ABOUT — CHRIS OVERACKER

Chris Overacker with his favorite YJ.

My experience with 4x4s began in 1974, with my first Jeep, a '46 CJ-2A. After several years of tinkering with the Jeep, two years of Auto Shop in high school, and graduating from Denver Automotive and Diesel College, I worked for several different 4x4 shops then decided it was time to start my own business.

In 1983, I settled in Glenwood Springs Colorado, where I started Stage West 4x4 Center. Off-road racing entered the picture in spring of 1987, when my friends and I built a Jeep CJ-7 from scratch for the famous Mint 400 off-road race. We entered class 3 and finished 4th place. Later, we entered the Craig 300, and then the Mint 400 again in 1988.

By the mid 90's, Stage West 4x4 Center was setting the standard for Western Colorado in custom fabrication of suspension systems, bumpers, cages, and general fabrication. National magazine editors and writers noticed several products I built as one-offs, and asked me to build trick vehicles for them. Stage West was soon nationally recognized.

In the summer of 1995 I started Mountain Off Road Enterprises, Inc. (M.O.R.E.) . Less than a year later I sold Stage West 4x4 Center (which remains a thriving business), and moved M.O.R.E. to Rifle Colorado. M.O.R.E. grew into a large manufacturing business that now provides the 4x4 industry with several unique products I designed and engineered.

In 2001 I sold M.O.R.E., and incorporated CODE 4X4, Inc. (Chris Overacker Design Enterprises). CODE 4X4 has since grown into another thriving business. I’ve recently added Brian Quinty as my assistant manager, and we have moved into a much larger facility, added tools, equipment, inventory and services to meet Western Colorado’s demand for professional Jeep, Truck, Automotive and SUV repair, parts, service and accessories.