All Things Jeep Blog & Musings

You may not know this, but our east coast office is still located in the small Massachusetts town where All Things Jeep was founded. One of the wonderful things about a little New England town, in addition to post-card worthy rural scenery and the sense of community, is that you run into people you know when you least expect it. Just this morning, I ran into Jean Wnuk, co-founder of ATJ, getting gas and coffee at the local refueling spot. I was lucky enough to work with Jean and her husband, Norman, as an intern when ATJ was still run out of a historic mill building.

After our brief hello, I started thinking about the time I spent with Norman and Jean and the fledgling online Jeep gift store that I watched them pour their hearts into. Many of you knew Jean and Norm, either through the Jeep community or from being customers of All Things Jeep. You knew their love for these crazy vehicles, their passion for their customers, and their dedication to making ATJ a success. Many of you also knew the sorrow that we felt when Norman passed away unexpectedly in November of 2009.

Seeing Jean this morning brought me back to the roots of our company and made me think once again how lucky we are to have been founded by partners in love and life with such a strong vision for their business - to be the #1 source for unique Jeep gift items.

Next time you start your Jeep, think of Norman, a man who lived and breathed the Jeep life. It's a Jeep thing...yeah, he understood.

Lindsey @ ATJ

About All Things Jeep

So you want to go topless…

One of our favorite features on the Wrangler is the ability to take the top off.  The sun on your face, the wind in your hair, and nothing above you but open sky; ­there’s nothing better. We love taking the top off so much, we even started an annual celebration over 7 years ago – Go Topless Day! What’s that, you say?  You only have a hardtop?  Your freedom panels aren’t giving you the open air ride you desire?  We understand, and believe us when we say, topless Jeeps have more fun! Here we'll explore the different options available for your first summer or soft top.

Soft Top Style - the Best of Both Worlds

A complete soft top kit is the best choice for Jeepers who want the topless ride and 100% waterproof protection.  Complete soft tops come in two styles – full frame and frameless.  Both full frame and frameless complete soft tops will include everything you need to switch to a soft top setup, including the door surrounds, tailgate bar, windshield channel, soft top, windows, and any other hardware necessary for installation. Read on to find out the difference between the two styles of complete soft top.

Full frame soft tops are most similar to the factory soft tops and feature metal bows to support the top’s fabric, removable side and rear windows, and a sunroof on certain models.  The advantage to a framed top is that the bows stay attached to the roll bars at all times.  This means that you can easily undo the top from the windshield and flip it all the way back for the topless experience.  The bows lay flat along the sides of the cargo area while the fabric of the top folds behind the rear seat.  If the clouds roll in, it’s just as simple to pull the top back up and reattach it.  Even with windows, it takes less than 5 minutes to fold down or put up a fully framed soft top once you've gotten the routine down. The versatility and weather protection offered by a complete framed soft top is unbeatable.  

The other option for a complete soft top kit is a frameless soft top. As the name implies, these tops do not use a metal bow system to support the fabric, but rather your Wrangler’s roll bars. This means that the top will follow the contours of your roll bars in the cargo area. For 4 door Wranglers, this does lead to a slight decrease in overhead cargo space when the rear windows are installed.  This decrease in overhead cargo space is not as noticable on the 2 door models.  On frameless tops that feature removable side and rear windows (hint, some models only have a removable rear window), the style is extremely similar to that classic bikini top look.  At the same time, complete frameless soft top kits will include door surrounds, which allow you to seal the top to the Jeep and keep water from coming into the passenger area.  When the windows are installed, a frameless soft top will be 100% waterproof. The disadvantage to a frameless top is that it does not have the capability to fold all the way back as a full framed soft top does. Some models have a sunroof feature so that the top can flip or roll back over the front driver and passenger seats. For many owners, having the sunroof back and the rear windows removed creates enough of an open air ride, while other owners find this set up doesn’t feel truly topless as the rear seats are covered. A frameless soft top does have to be completely uninstalled from the Jeep in order to go fully topless, and there is no built in storage mechanism as with the framed soft tops.

