The crew at Go Rhino has been working on some new and exciting things that are coming our way. The shining star — literally? Their all-new Xplor Series lighting lineup. “At Go Rhino, we believe that exploring the unseen is more than just a pastime: it’s a passion that brings people together, tests their limits, and teaches the true meaning of adventure,” they explain. We agree completely, and we know that there are some essentials you need to explore in the dark, quality lighting being one of them.
Go Rhino released something unique with their Blackout Series and Blackout Combo Series lighting options. For those who like the blacked out look, these lights are for you. If that is not your thing, then the Bright Series is your genre. Both work with the compatible Go Rhino Switch Controller, to make a one-stop-shop opportunity and have it all work together seamlessly. Let’s dive into Go Rhino’s latest lighting evolutions: the Xplor Blackout Series, Blackout Combo Series, Bright Series, and Flash Series.
The Blackout Series offers more than just one innovative upgrade to your lighting system. Their high-pressure, cast aluminum housings double as heat sinks, preventing overheating. Also, all-black reflectors reduce glare. Not to mention, the smooth polycarbonate lenses are stronger and more durable than glass or plastic making them offer greater resistance to scratching and impacts.The lenses are also UV coated, making them more weather-resistant.
The OSRAM LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours and are IP68 certified to fight off dust and moisture for unlimited outdoor use. Plus, all black stainless steel mounting hardware and brackets give the whole setup a smooth, cohesive look. Each of the lighting options in this lineup are plug-n-play ready, with wire harness, fuse, and switch included.
Available in spot or flood optics, these lights emit a bright white 6000K beam. While both lights use 4 LEDs, the smaller Cubeit 2 puts out 20 watts, while the Cubeit 3 emits 40 watts. The Cubeit 3 is a more traditional size with powerful light.
With a wide angle of diffusion ideal for rock lights, the Sideline emits a bright white 5700K Beam using a total of 70 watts. Perfect for ditch lights, the side LEDs throw a broad pattern. They are available in flood or spot optics, allowing you to dial in to your specific purpose.
Six 5-watt LEDs totaling 30 watts put out a bright white 6000k beam on the Sixline. It comes available in both spot or flood optics. Single stud mount as well as flush bezel mount options make it easy to mount anywhere you need extra illumination.
Available in 7- or 9-inch options, the Maxline and Maxround are the highest output options in the Xplor series. This is for the user looking for max power with max capabilities. The 9-inch Maxline is rated at 144 watts while the 7-inch comes in at 108 watts. The 9-inch Maxround uses 170 watts to put out 14,280 raw lumens, while the 7-inch serves up 80 watts of power for 6,720 raw lumens. The blackout reflector and unique shape and style sets them apart.
The Singleline light bar comes in at just over 1.5 inches high, while the Doubleline – you guessed it – doubles it. Both light bars are available in 20-, 30-, or 40-inch options, with Singleline outputs ranging between 6,300 to 12,600 raw lumens. The Singleline light bar has side mount capability, is low profile to give a space saving powerhouse to fit anywhere on your vehicle. The Doubleline LED light bar comes in the same lengths as the Singleline, but with more robust power outputs, from 200, 300, and 400 watts, with some serious outputs of 16,800, 25,200, and 33,600 raw lumens respectively.
The Blackout Combo Series offers the same stealthy design as the Blackout Series, but with added color. While the Blackout Series puts out bright white light, the Combo Series lights also include amber and flashing amber.
Both Blackout options use the same OSRAM LEDs, with a white color temperature of 5700K, but the Blackout Combo also features R65 compliant amber warning lights, which also come with a strobe function. The Combos’ constant built-in white running/marker lights, or daytime running lights, have you covered for most on- or off-road driving, while the amber option gives necessary visibility in low-vis weather like rain, dust, and fog. The Blackout Combo Series is available in models Sideline, Sixline, Singleline, and Doubleline. They are just like the Blackouts in terms of wattage and output, but with the addition of amber LED marker lights that have both constant and flash capabilities to give users more versatility while out adventuring.
The Bright Series are the best bang for your buck when it comes to Go Rhino’s Xplor lineup. They’re just as reliable and high-quality as the Blackout Series, and a little friendlier on the wallet. The selection includes various sizes, models, and options to meet almost anyone’s needs. While delivering a more traditional look, the Bright Series has something for all your lighting needs. There are plenty of options for light bars, cube and rectangular lights for bumpers and a-pillars, and also round lights. Match any combination of lights to the Light Switch Controller and you’ll easily be lighting up the trail. The Bright Series is great for the user looking for the best ‘bang for the buck’ lighting in the Xplor lineup.
