All Things Jeep Blog & Musings

Meet Brian from Colorado Springs, CO. Only in a Jeep can you almost be arrested for driving too slow. Just ask him.

1. What are you currently driving? model? year? color? etc.A: 2002 Jeep TJ Sport Patriot Blue and a 2006 Jeep Commander Steel Blue

2. Tell us your favorite modification you have made to your current Jeep.
A: Teraflex LCG Suspension lift

3. When dd you get your first Jeep and why did you chose a Jeep?
A: I bought my TJ new in 2002, but I have owned seven Jeeps over the years including the two I own now. I love being out doors, taking the road less traveled and have wheeled my Jeep all over the country Rubicon, Moab, Superlift in Hot Springs, Tellico, TN and Paragon and Rausch Creek, PA. Not to mention exploring logging trails in Maine, the red rock canyons of Utah and the Rockies here in Colorado and other numerous trips from coast to coast.

4. Where's the most interesting place you've had your Jeep?
A: Not sure, our 4,000 miles trip last Summer from Colorado Springs accross the Rockies and up to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone NP in Wyoming, over into Idaho and up to Glacier, NP and then accross Montana to Little Big Horn and then following the Pioneer Trail back was pretty cool, but so was the trip we took in 2004 into the back country of New Mexixo, Arizona and Utah which ended with four days of wheeling in Moab.

5. What is the most interesting thing you've DONE in your Jeep?
A: Maybe rescueing another Jeep off the side of a mountains at 12,000'+ elevation in the middle of a snow storm on an ice covered trail that led from Buena Vista to Tin Cup here in Colorado.

6. Ever get arrested while in the Jeep? For what?
A: No, but I did get stopped and received a warning for driving to slow on I-40 out side Tulsa, Oklahoma a few years ago.

7. What music do you listen to while driving the Jeep?
A. Country or COntemporary Christian (XM Channel 16 or 33)
8. How many Jeeps have you had in your lifetime?
Seven, '78 Grand Wagoneer, '88 Cherokee, '94 Grand Cherokee, '98 Grand Cherokee, '02 Wrangler, '04 Liberty and an '06 Commander

9. If you could win any Jeep, past or present, what Jeep would you want to win?
A: 2004 - 2006 Wrangler TJ Unlimited Rubicon

10 Does your Jeep have a name? What is it? If it doesn't have a name and you had to name it, what would you call it?
A: No it does not have a name.

11. If it doesn't have a name and you had to name it, what would you call it?
A: I have never thought of naming it, but it is a Jeep, not an SUV and I correct people all the time who try to call it anything but a Jeep.

12. Is it a boy or a girl?
A: I would think it would be a boy but I have thought of my other Jeeps as girls.

13. Tell us about any stickers or custom work you have on your Jeep?
A: Currently I have stickers from Moab, Superlift and the Rubicon Trail as well a hood decal from Predator 4WD here in Colorado Springs where most of my mechanical work has been done and the others reflect my Military Service. As for modifications: beginning at the front end I have a Wonk custom front stinger/winch bumper with a Warn 9,000lb winch, Hella driving lights, Banks header, ARB snorkel, Kargo Master Congo Cage with Safari Basket, I swapped another guy my hard doors for his half doors with factory soft upper and Bestop upper sliders, an ORB roll bar, CB radio, XM Radio, Garmin GPS, numerous grab handles, fire extinguisher, saddle bags on the rear roll bar, Warn rear bumper tire carrier with two 5-gal Jerry Cans, Hi-Lift jack and a Wilderness receiver rack. Underneath I have ARB Air Lockers front and rear with 4:56 gears, Teralow 4:1 transfer case, SYE, custom rear drive shaft, Teraflex CRD50 high pinion rear axle with rear disc brakes, Teraflex Low Center of Gravity 5" lift running 35"x12.50"x15" BFG AT/KOs for day to day use on alloy rims and I have a set of 35"x12.50" Interco Trxus M/Ts on 15" steel rims for serious off road travel. I also have an aftermarket air conditioning system a custom exhaust so the lift kit would fit and use a Hypertech programer to get a little more out of the engine here in Colorado. In the summer time I run a Bestop Safarai Bikini, Duster and WIndjammer. Prior to my current set up I had a Teraflex 3" long arm lift and ran 33"x12.50"x15" Pro Comp M/T.

14. What's the most unique thing about your Jeep?
A: Maybe that I drive it every where, it is built to go any where so I never trailer it.

