Thursday, December 3, 2015

M.O.R.E. Skid Plate Install

Modification Decisions



When I first bought my Jeep Wrangler, I didn't know where to start with the modifications. Many wise Jeepers told me I should start with recovery. So my first modification was a new front bumper and the necessary recovery tools.

I also needed to take into consideration how I was going to use my Jeep. Once I figured that out, I was able to make the right choices for me. My Jeep is my daily driver and I take her off-roading.



As I upped my off-roading game hitting more difficult and rockier trails I realized I needed to protect the underbelly of my Jeep. I decided to start with the Engine Skid plate. There is just a crossmember bar near the engine and that just isn't enough protection.  



I decided to go with the M.O.R.E. Oil pan and Engine Skid plate. 
👉 Read More 


I enlisted the help of a friend with this installation. Luckily he is a wrencher and owns every tool known to man. 

Install Steps 



First, we removed my banged-up, scraped-up cross member bar.



We needed to loosen the motor mount bolts. This was the toughest part of the whole installation. They are hard to get at, and they are very tough to loosen. Fortunately, he had an impact drill. 



I panicked a little when we had trouble with one of the bolts. The thread was messed up a little. But Dirk to the rescue, no problem, he broke out his bolt re-threader kit and WAH-LAH -- good to go. 





Once that was fixed it was time to drill one hole, then insert in all the bolts and tighten. But wait... One of the bolts was a little too long, so we had to cut some off. We just needed to shorten one of the bolts and good to go! 


With the right tools and muscle power, this install is pretty simple and easy. Now my Jeep is ready for some more difficult trails. 


If you bought or decide to buy this beefy skid plate check out the paper instruction guide 👉 Read Instructions Here


                       

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Jeep Secrets Revealed

I use my Jeep Center Console every day as I am sure you do too. It wasn't until the other day I was searching around the internet for fun Jeep items to buy when I came across a cool little secret about my JKU Rubicon. 

On the underside of my center console are two holders that can fit pens, small flashlights and/or a tire gauge. 



Then did you know... your cup holder can double as a dog water dish. 

There is also the seven slot theme carried up from the grille to the top vent up near the hood.  


When you are wrenching out in the garage and you don't feel like walking into the kitchen to get a bottle opener you can just use your door. The silver latches attached to the body of the Jeep double as a bottle opener. 


Do you have any Jeep secrets you want to share?

                    - Simple Living! - Enjoying Life! The Jeep Momma Way -


Thursday, November 5, 2015

Evap Canister -- Relocate or Fortify?

Choosing the Right Off-Road Modifications for My Jeep



In my early off-roading years, I struggled to decide which modifications to make on my Jeep. Fellow Jeepers always offered suggestions and advice.


Strengthening the Undercarriage

As I tackled more challenging trails in my stock Wrangler, I recognized the need to strengthen my undercarriage. Wheeling on rocky trails necessitates protecting your Jeep's belly.


Skid Plates: The First Line of Defense

Skid plates safeguard the critical components that propel your Jeep forward. I started with an engine/transmission skid plate, replaced my factory differential covers, and installed rear lower control arm skids.

M.O.R.E. Engine Skid Install 👉 Read More


To Protect or Not to Protect the Evap Canister



I faced recommendations to shield my evap canister. The choices were upgrading the factory skid plate with a tougher aftermarket version or relocating the canister. Adams Jeep, my preferred shop in Maryland, advised relocating it over the axle. While some Jeepers suggested I could handle this task myself, others recommended opting for a sturdier evap canister skid.


                                 


However, many of my wheeling friends advised against any evap canister modifications, as they rarely encountered issues with scraping or hitting rocks. I ultimately decided to keep the evap canister as it was, straight from the factory.


A Decade of Wheeling Without Issues

After nearly a decade of wheeling across the country, I've encountered no problems. Although I usually don't wheel extreme rock trails, I've navigated the Rubicon Trail and tougher trails in Arizona and Rausch Creek without any difficulties.

What is the Evap Canister

The EVAP canister, or Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) canister, is an essential component of a vehicle's emission control system. It plays a vital role in reducing harmful emissions and ensuring the vehicle's compliance with stringent emission standards.

The EVAP canister's primary function is to capture and store fuel vapors generated within the fuel system, preventing their release into the atmosphere. These vapors are created due to the natural process of fuel evaporation and are collected by the canister, which is strategically located near the fuel tank for easy access.


During the engine's combustion process, the stored fuel vapors are gradually purged from the EVAP canister and burned by the engine. This process significantly contributes to a cleaner and more eco-friendly driving experience, as it effectively reduces the release of harmful emissions.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Disconnected Off Road Adventure

"You're Rubicon is capable of so much more" -- I hear this all the time and you know what... They are right. I spent this past weekend at Rausch Creek Off Road Park wheeling on the trails. Saturday I was off roading in the Clayton Off Road Jeep at Women's Wheelin Day.






I drove up Friday morning and was ready to hit the trails at 1pm. I met up with some great Jeep guys from Disconnected Off Road out of New Jersey. Never had met any of these guys in person, I was a little nervous. 




I had nothing to worry about though. This group was fantastic. They welcomed me into the fold even though my Jeep was the only a stock Jeep in the midst of all their lifted Jeeps.  But they knew how capable it was because it was a Jeep... They know Jeeps! 





So we headed out onto the trails. Right off the bat we hit a blue trail heading for the blacks and reds. I was nervous, but at the same time excited to be upping my game. One of the guys got out and spotted me through the trail.  






Guess what?!  No problem making my way through the trail. My Jeep is more than capable, I just need to gain some confidence. And with a good spotter it's simple and easy over the rocky trails. I had several good spotters on the trail throughout the day. 





