JeepLifestyles

Here's another cool trail find... SAFETY NOTE: Wasps are dangerous, use your head!! Don't go running up to these things like you wont get hurt. Safety first!!! Late summer and into early fall you can find these wasp nests out on the trail if you keep your eyes peeled. We have found others in previous years and wanted to show this one in it's current state, eventually the weather or the birds will get to it and destroy it.

Just a lazy day of wheeling in the boonies of Wyoming!

One of many classic flat fenders making Wipeout Hill look easy! During the 50th EJS we had a chance to get out with one of our flatties and enjoyed the day with several other, like minded Willys fans!

While building our 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon we noticed that one of the boxes for the suspension system was an extended travel accessory kit. We were very curious as to what might be included in the kit so we wanted to share with our viewers.

Here's a quick tip on how to remove a rusted or seized disc brake rotor or drum if it has threaded holes in the body. Many times brake drums and rotors have a tendency to get stuck and can be difficult to remove. Sometimes tapping them with a hammer can release them, other times they are too stuck. With a quick inspection you might be able to find a quick and easy way to remove these components, many times for just a few dollars instead of having to buy a drum/disc puller. If you happen to have a brake drum or disc rotor that is giving you fits, hopefully this little trick will help you out. It does make the job much easier and quicker if you have two bolts to works with instead of trying to use one and swapping it between holes. If that's all you have, many times you can make that work.

Jeep Under Seat Lockbox There is one brand and one brand alone when we think of vehicle security, that's Tuffy Security Products. Here we'll take the opportunity to showcase one of those products, the Tuffy "Under Seat Lockbox." Our History with Tuffy: For years we have utilized products from Tuffy for our own vehicles, in builds for customers and for restoration projects. We're currently working on a 2020 Jeep Gladiator and had the opportunity to incorporate Tuffy's products into the project. While conversing with a representative on an unrelated project, we were asked if we would review a storage lockbox. Knowing the company and the quality, we agreed to check out the "Under Seat Lockbox". Why Lockable Storage? Many times, Jeep owners pull the top off and head for the hills, we're no different. When you remove the top and doors, the interior is exposed, and security now becomes an issue. Having storage that is bolted down, locked up and well hidden, relaxing gets much easier. Out of sight out of mind, right? How We're Going to Use It: While building our Jeep Gladiator project dubbed "Crixus," we installed the Rear Under-seat Lockbox. What a fortunate opportunity to show those who may be interested, how it installs, fits and looks. Our Jeep vehicles get used for adventure trips, camping and other outings so while we're adventuring, we want security. As previously stated, we have relied on Tuffy's products for years and we know the quality very well. The Preparation: It literally takes minutes to prepare to install the under seat lockbox. Simply remove the four factory bolts holding the plastic unit in place and remove the factory unit. The Tuffy Under Seat Lockbox Unbox the new storage lockbox and open it so the mounting holes are accessible. If necessary, get help from someone to reduce risk of damage to the vehicle and put in place. The Installation Before you bolt the unit down, four flat washers must be installed on the mounting brackets under the lockbox. This is where having assistance can be helpful to avoid damaging the vehicle. Carefully set the storage unit down on the brackets without moving the washers, next, install the bolts and lock washers. I tightened the bolts with a quarter inch ratchet and torx head and was done in minutes. My Takeaway Having a safe place to store the items that you don't intend, or want to take with, can be paramount. With lockable storage, items can be left behind knowing they'll be there when you get back. For hunters that may be traveling with firearms, the lock box is capable of securely storing those too. It is also a great, lockable storage area for travel or emergency items that stay with the vehicle until needed. Safely stored and conveniently out of sight until they are needed for whatever reason. Storage And Security in Minutes It's easy to access, conveniently hidden and easily mounts where the factory unit was mounted. Four bolts securely lock the under-seat storage unit in place. Although the factory hardware isn’t used, Tuffy does include new bolts, washers and lock washers for the installation. Tuffy advertises the box to have 2000 cubic inches of secure, concealed storage. We didn’t measure it down to the square inch, but, it certainly has as much space than the cheap, factory unit we replaced. It’s made of 1/8” steel and comes with two locks (one on each side) for double the security. What I Would Change: The only issue I found unappealing is the fact that in order to remove the rear floor mats, I must remove the lockbox. Not that it's a huge issue but if there's a spill or accident, it's no longer an easy cleanup. For full disclosure, I am unaware of how this affects other platforms but with our Rubicon, the mats cannot be removed without removal of the lockbox first. Ultimately I have no doubt that we'll get plenty of use out of this under-seat lockbox from Tuffy!

