The 10 Things We KNOW about the Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer
The Jeep world is on fire right now over the upcoming release of the Wagonner and Grand Wagoneer models whose name can be traced clear back to 1963, but the story really begins back in 1946 with the Willys Jeep Station Wagon. Flash forward to 1991 the end of the production run for the full sized Jeep. Having lasted for a total of 29 model years, the Jeep Wagoneer is one of the longest produced vehicles in automotive history. So it’s a good move for Jeep and FCA to take their time with this release. There’s a lot of history here with this name badge so it makes sense that they’re wanting to do it justice. With that said, here are the 10 things we know for certain about the first Jeeps of a new generation.
It Will Be A Body On Frame SUV
This is arguably one of the most important aspects of the new models. If Jeep is going to make a luxury vehicle it had still better be a Jeep underneath. Some of the nicknames floating around the industry right now for these new Jeeps is “Soft-Roader” …instead of “Off Roader”. Clever, but I’m not laughing. Jeep is very well aware that if they try to release a new vehicle that can’t go offroad, its going to be a colossal flop. So the engineers focused on a platform that is supposedly going to have serious off road capabilities, and a tow rating that will have many scrambling for a bigger boat or trailer. Initial speculation was that the Wagoneer would use the Ram 1500 half-ton pickup platform, and, in April 2019, spy photos showed up of a Wagoneer test mule that still had the 1500’s truck bed on the back. If that isn’t a clear indication that the Wagoneer will be the sizable body-on-frame vehicle Jeep fans are expecting i don’t know what is.
It Will Be A Three-Row SUV
This we’ve pretty much known from the start. So no new news there. The real trick is going to be whether or not the interior designers left enough leg room in the third row for this to be a comfortable long hauler. Imagine hauling a trailer with a couple JEeps on it, and having 6 or 7 of your closest friends along for the ride.
The Grand Wagoneer Name Will Also Be Revived
This too was pretty much part of every announcement from the beginning, and there’s been no doubt that there will be two nameplates resurrected for the new series of luxury Jeeps. What’s not clear yet is if the Grand Wagoneer will be the elevated flagship model and compete in the luxury segment with vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon.
It Will Have An Independent Rear Suspension
Although this may not sit well with most die hard Jeep fans, this again is more or less to directly compete with the same technology other automakers are using in the large SUV segment. Jeep will be using it on these vehicles to improve the ride and handling. The more compact design also enhances interior space, particularly in the cargo area and third row, making it essential to compete in the modern premium and luxury market.
There Will Be A Hybrid Model
Jeep has been regularly announcing its plans to electrify their entire lineup by 2024, so this comes as no surprise. FCA’s recent acquisition of the PSA Autogroup falls in line with their desire to soon become a leader in electrified vehicles. The PSA autogroup is way ahead of the pack in this technology and more importantly, has the manufacturing chops to get it done at the scale FCA needs for the Jeep lines. Most likely what we will see for the Wagoner lines is a variant of the 48-volt hybrid systems that go with Ram’s eTorque 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 engine options.
It Will Have Trims Similar To The Grand Cherokee
You know Jeep and their trim levels. So this too comes as no surprise that the Wagoneer will be offered in several trim levels. It will likely start with a more budget-friendly base model, mid-level trims, premium level trims, and off-road trim levels. There’s likely going to be a high-level off-road trim featuring the four-corner air suspension setup on the Ram 1500 Rebel model at some point as well. Now if a Trailhawk package shows up, it’ll probably be later in the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer’s life-cycle. MY educated guess is we won’t see that for at least the first two model years. And I don’t know about you, but I expect rumors of FCA’s Hellcat engine going in one of them to start any day now as well. Can you say Trackhawk Grand Wagoneer boys and girls?
Buyers Will Have Plenty Of Engine Choices
As well as the electrified power-trains, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is an all but certain option, but it has also been suggested for a while that the Wagoneer will have the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 from Ram’s heavy-duty models as an option as well. That would give the Wagoneer 429 lb-ft of torque along with 410 horsepower using the RAM 2500 variant. Nothing has been said about the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine, but we do know that power distribution will be taken care of by ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmissions.
It Will Have A Host Of Modern Features
Don’t get me started. Seriously though, FCA is going to throw the kitchen sink at this thing, so be prepared for a tirate or two from your truly about the extensive driver assistant tech that they’re going to be cramming this thing to the gills with..
Fresh Styling
There is more in this department that we don’t know than what we do know. Jeep and FCA have played this one very close to the vest, and even the test mules that have been seen by spy photographers, have been decked out in extreme camouflage. What we know is that there will be a 7 slot grille, and the test mules have been seen with cherokee style lighting up front, but will likely get their own variant. All we have to go off of are the concept images and fan art combined with our own imagination, so styling sues are anyone’s guess at this point.
Production Will Start in 2021
Recently, FCA confirmed production would take place at its Warren Truck assembly plant in Michigan. FCA has confirmed it would be investing in the plant and that production would start in early 2021. That means we can expect a pre-production debut at the end of this year and the first model year to be designated as 2021 in the US. It has been a long wait, but we finally know the new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are coming for certain, and when.
Wrangler Talk:
Steering Stabilizers, and what they do for us and our Jeeps.
Hello JTS listeners and boy do I have a treat for you this week on the Wrangler talk but first I just want to remind everyone when you are done working on electrical components on your jeep remember to reconnect the battery and make sure all the fuses are back in their proper location. Let me tell you it makes starting the jeep back up after mods a lot easier. Well now on to this week’s topic and that is steering stabilizers, what do they do for us and our jeep and are they necessary. So first let’s cover what is a steering stabilizer and how do they work. A steering stabilizer is a shock absorber that is mounted on your steering components to dampen or stabilize the side to side movement of the wheels when driving down the road or Off-road. So how does it dampen the steering components? Well a steering stabilizer is designed just like the shocks that are mounted right next to your springs. They are filled with gas or hydraulic fluid and have a valving system inside of them to reduce the harshness of road vibrations. On our steering systems the Steering stabilizer is mounted between the front axle and the tie rod or drag Link. When the stabilizer is mounted between these two components the can absorb the road vibration before the forces are transmitted to the steering box and cause damage to other components in the steering system. The vibrations I am talking about are the nasty pot holes or cracks and stones on the road. Now steering Stabilizers are a necessary component of the steering system because they prevent any bump-steer which the action of is hitting a bump and the vehicle steering in another direction and a flighty steering which is when a steering system wonders when driving down the road. So what are the symptoms of a bad or failing steering stabilizer, well you may notice the steering wheel become loose or wobbly, secondly you may notice hydraulic fluid leaking from the stabilizer itself. You also may notice in my case that you do not have full steering range when trying to maneuver the vehicle. Then finally you may notice the steering wheel shake or flutter at higher speeds also known as death wobble. So what happens when your steering stabilizer goes bad well there are a couple of things that you are going to need to think about and that is what size tires are you running and what size lift. So there are different stabilizers out on the market some that are rated for larger tires and some that are just stock replacement stabilizers so that is something to think about also another thing to think about is when replacing your steering stabilizer do you want to look into a relocations kit where it will flip the steering stabilizer above the front tie rod to ensure you will not damage the stabilizer when you are hard core wheeling with all your buddies. Then you need to stop to remove your stabilizer because it won’t let you turn left. Well this concludes this week’s wrangler talk and remember do you have any questions or comments about the show or just want to say hi. Head over to jeeptalkshow.com/contact and send us an email or leave us a voice message and we would be glad to help you out with any question you may have.
