Thursday, December 21, 2017

New Skids for My Jeep

Rear Lower Control Arm Protection


Jeep Wrangler In the Garage
Oil Change


While I had my Jeep in the shop for an oil change, it was pointed out to me I could use some protection on my rear lower control arms. 


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.  





Adrenaline Off Road Garage
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.



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.  

Thursday, December 14, 2017

67 Designs Jeep Wrangler Phone Mount

Jeep Phone Mount: Money Well Spent



67 Designs Jeep Wrangler Phone Mount 👉 Buy Here

Install Video 👉 Watch Here


Simple & Easy Install 



Step 1

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. 



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.

Monday, December 11, 2017

My New Soft Shackle - Gator Jaw

A Must Have in Your Recovery Gear Bag


During a Women's Wheeling Day event, NORA 4x4 ~ NorthEast OffRoad Adventures ~ held a hi-lift / winching class.


Jon with NORA 4x4

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 go with the GatorJaw 7/16" Synthetic shackle 

Gator Jaw Soft Shackle 👉 Buy Here


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 used this shackle dozens of times on the trail over the years. It holds up amazingly. 

Jeep Momma contains Amazon affiliate links. I receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. I recommend products and services because I think they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Project 100

It's An On Going Process - Clearing the Clutter



Finding New Ways to Reduce the Stuff in My Life

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. 

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. 




A Journey of Simplicity and Purpose

Discovering more about myself has been a transformative experience. I've found a new sense of confidence and self-assurance, reigniting passions I long forgot or didn't realize were central to me. However, as time passed, this personal revival wasn't enough. I've discovered joy in decluttering my life through challenges such as Project 100 or simplification techniques. These efforts provide me with more time to relish the things I truly love.

Embracing a Simpler Life

This exploration has got me thinking about what truly contributes to happiness. I began embracing life by paring down possessions and simplifying my lifestyle. It's an ongoing, evolving process for me.

One significant change was altering my approach to Christmas decorations. Previously, I used to decorate seven Christmas trees, a time-consuming tradition that I once enjoyed. However, as my life goals shifted, it became more of a burdensome task than a joyful tradition.

Rethinking Traditions and Clutter

Realizations dawned upon me: many elements in our lives are mere clutter, obstructing our experiences. Consequently, I'm committed to discarding unnecessary possessions. Life, I believe, shouldn't revolve around accumulating things but rather around accumulating memories and experiences.

Project 100: A Personal Challenge

Inspiration struck when I encountered a fellow enthusiast of decluttering, starting her version of Project 100. Researching this project unveiled numerous individuals setting their own rules and embarking on this minimalistic journey.

Project 100 aims to live with just 100 items, with participants establishing their own criteria. My personal journey with Project 100 began by streamlining my personal items, currently down to 60. I've chosen to count some items collectively, such as yoga equipment or computer setups, but individual items like shoes and coats are accounted for separately.

Evolving Project and Gaining Perspective

My Project 100 is an ongoing evolution. Initiating with a decluttering process, it also resulted in earning approximately $400 through yard sales and online selling.

Liberating Benefits of Decluttering

The act of removing items from my life has alleviated mental burdens and reduced unnecessary stress. It's become a cathartic process for me.

Starting Your Journey

To begin your own simplification journey, start with small steps, like a drawer or a cupboard. Progress to larger areas like a closet or a room.

Exploring Alternatives

For those finding the concept of living with only 100 items too daunting, the Reverse Project 100 offers an alternative. This challenge focuses on discarding 100 items within a set period, making the process of giving away or selling belongings more manageable for those who find extreme minimalism challenging.

This journey towards simplicity has not only reshaped my physical space but also redefined my perspective on life and the pursuit of true contentment.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Women's Wheeling Day 2017


Jeep Momma Off Road at Rausch Creek 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.
     




Jeep Momma wheeling at Women's Wheeling Day at Rausch Creek

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! 


