Episode 512 – Why All The Banging?
This Week In Jeep
The Shortage Continues To Affect Jeep Production
The global shortage of semiconductors will keep the production of the Jeep Cherokee down for the next two weeks. That means its plants in Belvidere, Illinois, and Windsor, Ontario, won’t be running next week or the week of Sept. 20 after both have already seen months of downtime this year because of the microchip shortage that some predict could last well into next year. But the shortage doesn’t cut evenly. Automakers, including Stellantis, have sought to prioritize the production of their most profitable trucks and SUVs.
The company this week held a job fair in Detroit to hire production operators for its facilities in Metro Detroit. Stellantis continues to work closely with its suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing the automotive industry. Meanwhile, increasing COVID-19 cases in countries like Malaysia are exacerbating the chip shortages too. Chip Manufacturer Unisem, according to Bloomberg, is shutting some plants for seven days after three employees died recently from the virus. Closures like this have devastating effects on the industry and more are expected to come across the globe in the fourth quarter of 2021.
I’ve already told you what this means for new car buyers, and now this means that the artificial inflation of the used car market will likely continue into next year as well.
Jeep Gladiators Added To Florida Police Fleet Look Impressive
Law enforcers across the country are getting more bullish than ever in literally trying to stop criminals in their tracks. And they’re doing it by mobilizing faster pursuit vehicles like Ford F-150 Police Responder SUVs, customized confiscated muscle cars, and, in some cases in other countries, supercars like Lamborghinis are repainted and fitted with police level communications, lights, sirens, and everything else except a place to put a bad guy. Then there’s the Hollywood, Florida, police force. Yes, that is one place, in Florida, called Hollywood. Apparently, there is more than one. Sorry East Coast Hollywood, do you make bad movies too? Anyways, the Hollywood Florida police department has officially switched to aggressively built, custom outfitted Jeep Gladiators. These behemoths have been a product of the talented team at South Florida (SoFlo) Jeep.
These mad scientists have been featured a time or two here on the Jeep talk show, in “this week in Jeep” as they occasionally build some of the most insane Jeeps on the planet. These particularly incredible Jeeps were cited as must-haves by the force after seeing SoFlo’s modified Wranglers in action in Fort Lauderdale, where police added SoFlo’s upgraded Jeeps to their enforcer fleet earlier in 2021. 
Impressed with how the city finest was using the vehicles and checking out SoFlo’s 13-year track record in customizing Jeeps, the Hollywood Police force approached the company about taking advantage of similar builds as the Ft. Lauderdale department. Wanting something a bit more intimidating than the Wrangler, the Hollywood contingent opted for customized Gladiators instead. Addressing the force’s needs, SoFlo came up with a build that included heavy-duty steel front and rear bumpers. The front of course has a winch, police lights, and more. The Gladiators got a four-inch lift, and sit on 38-inch Nitto Trail Grappler tires and Black Rhino rims. There are all sorts of auxiliary LED lights on all sides of these things for both pursuits as well as spot and utility lighting. And one unique touch is custom 
Kevlar-coated aluminum roll cages in each rig. While neither SoFlo nor the Hollywood Police department reveals what type of engines are in these Jeeps, the company usually drops in a 500-hp, V8 LS3 Corvette engine. If clients request diesel instead, SoFlo will then usually opt to drop in a Jeep three-liter EcoDiesel that delivers about 460 lb-ft of torque. 
Either way, I’m sure there is a special “police tune” done regardless, and even the 392’s may have a hard time getting away from these Jeeps. To see some of the pics, head over to our site, and check out what we have in the show notes for this episode.
Bantam Jeep Festival Funds To Go To Those Who Need It
I’m sure by now, you’ve heard of all sorts of big Jeep events that happen all around the nation. Some of them are competitive like King of The Hammers, (even though that’s not a Jeep only event) but still, but events like Jeep Beach, and the Lone Star Jeep Invasion comes to mind, just to name a few. Well, I’m sure you’ve also heard of the Annual Bantam Jeep Festival. Celebrating its 10th year in 2021. The family-friendly event is held at Coopers Lake Campground, about an hour north of Pittsburgh, PA every year on the second weekend of June. This year, they had a total of 2,888 registered Jeeps. 157 sponsors and merchandise vendors, and 18 different food vendors. There were nearly 30,000 people at the Festival grounds over the course of the three days. There were also 15,000 Jeep lovers in downtown Butler for the Jeep Invasion on Friday night, including 1,387 Jeeps in the big 10th Anniversary Jeep Parade.
Like you have heard me say on this show for years, Jeepers come from all over to attend events like this. And this year, Jeepers just like you and me came from 31 states to the birthplace of the Jeep. The Jeep Festival returned this year after having to take a year off due to covid, and now the organization wants to help local non-profits. The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association is accepting applications as part of their financial gift program. Butler County 501c3 non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply to receive a financial gift from the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association. Organizations must submit a letter, not to exceed 500 words, that clearly explains how their organization benefits the community and how any potential funds received will be used. Applicants must also provide proof of non-profit 501c3 status via 
their EIN number. After gifts are awarded, the organizations will be expected to provide an update on their projects’ progress and/or completion and provide photos to demonstrate the gifts’ impact on their organization. The online application must be received no later than October 31st, 2021. Gift recipients will be notified in late November. It’s the fifth year of the program, and during that time the group has awarded more than $93,000 to community organizations. If you think you may fit the criteria and are looking to receive a financial contribution from The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association, we will have the link to the application in the show notes for this episode at JeepTalkShow.com
http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/financial-gift-application
http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Josh and I are going to talk about the Jeep Talk Show event in lieu of the rousing Gladiator talk! In fact, the Gladiator has stagnated in its modifications. I am waiting for the NEXEN Roadian MTX tires to arrive and hopefully, they’ll be here in time to have them installed before the event. Murphy’s law tells me they will either arrive on Friday after I’ve left for the park, or I’ll order a set and they will both arrive on the same day and I’ll have 10 35×12.5×17 tires.
Camp Fireside Chat
The world spends over FIVE BILLION DOLLARS every year customizing Jeeps by modifications or by bolting on this or that. We all like putting new things on the Jeep, but what’s the first thing you took OFF of your Jeep?
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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/
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