This Week In Jeep

4xe Wranglers May Not Work In Cold Weather

Keller Rohrback, a law firm out of Seattle, with a name that sounds more like a blind and deaf Pokemon, is gathering Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe owners to put them in concentration camps for their culpability in the human welfare crimes that happening in the ore mines that made their batteries. 

I’m joking of course, but that really is going on, so if you’re thinking you’re saving the planet or anything like that it’s actually just the opposite, but I digress. 

This law firm is actually looking for any and all 4xe owners, for a possible class-action lawsuit. A call-to-action post on the business’ website claims Jeep misled buyers of the plug-in hybrid off-roaders by claiming they can operate in electric-only mode, but new evidence is now proving that’s not always true. Did you guys know about the
“FORM Mode” on the 4xe Jeeps?   Yea neither did anyone else! FORM is an acronym that stands for Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode, and when this mode is active, it keeps the internal combustion engine constantly engaged in winter temperatures.

Obviously, this is going to affect MPG and the owners of 4xe’s are now coming together to say that the premium they paid to have exceptional mileage from their Jeep was sold a false bill of goods. The claim is false advertising, because if you claim a Jeep gets a certain mileage, or can operate in a certain way no matter what, but in reality, it’s not even remotely capable of those numbers, or there is a secret feature you’re not aware of…. All because it gets a little too chilly? Yea, I call BS too. 

Jeep, or more likely the marketing departments of Jeep’s parent company Stellantis really dropped the ball on this one. There’s a good chance it’s a case of the left hand not talking to the right hand, and although the engineering departments knew all about this feature, the sales, and marketing departments were never properly informed, and thus failed to instruct potential buyers of this feature, that as far as I can tell, can NOT be turned off. But it’s not all doom and gloom if you own a 4xe and live where it gets down into the freezing temps. Although this feature can’t be bypassed within the factory programming, there are ways to circumvent this from happening. One way would be to install block heaters, this may be expensive, and may not be 100% foolproof, but it may help nonetheless. I’ve seen several forum posts about this where some 4xe owners are seeing benefits from blocking the grill. From duct tape to cardboard, to the aftermarket, where you can get inserts or full covers to block off the front grille entirely… all in the hopes of retaining a little more heat in the engine compartment while driving in winter.

This may not be ideal, and it may not work for some of you in the northern, or midwestern states where the winters are a bit harsher. But maybe this class action lawsuit can bring in some much-needed awareness of this. Speaking of awareness… if you’re listening to this right now, and you own a 4xe Jeep… if you knew about this feature before you signed on the dotted line, would you have still bought the Jeep? 

Let us know, we’re curious what your thoughts are on this. 

Jeep Rolls Away, Injures Several, and Does Mass Damage

Police in Jamestown, NY were called to the scene of a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident Wednesday morning. Reports say a woman was trying to get into her Jeep Wrangler when it started to move, then just kept going.

• JK model 2-door Wrangler, white or silver
• Left the parking lot of a boys and girls club (sloped driveway)
• Crossed the street / went between two homes
• Hit the porch of one (looks like it lost the bumper in that impact)
• Kept going, crossed another street, and entered a parking lot
• Hit two more vehicles before stopping
• The female driver/owner of the Jeep suffered minor injuries (taken to hospital)
• The vehicle was not running
• TheJeep was a manual and did not have the parking brake engaged
• Reminded me of how actor Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) died in 2016

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

Running low on supplies at Studio A, my wife and I ventured out to our local Sam’s Club.  On a bright, cloudless Sunny weekday morning, we got there before the hoards of shoppers.

Once back home and unloaded everything I notice some streaming dirt or mud on the driver’s side front flare.  Looking closer there was a large curl of plastic coming up from the flare, and the streams of dirt or mud were deep scratches.

Both flares and the front of the hood.

Checked dashcam footage to see if the motion of the criminal mischief had caught the incident that I assumed happened at Sam’s Club.

Checked home security camera footage to confirm the damage wasn’t there before going to Sam’s Club.

Contacted Sam’s Club and spoke with the asset protection person at the club.

He reviewed security footage and with some of the 21+ security cameras they were able to confirm the attack occurred, and by who, with a license plate number.

I called the Harris County Sheriff’s non-emergency number and reported the innocent.  After filing my report they were going to go pick up the security footage from Sam’s that had been placed on a CD.

Listen to our Thursday episode, episode 752 for more on this story!

Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!

Lodesol Flexible Magnetic Tool Holder – $38

https://amzn.to/2D2J2xY

• Made in the USA with a lifetime manufacturer replacement warranty
• Flexible design sticks and conforms to ferrous surfaces like fenders, roll bars, bumpers, rock rails, or even the underbody…. keeping tools, bolts, screws, and nuts at close reach
• Multiple magnets embedded in soft water and oilproof material magnetize the whole surface for convenient hardware and tool organization
• Thin construction fits in tool chest drawers so you can organize your tools how you want
• Reduces sweating caused by misplaced or dropped tools and hardware

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

 

#Jeep #Wrangler #Cherokee #OffRoad #4×4 #Wheeling #Podcast #JeepPodcast #JKU #JK #XJ #JeepGirl #JeepMom #RedJeepsAreSexy #BlackJeepsRock #jeepLife #JeepTalkShow #steering, #Mechanic, #tools, #Garage, #Fabrication

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This Week In Jeep

Rubicon Trail Closure Update

Back in Episode 742, we broke a news story here on the show that broke a lot of your hearts. The Jeep world is reeling as 2023 starts off with one of the most controversial examples of what is now being considered bureaucratic abuse of power. If you’re not up to speed about what’s going on with the Rubicon trail right now, I highly encourage you to go back and listen to the discussion we had about this on Episode 742. The gist of it all is this. The trail is closed. First, it was rumored it was due to some people getting stuck up there, which did happen. There was a group stuck out near the Wentworth Springs area for a few days, but another group helped get to them and got them out.  That was about a month ago. Many of us could see enough to reason that logically it would be acceptable for periodic, seasonal closures due to it being potentially more unsafe to travel and/or to rescue potential parties that were unprepared for the weather and terrain. They do that up here in Oregon all the time. Now, some of it is that you just can’t GET to the trail even if you wanted to. Other times, it’s for the sake of erosion control and safety. No problem right? There are other places to go play. Well, now we find out that the closure of the Rubicon Is because of stupid eco-nuts in positions of power overreaching their authority. I want to give credit where credit is due and thank Brad Mockensturm from scoop-it.com for helping us out on this update. The first thing that you need to know is that this closure is NOT going unchallenged, and there is evidence to suggest the move may have even been illegal. The Rubicon Trail Foundation is a federally recognized, non-profit organization dedicated to the future health of the Rubicon Trail. RTF acts as the support network for Rubicon Trail work projects and also acts as the liaison with local government organizations. And trust me when I say that they are fighting this tooth and nail. RTF says the county closed the trail in violation of written agreements on when the trail could be closed for weather/water issues.

Playing the devil’s advocate here for a second, the county board is claiming there is ecological damage due to the silt runoff from the trail which pollutes the local water,  granting them authority to dictate the closure. Right now this complaint of silt and erosion doesn’t mean much since (at the time of this recording) much of the trail is covered in snow. But if the county is allowed to get away with this action, then this government body and others will be emboldened to close this trail and others almost at will, and for almost any reason. Once the precedence is set, there’s nothing stopping this from happening in your own backyard as well. Luckily the Rubicon Trail Foundation is fighting for all of our access and will not give up. Some of you might be saying right now, “what can one little off-road non-profit do against the power of the bureaucratic machine?” Here is where we find the proverbial ace up the sleeve. The Rubicon Trail Foundation owns a ton of land adjacent to the trail. So if anyone has the right to any complaints about silt or run-off …it’s going to be them. And I think we both know that’s not going to happen. But it gets better. RTF was also involved with the original resolution dictating when the trail could be closed, and why. This gives them a much stronger standing to oppose things like this closure than the average Jeeper. 

So… “Obi-Wan-Kenobi, you’re our only hope.”  