We bought a YJ and are fixing it up to flip it. It has a pretty bad hack job. The previous owner welded on a homemade winch plate. That thing was awful to get off. Had to take the whole bumper with it. We are also having to re-do the leaf springs. The shackles are under the axle and are hanging from the front of the bumper. We ordered new shocks, and new shackles, did the regular maintenance items. And probably going to add new 35’s.
Tech Talk With Jeep Talk:
Quick Trail Repair Tip – Gas Tank Leak
Oh I wish I was a little Bar of Soap! (bar of soap) If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel, then you’re undoubtedly aware of those complimentary prepackaged mini-soaps that are in every hotel room from coast to coast. And I bet you didn’t know they can be an invaluable trail repair tool did you? You know what will also work for this specific trail repair? Those decorative little seashell soaps in your friends moms guest bathroom. Yeah that’s right mrs McGreeny – I’m the one that took the little blue seashell, and I’ll do it again too! These little mini bars of soap can come in handy for more than just the usual personal hygiene. Slip one or two in your offroad gear bag or even chuck one in the tool box. Trust me, even going to the dollar tree to buy a couple is going to be worth it just in case this particular issue comes up in your future. So why soap? Bar soap can temporarily plug any non-pressurized hole such as a gas tank. Or possibly even your transfer case or differential housing. It’s soft, pliable enough, and resists oil for long enough to get you down off the trail and back to base camp. Just be advised…soap can melt like any wax will, so the hotter it is, the shorter the lifespan. And in sub zero temperatures, it’s going to be a little harder to work with. Either way, use it like putty to make a haphazard tank repair. Just don’t try and chew on it to soften it up first. Ok? And if nothing else, you’ll have the freshest smelling tool bag out of the whole group.
Newbie Nuggets:
There’s so much exciting information to cover when trying to inform new Jeepers. Today’s topic is “What Items Should You Carry in your Jeep.” There are literally hundreds of things you can add to your Jeep. Some are more useful than others and some more necessary than others. One of the things I like about Jeeping with others is to check out what gear they have on board. We have collected a lot of gear over the years, but we always seem to see something else we need when looking at someone else’s set up. Not sure why that happens. So, as you start collecting stuff to include in your jeep, I put together a list of BASIC items you may want to consider – it’s just the basics:
1) Tow Strap – So you can pull your buddy out. Use an actual rated tow strap-not a rope. Ropes will stretch and break. Straps usually have a 20,000 lb. rating. (or higher)
2) Tow hooks/attachment points – Sometimes known as Recovery D-rings or Shackles. Important if you get stuck and your buddy needs to “latch” on and help pull YOU out. Good ones are also rated. They run about $20
3) Basic tool kit – 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 bailing wire, zip ties and a ratchet tie down strap – you would be surprised how many times we have used these items on others that have broken down. Sometimes you can “mend” just enough to get off the trial.
4)Hi Lift Jack – there may be times your regular jack just won’t cut it. You do need to operate this with care. This tool can inflict some real pain and injury if you are not paying attention.
5) First Aid Kit – you would be surprised how many bumps and bruises you get climbing in and around obstacles.
6) Fire Extinguisher – Class ABC stored securely & easily accessible Usually about $30-$50.
7) CB or Ham Radio – We’ve discussed options on previous Episodes, but for the beginner, if money is an issue, a CB could be the interim radio until you decide on the next upgrade.
8) Trash bag (Trash-A-Roo pouch) – This is essential to any Jeeping experience. Pack out what you brought. DON’T Litter, and take ALL of your trash out with you. In fact, pick up any other trash you see along the trail. The Trash-A-Roo pouch fits on the spare tire on the back of your jeep, so the trash stays out of the jeep. They run about $35-$45. Josh, Tony, or Tammy, what other (1) essential item would you add – keep in mind this is a BASIC list.Keep in mind that these items should be dedicated to the jeep and always be there if needed. Don’t remove them – it’s always better to be looking at them, than looking for them! And now for Tony’s first jeep experience . Next week we will continue sharing newbie ideas and we will hear Josh’s first time out in his jeep. You can also view some great videos on our YouTube channel Jeep 4 dash 1 dash 1 with tips, tricks & techniques.
Interview with:
Dan Grec – The Road Chose Me Volume Two
After years of working a desk, I realized that life wasn’t making me happy and I needed to make a change. I began dreaming, saving and planning, and finally quit my job and sold all my stuff. Back in 2009 I wound up driving 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina, and I’ve hopelessly hooked on Overland travel ever since. With little choice I returned to a desk job, and started from nothing to again build a savings account. Years later I quit and sold all my stuff so I could hit the road, this time setting my sights on the entire African continent, aiming to live an even bigger adventure. Over the course of three years I drove 54,000 miles through 35 unique African nations as I circumnavigated the entire continent. I knew it would be big, though the adventure turned out to be a thousand times bigger than I ever dreamed possible.
Must Have Stuff for your Jeep:
Metra 95-6554B Dash Kit – $59.99 shorturl.at/yJRX3 This mounting kit allows you to install a double-DIN (4″ tall) aftermarket stereo in your vehicle’s dash opening. The kit’s painted matte black finish matches your factory dash. Fits all 1997 – 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ’s shorturl.at/yJRX3
Jeep Weather:
Mitch
Hey Jeeper, Mitch here, today is the 28th of February 2020, and it’s time for your weekend Going Topless-Jeep Weather Report. In a quest to find places to get those doors off and go Topless, I found Picayune, Mississippi. Sunny all weekend with 65 on Friday, 67 on Saturday and 68 on Sunday. Luckily with the humidity being around 70%, it could feel much nicer to drive topless. Next, we go to a place where you can properly get a tan and still be warm. San Antonio, Texas is partly cloudy all weekend 72 on Friday, 73 Saturday, and 79 on Sunday. Maybe running off to a beach will help you get brave enough to go topless this weekend. Let’s check out San Diego, California. Yup, there it will be partly cloudy again, but Friday is 76, Saturday is 69, and Sunday should be 61 but also may rain. Rain will be your clue that Monday is coming, and you need to go home! Last let’s go to Yuma, Arizona. Plenty of off-road trails in the area, warmer weather, and some cloud cover for good topless pictures. Friday 83, Saturday 85, and Sunday 79 degrees. That’s doors off topless weather for you! Don’t forget to use the #JeepTalkShow on social media for us to see those pictures. If you have any suggestions or want to know YOUR local weather in an upcoming episode. Go to JeepTalkShow.com/contact in order to find all the ways to get a message to me. I’m Mitch and its always great weekend to Go Topless if you’re brave enough! Just Go Topless responsibly.
Wheeling Where:
15th annual Tennessee Mountains Jeep Jamboree April 10-13 Oak Ridge, Tennessee More Info:https://jeepjamboreeusa.com/ Jeep Jamborees are off-road adventure weekends that bring together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s. These off-road treks have a long tradition dating back to 1953 when 4×4 pioneer Mark A. Smith organized the first-ever Jeep Jamboree and voyaged across the Sierra Nevada Mountains by way of the old Rubicon Trail. In 1954, Willys Motors — then manufacturer of Jeep vehicles became involved with the adventure, and Jeep Jamborees have been an off-road tradition ever since.
