70 Years of Bestop. Swapping stories with Legendary Jeeper Rick Pewe

Bestop has been making tops for Jeeps as well as Broncos, Land Cruisers, Samurais and other open top 4x4’s for 70 years and Rick Pewe has been driving flatfender Jeeps for at least 50 of those years, so it was very appropriate that we would interview him as part of the 70 Years of Bestop Jeep Give Away. Rick got his first Jeep at age 15 and since then he has been off-roading all over the world, been a magazine editor, an off road racer, a 4x4 shop owner, an adventurer and an inductee to the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. Plus about 25 years ago he helped me get my start in the off road industry. On this episode we'll discuss how Rick got into Jeeps, what he thinks of Jeep modifications, those famous sandals, and where you can find him these days.
(Hint: you can find him here: / @gone_gpn )
To find out how you can win this 1954 Jeep CJ3B visit: www.bestop.com/7-decades-of-b...

[@thedirtheadshed]

Two of my heros !

[@rareearthfab5511]

💯

[@richfahsbender7756]

Thank you. You and Pewe shaped my childhood in the pages of 4WOR

[@michael-michaelmotorcycle]

I used to love when Pewe would yell ‘drivers meeting’ on the old ultimate adventure videos.

[@HarrySituations]

Rick is a true enthusiast. I am grateful to him for the role he played in shifting 4x4 magazines from show trucks to true wheeling rigs. We could use a little more or that in the world right now.

[@thomasbroussard3284]

Fred, you are knocking out of the park with this series. Can't wait to see who's next!

[@markpospichal1309]

Thoroughly enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Rick is definitely a legend, as are the others mentioned, so much awesome history and innovation between them.

[@ectolle54]

These two help shape my formative years. I used to always get 4WOR in school and still have a lot of the magazines from back then. Rick and David Frieberger were doing roadkill rescues on old jeeps back then and I was hooked on old jeeps and square body Chevys ever since.

[@joshuaatkins5197]

I'm only a minute in and I really hope to see him welding with sandals.. Freaking classic.

[@berryreading4809]

Rick Pewe is like the Rick Pewe of the Jeep world... 😂👍 Peterson's 4-Wheel & Off-road was always my favorite magazine to buy, I still have a pile of them around... One of my favorite classic Fred articles was the budget vs. high-end overland/camping build articles... (had everyone re-branding it as overlanding by that time? 🤣) I realized how underrated cheaper ladder racks vs. expensive bed cargo/tent setups... Which led me to utility/service beds for the ultimate do all 4x4 truck! Especially if you angle/ bobb the rear boxes for better a departure angle... 😉👍

[@Boroffski]

“That’s Christian Hazel” 👋🏼👋🏼 I don’t know why, but that was my favorite part.

[@bfeller99]

A big Thank You to Fred, Rick and Bestop to sharing this historical story,

[@longtalltexanrc3358]

this is such a great episode. Thank you for bringing us along.

[@richis65]

Fred and Rick, this was an awesome show. I am 79 and at one time subscribed to all of the magazines you mentioned. I did get to meet Rich one time in Johnson Valley some 25ish years ago. I assume he was in his GPW and was testing out a water mist cooling system on the Jeep. Once again, this was was a really great video.

[@danielbuck]

the passport story is fantastic 😀

[@johnburch6927]

Thanks!! Didn't know that Rick had a channel! You two are such pure enthusiasts. The most unfortunate part of the video is I knew exactly what Rat Patrol was.....dang I'm getting old.

[@blackmanta8999]

Fred this is awesome getting these stories while people are still with us! Keep up the good work I miss you and Dave on DED !

[@rickybobby6999]

I had the luxury of encountering Rick and Fred at ua 2022. You guys are absolute legends

[@CLo-cj2ml]

That was a great interview Fred. I like the wrenching part of your show but you have a knack for talking to people. You both are very knowledgeable and personable. Great video.

[@turbojunki]

These videos are amazing. Bestop giving away this Jeep is getting all these legends telling their stories is amazing

[@jamesj7328]

Definately the hardest driven episode~

[@michaelbohanon8137]

Fred, thanks for mining this one. You are a Hella tooth puller.

[@rediron44]

Great to reminisce. I started reading Petersons right when Rick started. Cool memories hearing you guys talking about it

[@charlesboetel1324]

Yes! Republic, Frank, Tony, Brett, and the PIZZA GIRL❤

[@stevecoppock7855]

Really interesting video, thanks Fred and Rick! Really enjoyed this one :-)

[@Beat98TJ]

Rick hits a big bump and throws spread sideways, Fred says “why don’t we stop right here?” 😂

[@rickyt11010]

Man I miss the days of you and Pewe at P4WOR. I was so bummed when it shut down. I was even more bummer when my P4WOR hat wore out and started falling apart.

