Episode 463 – Who Is Right and Who is Wrong?

 

Josh “Hoshnasi” from YouTube channel “HAM Radio Crash Course” helps, or tries, to explain to Josh and Tony why you shouldn’t put a neat looking, short antenna replacing your factory antenna, if you want to be able to receive stations.

This Week In Jeep

Beyond Maximum Occupancy

The accident occurred at around 5 pm on Tuesday. And the details will leave you scratching your head. The police retrieved the jeep which fell into a farm well on Tuesday evening. The police said the driver of the vehicle, identified as Doni Satish, 25, died. Overnight operations to rescue missing people and retrieve the jeep continued on Wednesday. According to the police, when Satish was transporting passengers on Tuesday evening, he suffered from a seizure and lost control of the vehicle. The police confirmed that 12 people were travelling in the jeep at the time of the mishap, and apart from the driver, all 11 others were rescued. With help of firefighters, water was completely pumped out of the well to aid in the recovery. Excavators and earthmovers were rushed to the spot and the jeep was retrieved.  

Matt’s Off-Road Recovery

His YouTube videos are viral in the Jeep community, and he’s one of the area’s premier recovery experts. I myself have enjoyed many of his videos, and you’ll know it when you see one by his tell-tale yellow Jeep Cherokee XJ as the primary recovery vehicle in the Utah offroad scene. Winder Towing is a local, family-owned business that was founded in 1981 By Harlon Winder. His work ethic and integrity soon built a name for Winder Towing that still stands today. On YouTube he’s known for that iconic Yellow XJ and Matt’s Off Road Recovery. As a fellow content creator, I give Matt and his team a lot of respect, they are out there making videos all the time, and he just received his silver play button for reaching 100k subscribers. Which is pretty damn good considering he’s only been ON YouTube for just over a year and a half. I mean It’s not like WE’VE been putting out offroad content since 2011 and have been on YouTube since 2015 and only have 1200 subscribers…. eh-hem….  So from all of us here at the Jeep Talk Show, congrats Matt! And if you’re listening, how’s about responding to one of our interview requests! Anyways…. If you haven’t seen any of his videos we’ll have a link to his channel for you to check him out yourself. 

Matt reponded to our interview request!!! – https://jeeptalkshow.com/episode-625-interview-matts-off-road-recovery/

