My own personal trip down the Jeep rabbit hole.

I would like to take a moment to share with all of my readers the Jeep that made me fall in love with the brand.

This is the 1998 Cherokee XJ that I used to own before I handed it over to my step son when he needed a reliable mode of transportation for work. I traded a 1998 Ford F250 with a rusted out frame for this XJ. Both had almost identical miles and mechanically were in the same condition so it was a straight up trade. When I took delivery it was a bone stock XJ with about 135k on the clock and a severely sagging suspension.

The first thing to go was the broken and ugly side molding. When I took the Fender flares off the screws in the brackets broke as is the way of their people. So rather than fixing it, I figured I would leave them off and see how I liked the look.

The next stage was a completely homebrew lift. Up front I went with ZJ coil springs but I sadly do not remember exactly what shocks I went with. In the rear I went with HD leaf springs for a 2 inch lift (although it ended up giving me more due to the stiffness) and skyjacker shocks. I upgraded all of the bushings and dropped the t-case 1.5 inches to compensate for the added angle on the drive shaft. I made my own brake lines and called it a day.

Once that was all said and done the brakes got a complete overhaul. Everything from the lines to the pads were replaced. Everything that stopped the vehicle was brand new. Of course while I was under there I replaced the steering stabilizer and shortened the exhaust (who needs a muffler anyway!)

Under the hood I got rid of the factory airbox and replaced it with a Spectre cone filter that amazingly fit right onto the stock intake hose. The oil blowoff hose was replaced with an even smaller Spectre filter, because why not? All plugs, wires, the distributor cap and rotor were replaced and the vacuum ball inside of the bumper was relocated to between the battery and fuse box. the fuse box, vacuum ball, and fan shroud were painted the same OD green as the front grille and wheel centers for effect (although I'm not quite sure what the effect was).

While I was under the hood I decided to replace the non working factory fog lights. I wired in a new toggle switch to go with the back up light over ride (more on that in a minute). The fog lights that I used were nothing special, just a pair I picked up on clearance at Advance Auto Parts. I mounted those in the same spot as the factory lights.

In this picture you will see 3 toggle switches. the big one at the top is for the fog lights. the middle one was currently unused, but was going to be for my fan over ride that I never got around to wiring up. The bottom switch was my back up light over ride. As is the case in the XJ, my Neutral Safety Switch was going bad. So what I did to counteract that was wire up a switch that had two different functions. Firstly it would allow me to turn on my back up lights in the event that they didn't come on on their own but would also allow me to turn them on without the vehicle being in reverse if I needed to be back there for some reason. Sadly I never got around to installing the upgraded lights back there...

So that is it. Other than basic maintenance and a few sensors needing replaced that was my first Jeep "build". I hope you like it, I look forward to getting work started o my Commander. I have quite a few ideas now I just need the time and extra money to get them started.

Have $100,000+ you want to spend on a Jeep? Here you go.

Photo credit autoweek.com

Sure, you can special order a Brute that will run you around $100k but it won't be like one of these. Legacy Classic Trucks of Jackson Hole loves building custom beasts, most notably old Powerwagons. They have ventured out and decided to make some custom Jeeps, specifically Scramblers. The Scrambler was an option offered on the 1981-86 CJ-8's although if you bring them any CJ they can convert it to the longer wheel base for you.


Photo credit autoweek.com

The first thing they wanted to do was create a Jeep that was different than all other built up rigs out there. To do so they started with the weight. Your average custom rig weighs up to ~6,000 pounds with all of the added parts, stiffeners, body armoring, and accessories. These Scramblers achieve a curb weight of around 3,300 to 3,400 pounds. To get this weight they replaced every possible part that could be changed over with aluminum.


Photo credit autoweek.com

Of course they leave every part that needs to be tough alone like the axles. Up front you get a Dana 44/60 and the rear gets a Dana One Ton full floating ProRock 60 with optional locker (why would you not get a locker though?).


Photo credit autoweek.com


Photo credit autoweek.com

The shocks on the pictured rig are long travel Kings with bump stops, and it meets the pavement earth on 37 inch Toyo Open Country RT tires.


Photo credit autoweek.com

Should you decide to buy one of these gorgeous rolling pieces of art you get two options for the engine. Either a Chevy LS3 V8 or a Banks 630T turbo-diesel V6. Either way you will get the power and torque you need to get you wherever you are going. Pricing for the V8 starts at $110,000 and the Diesel starts at $125,000. To get yourself into one of these Scramblers you will have a minimum of six months wait. But it would certainly be worth it, wouldn't it?

