Episode 969 – End of a Legend?
Jeep Wagoneer S
The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S goes on sale this fall! It is an EV with 600 electric horsepower! WTF is electric horsepower?!?!?
It will go 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds with its 600 horsepower. Ah okay, it’s just horsepower and the engine is electric. I hate sales….
It has some fancy LED lighting in the formally iconic Jeep grill. Do you remember having a bad battery, or it wasn’t charged and you’d try to start your vehicle? You’d turn off the A/C, or at least the fan, the radio, or anything electrical, and pray it would turn over just enough to start. Okay now remove the internal combustion engine from that story.
The 2025 Wagoneer S should have a range of AROUND 400 miles and a dual motor 4xe all-terrain system.
This Five-seat will be by the smaller battery electric-only RECON later this year.
Chicago Tesla owners abandon their cars in -18 degrees Celsius weather, that’s about -1 in REAL temp measurement. Very cold temperatures DRAIN EV batteries leaving the vehicles immobile.
Two trucks, I suspect ICE vehicles, were deployed to move the dead Teslas as the line for Tesla chargers got quite long.
Will the new “call out” for work be, but EV battery is dead, probably due to the cold weather. This is better than a dead grandma’s excuse.
392 Jeep 2021 to 2024?
Well, that didn’t last long… That’s what she said!
The 392-powered Wrangler finally happened in 2021 and appears to be ending in 2024, yes Rip it’s 2024.
As Bill mentioned in last week’s flagship episode a document has been sent to dealers about the 2024 6.4 Hemi Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition.
So years from now which one do you think will be worth more by collectors, the first year, or the last year 392 Wrangler?
Don’t worry you can still get a Hemi in your Jeep, just contact the fine folks at America’s Most Wanted 4×4, oh and that includes the Gladiator!
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
What to expect on a trail run
So you’ve finally decided to join a group on a trail run. You might be wondering what you should expect. When you’re deciding whether to join this group on this run, there is some important information you’ll need to know so you can determine if your jeep set-up and driving abilities fit this run.
Here are some things that you may want to know before you go:
1) The description of the run will list the date, time, and location of the meeting.
- A) Meet at the trailhead or Drive to the trailhead
- B) Be on time – arrive early
2) Sign the waiver (if it’s a club or organized run)
3) Depending on your ability/jeep set-up, the coordinator may place your jeep in line around other “experienced” jeepers. They may leave everyone as they arrive. Either way, it’s all good.
4) Air Down – Even on a fire road
- A) Make sure you have a way to air backup
- B) 4 reasons to air down
- Grow contact patch for grip
- Smoother ride
- Aired down tire vs inflated tire: less likely to pop a tire
- Erosion control and trail preservation; less likely to spin tires
and displace dirt, causing erosion
5) Drivers meeting – usually about 5 minutes before the run starts
- A) The leader will review the trail difficulty and go over any rules of the run.
- B) Like no alcohol, or making sure when there is a turn onto another trail you wait for the driver behind you to make sure he/she sees you and knows to make the turn, and any other general info. They will also announce the radio frequency and a brief idea of the time frame for lunch.
6) Intermediate/difficult run:
- A) discuss obstacles
- B) you can ask for a spotter if wanted/needed
Once the drivers meeting is adjourned, you’re off and running
A couple of things to keep in mind:
Pay attention to the driver in front of you as he/she tackles obstacles, ruts, gullies, etc.
- A) Did you like their line? Would you make changes to their line for your jeep or comfort?
- B) At the obstacle, get out and watch – great way to learn
2) Lunch break: enjoy the views/company
- A) Bring chairs, an ice chest for food/ beverages
- B) What do you need for kids
- C) What do you need for the dog (water, poop bags, etc.)
- D) Bag with extras like paper towels and hand wipes, sunscreen, bug spray, hats and light jackets, and any other extras you may want/need for the day. Extra water and snacks are a good addition too. It’s really about making the trip comfortable for you.
Once the run is over you’ll air up your tires.
1) This is also a good time to do a quick check under your rig, just to make sure you didn’t leave any parts on the trail or dangling underneath the jeep.
2) Once you are aired up, typically everyone heads out on their own way.
I hope this helps those new to organized runs with what to expect when you show up.
(https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver)
Trails411: https://www.jeep4x4school.com
Fabrication Frenzy with Larry / JeepingMo
It’s Time to Build
Over the last couple of shows we talked about,
What front and rear one-ton axles to alter, and put into your Jeep?
If you want to build your axles what does that mean,
You will need a couple of tools.
- Angle grinder with cutoff wheels and flap wheels.
- Digital protractor
- Jack stands
- Jack
- A way to heat up the casting
- Thermo blanket to let the casting cool slowly.
- And a welder 220v is preferred.
You will need to cut off all of the old spring mounts for the rear.
The front axle will need the old control arm brackets and spring mounts removed.
Depending on the front axle you pick, you will most likely need to remove a section of the center casting.
Now once everything is cut off you need to source a new mounting system.
I have used some of the Artec systems and like how they locate to the housing.
Now that’s not to say the other manufacturers don’t do a great job.
You can set the axle on the jack stands and rotate the pinion to the correct angle you are looking for with a jack
Then set up the new mounting system, checking with the digital protractor.
After you heat up the housing, I like the housing to be at least 400 degrees.
You can tack everything on, now make sure you double-check everything before you start welding.
Now Keep that housing hot before you start welding, you want everything to cool nice and slow to avoid any cracks in the welds or casting.
Wrap it up in the welding blanket and let it cool nice and slow, if you’re trying to weld this outside in cold weather, that’s not going to let it cool slowly.
When you weld your system don’t weld from one end to the other. If you weld on one side then move to the other end of the axle and weld a small section, and go back and forth.
The goal is not to overheat the axle, and let the pulling of the weld work for you.
You would be shocked at how much a weld will pull things around.
When you’re done clean up the welds with a wire wheel and see how it fits.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
On the road or off you can damage your tires. Consider getting a GlueTread 4×4 Sidewall Emergency Tire Repair Kit and keeping it inside your Jeep!
Off-road use only, but if you need to get back to camp or a nice flat surface this quick repair will get you there. Only $59.95
They have several kits depending on the size tire you are repairing, just look for the Red Jeep on this kit and you’ll know you’re getting the right one. Don’t have a Red Jeep, it should work on all color Jeeps except blue.
On tonight’s episode…
News story(s) Jeep, and End of a Legend?
Newbie Nuggets Wendy shares some tips on your first trail run
Fabricating Frenzy: time to build that axle
And In our must-have STUFF for your Jeep! GlueTread, repair tire sidewall damage! #jeeptalkshow #jeep #jeeplife #jtschicchat