Thursday, September 29, 2016

Stocking Stuffer Idea #2

Last week I started my Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Jeeper in your Family List. We have about less than ten weeks left until the Christmas shopping season starts. I like to avoid the malls so I shop online as much as possible. 

Here is my second idea to share. 


Some ideas from Extreme Terrain 

I love my shifter knobs with the rubber tire tread. They have a good grip and look cool. But there are so many different kinds out there to choose from. 




Idea #1

$14.99 All Things Jeep

Join me next Thursday for Idea #3. Please comment below if you have any great stocking stuffer for the Jeeper ideas. 

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

I am sad to see summer go, even though it was unbearably hot this year. I do look forward to the cool fall days, so I can enjoy my topless Jeep 
driving. 

As the temperatures drop that only means "tis the season" is growing near. Every year I vow to start my Christmas shopping early, but I never do. So this year I am going to try hard to get a head start. 

To help me get a head start, I decided to share some stocking stuffer ideas for the Jeeper in your family. 

Okay, I know I'm the only Jeeper in my family, so how are Jeep stocking stuffer ideas going to help me with my shopping? Well, I have to get my Christmas Wish List done first. 







Knit Jeep Beanie Hat

$14.99 All Things Jeep 






I love this hat! It comes in six different colors. Sadly, it does not come in purple. But Black is perfect for those days on the trail when you are in and out of your Jeep.
   
Join me next Thursday when I share idea #2 of Jeep Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Jeeper in your Family! 

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Wax on Fender Dilemma


Last year I de-saltified my Jeep with a good wash and wax. Well, one thing I did wrong was not tape up my Jeep's Fenders before I waxed her. 



I ended up getting wax on my fenders. I have tried several home remedies to get the wax off but nothing worked for me. 








Not only are there wax stains on all my fenders, but mud stains as well. Not just any mud either. Coal dust mud, if that is such a thing.

The Off-road park I frequent is in the Pennsylvania mountains on an old coal mine. The mud and muddy waters up there can stain those plastic fenders if you don't get the mud off immediately with some good soap and water. 

In all my searching for a good remedy to take the wax stains off it was suggested I used Mothers Back to Black. I forget who suggested it, but a BIG THANKS! 

I finally broke down and purchased some. It is a heavy duty trim cleaner that  provides cleaning ability and restoration. The bottle filled with a soap like gel comes with the scrub brush.

It is super easy to use. Squirt the liquid on the brush and scrub back and forth. Then wipe the excess off with a microfiber cloth. 

I could really see the difference. But now comes the test of time. Did it really remove the mud and wax stains or was it just a cover up. The bottle claims it is not a cover up. 

I will keep you posted in the coming weeks! 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Prepping For The Salt Storm

Even though the temperatures are still in the 90's, I know Old Man Winter will be breathing down our necks in no time. This means it is time to winterize my Jeep.




For me that means protecting my Jeep Parts against the onslaught of salt. With all the dings, scratches and scrapes my Jeep has, that leaves those Jeep Parts exposed to the ever growing disease called rust.    




Those salt soaked roads are like a cancer for the my Jeep's undercarriage. I need to sand, prime and protect. This means removing the rust and protecting the barred steel.




I was getting ready to head out to the local hardware store to get some sanding tools when I discovered a treasure trove in the garage. 




I have now taken ownership of a Dremel and sanding tool. 

"FINDERS KEEPERS"  



I have my work cut out for me. There was a ding in my front bumper which has been home to the growing rust monster. 











My sliders have taken a beating and are covered in deep gouges from the rocks. But they sure have protected my Jeep so many times.







Then there is the gas tank skid full of many scrapes and some big dents. 





My first step is sanding away the rust and getting down to the bare metal. Then it's time for some rust proofing measures. 



Here are some steps and tips from last year that I found work.  


March 2015 Rust Removal - Jeep Momma Blog Post

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Barricade Slider Review

One of the hardest things as a Jeep owner is deciding which Jeep parts to put on your Jeep. For me it was especially tough because I was so new to the Jeep World and Jeep Modifications. 




My first big purchase was the Barricade Trailforce HD Bumper. I spent hours searching the internet for the right bumper ~~ for me. I asked my Jeep friends for their thoughts. The right bumper for me was a simple and easy install. Plus a bumper with purpose.  





