Roadkill Garage S02e04 The Off Road Challenger

: The car retained its raw, open-air mechanical vibe, featuring upright exhaust stacks that blasted spent gases directly into the air. Vehicle Component Original Specification Episode 4 "ORC" Modification Body / Fenders Stock 1970 Dodge E-Body Heavily radiused and cut away with a Sawzall Engine 318 ci Small-Block Mopar V8 Stock 318 with a tunnel-ram intake manifold Tires Standard street/dirt track tires Oversized, aggressive deep-tread off-road tires Exhaust Standard under-car routing Custom vertical hood/fender stacks The Shakedown: Volcanic Ash and a 100-Year Sandstorm

This episode remains a fan favorite because it embodies the Roadkill ethos: The Off-Road Challenger would go on to make cameo appearances in later episodes, always with the same bent control arms and the same stupidly happy V8 roar. It’s ugly, it’s broken, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.

The stock manifolds were replaced with long-tube headers and a tunnel ram intake manifold for a massive visual statement and extra breathing room.

: 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+ roadkill garage s02e04 the off road challenger

The moment of truth arrives as Eric and Sam take their off-road Challenger for a spin. They head to a nearby off-road course, where they put the car through its paces. The Challenger handles surprisingly well, navigating rocky hills, muddy trails, and sandy dunes with ease. The suspension system works flawlessly, and the HEMI V8 engine provides more than enough power.

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 Off‑Road Challenger has since become a recurring character in the Roadkill universe, reappearing in later seasons for additional upgrades, maintenance, and, of course, more abuse. : The car retained its raw, open-air mechanical

It later made an appearance at Roadkill Nights, where it drag-raced down Woodward Avenue. Despite having a tunnel ram intake manifold thrown onto its small-block 318 cubic-inch Mopar V8 engine, the car was notoriously slow on the asphalt.

It initially served as a rough, budget-built dirt track racer.

The central engineering challenge of the episode is as straightforward as it is shocking: fitting enormous off‑road tires onto a low‑slung muscle car. To accomplish this, Freiburger and Dulcich get to work with cutting tools, hacking away at the Challenger’s iconic sheetmetal to create enough clearance for the massive rubber. The stock manifolds were replaced with long-tube headers

This technical summary details the build and exploits of the "Off-Road Challenger" (ORC) as featured in Roadkill Garage Season 2, Episode 4 The Vehicle: 1970 Dodge Challenger Originally a clapped-out dirt-track circle racer

If you enjoy Roadkill Garage, be sure to check out more episodes from Season 2, including:

You can catch this classic episode of on various streaming platforms: