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Jeep Talk Show

A Show About Jeeps!

Episode 421 – Snow Trail Repairs


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ExtremeTerrain, Wrangler off-road parts and accessories outfitter. “Have you ever wondered what your Wrangler, or a Wrangler of similar ilk, would look like with a specific part before making your purchase? Haven’t we all?! Sure, you can root around social media, exploring hashtags until you stumble upon what you thought you were hoping to see but, who wants to waste hours upon hours doing that? Listen to this episode to hear about their inspiring Wrangler photo build hub.

This Week In Jeep:

Mahindra vs FCA /Jeep – It’s Finally Over!

If you’ve listened to the show for a while, you’ve likely heard us report several times over the years about the Mahindra. The little company that has been making Jeep like off road only vehicles since the early days of World War II. The crux of most of the news stories have focused on the issues FCA has presented with how much a Roxor looks like a Jeep, citing the trademarked 7-slot grill as the main point of contention. The 7 slot grill is a tried and true trademarked symbol of the Jeep. And FCA wants there to be zero room for confusion, and have taken a zero tolerance stance on this. This has forced Mahindra to take the defence on their manufacturing rights. 

Ultimately it would be extremely hard to confuse a Willy’s sized off-road only, not street legal Mahindra Roxor with a modern day Jeep Wrangler. But any degree of that whatsoever is what FCA has been fighting to avoid.  There’s been enough legal back-and-forth between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Mahindra over the past two years about all this to write a book about. However, it appears as if things may have finally come to a close. Mahindra has been working very hard to make amends following the final meeting with a United States International Trade Commission (ITC) judge. After FCA publicly claimed it would actively pursue an aggressive stop-sale order on the Roxor, Mahindra went back to the drawing board and created a completely redesigned version of the Roxor front end for 2020. Afterall, FCA has the financial backing to take a stop-sale order to tits finality, essentially ruining Mahindra.  Obviously, wanting to avoid a catastrophic shutdown in manufacturing, Mahindra went back to the drawing board, …kind of … and came up with a solution to appease Jeep and FCA, but may end up pissing off another well known automaker. The Roxor now sports a different front fascia that retains a pair of round headlights just like the previous design, although there are no slats in the grille like those that strongly resemble past Jeeps. 

Instead, the headlamps are inside the black grille with body-color surrounds as part of a design that is now (admittedly) almost identical to the classic Toyota Land Cruisers. I’m not sure why they just didn’t come up with something more … gee, I don’t know, ORIGNAL?!?!?… to maybe avoid repeating the mistakes of the past? But no, the formerly almost CJ looking Roxor now almost mirrors the front end of a Land Cruiser or even a modern day FJ cruiser.  The back end, the sides, and windshield, are all still very reminiscent of the old CJ’s, but now with a bastardized Toyota front end. 

We’ll have a pic of this on our site, if you want to point and laugh at it yourself.

More Jeep Thievery… but “vintage”?

You know I get reports each and every week about a Jeep theft. Sometimes it’s in the news, and sometimes it’s just a Jeeper coming out to find their Jeep gone, and want to throw as wide of a net as possible in the hopes that someone will see it and report it. 

If your Jeep was stolen, you’d likely want as many people as possible looking for it too. 

So when I saw a New Mexico report about another Jeep theft, I wasn’t all that surprised. We have a lot of listeners in the New Mexico area, so there’s likely a fair amount of Jeeps out there, and the law of averages would lead one to believe that Jeeps are among the most stolen rigs out there. But when I find out that the custom built Jeep Cherokee XJ that was in the story was being referred to as a “vintage” Jeep, I was a bit taken aback. “No… Not MY kind of Jeep. MY kind of jeep, the indomnible Jeep Cherokee XJ is by no means a vintage, I mean sure its 21 years old, but thats hardly what I’d call vintage.”  Nonetheless, the KOAT7 Action News team who broke the story  was calling this Albuquerque family’s Cherokee a “vintage Jeep.” Dominic Archuleta, the owner of the Jeep, had worked on it with his daughter to build it into the beast it was.

He told reporters he thought it would never happen to him. But auto theft is a big problem in the Albuquerque area, and as Dominic came out from work on January 23rd, he noticed the spot where he had parked his Jeep was empty.  Nothing but a pile of shattered glass and a giant screwdriver lay where his Jeep once was. To him it’s not just the loss of a vehicle, it’s an emotional loss, as it would likely be for most of us. But this Jeep had a fair amount of sentimental value, since he had spent the last two and a half years years working on it with his daughter. They’ve spent thousands of dollars together to build this Jeep for her as her first vehicle. They built it just as she wanted, with components that they had researched together, and that she had picked out herself.

