All Things Jeep Blog & Musings

Here's some exciting news from our friends at JPFREEK Adventure Magazine. It will also make you drool with jealousy, wondering how YOU can finagle your way aboard one of the Jeeps.

---------- *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* ----------

JPFreek Adventure Magazine Joins Forces With Extrem Events for Paris-New York Transcontinental Expedition

JPFreek Becomes Exclusive North American Partner for World's Most Challenging Expedition Across Bering Strait

Houston, TX - 8/26/2009 - JPFreek Adventure Magazine today announced a partnership with Extrem Events, a German expedition company, to become the exclusive North American media partner for Mattias Jeschke and his Transcontinental Expedition team. The partnership will provide Extrem Events a new and exciting digital medium to publicize its much-anticipated Transcontinental expedition, whose purpose is to promote CO2 neutrality and alternative energies. Extrem Events will also be working with JPFreek to expand its position within the North American Jeep community and to expand its Initiative Partner 15000 project to further build its sponsor base for the expedition.

The team, which earlier this year commenced a yearlong expedition that began in Paris and traveled all the way to Russia through Mongolia, is soon preparing the second leg of its journey. The journey will be climaxed by affixing a pontoon-style attachment to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon vehicles used for the expedition to cross the Bering Strait. Once in Alaska, the team will be met by a third Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon piloted by JPFreek Adventure Magazine editor Frank Ledwell, and will complete the remaining journey from the beginning point of the Pan-American highway, south through Alaska, and then across Canada into the United States to New York City. [hope they stop at the offices of All Things Jeep!]

Frank Ledwell said of the expedition and partnership, "Overlanding and Expedition-style travel is one of the fastest growing segments in the off-highway industry. The opportunity to join an experienced adventurer like Mattias Jeschke is not only an exciting prospect but also one that we are excited to share with the entire Jeep and off-highway community."

The partnership is effective immediately and additional details about the partnership and community involvement will be announced in the near future.

About Extrem Events
Extrem Events was founded in 2002 by Mattias Jeschke, an accomplished adventurer from Germany whose travels have included a world-record setting expedition by altitude with a team of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon vehicles in the Ojos del Salado in Chile. Extrem Events' focus is on successfully completing expedition-style journeys while also enhancing awareness for important social issues throughout the world.

About JPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC
JPFreek Adventure Magazine was developed in March 2006 with the express intent of sharing a passion for Jeep vehicles and outdoor adventure with fellow enthusiasts, all while promoting eco-friendly and responsible off-highway recreation. JPFreek's staff takes pride in delivering a fun, vibrant, and engaging digital Jeep® adventure publication that is the only one of its kind in North America.

Came home from work today, opened up the mailbox & gave a loud whoop. A new CRAWL Magazine (aptly subtitled HARDCORE OFFROAD). CRAWL Mag has been defunct and without a publisher for almost a year. Earlier this year, a new team announced the acquisition of the magazine and the intention of resuming the publishing. If you like your rocks hardcore, you'll love this magazine. Find it on a local newstand and subscribe. We need offroad magazines like this. Support them.

Here's the official Crawl Magazine Press Release from earlier this year and a few photos of Larry Nickell, the new Associate Publisher:

---------------------------------------------------------------

For Immediate Release:

CRAWL2 Media LLC announces acquisition of CRAWL Magazine title; resumption of publishing
slated for Fall 2009

Montesano, WA, June 29, 2009 - CRAWL2 Media, LLC, owner of recently acquired CRAWL Magazine, the leading hardcore off-road publication in North America, today announced its intent to resume publishing with its first issue this Fall, 2009.

"I'm extremely excited, as well as humbled, by the wide range of support over the last several months," said John Herrick, publisher of the magazine. "It's obvious that CRAWL has a special place with the hardcore off-roader and bringing it back has been a labor of love. My goal is to build long term relationships, based on trust, with our vendors, advertisers and readers."

Ian Johnson, host of Spike TV's weekly Xtreme 4×4 program, has become a part of the ownership team running CRAWL2 Media. Larry Nickell brings his deep business background to the group as a partner and associate publisher. Brandon Foster, the award winning
photographer, will act as creative consultant.

For over 3 years, CRAWL has set the standard for creative writing and stunning photography. The new ownership team will continue that focus while bringing sustainable business direction to this independent publishing voice.