I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling that the outcome of this will have a lot of people thinking about what powers and freedoms we as Jeepers and off-road enthusiasts alike, are willing to give up to the powers that be. How about you, does this rile you up enough to take action? If so, we’ll have a link to the RTF Facebook page where you can start to get involved. https://www.facebook.com/RubiconTrailFoundation/

Is This The End Of The Cherokee? 

Jeep has greatly reduced the Cherokee lineup for 2023, making many of us in the automotive industry think that this could be the Jeep Cherokee’s final model year. 

The 2023 Cherokee is now only available in Altitude Lux and Trailhawk trim levels. That’s a reduction of more than half of what trim levels were previously available. 

The only engine choices for any buyers are now the naturally aspirated 180-hp 2.4-liter inline-four and a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. The previously available 3.2-liter V-6 engine has been dropped altogether, but both come standard with four-wheel drive. Pricing starts at just over $39K for the Altitude Lux and just under $43K for the Trailhawk. That’s a big jump from the 2022 model’s base price, which started at around $31K for the front-wheel-drive Altitude; even the 2022 Altitude 4×4, though, was $6200 less than this year’s Altitude Lux model, which does get extra equipment including leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start, but still. 

The Trailhawk, which previously had the 3.2-liter V-6 engine, gets a $3750 price bump over last year but now with a smaller engine. We previously reported that the Belvedere, Illinois, plant that builds the compact SUV would be idled after February 2023, a decision that at first stunk off a cover-up. Jeep told us then that the Cherokees being built now are 2023 models. Don’t forget about the subsequent reports that Cherokee production could move to Mexico after the Illinois plant is idled. That was a slap in the face to all those UAW workers. Both the union as well as state and local governments are stepping in to do what they can to place displaced workers in other positions as fast as possible. The current KL generation of the Cherokee has been on sale since the 2014 model year, and with Jeep’s history of 10-year runs for models, I think we can all see the writing on the wall for the future of the Cherokee.

Jeep The Mac Is Back Baby!

For those like me, Jeepers stuck far away from states like Michigan, where we may not be aware of just how much the Upper Peninsula is a great destination for off-roaders. But Jeep enthusiasts from all across the Midwest and beyond will make the trek to the U.P. once again when the 8th annual “Jeep the Mac” event takes place in St. Ignace and on Drummond Island May 12-14. The event annually includes trail riding, mud bogging, and a crossing over the infamous Mackinac Bridge. A lighted parade first added in 2022 is also returning this year. Registration numbers are steadily increasing, and the event’s organizers are hoping for another record-breaking year. Registration is open until May 1 and is just $45 per person.

The weekend begins with a group crossing of Michigan’s landmark bridge at 3 p.m. on Friday. Participants will take a ferry ride to Drummond Island in Lake Huron on Saturday and have access to the 400-acre Turtle Ridge Offroad Park. Highlights on Drummond Island also include a Mud Bog, a poker run with cash prizes, and a Jeeps and Java event just to name a few. The light parade through downtown St. Ignace will begin at 9:30 p.m. and is a sight to behold. If you want to see what is likely soon to be dubbed the largest light-up Jeep parade on the planet, or to learn everything else this amazing yearly event has to offer, we’ll have the link in the show notes for this episode at JeepTalkShow.com.

https://stignace.com/event/jeep-the-mac/

 

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy

What to carry in your Jeep

It’s a new year and that means NEW Jeepers. Did you get a new Jeep or, new to you, this past year? You are going to need some items in your jeep when you start going out and wheeling. If you are experienced then this is a good time to check & make sure all of this is still on board and didn’t get used, destroyed, or misplaced last year.

There are literally hundreds of things you can carry in your jeep that at the time may seem important but honestly, if you carried everything you saw, heard about, or read about, you literally would need a trailer towed behind to store it all. This is a BASIC list of items to “get you started:”

1)   Tow Strap – So you can pull your buddy out. Use an actually rated tow strap with loops at each end (not hooks). Do not use a rope (ropes can and will stretch break). Straps usually have a 20,000 lb. rating or higher.     

2)   Recovery attachments – Sometimes known as D-rings or shackles, you need something to connect your tow strap to your Jeep. A soft Shackle is what I recommend.  A few weeks back on episode (738) I shared that MY favorite tool is the soft shackle. Plan on getting 3. Trust me on this one, it’s worth the investment. Easy to use and the good ones are American-made and rated, spend the extra $$ on quality. 

3)   Basic tool kit – a good set of tools. This would be at a minimum a couple of screwdrivers, a small set of wrenches, an adjustable wrench, pliers, channel lock pliers, a set of Vise-Grip pliers, and some work gloves. Put in some duct tape and tie wire, regular electrical wire, zip ties, a few ratchet tie-down straps, and black electrical or silicone tape – we have used these items on others that have broken down.   Sometimes it’s a simple  “mend” that is just enough to get off the trail.

4)   First Aid Kit – You would be surprised how many bumps and bruises you get climbing in and around obstacles. It’s very common to “slip” on rocks, ice, or loose gravel. Or get scratched by the branches of trees. Having a first aid kit with bandages, band-aids and disinfectant can help on the trail. Check this regularly 

to make sure your items haven’t expired.        

5)  Fire Extinguisher – Class ABC stored securely & easily accessible. This is a common item overlooked. Spend the extra $$ and get a bigger one. Most fires may require more retardant and the cute little ones won’t really do the trick with a big engine fire. Side note: Most organized Jeep runs require basic items to have on board and this is one of them. You can mount it somewhere in the jeep, usually on the pillars or roll bars inside, just make it easy to get to in a hurry. Having it mounted way in the back of the jeep behind all your other gear is not a good idea. And double check yearly that the extinguisher is still pressurized.

6)   Ham Radio or GMRS – GMRS has become the popular choice for wheelers these days. And it’s easy to purchase on Amazon and only requires a one-time license fee whereas the HAM requires passing a test to get the license to operate. Ham is great, but GMRS are cost-effective & very easy to use. Having reliable communication is crucial should you need it. Cell phones generally don’t work in the backwoods or mountains and trails etc.

 7)   Trash bag – This is essential to any Jeeping experience. Pack out what you brought in. Don’t litter, and take ALL of your trash out with you. In fact, pick up any other trash you see along the trail. There are pouches that fit on the spare tire on the outside back of your jeep, so the trash stays out of the jeep. There are lots of companies that provide a “trash bag” at events. Pick them up and use them when you Jeep.

8)   Toiletries – YES you will have to go when you are out in nature. How and what you do is just as important. In episode 742 I discussed this very topic. Keep small Ziploc baggies filled with toilet paper, and sundry items, and then use the Ziploc to store your used waste paper – Yes if you are a female listener then you need to collect all your paper waste and take it out with you. Having the baggie keeps it sealed and you can put it in the trash bag outside the jeep. Having extra baggies you can offer guests or other “jeepers” is a good thing too.

Keep in mind that these items should be dedicated to the jeep and always be there if needed. If you are just starting out, start with just a few of the essentials, and get the tools, and recovery gear later.  

 

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

If you can’t use your show to get answers for your own stuff, well why not?!?!?

In 2021 Texas had a major freeze and a multiple-hour power outage.  I believe it got down to 13 or 14 degrees here in S.E. Texas.

Even though we made sure all the Jeep’s antifreeze levels were correct, tested with those anti-freeze liquid testers.  My daughter’s 2005 heater core failed within a week, or two of the freeze.

Recently my wife’s 2003 went through 16 temps, and within a few days, her heater core failed.

Why would this happen if the antifreeze was at proper levels?  Am I assuming this is the cause, and it’s not?

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

 

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This Week In Jeep

Could THIS Be The Image of a New Jeep?