We are working on another build project, this time it is a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon JT dubbed... "Crixus". If you're unfamiliar with the name, a quick Google search will answer some questions as to where the name originates and you'll get a quick history lesson in the process. Once again, we gravitated towards the tried and true brand that we have utilized on so many builds prior to Crixus. Teraflex is known in the industry as a company that manufactures some of the best suspension systems out on the trails. They have been around for years and are without a doubt, industry leaders for a reason! The products from Teraflex are well thought out in design and go through a rigorous R&D testing process. This ensures that the final product is one that Teraflex employees would feel comfortable utilizing on their personal vehicles and you can too. If you're familiar with the company, you have no doubt seen these guys out on the trails in their personal rigs and will easily see the pride they have in their rigs and the product line they represent! To soften the ride and ensure things are smooth and comfortable on the highway as well as the trail, we'll incorporate Falcon Shocks and " Speed Bump" bump stops. As with our other builds, we have utilized the Falcon adjustable shocks and have found them to be incredibly effective in optimizing the ride quality on and off the trail. In addition to the Teraflex components "Crixus" will be rolling with Nomad Wheels that are wrapped with 38" Patagonia M/T's from the fine folks at Milestar! Milestar is another company that we have had great success with. We've run Patagonia M/T's on one of our previous JK builds dubbed "Teracon" as well as an FC-150 that we are currently building. We have also run the Patagonia X/T on our tow rig and we've had nothing but positive experiences with all of our tires from Milestar so once again, we opted to go that route on this project. This is the first phase of this project and in time, we'll have additional components and products that will be incorporated into Crixus. There will still be plenty to do (as with any Jeep project) that we will share but for now, we wanted to show the installation of the suspension system from Teraflex. Thanks for checking out this initial phase of our build and we hope you'll find the information valuable and that you'll check back as we continue to build "Crixus".

For what ever reason, we had a door on one of our TJ's get bound up enough that there was only one option left! This is not an uncommon problem for the Jeep TJ, we've seen it before, know others who have fought it as well so here, we'll show you a quick remedy to at least get the door to open so a new latch can be replaced if needed. After fighting with it for a couple of hours and trying to pry it open, pull the linkage from inside (after removing the interior door handle) with no success and even pleading with it, I decided to take an approach that I knew would open the door! The linkage in the door had somehow gotten bound up enough that this door refused to open. Knowing that I could cut the latch hoop in an effort to at least get the door to open, I went ahead and made the decision to save time and get this sucker opened so we could get it operational again.