Information Contact:

John Herrick
Publisher
253-312-1428
john@crawl2media.com

Larry Nickell
Associate Publisher
509-760-0935
larry@crawl2media.com 

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And when you need the right apparel for your hardcore offroad adventures, here's our suggestion,  our Rockcrawlers Prayer T-Shirt, available only at www.allthingsjeep.com.

Yup, that's us. We're 6 years old, this month. But enough about us!

 How are we going to celebrate? By making this a great  month to be an All Things Jeep customer! We have good stuff planned all month long. I don't want to be one of those companies putting up Christmas Trees in September, but you just might want to consider holiday shopping a bit early.

Here's what is planned.

First - FREE Standard Shipping on all Jeep Products Sitewide, no minimum or maximum this week (through September 6th 2009). This is for USA shipping addresses and you'll need this coupon code: 6YEARS

Next, we'll be doing a buy 2, get 1 free special. After that, a great giveaway, great sales, and along the way, lots of freebies thrown into your boxes. (But we can't include birthday cake, it will get smooshed. Sorry.)

So hopefully you'll celebrate with us. Whether you make a purchase this month or not, please remember that we would not be here without you and it really is the customers that make a business. And we've got fantastic customers. Thank you for keeping our business growing.

Jean, Norman, Sue, Mike, Marc, Corinne & Sierra

(I really need to get a photo of all of us so you can see our goofy faces but here's Sierra - she's the cutest!)

 

You guys were holding out on us! After a month that gave us only a single entry into our It's a Jeep Thing, You wouldn't understand Jeep Contest, the entries are pouring in. Thank you so much. They are so fun to watch. And they all embody the Jeep spirit.

 You can find all the videos by going to http://www.youtube.com/ and searching for "allthingsjeep contest" and/or "all things jeep contest".

The contest runs through Monday, August 31st. So you have all weekend to plan some Jeep fun and show us what you got! Here are the rules again $500 Gift Certificate Jeep Contest Rules

 and here are some of our favorite Jeep videos.

 

also love this one (can't beat the XJ)...

Honestly I cannot believe we've only got one entry into our "It's a Jeep Thing" Contest. What's wrong with everyone? Five hundred dollars to spend on Jeep Products at All Things Jeep is the top prize. Did we offend you? Do you not have a digital camera with video mode? Are you on vacation? Is it in the works? What?!?!

On the other hand, we have an awesome entry into the contest. Worthy of $500? Maybe. Or do you have something better up your sleeve? Take a look...

 

Love the mud on the camera. Nice job Chuck and James!

As a Jeep Wrangler 4 door owner, there are lots of new Jeep Wrangler JK Accessories available for my Jeep. But there hasn't been the one I've really wanted until now. I am happy to report that the  Spiderweb Shadetop for a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2007, 2008, 2009 4 Door JK is Now Available.

There's also one for the 2 door JK. --> Spiderweb Shadetop for Jeep 2007 2008 2009 2 Door Wrangler

As a recap to an earlier post I made about Jeep Windshield Channels when these first came out, the shadetop is

1. Super easy to install.

2. Does not require a windshield channel.

3. Can be installed and left on under a Jeep soft top or hard top.

The thing I always find annoying about Jeep bikini tops is that damn windshield channel. If you use a summer top, you need a windshield channel. And if you want to run with a soft top on, you need to take the windshield channel off. On off. On off. Until this Wrangler Summertime Top came along.

Here's a short video that shows the installation of this Jeep top on a Wrangler. It's quick, easy, and will keep the sun off your head.  

 

The Spider Web Shade Top can be configured in multiple ways so you get just what you need for each ride.
- As a Full Shade summer top, it keeps the sun off you and your passengers keeping you cool and protected from too many rays
- Fold under the back of it to make a handy "stowaway" storage area to keep small items from blowing away - Drop it down behind the front seats and get the "WhatWind" configuraton which will dramatically reduce the wind blowing and noise level in the cab area.  (This is similiar to the Mesh "WindJammers" sold by other companies.)

The SpiderWeb ShadeTop^TM perfectly covers the front and rear seats of your Jeep Wrangler and keeps the cab lit with sun without scorching you. It also dramatically reduces the wind you feel on your face and in your ears when going at faster speeds.

And according to the manufacturer the ShadeTop catches 90% of the sun's harmful UV rays and reduces temperature inside the Jeep by an AMAZING 32% while still allowing just enough sunlight and moonlight through to enjoy the open air feeling. Finally, you can talk on the phone at 70mph with the top down.

SpiderWeb^TM ShadeTop^TM for Jeeps proudly uses the finest commercial grade shade material, capable of blocking as much as 99% of ultraviolet rays, including 97% shade rating.

Installation takes only 10 minutes and there are no tools required. The best part is that it will NOT interfere with any other top applications. Install it under your hard top, soft top or even under a bikini. There is no hardware to buy, it attaches securely with the provided heavy-duty bungee-corded balls. There are no seams, ensuring a durable application.

So what are you waiting for? Get it now and start enjoying your Jeep more!

 

So, a few off-roading trips, a Jeep show and many conversations with those in the know has led me to reevaluate my original thoughts on the perfect Jeep for me. I once had high hopes and strict guidelines that seem to relax a little more each day. I wanted to revisit that original list of requirements and update you on where I stand with each now...

The original list, then & now...

TJ:
The thinking then: Despite Mike's undying love of his XJ, I want the openness of a Wrangler. I just can't afford a JK. I don't think I have the skills to restore and modify a CJ, but someday I will. So, the decision between TJ and YJ came down to the TJ's move away from the leaf spring suspension -- coils just provide a much smoother ride on the highway. Less importantly, I prefer the look of the round headlights.

The thinking now: I still want a Wrangler -- 4-wheeling for me serves the same purpose as backpacking or kayaking, getting outside and enjoying nature. It's more enticing to have an open top and no doors. I still can't afford a JK. I'm loosening up on accepting a YJ or CJ into my life. I assumed that all CJ's would be pretty little collectors' item -- no abuse allowed. There's only a limited number left and you have to take care of the ones still in existence, right? So wrong. I have gotten to see some beautiful CJ's tear up the trail and no one cares if they get a little trail pinstriping. They are also not all in such bad shape that the offer of beer and pizza to anyone who wanted to help couldn't get one trail ready.

On the matter of YJ's, they certainly can be found for a lot less money -- a big plus in my book right now. I can also learn to live with the differences in suspension. My Subaru will still be responsible for most long-haul trips, like visiting my sister or brother in Boston. The Jeep will of course, do most of the short hauls. I can live with a lesser suspension over a few miles. As for the 2-3 hours it takes to get to a good off-road trail, I can suck it up. A girl can suck up just about anything on a trail ride day! I have also grown really fond of square headlights. Maybe it's because of some things I've seen YJ's do on the trail, maybe it's my new love of classic Jeeps. Whatever it is, they just look cool -- sometimes you don't need to think about things any more deeply than that!

Manual Transmission:
The thinking then: Definitely a personal choice thing. Lots of people on different boards swear by their automatic transmission, but there's just so much more control with a manual. NB: Automatic transmission are more expensive to replace.

The thinking now: Alright, so not everything's changed. I still feel like a stick is where it's at. I've watched my JonFund friends do some amazing things just by manipulating the clutch and never touching the gas or break.

Never Been Off-Road:
The thinking then:If you've already beaten it up off road, I don't want it. I want to be the one to beat it up! I've become extremely wary of tow hooks and lifts, even if I know they were only added for show.

The thinking now:Was I completely mental or just naive? Money's tight and modifications are expensive. Yes, I have some good connections that can get me parts at a discount rate. Yes, I know people who will give their time to help do work in exchange for beer and pizza. Unfortunately, even the cost of cheap parts and victuals adds up. My first rig -- and all subsequent rigs, of course -- but especially my first rig will get beat to hell as I really learn how to drive off-road. All the observation hours in the world won't actually get me ready to drive on my own. There is no limit to the amount of beatings a good Jeep can take, especially if it gets a little love in between. I'm over it. Not to say that someday, when money springs eternal, I won't take a pristine, stock Jeep and modify the poop out of it, then gladly showing off each and every piece of damage like it was a child I had produced from my loins. I've said in the past that I like a car with some history, what's better history than a lifetime of wheeling?

