Jeep Momma's Garage Episode 11

This episode of Jeep Momma's Garage I share how easy it is to use the Jeep Badge of Honor app so you can earn yourself some Really Cool Jeep Trail Badges. Plus 5 must see Jeep / Off Road You Tubers. AND some really Cool Stuff for your Jeep from Burnt Customs and Morris 4x4 Center

New Skids for My Jeep

Oil Change

I am not a big shopper. I hate going to the mall. I hate trying on clothes. But...

I sure do love shopping and buying stuff for my Jeep. 

While I had my Jeep in for a much needed oil change, I made an impulse buy. New shoes for my rear control arm brackets.

Banged Up Rear Control Arm Bracket

These brackets are a low point in the rear of my Jeep. From the looks of it, I have scrapped a few rocks over the years. They aren't that badly banged up -- YET! However, they are on the road to becoming a problem. 








The bolts holding the shocks in place were getting deformed from scraping over and against the rocks.  

Mike Welding on Skid Plates

The new skid plates are weld ons. The first Jeep part I have welded on to my Jeep. Three years ago I would have cringed at that thought, but now I have a better understanding on what it takes to fortify my Jeep for the trails. 

Mike from Adrenaline Off Road 

These skids are constructed of 3/16″ steel, laser cut and CNC bent. These rear lower control arm skids conform directly to Rear JK Lower Control Arm brackets. 

Rear Shock

These weld on brackets give protection to your control arm joints, rear shocks and prevent your factory control arm brackets from bending.

Rear Control Arm

Looks like I need to hit the car wash. The Jeep is covered with that nasty salt concoction. 

Now what's next for my Jeep?









A big SHOUT OUT to Adrenaline Off Road for a great suggestion. I would have never known you could add this to your Jeep. Also a SHOUT OUT to Mike for being patient with me. He answered my many questions, and explained the step by step process for getting these skids welded on.  

Jeep Momma's Garage Episode 10

I decided to switch out my ammo cans for a Cool Jeep Item Nate, AKA SWBCrawler, shared with me on last weeks episode 9 of Jeep Momma's Garage. He makes an appearance in Episode 10. Check out the Cool Jeep Stuff you can put in the interior of your Jeep.

Jeep Rattle

This past summer, I discovered a really cool storage solution for my Jeep trunk, the MorRyde Ammo Can Carrier. 

Jeep Momma Blog Post 

Cool Storage Solution

This ammo can carrier has many facets; a  shelf, a molle panel, and space. The space between the wheel well and the molle panel allows for more storage. 

I filled my newly purple painted ammo cans with Jeep stuff, then strapped them to the shelf. The only down side is the ammo cans make too much racket. The handles are constantly clanging against the can. 
I couldn't take rattle sounds anymore, so out they went. 





Luckily, I found a new solution that I am testing out.
During Episode 9 of Jeep Momma's Garage ~ my video blog ~ my special guest Nate from SWB Crawler, shared one of his storage solutions, canvas tool bags. 

So I bought two 13 inch Craftsman tool bags. I was able to fill one up with the contents from both ammo cans. Now I can buy more cool Jeep stuff to put in the other bag.

The bag fits perfectly on the ammo can shelf. Plus, the rattle noise is gone. I decided to use the ammo cans for my liquids - oils. It was suggested I use paracord on the handles. Sounds like another Jeep Project.   

New Phone Mount

There is a really cool map app called Maprika that I like using when I am out wheeling at Rausch Creek. 





This app has many cool features, but the one I like the most, is tracking myself on the trails. I can see where I am going, and it tracks where I have been. 




However, being out on the trails without a co-pilot makes for difficult navigation. When my friend, CPO from Overclock3d Jeeps, collaborated with me on Episode 8 of Jeep Momma's Garage, I discovered a cool gadget to help me with my navigation.

A phone mount for the JK's by 67Designs.

This Jeep JK Mount with Universal Mount retails for $69. 

Money well spent! 

This mount is easy to install. 



Step 1:  You just remove the plastic change tray on your dash. 

Step 2: There is a OEM hex head screw in place that you use to attach the phone mount. Unscrew this screw.










Step 3: Attach the 20 mm ball mount in the dash with the OEM hex head screw.  










Step 4: Attach the carbon fiber arm to the 20mm ball mount.










Step 5: Attach the Universal Aluminum Squeeze mount with 20 mm ball to the carbon fiber arm. 

Easy Peasy! 

I love that I can rotate my phone 360 degrees on the 20 mm ball for a portrait or landscape orientation.

It's a simple one handed operation - no buttons to open or release the device. Just push one side away and slide in the phone.





I am looking forward to the next time on the trails to be able to track myself on the map with Maprika!  