Newbie Nuggets

Carnage on the Mountain

This past weekend Big Bear saw lots of snow. A lot more than expected (12-18 inches for a first snow) and I noticed lots of FB posts several days before where off-road groups were planning a trip up to Gold Mountain on Saturday. Of course, I commented that they needed chains up here, it’s the law once winter hits in the mountains. On Sunday, Bill and I were coming home up the backside of the mountain from the desert and there were people stuck everywhere, in the middle of the road, and out of their cars putting chains on. This is SO dangerous, because, if we see them in time not to run into them, we have to go around them into the opposing lane and try to miss oncoming traffic to pass on a two lane narrow road. We really don’t want to stop,  it’s slippery enough that we may not get started up the hill again. We witnessed an XJ heading downhill, hit his brakes to stop only to continue on down and almost hit a bunch of cars STUCK in the middle of the road. REALLY people honestly, pull over sooner and put you damn chains on!! And to top it off, the temp was about 28 degrees for the high and the lows on Sunday were 18 degrees at our place so the mountain had to be lower around 12-14 degrees!!! Anyway, as we neared the summit, the fog (which was actually blowing snow) was so heavy you could hardly see out the window. We made it home safely, and Monday morning I started to see posts of people who got stuck on Gold Mountain over the weekend, YA THINK! There was carnage everywhere. One guy reported breaking his drive shaft and transfer case. Gee, I wonder how that happened. Could it be too much skinny pedal spinning the tires and it eventually hooked up and something’s got to give. Another was asking for a ride into town to get to a repair shop as he had broken his tie rod and used a tie-down to limp out of the forest. Broken steering is bad enough, let alone dealing with that on a slippery snowy road. Another just plain got stuck and countless others that had to leave their jeep behind for whatever reason. YES, leave them behind. Now seriously, what did you think would happen in the mountains during a snowstorm? I have to admit the photos of jeepers driving in the snow, who made it out successful, were awesome – I’ll give them that. Driving in the snow on these mountains is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen, but let’s not be stupid about going out unprepared in freezing weather. I thought about a list of some additional items to bring when you decide to play in the snow. Your list may be slightly different if you have other weather conditions like a hurricane, torrential rain or a tornado. Water: this is probably one of the most essential items you should have on board. Figure about a gallon per person per day. And don’t forget Fido’s water too. Plan to bring extra just incase Food: Of course you weren’t planning on camping so why bring food? Well because if you get stuck it may be hours before you can get out – OR before someone can come get you out. You need snacks for the trip, but you also need to think about food that can sustain you like bars, or hearty food supplies just in case you are out later than expected. Nuts, fruit, protein shakes, Gatorade type drinks are good suggestions. And don’t forget that kids and dogs need food too. Extra clothing: may seem silly –you weren’t planning to stay overnight- but if you get wet, which you will when you get stuck and you have to climb out of your warm jeep and shovel the snow away, or remove debris you are stuck in, you will want to change into warm clothing. Especially socks, and maybe a second pair of boots/shoes. AND if you are stranded or waiting for help and the temp drops you can layer up. The heater may not be working if the engine has issues. Jackets, gloves, hats: I can almost bet the majority of visitors this past weekend were in shorts, short sleeve shirts and flip flops or tennis shoes. They planned a day to be out and have fun, who needs winter clothes? Dress for the climate you are wheeling in! You need a heavy jacket and one that is waterproof. Snow is WET! Being out in it, you will get wet. Staying warm and dry prevents hypothermia, which could have easily happened with the low temps we had. And gloves – you should always have gloves on board, but for snow wheeling you need a second set. The first pair IS going to get very wet if you are trying to dig out and you will be happy you had a second set. Blanket or space blanket: If your heater is not working you will get cold and the kids will also get cold. Having some additional layers to keep your feet and legs warm will help while you wait for recovery. Flashlights: probably an overlooked item all the time: You say to yourself “I’m only going out for the day and will return before dark”, yeah… famous last words in the snow. The fog was so heavy we could hardly see driving home. The mountain was sunless and dark with cloud cover and the trees blocked any extra light trying to peek through. A flashlight could be used for all sorts of things, like lighting the jeep parts that broke or seeing what you are stuck on, or lighting the way to use the bathroom, or just using some light in the jeep with the kids to keep them calm. And if you already carry a flashlight, don’t forget spare batteries and check to make sure the flashlight is working from time to time. Communication: Cell phone service does not work in some parts of the mountain areas. And depending on who your service provider is, doesn’t work at all up here. Get your HAM license and learn to use it. Don’t go out alone: Although most of the postings I saw were groups of jeepers, I’m sure there was someone who thought it would be sooo cool to drive in the snow and “let’s take the family out and go without anyone”. I have said many times and I’ll say again. DON’T GO OUT ALONE! Last year we heard of people that got stuck and had to walk out. Just bring a friend…. and their jeep. Basic tools: we have covered tools to have on board on several previous episodes and I covered the basics on episode 426, but  wheeling in the snow is very different. Make sure you have all the tools we discussed plus a few others like a shovel, traction boards like MAXTRAX https://maxtraxus.com/ and a Hi-lift Jack with a big platform for the jack and that Lift-mate I discussed in episode 462. Most of these tools can fit into one or two bags that you can easily store in the back of the jeep or the back seat. And isn’t it comforting to know that you are prepared just in case you need them. Now I have no idea if anybody HAD to stay overnight in their broken down jeep in that weather but it got down to 5 degrees. You don’t survive 5 degrees without being prepared. If you plan to go wheeling in the snow this winter, take a buddy, prepare and don’t break a drive shaft or transfer case. And I hope you have cell service.