[@jimletzring9791]

Not a Jeep guy but both of you and that magazine influenced my offroad habit

[@JeepnJeff]

I remember seeing a pic of Pewe's flatty on it's side. I think they used a Chevy 2500 to help winch the frame straight and welded it together. Pewe's such a cool guy. Loved the original DED's too. Though my favorite magazine of the time was 4Wheel Drive & Sport Utility with Phil Howell at the helm. I always loved how 4WD&SU wasn't too worried about paint. I remember one of the features was a FJ40 and they broke the front bumper off while doing the photoshoot and it was still featured.

[@oklahomawheeling4x4]

All the best Ultimate adventures was when Pewe ran it. The best!

[@ericfaley9019]

Pewe is a legend!

[@benrossbach6501]

Wife gets what work sounds to me happy wife happy life.

[@largedrop]

Big fan since P4WOR, great vid! 🤙

[@johnh8917]

What kind of a question is that Fred? You wanna drive this thing? That's Pewe!

[@ferp420]

i remeber article writen if i remember right by pewe about 30 years ago practice 👍 thumbs up driving lol it dident make sence to me then but the first time i drove off road i understood instantly and to this day i drive eith my thumbs up off road lol my thumbs are vary grateful

[@davidking3311]

Why am I just hearing of Ricks KZbin page Gone-GPN , he is the original and best Jeep story teller. Loved both of you guys in 4WOR

[@Hickeyjones]

We need to see the Pewe’ GPW back for EJS and the flatfender runs. No other vehicle had more influence on me in the last century.

[@JustMeMyselfNeye]

What a GREAT guy and an incredible inspiration RICK 🤘😁

[@phillipredfern6461]

You and Rick just brought back a flood of memories! Thanks Fred! When are you gonna have Frieberger on here?

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Thank you Fred for having Rick Pewe, his life's stories and that great "Flattie" you guys were "Wheelin" and driving on pavement. When Rick mentioned the Super Hurricane a LOT of memories came back to me. My Dad traded his old 1948 Jeep Pickup flat head 4 cylinder 3-on-the-tree (sometimes....long story) 4WD for a 1961 Jeep Pickup in 1963 with the L6-226 flathead (carb and exhaust on the passenger side of the engine) 6 Cylinder with the distributor mounted on the top of the cylinder head. Three speed floor shift transmission and 2 stick 4WD. Oh ya. The rear differential was a "Positraction" type. The 2 sticks were mounted just to the right of the three speed shifter. The Front Drive shift handle was longer than the 2WD/4WD Range handle. Perfect for quick front drive engagement/disengagement. Also it was 12 Volts not like the 48 with the 6 Volt system. LOVED that Jeep! Unfortunately, Massachusetts winters with salted roads took their toll on the Jeep. I was in the Military from 1968 - 1972. In 1971 my Dad rebuilt the 61's engine and did some body work to it then sold it to a couple retiring in New Hampshire. My Dad then bought a 1972 AMC Jeep J20. 360 AMC V8, 727 Chrysler 3 speed Torqueflite transmission, One Handle 4WD Transfer case Shifter, Power Steering, Power Brakes and a AM radio. We thought we were styling! I really liked that 72, but that 61 was always the one I thought about a lot. The L6-226 was a GREAT engine and I saw that truck push and tow vehicles larger than it's size. Thank you for the great video!

[@taunovalo2964]

You shaved for the film, a great choice!

[@bogginbrandon]

Pewe is a legend in the off-road world as far as I’m concerned. I subscribed to 4WOR as a kid all the way through the end of the print magazine era. Rick took over when I was in 8th or 9th grade. I remember reading every issue cover to cover as soon as it showed up in my mailbox. Rick’s articles and some of yours Fred gave me a base for all the off-road knowledge I have to this day. I remember when you first hired in to 4WOR Fred. I met you both in the parking lot of the black angus motel in Poteau Oklahoma. I got a tip from Stephen Watson’s dad that you were going to be there with the ultimate adventure. He brought their F-250 into my hometown ford dealer, where I was turning wrenches, for some A/C work. I think it was 2003 or 2004. It was the year you guys built the yellow step side Chevy UA truck. I remember Tom Boyd had the late model ford fiberglass on his bronco and burned his leg from a trail repair gone wrong that day. I got to hang out with you guys for a couple hours and even got an invite to go wheeling the next day but my bronco was in the middle of some upgrades and also over a 60 miles back to the west of Poteau on my hometown. I was bummed when I had to leave. It was great to meet you guys and the rest of the gang and get to see all the cool rigs on UA that year. Thanks for all your work guys. I’ve learned a lot from you both.

[@scark00]

Freddy my beloved 2016 jk was rear ended Saturday morning! Now I want that flat fender…😢😀

[@scottrhoades7678]

A video I will never forget, thanks guys 👍

[@57WillysCJ]

I remember early articles of Rick and David. I believe it was the early 90s. I do remember his putting the Buick 455 in because Jeep used a Buick motor. That and the fact the first car of my dad's that I drove was a Buick Centurian with the 455. Also some lunch hour drag races in 1979.

[@VetJeeper]

Great video, Love Jeeps!

[@TawDrago]

That was fun, Pewe has great stories.

