Episode 518 – Jeeps are not good at WHAT?!?
This Week In Jeep
International Podcast Day™ is September 30th which just so happens to be today, as we record this episode. International Podcast Day is an international celebration of the power of podcasts! The celebration is a great opportunity to connect with fellow podcasters, podcast listeners, podcast enthusiasts, and leaders in the podcasting industry. The Jeep Talk Show, the world’s most downloaded Jeep-related podcast has been churning out weekly episodes for over 10 years. Between Tony and myself, we have published well over 700 podcast episodes in one form or another since we met over a decade ago. So what are two veteran podcasters like us doing to celebrate International Podcast Day while hosting the world’s top Jeep podcast? Not a darn thing.
Bragging Rights For Grand Cherokee Fans
For those who have been Grand Cherokee fans over the years, you may have a strong opinion one way or the other about the newest version of the Grand Cherokee. No, it’s not the “L” model either, I’m trying my best to keep that damn thing out This Week In Jeep for a change. No Jeep has finally launched the short wheelbase Grand Cherokee in a 4xe flavor that has proven popular with Wrangler buyers. The newest Grand Cherokee in the 4xe trim is not only the most efficient version of the model but also the most powerful. Using the same 2-liter turbo inline-four engine and hybrid electric drive system as the Wrangler 4xe, you get 375-horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque combined, which is actually more output than the Grand’s optional Hemi V8 offers. Here’s something we’ve learned to take with a grain of salt… Jeep claims the electric range of the Grand Cherokee 4xe is also a bit higher than the Wrangler version. A claimed 25 miles of EV-only range instead of the Wrangler’s 21. I suppose we can attribute that to the fact that a COW is literally more aerodynamic than a Wrangler, so it makes sense that the stylish Grand Cherokee with a lower drag coefficient moving down the highway would have better efficiency numbers.
As with the three-row Grand Cherokee L, the two-row Grand Cherokee gets a pretty great-looking interior. If you haven’t seen any of the latest images, you need to check them out. Jeep is really stepping up their interior game over the last couple of years. And the latest offerings in the premium line of Jeeps are at a whole nother level. But this is after all still a Jeep, so it must have some degree of off-road capability. Jeep says the 4xe can ford 24 inches of water, even with a high voltage battery pack slung under it. And if you opt for the Trailhawk model, you’ll also get an electronic sway bar disconnect and an electronic limited-slip differential, which for anyone in the know instantly makes the rig far more capable on the trail.
The base model Grand Cherokee Laredo will start at $37,390 with a V6 and limited spec, while the top-of-the-line Summit Reserve model starts at $63,365 with McIntosh audio and 21-inch wheels. 4xe pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but the hybrid package adds almost $12,000 to the price of a similar-spec Wrangler, so expect a decent bump to the GC price to get the hybrid package.
CEO of Jeep Responds To Ford’s Issues With Bronco
I’m not a huge Ford fan. Never really have been. I can appreciate the heritage of Ford, and what they did in the past for the muscle car scene. But lately, it seems the blue oval just can’t get things right. The first batch of Ford Bronco owners began noticing the first set of problems almost immediately after taking delivery. Due to a serious lack of quality control with the molded color-matching hardtop roof, Ford is replacing every single Bronco roof free of charge to the customer. The roof’s functionality is allegedly fine, but there is an “unsatisfactory appearance when exposed to extreme water and humidity.” So in other words, the first time you take it through a car wash, your top is ruined and it looks like crap. This process is going to be expensive for Ford’s bottom line, and the slim profit margin on the wannabe offroader is probably going to get chalked up as a loss when the yearly sales audit comes around. The embarrassing hard top debacle that Ford has created for themselves will of course cause even further delivery delays, which customers are already feeling anxious about. Now I’ve got to be honest, I think Ford is doing the right thing by their customers by fixing this on their dime, not the owner’s, but you may wonder why I’m talking this much about Jeep’s main competitor… Well… Jeep and its parent company Stellantis have been closely monitoring Bronco sales and studying the vehicle itself to get an understanding of what the Wrangler’s closest competitor really has to offer. Which in every comparison isn’t much. Jeep CEO Jim Morrison relishes a good fight but also the chance to poke fun at a competitor. Which he did in a major press release just this last week. Speaking to The Detroit News at a recent event sponsored by Jeep, the executive had this to say regarding the Bronco’s roof issue: “It’s going to rain on Saturday, so I don’t think there will be any Broncos here this weekend.” Morrison further pointed out that even after the Bronco Sport was launched last year problem-free, its Jeep Wrangler rival has since still managed to achieve three consecutive business quarters of record sales.
Last May was Wrangler’s best month ever thanks mainly to the now sold-out Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid variant. Ford can keep trying, but it’s clear, there is only one production vehicle that is ready for anything and everything offroad, as well as something as simple as a drive-through car wash,
… and it’s got nothing to do with a blue oval.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Fire Lookout Towers
Fire lookout towers are very typical in our area of the mountains in San Bernardino National Forest. Josh, not sure if you have them in Oregon. We see them perched high atop a mountain peak throughout the mountains. They not only provide a great view once you get up to them, but they are essential in helping volunteers identify and spot smoke in the area, which is usually a fire just starting. They are normally manned by volunteers of the forest service and their sole job is to look for any signs of smoke and report to the Forest Service of any issues. In the past, you used to be able to “rent” the tower for a few days and you could “volunteer” to be on the lookout. But they have stopped that program due to staffing and covid issues for now. The towers usually provide little in the way of comfort, just a bed, maybe a heat source and most have no electricity or water 
in the tower. Toilets are usually pit toilets and are downstairs off the tower.