Tech Talk With Jeep Talk 

All About Snorkels for Jeeps

As we record this, it’s nearly winter, and the rains have definitely set in. But it doesn’t have to be a wet NW winter for you to realize that ANYtime of the year, you can find yourself in a situation where you are looking at having to navigate some deep water. Maybe a washout gave way, and there is now a river roaring across the trail you are on.  Maybe a levy broke, or you live in a place where it is below sea level or it floods often. Any sort of circumstances can suddenly have you facing high waters, and a need to drive your Jeep. Just look at what is going on in North Carolina right now.  Seriously, thoughts and prayers go out to all you folks, hope the waters recede soon.  So if the water is above the axles with the Jeep just sitting there, it is a good chance that while driving, you could find a dip in the trail or road, and suck in some water through the intake, and that ….would be a very bad thing for the motor. Now you have created a condition where hydrolocking is possible, and for those who don’t know what that means, it is when an amount of water greater than the volume of the cylinder gets into the motor. Since water is nearly impossible to compress, the piston can’t complete its travel, and the engine comes to a crashing halt. Oftentimes this also comes with things like bent or broken engine internals. If you’re lucky however, all you have to do is get the Jeep to dry land, pull the spark plugs, crank over the engine to blow the water out, and hope that it will still start afterwards. To prevent this from happening in the first place, you need to allow the engine to pull in clean, dry air from higher up on the vehicle.  Usually the air intake on most vehicles is right about the same height as the headlights, and on some vehicles it’s even lower. Even though a Jeep is considered a high clearance vehicle, the intake is still low hanging fruit when it comes to things like a flood.  So what does it take to get the Jeep breathing safely above water? A snorkel.  Yup! …The exact same thing you rent for your mouth when you go swimming in tropical waters.  For the Jeep they don’t look nearly as dorky, and have a lot better fitment, but the function is basically the same. When you install a snorkel, you are extending the intake, the mouth of your Jeep, to a higher elevation, hopefully one that is above the water line. For most Jeeps, if the water is high enough to get into the snorkel, you need a submarine to drive instead. But for most, a snorkel is enough to get you out of most high water situations. So what does one look for in a Jeep snorkel anyways? A Lot of it is going to come down to budget, what you can afford. I have seen some snorkel kits out there in excess of $750. Be advised, that snorkels are generally more expensive than a plain cold air intake. There are usually more parts, and more tubing, and of course, more hardware. All that comes with a cost. And in some cases, you definitely get what you pay for. The cheap knock off stuff on eBay comes straight out of China, and is not going to have the quality in fabrication, fitment or function as some of the higher priced kits out there. A quality snorkel runs up through your hood or fender and creates a new intake location for your Jeep. You can get special hoods designed for maximum snorkel compatibility, or you can simply modify your existing hood or fender to get them to work properly. That is one thing you need to be aware of when making the choice to install a snorkel on your Jeep. This is usually a one way item, meaning it goes on your Jeep and doesn’t come off like a set of LED trail lights or even a bumper could.  Body modification is almost always necessary during the install of a snorkel. So if taking a hole saw or body saw to your hood or fender is not something you’re willing to do, then cross this modification off your list, and watch where you drive. You want to make sure that the snorkel you are considering comes with everything you need. There are some kits out there that offer only part of the kit that is specific to the vehicle, forcing you to buy the rest of the universal parts separately. You also want to make sure that the company you are buying from offers both installation as well as technical help either online or through a call-in number. You don’t want to buy a cool snorkel, if it’s impossible to install. And above all else, see what other Jeepers are saying by checking reviews from multiple sources. Don’t just trust the review you see from the site you’re buying your snorkel from. Shop around, and be sure to check the forums and facebook too for any negative reviews. Outside of that, just know that a snorkel is also a great way to provide a lot more cooler air to your engine. Snorkels are often less restrictive in air flow than a factory intake and provide a higher volume of air to the motor.  Aside from a slight performance increase, your Jeep is going to look that much more rugged sporting a snorkel too. Now, if you want a good starting point, I myself would consider ARB or Rugged Ridge as good starting points. Both of these companies have literally decades of snorkel Research and Design under their belts, so they really know what they’re doing. One last thing to consider… Snorkels don’t make your Jeep able to drive under water. If the water is deeper than the bottom of your Jeep, remember that the thing isn’t a boat and WILL float before it will sink if you go in too deep. At that point you are at the mercy of the current until your jeep sinks to the bottom and can gain some traction. At that point, if the water submerged the engine, the alternator and battery could short out, and your vehicle’s computers likely won’t be able to keep the water from working it’s way past the connector boots, and once that gets wet, no snorkel on the planet can save you and your Jeep just became a victim of flood damage.  Here’s a bonus tip! Don’t crack your lights. Allow headlights to cool off before getting them wet. Often the sudden temperature change can cause the glass to crack if hot lights are suddenly plunged into a cold stream.