15. If you are a member of a local Jeep or off-road club, put a shout out to the club here:
A: No, I am a member of an online group called Ultimate Jeep (www.ultimatejeep.org) and we get together as a group several times per year at various off road venues around the country and I try to make at least one event if I can.

16. If you were a Super Hero and your Jeep had extradinary powers, what would it do?
A: Blow up the cell phones being used by idiot driver who don't know what a hands free, blue tooth are for or that it is illegal and just plain stupid to drive while talking on the phone. Other than that, my Jeep does just about every thing and any thing I have asked it to.

17. If you could chose one new gift for your next birthday, would it be:
- a new 2009 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
- a fully restored, 1941 Jeep Willys
- world peace
- a million dollar gift certificate to www.allthingsjeep.com
A: Tough one, as a Soldier I would love it if we had World Peace, but I think I would have to say the 1941 fully restored Jeep Willys would be too cool to pass up.

18. What are your 3 favorite products available for sale at
www.allthingsjeep.com ( http://www.allthingsjeep.com/ )?
A: I don't know, there are a lot of Jeep owners in my family so I like that I can find Jeep gifts on the site that don't bust the budget to buy.

The photo is from my trip on the Rubicon in June.

Thanks BRIAN O.

We finally tracked 'em down and now it's too damn cold here in Massachusetts to go camping. I know, I'm a wimp, but last night there was a frost here. So please, someone in a warmer part of the country buy one of these Jeep Camping Tents and tell me what you think. Write a review and we'll post it, even.

For about 3 years customers have been asking for Jeep tents and sleeping bags. I guess some vendor years ago made these and they were well made, sturdy, rugged, well priced, etc. etc. and then they stopped making them. Well, now they are back and made by a reputable tent manufacturer that makes some of the most popular tents on the market. There's 5 different models, from a 1 person "hiker tent"

to a Jeep Family Tent that sleeps 8.

All seem to provide really good ventilation and a lot of convenient storage places.

Maybe I'll take one home and set it up in the basement and let the kids sleep in it tonight. We'll paint some glow in the dark stars on the ceiling and put some spiders on the walls, grab a few chipmunks and throw them down there for good measure and test out the tents. I'll keep you posted.

We are going to print one of these and I am trying to decide which one I like best. Actually, I like the one on the right best. But I want to know which one my customers like best and we'll do that one. Which one? Leave me a comment.

Today's Episode of our Customer(s) of the Week comes from a far away place. Dave's address is an APO so he's doing something far away.

Customer of the Week Questions 
1. What are you currently driving? model? year? color? etc. 

-Mine is black, 2006 Wrangler Rubicon and my wife, Mary, drives a red, 2007 Wrangler Unlimited (the 4 door one).

2. Tell us your favorite modication you have made to your current Jeep. 

-They're both pretty much stock, I put some corner guards on my rubicon. 

3. When did you get your first Jeep and why did you choose a Jeep? 

-1984, I purchased an 81 CJ-7 and drove it for 12 years.  My Dad had a Mohindra while doing missionary work in India back in the 60's and early 70's...   I fell in love with the smell and mechanics of that old jeep.

4. Where's the most interesting place you've had your Jeep?

-My wife and I are active duty Air Force, stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England... that's pretty interesting!!   I've driven mine through London once.

5. What is the most interesting thing you've DONE in your Jeep?  

-I used to do a lot of 4-wheeling in my old CJ (I rolled it once),   it grew up in Kansas City, went to California for a couple years, then drove cross country to North Carolina.   That took me six days and a really sore neck!  

6. Ever get arrested while in the Jeep?  For what?  

-1983, I was arrested driving home from a club in downtown KC around closing time, they gave me a break and let me go after stewing in the cell for a couple hours...  Alright, they pulled me over for weaving too much...  I don't do that anymore!!

7. What music do you listen to while driving the Jeep?  

-Classic rock and roll, what other kind of music is there?

8. How many Jeeps have you had in your lifetime? 

-4, if you count my Dad's old jeep. 

9. If you could win any Jeep, past or present, what Jeep would you want to win?

-After WWII, it was cheaper to leave old vehicles in place (European theatre) rather then ship them back to the States.   There are tons of old Jeeps and military equipment that folks collect, restore and show.   The Brits just love them!   I want a genuine WWII Ford or Jeep Willy's left over here from England, that had seen some action back in the war and I want it with scratches, bullet holes and mud from 1941!!!

10 Does your Jeep have a name? What is it?

-My jeep is Sweet Pea II, and my wifes is Princess Boudica.
 
