Episode 609 – Interview David Chrystal of Invictusoffroad.com

Founded in 2017, Invictus Off Road is a UTV /JEEP accessory manufacturer based out of a rural area of central New Hampshire.

At the company’s helm are a pair of off road enthusiasts and dynamic husband and wife team, better known as Dave and Kayla. Avid off-roaders themselves, Dave and Kayla recognized a need for dependable and functional gear storage and organization while out on the trails.

Invictus Off Road product designs are inspired by the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) systems used by the US military, international armed forces, and in all kinds of tactical applications.


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Episode 607 – Best Jeep Soft Top Care Tips

This Week In Jeep

Consumer Reports Gets IT WRONG

The Jeep Gladiator is arguably one of Jeeps best production vehicles it has ever made. But when the team at Consumer Reports took a closer look at the new Gladiator, there were three things they didn’t like about it. And I for one have several theories as to why, but we’ll save that for discussions behind closed doors to avoid things like libel and defamation of character and such. According to the fun hating team that reviewed the Gladiator, they have at least three major complaints. The first is poor handling

According to Consumer Reports, handling leaves a lot to be desired. They found the steering slow and lacking in feedback, explaining it takes a lot of elbow grease to turn the truck. When they pushed the truck on their test track, it kept control, but they described it as entirely out of its element. You don’t say? You mean an off road focused midsize pickup truck didn’t perform like a sports car on the track?! Well, someone should write a sternly worded letter to the design teams at Jeep and tell them this truck needs to handle more like a luxury sport-touring sedan. Cornering apparently isn’t one of the Gladiator’s good qualities, even on the milder curves of the daily route. Thankfully, its stability control kept it from straying beyond the chosen lines. It also has minimal body roll, which did  give it an edge over other pickup trucks in its segment.

The rear axle also helps Gladiator stay grounded even on rougher surfaces for a more confident driving experience. Yes, because it’s a hybrid system pulled off the Ram 1500 pickup truck and adapted for the Jeep. So in other words, it’s a truck that handles like a truck. Strike one for Consumer Reports. Their second issue was cabin noise.

With the 2022 Jeep Gladiator, you can get a soft-top or an optional removable hardtop, just like you can with the Wrangler. If you want to go on an open-air adventure, you can remove the doors, the top and even fold down the windshield. The problem is all the wind noise in the cabin when traveling at highway speeds, even with the hardtop still on. When driving at any speed over 50 mph, the interior is very noisy. The roof panels are thin and can’t help keep the noise out. According to Consumer Reports, with the optional headliner, there’s a small measure of noise reduction but not enough to make a real difference. When they rented an Overland model, they found the wind noise troublesome. They did note that the V6 engine doesn’t sound obnoxious, and the road noise is low. Wait a minute, so the cabin noise is high, but the road noise is low. That’s a direct contradiction, as one is the same as the other. Either way, Jeeps have always been a bit noisier than any other SUV, but that’s part of their utilitarian draw and built into the long standing heritage of where the Jeep comes from. Do you think the soldiers in WWII gave two shits about how noisy the Jeep was or how well it cornered on the roads?  Puh-leez! Strike two Consumer Reports! Rounding things out was consumer reports’ worst complaint yet. The third problem they had was with accessibility.

According to Consumer Reports there are no running boards to make entry into the truck easier. This is because such things are ridiculous to have on an off road inspired truck, and would be entirely in the way and likely ripped off the truck on the first trail ride. There are good reasons both functionally and aesthetically that explain why this (again midsize) truck doesn’t have a flight of stairs built into the side of it so that lazy columnists don’t have to lift their foot off the ground any higher than what it would take to walk over a curb. This is by no means a Bro-Dozer, and rides arguably lower than any full size truck, so I’m not sure where they’re coming up with this crap. There are, by design, handles at each of the four doors to help you climb in if the testers bothered to use the effort required to look around. Climbing into the rear was even more challenging for the feckless testers, because the rear doors have a narrower opening, much like every other single vehicle on the road today, not to mention virtually every Jeep ever made. But common knowledge like this and any degree of common sense or use of logic of any kind, apparently was not on site during this review. Oh, as a side note, Consumer Reports also made it a point to mention that in their opinion, any woman should avoid trying to climb into the Gladiator in a skirt. That’s strike three!…and consumer reports, you can Eff-right-off to the showers. The testers also had mixed reviews about the Gladiators interior, stating that once in the cab, the seats are initially soft, but they don’t offer a lot of support for longer hauls. I rode in a Gladiator for the better part of a couple hours, and even spent some time off road in one, and as a 6 foot 3 inch man of 200 pounds, I had no problem with ingress, egress, or comfort on or off road. They complained about the seat adjustments and how it’s unfair that only the driver seat has a lumbar adjustment. But I dare you to look at 90 percent of production cars on the road in the last 30 years and you’ll see that across a half dozen automakers or more, the driver’s seat always has more adjustability. They also complained about the back seats, claiming they were flat and offered little support. They complained that the  driving position is compromised a bit because there’s no left footrest. There’s also a claim that there was friction from rubbing against the hinges of the door. Last I checked, the hinges for every single Gladiator are on the OUTSIDE of the Jeep…. So just what the actual fudge was this tester doing to the Jeep to experience ANY degree of friction from the door hinges…?  All in all, Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Jeep Gladiator an overall score of 38 out of 100. 