Cube 3 offers four interchangeable colored bezels as well as standard all-black construction and plug-n-play wiring. It’s sold in a set of 2 and available in flood and spot optics.
Available with all the same features as Cube 3 (except the colorful bezels), the Sideline Rectangle uses more LEDs to put out 75 watts. The sets of two are available in spot and flood optics, and it comes with a plug-n-play harness.
Each features aluminum housing, all black hardware and mounting brackets, and plug-n-play wire harness. Both are available with spot and flood optics, with LED configurations ranging from 2 for the small to 6 for the large. These also come in sets of two.
The same new & improved aluminum housing, and available in combo optics (spot and flood). It features all black hardware and mounting brackets, plus plug-n-play wiring. These light bars are available in 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-inch sizes.
The Round 6 offers all the benefits of the other Bright Series, and has both driving and spot optics in addition to spot capability. They come with integrated DRL functionality and a plug-n-play harness.
An ideal floodlight, the Square 5 comes as a set of two in the same great package with flood optics.
The way to complete your Xplor Lighting collection is with a way to control all the lights. That’s where the Go Rhino 8-Channel Light Controller comes in. specifically designed for the off-road enthusiast and adventure seeker who wants to control all their accessories from a single compact unit. The controller features up to 8 channels with a sticker sheet to encourage customization to the user’s preference, whether lights or accessories. It also features a master on/off memory override center switch for those times you want to shut it all down quickly.
Small but mighty, the Flash Series offers a multi-function, white, red, and amber light bar in a tiny package. Less than 1 inch tall, it can function as a brake light, running light in white or amber, or a white flood light when needed.
Just like the Blackout series offerings, the Flash Series offers a high-pressure cast aluminum housing, patented all black opticals, no hardware, and a seamless polycarbonate lens. Available in 10-inch, 20-inch and 30-inch lengths, with adjustable mounting brackets included.
If your lighting setup has been lacking power, or you’re on the hunt for quality upgrades that won’t break the bank, check out the GoRhino Xplor series. From top-of-the-line Blackout and Blackout Combo to wallet-friendly Bright Series and more, Xplor offers tons of solutions sure to take your lighting setup to the next level. For more information or to shop the lineup, visit gorhino.com.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD Nov/Dec 2023.
Some say Jeep owners will always remain Jeep owners, they simply upgrade to newer vehicles over the years. And while that may be true for many, some flip the script when their needs change. Of course, we know that once a Jeeper, always a Jeeper, even if one adds another horse to their stable. That is certainly the case with Jon Sackett. While his off-road roots are deep with Jeep, he didn’t stray too far when his needs changed. While he still owns a Jurassic Park Jeep replica, his daily driver shifted over to another vehicle in the Mopar family: a RAM Power Wagon.
“Sackett was tired of hearing his friends complain when the Jeep couldn’t keep up with the trucks on washboard trails. All signs pointed in the direction of him getting a truck.”
The Jeep JL Sackett exited was a notable build. A cover feature in Tread a few years back, it was also shown off at SEMA Show in 2019 and recognized by many online. While it was able to rock crawl with ease and be nimble on tight trails, he found himself not needing those features as most of his friends were in trucks. Not to mention, the lack of space was limiting the gear he could bring. Sackett often relied on friends with more space to bring items that he couldn’t fit in his Jeep JL. As he describes it, “This sorta made my build feel inadequate for the type of adventures I love the most, which was just getting out to the middle of nowhere, to a beautiful location, and setting up camp for the weekend.” Also since the vehicle was his daily driver, the height also limited him. Finding a place to park wasn’t easy, as parking garages were usually not an option.
After a move from California to Phoenix, Arizona, Sackett knew it was time to make a change. Keeping up with traffic driving 80+ on the freeway was tough in a squirrely Jeep, and Sackett was tired of hearing his friends complain when the Jeep couldn’t keep up with the trucks on washboard trails. All signs pointed in the direction of him getting a truck.
When it came time to pick a truck, that was easy for Sackett. Just like the Wrangler, the Power Wagon has roots in World War II. It was the workhorse for the U.S. Army as it was able to transport supplies and more troops to the front lines where the Willys were not able to; similar to the conundrum of what Sackett found himself in. As Sackett says, “The Power Wagon was like the Rubicon for the RAM trucks.” Just like on his Jeep Wrangler JL, the Power Wagon has a disconnecting sway bar, front and rear lockers, and more. To him, it seemed like a larger version of his Jeep with more room for people and gear. Now with a significant other and a dog, the extra room was that much more important and the decision to buy a RAM Power Wagon was an easy one.
