Episode 598 – NEXEN Tire Giveaway Winner Announced!
This Week In Jeep
The Iconic Jeep Grill Is Now A Barcode
Jeep Canada has just launched what it calls the ‘Jeep Code,’ a Snapchat lens that allows users to scan any Jeep seven-slot grille as if it was a barcode. Snapchat users can scan a Jeep grille, and by using augmented reality technology, the platform will leverage machine-learning capabilities to determine the exact Jeep model scanned and allow users to get more information about the model. If so inclined, the user can then configure and price their own dream Jeep online, browse local inventories, and even start the buying process. With things like Carvana’s vehicle vending machines, and almost half of all car purchases happening online, it’s clear the direction vehicle purchases are going is into the digital realm. Jeep Canada thinks this is a great way for new or potential customers to instantaneously experience the Jeep showroom at their convenience, learn about the entire vehicle lineup, search available inventory and connect with a local dealer. Jeep says that the launch of ‘Jeep Code’ will allow it to streamline the buyer’s journey while also appealing to younger consumers, ensuring that they’re connected quickly to the right vehicles in their area.
That’s right, prey on the young…
“quickly now, before their parents can talk them out of it!” 
The launch of “Jeep Code” comes shortly after the debut of the QR Code Gladiator named “D-Coder” which we saw as a concept vehicle at this year’s Easter Jeep Safari, coincidence?… unknown at this point. What is also unknown is whether or not this cute little play on creative marketing will extend into the U.S market or not. Right now at least, this feature is for our Jeep brethren up north in Canada. And even then only the ones using snap chat.
A Close Call In UT
A family had to wait hours for help over the weekend after they became stuck while off-roading in rural Utah. The Weber County Sheriff’s Office said search & rescue members and deputies responded to the Ant Flat area early Saturday morning to the family’s stranded Jeep near the Weber/Cache County line. The family of four tried to make it across Ant Flat road late Friday night and became stuck in the snow.
Finally, at about 4:00 a.m. Saturday they were able to get a text message out to ask for help. Responders were able to get them out safely. The sheriff’s office reminded people to check road conditions before going off-road, especially during spring conditions. Oftentimes there is a lot more snow down the trail.
…OR… How NOT To Buy A Jeep
A Worcester Massachusetts man pleaded guilty earlier this week to attempting to purchase a $56,000 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. In itself, that’s not a crime, but when you try to do it with a counterfeit check, that’s when things usually go bad real quick.
58-year-old David Hogan has been on this planet long enough to know better than to try and pass a bad check in this day and age. But on March 31, 2021, Hogan visited a car dealership in Newton Massachusetts, where he agreed to purchase a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for $56,208. Really David? You couldn’t have talked then down that last eight bucks? Hogan tendered a check from Charles Schwab Bank in the amount of the purchase price, took possession of the Jeep, and drove it off the lot. I bet at that point he thought he was free and clear! But when the car dealership attempted to cash the check, the bank did not honor it because the bank account had been frozen.
The dealership contacted Hogan and advised that the check was not valid. I bet that was a fun phone call. Just over a week later from the purchase date, on April 9, 2021, Hogan promised the dealership that he would wire the money to the bank, however, he did not wire funds and the vehicle was repossessed by the dealership. A subsequent investigation revealed that the Charles Schwab account that the fraudulent check was attached to was opened using a stolen identity. Oh, what a tangled web we weave! Hogan later admitted that the phony check he used when attempting to purchase the Jeep had been printed by another man, Brandon Brouillard, who was charged separately with two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in connection with using two victims’ identities to open bank accounts in an attempt to purchase an $83,000 Chevrolet Camaro. Brouillard pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 13, 2022. The wanna-be Jeep owner, David Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 27, 2022.
Although this event took place over a year ago from when we are recording this, Hogan wasn’t charged until March 4, 2022. I’ve heard of the wheels of justice turning slowly, but good Gawd.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Funny sound follow-up
If you listened to my Newbie Nuggets episode 592 two weeks ago, you know I talked about all those funny sounds coming from our Jeep. Today I wanted to do a follow–up on what we found. BIG HUGE thanks to Josh for giving us some tips and suggestions on finding those pesky rattles. If you didn’t know Josh is a wealth of knowledge from years of experience working and wrenching on vehicles and wheeling off-road. So if you ever have a question, reach out to us via email and ask your question. We love helping other jeepers. Just go to the jeep talk show/contact to find out how.