NORA 4 x 4 Recovery Class at Rausch Creek
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. 



NORA 4 x 4 Recovery Class 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. 





Jeep Moms Off Road at Rausch Creek

Jeep Moms Off Road at Rausch Creek

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!  

  

Monday, October 16, 2017

The Jeep Smile - Axle Problems

Factory Axle Tube Issues


Front End Alignment Importance 

After I upgraded my steering components I took my Jeep to get an alignment. Steer Smarts recommends a professional front end alignment, which I did. 

A front end alignment is important to the life of your tires. It ensures that all four tires are consistent with each other to optimize maximum contact with the surface of the road. It will also prevent uneven wear on your tires. 




Possible Future Problems

After my alignment was complete, I was given a print out for my records. It shows your before and after.  My Jeep was hooked up to the alignment machine which measures the camber, caster, and toe. The caster came out in the green. However, the Camber and Toe were in the red. 



The shop realigned the toe. The camber can't be adjusted unless I get new axle parts. It was off by less than a degree. Which is okay for now, but down the road I most likely will have to make some upgrades to my axle. 

Diagnosis 

Most likely the axle housing is bent or the inner C’s are bent. Maybe from my bigger tires. Maybe from the wheeling I do. I am told it could be because of the thin axle tubes on the Wranglers. This is also known as the Jeep Smile. My Rubicon's smile isn't that "smiley" yet. 

The number in the red is only off slightly. I will just need to keep my eye on it. The great mechanics at Adrenaline Off-Road showed me what to look for. Grease leaking, and the spots where I  would see it. Just another thing I learned about my Rubicon! The knowledge just keeps growing. 

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Tips to Find a Trusty Jeep Mechanic

How Not to Get Ripped Off



Finding a reliable mechanic to work on your Jeep ~ if ~ you don’t do the work yourself, can be difficult. Especially if you are making upgrades and changes for off-roading.

[Top 5 Tips] How To NOT Get Ripped Off Conman Mechanic Scam Alert ðŸ‘‰ Watch Here

How to Spot Bad Mechanics Work on Jeep 👉  Watch Here

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get a good reliable mechanic to work on your Jeep, especially when you are upgrading and making aftermarket changes. 

Tips to Finding a Good Jeep Mechanic


  • Stay away from your average run of the mill car mechanic or even a franchise shop that deals in lifts. 
  • Reach out to your local Jeep Club for suggestions.
  • If you are an off-roader make sure your mechanic has knowledge of off-roading or is an off-roader. 
  • Get references from fellow Jeepers/Off-Roaders


Thursday, August 17, 2017

Tuffy Security Console Insert Jeep Install

Enhancing Security and Convenience in Your Jeep

Tuffy Security Console


Security Console Insert for Jeep Wrangler 

In the world of Jeep enthusiasts, the safety of our belongings in our Jeeps, particularly for those with soft tops, is a paramount concern. To address this issue, I went with the Tuffy Products JKU Security Console Insert, a fully enclosed 16-gauge steel console safe that combines security and convenience while preserving the sleek lines of the factory center console.

Tuffy Center Console for the Jeep Wrangler 👉 Buy Here


This heavy-duty, lockable console drops into the factory console. It effectively shields valuables from potential theft. It stands as an ideal solution for keeping valuables secure, especially during those open-top adventures, providing me peace of mind for my valuables. 

Jeep Momma Install Video 👉 Watch Here


Step by Step Install



Gather necessary tools & supplies. Then remove your personal items from your center console. 

Plastic Tool Removal Kit 👉 Buy Here



Remove console rear plastic panel. 




Remove plastic hinge cover panel. 




Remove plastic tray & remove the liner. 



Remove the cover attached with four screws. 



Insert the Tuffy insert then re-install the cover placing the hinge under the Tuffy insert mounting plate. That's it! Super easy, and now your valuables are secure.   

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