11. If it doesn't have a name and you had to name it, what would you call it?

-My wife wanted to add this FYI...  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica

12. Is it a boy or a girl?

-Mines a boy and the 07 is a girl.

13. Tell us about any stickers or custom work you have on your Jeep?

-I have the "Life is good" tire cover I purchased from you. 

14. What's the most unique thing about your Jeep?

-I like my 06 for the 6 speed manual transmission, 4.0 ltr in-line 6 -vs- the V6, oh... I think the digital thermometer and compass in the mirror is pretty cool!! 

15. If you are a member of a local Jeep or off-road club, give a shout out to the club here:

-Mildenhall 4X4 has a pretty active Jeep scene, I don't get too involved, our jeeps are daily drivers. 

16. If you were a Super Hero and your Jeep had extradinary powers, what would those powers be?

-The power to never break, self healing!!

17. If you could chose one new gift for your next birthday, would it be:
    - a new 2009 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
    - a fully restored, 1941 Jeep Willys
    - world peace
    - a million dollar gift certificate to www.allthingsjeep.com
    (this is a loaded question, we do hope you all choose world peace)

-1941 Willy's... world peace is asking way too much!!
    
18. What are your 3 favorite products available for sale at http://www.allthingsjeep.com/?

-Jeep Clocks, Jeep calendars and Life is good stuff!

Dave and Mary S.

Name this Jeep product. 

It's a Retriever Stick for a dog. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Available with all our other Jeep Dog Toys Here.

Welcome All Things Jeep Customer of the Week Episode 2.

Today we feature customer Cat H, from California. Here she is:

1. What are you currently driving? model? year? color? etc. 2005 Jeep Wrangler (Oreo - white and black) 4 inch lift, 33" tires (and dirt/dog hair in so many places I'll NEVER get that new car smell back).  His name is Hoss - studly, manly and burly but still a softy inside.

2. Tell us your favorite modication you have made to your current Jeep. The 4" lift.  Makes ALL the difference - no more "Oh Crap" when I'm a little too fast to avoid that boulder, now I sail right over it

3. When dd you get your first Jeep and why did you choose a Jeep? First jeep was 1999 - I'd wanted a jeep forever and was driving a seriously pathetic Susuki Sidekick.  That poor little Sidekick would get so envious when we saw a REAL jeep!

4. Where's the most interesting place you've had your Jeep? Ghost towns, ghost towns, ghost towns.  AND ONLY ghost towns! 

5. What is the most interesting thing you've DONE in your Jeep? Interesting or scary?  I recall the time I had to make a hairpin turn/switchback with a 600+ ft cliff drop.  My leg was shaking and I was cussing like a sailor.  Hoss, thank goodness, had the balls to get me through it.

6. Ever get arrested while in the Jeep?  For what? Only the stupid get caught

7. What music do you listen to while driving the Jeep? Anything and everything.  Although Def Leppard and AC/DC tend to make rock crawling so much easier!

8. How many Jeeps have you had in your lifetime?  2 - my first jeep was murdered by a semi!  I adopted Hoss a few days later.

9. If you could win any Jeep, past or present, what Jeep would you want to win? A Rubicon (dont tell Hoss).

10 Does your Jeep have a name? What is it? Oopps, was I suppose to keep that a secret till now?  Lose lips sinks ships!
 
11. If it doesn't have a name and you had to name it, what would you call it? Anyone that doesnt name their jeep is ASKING for a semi to murder it!

12. Is it a boy or a girl? Hoss is ALL boy!

13. Tell us about any stickers or custom work you have on your Jeep? My most admired sticker is the Bubba Mudflap decal.  Its amazing how many people ask where I got their picture!  I also have a bumper sticker on the back dedicated to my best buddy Ripley that passed away in March.

14. What's the most unique thing about your Jeep? There is NO OTHER Hoss!  He's one of a kind!  He's a ghost town exploring, rock crawling, dog hair filled bundle of fun!

15. If you are a member of a local Jeep or off-road club, give a shout out to the club here: No club affiliation

16. If you were a Super Hero and your Jeep had extradinary powers, what would those powers be? Travel back in time at the ghost towns and other historical sites we explore.  See and experience what it was like back in the 1800s in the ol' west!

17. If you could chose one new gift for your next birthday, would it be:
    - a new 2009 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
    - a fully restored, 1941 Jeep Willys
    - world peace
    - a million dollar gift certificate to www.allthingsjeep.com
    (this is a loaded question, we do hope you all choose world peace) Can I make that a 2 door Rubi?
    
