Episode 694 – Multiple Giveaway Announcements!

This Week In Jeep

Jeep Begins To Tease Its SEMA Vehicles

It’s just around the corner… the 2022 SEMA show.

For those not in the know, SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association.

And the event from which the name comes is held every November in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it is NOT open to the public. The trade-only event is open to qualified members of the automotive industry. Industry members include buyers and sellers of automotive parts, vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket parts companies, and media outlets. Despite the strict regulations, Tony managed to wiggle his way past security one year and got an inside peek at this yearly event that can only be described as one of the world’s largest and coolest automotive shows planet. Earlier this week, Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, shared a couple of sketches giving us a tease as to what we might see in the Mopar booth at SEMA this year. Although the release contained three images in total, only one of them is Jeep related. The other two are clearly RAM related but hint at a possible overland package.      Interesting.      The one image we’re going to focus on however is, well… clearly, a Jeep product. It appears to be an off-road focused Wrangler because of the big knobby mud-terrain tires and the lack of doors.

The Jeep in the image boasts a fancy multi-tone paint job that features a very Halloween-like combination of oranges and black. Well timed considering the date this came out. The Jeep is in the foreground, while in the background is a silhouette of a rocky outcropping like what you’d see in MOAB UT, contrasted by a night sky dotted with stars, but in a circuit board-like theme. Yea, you see where this is going already don’t you? At the top is the caption “SURGE,” with the emphasis on the light blue, lower-case E that is found in the 4xe badging Jeep uses. Obviously, this first image is a hint that we are going to see a special edition Jeep, likely with a limited edition color, and it will all of course only be available with the 4xe package, or perhaps the hint goes deeper than that. The caption, in combination with the badge in front of the door that appears to say “EV,” suggests that this concept will be an all-electric version of a Wrangler or Wrangler-like vehicle. We know that Jeep is, at least in some way, at the forefront of Stellantis’ electric push. Frankly, Stellantis doesn’t have any other brands under its umbrella with the clout that Jeep has, so it’s going with its star player with this move. With the all-electric Recon and Avenger soon to come, the company is working on multiple EV releases at the same time. Given Jeep’s appeal to the aftermarket, it makes sense that Mopar is also stepping up its game with its own products to give customers hints as to what modifications will be available to them in the future on this Jeep and others. As Jeep has done in the past, we are sure to see more images released in the coming weeks, as we get closer to the launch day of SEMA 2022.

Speaking Of Battery Powered Jeeps…

I suppose congratulations are in order once again for the Wrangler 4xe. An undefeated champion, crushing its competition and winning the award for the best-selling PHEV in America for the third straight quarter. It’s been proven in poll after poll, despite record-high gas prices, Americans don’t want electric vehicles. The market for PHEV or partial hybrid electric vehicles is only somewhat better since you get a little of both worlds. But even then, in such a small market, the competition is tough. Now, for the third straight quarter, the Wrangler 4xe is the dominant option. It sold nearly 19,207 models so far in 2022 outpacing all other competitors. It is that availability that some are saying is the only reason for the success. Jeep sold nearly 19,207 models so far in 2022, and is on track to break 20k by the end of the year. These numbers mean Jeep is producing more 4xe Jeeps than Toyota and Kia can produce their hybrids, and they’re doing it at a faster pace. Hyundai is however catching up, as they have ramped up production of the Tuscon PHEV. Toyota has shifted focus and supplies to boost production of the Rav4 Prime, and Kia is pushing their Sportage PHEV really hard right now. This doesn’t mean that any of these “cars” are any competition to the Wrangler, which has a unique advantage. It’s a highly capable off-roading beast. And that offroad prowess is selling big time. The competition is seeing this and has been trying to beef up their models for off-roading too. That’s why we’re seeing models like the Kia Sportage X-Pro, Hyundai Tucson XRT, and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road emerge. Good luck I say. But I don’t see something like a KIA or a Rav4 dethroning the king of the Off-road any time soon. 

Nonetheless… in your face PRIUS! 