I think somebody needs to be beaten with a length of rubber hose. 

Once a High School, Now a Plant For Jeep

The coronavirus pandemic delayed its grand opening, but on Thursday, Dakkota Integrated Systems, a major supplier to Chrysler-parent Stellantis’ Detroit assembly plants, got to showcase its 375,000-square-foot facility on the site of Detroit’s former Kettering High School. A large blue letter “K,” a restored symbol of the former school, connects the location to its past life and the surrounding neighborhood while providing a recognizable landmark for the location on the city’s east side, a short drive south on Van Dyke from Interstate 94. On the site of a high school that had been abandoned for a decade, this facility is now employing more than 500 people in good UAW jobs.

The workers themselves, many of whom are Detroiters, will be building the instrument panels that will be installed in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango, which are assembled at Stellantis’ Mack and Jefferson North plants. A news release noted that Dakkota, which has 14 plants in total, plans to add 75 jobs to its workforce in the coming months. Dakkota’s founder, chair and CEO, noted, however, that the Kettering site has the ability to expand and could add as many as 700 jobs if conditions are right. This is going to be a big boon to the local area, and will usher in a new level of production capability and support for the two Jeep assembly plants nearby.

An Amazing Jeeper Doing Amazing Things With Modified Jeep

Out of hundreds of nominees, a Cumberland County woman’s work with area veterans secured her a spot among dozens of volunteers in the state to be recognized by Gov. Roy Cooper recently. Since 2005, Stacey Buckner has provided mobile showers, food and toiletries to Cumberland County’s homeless veterans through her specially equipped Jeep and nonprofit known as Off-Road Outreach. The Jeep is a heavily modified 4-door Wrangler, that has a pop-out mobile shower stall and onboard hot water heater and storage tank. And of course it has all the off-road goodies too, lift, tires, armor, lighting, and winch. Buckner was named a recipient of the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service during an April 20th virtual ceremony hosted by the Volunteer NC Commission.  According to the commission, only one medallion nomination is permitted per county. A statewide panel reviews all the nominations.  

Buckner said she wants to share the award with all who have volunteered in Cumberland County and those who continue to serve. 

Gov. Roy Cooper said all the volunteers have ((QUOTE))  “gone above and beyond to help their communities.  Stacey Buckner in particular is living out our state motto” he said — esse quam videri — which means, ‘To be, rather than to seem.’” Despite having a stroke a few years ago that left her with a traumatic brain injury, Buckner has not let that stop her from helping thousands of veterans a year. 

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

Z Automotive Tazer Mini Programmer for JL and JT   – $329

https://amzn.to/3sxYhGk

All the new off-roading vehicles on the market today come with all sorts of fancy little party tricks they can do with the unprecedented level of computerization that is incorporated into these machines.

While some are a little silly, like the Hummer EV’s Watts to Freedom launch control, others are legitimately useful; think about the Hummer’s Crab Walk function or Rivian’s Tank Turn.