[@larryboy8821]

I've learned from this series that people can drive a manual transmission, but not a T90. It takes a special touch, down into first requires timing and speed, up into second requires a steady hand and slow movement.

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

I found the 4wd community in juvenile detention facing felonies.the charges where dropped( complete bullshit charges)since then it was petersons and 4 wheeler that kept me on the straight.i thank you guy's for giving me something to get into and that has gone beyond just off road but to see all that our great states has and build a capable but damn durable rig to do so. Thanks you guys

[@nwyoda8792]

DUDE!!!!!!

[@ricardorangel2010]

Best part is seeing all the jeeps in the background lol

[@QuickSpeedShop]

I learned to drive in the woods at 13 in my dad's a rusted out 1959 Willys pickup in 1993. I saved it and stabbed back together a couple years ago and still use it. My first car was an '84 AMC Eagle wagon that I swapped in a NP229 TC, Dodge Magnum 9.25 SureGrip rear and built custom 2" lift for it. Still have it today, but it hasn't been on the road since '09. I recently saved a real rusty M38 with Artic cab, and M38A1 for future projects. Both are really rough. Oh, I did also build a '90 YJ from a parts Jeep. It had 6" of lift and was on 33"s. I flat fendered it and built custom sliders and flares. It was off road only, no title.

[@oklahomawheeling4x4]

Rat Patrol is what got me into loving jeeps as well. Wow small world.

[@MrTayloriron]

At the 40 min mark, when you guys were parked, there was a puddle of oil after you left. Check your oil again, lol

[@nealesmith1873]

My first Jeep was a 1943 Ford GPW, also at age 15, but in 1986.

[@WildCJ5]

I did color work for the mags when you guys were source and TEN.

[@jesper1406]

Oh dear! I was one of the millions of people watching your old show on KZbin, and simply dropped it when it went behind a paywall. I watched Tyler Hoover's new sidekick channel with his girlfriend, and they mentioned Motortrend and Finnegan. I went to check out Finnegan, and in the video I watched, he mentioned DED being cancelled, but that you guys had your own YT channels now. I searched, and here you are all swinging! ❤️ Had Roadkill and all you other guys stayed on YT, and started doing memberships and merch, you would've been billionaires by now, probably. But better late than never... I'm joining, subbing, sharing and liking with all hands and feet here... Why haven't you got any merch, patreon and a membership?!

[@ShopJock]

Did you see dave chapelles channel yet?

[@ShopJock]

Reminds me of being a kid and having a subscription to peterson 4wheel and off road as well a fourwheeler. Pretty sure the teachers wanted me to read books yet all i read was off road magazines....

[@jefflowrythor]

This is an an awesome and authentic episode. Jeeps 4 ever.

[@nickjohnson1111]

Great interview, I also grew up reading Rick and Fred in the magazines. Like Rick's GPW, my 85 CJ7 was my first car and it'll be the one I never sell.

[@erikjuno6687]

I miss the off-road magazines, especially Petersen's.

[@DaveAnderson-l2d]

I used to buy parts from Pewe at his Republic Off Road shop in Tempe.

[@jasonscharf97tj]

Nice video Fred

[@witcher71]

That GPW on Boggers is what got me really into wheelin'. Such a badass rig!

[@57WillysCJ]

It should be remembered when Jackson Browne came up with Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona it was because his Jeep broke down there. It broke down again later and he walked away from it.

[@SHADETREESHACK]

👍👍

[@charlesboetel1324]

Do not forget the M170❤

[@spencerwhite8704]

A hero a legend what fun that would of been to putt along in a flatty with Rick Pewe

[@randybrechbiel9748]

You should do a video about Grandville King and Super dog, he did a article in Off Road magazine

[@williamherring5441]

Fred: The truck 4 speeds are also good for reliability not just larger tires or more power. Who wants to rebuild a 3sp every season, only for it to pop out of gear and be under built even for a flathead with stock tires? v/r wh

[@shawnriddle3018]

Before Willys in the 40's,before jeep in the 50's Dodge 4x4 trucks since 1934. Jeep was a nick name for open top 4x4's. Jeep and beep were nick names which dodge command cars were also called in the war.

[@jnzkngs]

Once after seeing ads for a "men's magazine" with some 4x4 content I had a letter to the editor published begging to keep the exposed skin limited to occasional Ms. Bikini Mud Fest winners, and the tops of Rick's feet.

[@Gunmetalbluejeeptjs]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@benrossbach6501]

Not only a flat fender but a tall hood. Nice

[@matthewjohnston1400]

Legends

[@davidruppel1216]

I finally learned how to say Rick's last name after all these years. Also found out I'm a year older then him !😢

[@randyhemker792]

👍👍😎

[@Ken19700]

I'd like to build a GPW with a V8-60

[@anthonyanderson1479]

Buick 455 in a ww2 jeep? Dang lol

[@BrianMyers7]

How was Milt's? What's the order?

[@nealesmith1873]

That creep is following the CJ3B again!

[@dirtyoffroad]

Too much Jeep knowledge to be contained in that little flat fender.