As the time came to decide the direction of the Power Wagon build, Sackett decided to think it through a bit and enjoyed driving the truck stock. He enjoyed a vehicle that was smooth and easy to drive on the highway. He took it camping a few times, using a ground tent, and preferred that setup. Mostly, he was impressed with how the truck handled both on and off-road in its stock form, not to mention all the extra room he now had. Around this time, he also started his own business, from which the vision of the truck and business aligned. “I knew I wanted to build the truck out to not only be badass and get me through anything but also still feel like an OEM truck for around town and doing things for the business,” Sackett tells us. From there Sackett Ranch was formed and the truck followed suit with a ranch look.
While the Bed Rack headache rack may stand out in style, the rest of the truck is all off-road. Liking the AEV Prospector and Prospector XL, Sackett wanted something even more badass than a Prospector XL. He wanted a Prospector with disconnecting sway bars, lockers in front and rear, and a powerful 6.4L V8 engine. Since AEV didn’t build Power Wagons, Sackett took matters into his own hands. Themed as a ranch truck, it would be a powerful off-road beast capable of hauling gear for work, towing vehicles, and taking him out to camp and off-road on the weekends. AEV bumpers with the Brush Guard give the truck the look he desired and extra clearance for difficult trails. He mounted AEV wheels with 37-inch Toyo Tires Open Country Mud Terrains, keeping the suspension stock.
“While the Bed Rack headache rack may stand out in style, the rest of the truck is all off-road.”
The headache rack gives the Power Wagon the ranch look, but also provides needed protection when hauling around overland gear and items for work. Sackett says, “I have been able to haul giant steel bumpers in the back of the truck that I would have definitely busted out the rear window if I didn’t have the Bed Rack back there.”
Another functional key feature Sackett likes is the varied setup for the full-size spare tire. When he’s driving around town or back and forth to the office, he opts to mount the tire in the bed of the truck using the AEV vertical tire mount in the bed of the truck. This allows him to use his backup camera and keep the truck as short as possible when in the city. He also has peace of mind that his full-size spare is with him when on quick day trips to off-road and romp the dirt trails. When it comes time for a longer trip and he needs more room in the bed of the truck, he switches over to using the Rig’d Ultraswing Hitch Carrier. Not only does it carry the full-size spare, freeing up valuable bed space, but he can attach the 1Up bike rack to bring his Super 73 e-bikes. Also, he gets an added cooking space with the drop-down table on the Ultraswing.
“All MPG concerns also were diminished as the truck gets impressive results on highway miles.”
The goal with this Power Wagon build was to be a true all-around vehicle. As Sackett shares, “Sometimes it’s best not to go too hardcore one way or another. As I have learned over the years, every time you add an advantage in one category, you sacrifice in another. So, I really wanted to build something that was a balance.”
“Just like on his Jeep Wrangler JL, the Power Wagon has a disconnecting sway bar, front and rear lockers, and more. To [Sackett], it seemed like a larger version of his Jeep with more room for people and gear.”
Opting to now sleep on the ground, no longer in a rooftop tent, he has a pretty luxurious glamping setup. He sleeps in a Gazelle T4 Hub Ground Tent and a Gazelle G6 Gazebo is his camp kitchen. Best part, he is able to fit all the gear in truck bed with ease.
The truck is also able to rock crawl surprisingly well enough to satisfy Sackett’s needs. Even with its stock suspension setup on Bilsteins, Sackett believes it performs better over rocks than a lot of non-Jeep SUVs and mid-size trucks. Since his AMP Research power side steps aren’t rock rails, they keep him from driving over too crazy of terrain. Mostly ample clearance allows the truck to avoid most obstacles anyway.
All MPG concerns also were diminished as the truck gets impressive results on highway miles. Around town, gas mileage proved similar to the JL. However, on highway miles, he can average 500 miles on a tank of gas, fully loaded with gear and it rides like a Cadillac. On the highway, his Jeep would run at high RPM, get horrible gas mileage when loaded, and would only travel about 200 miles before it needed a fill up.