The Console Safe From Tuffy Jeep Wranglers can be some of the most vulnerable vehicles on the road when it comes to security. How many Jeep Wranglers out there have either soft tops or are regularly driven with the top off altogether? One way to keep your smaller items safe and secure while you're away is the Console Safe from Tuffy. A few dollars spent and less than an hour invested, your Jeep can have an extra level of security. How Much Security Is Enough? If you have ever had your vehicle broken into or anything stolen, there is no limit to how much. We recently installed and showcased the "Rear Under Seat Lockbox" also from Tuffy Security Products. No one wants to be the victim of theft so it's best to be proactive. Installing The Console Safe The preparation for the installation is incredibly easy and quick. Aside form opening the lid and lifting the tray, all you need to do is remove the mat from inside. Read all of the instructions so you're familiar with the process and dive in. The lid for the safe is the first component to go into the console. You have to angle it in to get it to fit past the opening at the top. With the safe lid inside the console, open it and lift it upwards so you can install the fill plates. Assembling The Safe It is a bit of a juggling act but easy enough to work with. The instructions say to install the "Fill Plate" screws upside-down with the locknut on top to start. This will make sense as you fumble with trying to hold everything in place at first. Install the fill plates and then the side braces. Four side braces are shipped with the kit but only two will be used. Vehicles with the "Selec-Trac" or "Rock-Trac" All Wheel Drive system, require the use of the shorter braces. The taller braces fit the other models, you'll be able to tell early on. The braces come a bit overbent, inspect them before assembling the safe and open them up if necessary. I found that setting one side in place temporarily as a brace, allowed me to work with the opposite side. Install the four screws and locknuts in each corner. The last step is to install the (2) nylon washers, locknut and cap screw onto the lid support. This allows the lid to close slowly without falling on the users hand. Install one nylon washer on each side of the support, the cap screw in from the front and the locknut backs it all up.DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN! Correct the orientation of the fill plate screws at this point too. With everything supported, it is much easier to swap them to the correct position with the locknut on the bottom. That's it, in less than an hour your now have one more, lockable place to keep smaller items secure. The console remains the same as it did from the factory with the exception of the hidden, locking safe. Close it up and get out there and start your next adventure! Final Thoughts Overall, I really like the Console Safe from Tuffy Security Products. I personally feel there are a couple of things that could be improved to make the installation easier. If the filler plates alone had weld nuts or something similar, the installation would be so much easier and quicker. It's not a huge deal but with threads in the filler plate, that struggle would be eliminated. The safe fits tight, is clean and looks like it belongs while being completely secure! What a perfect place to store the locking lug nut key if you have custom wheels, phones or wallets.

Jeep Under Seat Lockbox There is one brand and one brand alone when we think of vehicle security, that's Tuffy Security Products. Here we'll take the opportunity to showcase one of those products, the Tuffy "Under Seat Lockbox." Our History with Tuffy: For years we have utilized products from Tuffy for our own vehicles, in builds for customers and for restoration projects. We're currently working on a 2020 Jeep Gladiator and had the opportunity to incorporate Tuffy's products into the project. While conversing with a representative on an unrelated project, we were asked if we would review a storage lockbox. Knowing the company and the quality, we agreed to check out the "Under Seat Lockbox". Why Lockable Storage? Many times, Jeep owners pull the top off and head for the hills, we're no different. When you remove the top and doors, the interior is exposed, and security now becomes an issue. Having storage that is bolted down, locked up and well hidden, relaxing gets much easier. Out of sight out of mind, right? How We're Going to Use It: While building our Jeep Gladiator project dubbed "Crixus," we installed the Rear Under-seat Lockbox. What a fortunate opportunity to show those who may be interested, how it installs, fits and looks. Our Jeep vehicles get used for adventure trips, camping and other outings so while we're adventuring, we want security. As previously stated, we have relied on Tuffy's products for years and we know the quality very well. The Preparation: It literally takes minutes to prepare to install the under seat lockbox. Simply remove the four factory bolts holding the plastic unit in place and remove the factory unit. The Tuffy Under Seat Lockbox Unbox the new storage lockbox and open it so the mounting holes are accessible. If necessary, get help from someone to reduce risk of damage to the vehicle and put in place. The Installation Before you bolt the unit down, four flat washers must be installed on the mounting brackets under the lockbox. This is where having assistance can be helpful to avoid damaging the vehicle. Carefully set the storage unit down on the brackets without moving the washers, next, install the bolts and lock washers. I tightened the bolts with a quarter inch ratchet and torx head and was done in minutes. My Takeaway Having a safe place to store the items that you don't intend, or want to take with, can be paramount. With lockable storage, items can be left behind knowing they'll be there when you get back. For hunters that may be traveling with firearms, the lock box is capable of securely storing those too. It is also a great, lockable storage area for travel or emergency items that stay with the vehicle until needed. Safely stored and conveniently out of sight until they are needed for whatever reason. Storage And Security in Minutes It's easy to access, conveniently hidden and easily mounts where the factory unit was mounted. Four bolts securely lock the under-seat storage unit in place. Although the factory hardware isn’t used, Tuffy does include new bolts, washers and lock washers for the installation. Tuffy advertises the box to have 2000 cubic inches of secure, concealed storage. We didn’t measure it down to the square inch, but, it certainly has as much space than the cheap, factory unit we replaced. It’s made of 1/8” steel and comes with two locks (one on each side) for double the security. What I Would Change: The only issue I found unappealing is the fact that in order to remove the rear floor mats, I must remove the lockbox. Not that it's a huge issue but if there's a spill or accident, it's no longer an easy cleanup. For full disclosure, I am unaware of how this affects other platforms but with our Rubicon, the mats cannot be removed without removal of the lockbox first. Ultimately I have no doubt that we'll get plenty of use out of this under-seat lockbox from Tuffy!

It is not uncommon for a steering wheel to become off-center. This can happen because of a few different reasons, the most common is making suspension modifications like installing a lift kit. We recently installed a lift kit on a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and in usual fashion, the steering wheel was clocked after doing so. During the installation of our suspension lift we upgraded and changed out the factory track bar with an adjustable but we did not change out the drag link or tie rod. The tie rod and drag link are the two components attached to the pitman arm which is the single component that is needing to be adjusted to correct the placement of the steering wheel. The fix for the problem is a relatively simple one if you have a basic understanding of automotive technology. Here we show you how to correct the issue of a misaligned steering wheel. Be sure to tighten anything you loosen back to manufacturers specifications and always for all manufacturers recommend procedures for this type of repair.

Trailer Security From BOLT

Before considering buying a two-post car lift there are several things to consider. Most importantly, fully inspect every aspect of all parts and components before signing the freight company’s bill of lading. Secondly, read as many reviews as possible regarding the manufacturer, as well as any dealer you may be considering purchasing your lift from. I was out of town when this lift was delivered so I was unable to inspect it. I would have refused the shipment all together and given the dealer an opportunity to replace it, or I would have purchased a lift from another dealer. The decision to purchase this brand and model were based on the fact that it was in stock and ready to ship during the supply chain shortages and issues the country was contending with. As of now, the majority of my complaints lay with the freight company. BUT, as stated there are a few issues with the lift itself that I was disappointed by too. What appeared to be a lack of quality control at the manufacturer is probably what frustrated me the most. When I reached out to the manufacturer in regards to missing parts that were lost due to the freight company’s disregard of care while handling, they were quick to respond with shipping out replacement parts. The manufacturer of this lift does not want people to install their product line themselves, but they do not have any installers in my area. I was comfortable taking on the installation process and would prefer it but found the manufacturer’s instructions to be limited, poorly written and at times, confusing in the message they were trying to convey. As you can see the lift is installed and functioning but cosmetically, it is damaged inseveral areas. Should you be considering the purchase of a hobby lift for tour shop all I can advise is to ask a lot of questions!!