Mid Florida Jeep Club – Jeep Beach April 22-28 Daytona, Florida More Info: https://www.jeepbeach.com/ Jeep Beach is a Jeep only charity event held each April in Daytona Beach, Florida to raise much needed funds for worthwhile local and national charities and organizations. Jeep Beach has become one of the premier Jeep events in the United States. Attracting Jeepers and Jeep industry vendors from all over the USA, Canada, and even overseas, Jeep Beach brings you a week of fun in the sun with thousands of your closest Jeep friends!
Presented by Nexen Tire and Icon Vehicle Dynamics: This week we talk to Travis from @outer_limit_supply about their awesome life safety gear. Then we catch up on listener voice mails, talk about home made rockets, hit-n-runs, and moose knuckle. It really isn't our best work, but you should listen anyway.
Presented by Nexen Tire and Icon Vehicle Dynamics: This week we talk to Travis from @outer_limit_supply about their awesome life safety gear. Then we catch up on listener voice mails, talk about home made rockets, hit-n-runs, and moose knuckle. It really isn't our best work, but you should listen anyway.
GenRight Off Road today announced that their race vehicle “The Terremoto” (which is Italian for “Earthquake”) has officially been recognized as the first-EVER first full-bodied, street-legal 4-door Jeep Wrangler to finished the 4400 Unlimited Class at the world’s toughest single-day off-road race, the 2020 Nitto King of the Hammers powered by Optima Batteries. The race, which takes place on some of the most brutal terrain in Johnson Valley, CA, consists of three different laps: Lap 1 was 77 miles of desert racing, Lap 2 was 67 miles of desert racing and 11 rock-crawling trails, and Lap 3 was 69 miles of desert racing and 13 rock crawling trails. 105 Top drivers from around the world came to race each other and compete for the title of 2020 King of the Hammers. You wanna know how tough this race really is? In the 12-year history of this race, less than 1/3 of the participants actually even finish. Yea, it’s like that. GenRight almost wasn’t able to participate in this event. With the build wrapping up last minute, the GenRight Team got the Jeep officially entered just eight weeks prior to the scheduled start of the week-long event. The Terremoto is built from all off-the-shelf parts that either GenRight or its partners manufacture, and any Jeep Wrangler owner can buy right now, today.
And yes that means even guys like you and me. So if you wanted to, you could literally turn your JKU into a KOH competition ready race vehicle, using all off the shelf parts. That will change the face of off road competition, you mark my words. Now, in this particular race, teams are given just 14-hours to complete all three torturous laps. Owner and Driver Tony Pellegrino and his co-driver Nick Repanich of Chico, California, started 86th and battled their way through the rough desert terrain and rock-crawling trails to finish 32nd out of a total of 145 vehicles that completed the race. The GenRight Off Road-built Jeep Wrangler finished 2.5 hours before the end of the race was called. That alone is what has gained them the title of “first-ever.” But the bragging rights don’t stop there. GenRight’s Jeep also finished ahead of 73 purpose-built 4400 Unlimited Class race cars. (Na-NaNa-Boo-Boo.) I think this finishes any debate about whether or not Jeep is king of the offroad. So let’s get into the good stuff for all the gear heads out there. The 2014 JKU was equipped with GenRight Off Road aluminum bumpers, fenders and rocker guards. And despite the miles of rocks and desert this Jeep faced, the Terremoto’s armor sustained little damage, with the exception of the rocker guards from a trail called Hell to Pay on the final lap. I guess what they say is true… “ya gotta pay to play.” GenRight Off Road designed and built an all new kit to make a Jeep Wrangler JKU pass the scrutiny of the King Of the Hammers tech inspection, which included additional tubing to the 2” diameter GenRight Off Road Roll Cage, a bladdered fuel cell, and catch cans for fluids in the event of a roll-over. GenRight’s Elite Suspension featuring FOX Shox and Currie Enterprises Axles allowed the suspension to work flawlessly even at speeds of 105 mph across Emerson Dry Lakebed. And when it came time to slow things down and navigate through the insane rock trails such as Bender Alley, Wrecking Ball, Outer Limits, and Chocolate Thunder, the Jeep did what Jeeps do best, and crawled better than most. The entire build list of this Off The Shelf Race Jeep (which I warn you is like reading Jeep porn, and the gallery of high def pics aint bad either) can be found on Genright’s website. We’ll of course have the link in the description of this episode at Jeeptalkshow.com.
The owner of the vehicle had parked his 2001 Jeep Wrangler in the parking lot because he was trying to sell it. Something I personally see almost every day. Would be private sellers trying to get as much attention to their vehicle for sale by parking it near an arterial road in a large parking lot. Heck, maybe even you’ve done this yourself to sell a rig before. Maybe not ever again after hearing what happened next.
The owner, who checked on the vehicle Monday evening, checked on it again as he was driving by Tuesday because he apparently felt something might be wrong with it.
As he pulled into the parking lot, the owner of the Jeep noticed someone had cut a hole in the back plastic window, and as he approached, he allegedly saw someone sleeping inside of it. Police were dispatched to a call of a possible vehicle theft in progress at the parking lot of Lewiston’s now-shuttered K-Mart. Upon arriving, officers opened the door of the Jeep, and 21 year old Tyrin Taylor was woken up and placed in handcuffs. During a subsequent search of Taylor, police allegedly found rings and other jewelry in his pocket, as well as a baggy of powder that later tested positive for methamphetamine. The owner of the Jeep told police that the CB radio and an amplifier were missing from the vehicle and there was a duffel bag on the front seat that did not belong to the vehicle owner. In the duffel bag, police allegedly found clothing and keys that belonged to the vehicle owner. Police then contacted a burglary victim whose old coins and jewelry had been taken. The burglary victim identified a debit card that was also allegedly found in the duffel bag that belonged to her deceased husband.
The man who vandalized and broke into the Jeep is charged with burglary, criminal possession of a financial transaction card and possession of methamphetamine, all felonies. Taylor was also charged with three misdemeanors: unlawful entry, providing false information to police and malicious injury to property. Nez Perce Magistrate Judge Michelle Evans set bond at $35,000 because of Taylor having three prior felony convictions in Washington in October, including bail jumping. At least for now a criminal like this is off the streets. Hopefully the justice system can make an example of this individual and get them the help they need. And hopefully this will give you something to consider as you make the leap to sell one Jeep to get another.
I mean at the end of the day, that is the ONLY allowable reason to sell a jeep isn’t it?
Wrangler Talk:
Throttle Controllers, and what they actually do.