Jeep Life:

Hi guys! Wendy Yes I have a Hi Lift jack Yes I have used it several times. I have also loaned it out to others several times while out on the trail. One day I used it twice when I was wheeling on one of those difficult trails in Kingman Arizona. That day I tore the valve stem and popped my bead. I have also used the lift mate several times and their Hi-lift base. They are all amazing on those sketchy spots.  As a matter of fact… You guys will be surprised by this. I have a Jeep Momma How To video on the use of the Hi Lift Jack. AND… it was approved by the Hi-lift Company. You can find it on my YouTube Channel. Just search The Jeep Momma Where do I mount mine? I do not. It is inside my Jeep. Hi-lift recommends this to protect the longevity of the jack. They also have covers if you do want to mount it outside the jeep. Mine used to be under the rear seats and fits perfectly in the JKU. Now it is underneath the platform where my seats used to be.   Tony and Josh…I am going to mention one little thing but this does not give you permission to bring up last weeks discussion again. Josh… if you wheeled like I used too you would understand about my antenna being taken out by tree branches. There were times you could argue I was off the trail and in the woods because of not wanting to be off camber and avoiding the obstacle. Note… a little sarcasm there but yeah I tended to hug those tree lines a little to closely.  You guys talked about winter during last week’s fireside chat. Being I have spent most of my life’s winters in Minnesota, North Dakota and Maryland and now Colorado I have a lot of experience on winter weather and what you will need if you plan on doing any traveling in this kind of weather. Winter…means snow, ice, cold temps and road salt. Thankfully I have left the road salt belt. But if you experience a lot of road salt in your area washing or rinsing off your Jeep is so vitally important to protect it from rust. That road salt is a chemical concoction that eats away at your Jeep. Being prepared is so important as well. It could be a matter of life or death. Having equipment in your Jeep is a must. You should always carry what I call a road safety kit. This would be Jumper Cables, Fire Extinguisher, Road Safety reflectors/Flares, basic tools and a First Aid Kit. Always Always carry in your vehicle. If you are in a part of the country or are going to be traveling in the part of the country with winter weather you should also carry an Emergency Winter Weather Kit in this Snow Shovel, Emergency Blanket / Sleeping Bags, Flashlight with extra batteries, Food (snacks)/Water, Candles/Matches are the basics. You may want to think about traction like traction pads or some carry sand or kitty litter for this.  So those are the basics you should all carry in your Jeeps. So here are my Top 5 Jeep accessories to make your winter a little more bearable. Floor Liners – There are a lot of Jeeps out there that no longer have carpet, but floor liners are still a good idea for those Jeeps too. After a week’s worth of tracking in that winter snow it makes for a nasty mess in your Jeep. These floor liners help keep that slushy snow salt  mess contained and makes for an easy clean up.  Having a really good set of floor liners will help maintain the mess. You will want ones that are rubberized or molded plastic.  These types of liners normally have deep grooves to contain mud, slush or water, and tall sides to prevent those things from overflowing into your carpet or spreading throughout your Jeep. Which that chemical concoction of salt can rust the inside as well. Plus, you can easily pull the liners out and clean off when needed. Winter Wiper Blades – There are different kinds of wiper blades. Some winters you could use your wiper blades more than in the summer. Not only will you want to keep that wiper fluid reservoir full you will also want to think about getting winter wiper blades.  They are built with a protective rubber boot that helps keep snow and ice off the blade and uses a high grade rubber for superior performance in the wet winter weather. This is vitally important especially if you are crossing a mountain pass. You want wiper blades that won’t keep growing ice on them which means the windows are not being keep clear for seeing if it’s snowing.   Seat Back Storage – The Molle Seat Back Panel is the perfect place to store you Winter Survival Kit supplies. It’s an easy access storage solution.  Knit Hat/warm winter gloves –  There are so many different kinds of hats for the winter. My favorite is my black Jeep knit hat. You are going to want to have more than one, as well as extra gloves and socks. If you are out making a recovery there is a good chance your outerwear will get wet. You will want to change into something dry once you are back in your Jeep.  Ice Scraper – You will want to look around for a good one that will get that frost off your window quickly as you don’t want to be standing in the cold temps forever trying to scrape your windows. Not all window scrapers work good. If You are in a bind and don’t have one a credit card works really good. But you will need to make sure you use it with gloves on. Being prepared for winter weather is so important. You don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road in the winter. When I was younger our family was during a snow storm in the middle of no where in North Dakota. If I remember right we were low on gas and I think the gas tank froze up. It was getting quite cold in our car. Luckily for us an amazing trucker stopped to help us. I vaguely remember he had some sort of liquor in his Jeep and they poured it in my dad’s gas tank. Now we would have made it through the night because my mom was super prepared always in the winter. You just never know what will happen so always be prepared! Next week on the Jeep Life with Jeep Momma… Turkey Day is just around the corner Pause… and that means shopping for those Christmas gifts and Stocking Stuffers. I will share some great stocking stuffer ideas for the jeeper in your life.