We don’t normally think of Jeeps and taxis being synonymous with one another, especially when those taxis can fly. But Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company is about to change all that, and in a very big way. Tony, get that Jetsons car sound effect ready because Jeep is entering the flying taxi market. Before we get too much further into this story I need to make sure you have the right mental image as we move forward. Do you remember the movie, The 5th Element? Bruce Willis plays Korbin Dallas, a flying Taxi driver with too many marks on his license. That cab? NOTHING like what we’re going to be talking about. Think less Studebaker, and more drone-like. Ok, so earlier this week, Stellantis announced it is striking a deal with Archer Aviation Inc. a San Jose, California-based firm that specializes in small, electric-powered aircraft.

Stellantis will use Jeep plants to help Archer build an electric flying taxi. The two companies said Wednesday that Stellantis would help Archer, a publicly traded air mobility company established in 2018, manufacture its Midnight model at a factory the aviation company plans to build in Georgia. The move is an unusual one for the auto industry, which has largely stuck with ventures that involve ground transportation and vehicles with wheels, rather than propellers. But Jeep did make the amphibious Jeep and THAT had a propeller so who’s to say they aren’t just picking up where they left off?  In recent years, Stellantis has also invested in a car-sharing rental firm, similar to Zipcar, and, like other car companies, is trying to diversify its business model, particularly in urban areas where many people don’t own a car. In fact, Stellantis Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said its decision aligns with the auto maker’s broader strategy of providing other transit services to customers, outside its traditional business of selling them individual cars and trucks. The aviation company’s first model, the Midnight, is designed to carry up to four passengers, plus a pilot. The flying Jeep taxi would take short-distance trips of about 20 miles with a 10-minute charging time in between, according to Archer’s Midnight Spec sheet.

The aircraft, which uses rotating, tilt-rotor turbo-props much like the military aircraft the Osprey does, gives it the ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter. Now if you’re saying to yourself, “SELF… this sounds much like all the other flying taxi nonsense we’ve heard about over the last couple of years that has gone absolutely nowhere.”

And you’d be right. There have been a number of flying-taxi startups that have pursued stock-market listings over the past two years through special-purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs. And they have all pretty much gone nowhere, save for this one. This appears to be solid as a rock, so much so that United Airlines has backed Archer, agreeing to last fall to pay a $10 million deposit on a 100-aircraft order. Electric-flying-taxi companies have been developing and testing vehicles but need to secure approval from regulators before they or customers that purchase the aircraft launch commercial services. In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration has been examining aircraft prototypes, working on pilot requirements, and looking into how to integrate planned vehicles into the airspace. So expect this to become very much a reality and commonplace in the very near future. How near you may ask? Well, the company’s CEO has said that Archer expects to gain certification by the end of 2024 and start commercial operations afterward. That would mean that we will see flying Jeeps by 2025.

Ok, well, they won’t really be Jeeps, but still… 

Jeepers in Tennessee Help Stranded Motorists

Here on the Jeep Talk Show, we’ve told stories about helping stranded motorists in the winter months, as our overly capable Jeeps are generally impervious to the road conditions that come with winter weather. I myself have done snowy winter patrols in my own town, helping out the lowered Hondas and BMWs who think that front-wheel drive is enough and all too often find out the hard way, it is not. Nor are those low-profile street tires, but there is always room for education, right? Each and every winter around the nation Jeep clubs hit the streets to help pull out cars and trucks that aren’t blessed with the world’s most capable four-wheel drive system. This year is no exception and although much of the nation has already seen a fair amount of winter weather, the worst is yet to come. And as we roll into the first weeks of 2023, I have to give a big Jeep Wave and a special shout-out to the Jeepers of the Clarksville Jeep Crew of Tennessee. The Clarksville Jeep Crew got an earlier start this year to their efforts in assisting motorists who become stranded or stuck in ditches due to the inclement weather conditions.

During the Christmas weekend, Crystal Libby, with the Clarksville Jeep Crew, said they had close to 100 recoveries and had transported nearly 60 medical personnel to their jobs. Libby said the group has a transport team that will pick up healthcare workers and transport them to work and back home when the roads are safe to travel. During harsh, winter weather events, the crew has also been known to deliver meals, baby formula, and other necessities to those who could not travel because of the weather and road conditions. Truly kind Jeepers giving the sport some good recognition. 

The Clarksville Jeep Crew performs these acts of kindness for a variety of reasons, according to Libby. “It is because we are a local crew that wants to give it back to our community,” she said. “The mission of Clarksville Jeep Crew is to promote a safe, family-friendly group of Jeepers for on and off-road events while giving back to the local community.” And that’s what it is all about. The familial bond that Jeepers have is unlike anything else in the automotive world and is unique to Jeep owners. The area of Clarksville Tennessee is truly lucky to have such an amazing group of Jeepers who are so ready and willing to help in such a variety of ways every single winter. From all of us here at the JTS studios, we’d like to recognize the efforts of The Clarksville Jeep Crew for their volunteering efforts to serve their community, keep up the great work, and we hope to see you on the trails someday. If you’d like to reach out to the Clarksville Jeep Crew, we’ll have a link to their Facebook page in the show notes for this episode at Jeeptalkshow.com   https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarksvillejeepcrew

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: Brake Proportioning Valves

Here on the Tech Talk segment, I try to keep the topics covered as diverse as possible. But one topic seems to be popping up more and more in the last couple of years for one reason or another. And that’s brakes. OH JEEZ, NOT MORE BRAKE TALK! 

I know, I know, especially lately, but I saw a post on our discord server the other day that had me worried. Someone mentioned that running the braking system on a Jeep without a proportioning valve would be a good idea. Now, this was in the context of things to do during or after a rear disc brake conversion on a Jeep. It’s a common mod, and something that I myself have even been collecting parts to someday does to my own Jeep. But it’s not without its dangers, especially when there’s advice out there telling you to run your brakes with no portioning valve or to run an unsafe brake bias. 

So some of you are probably wondering what the hell a proportioning valve is and if you even have one. Vehicles with front disc and rear drum brakes need a proportioning valve (or sometimes two) to achieve optimal braking performance. This would include many Jeeps out on the road and trail today. But just because your Jeep doesn’t have drum brakes doesn’t mean it still doesn’t have a proportioning valve. So what is this valve, what does it do, and why is it so important? A vehicle’s brake system proportioning valve is a safety valve that restricts flow to the rear brakes during a “panic stop.” This prevents the rear wheels from locking up before the front wheels and also provides the much-needed front bias under normal braking pressures. Brake bias is the percentage of total braking force applied to the front wheels. It can also be called “brake balance.” For most of our Jeeps out there, a 60-70% bias is common. This means the front brakes provide 60-70% of the total braking force. This is the same for most RWD street vehicles including sports cars and large diesel trucks. FWD cars can have up to 80% bias. Meaning that the front brakes on a front-wheel drive car are responsible for 80% of the stopping force. So why is this so important? The number one reason is safety and stability. When braking any vehicle for any reason under any condition, weight transfers from the rear to the front. This is just physics, and you can’t fight physics. Physicists, yes… you can fight them because they are generally squishy and can be taken down easily. I’m kidding of course. This weight transfer increases traction in the front and reduces it in the rear. So if we were to follow the advice of the person on our Discord server who suggested running an even 50/50 brake bias, and you modified your Jeep’s brakes to have a 50/50 balance, the rear wheels would lock up first as they would have the least amount of weight and traction. This could cause a dangerous situation at the very least because as soon as the rear locks up it is going to start to slide and move in one direction or another. If the slide is allowed to go on long enough this could result in a spin, loss of control, and possibly cause the Jeep to flip. Obviously, this isn’t as much of a concern when traveling one and a half miles per hour as you climb down off a rock. However, even when rock crawling brake bias is important for the sake of weight transfer and control. Now if your Jeep has ABS or an Anti-lock Braking System, the ABS controller serves the same basic function as a proportioning valve would do. The ABS controller prevents the brakes from locking up by using an algorithm that calculates the slip ratio of all four tires based on wheel speed sensors. Ok, since we now know what these valves are, what they do, and why they are so important, let’s look at what can happen as they fail. Just like any other part of your Jeep, the proportioning valve may eventually fail. There are a few different ways to tell this is happening. First, you might notice that your Jeep is taking a nose dive when you suddenly apply the brakes. Then your Jeep may not stop fast enough. If your rear wheels lock up easily, especially when you drive on wet surfaces, it is a good sign your proportioning valve is going bad. If you sense your valve is failing or not operating properly, you might be wondering how this happened. Sometimes proportioning valves simply fail after a long time of driving. Other times, YOU might have actually caused the problem yourself by making a modification that impacted your brake balance. And with that, you’re probably wondering just how much you’ve screwed things up with all the different mods you’ve done to your Jeep. The good news, it’s probably not as bad as you may think because most of the mods that would do this are things that a Jeeper wouldn’t consider as an upgrade. Some of the modifications that CAN, however, influence your front-to-rear bias would include things like changing the size of your rotors or swapping in aftermarket brake calipers that have larger diameter pistons. Even something such as swapping out pads with a different friction coefficient can alter bias, …and I’m thinking of anyone running EBC pads out there. A change in the center of gravity of your Jeep can also have an effect on the bias, so anyone with a lifted or lowered Jeep…. well you’ve changed things, but is it enough to take the next step? Here is when you may want to take the next step in dialing in your brake system. This would include the use of an adjustable proportioning valve. Adjustable proportioning valves let you adjust the rear brake pressure to account for different tires, front-to-rear weight bias, and the effectiveness of rear disc or drum brakes. Replacing your stock valve will run you less than a hundred dollars with the average price for a Jeep Wrangler proportioning valve coming in between $55 and $75. Opting for an aftermarket adjustable proportioning valve will set you back on average about twice that. These prices are a rough average and do not include things like labor or fluids. One other word of caution here, we are talking about what is arguably the most important safety system on your Jeep, so if you don’t have a good understanding of brake bias, and have at least some degree of proper training, the right tools, and devices for installing and setting up a new brake proportioning valve, then this is something that should definitely be left to the professionals. This is not as simple as swapping out one part for another and topping off the reservoir. Choosing the right slope and knee point is a tedious and detail-oriented process that takes time, education, and generally a closed course for the sake of testing and measuring under controlled conditions. Well Jeeper, I think by now, you’ve probably heard and learned just about everything there is to know about brakes just through the Jeep Talk Show’s Tech Talk segments.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

 

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This Week In Jeep

Consumer Reports Once Again Gets It WRONG!!!

Back around the third week of May, we aired a story in Episode 607 where Consumer Reports had a rather negative view of the Jeep Gladiator. It was a complete debacle of a review too, as the person who was to review the first Jeep pickup in 30 years had apparently never ridden in anything short of a Bently. It was clear the review team had no real-world experience, and had never owned or even driven a Jeep before, and the entire article left you imagining soft-spoken, pale-faced beta males and blue-haired SJWs gathering around this test Jeep all scared to death to be the first one to drive it. Every criticism was nit-picking the things that have made Jeeps, and Wranglers specifically, such attractive offroaders and adventure vehicles for so many decades. It was laughable coming from the perspective of having driven almost every Jeep ever made in the modern era. If you want a good starting point for the context of this story, go back and listen to Episode 607 where I take Consumer Reports to task for such a naive review. Ok, back to the present, and Consumer Reports has done it again, and AGAIN singled out the Jeep Gladiator as what they are calling ((QUOTE)) the worst pickup truck. So let’s get into why the nation’s leading and most trusted consumer advocacy group for almost a hundred years hates Jeep so much. Their first gripe with the Gladiator is its stiff and choppy ride. As compared to what I would ask? Since the rear suspension of the Gladdy is borrowed from a RAM 1500, it is truck through and through.

And I don’t know about you, but about the only truck that rides like a car is the Chevy Avalanche, and that’s because it IS a car. A truck is a truck for a number of reasons, and at the bottom of that list is ride quality. Anyone buying a truck for what trucks are used for should already know this, but Consumer Reports wants to compare Jeeps to luxury sedans for some reason. Again, expectations were not set in reality. The biggest gripe that Consumer Reports has with the Gladiator is overall reliability. According to CR, Jeep pickup truck owners should expect several issues. The model has been plagued by trouble with the suspension, driveline, body integrity, transmission, and fuel system. Issues with the suspension have included hundreds of reports of death wobble and loss of control of the vehicle. There was also a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) over the suspension of the Eco-Diesel Gladiators, as owners were reporting the front suspension bottoming out over the slightest of potholes or speed bumps. But as months went on, more reports from other trims of Gladiators were also stating an issue with the front suspension. Back in 2019, there was a stop-sale order for the Gladiators, as Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company had recalled all the drivelines due to failure because of a missed lubrication process in the manufacturing of them, and they would have blown apart had they gone to market. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the diesel-powered Gladiators were recalled due to fuel system issues surrounding the high-pressure fuel pump failing. Right about the same time, another recall went into effect, this time for a transmission issue. The recall stated that transmission fluid would leak, then overheat and catch fire at highway speeds. Needless to say, the Jeep’s first truck in over three decades rolled out with a few bugs in its first few years. But here we are in 2023, and Consumer Reports is claiming that all these issues, which arguably would all have been taken care of with the recalls, are still plaguing the Gladiator, leading to their negative review. Does that mean the Gladiator is a bad truck? Should you tell all your friends to steer clear of the Jeep truck? That is ultimately going to be up to you. But let me leave you with this little bit of perspective. No one, in the history of car buying, has ever bought a Jeep Gladiator or hell, even a Wrangler, because it was the most sensible vehicle to buy. In fact, most Jeep owners bought their rig despite the lack of sensibility or known reliability of the model. I see no reason for practicality, reason, logic, or good sense even, to deter anyone from buying a Gladiator, a Wrangler, or even a Jeep 30 years old or older for that matter. Jeeps are fun, and they are the most capable vehicles on the planet when taken off-road. THAT is why Jeeps are purchased. Consumer Reports needs to get their expectations in check and start reviewing Jeeps for what they are and for what they are bought for, instead of trying to compare them against any and every other vehicle out there. Jeep is a brand unto itself, and there really is no comparison.

Level of Border Crossings Makes For Increase In Jeep Crime

If you get your news from sources like FOX, CNN, CBS, and other legacy media outlets, then you’re likely completely unaware of the massive crisis that has been unfolding at our southern border since 2020. Unprecedented levels of illegal aliens are crossing our border and entering this country illegally. Many of them work for the cartels, smuggling in all kinds of illicit drugs including the extremely dangerous Fentanyl that we keep hearing about. Well with literally millions of interactions that border agents have been faced with, it was only a matter of time before this affected the Jeep world. Every week, I sift through literally hundreds of headlines searching for stories that are relevant, worthy, or at least humorous enough to be used here on the show. And to be honest, I have seen a marked and dramatic increase in stolen Jeep stories or crimes involving Jeeps in our southern states. I don’t necessarily report on every one of them, because how much can you take off one stolen Jeep story after another? Hell, just within the last couple of months I reported on a story about migrants in a stolen Jeep that were fleeing border patrol agents and ended up crashing into the back of a semi. At least seven people were in that Jeep and four of them died. This week we have another slew of stories involving crime, Jeeps, and migrants. Six people were arrested after a traffic stop in Tucson Arizona where a Jeep was pulled over for erratic driving. Once stopped, as many as 11 people fled from the Jeep, and the officers… only able to stop six of them.

The Jeep was of course stolen, and all the people detained were here illegally. Meth, Cocaine, and fentanyl were all seized along with guns that are at this point presumed stolen as well. In Cochise County earlier this week, a cattle farmer that has been working his ranch since the 70s was interviewed about his dealings with crime on the border. He says that back in the 80’s you’d see maybe 300 people crossing the border, and coming through his land in the course of the whole year. Now, ranchers like him are reporting as many as 300 a day and sometimes more. Reports, calls, and complaints to the Department of Homeland Security and to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection have gone up over 600 percent in the last two years. And that rancher? He’s had three trucks stolen in the last two years. Also this week, The US Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector reported that Eagle Pass agents had foiled a smuggling attempt involving 10 people found driving a stolen Jeep. Speaking of Eagle Pass, do you remember that story last summer where they found 55 people dead in a semi-truck trailer from heat exhaustion? The coyote smuggling them over decided that he’d rather get paid than risk getting detained, so he left the truck and trailer, with all 55 souls in it, to bake in the hot sun and cook to death. This border issue is getting serious, and it seems to be infiltrating the Jeep world like a virus. Look, I know this is coming across more as a rant than anything else, and I know it’s not something you want to hear let alone deal with. But I feel with the number of headlines I’m seeing about crime, Jeeps, and migrants, and the severity of the stories I’m seeing week in and week out… I thought it might be more of a public service announcement at this point, and just ask that you stay vigilant Jeepers, and make 2023 the year you take the security of yourself and your Jeep more seriously.