Now about that follow up:
In episode 592 I discussed our three annoying sounds we just couldn’t figure out.
The first one was a high-pitched metal squeak that goes round and round with the wheel speed and could only be heard on the right side and at about 10 mph when we are wheeling on narrow roads with high berms. Josh suggested checking the wheel bearings. Bill set out on a mission (cue the music for mission impossible) and he found it. Bill knew it wasn’t the wheel bearings from the type of sound emanating from the wheel area. Instead, he looked towards the brakes. Sure enough, it was the clips that hold the brake pads in the caliper. One of them had worked its way a little sideways. He figures it must have happened when he did the brakes last time. You know, well-qualified mechanics are so hard to find these days LOL. So we checked that annoying little squeak off our list. It was so nice on the trail last weekend and NOOOO squeaks.
The second sound was a very annoying “clunk” like noise that seems to be coming from the “B” pillars. We thought maybe something with the seat belt assembly. Josh suggested it might be in the hinges on the doors, or the handles or even the plastic clips on the latch linkage for the doors hitting something inside the doors. He even suggested the latch mechanism inside the door. The sound was not tiny enough to be emanating from the small clips on the linkage, but Josh had also mentioned that the latch mechanisms might be loose. Bill tried tightening all the Torx bolts holding the latches and catches but all were tight. So, before taking everything apart again, he remembered that the sound would go away when the doors were opened and only latched halfway. So “while he was in there” he lubed the door latches and catches and guess what? NO MORE Clunk!!! Yes!! Turns out it was the latches rubbing against the catches on the door pillars making the “plastic” sound. I can’t tell you how nice THAT was to not hear the clunk anymore. We have lived with that sound since we got the jeep and just chalked it up to “it’s a Jeep”. . Score another victory for Josh and Bill. Of course, now that the door sound is gone, we can hear other sounds like the top panels that Bill will attack next. It never ends LOL.
The third rattle is a constant squeaky sound at the back of the jeep. After removing the jack, getting new quiet D-Rings, and welding the bumper to the frame we still have the squeak. Josh suggested that it may be the hangers that hold the exhaust pipe underneath. Bill got underneath and everything was tight and secure, with no movement on the hangers or the exhaust pipe. We still have that squeak and Bill thinks it sounds like thin or sheet metal. It may be that the skid plate got bent up (yeah that happens when wheeling) and perhaps the exhaust pipe is just barely rubbing on the skid plate. He can’t see any visual rub marks indicating that this is the case, but next time he has a moment he wants to take the skids off, re-bend them in the press and see if THAT stops the squeak. Josh’s great suggestion, didn’t fix our squeak but we sure appreciate your insight and experience.
We got 2 out of 3 annoying noises gone, so I say Yahoo!
So when you have annoying rattles or sounds, make sure you try to find the cause and get it fixed, if needed. Sometimes it can be as easy as a tool or item inside the jeep rubbing against something, sometimes it’s under your jeep or outside your jeep. Either way, finding it and solving the issue is best. It may not be anything that could break but usually sounds like these are an indication that something will possibly wear and eventually break and you don’t want that to happen on a trail.
Thanks for your suggestions, Josh. I forget that I could have asked for suggestions on our Discord server, our weekly Round Table, or even the other JTS hosts. We all have lots of experience and I just needed to ask. The same goes for Newbies, don’t be afraid to ask for help, or suggestions, from your friends or buddies. You’re already gaining info and ahead of the game just by listening to the Jeep Talk Show.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Having a GMRS radio is getting more and more important to have in your Jeep. Here at Studio A all the Jeeps, 5 of them, have MIDLAND radios! Zak over at midlandusa.com confirmed the launch date for the MXT575 will be on 5/3.
- Full 50W Radio
- 8 Repeater Channels, Split Tone Repeater Capable
- Wide & Narrow Band
- 15 High Power GMRS Channels
- Fully Integrated Control Mic
- NOAA Weather Scan + Alert
Keep listening for more giveaways from our sponsor https://midlandusa.com/
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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Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon
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