Episode 553 – A Blast From The Past
This Week In Jeep
Vets Build Jeeps In Local Program
There are many that might consider restoring any Jeep, too much hard work.
But a group of 30 veterans from across Kentucky and southern Indiana beg to differ.
They are part of the “Operation Jeep Build,” program which creates friendly bonds and teaches mechanical skills to vets. It was created last year by Veteran’s Club Inc. which is based in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Jeremy Harrell, a U.S. Army Combat Veteran is the president of Veteran’s Club Inc. He says it wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership with Geahr Offroad in Jeffersonville Indiana. At their shop, the program has its own tools, workspace, and even lifts. Everything needed to create a really, really nice vehicle. This is the second time members of the Veteran’s Club restored a Jeep.
Coincidently, both happen to be ’97 Jeep Wranglers. The nonprofit organization aimed at helping veterans get connected with a community and help them build a meaningful life after military service is also looking at a possible apprenticeship program through Kentucky Career & Technical College. Right now the program is on pace to complete a new Jeep build about every 10 months.
Woman Loses Jeep …From Jail – Jeep Driver Gets DUI From Ditch Wheeling
Hows about a two-fer Jeeper? A little Menage-a-two? A woman in Big Rapids Michigan reported her 2007 Jeep Liberty was stolen. Unto itself, this isn’t strange, but this supposedly happened in February, while she was lodged in jail. So either she was serving time for a crime she hadn’t committed yet, or she is just now getting out and noticed it was gone… Or got out in February and is just now noticing it’s gone?
The incident is under investigation. Meanwhile, a Campbell County Wyoming resident was arrested for driving while intoxicated yesterday afternoon after he reportedly got stuck while attempting to off-road in his Jeep. The Jeep, a 2014 Wrangler, was seen by an off-duty deputy, stuck in the ditch off Union Chapel Road. When contacted, the driver, a 40-year-old male, reportedly told the deputy that he had been heading to a gas station from his home in Sleepy Hollow when he decided that he wanted to go off-road and that he wanted to see if his Jeep could make it through the snowdrifts in the ditch.
Smart. The owner of the Jeep, while speaking with the deputy, reportedly showed several signs of being under the influence of alcohol and was requested to perform standardized field sobriety tests, which he ultimately failed. The male was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated and no further action was taken.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Basic items to carry in your Jeep
Back when I first started with the Jeep Talk Show, over 100 episodes ago….. I had a list of some basic items to carry when you go out Jeeping (episode 426). Since it’s the first of the year I like to remind Jeepers that it’s still important to have certain items in your Jeep at all times and perhaps you may be new to Jeeping; this list is for you. If you are not new to JTS, then this could be a reminder to check that someone didn’t take something out of your jeep last year and it didn’t get replaced.
There are literally hundreds of things you can carry in your jeep that at the time may seem important but honestly, if you carried everything you saw, heard about, or read about, you literally would need a second vehicle to store it all. This is just a simple list of items to “get you started” and some are more useful than others and some more necessary than others. But it’s just a BASIC kit to get started;
1) Tow Strap – So you can pull your buddy out. Use an actual rated tow strap-not a rope. Ropes will stretch and break. Straps usually have a 20,000 lb. rating. (or higher)
2) Tow hooks/attachment points – Sometimes known as Recovery D-rings or shackles. You need something to connect onto with your tow strap. I like the soft shackles the best and you will need at least 3 for the typical recovery. Trust me on this one. Get 3, it’s worth the investment. These are important if you get stuck and your buddy needs to “latch” on and help pull YOU out or you have to pull your buddy out. Good ones are rated, spend the extra $$ on good ones.
3) Basic tool kit – a good set of tools. This would be at a minimum a couple of screwdrivers, a small set of wrenches, an adjustable wrench, pliers, channel lock pliers, a set of Vise-Grip pliers, and some work gloves. Put in some duct tape and baling wire, regular electrical wire, zip ties, and a ratchet tie-down strap – you would be surprised how many times we have used these items on others that have broken down. Sometimes you can “mend” just enough to get off the trail.