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy

Out wheeling and it’s time to Pee – what do you do? 

We love wheeling and getting out in the forest, the deserts, and beaches but what happens when you need to use the restroom?  

It’s not like there are bathrooms strategically placed out in the wild blue yonder. 

What do you do for your guests when you wheel and they have to pee? What about you? Well, I have a simple suggestion.

1)   Tell anyone riding with you how the ‘system” works. There are no facilities so it’s all natural in the wild.

2)   Tell the ladies that NO paper gets left behind when it’s #1. JUST NOPE! If it’s #2 that’s different. You’ll need a shovel to dig a hole and bury it down about 6-10 inches in the soil.

3)   I suggest making up  “baggies” with a ziplock bag & toilet paper inside. When she is done, she simply puts the used paperback in the baggie and zips it up. This includes all the “other” personal things she might need. Throw the baggie into the onboard trash bag and NO more waste in the forest. Throw it away at home.     

As experienced jeepers we need to help the newbies on the trail. I have lots of these baggies ready-made so if we are out on the trail with others (Newbies) that are new to wheeling, I can simply hand them out and the ladies are happy to have them. It makes using the great outdoors a bit more discreet and we can help keep the forests/deserts clean from debris that doesn’t belong there.

You can see a new Trails 411 video I did recently when we were on a Gold Mountain fence repair trip. I couldn’t believe how much toilet paper was up there and I was inspired to share my tip for the baggies. The video really pushes off-roaders to do a simple thing – Make up these baggies for guests. Spread it around and let’s keep the trails clean from toilet paper and other things.

Josh uses W.A.G. bags for long adventure wheeling (A WAG bag is a plastic bag used to carry human feces out of a wilderness area. 

W.A.G. is an acronym that stands for Waste Aggregation and Gelling)

 

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

Xprite 7″ Inch 75W CREE LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JK TJ LJ 1997-2018, with Daytime Running Light (DRL) Round Hi/Lo Beam Headlamp, DOT Approved $126

YEEGO DIRECT Wrangler JL Round Headlight 9 Inch Mounting Brackets All-Directional Adjustment Replacement with Adapter Harness for 2018 2020 2021 2022 Wrangler JL JKU $44

 

iJDMTOY (2) Front Turn Signal Lamps 42-Diodes White/Amber LED Daytime Running Light, LED Blinker Conversion Kit Compatible With Jeep 2018-up Wrangler JL Sport Trim ONLY $36

Alla Lighting 912 921 LED Bulbs for Back-up Reverse Lights, 6000K Xenon White CAN-BUS 4014 30-SMD T10 T15 906 W16W 921K 922, 360° Light Backup, Cargo Lights Replacement, Extremely Super Bright $12.98

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

Share this to your Social Media!

This Week In Jeep

EPA Calls Out GM and Stellantis – “Worst Polluters”

Well the EPA is not holding Jeep in very high regard these days. In a report released Monday, the US Environmental Protection Agency says that the Detroit auto maker’s vehicle fleet ranked among the least efficient and most polluting in the U.S. automotive industry. Ouch, shots fired. GM over the last few years has held the top spot (if you will) for the worst of the US-based automakers as far as pollution goes. Specifically measured in Co2 output. That is until now. The only other automaker that has now ranked worse than GM…. was Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company. Both automakers decreased their fuel economy and increased C02 emissions since the 2016 model year, according to the EPA, as did Hyundai, Mazda, and Volkswagen. Ford, which ranked just above GM, slightly improved during the five-year timeframe but remained below the industry averages. The report comes as the Biden administration is forcing the U.S. auto industry to transition away from gas-powered cars and toward electric vehicles. Because the government knows what’s best for you and you will obey. “We’re the government, we’re here to help!” …words that should forever terrify you. The White House has set a goal for EVs to make up half of all new vehicle sales by 2030.

GM, most notably, has said it plans to sell ONLY Electric Vehicles by 2035. I’m really curious to see what a 2035 GMC 3500 looks like. According to the EPA, the transportation sector represents about one-third of climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions each year. All vehicle types are at record-low CO2 emissions, which is why the EPA had its balls snipped last year restricting its powers over the economy and its unfounded claims of Co2 emissions. Hence why all it can really do at this point is make reports, whine, cry and bitch about how people aren’t sucking at the teet of EVs. 

Of course, if they were paying attention to economic trends instead of pushing a specific agenda, they’d have seen that over the last three years there has been a marked and measurable shift in the market away from compact cars and toward SUVs and pickups. Obviously, with the people wanting what they want, this will have an offset effect on some of the fleetwide benefits. Jeep in fact, in response to this EPA report, cited the rising demand among consumers for SUVs and pickups equates to a direct correlation to its lower rankings, claiming that they do not reflect Jeep’s current or future product plans.

Which we already know consists of Jeep planning for every vehicle in its lineup to offer some form of “electrification” by 2025. That could include hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, or all-electric models. The company has declined to forecast what part of its sales will be powered by traditional gasoline-powered engines by 2025 or 2030. To which I say good! keep playing it close to the vest Jeep. I think the EPA has gotten too big for its britches anyways.

Speaking Of Detroit

A man is recovering after his Jeep ran into a massive sinkhole on Tuesday.

The incident happened near Eastlawn and Scripps street on the city’s east side. 

It has since been patched up, but there are concerns that another one could come back.

According to neighbors, this area has been a problem for years. The city says contractors have been replacing water and service lines but calls the construction site unacceptable. The owner of the Jeep swallowed by the earth, says he was leaving his grandmother’s house and had to drive over the icy road that was flooded just days before. He was coming home and was trying to figure out which way to go when the Jeep started sliding to the left. Once he gained control of the Jeep, he ended up going onto the sidewalk trying to get back to the street. That’s when the vehicle went into the sinkhole. The driver of the Jeep was taken to the hospital with back injuries but is now at home recovering. Since the incident, the city has patched up the massive sinkhole but those who live in the area say this problem is nothing new. It’s been a problem for years and every time they try to fix it, the problem comes right back, they say. Some local residents are claiming that the city used the cheapest contractor that they could get to do the job and it’s not going to be a long-term solution but a short-term problem.

Now in my own research, I was very quickly able to look up several other news stories of these sinkholes in Detroit all around the same area. And in fact, just one block away, in April of 2014, the same street swallowed a Jeep Cherokee XJ. So what is with these Detroit sinkholes and their taste for Jeeps anyways?

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: Braided Brake Lines and Banjo Bolt Pro-Tip

There is no shortage of episodes where we here on the Jeep Talk Show have covered a topic related to brakes. Whether it’s interviewing someone from brake companies like Black Magic Brakes, or diving deep into how your brakes work, and how to troubleshoot issues with them in our Tech Talk Segments. In this installment of Tech Talk, I wanted to talk to you about a component of your braking system that we haven’t really looked at in much depth before. And that’s brake lines. There is a whole industry dedicated just to the length of the hose that goes from the fender to the caliper. Millions are spent every year on upgrading brake systems and one of the most common and oftentimes needed modifications to Jeeps is upgraded brake lines. For many, this modification is a necessity. Once you start to lift your Jeep either with suspension upgrades, lift kits, or body spacers, you are increasing the distance from the hard brake line to the brake caliper, the thing that actually does the work of stopping your Jeep. When you press the brake pedal, that pressure is transmitted through a series of subsystems that include things like the brake fluid reservoir, a brake booster to increase the pressure applied, a proportioning valve to ensure most of the braking force is being applied to the front wheels, and finally the lines and calipers themselves. Most of the Jeep is plumbed with what are called hard lines. These are steel metal tubing that is bent and shaped to contour around the frame and other components and mate up to the aforementioned components of your brake system. Save for one. As the hardline terminates at the fender, there is a soft line that connects the hard line to the caliper. The soft rubber line allows for suspension travel, and as you make upgrades to the suspension, that travel increases. 

As your Jeep’s suspension articulates up and down, those brake lines will move and stretch, but if you haven’t upgraded those short factory soft rubber lines, you could be using them as limiting straps. Meaning, that the only thing keeping your suspension from articulating any further when offroad, is that soft rubber brake line…. And that’s NOT a good thing! Some Jeepers can get away with relocating the point where the hard line meets the soft line, and move it down to gain a few more inches of length out of the system. This of course is only going to work so far and is a temporary fix at best. Here is where the aftermarket steps in. Stainless steel braided brake lines are the most common go-to for an aftermarket solution to the need for extended brake lines for lifted Jeeps. They come in all sorts of diameters, colors, and finishes, but they all do the same thing extending the brake line and eliminating the bind, stretch, and bulging of the factory line. Braided lines are also far stronger than the OEM soft rubber lines. These aftermarket extended brake lines will also give you enhanced braking and better brake pedal response just by installing them. The main benefit of braided brake lines is that they help improve performance by reducing the issue of swelling, most commonly associated with standard rubber brake lines. Over time and extensive use, rubber lines can swell under the pressure caused by applying the brakes, and can eventually burst or split. Before that happens though the pressure that SHOULD be going to the caliper to press the pad against the rotor is instead, blowing up your brake line like a balloon, and NOT providing the stopping power you should be seeing.

Braided brake lines also dissipate heat better and provide better flow, which is important when choosing performance off-road parts. As we all know, heat is not good, and keeping your brakes, brake lines, and the fluid in them cool is one of the keys to better brakes. Additionally, braided lines are able to withstand more pressure than rubber lines. Installation is relatively easy depending on where you live. If you’re in the salt belt, then you already know you’re going to have to deal with at least some degree of rust and corrosion. Brake fittings are one of the most susceptible to salt corrosion too. Brake fluid is already not friendly to many materials, so it’s not uncommon to see severely degraded banjo bolts, locking clips, and other fittings. Using a good penetrating oil well in advance will work wonders, as will a couple of sets of locking vice grips, but just plan on running into issues no matter what. Now here is a pro tip for anyone replacing a brake line, and it doesn’t matter if you’re upgrading to stainless steel braided lines or not. Banjo bolts are the same around the world, and if you want to get the most out of the installation, I’m about to teach you a trick.

But first, what is a banjo bolt?  Banjo bolts are bolts that hold banjo together of course! No… not really.  They are essentially connectors that link brake-fluid lines to brake cylinders. Banjo bolts are built to handle extremely high pressures, which is critical for many fluid systems. A banjo fitting is a hydraulic fitting consisting of a hollow bolt with a hole going through the side of it, and a spherical union that it is screwed into for fluid transfer. It is typically used to connect a fluid line to a rigid, internally threaded hydraulic component, such as a brake line to the caliper of your Jeep. Usually, all you would do is take out the old, clean up the mating surfaces, and install the new hardware. Banjo bolts use a small crush washer made from soft metal to act as a gasket of sorts for the connection. These are usually copper and need to be replaced anytime the banjo bolt is removed. Typically, these washers should be replaced rather than re-used, as the act of deforming an annealed copper washer effectively “hardens” the material, making it more difficult to crush next time, therefore you may not get a good seal when re-using a copper washer. After you have replaced your brake line, and as you torque down the banjo bolt with the last turn or two, you will want to hit it with a hammer. Not super hard, but use a little force. What this does is help seat the crush washer further. The impact will allow you to get another turn or two out of the banjo bolt, further increasing its clamping force and further ensuring a better seal. Although this isn’t required, this pro-tip will help ensure that your calipers never leak from the brake line fitting. Now as far as those aftermarket extended stainless steel braided brake lines go, there are a million offerings out there, so how do you know if you’re looking at anything good? Reviews reviews reviews. At this point in time, you could search a hundred different companies and not get anywhere, so let the experience of other Jeeps help you out in choosing the right lines for your build. Typically, the cheap Chinese stuff you find on Amazon for $40 or less isn’t going to be very trustworthy. But that doesn’t mean you need to drop $250 on a set either. Your typical cost for extended brake lines for your Jeep will run you on average between $75 and $125. Let’s look at some of the best-rated brands out there like Rough Country, JKS, Power Stop, and others. These brands have been doing this for a long time and have great reviews, but there are other really good brands out there as well. So do some research and in no time at all, you’ll be stopping like the pros, and looking good while doing it. Just remember the hammer and banjo bolt trick when it’s time for the installation.  

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

Share this to your Social Media!

This Week In Jeep

The Rumor Mill Says The Comanche Is Coming Back

What if it’s time for the Jeep Comanche to return? The Ford Bronco came back to rival the Jeep Wrangler, the Ford Maverick was a neat car that’s now a popular tiny truck, and the Chevy Blazer destroyed its heritage with the abomination we see on the roads today. Now rumors suggest the Jeep Comanche is next, and speculation in the automotive world is running wild. It’s possible that the Jeep Comanche could make its return soon. Across each vehicle brand, people want a single-cab truck, and companies are taking notice. Plus, the tiny truck world is exploding as the Ford Maverick breaks sales records. Also, there are solid rumors pointing towards Toyota and Chevy getting back in the small truck game. However, the Maverick is the top option to beat as of the end of 2022. It’s the perfect time for the Comanche or a single-cab Jeep truck to stun the competition. While the Jeep Gladiator is great for those with towing and hauling needs, it’s big for a mid-size truck. And as many of you may know, the longer wheelbase of the Gladiator isn’t the best for rock climbing and narrow trails without the truck are well-modified. But a smaller truck could be better equipped for climbing and adventuring as we’ve seen for decades with the Wrangler and its short wheelbase.

So how would Jeep make this little truck? What platform could it be based on if the automaker was to move forward with this? Well, the Jeep Comanche could be based on the Jeep Renegade, like the Ford Maverick is based on the Ford Escape. Now if we go back in the time machine to 2020, we can take a look at the J6 concept Jeep that was unveiled at the Easter Jeep Safari, which arguably gave Greg Henderson of Official Use Only the inspiration behind the 2022 Quadratec build for SEMA.

Also, if you remember, the original Jeep Comanche was based on the Cherokee XJ back in the day, so we can’t count a Cherokee-based option out just yet.

Now I know here on The Jeep Talk Show, we have long bashed the Renegade for its diminutive size and lack of any serious offroad chops. However, for many out there, it’s considered an incredibly capable little off-roader that can venture right off the showroom floor and into the wild. Hell, Jeep dragged one through the world-famous Rubicon trail, so it has to be able to do SOME wheeling.  Anyways, the Jeep Comanche could have an edge on the incredibly well-selling Ford Maverick by using a traditional body-on-frame build. This would clearly make it far more durable for off-roading and would dramatically increase its suspension travel potential. But as we all know, this is far more likely to be a unibody design. Vehicles like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have a unibody build, (much like the XJ did back in the day,) which helps them handle more like SUVs and less like trucks. Ok, so the possibility of the compact single-cab Jeep truck is real. We know what platforms it could be based on and who its direct competition would be. But what about the engine that would power this compact single-cab Jeep truck? Rumors suggest that the Jeep Comanche could borrow from the Jeep Renegade. But when has the Renegade gotten any fresh updates?  It has had the same 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque for a while now, and I’m honestly surprised we haven’t seen an update yet, as we are way past the usual mid-cycle refresh that Jeep has had a track record of doing. There are ideas about a new PHEV setup with 240 hp available. But a hybrid truck or Comanche 4xe would probably arrive first. But, we are still waiting on the Jeep Renegade 4xe that is also rumored to arrive in the US soon so there may be some intended market testing embedded in there somewhere as well. And other countries would likely have a turbo diesel model of the Jeep Comanche should it come to fruition, so that would be interesting to see. To truly be competitive, however, the powertrain and chassis of the Jeep Comanche would have to be capable of towing up to 5,000 lbs to match the Hyundai Santa Cruz and outmuscle the Ford Maverick. Will any of this actually happen? It’s too early to tell, but the rumor mill is saying that we might hear more as early as the first quarter of 2023.