And while those items would be nice, Sackett also has peace of mind to know his full-size truck can keep up with the Jeeps, proven on a trip to KOFA wildlife refuge with his girlfriend, her dad, her brother, and friends. They all drove Jeeps and Sackett drove the RAM Power Wagon 50 miles a day for 4 days between Quartzite and Yuma. While there were some tight areas and he thought the truck would get hung up due to the overall size and longer wheelbase, the truck impressed. It did not scrape skid plates, rub fender liners, hit on approach or departure angles whatsoever. As we know, it could also be the driver. Nonetheless, he could not have picked a more beautiful location with lots of interesting places to stop along the way to test the capability and comfort of his truck.
We look forward to seeing the future of this truck and possible additions to the build. Next steps are an AEV suspension upgrade for more height and durability, although the OEM Bilstein suspension is impressive. The other item Sackett wants to add is an AEV snorkel, since he lives in the desert with lots of dust and wants to pull cleaner air.
To see more from this AEV RAM Power Wagon, follow @sackett.ranch on Instagram.
2022 RAM Power Wagon
Engine: 6.4L Hemi V8
Wheels & Tires: AEV Katla 17×8.5 with +27mm offset (front and rear); Toyo Tires Open Country M/Ts size 37×13.5R17LT
Suspension: OEM Bilstein shocks
Armor: AEV Front Bumper, Rear Bumper, front Brush Guard; Bed Rack Headache Rack
Exterior Accessories: AEV Vertical Tire Mount; MOPAR Retro Vertical Slotted Grille; KC HiLites Flex Era 4 w/ Amber covers; SDHQ mounts; WARN Zeon 12-S winch; RAM Rugged Cases 95L, 52L, 105L in truck bed;
Interior Accessories: Vertx VTAC Storage Cubes; Dometic CFX3 55IM Electric Fridge, water jug, electric faucet; Rugged Radios GMRS radio; Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium battery; Ignik Growler + Firecan; Camp Chef Versatop 2x
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD July/August 2023.
The now famous LC79 4×4 ‘Black Truck’ just wasn’t enough. Justin Montesalvo, director of Patriot Campers, had to go bigger and more extreme and show the world what his team was truly capable of. The love for Toyota Land Cruiser is strong at Patriot, so taking a LC79 and turning it into a 6×6 on portals was the next evolution of the Supertourer program.
The team at Patriot calls this monster the Mega6x6. It’s rolling on 37-inch BFG KM3 mud-terrains, has up to 8 inches of lift, and has a fully functional six-wheel drive system.
“The largest strength … is its massive ground clearance and low center of gravity. This of course is because of the portal axles, adjustable air-ride suspension, and massive tires.”
The build debuted at the Melbourne 4×4 Show in 2018. Since then, it has done a wide range of serious overland adventures across Australia and recently the U.S., after its SEMA Show debut in 2022. It is currently on the auto show circuit with Toyota U.S.A. between off-road excursions.
While there is no doubt this truck was built to turn heads and showcase the top-notch work at Patriot Campers at big shows, it was also built to be a real-world capable vehicle for long-range overland travel. Montesalvo and his team at Patriot Games TV have shown this time and time again by taking this beast on properly difficult off-road adventures and sharing those adventures on YouTube.
The only big issue the Patriot team has dealt with on the Mega6x6 over the years is the transmission. It started life with the stock 70-Series Land Cruiser 5-speed manual transmission, but in 2022 it was updated with a Wholesales Automatic 6-series gearbox from a 200 Series Land Cruiser. The Patriot Campers team often had to replace the clutch when coming back from trips due to the big loads it was being put under, particularly when off-roading and towing heavy loads. This was the driving factor behind their decision to switch to an automatic transmission.
A smaller issue was the suspension setup, which has gone through a few iterations of airbag systems. A setup from Airbag Man Air Ride System eliminated those early issues and has been working flawlessly for a few years now.
The only other updates over the years to the Mega6x6 have been tweaks to the PCOR canopy system. The build currently has a Half Canopy fitted to the tray, but over the years it has had different iterations, including a 3/4 Canopy and no canopy at all, depending on the trip demands it was undertaking at the time.
“The love for Toyota Land Cruisers is strong at Patriot, so taking a LC79 and turning it into a 6×6 on portals was the next evolution of the Supertourer program.”
You don’t see a lot of 6×6 Land Cruisers because they are overkill for most people, aren’t easy to build well, and aren’t inexpensive. The Mega6x6 uses a JMACX Off Road Solutions 6×6 conversion kit, which was developed as a revised chassis to accommodate the extra axle. The system weighs 772 pounds more than the standard 79 Series chassis and is thought to be the lightest of its kind on the market. The chassis upgrade provides a gross vehicle weight rating upgrade of up to 13,669 pounds. A coil conversion kit ditches the leaf springs and provides a much improved smooth and comfortable ride for long distance touring.