Campfire Side Chat:

This week, “The Drive” released a story about a guy named DJ who is taking an old 46 CJ 2A Willys Jeep tub and a massive amount of tube frame construction and Frankenstein-ian fabrication and creating a mini track Jeep powered by one of Suzuki’s largest and most powerful street bike motors out of a Turbo Hayabusa. Now I don’t judge those who build their Jeep more for the street than the trail, but what are some of the weird street Jeep stuff YOU have seen either on the web or in person.  (It’s actually a cool build, and he’s going to have a power to weight ratio of over 570 HP per ton, which for the record, is higher than a Mclaren GT. And for those interested, we will have a link in the show notes for this episode to check out DJ’s youtube channel “LIMITLISS” where you can check out this crazy one of a kind Jeep build.) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y0gy4SAm4oUoeUrJDDm-w

Links Mentioned in this Episode 

Matt’s Off-Road Recovery https://www.youtube.com/c/MattsOffRoadRecovery
Winder Towing https://windertowing.com/about-us/ 
MAXTRAX Recovery System https://maxtraxus.com/
ARB USA https://arbusa.com/ 
Rugged Ridge USA https://ruggedridge.com/
Blue Ridge Overland Gear https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/
American Expedition Vehicles AEV JK Jack Base $60.00 https://amzn.to/36vmrpd
“Limitliss” Jeep Willys Turbo Hayabussa Build  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y0gy4SAm4oUoeUrJDDm-w

JTS Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/JeepTalkShow/
Jeep 4-1-1 https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver