The body was armored all around, with an adjustable armored shutter for the engine's radiator and a bulletproof windscreen.
The halftracks were initially extremely unpopular and dubbed "Purple Heart Boxes" (a grim reference to the US Army's decoration for combat wounds) by American troops. Chief complaints centered around the complete lack of overhead protection from airbursting artillery shells and that the armor was inadequate against machine gun fire.
Total production of the M3 ran to nearly 41,000 vehicles. To supply the Allied nations International Harvester produced several thousand of a very similar vehicle, the M5 half track for Lend-Lease.

MERCEDES-BENZ G63 AMG 6X6

We're not sure who it's really for — multi-millionaires with secret lairs miles away from the nearest road, perhaps? — but we do know it's badass. The Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 (£350,000; roughly $525,000) is the biggest, most rugged offroader Stuttgart's ever produced. As the name suggests, it features six wheels for increased traction, a twin-turbocharged 5.5L AMG V8 cranking out 536hp, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. It's not all rugged capability, though, with an interior that features copious amounts of leather and Alcantara, sports seats, and other luxurious appointments. Just don't expect to see too many of them — word has it there's only going to be 20-30 built each year.
via:http://uncrate.com/

Dodge Power Wagon

There's a soft spot in our hearts for well-done resuscitation of vintage off-road iron. Perhaps the most notable company performing such restomod work is Icon 4x4, but the Californian outfit isn't the only company turning its attention to the down-and-dirty side of the vintage scene.

Legacy Classic Trucks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is using the 2012 SEMA Show to display the Legacy Power Wagon. As its name implies, the truck started life many, many years ago as a Dodge Power Wagon (built between 1945 and 1980 – not to be confused with the current version), itself based on an older military design. In stock form, the Power Wagon was much loved for its stalwart ability to carry people and products over just about any terrain.

In the form you see above, the massively capable Power Wagon looks beefy enough to pull a freight train uphill through a snow storm... or something like that. As seen above, the Legacy Power Wagon would set back its buyer some $180,000. In base configuration, the truck runs $114,950. That's a huge sum, no doubt, but we're sure a few well-heeled buyers won't mind.

If nothing else, the Legacy Power Wagon Conversion is equipped with top-shelf componentry. The buyer can choose from either a 426-cubic-inch V8 with 425 horsepower from the Mopar parts book or a 3.9-liter Cummins turbo diesel four cylinder mill pounding out 480 pound-feet of torque. A range of transmission options are available, up to the stout Allison unit of the show truck.

All the specifications and options can be seen here, and we invite you to gaze at our high-res image gallery above.

source:http://www.autoblog.com/

Monster Truck Limo

Monster Facts
Claim To Fame: The world's largest (and currently only), street legal monster limousine
Creator: Bob Fisher, the Immensely Innovative Inventor
Owners: S.D.M Industries, LLC
Creation Date: Designed and built in 2000 by really talented friends of S.D.M. and other monster truck lovers
Make & Model: Originally a Ford F350, now with a few modifications
Engine: Ford's stock 7.3 liter Diesel
Length: 36 feet (after S.D.M. added 14 feet)
Height: 11 feet (after S.D.M. lifted it 24 inches)
Weight: 7 tons (Yes sir, 14,000 pounds)
Special Features: 46 1/2" tires on custom Alcoa rims, a reverse gull wing rear entry door, complete leather interior, fantasy and mood lighting, rockford fosgate speakers and surround sound system, CD/DVD/VCR and 27' color television, privacy window, and a...full bar for plenty of beer, wine, and other spirits
Cost to build: About a quarter of a million dollars (That's $250,000)
source:http://limoz.com/

FJ45 - Toyota 4x4 Land Cruisers

The FJ45 was only available in the U.S. from 1963-1967. Originally offered as a short bed pickup with fixed or removable top & doors, a long bed pickup with removable top & doors and as a 4-door wagon. However, availability of the these models is quite limited.

1970 Dodge Crew Cab - Cummins Swap Power Wagon

In 2003, Brian Wellman of Southern Indiana saw a '70 Dodge Crew Cab for sale online and knew it had to be his. He envisioned a red truck pulling his red '70 Plymouth 440 GTX to car shows around the United States.
So Brian made arrangements to have the truck hauled to Indiana from its Burbank, California, home—and over the next decade, he tinkered with the truck until it was completed in 2012.

At some point in the Dodge's life, it belonged to the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department in California. When the truck was purchased, it had a Sheriff's Department sticker on the windshield and a unit number painted on top. And Brian found a receipt for a glovebox liner that was originally shipped to someone at Edward's Air Force Base in California.

He contacted both the Sheriff's Department and a few people at Edward's AFB but was unable to narrow down a complete life history for the truck. Its previous life remains a mystery—but it is believed to have been a military service vehicle.

In 2005, after selling the GTX, Brian's plans and strategy for the truck began to change. Since he no longer had a car to haul, he concentrated on making the Dodge show worthy. “I wanted to preserve the Dodge heritage of the truck by keeping it as original as possible yet having the power a Cummins diesel could offer," Brian says.

source:http://www.8-lug.com

Awesome - Offroad Monsters