Episode 913 – New to 4×4
Did I Break the Law?
Your modern-day Jeep, JL/JT most likely has the ability to use Android Auto.
Warning, it is dangerous to drive and watch videos on your vehicle screen. I’m 99.9999% certain it is illegal in your state. DON’T DO IT! Funny how you can do a bunch of other stuff that requires you to look at that screen while driving though.
What is Android Auto? Well, it lets you Connect your phone to your car display—your Android apps show up onscreen, just like that. Tap to get driving directions or talk to send a text. Even call your mom, hands-free. Android Auto is made to help you focus on the road. And have fun along the way. Just connect and go.
At least that is what the android.com/auto says.
The Android Auto gods “little “G” only allow certain apps from your smartphone to be run on your UConnect system. Not surprisingly YouTube, or any phone app that plays video, isn’t allowed. Who the hell do they think they are?!?!?!
To be honest I was looking for a way to run Trails Off-road on my UConnect but found this, the ability to play YouTube on my Jeep’s infotainment system!
The trick is to download and install AAAD. It’s not on your Google Play store! You need to go to a GitHub website with your phone and download and install it from there.
I’m not going to describe all the steps, that’s what YouTube installation videos are for.
The only “gotcha” I had was making sure permissions were set so that I could install it.
Once you have AAAD installed you will be allowed to download one of several apps that do the actual part of running on your UConnect screen.
I selected CarStream.
Plugging a USB cable from the “media jack” center console to my Android smartphone enables Android Play, and after selecting it I can click on the app “CarStream”.
Now you can watch YouTube videos from a web-browser type of interface. You can make the video full-screen and it is very nice and easy to watch.
I think this would be great to use while you’re stationary and have time to kill and be entertained. Nothing keeps you from watching while driving, except your good sense. I’m waiting to hear that someone with a manual transmission is shifting gears, eating a hamburger, steering with their knee watching Netflix having an accident. Cops will check to see if you were texting and find nothing…. If they only knew, it was so much worse!
Oh, and this isn’t a challenge! Seriously, don’t watch videos while you are driving. Hmmm, I wonder if you can legally watch videos while off-road? This would open up a whole new world of “How-to” wheel videos!
What do you think? Is this something you would use? What will it mean if your kids, of driving age, see you doing this and decide to install it on their phones? Or your spouse?
https://github.com/shmykelsa/AAAD
Best Doomsday Vehicles
Top 5 Rides For Escaping The Apocalypse
Number 5, Chevrolet Silverado or Express
“Chevy makes a solid truck, there’s no doubt about it, and this one was built specifically for unforeseen emergencies. Although we can’t say that the zombie outbreak was ‘unforeseen,’ we can certainly classify it as an emergency. The fully capable 4×4 features a 5.3 liter EcoTec3 V8 engine with plenty of power (355 ponies to be exact) along with lower body armor, raised suspension, solar power pack, generator, military First Aid Kit, gas masks, a crate of food with Top Ramen and Twinkies (your new favorite food groups in this post-apocalyptic world), and a whole lot more.”
Number 4, Mercedes Benz Unimog
“If you are looking for foolproof security with stunning design, Mercedes-Benz G-Class might be the best option for you. It comes with a thrilling 4-liter twin-turbo V8 diesel engine with 412 hp. In the event of the apocalypse, nothing like powerful vehicles traversing mud, steep slopes, and water can stop it. This vehicle has many safety features like a multi-function suspension steering wheel, automatic climate control, and passenger airbags. Some other features like the anti-lock braking system and run-flat tires make it a brilliant off-road runner,” adds Armormax.
Number 3, Subaru Outback
If man buns survive after doomsday, it’s a world I don’t want to be part of anyway…
Subaru makes the cut for expert recommendations for doomsday vehicles. If moms trust them with their children, of course, they will be safe enough to get you out of harm’s way. “Subaru makes a whole lot of money selling a ton of ugly cars. No worries though, as they are known to stand up to a beating. Decent gas mileage means you can go where you need to get when the gas stations are out of power. The Outback doesn’t offer any more performance over the regular Impreza, but it does have more ground clearance and a cool off-road look. Like an AMC Eagle, except it runs. Giant swarms of locusts? Just turn on the wipers, hit the lights, and gas it,” shares Zero to 60 Times.
Number 2, Hummer
You have to figure that after any doomsday even hummers are going to have to be a reality. I mean 20 rounds of ammo is 20 rounds of ammo, right?
If you want to survive doomsday, you have to drive a Hummer. Well, at least, that is what most experts believe. “If nothing else, you automatically get the title of general when you roll up to the survival camp in this,” says Hot Cars. “The 2009 H2 gets 393 horsepower with a V8 and has a nine-speed automatic. It’s built like a Jeep with modes like 4-high, 4-high lock, and 4-low lock, letting you lock out the rear differential to bust out of tough situations and crawl up and down the steepest of hills. The H2 might not be as reliable but the GM platform permits lots of domestic repairs any time you find an abandoned Tahoe. The windows don’t allow for as much visibility but that’s a good thing! There’s less glass space to get broken, and more metal plating to protect you.”