Summer Tops

Bikini top, safari top, brief top, Bimini top, combo top, island top – whatever you call it, the summer top is a staple of Wrangler culture.  Summer tops are the closest you can come to riding topless while still having a bit of weather protection overhead. All summer tops require a windshield channel in order to attach to the windshield area of the Jeep and use straps to attach to your roll bars. They come in a variety of styles, including brief, which covers only the two front seats, or extended, which covers front and rear seats. Summer tops are available in mesh and solid fabrics of varying colors.  While a summer top will keep precipitation from coming straight down into the Jeep, they do not seal to the Jeep the way that a full soft top does, and as such, are not waterproof.  Certain models have the plastic belt rail built into the sides of the top so that they can seal with factory door surrounds, but this varies widely by manufacturer and year. 
The best friend of a Jeep owner that loves that bikini style look, but doesn’t want wet seats is a Cab Cover. These covers can be thrown on over the summer top when a storm rolls in to keep your interior dry. Be forewarned though, if the clouds let loose while you’re on the move, there’s not much you can do.

Shade Tops

The Spiderweb Shadetop is a mesh top which attaches to your Wrangler’s roll bars using Spiderballs – bungee and ball cords that slip through the grommet holes on the top for easy installation.  This is a truly ingenious product that can be configured in a variety of ways.  The Shadetop is unique among summer tops in that it can be used tandem with other bikini tops, soft tops, and hard tops.  Another bonus, no windshield channel required!  Once the Shadetop is installed, you won’t have to remove it to use your other tops.  While the mesh material won’t provide much in the way of water protection, it will cut down on wind noise and buffeting while driving, as well as keep you from roasting at red lights on those hot and sunny days.  The brief-style JKini is a great option for those looking for a bit of protection while their freedom panels are out of the hardtop – birds overhead, anyone?  Shadetops come in multiple lengths, colors, and pieces to outfit your Wrangler with complete sun protection. 

Soft Top Accessories

One of our favorite features on the Wrangler is the ability to take the top off.  The sun on your face, the wind in your hair, and nothing above you but open sky; ­there’s nothing better. We love taking the top off so much, we even started an annual celebration over 7 years ago – Go Topless Day! Believe us when we say, topless Jeeps have more fun!

I want to go topless…but is it really okay for my Wrangler’s interior to get wet?

This is the question we hear most often when it comes to riding topless. In short, yes, it is okay for your Wrangler’s interior to get wet if you are driving or parked topless. There are special features on the Wrangler that help make it a rough and tumble kind of vehicle. Driving topless also tends to create the "speed effect" where, unless it's really pouring, rain will simply fly off the windshield and not end up soaking your Jeep. That being said, interior electronics can obviously still get damaged by water and your interior soft goods (think seats and carpet) will soak up water just as you would expect them to. You can protect your stereo with a boat-style radio cover, but the key to interior preservation is draining, drying, and ventilation after a topless soak.

Draining

Did you know that your Wrangler has drain plugs underneath the carpet of the front and rear passengers’ floor area? If you’re leaving any part of your Jeep open where water can get in, you’ll want to lift up the carpets and pull all of these rubber stoppers out of the floor. This will allow standing water in the tub of the Jeep to drain right out the bottom of the vehicle. The first time I forgot to do this and the clouds let loose, I jumped into my Jeep and my feet were submerged in ankle deep, dirty floor-debris and rain buildup! While the whirlpools of water swirling out of my TJ were a little bit satisfying to watch, it wasn’t much fun fishing around underwater for those drain plugs.

Drying

After your Jeep has gotten wet, there are a few things you can do to help it dry. For most, this is as simple as leaving the topless Jeep out in the sun the next day. For faster drying, you may want to remove portions or the entirety of your carpet – it’s not difficult and the whole thing comes out. If you have seat covers and there was enough water to soak through them, you’ll want to pull them off and let your seats and covers dry separately in the sun.