Taking this build a notch further are Mark’s 4WD Portal Axles, which offer more ground clearance without a big lift kit and help to allow big 37-inch mud-terrains to fit on this LC79. Helping stop this huge vehicle and six big heavy tires are WP Pro Brakes with 14.2-inch rotors and 6-piston calipers.
We asked Montesalvo what the strengths and weaknesses of this special truck are. Few would know the weaknesses of such a build because few are built and even fewer are actually used for serious off-road travel. Montesalvo has continuously put the Mega6x6 to the test, so he knows firsthand exactly what it can and can’t do.
The largest strength Montesalvo said the Mega6x6 has is its massive ground clearance and low center of gravity. This of course is because of the portal axles, adjustable (up to 8 inches) air-ride suspension, and massive tires. Stability is also a big strength, provided by the wide track width portals and six wide tires. Of course, all those tires—all six of which are powered—also offer an incredible amount of traction.
A few other strengths include the massive amount of space, load-carrying capacity, impressive towing capability, and range of the vehicle. Two replacement fuel tanks are fitted, which combined hold 63 gallons of fuel. An auxiliary switch manages fuel distribution between the tanks, while a pre-fuel filter kit keeps the fuel lines free of impurities.
“Montesalvo has continuously put the MEGA6x6 to the test, so he knows firsthand exactly what it can and can’t do.”
Add in 18 gallons of onboard drinking water and a massive amount of onboard power and you get a machine that can stay out on big adventures for extended periods without issue. Montesalvo also notes that the custom interior is a refined and comfortable place to be, making long-distance touring a breeze.
The only thing Montesalvo could come up with as a weakness is that “parallel parking can be challenging.” We have no doubt that could be a difficult task in a 23-foot-long truck, with six wheels, where only two wheels help turn it. Its length and width are also a challenge on some tight trails, especially those requiring tight turns between immovable objects.
With 354 horsepower on tap from the 4.5L V8 twin-turbo diesel that has been upgraded and modified by GSL Fab, now backed by a LC200 automatic transmission, not only can the Mega6x6 tackle impressive off-road terrain, but it can also eat highway miles with ease. A full host of X-Ray Vision LEDs mean driving at any time of day is as safe as possible. Also, with all its area lighting the Mega6x6 looks like the alien mothership has landed at camp.
Speaking of camp, this big truck has all the creature comforts of home. A large Dometic 55L fridge/freezer drops down out of the canopy, keeping perishables and beverages cold and even ice cream close at hand. The Half Canopy is a lightweight and robust solution that offers just the right amount of enclosed secure storage while keeping a large section of the tray available to transport big bulky gear like swags, motorcycles, and UTVs.
Be sure to check out this incredible vehicle in action on the Patriot Games TV YouTube channel. Watching this beast crawl through mud, rocks, and snow while fully loaded and towing a big trailer full of more fun adventure toys is a sight to behold.
Patriot Campers 6×6 Megatourer
Chassis: LC79 w/Jmacx Offroad Solutions 6×6 Kit
Powertrain: 4.5L V8 Turbo Diesel, Upgraded Turbocharger, Snorkel, Custom Air Box, Stainless Exhaust w/Dual Stacks, Toyota LC200 Automatic Transmission Conversion
Drivetrain: 14.2” Disc 6-Piston Caliper WP Pro Brakes Airbag Man Air Ride System, Mark’s 4WD Portal Axles,
Wheels & Tires: 17×9 Bob Jane T-Marts Monster Wheels, 37/12.5 R17 BFG KM3 tires
Accessories: PCOR Tray & Canopy w/Twin Spare Tire Carriers, Custom Metal Fenders, Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform, Hayman Reece X-Bar, PCOR Custom Bullbar & Side Steps, X-Ray Vision LED Lighting, Front & Rear Saber Offroad Winches, 240L Aux Fuel Tank, 70L Water Tank, Dometic CFX3 55L Fridge, Custom Nappa Leather w/Suede Trim Interior, 8” Alpine Infotainment System, Redarc Electronics Power Management System, 2 Lithium & 2 AGM Batteries, Twin Air Compressors, Twin Air Tanks, Redarc Solar Panels
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD July/August 2023.
