In 1979, OK4WD opened its doors with a simple mission: help people build better 4WD vehicles so they could get out and explore. 

Just three years earlier, America had celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976. Now, nearly five decades later, our nation marks another incredible milestone, its Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence. 

As we celebrate Independence Day this year, we're reminded not only of our country's history, but also of how fortunate we are to call it home. 

A Place Where History Was Made

Our shop sits just a short 10-minute drive from the Delaware River, where General George Washington and the Continental Army crossed on Christmas night in 1776.

Standing along that river during the winter months, watching sheets of ice float downstream, it's impossible not to think about what those soldiers endured. They climbed into small wooden boats, carrying flintlock rifles, knowing they faced one of the most powerful militaries in the world. 

That crossing led to the victory at Trenton- one of the first major victories of the Revolutionary War and a pivotal turning point in America's fight for independence. 

Two hundred and fifty years later, that story still reminds us what courage, determination, and sacrifice look like. 

The American Dream in Action

OK4WD began in a small two-bay garage with an idea and a lot of hard work. 

Over the past 47 years, we've been fortunate to grow because of incredible customers, dedicated employees, supportive partners, and the opportunities that exist in this country. 

Building and sustaining a business for decades isn't easy. But America has always been a place where people with an idea, a willingness to work hard, and a commitment to doing right by others can build something meaningful. 

We're grateful to have experienced that firsthand. 

Freedom Means More Than Independence

For us, freedom also means having the opportunity to explore. 

It's loading up the truck on a Friday afternoon. It's taking the long way home. It's finding a quiet campsite miles from the nearest town on a part of America's remote lands. It's introducing your kids to places that don't have cell service. 

Whether you're exploring a local forest road, crossing the Rockies, or embarking on a cross-country expedition, we're fortunate to live in a country filled with public lands, scenic backroads, and incredible places to discover. 

Those adventures—and the freedom to pursue them—are privileges we never take for granted.

Happy Independence Day from OK4WD

The Declaration of Independence begins with words that continue to inspire generations:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Those ideals have shaped our nation for 250 years and continue to remind us of the responsibility we all share in preserving them for future generations. 

As you celebrate this 4th of July, we hope you take time to enjoy with the people who matter the most to you. Spend time with family and friends. Explore somewhere new. Be kind to one another. Appreciate the freedoms we enjoy and remember those whose courage and sacrifice made them possible. 

From all of us at OK4WD, thank you for allowing us to be part of your adventures.