Milt Thompson founded Dixie 4 Wheel Drive in 1994 on property his family had owned since 1948 — a tile manufacturing site near the base of St. George's east bench that the Thompsons converted into what has become one of the most recognized 4x4 shops in the Intermountain West. Today the business is owned jointly by the Thompson family — Milt, Sharlett, and their son Bryce — and business partners Albert and Christine Wada, who joined in 2016. The shop operates from a 12,000-square-foot facility at 73 N 900 E.
Dixie 4 Wheel Drive specializes in full-service off-road builds, modification, and repair for Jeeps, SUVs, and trucks. The shop was recognized with the Best of St. George Award in the Auto Repair category in 2016 and 2017. Southern Utah's canyon-country terrain — Snow Canyon, Gooseberry Mesa, the JEM Trail system, Sand Hollow — generates a sustained local demand for Jeep and truck suspension, armor, axle, and driveline work that city-center shops in other markets don't see. Dixie 4 Wheel Drive has built its reputation on that specific customer.
**Verification notes** Website live; 1994 founding confirmed on About page and via chamber of commerce listing; Thompson and Wada family ownership confirmed via multiple sources including St. George News coverage; address 73 N 900 E confirmed on Yelp; 12,000 sq ft facility and family ownership confirmed.
Sources
- https://dixie4wheeldrive.com/
- https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/business/dixie-4-wheel-drive-celebrates-new-facility-with-free-food-family-fun-trail-rides/article_ac543f94-dadd-5a91-a81a-8599885cf52b.html
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/dixie-4-wheel-drive-st-george
- https://business.stgeorgechamber.com/list/member/dixie-4-wheel-drive-st-george-4094