While not quite on the same level, Ford decided to bake a similar feature into its Bronco called Trail Turn Assist, which allows the truck to pull some rather tight 180s. That left the Jeep Wrangler to fend for itself. Thanks to a plug-and-play accessory, though, owners of modern Wranglers and Gladiators can now have something similar, even long after leaving the factory or showroom floor. Aftermarket performance company Z Automotive designed the Tazer Mini as a simple solution to make JL Wranglers and JT Gladiators even more customizable. The tiny dongle enables owners to quickly tweak software features on their vehicle, all while being updatable to add more functionality later on. The latest round of updates includes a new quirk that allows for quick turns, just like the Ford Bronco. Jeep owners with the Tazer installed can enable the feature by using buttons on their truck’s steering wheel. When active, it uses the factory anti-lock brake components to lock the inside rear wheel to drag the tire and create a significantly tighter turning radius. The functionality of this has been confirmed by many online, including youtubers and forum users. However, I need to warn anyone listening to this, that this particular feature of the Tazer Mini should be used extremely sparingly, all in the name of trail etiquette. 

Dragging the inside tire of your Jeep as you go around a tree or obstacle could easily result in a huge rut being made in the soft earth. Obviously, if you’re on rocks or sand, this would be less of a concern, but still. There’s also the fact there may be issues with your warranty, for those who worry about the dealer denying service due to potential misuse or abuse of the vehicle. We’ve talked about stories here in the show of Jeepers being denied service under warranty because of nothing more than mud. I’m sure it could also be argued that this little party trick alone might be worth the $329 price tag for the device to at least some of you Jeep owners, even if you didn’t count all the other tricks the Tazer can do. Now, if you have a Tazer, and this feature isn’t enabled or available in your menu of options, you probably just need to update the firmware in the device, and there are plenty of videos online that can show you how to do this.

Tony himself has one of these and absolutely loves it, as do several of our listeners, who claim that this device is a necessity for anyone owning a 2019 or newer Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator. 

Jeep Life – With Jeep Momma

Soft Top Care 

With the upcoming Jeep Talk Show Wheeling Event in Texas not too far away, I just wanted to throw out a reminder there for everyone going. On episode 501 during Jeep Life I shared the “Whys of Campfire Smoke following you around” and how to stop it. A common myth is the smoke follows beauty, I like to believe that one cause is it always seems to follow me. But there is science behind it.  Then on Episode 503 I shared Jeep Momma’s Tips on getting rid of the campfire smoke. Just thought maybe it might come in handy.

 I know I have said this on the show before. Jeeps are meant to get dirty…. but not stay dirty. There are lots of tips on cost saving cleaning techniques. But you know we spend thousands, tens of thousands of dollars on our Jeeps, So when it comes to our soft tops why not spend a couple extra bucks to buy the products made for keeping the soft top clean and long lasting.  And take a few extra hours to make sure your Jeep is clean… Especially that soft top.

The three areas of the Jeep Soft Top you should concentrate on are the fabric, the windows, and the Zippers.

Many of us don’t notice our soft top until we can’t see out the windows, the zippers break, or we rip the canvas. Last winter I got a crack in my rear vinyl window. I found a furniture upholster and was quoted $250 to repair it. I decided to go ahead and reach out to BestTop to see if I could buy a rear window replacement. I was very pleasantly surprised at the price. I got the rear replacement window for my specific soft top for about $100, including shipping.

Keeping your soft top clean, and making frequent inspections, will help prolong the life of it.

Like I said, there are lots of tips on cost saving cleaning techniques for the soft tops. But why not spend a couple extra bucks to buy the products made for keeping the soft top clean and long lasting…?

There are several trusted brands out there you could use: Bestop, Raggtop and Mopar. I have used the Bestop products on my Jeep and found they are simple and easy to use. –They have a Cleaner, Protectant, Polisher – When I can’t get  these products I just use water. Chemicals on the soft top are not a good idea.

I found five other really good tips that will help increase the life of my soft top – which is one of the main reasons I love my Jeep so much. The ability to go topless!

Number 1. Reduce the exposure to the elements by parking in the garage. if you can.  Even though we love the outdoors and the sun, and the Jeep is the most rugged vehicle for the great outdoors, we still need to pamper our Jeeps to keep them lasting a long time. The sun causes the fabric to fade, threads to fail and our vinyl windows to yellow, crack and fade. Spending quality time and hard work on our soft tops can make it last plenty of years.

Number 2. Never use bleach, detergents, ammonia or alcohol-based products, stick with the products specifically made for the soft top. Clean it monthly, and don’t forget the inside.

If you don’t want to buy special products to clean your Jeep soft top and vinyl windows, then your safest option is to simply use warm water and maybe mild dishwashing detergent.