With a shop full of ongoing projects (Jeep vehicles are never really ever done are they) what's the best thing to do? That's right, add one more to the list! :) Since we sold our 2014 JKU dubbed "Project Teracon," we went looking for another Jeep that could comfortably take us to the various locations where we like to play, camp and explore. Originally we were looking for another JK but at the prices they are going for with high mileage, it just made sense to buy one that was like new with extremely low mileage and from the looks of it, had never been off-road. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Since it has not been modified in any way since it rolled off of the factory floor we knew that there were going to need to be some changes and upgrades made. With the long wheelbase we know we're going to need some ground clearance to improve our breakover angle. SOOOO, the first call we made was to the fine folks over at @TeraFlexSuspensions for some quality suspension components. We will be installing the 3.5 Alpine Short Arm kit for the suspension. For the shocks, we went with the obvious choice... @Falcon Shocks and to round out our Teraflex shopping list, we decided to give the Nomad Wheels a try. We really like the idea and concept of being able to preset the air pressure for those "air down moments". If we're lifting it, throwing new shocks and wheels on it, what are we going to run for tires you might wonder. Well, we're glad you asked... Another brand that we've run on other builds and had good luck with is @Milestar Tires. Although we strongly wanted to go with 40's we began looking at other builds, clearance issues and opted to go with 38's. We want to make sure we can not only get in and out of it without having to get a running start, we also want clearance when we are out on the trails. Rounding the list out, we will be utilizing Genuine Spicer Gear rebuild kits and a 5.13 gear ratio set to help bring the power we will want and need back. In addition to the gearing we will be utilizing the Traildash 3 from @Superchips to fully calibrate the system. As Erin states in the video, we have begun to name some of our vehicles and builds. Not being one who normally names my vehicles this does seem appropriate. The Jeep Gladiator has taken the Jeep community by storm much like the introduction of the JK by offering a 4-Door option based on the Wrangler platform. We wanted to set this Gladiator apart from others and the history behind the Gladiator Crixus, is a pretty amazing story. One worth naming our build... "Crixus." We hope you follow along as we make some worthy upgrades and changes to our JT. We will have separate videos related to different parts of this build and of course, some adventure content from our outings. Stay tuned...

In this episode we finally get to see the fruits of our labor pay off as we see the vision of the build begin to take shape. Once we get the main components like the springs and axles underneath the frame, we can get to some of the other "add-on's". After we get the axles are installed we will be doing a front and rear disc brake conversion for a more, modern day braking power style.

Somehow we left this old video on the cutting room floor of our upcoming projects and associated videos. This was a preview of "What's To Come" from what became, a few of our more popular videos. We were discussing some of our recent and upcoming installations of various components from @Power Tank Official, @Howell Engine Development and @Yukon Gear & Axle. This was for our Hardcore Locking Hub installation video, the installation of our Yukon Zip Lockers that were powered by the Jet Pak from Power Tank and of course, our installation of the EFI System from Howell. Once in awhile we come across some of our old material and it reminds us of how many projects we have done, how many Jeeps we can stuff into a small shop and how much work having toys can be! :) If you haven't checked out any of the associated videos from these great manufacturers please take a few minutes and do so. You may find a worthy upgrade or a new option for an upgrade opportunity for your Jeep or off-road vehicle.

After months of planning, accumulating parts, working with the guys at Rugged Werx for our powder coating, we finally get the opportunity to begin the build. Thanks to the guys over at Rugged Werx in Riverton Wyoming, the components look better than they did when they rolled off the factory floor in 1961. This is when things start to get a bit... Exciting.

Total destruction is our goal in this episode! We cannot simply tear it down to the frame and give it the "Krylon Touch" if we want this Fc to stand out in a crowd. As we continue to tear the project apart we set thing in a couple of different piles, those that go to powder coating, those that go to the scrap bin and the rest in up in the... "Where are we going to find a replacement" pile! Check it out as we get to the last stage of the disassembly process and prepare for the long, long journey of bringing this iconic piece of Jeep history back to life.

We did the front Disc Brake Conversion on our Project FC-150 with parts sourced from @Kaiser Willys Jeep

A project cannot begin anew until it is torn down. We begin the teardown process and start getting this 1961 FC-150 disassembled so we can get a better assessment of what's there, what's still usable and what needs to go as well as what may need to be replaced. This stage gives us our first real exposure to the depth of the project that lies ahead. As you can see, this old Jeep has been sitting idle for WAYYYY too long and as such, it is definitely going to need some love to bring it back to the land of the living. It's a good thing we have a long standing love for these vehicles and are willing to get our hands dirty. Follow along as we begin the disassembly process as we get started.

We begin the inspection and teardown of our 1961 FC-150. We get a chance to take a closer look inside and out to show the good, the bad and the ugly of our FC find and what it is going to need to bring this gem back to life. The first thing it will need is to be disassembled, stay tuned or check back in regularly as we will have regular updates of the process.