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Feature > Events/Trail Rides

November 2004 Issue

Extremists At Uwharrie

The 5th Annual S-10 Extremist Bash

story and photos by Jim Allen

The S-10 Extremists have adopted trails around Uwharrie and picking up abandoned carcasses is one duty they gladly take on. When you go to the bottom of Cherokee Hill on the Dutch John Trail, you won’t find this sorry K5 Blazer any more. Within a couple of weeks of the Blazer being abandoned and stripped, the Extremists had hauled the corpse away. During the bash, an onsite survey was done and a week or so later, a team had come up to do the deed.

No matter what make, model or variation of 4x4 that exists, there’s likely an internet site devoted to it and a group of like-minded enthusiasts. Such is the wonderful utility of the modern computer and the internet. The S-10 Extremists are such a group and their long running site has brought fans of the General Motors S-Series compact trucks and SUVs together from all over the country to commune digitally. The fun doesn’t end there. For the past five years, along with assorted regional events, the Extremists have held a national gathering and that’s what this story is all about.

The Uwharrie National Forest lies in the south central part of North Carolina, almost due south of Greensboro and almost due east of Charlotte. It’s got 50,000 plus acres on what are just about the oldest mountains in North America, the Uwharrie Range. They’re so old that they’ve been worn down from about 20,000 feet to just over 1,000. These mountains contain some of the densest concentrations and combinations of prehistoric and historic Native American settlements in the southern USA, as well as historic sites from the European colonization and the early United States.

Ben Duncan’s S-10 Pickup hybrid was recently a feature rig in ORA. For those of you that missed it, it’s a K-5 Blazer to which the S-10 has been fitted. It has a 400ci V8, an Off-Road design doubler and Ben’s own air assist suspension system, to name just a few of its features. Ben’s rig didn’t even break a sweat on the section of the Rocky Mountain Loop, just below Kodak Rock.

You don’t necessarily have to have a built rig to have fun. Marcus Gregory illustrates that truth with his ’91 Blazer on Falls Dam Road. He needs little more than a set of 30x9.50 BFG All Terrains.

The hillclimb on Daniel requires traction, especially if your tires are a bit wet. Austin Acker’s ‘89 S-10 Blazer was more than a match, however. It’s got a 5-inch Trailmaster IFS lift (soon to be swapped to a solid front axle) combined with a 3-inch body lift. Tires are 35x15.50-15 Super Swamper TSXs. This rig could also be called the “You Light Up My Life-mobile”, with no fewer than 15 lights mounted above and below.

Brandon Voet maneuvers his ’86 S-10 Extended Cab hybrid up the “Rock Garden.” Built on a ’79 Blazer chassis, the rig used the K-5s original 12-bolt rear and Dana 44 front, along with the stock TH-350 automatic and NP-203 t-case. It mounts 33x12.50 Super Swamper TSL meats.

Mark Hall is the Extremist’s current head honcho and is the organizer of the Bash. His highly modified S-10 pickup can make short work of anything at Uwharrie, but the park is a focal point of his attention. He’s actively involved as a volunteer there as well as representing the views of the 4-wheeling public at planning sessions.

The park contains outlets for a variety of outdoor pursuits, but from the four-wheeling perspective, the 16 miles of trails are the main attraction. Overall, they run from two-wheel drive easy to near the top of the moderate difficulty category for rigs that are mildly built, but there are some optional tough areas that even the harder core types can enjoy. On the Rocky Mountain Loop Trail, there’s a spot called Kodak Rock that will get your attention. There’s also a nice rocky section on Daniel that adds some spice. When the trails are wet, the whole picture changes. The easy becomes hard and the hard becomes impossible. It’s that greasy Carolina clay, y’know .

S-10 owners will find a warm welcome at the Extremist’s website or in person at assorted events throughout the year. You won’t find a more fun, generous, helpful or caring group than the Extremists. Because the core group is in the southeast, southern hospitality is the theme and it’s worked it’s way though the entire group like a benevolent virus.

After a hard rain, this creek can run a little deeper. The climb out on wet tires can stymie some rigs, but Keith Holman’s nearly stock ZR-2 made it easily. This section is on a connecting spur between Dickey Bell and Falls Dam Road.

There are a number of gnarly spots on the Rocky Mountain Loop near the spot called Kodak Rock. Vinnie Picaroni brought his nicely equipped ’93 all the way from New Jersey to try his hand. It uses a Superlift 2-inch suspension lift and a 2-inch body lift to fit 32x11.50 Super Swamper SSR Radials. The 4.3L is basically stock but mounts Edelbrock headers. A limited slip is mounted in the rear axle.

Keith Holman’s ’01 Blazer ZR-2 makes short work of a rocky section of Falls Dam Road. Keith came down from Maryland to attend the event. ZR-2s are well equipped for the trail at Uwharrie, with a factory suspension lift, 31x10.50 tires and 3.73 gears. The rear axle in an 8.6 unit similar to a K-1500 truck and the front 7.25 IFS used a beefed up cast-iron housing, stronger diff rears and beefier CV joints. The Eaton Locking diff, better known as the “Gov-Lok,” is standard in the rear.

Jason Yocum’s ’88 S-10 Blazer bears little resemblance to the way it came out of the factory. Beside a Ford type Dana 44 front axle and a Lincoln disc brake 9-inch rear axle, it has a homebuilt 3-link front air suspension system. Tires are 37x12.50-15 MTRs. The engine is basically stock but with Edelbrock headers. It’s shown here on a new gnarly section that recently appeared on Falls Dam Road.

Mark Volpe drove out from Fredericksburg, Virginia. His ’88 S-15 GMC still wears it’s lurid ’80’s dealer applied paint. It also sports a 3-inch body lift, a Superlift 2”inch suspension lift and 32x11.50 tires. A Lock Right rear locker was a useful tool out on the trail. Originally with a 2.8L V6, the S-15 has been repowered by a GM 3.4L

Bill Voet, Brandon Voet and Jason Yokum negotiate the switchbacks on the hill climb on the Daniel Trail. Spilling a soda on this can make it almost unclimbable. You don’t want to be here right after a rain.

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