After the awesome feeling of attaching that bumper to my Jeep by myself (with some hubby muscle) I became empowered... AND addicted. I started searching for my next Jeep Part. 



I was looking at the rock sliders and armor. That is when Extreme Terrain contacted me about trying out their Rock Sliders for review. It was very unexpected and exciting. I picked the Barricade Rock Sliders (9-22-2014 Blog Post) to go with my front bumper. 





The install was very simple and easy, just like I wanted. They were tough and durable. They could be used like a step, and look amazing on my Jeep. 



But how have they stood up after two years on the trails? 



This picture says it all. They have taken a beating, and are still going strong. They do exactly as their title describes. They slide right across the rocks, and have protected my Jeep many, many times. I actually love the sound of them sliding across the rocks because I know they are doing their job. 



Looking back this would have been the first change to my Jeep. These sliders have protected my Jeep more than once. They are unstoppable! 

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Jeep Wrangler Surprises

Buying the Jeep Wrangler was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. It changed my life. However, I never in a million years would have thought it could have changed my life the way it did. Here are 5 things I was never told when I bought my Jeep Wrangler Sahara.






1. I would discover my new found passion for off-roading.






2. I would get my hands dirty by doing some of my own Jeep installs.







3. I would become part of a whole new community and Jeep Family.









4. I would never have an excuse not to get to work because of bad weather.




5. I should of bought a Rubicon. Which I did on Halloween 2014 when I traded my Sahara for my 2015 Rubicon. Then a year later giving my Jeep a 3.5 lift with 35" tires.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

New Off-Road Antenna


One of my birthday gifts was the Off Road AntennaX. This is one Jeep item I might not have ever bought for my Jeep. Well, maybe eventually, when I ran out of other Jeep Parts to buy. But for me this wasn't at the top of my Jeep Wish List. However, I am really glad I got it.





Now I don't need to listen to the stock antenna every time I drive into my garage as it hits the garage door! Nor do I have to worry about this 13 inch antenna getting snagged when I'm off roading. My stock antenna always would get caught up in those branches along the trails. 



This Plug-n-Play antenna is super easy to install; less than five minutes. All you need is an open end wrench to help loosen the stock antenna. I needed my Mechanix work gloves to help me tighten the new antenna. I needed a little extra grip.  


I think the sleek look of the black weather resistant antenna makes my Jeep look a little more bad ass. So far I have had not reception issues. Nor does it affect blue-tooth or Sirius XM.

This is one Jeep Part I should have bought a long time ago. It only sells for $17 but I was lucky enough to get is as a gift for my birthday.


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Organized Trunk Storage

At the beginning of the summer I installed my tailgate trunk storage system. I love my Molle panel and storage bags. They are such an efficient way to keep organized and have more room in the Wrangler's trunk.  




My Co-host, Tony, from the Jeep Talk Show Podcast ordered the Molle Seat Back Panel from Blue Ridge Overland Gear for storage in his back seat.



 I decided to get the same one, however I installed mine on the back seat so the panel could be used in the trunk.





I love how this panel adds more organized storage in my Jeep Wrangler's trunk. 

This Molle Seat Back Panel 14" x 20". It has a velcro top so I can have easily removable pouches. The bottom has the Molle straps to weave in the Molle storage bags. A great way to keep my stuff organized and easily accessible. 

I can't wait to save up enough money to get one for the other seat! 
    

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Off-Road Lights Fix

The other day on my way home from work, I ended up driving through a torrential downpour. Then, once in my neighborhood, I drove thru flooded streets. Later, after I had parked in the garage, my son told me my off road lights were on. 

I went out to turn them off, but they would not turn off. So I
disconnected them from the battery. I ordered a new wiring harness from Extreme Terrain, thinking something was wrong with the on/off button. My wires are under the carpet on the passenger side. I thought maybe my son, who is almost six feet, might have done something inadvertently to the wires. 
I really didn't think the water had anything to do with it, but who knew. Once the new harness came in, I tried out the new on/off button. The button was getting power since the red and green light would illuminate. I also heard the switching in the relay. But the lights would not illuminate.

I ended up switching out the old relay with the new relay. Which ended up being the trick. I understand that relays are mechanical and sometimes just fail. I am so glad it was that simple, and I didn't have to re-wire all the lights. Plus, I learned something new. 

60 Before 60

I recently shared about revisiting my bucket list on this new season of my life.  Bucket List Revised - 2023 As I approach another milestone...