6 Cylinder Engine: 
The thinking then: Bad ass girls drive bad ass toys. Enough said.

The thinking now:Other than the correction you all gave me about I vs. V, this one hasn't changed either. The difference in power really can be the deciding factor between owning an obstacle or the obstacle owning you; I've seen it first hand.

It's summertime again and that means another ALL THINGS JEEP CONTEST!

Yup, it's time to try and Win our Money! A $500 Gift Certificate to AllThingsJeep.com to be exact. Can you say, "Sweeeet!"

This year we have something that's really gonna make you work! It's very simple in idea, and potentially complex in the execution of your entry. it's profound, really. Simply answer the question we pose here:

It's a Jeep Thing...You wouldn't understand. WHY?

Yes, WHY?

Tell us why it's a Jeep thing. Better yet, SHOW us why it's a Jeep thing.

We want you to create a short video (using a camcorder or the video mode of your digital camera) showing us why it's a Jeep thing. (Is your brain already thinking of what you could do? Good!)

So create that short video (30 seconds to 5 minutes is what we figure), upload it onto www.YouTube.com (for the world to see). Add some tags which will help us identify it as a contest entry. ex) All Things Jeep Contest

And maybe YOU could be the lucky winner of a $500 Gift Certificate to AllThingsJeep.com.

There's a bunch of rules and requirements (nothing you can't handle). You'll find them all here.

All Things Jeep Contest to win $500 Gift Certificate

We imagine all sorts of cool entries - rock crawling, rap songs, improvisational dance routines, poetic interpretations spoken while fender deep in mud. You get the idea. And we can't wait to see them.

If you are not the creative type, or your camera still requires that you take your film down to Walmart to have it developed, well then sorry. Please participate by viewing the videos and voting for the ones you like best. They should be a lot of fun.

Frankly, this contest requires some effort. We don't expect a lot of entries because so many people are lazy. But that increases YOUR odds of winning. So skip work, rustle the kids out of bed, and get going! Your odds are good!

The contest runs the month of August 2009 and we'll post winners the first week of September. Let the games begin!

It's $10 dollar tee shirt Tuesday again at www.allthingsjeep.com.

See them all right here:

Ten Tees. Each Ten Dollars. Today. Tuesday.

(We love alliteration.)

(This sale includes some brand new women's Jeep-brand Tank Tops that have finally showed up at the point in time when the summer is almost just winding down. We don't need them here all winter so start shopping!) And spread the word. The more successful this day is, the more often we'll do it.

 This blog post is being written to answer the question "Should I get a Jeep soft top or a Jeep summer top for the nice weather?" and is really written for the new, confused Jeep owner (just like I used to be... and sometimes still am!)  I will try and answer all the questions people ask on the phone when they call about this topic. My Jeep came with a hardtop and as summer approached, I wanted, of course, to be able to be topless in the Jeep. But what top to get --- a soft top that you can fold back or a summertime top like a Bestop Bikini Top or Bestop Safari Top? It can be very confusing. Hopefully, after this short blog post, you'll know everything you need to know to make a decision.

One note. Readers, please chime in with any additional information that can help others. 

Jeep Hardtop owners who want to go topless in the summer have 3 choices and I've listed my pros/cons on each choice.

1.    Remove your hard top. Replace it with nothing. Enjoy.

Pros:

• Doesn't cost you anything.
• You enjoy the open air feeling all the time.
• You don't need to fiddle with setting up any top.
• People smile at you when you drive by. (They're jealous.)
• It's a chick or guy magnet.

Cons:

• When it rains, you get wet.
• When it's cool, you'll need to bundle up.
• When it's cold, you'll wish you had a top.
• People laugh at you when you drive by. (They're glad it's you, not them, getting soaked in the storm.)
• Other Jeep owners empathize.

60 degrees and sunny feels a lot cooler traveling in an open air Jeep at 30-40mph and when the sun goes down, it can feel actually cold.

2.    Remove your hardtop. Replace it with a Jeep Soft Top.

Pros:

• Flexibility. You can get the open air feeling by removing your side windows and rear window or enjoy a true topless experience by folding the top all the way back.
• When it gets cold, the mosquitoes and black flies are attacking, or when it rains, you can fold the top back up, pop in the windows and you will be fully enclosed again.