18. What are your 3 favorite products available for sale at http://www.allthingsjeep.com/? I love the Jeep Tshirts for women - my favorite is "Mine are Brass". 

Thanks KAT!

Thsi week we talk with Derek M., from Needham, MA. So here are Derek's answers to our questions.

1. What are you currently driving? model? year? color? etc.

1997 Wrangler Black I6, 35 inch tires, 8 inches of lift, soft top, extra lights, the whole deal

2. Tell us your favorite modication you have made to your current Jeep.
Hmmm thats a tough one, the most comfortable one is the seat covers, the best offroad is the tires, and the coolest looking is the lift.  But overall my favorite mod would have to be my flag, it just makes my Jeep mine.  I made two flag poles that come off of the rear body mounts above the bumper and they hold a Coast Guard and American Flag.

3. When dd you get your first Jeep and why did you choose a Jeep?

4. Where's the most interesting place you've had your Jeep?
Stuck between a rock and a hard place......literally!!!!

5. What is the most interesting thing you've DONE in your Jeep?
To keep it family friendly I'll say going offroading and having the two front tires in the air.  It was quite a little physics experiment!!!  I had the front left in the air and the right was up against a rock, so i gave it some gas and the right jumped up over the rock :-O

6. Ever get arrested while in the Jeep?  For what?
Nope, but I'm worried every-time I drive my 1955 Willy's out on the highway for a mile to get to the trail without brake lights, head lights, a windshield, doors, mirrors, a top, an exhaust, etc.

7. What music do you listen to while driving the Jeep?
A mix of country and Rock from the 80's thump out of my 6 speakers and 12" sub.  My favorite songs in the Jeep would have to be Hillbilly Deluxe by Brooks and Dunn, Good Time by Alan Jackson, The Last Rebel by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Open Invitation by Santana, and lastly Hells Bells by AC/DC.

8. How many Jeeps have you had in your lifetime? 
I have had two in my lifetime, but thats pretty good since I am only 18.
9. If you could win any Jeep, past or present, what Jeep would you want to win?
I would want a CJ3B with a V8 Hemi, lifted 10" on 39's, with coils instead of springs, a sound system, soft top, Rockwell Axles, lockers, Atlas 2, Racing seats, and tons of other fun stuff. (add in about 10 sway bars just for good measure too :-O )
10 Does your Jeep have a name? What is it?
 My friends call it "the beast", I prefer to call it my baby however.  I guess we have different views of it! As long as they don't call it a car Im fine with what they want to call it!

11. If it doesn't have a name and you had to name it, what would you call it?
hmm If I could choose a name that everyone would call it I would say "the Moody Machine" as my last name is Moody and it doesn't always do or work the way I want.

12. Is it a boy or a girl?
It is a girl which doesn't make my girlfriend happy but my Jeep is definitely my baby, even if it is relegated to #2.  

13. Tell us about any stickers or custom work you have on your Jeep?
I have numerous bumper stickers on the back and the dash and the roll bar, I have my Go Topless Day sticker on the roll bar so I don't get any sarcastic comments about when I have my top on so it is only visible with the top off.  Then on the dash I have a I like it on the rocks sticker.  I figured that on the back may draw even more attention from cops when driving home on friday nights.  Then on the back I have a "you can follow me but its gonna hurt,"
"H2 Recovery Vehicle" "Paved Roads....Another Example of Useless Gov't Spending" "If You can Read this Im not dirty enough" "Where's Your Playground" "Cape Cod Jeep Club" "Tread Lightly" then on my windshield I have two "Aint Skeerd" stickers and a big Go Topless sticker in the middle.  I have a custom sound system and exhuast system (dual exhaust), home made side steps/rocker guards as well as lift and tires and many other small things.

14. What's the most unique thing about your Jeep?
The most unique thing about my Jeep is the dual exhaust, I have not seen many Jeeps with a dual Exhaust.

15. If you are a member of a local Jeep or off-road club, give a shout out to the club here:
Cape Cod Jeep Club is the best, although I don't get down there much cause of gas :-X

16. If you were a Super Hero and your Jeep had extradinary powers, what would those powers be?
To create it's own gas.  I like a challenge to get over things so I wouldn't want it to walk over everything that would make offroading boring.  If it could create its own gas then I could take it everywhere and offroad all over the place.

