Beginner Questions
“Wendy, Larry, and Tony are back on the Jeep Talk Show’s Tuesday Flagship episode! Got beginner questions? We’ve got answers! Whether you’re a new Jeep owner or thinking about buying your first, we’re here to guide you through Jeep essentials and off-road fun. Tune in for expert tips, advice, and everything you need to start your Jeep adventure!”
A story we reported on last Thursday’s episode, about 1,110 workers being indefinitely laid off from the Toledo plant that builds the Jeep Gladiator. I believe it was one shift. This makes sense seeing how dealerships have been complaining about having too much inventory. I thought you, Wendy, and Larry, might want to comment on this bit of news.
I have never owned a Jeep, or my last Jeep was a long time ago. I want to buy a NEW Jeep. What model/package do you recommend?
How do I get started going off-road? Do I need training? Is there a license? No one in my family or my friends goes off-road, and I don’t know where to start.
What is the difference between off-roading and over-landing?
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
To duck or not to duck?
Have you been ducked? You know, you come out to your Jeep, whether you are shopping, at work, or on a trail run and there is a magical little duck. YEP, you have been ducked?
Some people are so excited to get ducked that they collect them and have so many. Others are adamant that they don’t want to be EVER ducked! One thing is for sure, it’s probably going to happen to you if you own a Jeep.
The ducking was created by Allison Parliament, who has been interviewed by Tony on several JTS episodes. She started it during COVID-19 as a way to pass along positive messages and kindness to others after she was treated poorly by someone. The idea is to give out a duck with a message attached encouraging you to take pictures with your newly placed duck and post it to FB or IG and tag #duckduckjeep or even the website weather you can log your ducking.
There is a website to send a duckygram (to brighten someone’s day), or purchase duck-kits (have plenty on hand to pass out to all the jeeps you see) and it makes a great program for clubs to get involved in fundraising. OR you can just go online, buy a bunch of rubber ducks at Walmart, or Amazon, make up the kind gesture cards, and start ducking jeeps. You can find ducks to match anything you want, like the color of your jeep (or the jeep you are placing the duck on), or your destination; for instance, I saw a pic of a jeep that got ducked on the Beach in California and the rubber ducky was holding a surfboard. I’ve seen pictures of a duck dressed as a fireman, or policeman, in motorcycle leathers and even shorts and Hawaiian shirts. I’ve seen some holding things, like a cell phone, or selfie stick, candy, baseball, basketball, and even some with sunglasses. I have been ducked with horse ducks, a Chewbaca-type duck, and I got a duck sitting on a Nexen tire! (my favorite 🙂 I saw political ducks this year, there are patriotic and even other animals, you name it, it probably comes in a duck. You can find all kinds of ducks doing all kinds of things. And it’s not limited to yellow rubber ducks either; they come in all colors these days.
Some people are adamant they don’t want ducks. That’s OK, we are just trying to put a smile on the faces of Jeep owners. So whether you have been ducked or you want to start ducking jeeps, I have some links in the show notes to get you started. Or you can simply search “ducking jeeps” and see what pops up.
(https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver)
Fabrication Freezy, with Larry – JeepingMo
Do you have any fab work planned for the winter on your rig? Depending on how big your project is there are a couple of simple tools that might help.
I’m not talking about your welders or some of your big equipment. Laying out your rig, or your plans for the new axles is a big job.
Never discount the need for a good level. Before you start figuring out where your axles are going, it’s much easier to do it with the frame level.
Then there is a plumb bob. Yes, that same one you use around the house. You can use it to drop from the frame to locate the axle and make sure the housing is centered and Square.
There is always a big need for a good tape to measure for location and square.
Never underestimate basic tools, a laser is always good to help locate from front to back positioning your axles, but if everything isn’t level and square you’re building a bad foundation.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
Trails Off Road. Trailsoffroad is software for your phone, or infotainment system on your Jeep that helps you travel trails, plan your trip offroad, and know ahead of time your vehicle is up to the task. You can use the software for free, but for maximum performance subscribe at trailsoffroad.com