Natalie fell in love with the Jeep community when she got her first Jeep wave in her yellow TJ on her 16th birthday! She works with the team from HighLift Off-Road in Cincinnati,Ohio. She is part of the HL Expedition Team and Social Media and Marketing.
Month: June 2024
Episode 1058 – Downhill Gear?
What is 8th gear for?
The Gladiator automatic transmission for the 3.6l is an 8-speed transmission. I’ve been happy with it but now that I’ve taken several long-duration, highway trips I have to ask the question. What is 8th gear for?
I have configured my center display to show what gear the transmission is in. On my most recent long trip (3.5 hours to Marble Falls, TX) 7th gear was the norm, and 2.5k RPMS for 70 mph. Overpasses it would drop to 6th gear then right back to 7th.
A few times I saw 8th gear, but this is when I was going downhill. Now none of us purchased a Jeep to get good gas mileage, but I’m fine with getting better MPG especially when filling up the Jeep.
The best MPG I have seen is 18 mpg. Long trip, EJS. That was mostly 7th gear.
I have 4.10 gears and 35” tires shouldn’t I be able to get 8th gear on flat and level?
In my mind the diff gears need to go lower, numerically higher. I don’t know the answer and this is where you the listener come in.
Do you ever use 8th gear in your JL/JLU or JT? What is your Jeep’s configuration?
Max tow
+9.
It’s NOT Our Fault… Probably
Another end of an era, as this show has been airing episodes, we’ve seen Jeep change hands several times, we’ve seen top-level execs come and go, leadership roles change hands, and more. The behind-the-scenes story of Jeep is certainly one of many ups and downs, but this latest change is one that we didn’t see coming. And that’s probably because it’s our fault. After word got out on a global scale that the head of the Jeep brand for North America under its parent company Stellantis, was associated with the likes of us here at the Jeep Talk Show, it didn’t take long for the inevitable wave of change to wash onto the shores of Jim Morrison. At the end of 2023 Jim stepped down from his role leading the Jeep brand here in the States, making way for a guy who came from Kia, but most recently was the CEO of Maserati, also owned by Stellantis. Jim still had a role in the Jeep hierarchy, one I personally think he was well suited for. Jim spent the last year gearing up JPP, the Performance Parts division of Jeep. And if I do say so myself, I did a stellar job of bringing awareness and direction towards JPP. Earlier this week, however, it was announced that Jim Morrison will be retiring. Leaving his long tenure in the automotive industry to hopefully spend more time out on the trails. Jim is an avid Jeeper, and hopefully, we can get some of his time here in the near future to discuss what a RETIRED Jim Morrison will be doing, now that he’s no longer running a global brand.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
The 4th Annual Jeep Talk Show Off-Road event has come and gone. We had a good group and several new people attending this year. We had one brand new to-wheeling Jeeper! She was concerned about damaging her Jeep JLU or holding us up. I told her not to worry about that, come on out and she’d be with the easy-to-mid group. John (trail leader) spent lots of time assisting her. That included helping her get her jeep in 4-wheel drive. I remember putting the Gladiator in 4WD the first time, it was hard to get that shifter to move!
Luis with a Rubicon Gladiator (I believe he’s been out every year) was there. I like following him for the line selection and if he can make it I can!
Using GMRS people in the group would ask “Tony and you going to do it?” I said if Luis does it I’ll do it! Luis would extend his arm out the window to indicate he was ATTACKING that target.
Armed with the Motobilt skid system I didn’t hesitate. I made use of that skid system and the rock sliders a few times. I am very happy with the off-road performance of the Glad. Having that full skid system is great, and I’m very happy that I made this purchase.
The skid system gave me the confidence to try harder lines and I didn’t worry about creating damage that I would have to repair before returning home.
It was so much fun doing several more obstacles I had bypassed in the past. Making it up and over is a great feeling.
Circling back to that first-time wheeler at our event… She LOVED her first time off-road and was shocked at how well both she and her Jeep did.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
I’ve talked about these before, but after the 4th Annual Jeep Talk Show Off-Road Event – Texas I have to talk about them again.
MOTOBILT SKID PLATE SYSTEM FOR JEEP JT GLADIATOR $1,649.00
This is a four-piece full skid plate system, STEEL, not aluminum. It is a very easy install but may be too heavy for a single person to lift hold and get the bolt started. Rubicon Gladiators may have all the nutserts or threaded holes necessary for the exhaust side skid. My Sport S didn’t so we welded in some bungs (supplied) to complete the installation.