Cons:

• A soft top is expensive. It will run you $500 - $1200 depending upon the year/model Jeep you have.
• Until you are a pro at it, the process of folding the top up and down, and zipping out/in the windows will take you 15-30 minutes.
• If you are short, it is virtually impossible to do alone. (I have to climb up onto the Jeep or sometimes IN the Jeep to manage this alone and if someone is around, I'll always beg for help.)
• When you do fold the top down, you first have to take out the windows and store them somewhere. If you don't store them safely in a clean, dirt free area, pretty soon you won't be able to see out of them. It's amazing how scratched up they can get. [ Shameless Plug for a product we carry: The Cloverpatch Window Roll for Jeeps is a simple, affordable solution that lets you take your windows with you, but keeps them safely stored, rolled up and out of the way. ]

NOTES: If you've never had a soft top before, make sure you choose one that comes with all the hardware - the "bows" that act as it's moving frame (or "skeleton"), holding the fabric on. In the Bestop Line, this is the Bestop Supertop product line. (If you already have the soft top hardware and just need the replacement fabric, you would choose the Bestop Replace-A-Top, which uses existing hardware.)

3.    Remove your Jeep hard top. Replace it with a Jeep summer top.

Think of a summertime top as simply a "tarp" or "sheet" that connects to your Jeep's frame and covers the area above your head. Given that the area on the sides of you is completely open, a summer top doesn't offer much protection from anything other than a hot sun or light rain. It shades your head and eyes.

There are 2 styles of summer top.

Material sized to cover JUST the 2 front seats of the Jeep. Bestop calls this their Bikini Top (and they've trademarked that name, even though it's become a universal term for this type of top). Rampage Products calls theirs the "California Top" or the "Brief". Vertically Driven Products calls theirs the "Brief Top".

If you have passengers in the backseat and want to be considerate, then you can choose the style that covers the area above the front seats and the back seats. This is a larger area to cover. This is Bestop's Safari Tops, Rampage Products "Island Topper" or Combo Brief (love that product!) or Vertically Driven Product's "Full Brief". Every vendor names their product differently but the main point is coverage for just the front seats or coverage for both front and back.

Ok, now, with a summertime top you will need an attachment point up at the top of your windshield. They don't use the attachment points your hardtop or soft top did. That means you need to purchase an additional piece of hardware called a Jeep Windshield Channel and attach it to your Jeep. This is nothing more than a long piece of metal that screws (older Jeeps) or clamps (newer Jeeps) onto your windshield, and provides a channel for the summer top to slide into.

So, here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of a summer top.

Pros:

• A true open air feel, while avoiding sunburn and some light raindrops. You'll see a lot of summer tops out on the trail, when the folks know they'll be out in the sun all day and want some protection.
• A summertime solution that will cost you under $200 (top and windshield channel), and often much less.

Cons:

• Cold, mosquitoes, sudden rainstorms.
• Also, when you want to remove the top and replace it with a hard top or soft top, you need to remove the windshield channel too. (Windshield channels and soft tops can't be used at the same time.*)

Frankly, we sell a lot of summer top to these types of Jeep owners:

• Jeepers who live in dry climates where is rarely rains.
• Folks who can house their Jeep in the garage when the weather stinks.
• Owners whose Jeep is not their daily driver, but just a fun vehicle to take out on nice, sunny days.
• And finally, to those hardcore Jeepers who don't give a damn about the weather, the bugs, etc. Their motto is, "If you wanted to be comfortable, you should have purchased a Honda." (I love those guys!)

* One of our favorite products is the Spiderweb Shade Top which does not require a windshield channel and can stay on your Jeep even when you put your soft or hard top back on. This shadetop bungees to your rollbar. Pretty neat.

Personally, here are my stats:

-live in New England with extremely unpredictable weather

-my Jeep is my daily driver

-I have yet to snag a parking space in the garage

Thus, I have a soft top on my Jeep and can enjoy the weather when it's great, and stay warm and dry when it's crappy out.

But if I moved to Arizona or Nevada where it rains 2 days a year, I'd go bikini top all the way (sorry passengers in the back seat. Get your own Jeep!)

Hope that helped a little bit. Post your questions/comments here and we'll try and answer them for you. Which top do you have and why?