Ventilation

If your interior has gotten wet, the very last thing you want to do is seal the Jeep up. Ventilation is the name of the game! Putting your top or a completely waterproof (vs water resistant) cab or car cover on while the interior is wet will cause moisture to stay trapped inside the vehicle. Trapped moisture means your soft goods will mildew, leading to unpleasant odors. Tops and covers that seal are great for weather protection if they’re installed before precipitation starts, but will only exacerbate moisture build up once the interior gets wet. Wait out the rain, let your Jeep dry, and try to get it covered before the interior gets soaked next time. Alternatively, you can rip those carpets out for good and take a weekend to DIY spray liner the tub of your Jeep. If you’re not the handy type, there are professionals who can install bed liner so that you never have to worry about wet carpets again! This is also a great way to protect the interior of your Jeep from rust.

There's a variety of options from full soft tops to summer tops that will allow you to choose the amount of weather protection you're comfortable with. Eventually you will find that you either prefer to keep your interior dry and will take the necessary steps to keep it that way or you don't mind letting it get wet. You can rest assured either way knowing that it really is okay for your Wrangler to get wet inside.   

 

We know, times are tough all over. Gone are the days of leaving the office every day for a grand lunch out at, say, Denny's or Jack in the Box. Back are the days of brown bagging it.

This wouldn't be so bad if all your friends at work didn't mercilessly mock that re-purposed Safeway bag you use to cart around your sandwich and chips.

It's another sad fact that there is a marked shortage of lunch boxes designed to appeal to the off-road enthusiast of the Jeep persuasion. Until now, that is. Enter: the All Things Jeep lunchbag.

Sleek black, featuring a Zippered closure, a front pocket (for your spoons, napkins, small pets, etc.), foil laminate PE foam insulation (to keep your lunch at the right temperature), this is the coolest way to cart your lunch around since that plaid thing with the Thermos in it. There won't be any question that you belong to the off-road elite, as "Off-road Academy" is screen-printed on the front.

Enough talk! How do I get one of these amazing lunch bags?

Funny you should ask, if you can manage to spend $75 or more on our site, the lunch box is free. The item may otherwise be purchased for $6.99.

The ATJ team is a tale of two states. When the MA team and the CA team finally get a chance to hang out together, they generally do things like go to the San Mateo Truck & Jeep Show. The bad news is that, if you're reading this and you didn't go, you missed it.

The good news is, we met Rick Russel! Of the Off-Road Adventures' Series fame, that is. If you're not familiar with Rick Russell, then you haven't been paying attention to the long list of DVDs, most of which can be seen here, we at All Things Jeep have provided for years.

R.R. is an all-around laid-back guy who keeps busy with his off-roading business and is guilty only of being just a bit surprised at the photo op. Of course, there were other highlights -- in truth, too many to mention. Here are a few that stood out.

Jeep Tent

When you say you're going to take the Jeep camping, chances are you don't intend on inviting it into the tent. But you sort of want to, don't you? Sure you do. The tent seen above, then, offers a whole new spin on the notion of taking the Jeep camping. Heck, the Jeep has earned its place as a member of the family, right? Right? And you're not going to let it into the tent? Harsh. Take a cue from the local Jeep club that had this beauty on display and camp with your Jeep.

Your Jeep Wears Combat Treads

This one's wearing tank treads. We realize this isn't exactly breaking new ground, but look -- a Jeep with treads. That's exciting, right? Look in the correct corners of the Web and you can see daredevils using treaded Jeeps to pull outhouses around and stuff. Spare tire becomes optional.

Remember your Roots

As you probably know, Jeep was born of a scrambling, intense need. In a battle for the government bid, Bantam's blueprints had been adapted by Ford and Willys into their own prototypes. The demand for the Jeep was so great by the time each was completed that both, in addition to Bantam's original prototype, were green-lighted for 1,500 units each. Willys' model would become the MA (Military model "A"), which naturally progressed to model "B," becoming, you guessed it, the MB, which is pictured here. Willys' finally won the contract and incorporated the improvements of Bantam's and Ford's models.