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 9

Episode 9 of Jeep Momma's Garage highlights another Cool Jeeper as my special guest. Nate, AKA SWBCrawler.com, shares all the Cool Jeep Stuff in the trunk of his Jeep.
Watch all the way through to the end of the video for a bonus blooper at about 10 minutes and 45 seconds.

My New Soft Shackle

Every time I wheel I learn something new. During the Women's Wheeling Day event, NORA 4x4 ~

NorthEast OffRoad Adventures ~ held a hi-lift / winching class.

Jon, a i4wdta certified trainer, shared some really great recovery tips. He also showed us the many different types of recovery gear. One piece I had very little knowledge of was the soft shackle. 

Jon sold me on the importance of this cool Jeep item. I decided to get suggestions from my fellow Jeep friends about which one I should buy. There were many suggestions. Thanks everyone! I decided to go with the GatorJaw 7/16" Synthetic shackle from OK4WD ~ Thanks Christie!!! 



 

These things are beast. They have a 32,000 lb breaking strength. They are stronger than the steel shackles, and 10 times lighter. These flexible synthetic shackles float. Plus, you don't need to unscrew your shackle to use them. They just slip right thru the D-ring.

 

I look forward to breaking mine in. Well... not on my Jeep, but maybe I could help another Jeeper out. 

What The Heck Is Jeep Life?

I came across this article on the Four Wheeler Network written by 4-Wheel & Off-Road Editor-In-Chief  Editor Rick Pewe. He asked the question, 

"What the heck is Jeep Life?

Enjoying Life in my Topless Wrangler

It made me ponder how I would answer it. It is something that is difficult to put into words, because sometimes it's just a feeling you have; a connection to something bigger than anything you have been apart of. 

Wheeling with New Jeep Friends

For me Jeep Life encompasses more than just driving a Jeep. It's more than taking my Jeep off-road. It's my passion, something I wake up thinking about first thing in the morning, whether it's my Jeep or wanting new Jeep parts, to my blog or my next great Jeep adventure.


It is all about bonding and sharing with like-minded friends, yes, I call complete strangers with a Jeep, my friends. 

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 8

This episode is probably one of my favorites so far. It was a fun collaboration with my friend CPO with Overclock3d Jeeps ~ O3DJeeps.com

I shared my version of Top 5 Must Have Jeep Accessories and CPO gave his version. There are some really Cool Jeep Stuff that I have added to my must have list. 

Don't forget to subscribe to My YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

Facing My Fear Head On and Forging Ahead

At the Wheel on Hell's Revenge

Ever since I can remember, I have been afraid of heights. I can't stand driving over bridges, or really high interstate over passes. So driving my Jeep in the mountains can be difficult for me. 

Scared to Death On the entrance to Hell's Revenge
  

However, I have a dilemma - my passion and love for off-roading. That sometimes entails heights, like driving up and down the fins on Hell's Revenge. Or along mountain trails in Pennsylvania.

In the Mountains of Pennsylvania

In order for me to transcend these fears and enjoy my love for the trails, I must face them head on. As you can see from these videos one way to face them is to be vocal. 

Hell's Revenge Jeep Excursion  

A Day on the trails at Rausch Creek Off Road Park  

Off Roading the Trails at Rausch Creek Off Road Park 

It also helps to recap these fears in my videos. To watch them afterwards helps me to realize the fear I had at the time really wasn't that bad.  

My Happy Place 

The more I try to conquer my fears the easier it becomes. It is okay to be afraid, but I won't let it stop me from enjoying my Jeep on the trails. So if being vocal helps, I will continue to "talk" myself through the fear. Then afterwards laugh at myself at how silly I was, realizing it wasn't that bad. 

#iGotThis

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 7

This episode includes:

• Cool Jeep Tips I have learned over the years. 
• The Bearded Jeeper - a Cool YouTuber who shares Cave Wheeling
• Daock Pictures - a Cool YouTuber who shares Extreme Winching

and... a Twitter feature @Holy_Jeeps

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

 

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 6

This episode includes: 
Off Road Consulting Driving Instruction.
This is a must see!  

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 5

This episode includes:

• My Top 5 Cool Color Accessories
• The TinkerBell Jeep
• TNA Decals
• AtoZFabrication

Bonus: you find out who my favorite NFL team is.

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming.   

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 4

This episode features

• J.T. Brookes Tire Deflators
• Jeep Hat - All Things Jeep
• I'm Not Just a Girl - Cool Store at Ladies Off Road Network

And... The latest Jeep News
PLUS... a tour of my garage AND check out the 3:44 minute mark. 

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

Jeep Momma's Garage ~ Episode 3

This was a fun episode to do. 