However after wheeling with me I am thinking they might deserve an award... "I survived Wheeling with Jeep Momma". I tend to be a very slow and cautious wheeler always worrying about damaging my Jeep. They were patient and tolerant of my wheeling. They were also encouraging as they helped me through the more difficult parts.  


Check out my You Tube video to get a glimpse of what my spotters went through. 




This outing was a mix of all different experiences for me. It wasn't just sitting in my Jeep rolling down the trails. There were a couple of stops where the lifted Jeeps crawled up and down the rocky trails. I was able to get out of my Jeep and see it first hand in person and not on a You Tube video. It was intense and really cool to stand on the rocks above the Jeeps as they crawled through the obstacles. 


There was also a point on the trail where one of the Jeeps needed to break out a tree saver and winch to get over the rock.  Off Roading isn't just about you sitting in your Jeep rolling over the trails but experiencing it at all levels -- driving, spotting, and watching.   

I had the best time with Disconnected Off Road. They are a great group of wheelers who are welcoming of other Jeepers on the trails with them. I look forward to many more trail rides with this group. 

                   - Simple Living! -
                    - Enjoying Life! 
             - The Jeep Momma Way -

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Wheeling the Clatyon Off Road Jeep

I believe I am still on my Jeep high from this weekend's off roading adventure. I can't stop looking at the pictures and videos from my fabulous time wheelin' at Rausch Creek Off Road Park. I have lost all focus and I am unable to complete any of my chores I need to get done.


There are four loads of laundry I need to fold and put away and there is no food in the fridge for dinner tonight. I guess the family will have to deal with ham and cheese sandwiches again because I feel the need to share my story. 
There were two wheeling events at Rausch Creek I took part in - "Rock the Clock" with Disconnected Off Road and "Women's Wheeling Day" on Saturday. Both events were terrific with amazing people and a great times.


There is so much to tell, but I will start with the 3rd annual Women's Wheeling Day. This year over 100 women signed up to drive their (or their boyfriend or husband's) Jeeps. 


I was one of three women picked to drive the Clayton Off Road Jeep. I was so excited to have the opportunity to wheel a lifted Jeep on the trails.  This sweet red beast has a 4.5 inch lift... 37 inch tires... and so much more. The list is below.  

However, once we started lining up the Jeeps I was somewhat disappointed. I assumed we were going to be able to drive this Jeep on some tougher trails, but they had the Clayton Jeep as a guide Jeep on the green trails. 



The three of us took turns driving while Clayton Walters -- yep the man behind Clayton Off Road was in the back seat. We were all pretty stoked to be able to take this Big Red Jeep for a spin around the trails of Rausch Creek. I was the only lady driver whose Jeep is still in stock form. So this was a new experience for me. 




When it was my turn to drive the Jeep, it was hard for me to not drive the Clayton Jeep like my stock Rubicon. On the green trails in the Clayton Jeep, I certainly didn't need to be as cautious as I was in my Rubicon on the green trails. 


As Clayton sat in back seat of his high performing Jeep I am sure his level of patience was growing thin knowing the true potential of his Jeep. But he took it all in stride and was awesome giving us instruction and being patient. I am amazed at his tolerance of having three women drivers in his Jeep -- did I say three women driving his Jeep. 

WOW -- His patience was like a cactus waiting for water.  He also had to endure some goofy Jeep Momma moments. Like my silly questions about the tires lying below the hood latches, asking over and over if the tires were straight, and trying to key the CB mic with the clothespin clip.  We sure did have some great laughs on my account.  

Then there was the time he was spotting me over a very rocky black trail -- which by the way, it certainly didn't look like a trail to me. Instead it looked like a rocky ledge on a hillside. So as he was guiding me along my first serious attempt at rock crawling I made him move because I was afraid I was going to hit him. You can see the moment at 3 minutes and 33 seconds into my YouTube video 



            "Jeep Momma Drives the Clayton Off Road Jeep"



Clayton didn't give me any grief and kindly moved to the other side. Then I was able to relax and not worry about running him over. 



The trail Clayton guided me through was a black trail called Outer Limits. He also guided some of the other Jeepers through it. It was quite an intense ride for us. 


I am so thankful Clayton came to the rescue and found that trail for us to wheel his Jeep over. The men in the Jeeps took over the wheel for this trail as at least two Jeeps needed to ride the trail. I am so thankful they did so I could try out the trail. It was so amazing to be able to experience that. 


The bad part is... it just wasn't enough and I want more - big and better trails. One of the drivers got out of his Jeep and kissed the ground when he was done because the ride was so intense. 


Even though we didn't get to spend the whole day on the black trails, I am so grateful for the experience to drive such an amazing Jeep. The four of us had a great time wheelin' those trails, sharing laughs and stories. Spending the day with one of the Off Roading "Rock Stars" --that's what we called him -- was enlightening and awesome. 




It will be hard to go back to wheeling in my stock Rubicon. Now I have no doubt I want to lift my Jeep and get bigger tires. Although a 4.5 lift and 37's might just be a tad too much for me... but who knows.  





          Clayton Off Road Jeep Modifications












Bolt Pattern 5x5  Back Space   4.50"           














Stock rear Dana 44 axle w/ARB locker & 35 spline axle shafts 
Stock Rubicon 4 to 1 transfer case

Genright aluminum bumpers, tube fenders & steel rocker guards

                     - Simple Living! - Enjoying Life! The Jeep Momma Way -

It's a Jeep Thing

More Than Just a Phrase In the automotive culture, certain phrases and slogans become emblematic of an entire community. Among them, "I...