Hello Everyone,
Well now that the temperatures are dropping, snow is upon us, and nights are starting at 4:30, things are a lot less busy and I can fulfill my COORJC job. I hope this newsletter finds you safe and warm, with the unpredictable weather we've been having lately. I've seen and heard this question asked many times on trails and on our social media. " I have a new jeep and I want to wheel it. What is (are) the first upgrade(s) I should make?" The obvious answer would be something structural. Well after guiding several trails, regardless of difficulty, my answer would be a working CB. It is so frustrating to try to instruct and inform people when there is no contact. Walkie talkies are ok in a pinch, but don't work for a whole group. Ok so honk your horn if you need help. Sometimes, that is too late and the driver is in a situation that could cause damage. With a CB, drivers can be quickly warned about a hidden obstacle, oncoming off road traffic, or instructed to stop to try another line ESP if the guide realizes that their line won't work for those jeeps following. It's essential if someone breaks down and needs help, on or off the trail.
I'm sure every wheeler has their own opinion on what structural parts should be first. Of course it's going to depend on the budget and what kind of wheeling you plan to do. My first suggestion would be a lift. What kind and what size have to depend once again, on your budget and what you want to do with your jeep. Research and literally asking other jeep owners will help. Personally I went for a 2 1/2 " Rubicon Express lift because it was the middle of the road price wise and it would allow me to eventually go to 35' s. Being a 4 door, I sometimes wish I had gone for a 3 1/2" .
That brings up another point, whether you have a 2 door or 4 door. Because of the longer wheel base, the belly can get hung up easily on the 4 door, or bus, as Mark likes to call my girl, lol. The 2 door can skim over obstacles a little better. The next suggestion is two fold. If you can afford them, I would strongly suggest rock sliders, because your side steps tend to get knocked off anyway and also skid plates. These will help to protect the jeep body and vital areas under your jeep.
Next, I would suggest more aggressive tires than those stock things! There are all kinds of favourites out there that you need to research. Daily drivers need different tires than weekend warriors for wear and tear as well as gas mileage. Road noise is another factor, but if you want a good wheeling tire, suck it up. I have Cooper STT Pros and love them. They are reasonably priced, wear well, aren't too noisy, and do well on all types of terrain.
Notice that I haven't mentioned all those pretty light bars and such, not needed for daytime wheeling. My next suggestion is to get a steel bumper and a good winch, at least a 10000 lb. If you need a stronger pull, get a snatch block and learn how to double up your pulling power.
One upgrade that will choose for you, could be your fenders. Stock fenders and larger tires don't always work. They tend to get popped off. That's how I got my Bushwackers, lol.
The next upgrade would be diff covers. ( I have my order into Santa for these)
Now you can add the pretty lights. As we know jeep lights are horrible, so upgrade those babies ASAP. A bar light is also really helpful night driving on and off road. I also added Amber fog lights that are awesome in fog and snow.
k there are lots more upgrades like heavier axles, steel rear bumper, full roll cage, extra tranny cooler, different gears, bead locks, lockers, and the list goes on.......$$$$$$$$ Remember that Christmas is coming and you are probably being asked what you want. Well here's your list, lol.
Cheers, Lynda Darling - Jeep Mom
Well now that the temperatures are dropping, snow is upon us, and nights are starting at 4:30, things are a lot less busy and I can fulfill my COORJC job. I hope this newsletter finds you safe and warm, with the unpredictable weather we've been having lately. I've seen and heard this question asked many times on trails and on our social media. " I have a new jeep and I want to wheel it. What is (are) the first upgrade(s) I should make?" The obvious answer would be something structural. Well after guiding several trails, regardless of difficulty, my answer would be a working CB. It is so frustrating to try to instruct and inform people when there is no contact. Walkie talkies are ok in a pinch, but don't work for a whole group. Ok so honk your horn if you need help. Sometimes, that is too late and the driver is in a situation that could cause damage. With a CB, drivers can be quickly warned about a hidden obstacle, oncoming off road traffic, or instructed to stop to try another line ESP if the guide realizes that their line won't work for those jeeps following. It's essential if someone breaks down and needs help, on or off the trail.
I'm sure every wheeler has their own opinion on what structural parts should be first. Of course it's going to depend on the budget and what kind of wheeling you plan to do. My first suggestion would be a lift. What kind and what size have to depend once again, on your budget and what you want to do with your jeep. Research and literally asking other jeep owners will help. Personally I went for a 2 1/2 " Rubicon Express lift because it was the middle of the road price wise and it would allow me to eventually go to 35' s. Being a 4 door, I sometimes wish I had gone for a 3 1/2" .
That brings up another point, whether you have a 2 door or 4 door. Because of the longer wheel base, the belly can get hung up easily on the 4 door, or bus, as Mark likes to call my girl, lol. The 2 door can skim over obstacles a little better. The next suggestion is two fold. If you can afford them, I would strongly suggest rock sliders, because your side steps tend to get knocked off anyway and also skid plates. These will help to protect the jeep body and vital areas under your jeep.
Next, I would suggest more aggressive tires than those stock things! There are all kinds of favourites out there that you need to research. Daily drivers need different tires than weekend warriors for wear and tear as well as gas mileage. Road noise is another factor, but if you want a good wheeling tire, suck it up. I have Cooper STT Pros and love them. They are reasonably priced, wear well, aren't too noisy, and do well on all types of terrain.
Notice that I haven't mentioned all those pretty light bars and such, not needed for daytime wheeling. My next suggestion is to get a steel bumper and a good winch, at least a 10000 lb. If you need a stronger pull, get a snatch block and learn how to double up your pulling power.