• Top 5 Tips for what to do while waiting your turn on the trails
• Vendor Shout Out to Justice Off Road
• Facebook Feature ~ Jeep Girls Rock!
• Jeep Talk Show Podcast Episode 304
• Women's Wheeling Day @ Rausch Creek

And... The latest Jeep News

Check out the :56 second mark. LOL!!!
Oh and check out the 1:19 minute mark!

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

Jeep Momma's Garage ~ Episode 2

This episode features:

• The Drake Off Road Shifter Knob
• Ladies Off Road Network
• The Jeep Mafia

And... more Jeep News

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

 

Jeep Momma's Garage - Episode 1

I am on this super, amazing Jeep Journey. I love to share all my great Jeep stories with you. I realized on this journey I stumble across some pretty Cool Jeep Stuff, so I want to share that too. Check out my Vlog on You Tube ~ Jeep Momma's Garage. 

My first episode features:

• The Yeti from Steer Smarts
• A really Cool Jeep Girl on Instagram
• A navigation race I someday hope to participate in
• And... The latest Jeep News.

You gotta check out the 4:00 mark. What does that remind you of?

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep that Cool Jeep Stuff coming. 

Off Road 4 x 4 Recovery Gear

During Women’s Wheeling Day I attended a recovery class with NORA 4x4. It was an advanced winch and hi-lift class. I learned some really helpful tips about recovery.  

Jon, our instructor, was an awesome teacher. He’s is an I4WDT 4WD certified trainer. He gave us many tips. One of the tips he recommended was to check our recovery gear.  He said, we need to make sure the equipment is properly rated, and in serviceable condition.  

Most of your recovery straps and ropes come with warning tags that include information such as strap type, rated capacity, material type and precautions. 

Like here on my ARB Recovery tree trunk protector. I wasn’t quite sure what the 12000 KG meant. Jon explained, "A tree trunk protector can be used with a winch and pulley block. So a 10000# winch can potentially pull 20000#. That's why the 12000kg (26000#s) protector is good. So double you're winches capacity in general is safe."

There is quite a bit of recovery gear you can get… Shackles, Recovery Straps, Tow Straps, Tree Savers, Snatch Strap, Winch Extension Strap, Soft Shackles, Snatch Block to name a few. You should check all of them for warnings and load ratings.




Only shackles AKA D-rings that are load rated should be used for vehicle recovery. Load ratings are stamped onto the shackle. It will be in the form of WLL (working load limit) or SWL (safe working load). 



Shackles with a rating of at least 3.25t should be the minimum, and are suitable for attaching one end of a strap.  4.75t rated shackles have a larger eye and are more suited to applications such as tree trunk protectors where two ends of the strap are fitted in the shackle.

Never over-tighten the shackle pin. Forces exerted on the shackle by vehicle recovery can cause the pin to seize. The correct method is to tighten the pin until it seats, then back off the pin approximately ¼ turn. 

My Shackle's rating WLL 4 3/4

Recovery straps are accessories that every off roader should

have in their recovery kit. When making sure your gear is right, it is important to consider the weight of your vehicle. All recovery straps are rated according to their breaking strength, which at minimum should be approximately twice as much as the maximum vehicle weight that it can safely tow. So, if your Jeep weighs 5,000 pounds, you will need recovery straps that can pull at least double that amount, or over 10,000 pounds.

I learned quite a bit of good recovery information in this class, but have a lot more left to learn. 

A Cool Jeep Tip Jon shared.

Keep your recovery strap underneath the drivers seat. That way if you get stuck in the mud or water you don't need to get out of your Jeep to look for your gear in the trunk. It will be right there for you to get. 

New Decals

I decided to re-work all the decals and stickers on my Jeep. I would like to get rid of some, but I need to do some research on the removal process. 




I really, really want a purple Rubicon sticker. But that will cost some bucks. I am pretty impatient when it comes to getting new Jeep Stuff. So in the meantime, I found an awesome decal company. They made some pretty cool decals for my Jeep.   

 A fellow Jeep Girl had a cool decal on the cowl of her Jeep which inspired my two new decals. I got these from TNA Decal Designs. A great local company in Pennsylvania. AND they are fellow Jeepers. 

  

Project 100

As I get older I find having stuff is not really that important in my life. As a matter of fact I don't like having a lot of stuff. Well, except Jeep Stuff of course.




Several years ago, I began a life journey. I was searching for something but I didn't know what it was. My kids were older, and there need for me changed. I was left with an emptiness I needed to fill. So a new life journey began. Along the way I began to share what I found helpful for me. 

I have discovered so much about myself. I am more confident and self assured. I have re-discovered passions I had long ago, that I hadn't realized were my passions.  

After awhile that just wasn't enough. I actually enjoy de-cluttering my life with challenges like Project 100 or simplifying your life. It gives me more time to enjoy the things I love.  

It really gets you thinking about what you need and don't need to be happy. I have begun to embrace life by living with less things, and simplifying my life in general. It's an ongoing process for me. 