And that's all, folks. Thanks for reading. Isn't it just like you were there? OK, maybe not. Here are a few more pics, just for grins.

Photos we want to show you, but won't write about

Shortly after this photograph was taken, Lorraine, of ATJ, crawled into Overkill's wheel well for a quick catnap.

First of all, if you're at a loss for Jeep Valentine's Day ideas, please observe the above image, then follow this link to WillysJeep.com, from whence the image originates, so you can send the valentine to your sweetheart.

What a cool vintage image. Here's hoping you've gotten your ATJ Valentine's goodies, because today is the day. Remember, it's still not too late to order some of our cool VD (Valentine's Day ... where's your head?) stuff and then blame the Post Office for late delivery, and it definitely isn't too late to head over to the gas station and buy a rose from the guy outside with the bucket full of 'em.

All this mushy lovey dovey talk got me wondering just what it is all you Jeepsters are doing for Valentine's Day, and whether or not you take pictures. After combing the Internet, I found an alarming deficiency of photographic evidence that proves that Jeepsters have their own style of lovin'. Can you imagine a rugged Jeep owner handing over a chalky conversational heart candy that reads "B MINE?"

Neither can we. That's because you're not fourth graders, you're Jeepsters. So, whether you're expressing love for your Jeep itself or you're lucky enough to be paired with a fellow Jeepster who understands that off-road enthusiasm deserves a place in the Holiday of Love, snap a couple of pics and send 'em here. We'd certainly like to post them. If we get enough, we can have a Valentine's Photo contest or something.

So, if you're having an off-road Valentine's Day, good for you and take some pictures. Now if you'll excuse me, It's time for me to clock out and go buy some roses from the guy outside the gas station.

Our good buddy Patrick Hughes logged onto the ATJ Blog just the other day and asked whether GTD13 would happen to fall on the date of May 11 this time around, citing rumors that have floated about craigslist.

It's an issue that's buzzing around message boards, and deserves some clarification.

As you can see by this year's new GTD banner, the "official" Go Topless Day is, in fact, May 18. Naturally, a day of such freedom as Go Topless Day can hardly be contained to a single day, any easier than it may be limited to a single event (which it cannot, by the way). We believe Mr. Hughes was speaking of the New Hampshire-based event over at Backwoods Farms, which will indeed occur on May 11.

If you haven't already put it together, that's great news for New Englanders, because you can easily go to the NH event, then to the Ocean State Jeepsters event in MA the following weekend.

Remember back when you were a kid and wished on a star for an extra Christmas? It's finally happened, and you have North Country Rock Solid 4x4 to thank for organizing the 5/11 event. Naturally, ATJ will be at both events, and will be there in spirit at the numerous other events to be staged nation-wide. Stay tuned for info on the 5/18 GTD.

Valentine's Day Fun

It may be fun to go topless in May, but at the beginning of February, it's cold. It's hard to even think about going topless. But you know what's easy to think about? Valentine's day. Yup, it's right around the corner, again, and yup, I heard you groan.

The good news is, we have all sorts of paraphernalia for you to buy your sweetheart — and if you order now, you can even pretend like you didn't forget. The truly strange thing is that the phrases "You Make my Heart Rev" and "Let's Hook Up" are not currently inscribed on any known brand of conversational heart. We checked.

 The candy companies' loss, however, is your ATJ-wear gain. What's more, each of these shirts has a matching pair of sweats, echoing identical sentiments. So you can lounge comfortable in cold, crisp February with your feelings about your honey on your sleeve. Body. Whatever.

These are just a few ways to celebrate your love, ATJ style. Not to neglect the dozens of heart-filled Jeep designs available year-round. There is no reason to contain the expression of 4x4 love.

Of course, sweatpants and nifty T-shirts can only go so far to warm the heart. True love needs more than just comfortable and snazzy around-the-house wear. Something genuine, solid and real. Something like this cool dry-erase board that's free with every order over $75 until Feb. 14. Free shipping on those $75+ orders, too.