NJ Jeep Dealership Catches Fire

The Ocean Township of New Jersey was rocked around 9:15 pm the day after Christmas 2022 when a Jeep dealership broke out in flames. Both police and firefighters were dispatched to the Seaview Jeep dealer on Route 35 to investigate reports of smoke and an active alarm. Police arrived on the scene first and confirmed the smoke condition. Further investigation led to the confirmation of a working structure fire in the back end of the service area. A full first alarm was called at this point. 

The first engine company stretched a hose line to the B side of the building where police were reporting the heaviest amount of smoke was coming from. An extra 2.5-inch hose line was also pulled off the engine. Crews made a quick knock on the fire inside, but a second alarm was called anyway. Asbury Park Fire Department Tower 89 arrived next and went to the roof to provide ventilation. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is currently under investigation by the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office.

 

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy

What’s your favorite item you have on board when you wheel?

If you have been wheeling for any length of time, you know we all have lots of tools, gadgets, recovery gear and who knows what else on board if you wheel a lot. If you are new to wheeling, well buckle up because you WILL be adding items as you wheel more. Whether you hear a suggestion on the Jeep Talk show or you notice what your buddy has and want one – Yeah It’s a Jeep Thing!

You can visit Jeeptalkshow.com and look at episodes #426 and #533 for a list of items to carry on board. While you are there, check out past episodes on all sorts of info to help the newbie and the experienced Jeeper.

I thought it would be fun to pose the question to you the listener and our JTS team: If you had to pick only ONE item, what is your favorite item/tool, etc., that you have to have on board when you wheel and why? Call into the show or email us and let us know – I’m always open to hearing about other things that I might need to add to our jeep.

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one item but my favorite is the soft shackle. I have done plenty of recoveries and training and I have to say the soft shackle is my favorite item. It’s easy to use, especially for me (a woman). I don’t have to get a “tool” to loosen a D-ring (clevis). The metal shackles are good for some things, but for most recoveries, I use soft shackles. Plus they are safer to use over the metal D-rings in case something breaks. Make sure you get an American-made product along with the highest rating you can find (i.e. 45,000lbs) and you will need 3 on board. Trust me on this. I like the Gear America product but we have used Rugged Ridge and Factor 55.  

 

It’s the New Year and that means it’s time to review the gear you have on board and make sure everything is still in good shape. Did you use some of it and there are tears or frays in winch lines, straps, etc? What about tools, did they all make it back in the jeep? I know we had to add wire, nuts/bolts, and ratchet straps after our last breakdown on the trail. We try to put things back in their place after every jeep trip but sometimes life gets in the way.

Reach out and let us know what your favorite item is and maybe I’ll mention it in one of my Newbie Nugget segments. I love when listeners give me suggestions on topics.

I appreciate you listening and thanks for another great year on the JTS team. I’m looking forward to 2023 and getting out there and wheeling with and meeting more listeners.

https://www.gearamerica.com/

https://factor55.com/product-category/soft-shackles/

https://ruggedridge.com/search/?q=soft%20shackels

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

Engine Oil in very cold weather

In very cold weather, it is important to use engine oil that is suitable for low temperatures. Thicker oils, such as multi-grade oils with a higher viscosity rating (e.g., 10W-30 or 5W-30), are generally better at maintaining their flow properties in cold temperatures and can help protect the engine against wear.

It is also a good idea to check the vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended oil viscosity range for cold weather operations. Some vehicles may have specific recommendations for very cold weather (e.g., below -20°F/-29°C).

In addition to using the correct oil viscosity, it is also important to ensure that the oil level is correct. Cold weather can cause the oil level to drop, so it is a good idea to check the oil level regularly and add oil as needed.

Finally, it is a good idea to allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes before driving in very cold weather. This will help the oil circulate and reach all parts of the engine, which can help protect against wear and improve the vehicle’s performance.

Jeep engine warm during very cold temperatures:

Use a block heater: A block heater is an electrical heating element that is installed in the engine block. It helps to warm the engine oil and other internal engine components before starting the engine, which can make it easier to start in cold weather and can help reduce wear.

Use a remote starter: If your Jeep is equipped with a remote starter, you can use it to start the engine and let it run for a few minutes before driving. This will allow the engine to warm up and the oil to circulate, which can help improve the vehicle’s performance in cold weather.

Park in a garage: If possible, try to park your Jeep in a garage or other enclosed area to protect it from the cold. This will help to keep the engine and other components warm, which can make it easier to start and can help improve the vehicle’s performance in cold weather.

Use a battery blanket: A battery blanket is a device that wraps around the battery and helps to keep it warm. In very cold temperatures, a battery can lose its charge more quickly, so keeping it warm can help to extend its life and improve the vehicle’s starting performance.

Use an oil pan heater: An oil pan heater is a device that is installed in the oil pan and helps to warm the engine oil before starting the engine. This can help to improve the vehicle’s starting performance and can reduce wear on the engine in cold weather.

By following these steps, you can help keep your Jeep engine warm during very cold temperatures and improve its performance in cold weather.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

Share this to your Social Media!

This Week In Jeep

Good Dog?…. Or Bad Dog!?

I think by now you’ve likely seen some funny videos online of people doing stupid, funny, bewildering, and sometimes shocking stuff in their vehicles. I don’t think I’m at risk here of saying that I think Russia is at the top of the list for the largest amount of content created in this category but I digress. This week a story surfaced that is just too bizarre to believe if I hadn’t seen the footage to back it up. From the video, it looks like we’re seeing a Right Hand Drive Jeep Grand Cherokee rolling down a parking lot or something and then crashing right into another car. And it’s only upon the moment of impact do you realize that there’s a dog behind the wheel. The presumed owner of the Jeep, (and the dog) comes running to the rescue immediately as we see the Jeep in motion. She’s running alongside the Jeep and grabs a hold of the passenger side door and door jam like she’s going to be able to stop the momentum of this 4200-pound SUV rolling down a hill. Yeah, you go Karen! Her efforts are of course completely futile as the Jeep, the dog driving the Jeep, and super Karen all come crashing to a stop at the bottom thanks to a parked car. The dog looks over as if to say, what? Is it over already?  Freya, a border collie, is the Jeeping K9 in the driver’s seat. And in the video, the owner of the Jeep and dog, whose name is NOT Karen by the way, claims that Freya knocked the gear stick loose, putting it into drive and causing it to roll. Once the Jeep had a little momentum and crested the hill in the parking lot, it was all over. Despite driving without a license, the dog is fine and is still a “good dog.” However, she has been permanently banned from sitting up front in her owner’s Jeep.  The owner of the car that was hit, says he thinks the entire incident is hilarious. Obviously, this whole thing could have gone sideways any number of ways, and this story would have a much different feel to it. Maybe there wasn’t a car at the bottom of the hill, maybe it was a daycare or something. Maybe the woman tried to get into the Jeep and ended up getting run over by it instead? The owner of the car that was hit could have been a complete douche nozzle and started a brawl. Thankfully there were no injuries, and everyone involved had a good sense of humor about it all too. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/IdiotsInCars/comments/zq298o/do_dogs_in_cars_count/

Speaking Of Jeeps Crashing….