4) Hi-Lift Jack – there may be times your regular jack just won’t cut it. You do need to know how to operate this tool. This tool can inflict some real pain and injury if you are not paying attention (check out episode 462 for more details).
5) First Aid Kit – You would be surprised how many bumps and bruises you get climbing in and around obstacles. It’s very common to “slip” on rocks, ice, or loose gravel. You just never know when your feet may “dance around” and send you flying to the ground. Having a first aid kit with bandages, band-aids and disinfectant/ointment can help on the trail. Make sure you check this regularly to make sure you have supplies of first aid items and they are not expired.
6) Fire Extinguisher – Class ABC stored securely & easily accessible. This is a common item overlooked. Most organized Jeep runs require basic items to have onboard and this is one of them. Most people mount them somewhere in the jeep, usually on the pillars or roll bars inside. Make sure you can get to it in a hurry. Having it mounted way in the back of the jeep behind all your other gear is not a good idea. And double-check yearly that the extinguisher is still pressurized.
7) CB, Ham Radio, or GMRS – We’ve discussed options on a lot of our episodes. Ham radio is probably best but requires a test and license to operate. Most jeepers have moved away from the CB and are going with the GMRS radios. Cost-effective, easy to use, and it’s a fee about every 10 years (no test) for the license to operate them. They also provide good communication and you can connect to repeaters if needed in an emergency. The cost is a lot less than a HAM and offers communication. A CB is still great but with all the new technology out there, consider a GMRS for your next expenditure. Having reliable communication is crucial should you need it. Cell phones generally don’t work in the backwoods or mountains and trails etc.
8) Trash bag (Trash-A-Roo pouch) – This is essential to any Jeeping experience. Pack out what you brought in. DON’T litter, and take ALL of your trash out with you. In fact, pick up any other trash you see along the trail. The Trash-A-Roo pouch is just one brand that fits on the spare tire on the outside back of your jeep, so the trash stays out of the jeep. There are lots of companies that provide a “trash bag” at events. Pick them up and use them when your Jeep.
9) Toiletries – YES you will have to go when you are out in nature. How and what you do is just as important. Keep small Ziploc baggies filled with toilet paper, sundry items, and then use the Ziploc to store your waste paper – Yes if you are a female listener then you need to collect your paper waste and take it out with you. It’s disgusting what women leave behind. Having the baggie keeps it sealed and you can put it in the trash bag outside the jeep. Having extra baggies you can offer guests or other “jeepers” is a good thing too.
Keep in mind that these items should be dedicated to the jeep and always be there if needed. Don’t remove them – it’s always better to be looking at them than looking for them!
The Tony and Josh Show
We have something special for you. Tony and Josh used to do another podcast, The Tony and Josh show. Well in the next few days you’ll be able to have all 100 episodes of the Tony and Josh show in your hot little hands! Keep an eye on the Jeep Talk Show store to get your USB memory stick with 100 episodes and, we’ve never done this before, you’ll get a Tony and Josh Show sticker!
Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!
RAM X-Grip Phone Mount with RAM Tough-Wedge Base
https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-B-407-UN7U $105.99
This mount fits conveniently in the gap between your Jeep’s passenger seat and center console, creating a temporary but also very rugged mounting platform for your phone or other smaller electronic device. The mount is designed with a RAM 1″ diameter patented rubber ball and socket system that has adjustment points at both ends of the double socket arm. With the turn of a knob, you can set your phone to the perfect viewing and operating angle. The X-Grip is compatible with smaller handheld devices.
Camp Fireside Chat
A friend of mine is going up from 35’s to 37’s but going from Mud Terrains to All Terrains to save money.
Would YOU make the same decision?
You can join us around the virtual campfire every Thursday night at 9:45 pm when we record the latest episode. Subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly reminders and how to join via Zoom, or follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow) for notifications.
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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