Roadkill Garage S02e04 The Off Road Challenger 〈Edge〉

: They take the modified "Off-Road Challenger" (ORC) to a lava flow in the desert.

Roadkill Garage Season 2, Episode 4, David Freiburger Steve Dulcich

The episode follows the hosts as they perform extreme modifications on a clapped-out to prepare it for off-road use.

The engine was ruined by the sandblasting effect, leading the car to sit dormant for two years before its eventual revival in later seasons with a 360 small-block. Legacy and Later Appearances

: They take the modified muscle car to the desert to test its capabilities against lava flows and open terrain. roadkill garage s02e04 the off road challenger

The donor car was a rust-free (by East Coast standards) but mechanically tired 1970 Challenger coupe. It had a slant-six engine and an automatic transmission—the least powerful, least glamorous version of Mopar’s iconic E-body. For Freiburger, that was the point: a cheap, disposable body that could be hacked without guilt.

The mechanical meat of the episode occurs at Steve Dulcich’s famous grape farm. The build relies heavily on aggressive body modification and budget parts. The Off-Road Challenger Is Reborn! | Roadkill Garage

In , titled " The Off-Road Challenger!

The duo takes an E-body muscle car—typically reserved for restoration or drag racing—and "hacks" the sheet metal to fit massive off-road tires. The Build: They utilize a 1970 Challenger : They take the modified "Off-Road Challenger" (ORC)

After fitting the oversized tires, the duo took the ORC to a desert lava pit for testing. The adventure turned legendary—and literal—when they encountered a with 70 mph winds.

Watch the transformation and desert-testing of the Off-Road Challenger in these highlights: Roadkill Garage - Dirt-Cheap 1970 Challenger Rescue! 15K views · 1 year ago YouTube · Roadkill Reborn

The mechanical setup remained intentionally low-tech. The car retained its factory-style torsion bar front suspension and rear leaf springs, though both were adjusted and modified to maximize ground clearance. The powertrain consisted of a basic Mopar 318 V8 engine hooked up to a rugged TorqueFlite automatic transmission. With open headers peeking through or dumping aggressively, the vehicle lacked basic amenities, including an air filter, which would later prove to be a critical mistake during testing. The Desert Trial: The 100-Year Sandstorm

In true Roadkill fashion, Steve Dulcich and David Freiburger take a break from the drudgery of restorations and sanctioned racing to answer a question nobody really asked: Can a rusty, decrepit 1972 Dodge Challenger be transformed into a capable off-road warrior? In "The Off-Road Challenger," the duo puts their budget-mechanic skills to the test by attempting to blend classic Mopar muscle with raised-truck utility, proving once again that with enough fabrication and a welder, anything is possible. Legacy and Later Appearances : They take the

: Following the engine failure in the sandstorm, the Challenger sat neglected for two years before being revived in later episodes (like Season 4, Episode 1) with a fresh 360ci powerplant. Where is it now?

Rather than purchasing a proper lift kit, Freiburger and Dulcich employ the classic budget hot-rodder trick: inserting wooden blocks between the leaf springs and the axle. While crude, this provides the necessary clearance for larger tires and allows the suspension to articulate better over bumps.

The episode provides a masterclass in "junkyard engineering." Unlike high-budget garage shows, Roadkill Garage thrives on problem-solving with limited resources. Viewers are treated to the gritty details of the lift process, which involves cutting, welding, and re-purposing parts rather than ordering expensive bolt-on kits. It’s a raw look at automotive fabrication, showcasing the ingenuity required to make mismatched components work together.

: This car, later nicknamed "Vanishing Paint," became a recurring project, eventually receiving a 360 engine and further drivetrain upgrades in later seasons. Where to Watch You can find this episode on various streaming platforms: HBO Max Tubi Apple TV Discovery+