We report every so often horrific Jeep crashes. This isn’t because of some twisted fascination with people getting hurt in Jeeps, it’s usually to point out that although the sport of off-roading, Jeeping if you will, is relatively safe, there are all sorts of risks that need to be taken seriously. Sometimes in these stories, it’s just an unfortunate series of events, totally out of the blue. Sometimes it’s because of negligence, bad decisions, or intoxication. And too often these stories involve the loss of life. Today’s story is unfortunately one of those. On Monday, December 19th, 2022, at around 5:45, Officers and first responders with the California Highway Patrol’s Santa Rosa office and the Monte Rio Fire Protection District responded to a crash on private property at the Happy Hills Hunting Club in a part of the county northwest of the unincorporated area of Cazadero. According to the reports, one of the Jeeps was driving down a dirt road and initially overturned on an embankment and fell some 300 feet into a ravine. 

The vehicle’s driver, a 32-year-old man, and a passenger, an unidentified young boy, were both killed in the crash. A second Jeep, driven by a 49-year-old man and carrying two boys attempted to help the first, but also overturned down the embankment and into the ravine. Emergency responders attempted to extract all five people, but the steep terrain and an incoming fog bank required that they instead call in the use of ATVs to access the scene of the crashes. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of the second Jeep was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The two children in the second Jeep were transported by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial with moderate injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The identities of the man and child killed in the initial crash have yet to be released by the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office pending notification of their next of kin. What lesson we can glean from this accident is utterly and entirely secondary to the tragedy that took place. Was it poor trail conditions and there was a washout? Was there snow or ice involved? Did the two Jeepers know each other? I don’t know. There are so many questions and unfortunately not enough answers. What I can say is this. If you are not incredibly well equipped to rescue someone from a ravine, despite feeling like you’re abandoning a person in desperate need of help that you just know you can provide… it is going to be better for everyone involved if you instead go and get help. If there are multiple people in your party, then it’s logical to leave someone behind to relay communications, but trying to traverse 300 feet down the side of a ravine is only going to add to the number of people that the search and rescue teams will need to extract.

I can’t fault the man in the second Jeep for trying to provide some assistance, in fact, it’s outright heroic, but you have to know your limitations and there’s got to be a point where you take your own personal safety into consideration, especially when there are children involved. 

Say Goodbye To The V8 For This Jeep

Jeep has quietly dropped the V-8 engine option from its two-row 2023 Grand Cherokee SUV. The move, first discovered by Motor Authority on Monday and now has been confirmed by Jeep, means the most powerful two-row Grand Cherokee you can order right now is the 4xe hybrid.           …aaaand the crowd goes mild.

The 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V-8 was rated at 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque and offered as a $3795 option for 2022 model year two-row Grand Cherokees. Now, the only engine options available are the base Pentastar V-6 and the 375-hp hybrid powertrain which, as Motor Authority points out, is more powerful, torquier, more efficient, and almost 1 second quicker to 60 mph than the outgoing V-8 model. Well, that’s all fine and dandy on paper, but I don’t think that a hybrid power train is going to give the tingles down there (if you know what I mean) every time a light turns green. 

That being said, we don’t have to say goodbye forever to Jeep’s V8 engine. For now, at least, it will still be available in the three-row Grand Cherokee L. Though it probably won’t be for long. Stellantis’s new twin-turbo straight-six has already been added to the higher-priced Wagoneer models, and it’s expected to make its way into the Grand Cherokee lineup sooner rather than later to replace the V-8 altogether. Nothing’s been confirmed at this point, though. So a lot of this is just industry speculation, and educated guesstimates. At the time of this recording, there are still a handful of V-8-powered two-row Grand Cherokees on dealer lots, so if you want one, you can still have one. But you’ll have to act fast. Are these really the last days of a V8 Jeep?

Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!

JEEP WINCH MOUNTING PLATE FOR FACTORY BUMPER 

(07-18 JK WRANGLER) $199.95

https://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-jk-winch-mounting-plate-1162c.html

If you own a 2007-2018 Jeep JK or JKU Wrangler, and it’s still mostly stock, but you want to add a winch because you’ve found yourself getting a little braver offroad and you want an option to self-recover if it comes down to it, then I have the solution for you. You’re probably like most Jeepers though, you cringe when you see the prices for a winch bumper. And don’t get me started on the prices for tire carrier bumpers. So what do you do? Don’t fear, because despite what you may have heard or been told, you CAN add a winch to a factory Jeep bumper and do it safely and with reliability. Here’s the bonus, you can do it with basic hand tools too, and it costs a fraction of what a full winch bumper will run you. I present the Rough Country 1162 Winch Mounting Plate. It is specifically designed to work with your factory JK bumper and can accommodate all standard-sized winches! Compare this to similar systems that only allow you to run a specific model or two AND will cost nearly twice as much. So for ease, flexibility, and price, this is the must-have item for adding a winch to a stock bumper of a JK.

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: What Gas Should You Run In Your Jeep?

There has long been a debate going on about which grade of fuel is best to run in our Jeeps. There are the guys that go out of their way for the non-ethanol-added gas, and some that won’t run anything but super in the tank. I knew a guy back in the day that was running 105-octane race gas in his Jeep. And there are those of us who will throw the crappiest, dirtiest, cheapest gas we can find and if you catch us on a bad day, find a bottle of kerosene and paint thinner dumped in just to bring it up to over a half tank. For 99% of us, you’ll pull up to the pump and see the three grades of unleaded fuel that are generally allowed to be pumped to the public in the US. These include 85-87 octane regular, 89 octane mid-grade, and 91-93 octane supreme fuels which also typically have a higher level of special proprietary additives which range from lubricants to detergents. Without diving too deep into fuel chemistry and covering every additive and formula out there, the basics are this: A higher octane rating of gas basically means that the fuel is more stable. The number on the button you press for regular or premium is the octane rating of that grade of gas. Octane is the measure of how much compression a fuel can withstand before self-igniting. Ok, so you’re probably wondering “why is this important for my 25-year-old Jeep?” Fuel that is more stable is more difficult to ignite, which is good for high-compression, performance-tuned engines.

Low Octane fuel in a high-compression engine can cause detonation, which can damage the engine. Detonation is simply short for pre-detonation, meaning that the fuel ignites before the ignition fires. Now, most of our Jeeps motors wouldn’t be considered high-compression performance-based engines. Especially if they’ve been around the block a few times if you know what I mean. But a higher-octane fuel is less likely to pre-detonate during the compression stroke in any engine regardless of tune or compression. If an engine is experiencing detonation, it can usually be heard by the human ear without special equipment, so if you were wondering if you’re experiencing it now, that’s how you can tell. You’ll have to keep an ear out, though, as it will generally only happen when the engine is under load, like when climbing a steep hill or accelerating to get on the freeway. This noise is sometimes referred to as knocking or pinging. Extreme cases of detonation sound like a glass jar of marbles being shaken by a cracked-out squirrel on too much caffeine. Ultimately, the best way to avoid detonation and to ensure your engine lives a long happy life is to use the fuel grade recommended by the manufacturer. Most mass-production engines, including the 4.0L inline 6 we all know and love, to the Pentastar V-6 engines typically found in most JK Wranglers, were engineered to run best off of regular ‘ol 87 octane pump gas. Anything greater than the recommended 87 octane rating is likely going to be a waste of money for 99% of the driving you do. Interestingly enough, some modern computer-controlled engines that do require higher octane fuel are advanced enough that they can run just fine on 87-octane fuel as well. In these engines, when or if the engine knock sensors indicate there is detonation, the computer will retard the timing, which will reduce power slightly, but eliminate the detonation. Remember, knocking, pinging, detonation, or whatever you’re calling it, typically only happens under load, and not while idle, or during average street driving.

So it may be best to stick with the regular and not spring for the super. Save the higher octane fuels, and octane boost additives for when your Jeep is going to see some actual work, ….NO picking up the neighbor kid and his three friends on your way home from the grocery store doesn’t count. And I’m sure hauling your empty shells back from the range isn’t going to add up to much either. I’m talking about when on the trails, or when towing a load of gravel for the side yard. Who knows, adjusting your habits at the pump might just save you enough for some more Jeep parts.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard

Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol

Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon

You are invited to our Discord Server!  https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com

Share this to your Social Media!