Don’t forget to clean those zippers too. Regular ‘ol soap and water will keep dirt from building up on your Jeep’s zippers as well. If you let dirt and grime build up on your Jeep’s soft top and vinyl windows and zippers, it will ultimately lessen the life of your soft top.

 Avoid window cleaners like Windex or Formula 409. They tend to dry out the plastic and eventually can lead to cracking and discoloration.

Number 3. You hear a lot of people recommending the Pledge spray polish the regular not lemon on Jeep Windows. I suggest you avoid this tip. I hear over time it will cause your windows to turn yellow.

Number 4. You hear this question all the time on social media. Can I take my Jeep through the car wash? First if you have a lifted Jeep with bigger tires some car washes will refuse you. Those automatic car washes work but are not a good idea because the high-pressure sprays and rotating brushes will force water into the vehicle and cause leaks. Taking your Jeep soft top through an automatic car wash will scratch the Jeep’s windows and might even tear the seams. Plus, some of the chemicals can cause irreversible damage to the vinyl itself.

Number 5. Zipper care is very important as well. Sometimes those zippers can be tough to zip on and off. I have used a zipper lube in the past, but some say that lubrication attracts dirt and grime. Some Jeep owners carry a small bar of soap in the glove box and  rub the bar of soap directly onto the zipper itself; it will lubricate the zipper without attracting as much dirt & grime as the spray lubricants do.

A must for your zippers…. is zipper pulls on  your Jeep’s windows. This allows for easy grasping and pulling. There are several places online you can purchase paracord zipper pulls or if you are crafty you can make your own. And the cool thing about this is you can make them in a color to match your accessory color. My purple paracord zipper pulls allow me to work the zipper much easier now.

Pampering your Jeep is so important. If you are going to name your Jeep you better take care of it. Next week on Jeep Life with Jeep Momma. How to bring the life back into those faded plastic OEM Jeep Fenders. I have tested so many products and homemade Do it Yourself remedies I will let you know what worked and what didn’t.

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

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Episode 605 – Jeremy Rowe “Jeep Thang!” Interview

Jeremy Rowe

SINGER/SONGWRITER/ARTIST

Jeremy Rowe, Oklahoma Native, began his music career in 2019 with his first release, GONE inspired by a painful divorce. Jeremy now resides in Edmond, OK, with his lovely wife, Tisha, with 5 amazing kids, and is expecting a sixth child in May of 2022. Being a Jeep owner himself and growing up in a Jeep enthusiast family, he naturally wrote a song about the Jeep lifestyle called JEEP THANG, which opened the doors to the Jeep nation worldwide. He’s performed for large groups of Jeepers, opening for legends like 90s country band Shenandoah, and continues to write songs for the niche community of Jeepers and the Off-Road community.  His latest release, JEEP GIRL is currently available on all platforms along with a stellar music video on YouTube.  Jeremy’s next release, ‘Off Road Family’ will be our everywhere on 2/16/22! He then plans to begin recording more music from his catalog of more than 30 original tunes. Jeremy has written several songs about relationships, both loving and painful, parenting (he’s got 5 kids after all), and being a country boy at heart, stuck in the city. Jeremy looks forward to seeing you at some of the largest upcoming Jeep trade shows in 2022 to include the Island Off-Road Jeep Music Festival in Singer Island, FL, JEEP BEACH 2022, in Daytona FL, and many more.

Sponsor RockAuto.com

 


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Episode 603 – The Do’s and Don’ts of Going Topless

This Week In Jeep

Jeep Only Dealerships?

With the mighty house of Stellantis constantly exploring the upper limits of what customers are willing to pay for a rig with a Jeep badge on its nose, it seems that placing six-figure Grand Wagoneer L models next to entry-level Ram work trucks and Chrysler minivans is a dying strategy. If some super-stuffy-execs have their way, Jeeps – or at least the high-end ones – could earn a place in their own dedicated showroom.

It’s a trick as old as the auto industry itself, of course. Take for instance the way Lincoln showrooms started encroaching on the most valuable floor space of their Ford dealers.

Separating the wheat from the chaff is a common way of catering to customers planning on splashing out the big bucks – especially if they are new to the brand and trading out of a legacy luxury brand. Showcasing the best of the best of what you can offer them with the top-of-the-line models featuring every conceivable option, is a strategy that Jeep’s parent company is willing to bet on. Jeep wants in on this action, and to be honest it’s a solid move. The only question will be at what cost and how long will it take?