One upgrade that will choose for you, could be your fenders. Stock fenders and larger tires don't always work. They tend to get popped off. That's how I got my Bushwackers, lol.
The next upgrade would be diff covers. ( I have my order into Santa for these)
Now you can add the pretty lights. As we know jeep lights are horrible, so upgrade those babies ASAP. A bar light is also really helpful night driving on and off road. I also added Amber fog lights that are awesome in fog and snow.
k there are lots more upgrades like heavier axles, steel rear bumper, full roll cage, extra tranny cooler, different gears, bead locks, lockers, and the list goes on.......$$$$$$$$ Remember that Christmas is coming and you are probably being asked what you want. Well here's your list, lol.
Cheers, Lynda Darling - Jeep Mom
Hi Everyone,
I hope this newsletter finds you nice and dry on this very wet yucky day. So much for running around with the soft tops down.
Well our first Rookie Run, held last Sunday on May 21st, was well attended and a great success, according to all of the happy smiles at the end of the day. Many thanks to Mark and Angie Sims for the excellent organization. A huge thanks to all of the guides and support staff for a great day of fun and excitement. Yes, there were some interesting spots that the poor rookies were exposed to and went through with flying colours. Many were really surprised and impressed with what their jeeps were very capable of doing. Yes, we even had an improvised lesson in winching when yours truly decided to have some fun going out a different way from a water crossing and ended up getting mired up to my rock sliders on one side and getting turtled on a rock. After trying 3x's to work my way out, I was obviously detained. My white knight, Todd Folks, went to work operating his winch and yanked me out of my predicament, to the wonderment of the Rookies. I left a nice pattern on the nasty rock that had grabbed me, lol. Love my skid plates!!!! A little embarrassed, I continued on to guide the group successfully through the various trails, thank goodness!!!
It was a long, wet, buggy day, but it didn't stop anyone from having a blast. Here are some of the comments after the day:-
"My jeep can handle more than I thought she could."
"Surprised by the capabilities, especially the approach angles."
"4 low is the way to go. Put the tires on the big rock"
"A good bug shirt is worth every penny."
"Remember to keep my thumbs out of the steering wheel!"
"Quit doing Rookie Runs in May!" Lol.
We had Rookies attending from all over Ontario, but the most impressive distance was Joshua Dean from North Bay, who drove down in the early morning and returned home the same day to be with his family. That was amazing! Josh has even suggested that we all head up there for a weekend of fun with the club up there. Definitely something to think about. Thanks for coming, Josh.
We've been talking about adding a second day to the Rookie Run, where everyone can join in on a club run to mingle with more seasoned members and gain more experience.
COORJC is definitely being recognized as a quickly growing jeep club all over the world with over 500 members.
We have already set up a few dates to wheel together:
There is a weekend of runs planned for June 3 and 4th at South Winds in Minden
Another trip is planned to Teapot Lake for the July 1 st weekend.
The trip I'm looking forward to is to Drummond Island in Michigan in August.
This is by no means the only wheeling dates. There are lots of open weekends, so keep an eye on the website for postings.
Take care my wheeling friends,
Jeep Mom.
I hope this newsletter finds you nice and dry on this very wet yucky day. So much for running around with the soft tops down.
Well our first Rookie Run, held last Sunday on May 21st, was well attended and a great success, according to all of the happy smiles at the end of the day. Many thanks to Mark and Angie Sims for the excellent organization. A huge thanks to all of the guides and support staff for a great day of fun and excitement. Yes, there were some interesting spots that the poor rookies were exposed to and went through with flying colours. Many were really surprised and impressed with what their jeeps were very capable of doing. Yes, we even had an improvised lesson in winching when yours truly decided to have some fun going out a different way from a water crossing and ended up getting mired up to my rock sliders on one side and getting turtled on a rock. After trying 3x's to work my way out, I was obviously detained. My white knight, Todd Folks, went to work operating his winch and yanked me out of my predicament, to the wonderment of the Rookies. I left a nice pattern on the nasty rock that had grabbed me, lol. Love my skid plates!!!! A little embarrassed, I continued on to guide the group successfully through the various trails, thank goodness!!!
It was a long, wet, buggy day, but it didn't stop anyone from having a blast. Here are some of the comments after the day:-
"My jeep can handle more than I thought she could."
"Surprised by the capabilities, especially the approach angles."
"4 low is the way to go. Put the tires on the big rock"
"A good bug shirt is worth every penny."
"Remember to keep my thumbs out of the steering wheel!"
"Quit doing Rookie Runs in May!" Lol.
We had Rookies attending from all over Ontario, but the most impressive distance was Joshua Dean from North Bay, who drove down in the early morning and returned home the same day to be with his family. That was amazing! Josh has even suggested that we all head up there for a weekend of fun with the club up there. Definitely something to think about. Thanks for coming, Josh.
We've been talking about adding a second day to the Rookie Run, where everyone can join in on a club run to mingle with more seasoned members and gain more experience.
COORJC is definitely being recognized as a quickly growing jeep club all over the world with over 500 members.
We have already set up a few dates to wheel together:
There is a weekend of runs planned for June 3 and 4th at South Winds in Minden
Another trip is planned to Teapot Lake for the July 1 st weekend.
The trip I'm looking forward to is to Drummond Island in Michigan in August.
This is by no means the only wheeling dates. There are lots of open weekends, so keep an eye on the website for postings.
Take care my wheeling friends,
Jeep Mom.