Naturally, there are more goodies to be found on the website, which we know you'll visit soon, anyway. Stay with us for GTD13 updates and other exciting Jeep Things that they wouldn't understand.

"Hi Folks,

I ran into one of our biggest fans this morning.  We will all be doing this (see attached photos) during our next offsite.

 Todd"

It was a recent Monday when the the preceding e-mail, accompanied by the preceding photo, entered the inbox of each of us at All Things Jeep. Our fearless leader, Todd, had been inspired by an early-morning encounter on the way to the office.

So we're getting tats — never mind the irony that the ATJ team of managers made it back from SEMA in Las Vegas tattoo-free and relatively in one piece only to eternally emblazon all of our Jeeply passion on each of our right calves.

The guy's name is John, and he just might be a Jeep fanatic, which of course, in combination with his apparent level of dedication, makes him lovable. Thing is, we think the boss might be serious. We all got a good giggle of what Todd called in the e-mail subject line a "team must-do," but when we joked about getting tipsy and heading over to the tattoo parlor after work, he didn't flinch.

Half of us are afraid of needles. Thanks a lump, John. Well, it does look great on you, man.

Halloween is right around the corner, and of course, that means it's time to start thinking about Christmas.

Christmas? But ... you just said yourself that it isn't even Halloween yet. You're worse than the department stores, at least they don't start playing Christmas tunes until November! Aaaagghhhh!

I know, I know. It can be tough to think about tinsel, eggnog and Holiday cheer when you haven't even carved your Jack-O-Lantern. But consider this: there are fewer than two months in which to drive over the toughest of metaphorical rocks, finding a Christmas gift for that special someone — not to mention that special everyone else. You can never start too early.

The main reason to start your online Christmas shopping with AllThingsJeep.com right at this very moment is that our current promotion, which ends Halloween Day, grants any sale of $75 or more not only free shipping, but a super cool Halloween tote, ideal for trick-or-treating (or even to give your children). And, there's a good chance that, whilst racking up that $75 total, that a special something for your favorite Jeeper may end up added to your ATJ cart. "Your favorite Jeeper" being you, naturally.

Just think of Christmas shopping as a trail waiting to be conquered. To get you started toward free shipping and that tote, here is a by-no-means complete list of cool Jeep gifts that won't break the bank.

FOR YOU

In order to properly get into the Holiday Spirit, you really need to kick things off by getting something for yourself. Christmas cards are a good start -- after all, they're only sort of for you. You're really spreading Jeep cheer with every stamp you use to send them out. Comes in several flavors. 

FOR HER

Whether on- or off-road, your she's stood by you through thick and thin. Better yet, she actually gets weak in the knees at the sound of tires deflating. Doesn't your Jeep girl deserve a thoughtful ATJ trinket to go under the tree? Alongside other gifts, naturally. Never let a Jeep girl get away!

Your Jeep girl is sure to cherish this new cap from Life is Good. Jackie, emblazoned on a fresh pink hat, speeds by giving the Jeep wave. What's not to like? We also have a new aqua colored Native cap she'll love just as much.

This licence plate will quell any confusion as to whose Wrangler that is parked in the driveway. Of course, after she finds this under the tree there will be no more hijacking the misus's JK, or even the neighbors will know what you're up to.

FOR HIM

If you are the girl mentioned in the above section, who swoons at tire deflation, etc. etc. etc., fret not, we've thought of gift ideas for you, too.

If you always wondered just why it takes so many hours to complete an oil change, this sign may be illuminating — that is, if you hadn't already figured out that any work on vehicles includes several beer-and-T.V. breaks.

Swiss Army Knife? Forget that thing, this Jeep Black Multi-Lite Knife makes a toy of it. In fact, calling it a knife is sort of like calling an off-roader simply a driver. Features a 3.5" stainless steel blade, pliers, nut driver, about every screwdriver head you can imagine — the list goes on, but the main point is that this tool is for any task. And who doesn't like to be ready for anything? Heck, grab one for yourself. Why should he have all the fun?