One example is Christmas time. Every year I would decorate seven Christmas trees in our house. Most of them only sat about four feet tall. It was a very time consuming task. One that I used to enjoy, and would love the outcome. Now it is just another chore as my goals in life have changed. 

Last year I didn't put up as many trees. This year I will simplify even more. It is hard to give up the tradition, but when the tradition isn't fun why continue it.  

Many things in our lives are just clutter. They get in the way of experiences. So my goal is to get rid of my stuff that isn't necessary. Life should not be about accumulating things. Life should be about accumulating memories and experiences. 

A fellow Jeep Girl inspired me as she too was de-cluttering her life beginning her version of Project 100. As I started my research on the Project, I found several folks are also challenging themselves each person with there own set of rules. 

Project 100 is trying to live your life with just 100 items. Each person making their own rules. Some are dwindling all there items to just 100. Some are just paring down just their personal items to 100. 

As I began my own Project 100 this summer I started with my personal items. It is a continual work in progress. My personal items are down to 60. 

However, I am counting my yoga mat, foam roller and stretch bands as one for example. Or my Computer and desk as one. My shoes and coats are counted in this number of 60, but as individual numbers.  

I have not included my clothes in this 100, but have reduced my clothes to under 100.  Nor have I included our household items that are shared by everyone in the family. Those household items are on their own list as I try to figure out how to minimize the stuff we have in our house, and continue to bring into our house. 

My Project 100 continues to evolve. It has started with a de-clutter that actually earned me about $400 as I sold my items at a yard sale and online.

Removing items from your life can lift a load off your shoulders and actually reduce unnecessary stress. For me it's cathartic.   

Simplify Ideas Click Here

How to get started:

Start simple with a drawer or a cupboard. Then move to a closet or room.

If trying to live with only 100 things is too hard, try the Reverse Project 100. It challenges you to dump 100 things before the end of the year. If you believe living with only 100 things is extreme giving away (selling) 100 things should be a breeze. 

Women's Wheeling Day 2017

Women's Wheeling Day at Rausch Creek Off Road Park is one of my favorite wheeling events of the year. (Okay, all the wheeling events are my favorite.) This year was my 4th year with over 200 ladies wheeling. 



The first event was in 2013 in which only eight women wheeled. Word spread and this event grew immensely since that first event.  





I came up early on Friday to help stuff the swag bags. There were Enjoy Life ~JeepMomma bracelets along with purple Jeep Talk Show koozie's, among some other vendor goodies.








Then it was off to the meet and greet at O'Neal's Pub. It was fun to meet up with some old wheeling friends, and meet some new ones too.
     






Saturday morning I was up at the crack of dawn to help out the organizers of the event, Christie with OK4WD, and Susan with Jeep Girls Rock! What a smoothly run event! 

I was matched up with Mandy again this year. She was the Trail Guide for our group, and I was the tail gunner. We had such a great time last year we decided to team up again this year! 

Our group of 5 Jeeps started the day out a little different than most of the other ladies. We were part of an advanced winching and hi-lift class. The class was presented by NORA4x4, an off-road driving school in New York. 



I haven't had much training in off-road recovery, so this was a great bonus for me. Jon our instructor was awesome at explaining and teaching the ins and outs of vehicle recovery. He also shared some cool tips!  

I definitely will be taking more of these types of classes in the future. Vehicle recovery is such an important part of off-roading.    

Once our hour class was complete it was time to hit the trails. Our group of Jeeps had a wide range of drivers. There was the little Red Jeep that could. A stock Jeep hitting the blue trails for the first time! 


Then there was the Silver Jeep driven by JoMarie. How cool to be wheeling with JoMarie. She was a competitor in the Gazelle Rally 2014. A off-road navigation race in Morocco. 

JoMarie is also a photojournalist and blogger ~ USNomads.org  She is a great photographer and I was lucky to get some pictures of me on the rocks. 

Then there was my partner in crime, Amanda. I met Amanda, a fellow Jeep mom, online several years ago. We have met up a couple of times to wheel. She is usually my co-pilot when we are on the trails. We have the most amazing time. 

After a day on the trails it was off to the pavilion for pizza and salad provided by OK4WD,  plus a very generous raffle. There were a lot of donated prizes from many awesome vendors. 

I was one of the first winners, something that is pretty rare for me. So I was pretty excited when I won a gift certificate from Northridge 4 x 4. I ended up buying myself a Bartact Fire Extinguisher Mount for my Jeep.

It was an awesome event!  I am looking forward to next year's event. The women are absolutely amazing. I have never been a part of a group of women who are so supporting, uplifting and encouraging. Leaving this event leaves many women feeling empowered! I can't express how much I love the Jeep Community. 

                    #JeepGirlsRock!