According to Automotive News, brand CEO Christian Meunier expects that more than 300 dealers will be adding Jeep-only sections to their premises over the next two calendar years. 

He anticipates these spaces will house top-of-the-line, more expensive Jeeps like the Grand Wagoneer L, plus the forthcoming all-electric SUVs from the off-road brand. 

Some, like the Michigan-based LaFontaine dealer, jumped on the idea way back in pre-pandemic times, reserving (and branding) an entire wing of their new facility solely for the purposes of showcasing Jeeps. Now a lot of us conspiracy theorists may want to see this as the writing on the wall for Jeep finally becoming its own brand with its own dedicated dealers. As of right now, that may or may not be part of the plan, and we as the general public may never know until it’s too late. GM went down that road with the Hummer brand 15 years ago, leaving many of the eye-catching, intricately designed buildings completely vacant when GM went through bankruptcy. Still, there’s a definitive desire here to start separating Jeep from the typical Stellantis dealer hive. Will both the entirety of the dealer network and its customer base be on board with this idea? 

Only time will tell. It’ll be interesting to see which dealers decide to go down the trail of separation versus those who continue to pack six-figure Grand Wagoneers right next to stripped-down minivans and work trucks.

Only Superman Was Faster Than a Speeding Locomotive

Jeeps are incredible vehicles. They are nimble, strong, and incredibly capable machines. But they aren’t indestructible. Sure, they make versions that are bulletproof, but that doesn’t mean the Jeep off the showroom floor is train proof.  That is a lesson one Jeeper is learning the hard way. The incident occurred in the area of North Dixie Highway and Garfield Street in Hollywood California. Witnesses told local news reporters that the driver of the Jeep was racing south and attempted to cut in front of the train as the crossing arms were in the downed position. That’s when (they say) the train struck the vehicle. The impact was so severe, that it caused the white 4-door Jeep Wrangler to flip over several times ejecting the driver in the process. Nearby drivers pulled over to flip the driver of the Jeep off before he was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

“They said he was chasing the train and he must have seen that the arms were down and he tried to zig-zag around them,” said one witness who was one of the first people to rush over to help the driver.

This incident comes a day after a man was killed in a crash involving another Brightline train, that time in Pompano Beach. Brightline officials say that at least 64 people have died in collisions with their trains since 2018. The driver of the Jeep, in this case, was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and it is unsure of the extent of his injuries or if he will live to understand the idiocy of his decisions.

It’s Not All Bad News For Wrangler

Car sales are struggling due to various factors, including supply chain issues and price surges. Even the beloved Jeep Wrangler, which recently won Vincentric’s Best Value Compact SUV award, saw lower sales in the first quarter of 2022. Nevertheless, the Wrangler’s sales haven’t been as poor as other models. Read on to learn more about how the Wrangler stacks up to the competition.

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain issues have plagued the auto industry in recent years. A serious problem affecting car manufacturers, for example, has been a shortage of semiconductor chips.

Manufacturers’ inability to produce sufficient numbers of cars has led to an imbalance in supply and demand and a surge in vehicle prices. That has driven down car sales in the United States as consumers struggle to find affordable vehicles.

Stellantis, which owns Jeep, recently reported that its overall car sales stateside were down in Q1 2022 compared with the same period last year. Though the news isn’t necessarily a surprise, it’s still not good news for the industry. 

Despite the industry’s struggles, Stellantis found a silver lining when it came to Jeep sales in Q1 2022. For starters, though Jeep Wrangler sales were down 8% compared with Q1 2021, that’s still better than the national average, which saw an overall decline of 14%. 

Stellantis also notes another feather in the Wrangler’s cap: the 4xe was named Best 4×4 in the Women’s World Car of the Year Awards. 

Jeep had even better luck with some of its other models, such as the Grand Cherokee. The popular SUV’s sales were the best they’d ever been for the quarter, with total Q1 2021 sales increasing 36% and retail sales increasing 44% in Q1 2022.

The Jeep Compass also performed remarkably well in the first quarter of 2022. Its total U.S. sales were up 22%, and retail sales increased 23%. 

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler offers numerous trims and models, ranging from the basic Sport which starts at roughly $33k and comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 hp and six-speed manual transmission. 