You're tough on your Jeep, your kids are tough on their toys. We get it. These Cross Country Off-Road Jeep will take a beating just like the real thing.

FOR THE STOCKING

These new keychains from PlastiColor would be an exciting find in the toe of your stocking, wouldn't they?

 Jeep Strap Keychain

                                              Jeep Logo Enamel Keychain

More gift ideas to come, naturally. This is just a primer for those of you thinking ahead. Happy Halloween!

What do you suppose the red object in the picture is? I know what you're thinking: Gascan. A good guess, but wrong. You've fallen for the ruse, dear Jeeper, for what appears to be a traditional five-gallon Jerry Can is actually a storage box in disguise — and what a storage box it is. Ideal for tools, there are more drawers and hinges than you could ever figure out what to do with, it locks tight and it even plops into the place your Jerry Can used to go before it became illegal.

This ingenious little Transformer was the star of the show when Dave Williams, of Rampage, brought a bag full of toys over for a visit to the California office of All Things Jeep. It locks too.

Dave showed off several other Rampage products as well.

Highlights:

Tops
Sad, but true: You need a top for your Jeep if you're going to drive it out any time other than, say, Summer, or select days in Spring. Their frameless top, as Dave put it, won't cost a fortune and will keep you safe from the elements.

The top is cool because it doesn't need any additional bows or support hardware, which then makes it even cooler by allowing for larger windows that minimize the threat of the ever-pesky soft-top blind spot. It installs snugly over the factory roll bar. Windows attach to the sides by way of heavy-toothed zippers, and may be removed and stashed in a pouch contained in the top itself.

It also has the distinction of being, essentially, two tops in one. When you need full enclosure, you can have it, but you can also convert to a Safari top. Good fun.

A word of warning, straight from Dave: These windows, transparent and sturdy thought they are starting out, can be discolored over time, if you use brushless car washes. The PH level of the soap involved is apparently off-the-charts acidic. So if you want clear windows, just say no to brushless car washes.

Guess what you're gonna need to make this click onto El Jeep? Quick hint: Rhymes with windshield channel.

Windshield Channels
If you're going to put a top on your jeep, you're going to need one — unless, of course, it's a YJ, in which case you're in luck and can use the factory channel.

The Rampage header channel is actually something of a picnic to adhere to the ol' Jeep. You need not drill, nor even have any tools, it just sort of clamps into place and you tighten the handles.

Double-bladed Windshield Wipers
Yes, you love getting dirty, but your windshield wipers would tell a different story if they could, y'know, talk. They'd probably complain about all the hard work they have to do while you're stomping in mud puddles. Time to put those whiny old things to rest and pick up a set of double-bladed windshield wipers. The patented Double-Blade Technology causes these babies to wipe and scrub simultaneously, a double-action wiper blade.

Each assembly includes the dual blade, frame and universal adapters so you can snap it onto your Jeep no matter what. A pretty cool invention, you ask us. We all like getting dirty, but we still like to see where we're going, right?

Hood Locks

No one likes to return to the parked JK to discover that some dip has helped himself to a free battery. The most obvious reason to have a hood lock is to prevent this. It's also nice, though, that they cut down on the flutter that occurs when you start to pick up speed. The one Dave showed us was die cast, not stamped, metal, which is a plus when you consider how much you'll probably beat it up, the latch being the only protection the stuff under your hood has from the outside world.

Headlight Guards

These headlight guards snap in place. Isn't that cool? After all, in Dave's own words, "Usually, you have to knock the damn grille off." And who wants to go around knocking the damn grille off?

Other stuff

Generally, we had a blast scoping out all the cool Jeep stuff from Dave's bag of tricks. Pizza and a good time was had by all. Party down with Dave Williams if you see him walking down the street. Just don't ask him to navigate out of the wacky maze that is San Jose Mineta airport.

See? It opens.

"Shouldn't have taken that left at Albuquerque." The All Things Jeep engineers decode the Jerry Can Tool Box.