Wheeling with the skids gave me the additional confidence to hit the harder (harder for me) obstacles at our event. I was NOT disappointed and I kind of giggled at the scrapes, and crashes that happened.
Also available to the JL/JLU and Diesel Gladiators!
Check it out at motobilt.com, Motobilt is a Jeep Talk Show Tony-approved product!
Episode 1057 – 4th Annual JTS Event Recap
In this Round Table episode we talk about the 4th Annual Jeep Talk Show Off-Road Event – Texas and why does Jeep keep you from using lockers front only?
Episode 1056 – Jim Has Left the Building!
Episode 1054 – Toledo Jeep Fest
Interview with Whitney and Jerry from Toledo Jeep Fest
Episode 1053 – Top 5 Mods!
Top Five Modifications
Of course, you need a Jeep. We’re going to assume it’s a Wrangler, TJ or later, or a Jeep Gladiator.
- Tow points! Not getting stuck isn’t an option. You ain’t trying if you don’t get into a situation where you need a pull! Jeep provides tow points on JLs and JTs. Older Jeeps make have been removed or damaged. Be sure you have solid tow points before going off-road
- Sliders! You do not want to damage the rockers, or your doors by hitting a rock or coming down hard on something else that is hard.
- Tow strap or kinetic rope! Always a good thing to have, especially if you don’t have a winch!
- Tire deflators, and/or a tire pressure gauge.
- Air compressor!
Bonus! A spare tire!
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
The 4th annual Jeep Talk Show Off-Road Event – Texas is just a couple of days away.
I didn’t have much of a chance to take the Glad off-road at EJS, but I’m looking forward to getting more off-road time at our event. Making use of the Motobilt skid system.
It is fantastic having help with the show and the events. There is no way I could accomplish all that we do alone. I’ll be at our event to meet listeners and look pretty, okay to meet listeners.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
Mopar Jeep Wrangler Hard Top & Door Removal Tool Kit $36.94
Tool Kit includes T-30, T-35, T-40 and T-50 torx bits, ratchet and storage pouch
Item Package Weight – 0.4 Pounds
Item Package Quantity – 1
Product Type – GUN CLEANING KIT
Episode 1052 – SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We missed asking the JeeTops Question on episode 1052!
Episode 1052 – Off-Road Insurance?
On tonight’s episode we’ll be asking you…
If two Jeeps crash into each other on a trail ride or while rock crawling, who pays for the damage?
How do you hold the wheel (steering) thumbs in or out?
What size group do you like?
Episode 1051 – $25,000 Jeep Coming?
Stellantis CEO says $25,000 Jeep EV coming to the U.S. ‘very soon’
Stellantis plans to offer a $25,000 all-electric Jeep vehicle in the U.S. “very soon” to better attract mainstream consumers amid slower-than-expected EV adoption, CEO Carlos Tavares said. Stellantis currently offers an all-electric version of its Avenger SUV in Europe, starting at about 35,000 euros. The importance of an affordable EV has grown more apparent as Chinese automakers such as BYD and Nio grow their sales outside of China.
Stellantis plans to offer a $25,000 all-electric Jeep vehicle in the U.S. “very soon” to better attract mainstream consumers amid slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption, CEO Carlos Tavares said Wednesday.
Tavares disclosed few details about the upcoming vehicle, saying it will be priced around $25,000 in the U.S. to emulate Stellantis’ pricing of the Citroen e-C3 SUV, a low-cost model starting at 23,300 euros, or about $25,200, in Europe.
“In the same way we brought the 20,000 Euro Citroen e-C3, you will have a $25,000 Jeep very soon,” he said Wednesday during a Bernstein investor conference. “We are using the same expertise because we are a global company and this is totally fluid across the engineering world of Stellantis.”
Stellantis currently offers an all-electric version of its Avenger SUV in Europe, starting at about 35,000 euros, or about $37,800, according to its website. The vehicle is not sold in the U.S., where the automaker has focused on plug-in hybrid electric Jeep vehicles.
Offering a new EV for around $25,000 has long been a target for automakers such as Stellantis, Tesla
, and others. The importance of such a vehicle has grown more apparent as Chinese automakers such as BYD and Nio grow their sales of less-expensive EVs outside of China.
Wagoneer S starts at $71,995
Jeep’s EV only is finally being released. I say finally like I’ve been waiting to buy one, that’s not happening.
