Uwharrie Off Road Fun!

Expect the Unexpected! 

This is something every off-roader should be prepared for when they hit the trails. It's one thing I learned when I wheeled in Uwharrie during the Carolina Trails Off Road Spring Invasion. 

In May of 2018, I wheeled the three "D" trails at Uwharrie; Dickey Bell, Dutch John and Daniel. Those three trails are the most difficult trails there. This year I decided to wheel the other trails I wasn't able to wheel last year. 

The rains in the area days before the event created very slick, slippery red clay covered trails. Last year the trails were dry and dusty which allowed for good traction. Not this year. It was a huge learning experience for me. 

I was very frustrated on parts of the trails because my Jeep was getting no traction. I had to be towed on one trail where my driver's side tire kept slipping into a two foot rut. Several other off-roaders made it thru, but they had their throttle timing down to a tee. Something I needed to work on. 

My Jeep Wrangler Fail - You Tube Video

It took a few slick trails to get used to hitting that skinny pedal harder than I am used too. I am usually crawling up rocks not muddy slick trails. By the end of the day I was doing pretty good.

Learning to Throttle Up 
You Tube Video

All in all it was a great trip. I learned new off road skills and got to hang out with my Carolina Off Road Friends! 

Importance of Keeping Your Jeep Clean

                                                                                              A Dirty Jeep is a Happy Jeep they say. While this is true, your Jeep likes a good bath as well. 

It is very important to get the mud, dirt, and salt off your Jeep after a day on the trails or beach. Even in the wintertime after a salt dump on the roads. All those elements play havoc on those precious Jeep parts.  

While you are washing your Jeep you can inspect it for possible problems you need to take care of like loose bolts, rust, or leaks. Taking care of your Jeep now will give it a much longer life. 

For some great Jeep Cleaning Tips check out my YouTube video in the link below. 

Jeep Momma's Top 5 Jeep Cleaning Hacks 

Jeep Momma's Garage You Tube Video 

Winch Install

Finally after five years of patiently waiting, I won a winch. I was hesitant to spend the money on a winch when the chances of me using it were slim to none. My hope was to win one at a raffle at one of the many wheeling events I attend.

My patience paid off. During the raffle at the Women's Wheeling Trail Guide Class with Off Road Consulting my number was called. I was very touched as not ever participant got the chance. 

Quadratec Q-Performance

Stealth Winch

Never having done a winch install I went to the guys at Adrenaline Off Road to show me the way. 

Winch Install 

Jeep Momma's Garage Video 

Now it looks like it's time for some Winch Recovery Classes.

On My 3rd Steering Stabilizer

Back in 2016 was my "big" first trail damage. 

I Broke My Steering Stabilizer 

Blog Post October 2016

It was my stock stabilizer and was easily fixable on the trail. However, the ding to the rock caused a slow leak which meant replacement time. I bought a stabilizer that was seated above the draglink to get it out of the way of those pesky rocks.   

A year after the new stabilizer was installed I added the Yeti steering system by Steer Smarts to my Jeep. 

Yeti Steering System Install

Blog Post - October 2017 

Once the steering components were installed I needed to get an alignment at a different shop. The shop that did the alignment didn't adjust one of the bolts on the draglink back to the exact place. So when it came to my max flex in my Jeep while I was on the trails that bolt pushed into the steering stabilizer. 

This caused a very slow leak, a two year leak. So once again time for replacement. This time before we installed the part I painted it purple! It's the Rubicon Express Steering Stabilizer. It's a super easy install by just removing two bolts and replacing the part.  

A Day in a JL Wrangler

My surprise treat while my Jeep was in the dealer garage for warranty repairs was a day with a JL Rubicon Unlimited. The folks at DarCars Chrysler Dodge of Rockville let me take the JL for the day while my Jeep was up on the lift to fix leaky axle seals. 








I was super surprised how much I liked the JL. The ride was quite nice after being in my lifted JKU. Compared to the jittery steering in the stock JK's the JL rides smoother. 

If you are into all the latest new technology the JL's is upgraded from the JK's. The dashboard has a new look with the configuration of the buttons a little different. The powers that be at Jeep heard us Off-Roaders as they added some new cool features.










One of my favorite features are the built in Aux buttons for an easier aftermarket off road light install. 

Another cool feature is the built in molle panels for storage in the back seat.











Finally they add heat/AC vents for those back seat passengers. 

In my book there only two negatives. The first is the start/stop feature which is now a feature on all new vehicles. This is to help save MPG's. So when you are in drive with the foot on the brake the engine shuts off and automatically comes back on as soon as you take your foot of the brake. This drove me nuts while I was driving it. The other negative is the high price tag on the Rubicon - $60K.

Jeep Gladiator Joy Ride

Earlier this week I needed to take my Jeep in for a leaking axle seal, which awesomely was covered under the drive train warranty.

While I was there, I asked if I could take a new JL to drive while my Jeep was being fixed. The Jeep Dealer said yes! However, I was only allowed take it from 9am to 9pm. So I decided to come back the next morning to pick up a brand new JL Rubicon to drive to work while my Jeep was in the shop. 

Before I headed home, I was told the Jeep Gladiator was out front! I immediately went to check it out. What a sweet ride! Of course I wasn't allowed to drive it, not even the salesmen where allowed to drive it. So I did a quick Facebook live video of the new Gladiator. 

I arrived back to the Jeep Dealer- DarCars Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Rockville the next morning to an amazing surprise! I was given exclusive permission to take the Gladiator for a spin! WOW!!! I was so excited. So I hopped in the drivers seat and the salesman, Just Ask John, and I took it out for a 30 minute ride around town.

Gladiator Joy Ride 

A Jeep Momma YouTube Video

I was completely shocked at how smooth of a ride it was compared to my JKU. Plus all the cool features! The same dash as the JL with my favorite feature. 


Jeep listened to the Jeep Community and added Auxiliary Buttons for ease of wiring in aftermarket lights.   

Under the seat 

storage in the back!

Air Vents -- FINALLY!! -- for the back seat passengers.

A center arm rest for those back seat passengers too! 

Plus so much more! Those were some of my favorites. It's a really cool Jeep Pick Up, I suggest if you get a chance to go check it out at your local dealer!