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Jeep Talk Show

A Show About Jeeps!

Episode 399 – Do YOU Have This Jeep App?!?

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This Week In Jeep:

Lease a 2020 Jeep Gladiator for Less Than a Wrangler! But There’s a Catch…

If you’re lucky enough to be in the market for one of the new 2020 Jeep Gladiators, you may be able to scoop one up for less than you think. BUT…there’s a catch. Jeep’s new return to the truck world has a base price that is over $5k higher than the same trim of Wrangler. However, if you are so inclined, for a limited time you can lease one for less than you could get a new Wrangler for. To get this amazing deal though, you’ll first have to find the right trim and prepare for some heavy-handed restrictions. CarsDirect reported this week that a new Gladiator Sport can be had for as little as $363 per month (effective cost)—that price undercuts a new Wrangler Unlimited Sport by $28. Ok so it’s not a massive difference there, but “20 dollars is 20 dollars”… Two-door Wranglers are even more expensive, landing at an effective cost of $438 per month because of their lower residual value, or how much it’s worth at the end of the lease. There is, as they say, a catch. Leases almost always come with mileage limits, and the one applied to this low-cost Gladiator plan is brutal: 10,000 miles per year. Anyone with even a mild commute will surpass that number with no problem. And forget about using your new Gladiator as the adventure vehicle it was intended to be. A road trip up to the mountain a few times in a year and you’re screwed. Customers will also likely find it hard to actually FIND a true “base” Gladiator since dealers are still focusing their efforts on selling the more expensive, higher trim levels. In other words, the inventory on this super restrictive lease is super low, so good luck. 

Payment amounts are calculated based on the price of the vehicle and are at least partially based on how much depreciation is expected to eat away at its value over the term of the lease. The Gladiator is about $5,000 more than a Wrangler to start, but this is a good indicator that the Gladiator is expected to hold its value for a longer period of time. Of course, all of this is a reversal from what some have come to know as the “Gladiator Tax”, where dealers take the opportunity to prey on Jeep-crazed buyers that can’t find one anywhere else. I think the feds have a term for that – it’s called PRICE GOUGING and it’s illegal! …but I digress, I know we’re talking about leasing here instead of buying, but let me jog your memory a bit. Remember just a couple of months ago when we were talking about dealer markups as high as $20,000 over MSRP for new Gladiators…? Yea, thats still happening in some places, so if this new gladiator leaser deal from jeep has you heading toward the dealership, just be aware of what’s going on, and do some homework ahead of time. 

A jeep plunged 450-feet off a steep mountainside 

Over the last couple years we’ve reported on what seems to be an increasing number of horrific rollover accidents involving Jeeps. Some have been mild, and others have been tragically fatal. Although it saddens me to report on these stories, I think that hearing them is important. I think it helps instill in us a little more respect for the situations we put ourselves in when we take our Jeeps offroad. Anything can happen at any time. It’s just like accidentally cutting yourself with a knife while you wash the dishes …the next time you wash that knife, you’re going to give the sharp bugger a little more respect, you’re going to pay attention a little more, handle it with a little more care, right? The same applies here. Although most of these stories have been the result of tragic accidents, there have been those that could have been completely avoided, as it was negligence or poor decisions that was to blame.At the time we air this story, it is unknown the exact reason the Jeep left the trail. And although the occupants of this Jeep were critically injured in this accident, they are both thankfully alive. 

It was a nice Saturday afternoon in Western Colorado, it was August 17th and an elderly couple from Montrose were making their way up the mountain to Telluride, when their Jeep went off the road and down a steep embankment off Tomboy Road near Royer Gulch. “Gulch” that name typically conjures images of steep, canyon-like terrain. And thats just what this was. The couple who are both 72 years old, by some miracle managed to stay within the Jeep for the 450 foot tumbling fall down Imogene Pass. Both of them suffered multiple critical injuries. The pictures are just harrowing. We’ll have a couple of them on the website, but be warned one of them is a little graphic. The 2-door JK they were driving  was utterly mangled. Airbags deployed, doors all but ripped off. The windshield is gone, the hood looks like a wadded up napkin and there is blood …everywhere. The rollover crash sparked a 5-hour rescue effort after the wife was finally able to contact 911. Thank god they had cell service where they landed. Dozens of officers from the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team responded immediately, however it was evident the couple had suffered their injuries for some time before the call to 911 was even made. It took the agency personnel, and literally dozens of bystanders to complete the rescue. Both of the elderly Jeepers were transported to the Telluride Med Ctr for immediate treatment, and then flown to St. Mary’s Hospital for further care. An updated post from the sheriff’s office says they’re not sure why the driver went off the road but said it’s possible he was distracted at a narrowing curve on Tomboy Road. Rocks were placed after the incident as a visual reference for other drivers, but they won’t keep your vehicle from going off the road, the sheriff’s office said.

Several hundred vehicles passed through the area on Saturday and the Sheriff’s Office said Imogene Pass is safe to travel. They also cautioned drivers about distracting scenery and urged them to keep their eyes on the road at all times.

Point/Counter Point – Wheeling Alone

Wrangler Talk:

Meet Maggie May & Neil  

As you know I will be heading out on my next big adventure. Before and During this adventure I will be stepping up my tech game. My wheeling partner Neil has 30 plus years experience as an auto mechanic, fabricator and off roader. He is ASE certified master technician as well as AMSE certified welder. Neil and I will be meeting for the first time on this adventure and spending 24 hours a day traveling together. He is so full of knowledge I can’t wait to soak it all in.

