It’s Hurricane Season!
Want Your XJ to look like this?
I was cruising Instagram today and I saw a post. It was an advertisement for a company having a sale for the weekend.
As an XJ fan, and owner since 1998 I looked at this picture and thought to myself. There is a lot you don’t see here to be able to have an XJ that looks like this.
I’m going to guess this XJ is on 35’s, possibly 37’s there are many modifications and expensive modifications that must be done if you are planning to use your XJ off-road.
33” diameter tires are okay for on or off-road. It is highly recommended to re-gear your axles. 4.11 for 33’s, 4.56 for 35’s. (assuming you are using an AW4 automatic transmission)
It doesn’t stop there. If you have a Dana 35 rear you may not want to add any kind of locker with 33’s. If you have a 97+ Chrysler 8.25 rear axle, you should be able to lock it up to 35” tires.
Larger wheels and tires mean more flex in the uni-body, no frame on an XJ just shaped thin metal. It’s the shape that gives it strength. So you may need to weld on frame stiffeners to keep metal fatigue from occurring.
Speaking of metal fatigue, those big wheels and tires are going to flex your steering box that is attached to the unibody. You might want to add stiffening the steering box to the unibody as well, before it gets ripped off.
There is NO reason NOT to buy the goodies that aftermarket companies are selling, but know that you are just scratching the surface of all the things you’ll want to do if you’re planning on keeping your XJ for a long time.
It’s a great off-road platform, but YJ, TJ, JK, JL, and JT are more robust systems from the factory and usually require fewer additions and fewer $$$.
It’s Hurricane Season!
A turbo inline-six is blowing in to make converts out of die-hard Hemi V8 fans.
The comeback for the V8, specifically HEMI, has been going strong for 20 years, most recently for the 392 Wrangler.
I love V8s. I loved the 327 in my 72 Nova until I broke a main cap. The sounds, the smells, but wearing down the rear tires it’s just cool.
What if you could get the horsepower and torque of a V8 from a straight 6, the Hurricane?
The Hurricane engine displaces 3.0 liters and features a pair of turbochargers. Borrowing its name from a classic Jeep motor, the modern edition comes in various tunes intended to pull duty in a wide range of Jeep and Ram models. Two versions are available: a Standard Output (SO) version making 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque and a High Output version (HO) that ups the figures to 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque.
My 327 COULD have made 300 horsepower if I had the much sought-after (at the time) 202 heads.
Do you have a hurricane engine in your vehicle? How do you like it? How does it sound?
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Dogs and Jeeps
If you have been wheeling you know there are lots of dogs that love
jeeping… Some more than their owners LOL
Here’s some things to consider before you take Fido with you;
1) Bring plenty of water and a bowl. And towels if you are wheeling near water (lake, beach, pond).
2) Bring poop clean-up bags – and have a way to store it/trash bag outside your jeep. Pick up after your dog!
3) Be considerate to others – not everyone LOVES dogs (not sure what’s wrong with them lol). Drivers meeting and lunch stops, don’t let your dog roam around – please them on a leash.
4) Have a leash. Dogs need collar (or harness) tags w/ID so if, and when, your dog takes off chasing wildlife you may be able to get your dog back.
5) Check the weather for where you are wheeling. If it’s hot or humid you need to run the air all the time for your pets – if you don’t have air – DON’T take your dogs. We wouldn’t dream of taking our dogs in the summer in the desert – it’s just too darn hot. Also, our 2008 JKU doesn’t have air conditioning in the back of the jeep so we installed a small fan that Bill hooked up and we can hit the switch and circulate the air conditioning from the front to the back and back seats. May want to consider tinting back windows if you want to take your dog
6) If you’re running topless and doorless, consider tethering your dog so they can’t fall out. Also, consider goggles to protect them from the sun and things that fly into their eyes. Rex Spec makes a great goggle for dogs.
7) Consider Booties for your dogs’ feet – I know real Men don’t use booties, but if the ground is rock, gravel, pavement, etc, the temps outside make walking on that very dangerous for the dogs.
8) Have a first aid kit on board for your dogs. Yes, they can get a cut, burned feet, snake bites, etc. And know how to use it
9) Consider having extra food/water etc in case you get stranded and need to spend the night. This includes any meds for them too.
Share some pictures on IG of your Jeep dogs. We love Jeep dogs
Dog booties: https://www.amazon.com/dog-boots/b?node=3024169011
https://23zero.com.au/product/rider-seat-organiser/
(https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver)
Trails 411: https://www.jeep4x4school.com/
Fabrication Freezy, with Larry – JeepingMo
Caring for Your Best Friend
If you take your pet out with you while its hot, please remember a couple of things.
If you’re hot so are they
They need water just like you.
If you can’t walk on the ground barefoot, it is hot for them also.
And never leave them in the jeep with the windows up and no air, unless you’re willing to do the same.
Most of our pets don’t spend all day outside in this heat.
We had an issue with Duke a couple of years ago, his paws blistered and were bleeding. So at times, he has to put on the silly dog shoes.
So put your hand on the ground and see if you can hold it there. If not make sure your pet is protected.
Make sure you have a couple items for them.
Water
Food
Some type of shade.
Just remember, if you won’t do it, do make them.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
It’s summertime and that means Wrangler and Gladiator owners will be going topless! We here at the Jeep Talk Show would like to recommend you get rain protection for your Jeep, specifically the expensive electronics in your dash.
Easy storage behind the passenger’s headrest. Quick to deploy. You need this before that summer shower pops up and you only then remember you meant to buy a Dash Poncho!
Goto dashponcho.com right now
https://dashponcho.com/collections/all