The wait is over for off-road fans, as Christian and Trent have officially announced the Dirty Dozen for Unreal Adventure 2025.
This hand-picked list of twelve finalists represents some of the most interesting and unique applicant vehicles, from which a final few will get the invitation for the trip of a lifetime.
The hosts also announced a key rule change for next year: starting with UA26, everyone must reapply annually. Christian explained that what they look for in an application is simple: “Just tell us in your own words why you built and what you built.”
1996 Ford Bronco
Joe Bach’s Power Stroke-swapped Bronco is a perfect example of an old-school, function-first build.
It’s tall, leaf-sprung, and sits on massive 44-inch TSL tires, proving Christian’s point that you don’t need “the cutting edge of technology to have a whole lot of fun off-road.”
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser
You have to be a truly dedicated off-roader to cut the roof off your rig in Minnesota. Dane Delarosa did just that with his bright orange Land Cruiser, but the coolest parts are the Volvo portal axles he fitted underneath the stock Toyota drivetrain.
1982 AMC Eagle
Returning finalist Scott Fox was so close to an invite last year that the hosts felt his unique AMC Eagle deserved another shot. The V8-swapped, one-ton wagon on 40s is a wild build that always gets attention.
1971 International Scout 800
Ross Hal has been building and evolving his Hemi-powered Scout for 15 years. The hosts noted that its well-sorted, leaf-sprung setup on one-ton axles is a testament to what a long-term, owner-built project can become.
1979 Toyota Pickup
It was the turbocharged Toyota 3RZ engine that first caught Christian’s eye on Alex Matula’s ’79 Toyota Pickup. That, combined with its perfect patina, dual transfer cases, and 40-inch tires, made this mini-truck an easy choice.
1986 Toyota 4-Runner
Shane Nation’s classic red 4Runner is a throwback to a popular build style. It’s solid-axle swapped with a Dana 60 front and 14-bolt rear, but keeps the famously reliable 22R-E four-cylinder engine.
1965 International Scout 80
Andy Rickman’s Scout is a true time capsule, built 29 years ago with a simple TBI Chevy 350 and Dana 60s from a Dodge and a UPS truck. Christian loved it, saying, “Good bread and butter parts that worked back then still work today.”
1985 Jeep CJ-10
It’s hard to ignore a Jeep airport tug, and Joey Rogs’ CJ10 is a prime example. The hosts were drawn to its unique look, fabricated flatbed, and its simple, powerful 4BT Cummins and Allison transmission combo.
1975 Ford Bronco
Steve Santa Cruz’s Bronco proves that a trail rig can also be beautiful. The hosts almost passed it by, assuming it was too clean to be capable, but its 5.0-liter V8 and custom-linked suspension make it a serious contender.
1990 Chevy V3500
Known for being wheeled incredibly hard in its hometown of Moab, Kevin Walker’s massive, doorless crew-cab dually is a beast. Powered by a 12-valve Cummins and an NV4500, this truck is all about heavy-duty fun.
1979 GMC K3500
John Wellburn’s GMC is a masterclass in fabrication. Trent’s favorite part was that he “cut down but retained the factory bed” to create a custom crew-cab short-bed, a look he called gorgeous.
2001 Jeep Cherokee
The final spot went to Zach Wolf and his 2001 Cherokee. Christian called his story a “hallmark of UA,” as Zach, who uses a wheelchair, completely outfitted the Jeep with hand controls and a custom lift to get himself in and out.
Dirty Dozen Finalists
It’s hard to imagine a more varied group of trucks, from a tiny AMC Eagle to a massive Chevy dually, all making it to the final round.
With the Dirty Dozen now announced, the annual debate among fans can officially begin, but the truly hard part now falls to Christian and Trent, who have to narrow down this incredible field to just a handful of invitations for the trip.