Episode 578 – American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)

This Week In Jeep

The Return Of The In-Line Six Engine To Jeep Is Official – Sort of

Back in Episode 548, I talked about a story that shook the Jeep world. Back then it was merely a rumor based on a leaked document that hinted at the return of the inline-six engine to Jeep. The reason this is huge news is that it’s long been true that the 4.0L Inline six was the best Jeep engine of all time. And the return of this venerable power plant would be the first inline-six engine in a Jeep since December of 2006 when that famous 4.0-liter straight-six by AMC was discontinued. The news this week comes from “Well placed sources” and multiple agencies are talking about the New York Auto Show (scheduled for the week of April 15th) as the venue for the debut.

According to the latest buzz, the engine is still being referred to as “GME-T6″ which stands for “Global Medium Engine Turbo 6.” Early rumors are saying that this all-new engine will be available in three power stages and will be installed in different Stellantis products. The first to arrive will reportedly be the most powerful variant, the “HO” variant, or High Output, which will be offered for Jeep’s full-size Wagoneer line.

All versions will have a displacement of 3.0 liters, so there go the hopes for the return of the 4.0. As of now, we don’t know what output options will be available from any of the three tuned versions until the engine officially goes on sale or is added to the configurator. There are also some rumors that there will be a plug-in hybrid version of the GME-T6 engine that will be launched sometime in 2023. For now, though, all signs point to this engine having a retail name of “Tornado”. It is also expected to be used for the next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger, as well as some Ram trucks hinting at the possibility of this new engine being a torque monster. I’ve heard some people talking about a possible twin-turbo version putting out over 500 HP. But that’s just talking. I guess we’ll know more about mid-April, so be sure you’re subscribed to the Jeep Talk Show, so you don’t miss the latest jeep news updates.  

Mr. Vanderquack Update

In episode 513 I told you a story of a duck. Not as cool as a certain toe-tagged rat, but he’s a big duck. He’s A fluffy duck. He’s a stuffed duck of course, and he’s been on his way across all 50 states, from one town to another, being handed off from one local Jeeper to another in a relay across the nation and even into Canada and back. He even came through my area for a brief visit, and as of this first week of March 2022, The duck that has been passed around more times than a Prius owner’s mom has landed in the city of Youngstown, Ohio. Mr. Vanderquak’s Mov’n for St. Jude Jeep Convoy journey began at the beginning of September out of St. Louis, Missouri. Since then Mr. Vanderquack has been to 47 states including Ohio now, and the Jeepers following and supporting him and the cause he represents have been amazing. The trip is not over yet though, and the well-traveled duck still has 3 more states to visit, and many more towns to see between now and then. The goal is to raise $100k, and so far the Jeep community has raised over $91k of that goal. Mr. Vanderquck will eventually be auctioned off along with his suitcase of stickers and mementos that have been collected along this many-month journey across the nation and beyond. All proceeds raised from this entire effort will go directly to St. Jude Research.

https://www.mrvanderquack.com/

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: Tips and Tricks For Lifting a Jeep

As we record this, people are filing their taxes and looking forward to the one thing that helps a Jeep build more than free parts… TAX RETURN MONEY. For many, this is the only way big things get done on the Jeep-like major mechanical repairs, tires, or even getting a lift kit for the first time or making improvements to the one you already have. So I thought it might be a good idea to go over some of the considerations you’ll want to take when doing a lift kit install on any Jeep. This will mostly cover some of the things to do to make aspects of the installation go a lot easier, and the whole task go safer.

We’ll also be making some assumptions here. Like that you actually have the parts, the necessary tools to do the job, and a place to do the work in. I’m not going to go into why you need or want a lift or how to make improvements to your existing setup. We won’t be going over the types of lift kits, brand preferences, or anything like that. This is more or less a ten-thousand-foot flyover of the tips and tricks and safety considerations when lifting a Jeep or working on it. Ok, any Jeep that has coil springs is going to need those springs swapped out eventually. These springs and their height is what sets the ride height of the Jeep. These are usually the main components of a lift kit and determine how much lift you get. The removal and installation of these springs are also oftentimes the hardest part of a lift kit install. Shops take advantage of having a lift that can put the Jeep in the air and let the suspension droop. You probably have jack stands and that may not be enough. Getting springs in and out of a Jeep usually requires one of two things. Getting the axle to droop beyond its normal limitations so that the spring can be removed or put in easily, or by using a spring compressor. A spring compressor is an invaluable and simple tool that is available to rent from most auto parts stores for next to nothing. They can be quite dangerous as Jeep springs carry a boatload of energy when compressed, and can cause serious injury if not compressed properly and safely when outside the weight of the vehicle. So unless you have real tall jack stands, and can safely get the Jeep as far up in the air as possible while allowing maximum droop of the axle, you may want to consider renting this tool ahead of time. Speaking of the droop, here are some things to do to make sure you get the most axle drop possible. Remove the lower bolt from your shocks, you may have to do this anyway if your lift kit came with new shocks.