Of course at the other end of the spectrum lies the pricey Rubicon 392, which Jeep says is the only Wrangler that comes stock with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 boasting a whopping 470 hp. This Jeep with this engine is one of the more powerful on the market, and it can take you from 0 to 60 in just 4.5 seconds. Of course, all of that power and luxury will cost you. The Rubicon 392 starts at $77,390. So it’s certainly not a purchase to take lightly if you’re considering helping Jeep with its sales figures for the next quarter. 

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: Lubricating Without a Funnel

Have you ever struggled to fill a transfer case, a differential, or some other hard-to-reach something on your Jeep that requires lubrication? Since space is so tight under our Jeeps, especially in areas like where the transfer case fill port is, in some areas funnels are all but useless. Try this: Fill a quart or gallon zip-lock freezer bag with lube, gear oil, transmission fluid, or whatever you are needed to use to fill things up. Seal it up real good, and then cut a quarter-inch off one corner, making sure to hold it upright while doing so. This will ensure you’re cutting where there’s air, and not where there’s fluid, spilling it all over the place. You’ve just made the automotive equivalent of a pastry bag, …you know…that thing that you see on those cooking shows used for decorating cakes. Now you can squeeze lube up or over and into the fill hole from almost any angle. In fact, you won’t really need to squeeze much at all, as the contents of your Jeep fluid pastry bag will drain right into wherever it is you’re trying to get lubrication.  The only thing you need to pay attention to is keeping the little cut end of the bag in the hole, and ensuring you don’t overfill. 

Jeep Life – With Jeep Momma

Top 10 Topless Tips

To be Topless — is what inspired me to buy my Jeep spontaneously one day in the Spring of 2013. It wasn’t too off-road but to be topless. Since though Off-roading and being topless is my form of Jeep Therapy. I was at a point in my life when I realized time goes by too quickly to wait for the right moment to do the things you want to do. So my life motto is to “Live Life”.  Live means to “be alive” and when I’m in my Jeep — with the top down — feeling the warm sun on my face — and the wind blowing through my hair that’s what I feel — ALIVE! Topless in my Jeep is also therapeutic. I am in major need of some #JeepTherapy right now.  I feel like old man winter is over-staying his welcome this year. At least for us folks up in the north.  I am so excited that Spring will be arriving soon. I can see the blooms coming out on the trees. I miss the sun in my face and wind in my hair days.

With Spring arriving that means I can start driving with my top-down, but there are always precautions you must take. Now that I am out of the high desert I don’t need to worry about all that dust as much.

When you have a Jeep Wrangler you can’t just put your top-down, hop in, and hit the road. Well… if you get prepared, you can do just that. But it takes some thought to “Be Prepared”. Here are some tips I learned in “Going Topless in My Jeep“. Topless Jeep Driving DOs & DON’T There are 10 not 5  but 10.

  1. For the Jk and JKU owners Make sure your top folds back into the perfect Jeep”W”. This keeps the soft top lasting longer. If you don’t know how to do this I have a how-to video on YouTube. I am guessing the JLs would be the same as well. Not sure though.
  2. Don’t park under trees that are shedding their blooms or under trees with lots of birds hanging out in them.
  3. When you are going 65 mph down the interstate, and you have long hair, tie it back, or put on a hat. There is a high potential you will go blind momentarily, and crash.
  4. Leave No Trace is definitely a principle you should use for the inside of your Jeep.  You don’t want that”litter fine” when trash goes sailing out the top of your Wrangler.
  5. Anything you want to keep in your Jeep make sure it’s tied down.
  6. When you bring your drink in the Jeep make sure it has a lid. Those Jeep rides become very bumpy. I suggest staying away from anything carbonated. The bumpy Jeep rides take the fizz right out of the drink.
  7. When you have kids you will want to have a blanket for each of them.  Even when it’s warm outside the back seats tend to get a little chilly for the little ones.
  8. Spray your floor mats with bug spray.  Some say spiders like to spin their web inside your Jeep.  Fingers Crossed — I haven’t had this issue yet. I did have an ant invasion the summer I went to Texas though.
  9. When it’s sunny out, keep sunscreen handy. Especially for your face.
  10. Don’t leave valuables lying around. Leave ’em home or lock ’em up in the glove box or console.

 My last tip… number 11

Music can is a great therapy along with a Topless Jeep. We all have those songs that provoke excitement and invigorate us. Add that music while driving a Jeep with the top down — those favorite songs blaring from the speakers at full blast and you are at the pinnacle of feeling alive.

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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