17. If you could chose one new gift for your next birthday, would it be:
    - a new 2009 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
    - a fully restored, 1941 Jeep Willys
    - world peace
    - a million dollar gift certificate to http://www.allthingsjeep.com/
    (this is a loaded question, we do hope you all choose world peace)

This post is for Jeep Wrangler JK owners (Wrangler 2007-2009) If you don't own a new Wrangler, go read the comics.

So, I love my 4 door Wrangler Unlimited (Rescue Green) but I have assorted pet peeves with it and the big one is that annoying tailgate that is always closing on me everytime I'm back there trying to get Sierra in and out of the back, or everytime I'm loading groceries, or unloading stuff from my trip to Home Depot, etc. If you have a JK, you are nodding right now. In fact, I think the only time I swear is when that goddamn door closes on my fingers or hits me in the a**. Aargh!

So yesterday, a product shows up here and I'm buying one. It's the Jeep Wrangler JK Rear Door Gas Strut. Open the tailgate or close the tailgate. Either way, it's a slow, smooth transition from open to close to open again. My butt feels better already. The rear door gas strut is under $50, and worth every penny. If you pick one up, let me know what you think.

Florida isn't known for mountains. It's more known for mini-golf courses and early bird buffets. But we just heard about a mountain in Florida called JEEP MOUNTAIN. Part off-road obstacle course and part tourist attraction, Jeep Mountain is being billed as the Ultimate Test Drive. Here you can take your Jeep up a man-made mountain, complete with man-made running streams and obstacles. You can find it at Sorensen and Schade Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Lake Wales, Florida. They have monthly Jeep meet-ups there where you can take your Jeep up the mountain. My only disappointment? No spinning windmills trying to block the way.

Check them out online at http://www.sorensenchryslerdodgejeep.com/newvehicles/jeep_mountain.jsp?ptitle=Jeep%20Mountain

This week's Customer of the Week is AMANDA from West Virginia!

Here's what Amanda has to say.

1. What are you currently driving? model? year? color? etc. --2005 Silver Jeep TJ Sport, 7.5 " lift, 36x12.50 super swampers, lots of other stuff.

2. Tell us your favorite modication you have made to your current Jeep. --Currie 9" rear end and ARB lockers

3. When dd you get your first Jeep and why did you choose a Jeep? --1992 XJ for my 16th birthday.  I wanted a jeep ever since my first ride in one in about 1985.  I always wanted a wrangler, but the XJ was the compromise with my parents.  I bought my TJ new after I graduated from college.

4. Where's the most interesting place you've had your Jeep? --An old coal / coke furnace beside a trout stream from civil war era in the backwoods of Virginia.

5. What is the most interesting thing you've DONE in your Jeep? --Not in it, but took it to go skinny dipping with a friend in the above mentioned trout stream.

6. Ever get arrested while in the Jeep?  For what? --Not yet.

7. What music do you listen to while driving the Jeep? --Anything but country, but while wheeling I especially the Hives and AC/DC.

8. How many Jeeps have you had in your lifetime?  --3, the 92 XJ, 05 TJ and also have a 81 CJ5.

9. If you could win any Jeep, past or present, what Jeep would you want to win? --1948 Willys Jeepster

10 Does your Jeep have a name? What is it? --Either Jed or Monster Jeep depending on my mood
 
11. If it doesn't have a name and you had to name it, what would you call it?

12. Is it a boy or a girl? --Boy

13. Tell us about any stickers or custom work you have on your Jeep? --Lots of stickers (most from ATJ) my favorite is 'Paved roads are another fine example of unnecessary government spending.'  I also have several "custom" scratches and dents from those mythical jumping rocks and trees that off-road folks know about.

14. What's the most unique thing about your Jeep? --The driver!

15. If you are a member of a local Jeep or off-road club, give a shout out to the club here:

16. If you were a Super Hero and your Jeep had extradinary powers, what would those powers be? --It would be able to regenerate and fix itself.  I would never have to replace another u-joint again. 

17. If you could chose one new gift for your next birthday, would it be:
    - a new 2009 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
    - a fully restored, 1941 Jeep Willys
    - world peace
    - a million dollar gift certificate to www.allthingsjeep.com
    (this is a loaded question, we do hope you all choose world peace)   --Preferably all of them except the 2009 4-door.  But I think Miss America has the world peace thing taken care of, so I'll take the 41 willys and gift certificate.
    
18. What are your 3 favorite products available for sale at http://www.allthingsjeep.com/?  

--1)The Stickers.  All of them.    

 2) The Jeep specific LIG shirts, etc.    

3) The flexible camera tripods rock!  Perfect for a video camera on the rear view mirror to catch the trail action.