Affectionately named Maggie May, a 1980 Wagoner left to live out eternity in a junkyard. She is now in the process of being restored for an epic adventure across America. Neil, my partner on this epic journey, found the dilapidated hunk of metal and knew he found a gem.  For the past month Neil has been searching for parts old and new to bring Maggie May to life. He has worked tirelessly hours on end while working full-time. His goal is to get her running and on new shoes in time for our Epic Adams Xtreme Off Road Adventure across the United States via the Trans American Trail.

Maggie May: 1980 Grand Wagoneer, Motor AMC 360, Trans torqueflight 727, Tuned & shift kit,  Transfer Case NP 209, Axles 4.10 ratio, Front Dana 60 Ford F350, Rear Norton 10.25 LSD,  4 wheel disc brakes, Suspension custom 6in, Air bag assist rear, Tom Woods shafts, Dirt logic shocks 9.75 stroke 2.50 piston custom valve, Wheels Ford OE

Upgrades: On board air: circa 1980 Monroe Max Air, 300w solar Pannel:Rich solar LA CA. Controler specialty concepts Mark 20, 1000w inverter portawatzz, Guest 30 amp 3 bank on board charger, Battery management xantrax Link 20, Shoreline dual bank charging relay, fuse kit,& 120 breaker pannel, Kussmaul auto eject, Master manufacturing 15 gallon water tank/pump, 40 color RGB led lights, Quadratic heated Led headlights, Navigation system auto car 7in, Uniden pro 520 CB, Vizio 22in TV

Point of View – Never Wheel Alone

On this episode Josh and Tony discuss Wheeling Alone.  Some say NEVER wheel alone, some say wheel alone if you’re prepared.  What do you think?

Interview with:

Justin Rand – Rand Innovations – Makers of the Jepr app.

Justin is a life-long jeeper currently owning a ‘97 TJ and a ‘18 JLU Rubicon. In 2017 Justin looked to simplify the used jeep/jeep parts market by creating a Craigslist for jeeps. The Jēpr app launched in April 2018 and has already amassed over 10,000 users and had several thousand products bought and sold through the app.

Get Jepr App from the Google Play Store

Tech Talk With Jeep Talk:

How can I tell if this brake rotor is bad?

Brake Talk – TEASER

I think we can all agree, stopping is important. Nobody wants to run into the vehicle in front of them, and how are you going to pick up that happy meal in the drive thru if you can’t stop? Servicing the brakes on our Jeeps is one of those routine maintenance chores you just cannot ignore. Most brake parts have a lifespan and they do need to be regularly serviced and sometimes replaced to keep working properly.

Fortunately for us, our Jeeps usually give us some clear signals that the brakes are due for some love. Sometimes they’re harmless little noises that don’t require repairs and may even have simple fixes. Other times …not so much. Your brakes are one of the most important safety components in your Jeep. And after last week, talking about glazed brake pads, it got me thinking of all the other things that can wrong with the brakes in your Jeep. Yes YOUR Jeep, i was up all night thinking about that damn thing, are you happy?!?!?…. In all seriousness, I’m going to spend the next couple episodes focusing on brakes. We’re going to cover the top most common warning signs that you have a brake problem. We’ll go over some of the more common ways to troubleshoot issues, and we’ll even cover repairs, and some options for upgrades (you know) “while your in there.” …I’m still in the midst of putting this all together, so you’re going to have to wait till next week before we “stop”, and talk about stopping. 

Jeep Momma Product Review:

JK Wrangler True Dual-Rate Lift Kit, 2.5″/3.5″, RockSport Edition

The MetalCloak JK Wrangler 2.5″/3.5″ True Dual-Rate Lift Kit, RockSport Edition, featuring the Exclusive RockSport shock absorbers. The package includes MetalCloak True Dual Rate™ Coils for the front and rear providing a more stable ride throughout suspension travel over the traditional single rate or “trendy” progressive coils, adjustable height bump stops for the front and rear, front track bar, rear track bar re-location bracket, kevlar lined brake lines, shock off-sets brackets for clearance while articulating, and extended sway bar links for both the front and rear of your Jeep.  Now made with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber – the first suspension components manufactured with Kevlar® for industry leading durability. MetalCloak has chosen to offer the RockSport Shocks as a standard shock option for the terrific value they add to the package without sacrificing outstanding performance. Note: All 2012+ JK Wrangler will require exhaust spacers (7078) for clearance for the front drive shaft.  Note: MetalCloak Recommends You Have a Suspension Specialist Align Your Jeep Once MetalCloak Suspension is Installed. Note: MetalCloak does not recommend powder coating your True Dual Rate Coils.

MetalCloak True Dual-Rate Lift Kit

Nicky G:

Leave the Jokes to the experts

Wheeling Where:

Auto World Museum – 24th Annual Fall Willys and Jeep Reunion & Swap Meet
Sept 7th – 8th
Fulton, Missouri
More Info: http://willysreunion.com/

Georgia Jeep Invasion / Event / Fundraiser
Sept 18th – 20th
SUNNYSIDE ATV PARADISE – Wren, Georgia
More Info: Event/Fundraiser for Mission-22 and American Warrior Garage!
https://host.regform.com/georgiajeepinvasion/

Links Mentioned in Episode 399:

https://www.wearecb.com/ CB World – $100 / $150 CB Package Deal – Enter Code: “JEEPJAM” at checkout.