I love my Jeep Gladiator, and this is about $30k more than the Glad. I want off-road and highly modifiable, so I’m probably not in the target market. Also, I can’t afford a $72k vehicle!
Estimated 300 miles on a charge. There is even mention of a “special” rear wing that helps make the Wagoneer S “slippery” in the airflow.
This looks like a cross between a Grand Cherokee and a Wagoneer. And when I say cross, I mean like what happens when the bar is closing and your choices (both sides) are very limited.
I’ve been wrong before, as I remember how much we dogged the new Cherokee yet, consumers liked it.
My test of an acceptable EV-only vehicle is the road trip! Can I just go jump in my EV without a specific destination (other than fun) in mind and not have to worry about charging the batteries?
I don’t think we’ve arrived at that destination yet.
I am very proud, as a Jeep owner and enthusiast, at how well Jeep is entering the EV market. An estimated 300 miles for a brick is impressive!
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Talking Trash –Actually talking about trash on the trail
Trash left behind is one of the main reasons a trial gets shut down. Especially if it’s large pieces of junk etc. So what and how you pack it in/pack it out is the question?
Three Things
1) Pack it in pack it out: Is this your motto? Tread Lightly talks about leaving trails better than you found them. Here at JTS we always promote Pack it in and Pack it out. That means whatever you bring to the trail, you leave with it.
- a) What are you using to put all your trash in? Are you using a plastic bag, a large trash bag, or something you can hang on the outside of the vehicle? That’s generally the best option – hang it off the tire carrier on the back.
- b) Need to pre-plan for the trash you will have. We usually put the lunch stuff back in the cooler. But we do have a bag that hangs off the back of the spare tire for any other trash we may have.
2) How about other trash you see on the trail? Do you pick it up or not? We always try to pick up trash when we see it. Some days we are on a “trail clean up” day as a club and then we really scour to pick up lots of trash. But generally, when wheeling, we just pick up what we see on the trail.
- a) You have to have something to put it in – set yourself up for success, It is Easy to jump out, pick up the bottle or can, and then toss it in your bag/etc. and continue on your way.
3) Lunch: don’t leave any food behind. Plan on picking up anything dropped on the ground during lunch. Yes, I know its a piece of food, what can it harm – well.. it attracts critters who then start to “learn” that people come around, and that’s a disaster for them getting run over and killed. Just don’t leave anything out there.
4) Bathroom trash: make-up baggies for the ladies to put all their “personal” hygiene in a zippered baggie and then they can discard in the trash bag…Please do not leave it out there. If you must go #2 – dig a deep hole and bury it. Don’t leave diapers or your dogs doo doo. Yep, I said it, pick your dog’s poop. Those outside trash bags really come in handy when there is dog poo and baby diapers – You will thank me for that suggestion.
Tread Lightly: Josh was a tread lightly trainer and a huge advocate of this program, A great organization you can get involved with and learn. Check out their website for more details about being a steward of the lands.
Let’s leave the trails better than you found it!
https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver
Fabrication Freezy, with Larry – JeepingMo
FLUX 135 PRO WELDER
I just did a review on the Yes welder 135pro, I did a review and a giveaway on the old flux135.
It is a multi-process welder, that will Mig, Tig and stick weld.
The new machine has an improved display that makes
it easier to set up and use.
I based my review on the welding exhaust pipe. This was the first time i used the tig function.
It TIG welded just fine.
With the new settings, it was easier to get the stick welding to work, I was welding with 1/16 & 3/32 7018 electrodes.
The flux core ran the .030 were great. It was easy to set the wire feed and voltage with the new system.
And the tig worked well without a foot pedal. It’s scratch start.
Over all the machine worked great for $129.
If you’re looking for a machine that you can take anywhere to fixes in your backyard, or some automotive work.
That Yes welder Flux135pro would be a great welder for most things you want to do.
Must-Have for Your Jeep!
Rough Country 1.25″ Front Seat Riser Kit for 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ – 1158, Black $29.95
A lift kit for your ASS!
Got a saggy ass, well this won’t help with that, or swamp ass, it will, however, get your ass higher!
Are you short but love your TJ? Well, this will help you see over the dash!
Episode 1050 – Chic Chat Round Table
Women Jeepers talking about Jeeps! What tires to buy, what winch bumpers, mud or rocks, and the dreaded clean up after the mud fun.