Episode 907 – Steer Smarts Freeze SEMA?
Steer Smarts “Ice Cold” Jeep SEMA 2023
STEER SMARTS, Jeep asked that they create a fun, exciting, and memorable vehicle that helps highlight the 4xe’s hybrid system. The goal: utilize this vehicle to further illuminate the Wrangler’s historic off-road prowess and showcase Jeep’s commitment to creating the greenest SUV brand available.
In addition to Jeep and Mopar, STEER SMARTS has partnered with a slew of other awesome off-road brands to ensure this build is the best it can be! Those brands include Nemesis Industries, KC HiLites, Dana/Spicer, Mickey Thompson Tires, Detroit Steel Wheel Co, Adams Driveshaft, PSC Steering, Magnaflo, Kicker Audio, Katzkin Leather, Factor 55, Warn, Armorlite, and more!
“We are really excited to work with Jeep and the rest of the awesome brands on this build,” said Jay Velthoven, GM at STEER SMARTS. He went on to say, “We genuinely hope that this vehicle inspires and excites everyone who has a chance to interact with it, and we look forward to taking it to a bunch of shows in 2024 and seeing enthusiasts enjoy this unique experience!”
STEER SMARTS and Jeep will be unveiling the completed build at SEMA 2023 at the STEER SMARTS booth in the West Hall (# 57227) on Tuesday, October 31st at 9:45 am! STEER SMARTS will livestream the reveal on their Instagram page, so even if you can’t be there, you can still be part of the fun!
2025 Jeep Renegade Redesign
The Renegade, a B-class subcompact crossover SUV was introduced in 2014 for the 2015 model year as one of Jeep’s most affordable models – it costs $28,345 at home in the United States, while the Jeep Compass compact crossover SUV is just $5 more expensive at an MSRP of $28,400! However, they have different audiences as targets – Renegade is for the customers who dream of owning a Wrangler or Gladiator but don’t need their bulkiness. At the same time, the stylish Compass is a fashionable CUV through and through.
As such, it is no wonder that the proposition stemming from the channel’s resident pixel master for the fully redesigned, second-generation 2025 Jeep Renegade is a lot tougher than the norm – at least from the front. Because we suspect some AI-assisted software design tools are at play, there is never just one version of their design projects.
The same happens here – from the front, the unofficial 2025 Jeep Renegade is like a smaller Wrangler, while from the rear, the little SUV adopts a much more contemporary appearance, complete with sleeker body panels and even a full-width LED taillight strip. So, which one Is your favorite – the ruggedized Wrangler-like treatment or the sweeping design that makes it feel almost ready to join the EV revolution? Also, do take all of this with a healthy dose of salt – at least until we hear something official from Jeep itself.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Protecting Paint
Protecting the paint on a Jeep seems like an oxymoron. The 2021 Jeep Talk Show Gladiator was less than 3 months old when I got pinstriping from a run to Hidden Falls.
My wife is overly concerned about opening the doors and hitting another’s vehicle. She doesn’t want it touching, not for the Gladiator but for the owner of the other vehicle. I don’t like the idea of slamming a door on someone’s vehicle, but letting it touch, sure.
I noticed a few days ago there is a fair amount of paint missing on the driver’s door edge.
I saw an article about covering the entry of the driver’s and passenger doors, due to people dragging their shoes over the sill.
The clear vinyl film has held up well, so I’m going to try this on the door edges.
3M Clear Paint Surface Protection Vinyl Film (6 Inch x 60 Inch)
Mopar Firecracker Red Touch-Up Paint – 6102726AB
I’ll touch up the door edge then run a thin strip of the 3M clear vinyl along the edge to help protect the paint in the future.
Watch for a video on this repair on social media!