fbpx

Jeep Talk Show

A Show About Jeeps!

Episode 859 – Roxor Wins!

Jeep Loses Latest Mahindra Roxor Suit

When it was finally revealed in 2018, many Jeep CJ lovers around the U.S. fell instantly in love with the Mahindra Roxor because it was a near-exact clone of that old Jeep (except that, being sold as a UTV, it wasn’t strictly road-legal like Jeeps of yore). But the holder of Jeep’s intellectual property, its parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles—which is now Stellantis—was not amused. FCA sued Mahindra over Roxor’s design and won its case against the 2018 and 2019 versions. With a redesign in 2020, Mahindra was once again sued by FCA over the Roxor’s design and that case was just recently decided.

Can The Roxor Be Sold In America Now?

The news is good for fans of the Roxor according to Automotive News. The Eastern District Court of Michigan has ruled that Mahindra Automotive North America can now sell, produce, and distribute the post-2020 version, which is now less of a Jeep look-alike UTV (or even FJ40-like, as we’ve noted in a previous story about the 2020 change). The original suit in 2018 was an attempt by FCA—now Stellantis—to institute a “safe distance rule,” or a court order to demand that Mahindra secure a new, non-infringing mark that is sufficiently removed from any characteristic of the infringed mark.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) also ruled in June of 2020 that while the Mahindra UTV didn’t infringe on the trademark, it did violate Jeep’s trade dress—the way a product looks and distinguishes itself to buyers. This led to the ITC ordering the prohibition and sale of Roxor parts. That’s why Mahindra redesigned the Roxor after 2020, but FCA claimed that this new design was still not different enough from the Jeep look, and they sued again. Once again, the ITC was asked to look into the new Roxor in December of 2020. This time, it ruled that this new design no longer infringed on Jeep’s trade dress and modified the June 2020 order to lift the import ban for the new Roxor.

Jeep Wrangler Isn’t Happy Parked On Pavement, Drives Itself Into Tree

The original Jeep CJ was a tough act to follow, but the Jeep Wrangler YJ more than held its own. Built from 1986 to 1995, it retained the original Jeep’s rugged character but was more comfortable with modern amenities, a wider track, and better on-road handling. Even so, it remained a tough, sturdy vehicle that seems happiest when embarking on an off-road adventure, or taking the road less traveled.

The owner forgot to set the parking brake while the Jeep sits in the driveway. It’s parked in front of the garage on what looks like a quiet summer evening when suddenly it starts to roll backward silently in a slow arc down the hill.

The Jeep dodges two trees before coming to a temporary halt. Then it pulls forward, hitting one of the trees in a low-speed head-on collision. The owner and his dog come running just as it comes to a stop. It’s hard to tell what’s just beyond the trees and the immobilized Jeep. In addition to more trees, there is either a small ravine or possibly a pond. Either way, the Jeep was fortunate it didn’t roll into that area.

Amazingly the Jeep appears undamaged, thanks to the custom solid steel front bumper with a built-in winch. Even the off-road lights are intact. It seems as though the Jeep just nonchalantly shrugged off the low-speed impact like it’s no big deal. 

The owner starts the Jeep and returns it to its parking spot in front of the garage.

Fabrication with Larry

Your trail welding go bag, top needed items 

Last week we talked about trail welding. Now once you need to get out you’re trail welder, there are a couple of things you want to pack to go with your welding go bag.

So If you have a track bar bracket that has sheared off and needs to be reattached.

  • First, let’s get everything cleaned up, and a good wire brush can get the area cleaned up so you can evaluate everything.
  • A good ball peen or sludge hammer might be needed to bend back or align some areas.
  • Once you assess where your welds need to be, you should try to get the metal down to bright metal.  If it’s possible a battery-powered angle grinder to clean up the area and possibly remove ripped areas that might be in your way to get things aligned. Now a good flap wheel and cut-off wheel will do most of what you need to do.
  • A ratchet strap could be useful to get things into position and hold it while you get your first welds in.
  • A couple of vise grips to hold things in place or to bend things as needed.

Now one thing that is overlooked is some scrap metal, some 1/8.x 1 x 3” strips that you can use as a backer or stiffener. You never know what might not be there anymore.

Now to the obvious items,

  • You will need a welding hood, I take a hood that’s more of a face shield than a hood. It is auto-darkening.   You might need to get into tight areas.
  • With a pair of heavy gloves, you most likely going to be mig or stick welding in tight areas.
  • To go with that, bring a chipping hammer, you will need to remove slag, and a wire brush might not be enough. And you don’t want slag in your welds.

Now I like to take a lightweight welding jacket and a welding blanket.

There is a good chance that you are going to be welding overhead, that jacket will help with the sparks falling on you.

And the blanket might help if you need to weld close to something that you want to protect.

Once you have your gear and your ready.  Go outside and weld something, and if you use batteries, don’t forget to recharge them.

you need to test it before you on the trail and broke down.

Go build your best life.

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

Xprite Wall Mount Removable Door Storage Hangers with 2 Types of Hardware, Heavy Duty Metal Door Storage Holder Bracket Compatible with 1956-2021 Jeep Wrangler CJ YJ TJ LJ JK JKU JL JLU – 4 Pack $53.99

FEATURES – Xprite Door Hangers compatible with Jeep can be used as Safe, Year-Round, and Storage compatible with not only your factory Jeep doors but aftermarket tube doors as well. Solid build to hold 60 lb. Doors.

PREMIUM MATERIAL – Stainless Steel Structure with Black Powder Coat Finish, Rubber Bumper to Protect Paint, CNC Cut, Durable Construction. Anti-Corrosion and Not Easy to Rust. One-piece Fully Welded.

BEST PROTECTION FOR YOUR DOORS – Coated with a Rubber over the Hanger, Protect your Doors’ Painting from Damaging

INSTALLATION – Come with 2 types of bolts, bolts for plasterboard and drywall. Lag head bolts for mounting on 16″ center studs. Drilling is required.

PACKAGE INCLUDES – 4 x Door Hangers Compatible with Jeep, Mounting Hardware are included.

[site_reviews_summary assigned_terms=”78″ schema=”true” hide=”stars,summary”]

[site_reviews_form title=”Episode 859 – Roxor Wins!” assigned_terms=”78″ id=”lko23omc” hide=”email,terms”]