And they had even just painted it last week in the way that she wanted. Essentially this is HER Jeep, and the family is heart broken that all their daughter may never get a chance to enjoy her hard earned Jeep. Dominic and his daughter are not going to let this ruin their Jeep dreams however. They’re already looking for a replacement Cherokee to start the build all over again. In the meantime however, the family has asked that you keep an eye out if you’re in the New Mexico area. The Jeep is a 1988 Cherokee XJ with a brand new black rhino liner paint job with a rough finish. 

The inside of the doors are still painted the original white. If you see it, call the police.

Wrangler Talk:

Catalytic Converters and O2 sensors.

Hello JTS listener and welcome to this week’s wrangler talk where we are going to be talking about the wrangler’s lovely exhaust system. Well more directly your catalytic converters and the O2 sensors that are associated with the cats in your wrangler. So, first what does the catalytic converter do and how does it function. The most basic description is a really expensive piece of metal tubing that will make your wrangler run like crap if it isn’t working right. However, the true definition of a catalytic converter is an emission control device that reduces toxic gasses and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. Next you may ask well what does it reduce, well in an internal combustion engine we use the combination of air fuel and spark to make all of those roaring ponies we love to hear but during this combustion not all of the fuel is spent and some of the gases that are created during the combustion process can be very harmful to the environment. So, through a great amount of heat and some precious metals that are housed inside the cat these harmful gases chemical will react with the material inside the catalytic converter come out the exit side of the converter less harmful to the environment. So what happens when your catalytic converter goes bad or in other words stops working. Well there are couple ways your cat can fail and the main way is that there is no more material in the cat that can perform the chemical reaction that takes place in your cat and then it would need to be replaced. Secondly, they can become clogged. When your engine burns oil or the air fuel ratio is not correct the unburn will bond to the material that is housed in the cat and eventually build up to the point where it will start clogging up the holes in the converter where the exhaust gases are meant to pass through. Unfortunately, your cat will need to be replace in this situation as well. Finally another effect of having an engine with an incorrect air fuel ratio it can cause a combustion to happen in the exhaust pipe that will lead to deterioration of the material in the cat and cause the disk that is in the cat to break up leave your catalytic converter ineffective. Once again you will need to replace the converter in this situation as well. Now on to those pesky O2 sensors that can be a total pain the rear. O2 sensors monitor the oxygen that is exiting the combustion process and will give feed back to the ECU to adjust the air fuel ratio based on the voltage readings of the sensor. On the newer jeep wranglers we will have two O2 sensors and they are respectively called upstream and downstream. Both of these O2 sensors serve a difference purpose. The upstream O2 sensor is designed to measure the amount of oxygen that is exiting the combustion process and give this information back to the ECU this is the main function of the upstream sensor. Then the downstream sensor also measures the amount of O2 that is exiting the Catalytic converter and relies on the upstream sensor to make sure the catalytic converter is functioning properly. Secondly the Downstream O2 sensor measures the temperature of the catalytic converter to make sure that the temperature in the converter is at proper operating temp to ensure a proper chemical reaction. So Finally make sure your catalytic converter is working properly and make sure that your O2 sensors are operating properly. There are a few simple tests to make sure are working properly although I am already guessing that your bright yellowish orange light is informing you that it isn’t working properly. Thank you for listening to this week’s wrangler talk and remember do have a question or comment about this week’s talk head over to jeeptalkshow.com/contact and leave us a voice mail send us an email and we would be glad to help you out with any questions you have except the question of what is the meaning of life. And the answer to that question is to own a red jeep and drive it hard. Talk to you next week.

Top 5 reasons you want sliders and not side steps.

Number 5 – Side steps often cost as much as sliders but are easily bent when the weight of the vehicle is put on them

Number 4 – Side steps are for old people and monster trucks

Number 3 – Side steps only serve to hang you up when going over obstacles.

Number 2 – Jeepers that do go off road will know your Jeep is a pavement queen.

Number 1 – The only thing worse than side steps, are the ones that automatically drop down when you open the door.

We’re having some fun here, being all judgy but look at it this way.  Unless you really need help getting in your Jeep side steps are a bad idea.  Even if you never take your Jeep off road, you may find yourself in an emergency situation some day and that low hanging fruit may mean you’ll be just as stuck as that Honda the wheels at a 45 degree angle!

Jeep Life:

We have a new Jeep

Still hanging out in the high desert Del Norte Colorado. Its been a busy week. The owner of BC Vintage Jeeps reached out to me and Neil and I took a visit to Delta Colorado to see his vintage Jeeps. We ended up coming home with a CJ3. It was a Jeep trade. A 2 door Cherokee Chief for the CJ. He collects jeeps, buys, sells and trades vintage Jeep Parts. He even hauls them to you anywhere in the continental US. I am now getting ready to drive to Denver to fly to Maryland to see my kids for a week. Then it’s back in the garage.