Well, what do you think the number 1 best Doomsday vehicle is, according to experts?
Riven? The yet-to-be-released CyberTruck? Will there be electricity after doomsday?
Yes, I hear you screaming if not orally, in your head… JEEP! Well, sir, you are correct.
The Number 1 best doomsday vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler!
The experts didn’t say what model of Wrangler is the best but I think we all know it’s the TJ, right? Actually, they probably think the JL/JLU, I mean they’re not Jeep experts. 😀
It’s not about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared. “During the apocalypse, it becomes crucial most of the time to go off-track for your safety,” writes Armormax. “Therefore, you should consider a vehicle that is perfectly suitable for off-road adventures. The second important thing to consider is that the vehicle should have enough space to carry your gear. Because you need to carry plenty of items for survival like food, weapons, first-aid kit, clothes, etc. The Jeep Wrangler is an incredible SUV that fulfills all your needs. It can crawl up anywhere due to its excellent off-road capabilities and robust front and rear axles. Much advanced safety features further to make it safe. For example, it has a tire-fill alert system, forward-facing camera, and run-flat tires. Above all, its exterior is exceptionally strong and can protect its occupants from any kind of attack. All these characteristics make it one of the finest options for the apocalypse.”
These Jeep Wranglers will become your insurance policy for the unexpected. “The Wranglers are the highest and most commonly lifted vehicles you can get for under 200 Benjamins. The height advantage means you can crawl over bad roads or leave the streets altogether while Hyundais are left to the flames or aliens. A platform made for customizing allows you to easily loot parts off other cars or prepare the improvements ahead of time at little cost or effort. The front bumper, unlike most cars, is designed to repeatedly take the full force of the car as you may have seen in videos where one’s Jeep sits undamaged and some poor, little sedan lays nearby in mangles,” notes Hot Cars.
Jeep it’s a strange name!
Legend has it that the Jeep name was adapted from “GP,” a common abbreviation that military members used for “General Purpose.” The slang term had been used decades before, too, in World War I. A military dictionary called Words of the Fighting Forces by Clinton A. Sanders included “jeep” in 1942—little “j”—and included in the definition was “any small plane, helicopter, or gadget.” So while it was previously a broad category that all types of machines fell into, the 4×4 buggies quickly claimed it for themselves upon introduction.
That’s the most widely accepted origin story, but even Jeep will tell you it’s not entirely sure. There was a character in the Popeye cartoon named “Eugene the Jeep” and it could have been lifted from there. It seems a little less likely, but it’s worth considering at the very least.
Willys picked up on the name’s popularity and was awarded the Jeep trademark on June 13, 1950, after a seven-year legal fight. Everyone was referring to the Willys MB by that name already, but that’s also what they called Bantam and Ford’s machines. Gaining the exclusive rights to the moniker was key for marketing purposes and all these years later, Jeep gives a nod to Willys with Wrangler and Gladiator trims dawning the name.
Like most icons, it doesn’t matter where the name came from. Jeep is a name that means so many things to so many people, and really that’s what is important.
New to 4×4
Like most people, I started driving when I was 16. I had a car, thanks to my parents. A 1973 Pontiac Ventura. It had a straight 6 and a 3-speed manual transmission. AM radio and AC! The AC was controlled by rolling down the windows, or breaking open the triangle side vent!
I put 2,000 miles on that car in the first two weeks of ownership.
I met twin brothers just a few miles away from my parent’s house over CB. One twin brother had been given his Dad’s 72 Chevy pickup. I modified my car, and Gary modified his truck. I think, technically, the truck belonged to both brothers, but Gary was the one who drove it 90% of the time.
It was a 2 wheel drive truck, but Gary lifted the front end so it would sit level with the rear, and put on off-road style tires front and rear. The rear tires were much more aggressive.
Naturally, this made me want a truck. Fast forward several years and I eventually got my own 1980 Chevy Scottsdale LWB truck. It had a V8 in it. I leveled it out, like Gary did him, and put aggressive tires on it, but sadly it was a 2 wheel drive.
I drove that for a couple of years, but after getting a better job I was able to think about buying a NEW truck, and naturally, I wanted a REAL 4-wheel drive truck. I drove from Baytown to La Porte to visit a Chevy dealership. I found a 1983, brand new, Chevy Silverado, midnight blue, short wheelbase, 4×4! It didn’t have a radio in it, which was perfect as I didn’t want one of those crappy factory radios that were wildly expensive! As I recall it was $10,500!
More about this first 4×4 adventure on our next Jeep Talk Show flagship episode!
What was your first 4-wheel drive?
Must-Have Stuff for your Jeep!
HESHS Android Auto Wireless Adapter, Android Auto Wireless Dongle 2023 Upgraded, Convert OEM Wired Android Auto to Wireless,5GHz WiFi Bluetooth Instant Connect, Plug Play $42.99
HESHS wireless dongle has been tested in more than 1000+ cars and is compatible with more than 97% of wired Android Auto vehicles. You could use voice call wirelessly while driving, and get music playback, and navigation seamlessly from your phone. Begin your ultimate car travel life with family.