Episode 577 – Jeep Shows, Jeep Purses, Jeep Crimes
This Week In Jeep
Jeep And R. Riveter Make Handbags For International Women’s Month
It’s the beginning of March as we record this episode, and March is International Women’s Month in case you didn’t know… I’ll admit I sure didn’t, but in a timely press release, it was announced today that Jeep has joined forces with R. Riveter, the small platoon of military wives channeling the spirit of Rosie the Riveter through the design and production of custom handbags. The WWII icon of “Rosie the 
Riveter” — and the women she represents — played an important part in Jeep becoming the most recognizable military vehicle used in history. R. Riveter, now an official licensee and partner of Jeep, chose a vintage color pallet right out of the WWII era, and the original 1940’s Jeep Willys logo for the badging of its special Jeep collection. The company has made two styles of handbags, a larger purse retailing for $298 and a smaller pouch, you girls may call it a clutch, retailing for $68. As we record this your anniversary is probably still coming up… as is mothers day and a whole new holiday season, so now may be the time to get the gift of the year for the girl Jeeper in your life.
https://www.rriveter.com/collections/jeep-collaboration
Jeep Cherokee Gets Better
Last year you could buy an anemic 2.4L 4 banger Jeep Cherokee, and if you did, you’re probably ready to eat a bullet by now. Well, it’s time for an upgrade, and Jeep agrees. For the 2022 model year, the bottom-of-the-line Jeep is now over $35k and comes with some goodies. Gone is the weak-sauce 4 cylinder, you only get 3.2L V6 now, and if you like the look of the Trailhawk, but don’t want to fork out the cash for all the off-road capability, then you’re in luck. The “X” trim gets you what you’re looking for. 
A different front end is noticeable, along with the “X” badge on the sides, and the Trailhawk inspired hood graphics. You also get a retro “Four Wheel Drive” text on the rear, while also benefiting from a 1.0-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires. With 271 HP and all-wheel drive, this Jeep can still go places but isn’t going to be as capable as the Trailhawk model with the more sophisticated Active Drive II system with a transfer case.
Not Cool, But Funny
Just this last Saturday, in Hunting Valley, Ohio, various groups of cyclists were training for an upcoming race and could be found pedaling along the roadsides of the local area. Dawned in bright-colored logo strewn spandex and lycra onesies, fiercely pumping their multi-thousand dollar ultra-light bicycles up and down the shoulders of certain roads, it’s hard not to single these individuals out. They may often come into traffic, they’re distracting with all the colors and logos, and nobody needs to see that many moose knuckle and fanny packs, ok.? So it’s no surprise really, that the local police responded to complaints from said cyclists who reported a gray Jeep Wrangler with its top off and the occupants shooting paintballs at them. The first call came in just after 3 p.m. starting with three victims who were not injured. Just 90 seconds later, another call came in, with two more cyclists saying they too were fired upon. According to the reports, the shooter was allegedly leaning over the top roll bar and was using the paintball gun as a turret.
Around 4 pm police witnessed a vehicle matching the description in a nearby grocery store parking lot, where multiple individuals were putting the top back up. Charges were not pressed, but one other person had called in to report the shooting and insisted that an officer respond to collect evidence, as he had possession of one of the paintballs that didn’t rupture on impact. As of the time of this recording, no arrests have been made.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Wheeling with Aliens
I know Tony was very excited when he heard I was talking about Aliens on today’s segment. Sorry Tony it’s not REAL aliens, it’s other jeeps that are alien to ME. LOL, It happens. We get very used to wheeling in our Jeep (4-door JKU) so when other jeeps show up it can be foreign. And what I mean is how we get other jeepers through obstacles and over tough things that are a different wheelbase, or width, or driving ability. I know how MY Jeep performs and how to drive it. So I am very familiar with our model of Jeep.
On a recent club run a few weeks back we had 9 Jeeps join us on a run in Cougar Buttes, which BTW is the far west end of the King of the Hammers race. The obstacles we traversed were not the gnarly ones you hear about at KOH, but they are Black diamond or difficult, to say the least.
Our “alien“ Jeepers had all types of jeeps. We had several 2-door TJs, one extended LJ, and two JKs on 35’s with 2-1/2” lift kits. And we had a newer JL Diesel on 35s and 2-1/2” lift and an older TJ that needed some love that was trailered in for the run. A mix of experienced and brand newbies with all kinds of different rigs.