Tech Talk With Jeep Talk:

Snowy Weather Trail Repair Kit

Last week we went over some tips and tricks to make dealing with trail repairs in the rain go a lot easier. This time of year in much of the country, the rain has turned to snow, and many of our favorite wheeling destinations are at higher elevations, and may be covered in a blanket of white. As majestic and awe inspiring as the views and vistas are this time of year, the beauty of mother nature doesn’t care about that U Joint that just broke, that sensor that just failed, or the tire that just lost a bead. So when you’re aired down and sitting on top of are buried axle dep in snow, what do you do to make trail repairs go a lot easier? Dealing with relentless rain is tough, it soaks everything in minutes and makes everything from that point on miserable. So the tips we gave last week were primarily focused on keeping you and the inside of your Jeep dry during and after the repair. Much of the same tips and items will apply to dealing with trail repairs in the snow, however, there are a few other things I would pack in my Snowy Weather Trail Repair Kit.  Obviously a rain poncho or rain suit isn’t going to be all that necessary when working on your Jeep in the snow. Cold is going to be your biggest enemy here not necessarily the stuff falling from the sky. It’s going to decrease the dexterity in your extremities and make handling screws, nuts, bolts, and sockets a little more difficult. And god forbid you drop something in the snow, you’re going to be hunting for it for longer than you want. Snow also isn’t like the hard ground …it gives, and moves, and melts, so we need to take all these factors into consideration when building our kit. Again, a lot of this comes down to preparedness and planning juist like with most things in the off road world. You knew before you even left the house that you were going to be up in the snow, it’s rare someone is wheeling in higher elevations this time of year and not expecting snow. So you need to be prepared for the temps you’ll be facing, even if you didn’t plan on spending a lot of time outside of the Jeep. So wearing a set of thermal underwear will help keep your core toasty, aiding in keeping the rest of you warm too. Now we know that you’re going to be handling anything from a pry bar to the valve stem cover, so you want a set of gloves on hand that not only will keep you warm, but aren’t so big and bulky that you can’t feel what you’re holding or can’t reach into small spaces with the bulk of the glove getting in the way. So ditch the ski gloves for a set of the Mechanix style gloves. Mechanix the brand, not the occupation. It doesn’t have to be this brand, so go with what you know. My advice is to head to the parts or hardware stores and try a few different types on, go to the hardware section and handle some nuts and bolts to see how easy it is to start some threads and manipulate small parts. Maybe even go to the tool section, and grab some wrenches and screwdrivers to see how they feel in your hand. There’s two schools of thought when it comes to gloves for winter trail repairs. Splurge because you want high performance and longevity, or skimp because you’re going to be hard on them and you don’t want an expensive replacement cost. And besides, you can always wear a set of latex gloves underneath, so you can afford to go with something cheaper here. If you want the best though, look into the gloves that the military and law enforcement use. These are designed to provide tactical dexterity as well as protection from the elements while being rugged enough to last through months of continuous duty. Keeping your hands and core dry will only go so far when you’re laying down under your jeep in a pile of melting snow. So remember that tarp we had for the wet weather trail repair kit? Well it’s going to serve double duty in this kit too. Having a small tarp means you can keep the snow from melting into your pants, and if you drop something, you won’t have to spend hours digging and sifting through snow to find it. The tire bag or department store clothing bag will also carry over from the wet weather kit. You’re still going to have a wet and dirty tarp to deal with and likely rags or other things too, so you might as well have a place to chuck all that to keep the interior dry. Let’s say you’re a bit buried and you need to make a repair, but the snow is up to the rock rails. You’re going to need to get out of that by winching out of the hole your in, or digging your way into to do the repair where it sits. Having the right shovel for this will make all the difference. Obviously you’re not packing the same shoevle you clear the driveway with, and a full sized shovel for the garden is just overkill. Look into the aluminum style shovels that ice climbers and snowboarders use. They break down to store in small places, are super lightweight, and very effective at removing snow quickly. No matter how easy or difficult a trail repair is, the cold can cut right thru you, so in your kit, keep several of those little disposable hand warmers, that activate as soon as you tear open the package,. They have a great shelf life, are cheap enough to buy in bulk making throwing a five or six of these things in the kit a real no brainer. Stuffing a couple of these in strategic places like sleeves, pockets, socks, or in the back of the beanie, will keep the cold from affecting you no matter how long you’re out fixing the Jeep. If you need to get under the Jeep to make a repair, then likely you’re going to need to scrape away stuck on or packed in snow from the places you need to work. Having a few little parts brushes, or those disposable trim brushes from the painting section of the hardware store work great for this. They’re super cheap and far more effective at removing snow from tight areas than your fingers ever will be, and it keeps those gloves from getting wetter than they need to be. Anything you can do to put a degree of separation between you and the wet stuff will make things go alot easier. So grab another ammo can, stuff a small tarp, a set of gloves, some hand warmers, and few little brushes and combine this with your wet weather trail repair kit to be prepared for any degree of trail repair no matter what the season. Let me know if there;s something you think we should add to this, or share pics of your own cold weather trail repair kit. We’d love to see what your packin’…. Wait…. No that didn’t come out right, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!