Justice Served …Two Years Later

According to a report from Dep. Isaac Hutchins, of the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office, no not the Hawkins from stranger things, but Hawkins county of Rogersville, TN. Well, this deputy, and Dep. Billy Begley received a “Be on the Lookout” bulletin on a 2011 Jeep Wrangler that was possibly at the 200 block of Cold Springs Road in Surgoinsville. While on another call, the deputies saw a vehicle matching the description of the BOLO vehicle. After completing the other call, the deputies came back to the residence and saw that the Jeep had been moved and hidden behind a camper across from the residence. Monroe came outside of the residence to ask if he could help the deputies. When asked about the Jeep, he acted like he didn’t know what the deputies were talking about. After telling him that the deputies saw the Jeep behind the camper, Monroe said that he moved it so he could park another vehicle in his driveway.

The tag and VIN number in the window were checked, and the VIN came back to a 1994 Jeep belonging to Monroe. This deputy was not born yesterday and could clearly tell the difference between a 1994 Wrangler, and the much newer model JK sitting in front of him. Central Dispatch then called the stolen Jeep owner back, who explained in great detail what brands the accessories were, the colors of things that he had painted, and other details. Hutchins looked for another VIN number on the Jeep and found one on the frame under the passenger side door that came back matching the stolen Jeep. Monroe was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and altering a vehicle identification number and placed into custody. There was no word on what happened to the Jeep.

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy

Winterizing tips for your Jeep

I can’t believe it’s almost winter. We have been getting in the low 30s at night here in Big Bear. Brrr. Pretty soon the white stuff will be here and wheeling will change for us. Not looking forward to any ice skating on the trails, prefer fresh powder over ice any day. 

Do you winterize your Jeep?  

I’m sure if you run topless, you are starting to think about putting that top and doors on. Do you change your tires to a snow tire versus what you run other times of the year? In our area we don’t change the tires, we just run what we have and the Nexen Roadian MTX tires have performed very well in the snow too. 

What about other things like checking fluids & tire pressure? Do you change the engine oil or other fluids before the cold sets in? 

How about the windshield washer fluid? Maybe in your area, it’s something to consider depending on the weather. 

It’s also a good time to clean out the inside of the jeep and double-check that ALL your recovery gear and tools are in their bag. I’m sure if you are like us and wheeled over the summer, you may have used that strap, or soft shackle a time or two. I know we have used our gear for others. We are always happy to help a fellow Jeeper on the trial. 

And what about your first aid kit – check to make sure you have all that you need. Slippery surfaces in the winter can cause all sorts of damage. Don’t forget to inspect your fire extinguisher.  There is an expiration date so check to make sure yours is still good to go. If you carry a flashlight, check the batteries or better yet replace them, just like your smoke detectors at home, every time there is a time change, change the battery. Nothing worse than a dead battery in your flashlight. 

If you travel with your pets, do you need to take their water supply out of the Jeep? If you are in snow country or extreme cold, that water will be

frozen each night and may even cause a leak. Would hate for you to be on the trail with your pets and not have water if needed.  

What other things do you have to do to winterize? 

 

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

I have a great announcement for you.  I have a set of five NEW, never used, garage-kept, Nexen Roadian MTX tires. 35×12.5×17 for sale.  Local pickup (Houston area).  This is $1800 worth of tires.

Just contact me through the jeeptalkshow.com/contact

 

 

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

Husky Liners Weatherbeater Series Front Floor Liners    $72.00

Fits 2014-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK      https://amzn.to/3yFqwpt 

If you own a Jeep and wheel it, chances are you have at least one set of floor mats.

Floor liners sound about as manly as talking about panty liners, but that’s what some companies insist we call the style of fitted floor mats that have a raised edge and a custom fit. Weather Tech is at the top of the list in both price and reputation when it comes to this automotive accessory, but over the years a better alternative has been testing its mettle in the proving grounds of Jeep floorboards.

Husky Liners Weatherbeater Series Front Floor Liners are the best alternative to WeatherTech floor mats, and here’s why. Their functionality is virtually the same, raised edges to capture spills, and rugged grooves that keep dirt, mud, and snow from getting on the carpet, and both are exceptionally durable. But Husky Liners WeatherBeater floor liners have a Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO) construction that is rubberized and more flexible than WeatherTech. This gives them a far better fit and feels than any other brand.  Husky WeatherBeater floor liners also incorporate raised nibs on the underside, which makes their traction better than the WeatherTech DigitalFit. Oh, and did I mention they are guaranteed for life? No hassles, no guff. If you have a problem, Husky Liners will replace it. PERIOD. Right now I’m going to get you hooked up with the best deal for a pair of these that fits the front floorboards of any 2014-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK.

And for less than $72, you can almost afford a pair for a buddy too.  

 

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