We got to visit one of the lookouts on a recent easy trail run we did. The Morton Peak Lookout is situated in the southern region of our mountain range. You get a 360 view of the surrounding mountains like Mt. Palomar, Keller Peak, Keller Meadows, Keller Cliffs (Named after Ally Keller born in 1868 who worked for the forest service), and other areas like Mill Creek and all of the San Bernardino Valley. I love when you can get clear views with no restrictions and see all the roads, people, and cities in the valleys below. The views are spectacular and on a clear day, we can see the ocean and all the way to Catalina Island. ON our run, the drifting smoke from the No. Cal. fires was ever-present and made it difficult to see very far.
Morton Peak is one of seven lookout towers in our area and is also at one of the lowest elevations at just under 4700 feet but it’s positioned perfectly to keep watch on the southern mountains and areas. It was originally built in 1934 and was destroyed by a fire in 1959. The tower was rebuilt in 1961 but closed in the ’70s. In 2001 the tower was refurbished and put back in operation. I am glad it’s back and open for us to see. Climbing the steep, narrow stairs isn’t for the faint of heart but the views will make it worth the trip.
I can tell you that Jeeping has taken me to places I would have never thought about going. This is one of those places that I would see at the top of a peak while driving but never thought I could get there. Having a jeep gives me a way to venture to new heights and is a reminder that I am so lucky and grateful to be able to visit some amazing places. So grab some friends and check some local trails and explore more fun places with your jeep.
Josh, I’m sure you have some of these lookout towers in your area, are you able to get to them, or can you only hike to them? Have you checked any of them out?
17 Fire Lookout Towers of Oregon
https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2016/11/17_fire_lookouts_you_can_rent.html
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Tonight I’m going to talk about something different. You may have heard these already, I may have bitched about a few of them from time to time. It’s not your mission in life to do what I like, but it’s my mission to let you know what you should do if you want a great experience off-road.
Here are my top 5 ways to identify a Jeep that isn’t set up for off-road.
- Too much wheel! This could be width, but right now I’m talking height. A 20” wheel might look good, but what are you going to air down for off-road? Running a 42” tire on the 20” wheel then sure airing down will help with traction. Airing down a 33 or 35 on a 20” wheel, no sorry you’re not ready for off-road.
- Not rock sliders. This would include the Tupperware steps, or even the all mental ones but have steps hanging down 4 to 6 inches. We lift our Jeeps and put on big tires to increase ground clearance, why in the hell would you put something that hangs lower?!?!?
- 1,000 watt (or greater) sound system. No one wants to hear your music on the trail. And they certainly don’t want to hear your panels vibrating. Besides, how many watts do you need to listen to a podcast?
- Halo headlights. At least this won’t hurt your Jeep off-road ability, but it may keep you from getting to your destination without a ticket! In many states, the law says white, or yellow front-facing lights only. Your multi-colored halo lights are money you could have spent on skid plates, or anything else to help in your Jeep’s off-road ability.
- Off-road lights brighter than the Sun. Unless you are leading Jeeps off-road these are a waste for off-road. NO ONE will want to be behind you on the trail. Fortunately, they have a switch so you can keep them off unless needed in an emergency.
I could have mentioned “Angry Eyes” grills but you’re new, you have time to come to your senses.
Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!
Oracle Lighting – Flush Mount LED Tail Lights for Jeep Gladiator JT
$399.95 (or 4 interest-free payments of $99.99 with Afterpay®)
https://www.oraclelights.com/collections/new-products/products/flush-taillight-jt
Louisiana-based Oracle Lighting has been designing innovative lighting products and technologies for the automotive/12Volt, power sports, motorcycle, and marine markets since 1999. Oracle’s philosophy is this: in today’s world of fly-by-night vendors, they think it is important to partner with businesses that you can trust to be there for you today, tomorrow, and for years to come. We’ve featured Oracle products here on the show in the past, and we currently have a request out to them for an interview here in the show. This week’s must-have is one of Oracle’s newest releases. It’s the first patent-pending Flush Mount LED Tail Light System for the Jeep Gladiator JT. These also just so happen to fit on the Wrangler JL too. But you better be prepared to Just Empty Every Pocket, because these sweet lights are going to cost you $399.95. Protruding out significantly less than the factory tail lights, however, this ultra-low-profile design avoids damage while on the trail or in the rocks. Because of the nearly flush wrap-around design, the lighting can be visible from any rear angle, making it a unique, albeit expensive solution for the Jeep Gladiator’s lackluster rear lighting.
These lights provide improved LED lighting features, including high-powered reverse lights and signature perimeter lighting. In addition, the plug-and-play design integrates seamlessly with Jeep’s optional cross-traffic sensor which can be swapped directly over from the factory assembly and easily installs into the Oracle Lighting tail light housing. The reverse function has been upgraded over the OEM lights by incorporating 12 high-powered LEDs into the design for enhanced rear illumination. If you got in on the pre-orders, they will begin shipping in October 2021. New orders placed will ship in December 2021. So I hate to say it, but if you are thinking these may make a perfect Christmas gift, you may want to order now.
Camp Fire Side Chat
We all brag about what our Jeeps can do and how capable they are…
But what is something that your Jeep is NOT good at doing?
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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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17 Fire Lookout Towers of Oregon:
https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2016/11/17_fire_lookouts_you_can_rent.html
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Episode 518 – Jeeps are not good at WHAT?!?