Hello JTS listener and on this week’s wrangler talk I am going to be talking about a very common question that I get whenever someone gets into my jeep Big Red. That question is what is that little white and silver box on your center console. Well everyone that is where I mounted the controller box for my throttle controller. Then that proms another question, well what is a throttle controller? A throttle controller is a small little computer that sits between your pedal and your throttle body. In our newer Fancy jeeps, we have a drive by wire throttle pedal set up meaning that the throttle of our jeep is electronically controlled. However, since the throttle’s position is electronically controlled we can change the signal that is being sent from the pedal to the throttle body. This is done by the function of a throttle controller. A throttle controller can also be called throttle response controller which will help eliminate delays in your electronic accelerator pedal, this is done by having different throttle curves preloaded on a device that can be used when a given signal from the pedal can be modified based on the selected throttle curve giving a sharper response or more relaxed based upon the selected mode. So on my throttle controller I have 5 different modes, and they are ultimate, sport/towing, cruising, Eco, and automatic, which constantly switches between the previous 4 modes. So in each of the modes the throttle curve is different for example in the ultimate mode the throttle curve is much steeper meaning that your throttle body will open to a high percentage with less input from the input signal from the pedal, in the long run just giving you a harder acceleration with less action of the pedal. However it is the opposite for the Eco mode where the throttle body is more gradual to open and takes more movement in the pedal to open the throttle body. Then there is the automatic mode which switches between all the throttle position curves based on the current driving you are doing. Needless to say I don’t use the automatic mode much. So How do I like it. I absolutely love it, it is like diving a completely different vehicle whenever I turn it off and I don’t like it. It makes it so much more fun to drive giving you a bit more control over how your jeep handles. I personally always keep it in cruise mode based on the driving I am doing although if I am in the mood to get a little more out of the jeep I will put it into ultimate mode which gives a more wide open throttle much faster giving you a bit of a harder acceleration. Then I mostly use the eco mode when I am wheeling because it gives me a smoother control over the pedal when I am bouncing around which prevents wheel spin and other problems. I personally use the Hikeit X9 throttle controller and love it however there are plenty of other throttle controllers out on the market too. Thank you for listening to this week’s wrangler talk and remember if you have questions or comments head over to jeeptalkshow.com/contact and send us an email or leave us a voice mail and we would be happy to help you with any question you may have. Thank you and talk to you next week on the wrangler talk.
Radio Comm Tech:
This is Jon and so far on Radio Comm Tech we have covered CB and GMRS/FRS, today we are going to talk about a couple lesser known options. MURS, or Multi-Use Radio Service, are handheld radios that operate up to 2 watts on 5 channels in the 151 and 154 MHz frequencies and no license is required. You are allowed to use external antennas with MURS radios so they can be set up to use while mobile. The most common manufacturer of MURS radios seem to be BaofengTech, Motorola, Tera, and Dakota Alert. Some external antennas to consider would be the Laird QWB152, Firestik also has a MURS antenna surprisingly, and the Comet CA-2x4SR ham radio antenna seems to be widebanded enough to have a reasonable SWR on the MURS frequencies. Some businesses may also use MURS frequencies so if you are using it in a metro area you may have moments of brief interference. And for your listening pleasure, Walmart often uses MURS channel 5.
PLMRS, or Private Land Mobile Radio Service also commonly referred to as Business band with the most common operations on 30-50MHz, 150-174MHz, and 450-470MHz. A license is required though there isn’t a test the license can cost about $260, it is good for 10 years, and covers your group/entity/organization. Power output can vary from a 1 watt to hundreds of watts depending on your need and what you are granted by the FCC. The frequency range is not open for your use, you would be assigned a frequency or a number of frequencies to use. The license does also not cover you anywhere you want to go. The frequencies are coordinated as to not cause interference to other licensed users and your licensed frequencies will only be good for a specific geographical location. This would be best for a dedicated group who frequents the same areas often or who partake in search & rescue or recovery efforts. Another option that is becoming more popular are Race Radios, which Tony touched on recently. There are companies advertising race radios that operate on off road or race frequencies. There are no dedicated race or off road frequencies. The radios are programmed with business band frequencies used by teams in the baja racing circuit and as I just mentioned would need a business band license. Using these frequencies wherever you want could cause interference to other licensed users, from many businesses, schools, state, county, city, police, fire, and emergency services. That’s all for this go ‘round, stay tuned to the next Radio Comm Tech for info on ham radio.
Jeep Life:
Celebrating the Jeep Life In Colorado – outside Del Norte. Celebrating the Jeep Life is the theme for this year’s adventure with Neil. Besides going to events we want to celebrate your Jeep Story. We have begun by sharing the story about the Jeep Rescue League in Saguache Colorado. A former vet rescuing one vintage Jeep at a time. We also want to share the people behind the company of the aftermarket parts we buy. Sharing The Jeep Life Stories Schedule of events: Kingman Az. March 17th – 20th Then off to Cali for a “Fan Ride” _@ Mohave Road March 21 – 23 Then to MOAB Ut. For Easter Jeep Safari for hopefully 3 weeks Overland West in Flagstaff Arizona May 15 & 16 Overland Mountain in Loveland CO end of August Overland East In October in Virginia. Planning a East Coast Fan Ride. We hope to be able to do more and would love your support. www.patreon.com/JeepMomma
Tech Talk With Jeep Talk:
It seems everything has a remote now. Hell I saw a kid point a device at his shoes the other day and lights in the soles changed colors. So if we have remotes for TV’s, Ceiling fans and even tennis hoes. Then why not have a remote for your Jeep’s battery too right? You’ve heard the saying, “we’re living in an age of excess?” …and there’s certainly an excess of technology out there for virtually any and everything in your life. And your Jeeps security is no exception. In episode 423, we went over 5 ways you can disable your Jeep to prevent it from being stolen. One of those ways was to use what is called a “Remote Controlled Car Battery Switch”. Using RF Technology, the device will interrupt the main feed of electricity from your battery to the rest of your Jeep, remotely. As in from the comfort of your own home. No crawling under the Jeep, no opening the hood or breaking out tools. You don’t even have to turn a giant red switch. All you do is press a button on a remote. These things come as a kit giving you everything you need to add this into your own Jeeps electrical system. And it’s not too hard either. Essentially your installing this in-line from the battery to the main fuse block or power distribution center. Typically installation will require removing the battery terminal cutting the end off, installing a large gauge ring terminal and then hooking that to one side of the device. The kit will have another battery line for you to install from the device to the battery. Then after securing the device to the firewall or other suitable secure mounting point, you’re done. It really is that easy. And for less than 50 bucks and an afternoon worth of work, you can have added peace of mind that your jeep will always be where you last parked it. But this isn’t all about security either. This works great for Jeeps that get stored for the better part of the year. Only coming out on dry or warm days. This saves the Jeeps battery from going dead over those long periods of no use. Granted you may still want to have a battery tender on it just in case, but kiss goodbye the days of removing battery terminals to store your Jeep. And if you think “well how can this work remotely and not suck my battery dryer than a lint ball in a sand storm if it has a remote and is hooked up to my battery all the time mister electrical smarty pants??!” That’s because the device uses a latching relay system and a passive receiver that only activates when the proper signal is sent. So this unit uses zero juice until it’s needed to operate. If this sounds like something you may want to explore for your own Jeep, buggy or resto mod project, then we’ll have a link for you to get one yourself. One note though: I have grossly oversimplified the installation procedure for this device and it may not be the best thing for every Jeep, meaning there may be other or better solutions for your particular situation. And as always when dealing with the electrical system of any vehicle, be sure to leave it to the professionals if you think it may be outside of your expertise or skill level. E-KYLIN DC 12V Electromagnetic Solenoid Valve Terminal Master Kill System https://amzn.to/2S4y7ce
Newbie Nuggets:
