Properly set up bump stops can be the difference between a smooth or terrible off-road ride. Basic factory bump stops work great for a factory ride reducing noise and harshness. Those factory bump stops aren’t up to the task of cushioning hard hits off-road. Metal bump stops are durable and versatile but add harshness. Metal […]
Posted inInterior Upgrades
Replace Your Worn Out Seats – Corbeau Baja RS
After decades of use the seats in my TJ are a little worn out. A couple hours of driving leave me feeling like I tried to break a wild stallion. Albeit a very slow wild stallion. It was definitely time for some new and preferably more comfortable seats. When choosing the new seats I used […]
Posted inRecipes
Skillet Apples – Campfire Recipes
Baseball, apple pie, and the American flag are some of my favorite things. When you go camping it’s hard to bring an apple pie. A great way to get that warm apple pie flavor is to cook some apples in a skillet to create the pie filling that’s oh so tasty. Ingredients for a serving […]
Posted inProject Vehicles and Parts
The Evolution of Alec’s TJ: Part 2
If you have a modified vehicle, you will inevitably be asked what you’ve done to it. For some this can be an exhaustive list depending on just how far into the details you are willing to go. Because I enjoy discussing my Jeep, I have been working to keep a meticulous list of everything I […]
Posted inAll-Purpose
Tool Organization: Toolbox Widget Review
I think everyone enjoys having an organized wrench drawer, but it is not always easy to achieve. For a long time, I struggled to find a wrench holder that could accommodate all my mismatched wrench sets and work well with my drawer dimensions. That changed when I came across ToolBox Widget Inc, they offer a […]
Posted inRecipes
Campfire Recipes – Hobo Pies
I love hobo pies. What is a hobo pie you ask? It’s a simple item using the basic ingredients of any good meal. Two slices of white bread, and the toppings filling of your choice. I have written about pie irons before and they are among the most versatile and simple meal makers a camper […]
Posted inYou Ask We Answer
Expert Advice – Modifying Your Off Road Vehicle
What do I do next? What should my first modification be? We have this question come up a lot. Truth is there is not a simple way to answer that. You can go all out – over accessorize your vehicle and buy everything out of the parts catalog. You can take it to a fabrication […]
Posted inHow To - Maintenance and More
Synthetic Rope = Safer Winching
There is often a discussion of steel versus synthetic materials when it comes to winch line. In my opinion, there is only one choice for trail and recreational use. I prefer a synthetic winch line for its easier maintenance and increased safety if it fails. During a video shoot on how to repair a synthetic […]
Posted inAll-Purpose
Tool Organization: ToolGrid Review
If you are like me, then you appreciate a well-organized toolbox. ToolGrid by Mantis is one of the best organization systems I have found on the market. PROS Easy to setupCustomizable to fit a variety of toolsHighly space efficientCan be reconfigured endlessly Over the years I have collected many different tool sets and have struggled […]
Posted inProject Vehicles and Parts
The Evolution of Alec’s TJ: Part 1
The story of the evolution of my Jeep is long and unfinished. Like most it started with a small project and then slowly spun out of control. This article will discuss what led me to purchase my TJ, as well as the timeline and decisions behind major upgrades. The beginning During my early years in […]
Posted inAll-Purpose
Unpopular Opinion – Stop Choosing Your Own Vehicle Nickname
There is a long standing trend in the automotive world that needs a discussion. People naming their vehicles like they are people or the family pet. Today’s article is my opinion and it may or may not be popular! You earn a nickname by doing something great or more often doing something dumb. Nicknames are […]
Posted inYou Ask We Answer
How We Test at 4WAAM – 2022
Gear, equipment, vehicle tests, and reviews are some of the many things we as journalists get to do. These are a lot of fun most of the time. Product launches with fancy lunches and free swag can sway your opinion about an item. The aim is to stay objective and not let that get to […]
Posted inAll-Purpose
SLRC – Season 2 Review
The Street Legal Rock Crawling League (SLRC) is an entry-level, off-road competition series. SLRC allows drivers to test themselves and their vehicles on challenging rock-crawling courses. 2021 was the second season for SLRC and I had as much fun as I did the first season. Off-season preparation After the first season, I had to devote […]
Posted inAll-Purpose
Slippery Slope of Accessories
I was sitting at my desk and thinking. I am trying to decide on the next item to review and what to install on the Jeep. In the middle of that thinking, I realized something. For every part I contemplated using, there was another complementary or necessary part. Complimentary parts aren’t so bad, you can […]
Posted inTire Reviews
Ordering Wheels and Tires Online
So you got the lift picked out, every color matched accessory, and LED lights bright enough to rival the sun. Then you look at those sad stock wheels and tires. What’s an owner to do? You have a couple of options to make this happen. You can go to a local tire store, get a […]
Posted inGear for Adventure
Winch Safety – Closed System Winching
The concept of using a series of ropes and pulleys to multiply force to move objects is a concept that has existed since the time of Archimedes (287-212 BC). Since that time not much has changed, we still use hooks, pulleys, and rope. Some of the parts have been modernized along the way and […]
Posted inHow To - Maintenance and More
Better Wiring – Upgrade Your Battery Terminals
Battery terminals are not something you often think about until they leave you stranded somewhere. Battery terminals serve the essential function for any vehicle, without a proper electrical connection nothing works. We love to accessorize. As off-road enthusiasts, we add aftermarket electrical accessories to their vehicles like winches, lockers, and lights, lots and lots of […]
Posted inYou Ask We Answer
Wheel Tech: The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
There are several basic specifications that should be considered when selecting wheels for your vehicle. The ones that leap out the most will be mentioned by your lift or vehicle manufacturer and were briefly discussed in “Understanding Wheel Dimensions.” Though not the focus of this article, one other key wheel dimension, not covered in that […]
Posted inHow To - Maintenance and More, You Ask We Answer
A Guide to Understanding Wheel Dimensions
Next to buying a lift for your Jeep getting new wheels and tires is the most visually impactful change you can make to your ride. With that in mind we wanted to answer a question many new owners have. How do I know what wheel will fit? Backspacing and Offset One of the more recent […]
Posted inYou Ask We Answer
Can Your Wheels Be Too Big?
When are wheels too big? Can you have too much lift? When is enough – enough? My personal take on this is yes there is definitely a point where wheel and tire combos are too big and there is such as thing as too much lift. For me, it’s a style versus performance issue. Style […]