The same applies to the sway bar links. Unbolt the brake line brackets from the frame, unclip the ABS wire from the frame, and don’t forget to pop off your breather hose from the axle.  And if you have a Rubicon, unclip the diff lock wire to the axle. All these things will act like natural limiting straps and will prevent the axle from dropping as much as it would otherwise. Here’s another tip… position a floor jack under the diff and lower slowly, keeping an eye on the wires and brake lines. Having a floor jack under the axle will give you a lot more control too. To maximize the performance of your jack stands, look into supporting them with large blocks of wood. Typically called cribbing or shoring blocks, these large solid pieces of wood are big enough to go under your jack stand and give you anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of vertical support. A high lift jack can get your Jeep up high enough if your floor jack won’t cut it. Speaking of jacks, have a couple of spare bottle jacks around. These work well for manipulating pinion angle or for setting control arms or leaf springs in place. Coil springs are like screws, and they can be threaded in and out of position in a way. To put a new spring in I’ve found it was easier to spin it back onto the perch. First, put the top of the spring into the upper mount, and you’ll instinctively want to push down on the axle to hop the bottom part of the spring onto the lower perch. It’s easier if you put one corner of the spring on the perch, at an angle, and then just spin it into position. This requires less work and goes on quicker. Another tip would be to work from back to front. Doing the back springs first is like good training for the front. The rear usually goes a lot easier, since there aren’t all those pesky steering components in the way. I know we assumed you have the right tools, but here’s a couple you may not have thought of. Breaker bars. There will be stubborn bolts, and a standard breaker bar may not be enough, so have that jack handle or a length of pipe ready to extend your leverage. And if all else fails, torch it. A can of map gas and a torch head will run you less than $50, and it’s money well spent, especially if you’re replacing a pitman arm, or are dealing with leaf spring eye bolts. 

If you think you have enough pry bars and penetrating oil, you probably don’t. This goes double for 10mm sockets. So beef up your collection before starting. The same goes with some foam mats for kneeling or laying on. Trust me when I say that after hours on the ground wrenching, you’ll feel a lot better if you had some foam rubber under you. Those cheap pads from harbor freight work just fine and you won’t care if you spill something or bleed on them. And yes you will bleed. There is no way you can install an entire lift kit by yourself and not bust a knuckle at the very least. So having some first aid ready is a lot better than paper towels and electrical tape. Speaking of safety, here’s a pro tip… crack loose any high torque bolts while the Jeep is still on the ground. You don’t want that Jeep way up in the air and be reefing on a nut or bolt more than would be safe. Also, don’t torque everything down until you’re at ride height. Have all your torque specs written down and labeled out so you don’t have to go hunting for them when you’re all done. And speaking of being all done, don’t forget the alignment. Don’t try and drive your Jeep with a crooked steering wheel. This is especially important for newer Jeep owners, talking to you JK owners and newer… If you go down the road and your steering wheel isn’t straight, the Jeep will think you’re in a skid and will start applying controlling braking to correct an issue that isn’t there. Another pro tip for when you’re all done and everything is torqued to spec. Take a paint pen, and draw a line down the nut or bolt head to the mounting surface. After 500 miles, and at each oil change, go through all the fasteners and see if they need to be retorqued. If the paint lines don’t match, you’ll know something has backed out. Here is likely the most important tip I can give you. Get help. Having someone else there to get a different wrench, or hold something while you do something else, or just for moral support. Having a third hand and not needing it is way better than needing a third hand and not having it. Nothing will help things go faster or at least more fun than having someone else to share the pain. I know I’ve likely forgotten something that is a really good idea too, so feel free to call into the show and let me know what it is.   

Jeep Talk Show Interview

Matt Feldermann

American Expedition Vehicles

https://www.aev-conversions.com/

https://www.facebook.com/aevehicles

https://www.instagram.com/aevconversions/?hl=en

Coming up next week… Isaac B Salapat and the Kettle Moraine Jeep Drive

Jeep Life – With Jeep Momma

Tips For Your Passenger to Make Off-Roading a Little More Comfortable

In the past I wanted my family and friends to go with me on my Jeep wheeling trips. Some of them didn’t have any interest in off-roading. Some had zero interest in sitting in the passenger seat. I know a lot of people have a similar issue. Sometimes it’s just a lack of interest in being in the outdoors. But there could be another reason. I have been in that Jeep passenger seat several times while wheeling on the trails. It can be very unnerving as you are not the one in control of the vehicle. And for some people bouncing around in the passenger seat is hard and it is not very comfortable. You can get really beat up and for some nausea sets in.  Here are the Top 3 tips — that’s all I could think of — to try to help your passenger enjoy the ride as much as you do.

Tip #1 A good sturdy grab handle can help keep the passenger from bouncing all over. I love my Wild Boar Grab handle on the A-pillar. I also have grab handles on the Roll Bar. These are EK Sports and they come in a variety of colors.

Note: a YouTube fan commented: “A tip for roll bar grab handles, avoid the Velcro ones. Get the ones that connect with metal u bolt like paracord. I was shotgun in a friend’s lifted rubicon and we were guiding. She needed to spot on the trail so she asked me to jump in the driver’s seat to move the jeep up further on the trail. I grabbed hold of her grab handle to get in like I had done multiple times that day and the Velcro gave way and I fell out of the jeep flat on my back on the rocky trail. Thankfully other than a bruised tailbone and ego I was ok but it could have been very different. I have the @13 Cords paracord handles in all my Jeeps. Other than that, great tips! I have to get a new set of A-pillar handles for the JT. I have a set for the JK just haven’t installed them yet.”

Tip #2 When I am the passenger, and it looks like the trail ahead is going to get sketchy I will get out and walk. It’s not like the vehicle is going fast so you can keep up. It’s great exercise. It also allows you to get a different perspective of the vehicle on the trail and you realize it is not as scary as it feels like in the Jeep. 

Tip #3 Give your passenger a job like navigation or they can be your photographer and videographer. It’s always nice to have videos of your Jeep traversing the obstacles from the outside of the Jeep point of view. Also, you might get some cool Flexi pictures too. 

I posted a video on youtube and someone else commented with this tip. By positioning the passenger (and even driver) seat-back, more upright keeps you from being so jostled around and allows you to use your abdominal muscles to stabilize yourself. I could only come up with 3 so if you think of some other tips share them in the comments. And if you already haven’t subscribed a click on the subscribe button would be awesome. I am striving to hit that 10 k mark. 

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/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

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

Show notes powered by sevenslats.com