This week on Newbie Nuggets we will start the process of “where do you start”? The first tip is NEVER go alone. I know you are excited to get out there, but honestly you should travel with another vehicle. That way you can learn from others experience but if you get into trouble, you have help – And that’s important. Wouldn’t want you to get yourself in a particular situation and have no way to get out of it. That would mean a long walk home. So BRING a buddy!!! Second tip: Trails are rated for difficulty from easy to intermediate to difficult. Here in So. Cal the trails have three designations: a green circle if it’s easy, a blue square if it’s an intermediate/medium trail and a Black Diamond for the more difficult and sometimes the most sought after Other areas in the country may use a numbering system of 1 to 5 with 5 being most difficult for their ratings. Tony and Josh How are the trails in your areas rated? (Tony and Josh respond) If you are brand new to driving, I would suggest easy or intermediate trails your first time out and definitely with another jeep buddy. But don’t get discouraged, if you want to try the Black diamond, go with experienced jeepers and learn. And By the way there is NOTHING wrong if you unsure about your ability or you are not willing to break or scratch your new jeep. Don’t take risks if you are not ready. Third tip: When you and a fellow jeeper, or group, head out, the next thing I would advise is to GET OUT OF THE JEEP! I know, it sounds funny, I have been encouraging you to get IN the driver’s seat and now I’m saying GET OUT OF THE SEAT! When you get to an obstacle the best thing you can do for yourself is get out of the jeep and watch others. Hopefully you get the chance to watch how each of the jeeps picks their lines through the obstacle. It’s such a great learning experience to watch. Now some things to look for – how did the jeep make it through – was it easy, did they struggle, or what exactly happened? How did their rear tires track in relation the front tires? How did their tires grip? Did they air down enough? All things we will be discussing in future episodes. This isn’t just a watch and see moment, it’s a beginning lesson on how and why that jeep took that line, what worked and what didn’t. Driving through your first obstacle is such a thrill the accomplishment you feel is huge. (?? Tony, how did it make you feel when you were out with us on the Nexxen tire event?) OK now on to my first jeep experience as promised: I had never been in a jeep off-roading before and my image of off road was a dirt road, fairly maintained that you traveled on when you lived in the boonies. So when my husband said “let’s go see what the jeep can do”, I had images of that dirt road and said OK. Well for those of you in So.Cal who know the area, we drove to Cougar Buttes ( that’s Johnson Valley home of the KOH race). It’s full of rocks but not like you saw in Big Bear Tony, these rocks are long, tall and full faced with steep inclines, etc. There are wedges, and off camber stuff that is awesome if you are into crawling. Put this on your list if you haven’t visited Cougar Buttes. So we drove to the first obstacle called Cake Walk – sounded good to me, I like Cake! I got out to watch the first part of the obstacle. The rock face was sheer but it seemed doable. The jeep looked like it was going to “fall off” but of course it didn’t. When we got to the last part of this obstacle, we approached a four foot ledge “V-shaped” rock wall. Now I have been driving cars since I was 16 and I have been told that ALL four tires should stay on the ground at all times and vehicles DO NOT “crawl” up a rock face. As we got closer to the obstacle my brain started to remind me of the laws of physics…….You would have thought there was a hornets nest that I discovered in the back seat because I SHOT out of that jeep as fast as anyone could. The fear in my brain at that moment convinced me that the jeep was going to fall backwards and land on its top. I was certain that my husband forgot about the laws of physics was completely CRAZY for suggesting this!!!. Seriously, had you been in the jeep behind us you would have seen me shoot out like a cannon ball. I’m sure it was hilarious to watch. Now, of course I watched the jeep perform beautifully and climb up and over the rocks like it’s supposed to and then I climbed up the wall myself like a Billy goat and got back in the jeep. I did breathe a sigh of relief that all was OK. The best part was that it was the first time I got to see what jeeps can do and it really helped change my brain and of course today I don’t have the hornets’ nest in the jeep anymore. Thank goodness. So if you are new to driving, you probably won’t bolt out of your jeep like I did but remember that it’s OK to get out and watch, it’s OK to try new things and it’s OK to learn as you go. We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about starting out, or if you want to share your first jeep experience, head over to Jeeptalkshow.com/contact and tell us all about it. You can also view some great videos on our YouTube channel Jeep 4-1-1 with tips and tricks. Next week we will continue with more Newbie Nuggets and we will hear Tony or Josh’s first jeeping experience.
Interview with:
Keith and his wife, Andrea, have been Jeep Enthusiasts for over 10 years. While running their business, Jeep ‘n Jewelry, they’ve traveled coast to coast attending Jeep shows and events. Their love for these shows gave them the idea to start the Lone Star Jeep Invasion. Last year’s event was extremely successful, donating $8500 to local charities and over 1650 pounds of food to the local food shelter. This year’s event will be even bigger and better. If you’d like more information, you can visit them at lonestarjeepinvasion.com or on Facebook. https://lonestarjeepinvasion.com/
Must Have Stuff for your Jeep:
Valve-Loc Heavy-Duty Tire Valve Stem Covers – Black (10pk) $7.99
Back when I was a paperboy it was every 11 year old kid’s dream to have a set of what we called “chromies” on his bike. Those old school chrome valve stem covers were about as close to coveted “bling” as we got back then. Of course today you can get valve stem covers that strobe in 256 colors as you drive down the street and spell expletives via bluetooth for them basic bitches on the sidewalk to read. And honestly if that’s what you’re after then more power to you, and there really is some flashy stuff you can get for next to nothing. But me? I prefer function over form. Today I’m not delivering papers, and my bike is now a Jeep and if you’ve listened for a while you know my old saying “chrome won’t get you home.” So on my Jeeps wheels I’ve got something less coveted, and more functional than anything. But yea, they look cool too. They come in anodized black or silver, and have a knurled barrel design giving them excellent traction for your fingers, even with gloves on. I’ve been rocking a set of these Black Anodized Valve-Loc Heavy-Duty Tire Valve Stem Covers for the better part of 5 years or more, and it’s because they plain and simply work, and I mean no matter what. The link we’ll have for you will get you a ten pack, that’s enough to do two Jeeps and their spare tires. The reason these things are way better than those plain old plastic caps is two fold. First, They come with an Airtight Rubber O-Ring Seal. This provides an enhanced seal to help prevent air leakage and to properly keep out dust, dirt, grime and road debris. Secondly, they have a Proper Stem Fit instead of a Universal Stem Fit. Valve-Loc offers the best tire valve caps available today because every piece is custom-designed to lock on tight for a firm fit you can trust. And I’ll back that up. Every time I go to air down or air back up, these things are on just as tight as I put them on before. Zero back off, 100% sealage. And that’s even after a whole day in the rocks too! So for less than 8 bucks for two Jeeps worth of something cool? Thats a win win in my book. https://amzn.to/3bRVSfz
Camp Fireside Chat:
Let’s talk tires! Would you switch tire type? Would you go A/T or M/T? What would it take for you to change brand, type, etc..
Jeep Weather:
Mitch
Hey Jeeper, Mitch here, today is the 21st of February 2020, and it’s time for your weekend Going Topless-Jeep Weather Report. Listener, I have a confession to make. I’m not a fan of basketball and the only football game that I watch of my own choice is the Army-Navy game, GO ARMY! I love baseball, enjoy hockey, IndyCar racing, hunting, fishing, and a few obscure sports (You know, probably playing on the Ocho), to include Highland Games, and Timbersports. So, for this week’s Topless Jeeping weather, I decided to take you to a few big spots for the last two sports. First is Pleasanton, CA, where one of the largest clan gatherings, highland dance, music, and most importantly highland games takes place every Labor Day weekend. Cloudy all weekend and 73 Friday, 65 Saturday, and 63 Sunday. The largest Highland Games of the Northeast US takes place in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Here, like at most games and gatherings, is also lots of whisky tastings. Maybe this’ll help you get brave enough to take that top off. This weekend the weather won’t be too tough to bear through. Mostly sunny with some cloud cover, Friday 26, Saturday 35, and Sunday is 42. Next go to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, where the Canadian Championship Competition of Timbersports will take place. This weekend Charlottetown will be mostly sunny and 14 on Friday, 31 Saturday, and 36 on Sunday. In the US, one of the major qualifiers for Timbersports takes place in Cherry Valley, New York. Go topless in a mostly sunny weekend, Friday will be 27, Saturday 34, and Sunday a less nippily 42 degrees. Don’t forget to use the #JeepTalkShow on social media for us to see those pictures. If you have any suggestions or want to know YOUR local weather in an upcoming episode. Go to JeepTalkShow.com/contact in order to find all the ways to get a message to me. I’m Mitch and its always great weekend to Go Topless if you’re brave enough! Just Go Topless responsibly.