Now, Josh, you are very familiar with runs with lots of different Jeeps, so you know how you have to adapt your spotting for each type of Jeep. I was spotting everyone through the entire difficult obstacle so I had to adjust as each different jeep approached. I know how to spot and how to gauge and judge what needs to happen, but if you are new to spotting, or new to driving it is something you have to take stock of before you get a Jeep on an obstacle and then can’t get them through. We had to make some decisions that a few jeepers wouldn’t be able to successfully tackle an obstacle and stay damage-free.
There were a few obstacles that the 2-doors could not make. One obstacle, the shear wall is about 5 feet tall. And they just aren’t long enough to get their front tires up enough to grab and climb up, even with lockers. Mike Zen (member of the Zoom people) really tried but it proved just too much of a risk so they had to use the bypass. There was another obstacle where one 4-door driver decided NOT to attempt it. No harm, no foul. It is always the driver’s choice because they know their own abilities or limitations and vehicle.
But what if you are a newbie and in a group like this. Do you try it because “they all are doing it”? Or do you sit back and watch or do you pass and go around? (If that’s even possible.) This is something each driver has to decide but I do believe it’s also the spotter’s job and/or run leaders to help decide IF a driver and/or Jeep is set up enough to handle the obstacle. We always list what is required for a run based on the difficulty, but some drivers want to come and try. There is no shame in running with a group and not doing every obstacle. As a newbie, you can get out and watch, learn, and listen to what and how the spotter is getting each different type of jeep through. Part of learning as a new driver is to watch the same type of jeep you have to see how others get through obstacles. As a spotter, you have to be flexible to know that each jeep is different in how it needs to be guided through an obstacle. No two jeeps are the same. I learned that Don Alexander’s Jeep and ours, very similar setups, but they handle and drive completely differently due to his 40” tires on Currie 60 axles. Don’t be surprised when wheeling to find all kinds of differences in everyone’s jeep.
This was a great run, with lots of challenging obstacles, by-passes, and very bizarre weather. We were in the high desert at about 3,000 feet, which is normally very dry and warm, but the temps stayed around 40 degrees, with wind, and about mid-day we had snowflakes. YEP, snowflakes in the desert! We knew that Big Bear was definitely getting snow at this point.
At the end of the run, we said our goodbyes, met some great new jeepers whom we hoped to see on down the trail, and headed back up to Big Bear. It was getting dark at this point as the clouds had consumed the mountain range as we headed up. The drive was spectacular. Imagine if you will….. You are a Star Fleet Commander and tasked with moving your ship into hyperspace… YEP, that’s exactly what it looked like, huge snowflakes hurling at us as if we were in dark outer space jumping to the next nebula Or galaxy.
So yes we had “alien jeeps” and a HyperSpace experience driving home, and a fantastic run. I love wheeling with all sorts of jeepers and this run didn’t disappoint.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Last Saturday, March 5th, I took the 2021 Jeep Talk Show Gladiator on an hour’s drive to Conroe, TX to attend the 4th Lone Star Jeep Invasion.
I met up with Pete and Stacey of The Gear Spot. They graciously invited me and the JTS Gladiator to park in their vendor spot and adorn a Gear Spot storage system. You may remember me talking about this in recent past episodes. I was very excited about this product after interviewing Pete, and that excitement only grew when I was able to see it first hand.
The best way for me to describe it is to tell you to go to “thegearspot.com” and see it for yourself. This is an above head storage system that ties into the factory roll bar and the speaker bar. It fits TJ, LJ, JK, YJ, JKU, JLU, JT.
The funny thing is people would wonder over and ask me if the RED Gladiator was mine and after talking a bit I would have to point out the Gear Spot mounted in it. You just don’t notice it, that’s how out of the way it is.
You’ll be hearing more about it when we run Pete’s interview in an upcoming JTS episode. Thanks again to Pete and Stacy for letting me share your space and keeping me company all day long!
Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!
Rhino USA Synthetic Soft Shackles (7/16″ 2-Pack Green.)
$57.50 https://amzn.to/3pZaLp5
Set of two soft shackles.Comes with a storage bag.
Rated Working load limit of over 14k lbs
Rated Breaking strength of over 44k lbs. Compare that to most of the competition’s 38k breaking strength.
High-vis Green or flat Gray color options. Each shackle comes with a built-in wear sleeve to ensure years of reliable use.
Camp Fireside Chat
Spare Tire Talk – Does It Need To Match The Other Four?
(Why or why not?)
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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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Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard
Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol
Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon
You are invited to our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm
Jeepin’ With Judd https://jeepinwithjudd.com/
Must Have Item: Rhino USA Soft Shackle (Pair) https://amzn.to/3pZaLp5
The Gear Spot – Overhead Jeep Storage https://www.thegearspot.com/
Riviter Jeep Ladies Handbags https://www.rriveter.com/collections/jeep-collaboration
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