Interview with:

Greg is the owner and operator of Underground Graphics, a Houston based automotive graphics shop since 2001. He has been involved in this industry since the mid-90’s and his passion for his work shows. Greg states, “I feel blessed everyday to be able to do what I love, to be around so many awesome vehicles and to continually meet fellow enthusiasts who share similar passions. It really is the best part of the business.” Running a small business is hard, stressful and has it’s down moments, but making the time to have fun and enjoy life and family is important. In that time, Greg has joined the Jeep life with the recent purchase of the Gladiator. He’s now putting some focus on the Jeep market, you can see more of his work by visiting their Facebook or Instagram pages.  Gillman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram “The Big Jeep Meet 2020”

Jeep Weather:

Mitch

Hey Jeeper, Mitch here, today is the 24th of January 2020, and it’s time for your weekend Going Topless-Jeep Weather Report. Alright, I’ve been giving y’all lots of places to take that top off your Jeep that has been a bit cooler than maybe manageable. Well now this week we go to places that are doable. First let’s take a Topless dip through Waikiki, Hawaii. Finally, a place to properly take your top off! This weekend Waikiki will be sunny and perfect at 81 degrees the whole time with a low of 70! Use that sunscreen and eliminate those winter tans lines you got going on there. Now the next location isn’t Hawaii but take your top off, camp, and hike in Grand Isle, Louisiana. There it will be partly cloudy Friday and Saturday at 63 and 59 degrees. Sunday you may get rain at 62 degrees. Not near any nice beaches but the next location is closer to trails to go topless on. Now in Carlsbad, New Mexico this weekend it will be 62 on Friday, 70 with maybe some clouds Saturday, and sunny and 66 on Sunday. Last, lets take that top off and risk going south of the border in Ensenada, Baja California. Taking your top off here, I hear, is more of a normal thing. There it will be sunny all weekend with 69 on Friday, 67 for Saturday and Sunday. Now, don’t forget to use the #JeepTalkShow on social media for us to see those pictures. If you have any suggestions or want to know YOUR local weather in an upcoming episode. Go to https://JeepTalkShow.com/contact in order to find all the ways to get a message to me. I’m Mitch and its always great weekend to Go Topless if you’re brave enough! Just Go Topless responsibly.

Wheeling Where

River Run ATV Park – Annual Mardis Gras Ride
February 20th – 23rd
Jacksonville, Texas
More Info: https://www.riverrunpark.com/

Salt Lake Off-Road and Outdoor Expo
February 28th – 29th
CMountain America Expo Center – Salt Lake City, Utah
More Info: Ihttps://slorex.com/

Links Mentioned in Episode 421:
Easter Jeep Safari 2020 – Vender Show
https://www.rr4w.com/moab_jeep_expo.cfm

Extreme Terrain – Build Photo Generator https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep-wrangler-photos-builds.html

Gillman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram “The Big Jeep Meet 2020”
Feb 8th 10am to 2pm

 

 

 

 

 

4 thoughts on “Episode 421 – Snow Trail Repairs

  1. Guys I enjoy your show, great job! After listening to episode 421 I was wondering if you guys know about Rock Slider Engineering, you said that there wasn’t any electronic steps that will hold up on a Jeep for trails. I have their electronic step slider on my JLUR and its a rock slider with electronic step and I have used it in the rocks as a slider with no issues, it’s expensive but it is trail rated and works well. Josh, it worked well when I was on the trails in Tillamook State Forest last year. Thanks

    1. Thanks for the information. I’m curious why would you want side steps for your Jeep, especially at that price, I think I saw $1900 for a set on the JKU.

  2. I built this Jeep for my wife ( I had a 05 LJ Rubi and a 02 TJ) it was her turn. The build is her daily driver but my trail rig on the weekends. It’s a JLUR with a 3.5” RK lift and 37” tires. I wanted rock sliders on it for protection and she wanted a step to help her get in and out. The Rock Slide Engineering sliders with the electronic steps solved both our wants. Yes it was more then I had budgeted for sliders!!! Now that we have had them for almost a year and have used them as rock sliders, I am very happy with them even though they are pricy!

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