Badlands Off-Road Adventures – Self-Recovery Clinic or Wilderness First Aid Clinic
March 28th Borrego Springs, or Gorman California More Info: https://www.4x4training.com/w/
Links Mentioned in Episode 425:
E-KYLIN DC 12V Electromagnetic Solenoid Valve Terminal Master Kill System https://amzn.to/2S4y7ce
https://lonestarjeepinvasion.com/
Presented by Nexen Tire and Icon Vehicle Dynamics: This week we talk to Adam Pfeifer (@oh_that_1_dude) about how he rolled his Jeep at King of the Hammers in epic fashion. Fortunately, Adam came out OK. We are trying to convince him to buy a Ranger or a Tacoma, but I don't think it's working. Joe joins us in the studio to talk about some of the lessons learned from the KOH crash.
Presented by Nexen Tire and Icon Vehicle Dynamics: This week we talk to Adam Pfeifer (@oh_that_1_dude) about how he rolled his Jeep at King of the Hammers in epic fashion. Fortunately, Adam came out OK. We are trying to convince him to buy a Ranger or a Tacoma, but I don't think it's working. Joe joins us in the studio to talk about some of the lessons learned from the KOH crash.
Not everyone isonto mud or rocks, in fact there is a giant percentage of this multi-billion dollar industry that are absolute sand adicts. You may not understand – never having had your Jeep on miles of open sand dunes, but it is certainly a much different wheeling experience than picking a technical line to navigate your way through a boulder field, or finding the best line to get up that trail. In open sand it’s a whole nother world. Given the success of various off-road-race-ready pickups in today’s marketplace, it’s becoming apparent that a significant number of buyers are just as interested in storming across the undeveloped landscape as they are in climbing rocks. So Jeep has devised a new Desert Rated designation for its vehicles, one which made its debut on the 2020 Gladiator Mojave Edition pickup truck. Earning a “Desert Rated” badge involves excelling in five key performance categories: Ride Control and Stability, Traction in Sand, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, and Desert Prowess. Compare this to the criteria for Jeep models to earn a “Trail Rated” badge which are Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, Articulation, and Water Fording.) Now I could spend the next 10 minutes outlining just exactly WHAT equipment a Desert Rated Jeep will have, but I won’t. Mainly because the list is gigantic and quite impressive in it’s details, but I’m going to at least attempt to impress you. The jist of it is this, you’re getting a nearly competition level Jeep off the showroom floor, that could very likely put you in qualifying times for the Baja 1000 in the same form it will be sitting in your driveway as. And i’m not joking. This Isn’t just bolt on gear either. They extended the overall track (that’s the width of the vehicle at the wheels mounting point) by a half inch each side to add stability and clear for larger remote reservoir shocks, and this is just a start. The axle tubes are 10mm thick not 7mm, and the knuckles are cast iron and reinforced. The entire suspension system is reinforced and comes with military grade fluids in all shocks and even the hydraulic bump stops which also have their own remote reservoirs. Heck even the seats and their mounts have been reinforced to provide better stability for the driver and passenger. You get a series of skid plates that no Jeep has ever seen before, and if that’s not protection enough, the frame has been beefed up in the areas that would take the most abuse in a dune jumping scenario like the engine mounts and front control arm mounts. In addition to having an additional 1″ of ground clearance over the Rubicon, the Desert Rated Jeeps get an entirely re-tuned steering system that has a widely different ratio compared to the Rubicon to account for better control at higher speeds offroad. There’s a whole electronic suite of software to control the Jeep during something like an impromptu desert race too. For instance, for some inexplicable reason, your GPS has navigated you to the starting line of an official SCORE event in the desert. If you were in the 2020 Gladiator Mojave you would simply push the “Off-Road Plus” button that tailors throttle, transmission shift points, and traction-control parameters for peak performance at higher speeds on sandy terrain. There is one downside to the Desert Ratted Badge however…. If you’re planning on this Jeep doing double duty and performing well in the trails or on the rocks, think again. Both the axles gear range as well as the gear range in the Transfercase have been ramped up to provide higher speeds in lower gears, taking away much of that raw grunt torque you need down low to crawl you over the rocks. So if the sand is calling to you, well you can expect to see the Gladiator Mojave in showrooms this summer with a starting price around $45,000 to $50,000.
Want To Own A Piece Of Americanna?
A 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon that appeared in a Super Bowl commercial starring actor Bill Murray is now for sale at a car dealership in Michigan’s Thumb region. Denny King, salesman and internet sales manager at Moore Auto Group in Caro, said Chrysler asked to borrow the orange, or “Punk’n”-colored, Jeep for a TV commercial in January, but he and his colleagues didn’t know until the morning after the Super Bowl that it had been for the “Groundhog Day” inspired ad. In the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” Bill Murray plays the role of a TV meteorologist who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. King, who calls himself a Jeep enthusiast, first saw the commercial when it aired during the Super Bowl and got confirmation the next morning that the dealership’s borrowed Gladiator Rubicon had appeared in it, along with a second vehicle of the same model. Word of the Jeep’s Super Bowl connection spread on Facebook after it returned to the dealership on Feb. 7, where it immediately went back up for sale. It currently has a sticker price of $57,350 – if it hasn’t been sold already. Apparently the dealership has had an almost nonstop string of fans coming to see the Jeep and take selfies with it. The only thing that would have made this any cooler, is if Bill would have signed it himself. Who knows, maybe inside the glovebox he scribbled something, that just kind of seems like something Bill would do.
Wrangler Talk:
Simple Interior Installs and Mods.
