Cascadia 4×4 was founded in 2013 by two high school friends, Tom Dyakowski and Dave Loretto. Auto-enthusiasts from a young age and as former geologists, Tom and Dave took a downturn in the mining industry as a sign that they should start chasing their passion in the off-roading and overland industry. They dubbed their company the “off-road anomaly” due to their intent to stand out by committing to innovation, quality, and exceptional customer service.
The company started out hand-making Jeep light bar frames and light brackets in Tom’s parents’ garage, making a name for themselves as creators of high-quality products with a strong dedication to style, functionality, and durability.
In 2014 the Flipster V1 was launched. This was Cascadia 4×4’s answer to the question many 4×4 enthusiasts face when they mount a winch on the front of their vehicles: “Where do I mount my license plate in a safe, visible, and convenient location without impeding the aesthetics of my expensive off-road rig?”. The Flipster solved this issue and was an instant success. Flip your license plate up when you want to use your winch, and flip it down when you’re done! The Flipster looks great, it’s built to last a lifetime, and best of all? No more tickets from law enforcement for not having a front license plate.
The Flipster saw subsequent development in 2016 with the release of the Flipster V2 and in 2021 with the Flipster V3. The Flipster V3 features a 4mm thick 5052 aluminum construction, textured black powder coating, and stainless-steel hardware. The pièce de resistance is the zinc-alloy torque hinge, which allows the license plate to be held in any position, day in and day out. The CNC-machined aluminum spacer block included makes the Flipster V3 compatible with both hawse and roller fairleads alike.
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2018 heralded a new era for Cascadia 4×4 with an industry-changing invention: the world’s first hood-mounted solar panel system. Shown to the public for the first time at Overland Expo Flagstaff in 2018.
 The VSS System, or “Vehicle Specific Solar System”, is a semi-flexible solar panel that attaches to the hood of a truck or SUV and seamlessly integrates with the vehicle’s electrical system by means of a waterproof/dustproof MPPT charge controller. The idea is simple: the permanently attached solar panel keeps the 12v system topped up at all times. This allows the user the freedom to run fridges, charge devices/tools, use lights, etc., all without worrying about killing the vehicle’s battery. After installation, the VSS System works automatically and requires no further input or special maintenance. With technology adapted from the marine industry, the VSS System is particularly adept at withstanding extreme environmental conditions.
A big announcement is coming about an entirely new version of the solar panel product known as the VSS System 2.0. Â It is planned to be launched in Q1 2025. Cascadia 4×4 has taken the lessons learned over the last six years and applied them to a completely re-designed system. It will feature improved cooling, removability, Bluetooth integration, and a cutting-edge type of solar cell technology. Cascadia 4×4 listened to their customers and is excited to deliver another innovative product in 2025. More details will be shared on the Cascadia 4×4 website in the coming months.
To learn more, contact [email protected].