Hello JTS listener and welcome to this week’s wrangler talk, where we are going to be jumping to the interior of our jeep. Over the past week I was finally able to get some of my Christmas gifts that my wonderful girlfriend got me. So, the first Mod or part that I was able to install was a really nice set of grab handles. Now when I say grab handles I am not talking about the Velcro style roll bar grab handle. I am talking about the ones bold into the a-pillar. Now the installation took a little longer than I thought it was going to take, but after learning a little trick, that I will tell you about, the installation went much smoother. So, as I said before these grab handles require the removal of two bolts on the a-pillar, then the grab handles bolt into where those two bolts came out of with the addition of a spacer to set the grab handle out and easier to grab. So, I originally have the Velcro style grab handles that wrap around my roll bar and I have always just come to the conclusion that they are just in a bad spot when it comes to needing a handle to get in and out of my jeep. When I was giving my wonderful girlfriend ideas for Christmas presents I gave her this idea and her eyes lit up well because she has to basically get a running start to get into my jeep. Yes, even with the original grab handles that I had. So, one of my fellow jeepers and best friends purchased these grab handles a long time ago and they peaked my interest. So why not I would give them a try and well let me tell you, these new grab handles make a world of difference getting in and out of my jeep. Well I am sure you know if you have listened to previous episodes I have 37” tires with 4.5” of lift and it is a bit of a jump to get into my jeep. So, the little tip or trick for the installation of these amazing grab handles. When you remove the stock bolts from your a-pillar you are going to want to clean out the threads of the nut that is still in the A-pillar. It will make the installation of the new bolts and hardware a lot easier. Trust me it will save you a lot of frustration. Secondly thread the provided bolts into the nuts on the a-pillar too, this will help with the cleaning of the threads and just help the overall install. I personally got the wildboar grab handles from amazon however there a lot of different brands out on the market and also lots of different styles and designs but they all serve the same purpose to help you get in and out of the jeep and give you an O-shit handle. Now onto another little install that I was able to get done as well and that is this fancy little flashlight holder that I got from Quadratec. Now this flashlight holder mounts to the driver side seat frame with two bolts and tucks snugly between the seat frame and the drive side door. The holder probably only took about 3 minutes to install bit let me tell you how nice it is to have a high-powered flashlight at an arm’s reach and you always know where it is. So, I did get the flashlight and holder combo from Quadratec which comes with a really nice LED style flashlight that is bright as anything although the holder is designed to hold any type of larger mag light or one of the heavy duty D cell battery style flashlights. So, thank you for listening to this week’s wrangler talk and if you are interested in either of these products that I talked about in the wrangler talk just look in the show notes for a link to check out these great simple products. Also, just remember do you have any questions or comments about the show head over to jeeptalkshow.com/contact and send us an email or leave us a voice message and we would be glad to help you out in any way we can. Talk to you next week on the Wrangler Talk.
Your Jeep rides rough even on the smoothest of paved surfaces.
And the number one way you know you have a real Jeep…
No one ever says to you “Hey that’s a nice Hyundai”
That’s how I know what a real Jeep is! I bet you have some that are different. Share them with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Be sure and include the hashtag jeeptalkshow. (#jeeptalkshow)
Jeep Life:
Jeep Life Hack Jobs
Neil and I are working on an XJ a girl brought in. She felt something just wasn’t right. Neil got under the jeep and WOW what a hack job. The wrong size control arms, shocks meant for stock and this had a 4in lift. The shocks were barely holding on. Really worn bald tires and a messed up crossmember. This girl also had no clue about regular maintenance. Jeepers before you get someone to work on your jeep make sure you get references The other issues I had The first one was NAPA I went in to ask for 4 Carriage Bolts 3/8 by 4 and nuts and washers. He asked me “What’s the make and model?” I stood there in shock. He had no idea where to find them. HELLOOOO The bolt bin right behind you. The second store I asked where the .030 Mig Wire was and wanted the Flux. I ended up being the one to find it. The only one I found was out of the box and the box not found. I didn’t know the price. So the clerk grabbed the sticker that was on the shelf the spool of wire was on. Not even thinking hey someone might of randomly put this here since the shelf was a mess. When I went to the checker I told her the story and said I know this isn’t the right price. It was $20 more than it should of been. So she proceeded to look the price up on the online website. She typed in wire and started scrolling. OMG!!! So I had to help her find the right price. LOOK AT THE STICKER DESCRIPTION on the spool of WIRE! Oh Hey TONY Guess what I found here in Colorado? A henway!!! And I bought one.
Newbie Nuggets:
I’ve heard from callers to the show that some of you are “getting a new jeep” soon and I thought “how about a segment that we could share on what it’s like to start out brand new” – take the mystery out of it and maybe help avoid some of the pitfalls that may occur. This would be “geared” toward the person who is new to driving a jeep off-road. Did you just buy a new jeep (or as we did – a pre-dented, used Jeep). Do you have experience off-roading, but are new to driving a jeep off-road. OR have you been a passenger and been thinking “hey it’s my turn to drive some of these trails”, but aren’t sure how to begin? Well this would be just for you. This segment would also include stories from listener’s first time experiences driving off-road and of course include my, Tony’s and Josh’s first time driving escapades. We also want to include things like – a list of basics you need in your jeep when you start off-roading – and we will add to this basic list as time goes on. We will have suggestions on joining a group, or club, so you can do more exploring with your jeep and some other fun things like picking your line, spotting tips, winching and who knows what else we might throw in there. We are hoping to draw more people to our podcast, and help some of you that want to drive, but might need a little encouragement (and I don’t mean the liquid kind). And don’t worry for all the experienced drivers that listen, we promise to make it fun and enjoyable for you too. AND speaking of all the experienced drivers, let us know what some of your first time off-road experiences were and we’ll share them in a future segment. We can keep it anonymous, if you want (wouldn’t want to embarrass anyone). Next week I will share my very first off-road experience in our jeep. You don’t want to miss this story!!! You know the drill, contact us at Jeeptalkshow.com/contact and share your story.
Tech Talk With Jeep Talk:
New Jeep Gas Cap / Filler Door Modification
Jeep’s engineers and designers in all their wisdom have given the new generation of Jeeps some amazing technology, creature comforts, and a level of aesthetic appeal we didn’t know we were missing in Jeeps until they figured out a way to make it rugged too. But with everything an automaker gets right, there is inevitably something they get wrong, and as much of a fanboy of Jeep that I am, the engineers screwed this one up. What I’m referring to is a creature comfort many of us would never think twice about, something that you may even take for granted on another vehicle, and unless you are one of those few in the US that don’t have to pump their own gas, then you know I’m talking about a lack of something to do with the gas cap while you refuel. Especially In the new 2019, and 2020 model year wranglers and gladiators. Imagine this, you just spent 52 thousand dollars on a new truck, and you’re at the pump for the first time. You open the door, release the cap and …..what? …just let it rest on your fender, the one already covered in silt and slush from this winter’s roads, dripping gas all down that brand new paint….? … yea i don’t think so. So you know what they say…necessity is the mother of invention. Now I’ve seen a couple different takes on this, but here’s how you can solve this issue once and for all, giving you a place to rest that gas cap, without transferring dirt or snow to your tank, or gas to your paint. Although you’re only going to need one, you can get a 25 pack of these self adhesive adjustable nylon cable clamps. These have a small strip of strong adhesive on one side, and an adjustable latch loop on the other. All you need this thing for is part of the radius of the loop, so you’re going to cut the adjustable part off, leaving just the adhesive back, and a small hook of the nylon plastic loop. Now you’re going to need to go out to the Jeep with your new invention, and using a bit of rubbing alcohol, you are going to clean the living daylights out of the backside of that fuel door. You want it clean enough to eat off of, so don’t cut corners here. DO NOT peel the protective cover off the adhesive yet. You will need to do a couple test fittings first to make sure the hook you’re about to install isn’t going to interfere with the body of the jeep, the operation of the door, or the gas cap itself. Once you’ve determined a good place for the hook, simply peel the covering off the adhesive and stick it firmly to the cleaned area you picked out on the back of the fuel door with the hook part facing upwards. Now anytime it’s time to top off, you can simply drape the lanyard of the gas cap over the hook, keeping the cap off your paint, and whatever is on your paint from getting onto your cap and into your tank. And of course if you screw things up, knock the hook off, or it just falls off over time, you’ve got 24 more of these and 2 minutes of time to clean things up again, and install a new one. Heck, make a few of these and start handing them out to other Jeepers at the gas station. You’ll be a hero in no time, a local celebrity, they’ll probably throw you a parade and make a holiday out of you. And it’s all because of the world famous Jeep Talk Show… it’s ok, we’ll let you take credit this time.
Merideth is a Writer and Host for ExtremeTerrain.com, and has been in the video department for 3 years now and has been in the Jeep community for over 7 years. By day she reviews and installs all the products Extreme Terrain has to offer, and after work she enjoys working on her Jeep and her other cars. She bought her 2007 JKU when she was 18 and hasn’t looked back since. You can find her on instagram at Offroad_Merideth or on youtube at youtube.com/extremeterrainvideos
Must Have Stuff for your Jeep:
Rugged Ridge Jeep JK/JKU Black Aluminum Hood Catch Set
Speaking of fast JEeps, maybe you’re like me, and have a heavy foot when you’re behind the wheel and on the road. …and sometimes even offroad too. And if you’ve owned your Jeep Wrangler for a number of years and like to go fast, then chances are you’ve experienced hood flutter. It’s not as frightening as death wobble, but the first time your hood starts dancing over your Jeep at 75 miles per hour or as a semi-truck passes you a little too close, it’s a moment you’ll never forget. So keep that bonnet where it’s supposed to be with a set of upgraded hood latches. Now there are a bunch of different styles out on the market, and I’ve even seen ones made from titanium and no you can’t afford them. Nor would you want to with so many other viable and more practical options out there. Which brings me to one of the most reviewed and positively spoken about upgraded hood latch products, and that’s the aluminum set from Rugged Ridge. Don’t settle for the cheap crap you see on ebay and amazon. Spend a little more and get the very best. Quick and easy installation allows you to simply bolt the replacement hood latches to the exact same mounting points as the factory hardware. That means no drilling, and no adhesive pads to cover the old holes like some of those other brands. These premium quality hood latches are durable, fully adjustable, and definitely aesthetically pleasing with the perfect proportions to the rest of the vehicle, unlike some of those more flimsy options out there. They come in black, textured black or silver finish. Available for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler (JK/JKU’s) and now for 97-06 TJ’s About the only downside to these is they’re not free.
Automatic vs. Manual transmission – Which is the best transmission for a Jeep?
Jeep Weather:
Mitch
Hey Jeeper, Mitch here, today is the 14th of February 2020, and it’s time for your weekend Going Topless-Jeep Weather Report. Surprisingly Listener, I am married. So, for this Valentine’s Day Topless Jeeping Weather Report I have invited my wife to come out and help me. Hi Jeeper, I’m Allison and let’s start the your topless Jeeping weather where Mitch proposed to me. Jam packed full of wineries and beautiful scenery is Calistoga, California. Here it will be cloudy all weekend. Friday is supposed to be 68, Saturday 69, and Sunday 68 degrees. Next, we run over to an area that we find romantic. Snow, mountains, forests, and a sparse density of people. Telluride, Colorado has a nice lodge-style ski resort and lots of history from westward expansion and coal mining. Here it will be sunny Friday at 35 degrees, Saturday partially cloudy at 32, and Sunday snowing at 31 degrees. Ok, so snow isn’t your thing and Jeeping topless without the threat of losing appendages sounds like a win to you. Then head out to one of the most romantic Hawaiian Islands, that of Lanai. This weekend Lanai City will be sunny! Friday 75, Saturday and Sunday 74 degrees. Lastly, if you can’t make it off the mainland. Then head out to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Still warm all weekend but with clouds, so you can take top notch Jeeping Topless pictures. 83 Friday, 77 Saturday, and 79 on Sunday. But, to give you a fair warning, you might get evening showers. That’s a good way to end a Topless Valentines date and give excuses to head inside to “dry off”. Don’t forget to use the #JeepTalkShow on social media for us to see those pictures. If you have any suggestions or want to know YOUR local weather in an upcoming episode. Go to JeepTalkShow.com/contact in order to find all the ways to get a message to me. I’m Mitch, I’m Allison, and its always great weekend to Go Topless if you’re brave enough! Just Go Topless responsibly.
Buy me a Tea
Steering Stabilizers, and what they do for us and our Jeeps. 
YJ Flip
Quick Trail Repair Tip – Gas Tank Leak
There’s so much exciting information to cover when trying to inform new Jeepers. Today’s topic is “What Items Should You Carry in your Jeep.” There are literally hundreds of things you can add to your Jeep. Some are more useful than others and some more necessary than others. One of the things I like about Jeeping with others is to check out what gear they have on board. We have collected a lot of gear over the years, but we always seem to see something else we need when looking at someone else’s set up. Not sure why that happens. So, as you start collecting stuff to include in your jeep, I put together a list of BASIC items you may want to consider – it’s just the basics:
Dan Grec – The Road Chose Me Volume Two
Big Congrats To GenRight!
Maybe A Lesson In How NOT To Sell Your Jeep
This is Jon and so far on Radio Comm Tech we have covered CB and GMRS/FRS, today we are going to talk about a couple lesser known options. MURS, or Multi-Use Radio Service, are handheld radios that operate up to 2 watts on 5 channels in the 151 and 154 MHz frequencies and no license is required. You are allowed to use external antennas with MURS radios so they can be set up to use while mobile. The most common manufacturer of MURS radios seem to be BaofengTech, Motorola, Tera, and Dakota Alert. Some external antennas to consider would be the Laird QWB152, Firestik also has a MURS antenna surprisingly, and the Comet CA-2x4SR ham radio antenna seems to be widebanded enough to have a reasonable SWR on the MURS frequencies. Some businesses may also use MURS frequencies so if you are using it in a metro area you may have moments of brief interference. And for your listening pleasure, Walmart often uses MURS channel 5.
Celebrating the Jeep Life In Colorado – outside Del Norte. Celebrating the Jeep Life is the theme for this year’s adventure with Neil. Besides going to events we want to celebrate your Jeep Story. We have begun by sharing the story about the Jeep Rescue League in Saguache Colorado. A former vet rescuing one vintage Jeep at a time. We also want to share the people behind the company of the aftermarket parts we buy. Sharing The Jeep Life Stories Schedule of events: Kingman Az. March 17th – 20th Then off to Cali for a “Fan Ride” _@ Mohave Road March 21 – 23 Then to MOAB Ut. For Easter Jeep Safari for hopefully 3 weeks Overland West in Flagstaff Arizona May 15 & 16 Overland Mountain in Loveland CO end of August Overland East In October in Virginia. Planning a East Coast Fan Ride. We hope to be able to do more and would love your support. www.patreon.com/JeepMomma
Keith and his wife, Andrea, have been Jeep Enthusiasts for over 10 years. While running their business, Jeep ‘n Jewelry, they’ve traveled coast to coast attending Jeep shows and events. Their love for these shows gave them the idea to start the Lone Star Jeep Invasion. Last year’s event was extremely successful, donating $8500 to local charities and over 1650 pounds of food to the local food shelter. This year’s event will be even bigger and better. If you’d like more information, you can visit them at lonestarjeepinvasion.com or on Facebook. 
Valve-Loc Heavy-Duty Tire Valve Stem Covers – Black (10pk) $7.99
What Does it Mean To Be “Desert Rated”
Want To Own A Piece Of Americanna?
Simple Interior Installs and Mods.
Jeep Life Hack Jobs
New Jeep Gas Cap / Filler Door Modification
Meridith Evasew – Extreme Terrain
Rugged Ridge Jeep JK/JKU Black Aluminum Hood Catch Set