Why the new Jeep Pickup Truck will NOT be based on the Wrangler

All Jeep lovers rejoiced last year when FCA announced that they would be adding a production model pickup truck to it's line up. The going theory/rumor was that it would be based on the Wrangler platform. Lending further credence to this rumor was the statement from Jeep stating that the new truck would be developed alongside the Wrangler in the Toledo, Ohio factory. 

There are two reasons why I truly believe the new truck will not be based on the Wrangler.

1. Jeep already sells the JK-8 kit, which is a package offered to the Wrangler that adds on a short bed. This is offered at any Jeep dealership already.
2. Jeep has already stated earlier this month that the new truck, already in development, won't be a spin off of an existing vehicle from Jeep and will in fact have it's own distinguishable identity.

Of course this is all my own personal opinion and speculation since Jeep and FCA have released no details about the new truck. There are however a couple things that Jeep has said that may add a little more to this discussion. Last week when Jeep release the photo's and information about the Jeep Safari Concepts one thing that was stated was the fact that every concept, while not slated for production, could in fact be created using the existing Mopar Off Road catalog. If you take a look at the Crew Chief 715 and the Renegade Comanche, both have a bed that is different from the JK-8 kit.

The Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept

The Jeep Renegade Comanche concept

A Wrangler with the JK-8 kit installed

You'll notice that while there are some similarities, the differences are quite unmistakable. The reason I bring this up is simple, if all of the concepts can be built and the bed is different than the JK-8 kit then maybe this is a glimpse into what we can expect from the new Jeep truck. Who know's. What do you think? Let me know in the comment's down below.

Jeep certainly has not disappointed us this year the 50th annual Jeep Easter Safari

Earlier this week I told you about the teaser picture Jeep released. Now I am back to give you the low down on what else Jeep will have in store for us at the 50th annual Jeep Easter Safari, I promise you won't be disappointed.

First up is the Jeep Shortcut. With it's 2 inch lift, red plaid interior, and it's body-paint-matched steel rims it is no doubt a nod to the CJ-5's of the 70's. In addition to being 12 inches shorter than a standard Wrangler is today, it has Dana 44s in both the front and the rear. 

Next up is the Jeep Trailstorm. I know that there honestly is nothing majorly special about this concept because, let's be honest, every town has one of these built up Jeeps. So what makes this one so special? You can guarantee that the Jeep Trailstorm wont be a mall crawling pavement princess like the one your jock neighbor drives to work everyday.

My daily driver is a 2008 Jeep Commander. I love that Jeep. When Jeep revealed the Commander back in 2005 for the 2006 model year, Jeep enthusiasts everywhere hoped that it would be a true replacement for the old Cherokee XJ that was discontinued in 2001. Compared to the current generation of Cherokee's it is the closest thing we have to those old XJs. So when I first saw the name Commander show up on a list of Jeep Safari concepts I was excited until I noticed the Renegade part in front of it. Don't get me wrong, I kind of like the Jeep Renegade in all of it's "cute ute" glory, but when you compare it to the heritage that Jeep has, it just doesn't really make the cut for me. But I have to be honest that the Renegade Commander concept is actually a pretty nice looking ride with it's 2-inch lift, rock rails, skid plates and a whole load of other Mopar off road parts.

The next item isn't really a concept as much as it is a restoration project. The FC 150 utilizes the original forward cab body, complete with dings and scratches,  mated to a 2005 Wrangler frame. Jeep lovers all over the world will rejoice at the use of the bullet proof Jeep 4.0-liter straight six powering this beast. Along with the Dana 44 up front and the Dana 60 in the rear, this old FC is definitely an off road ready machine.

My personal favorite out of the bunch is the Jeep Crew Chief 715. If you look at past Safari concepts you will notice one trend. Kaiser grilles. Jeep loves using those old school grilles and who can blame them. The Crew Chief is a modified Wrangler Unlimited with a pickup bed in the back. With the Chief's 20 inch beadlocked wheels, onboard air system, a set of winches and more there isn't much you can't do with this Jeep and certainly there aren't many places you couldn't go.

Any XJ owner/lover is probably also a big fan of the Comanche which for all intents and purposes was a 2 seat pick up version of the Cherokee. What Jeep has done now is taken that same concept, only used a Renegade this time around. Honestly it looks as if someone took a Renegade, cut the back of it off and slapped a truck bed to it only to realize that they actually liked the tail light sof the Renegade so they put them back on. My favorite feature of the Renegade Comanche though is definitely the convertible soft top roof. After all, being able to be topless is one of the best parts of owning a Jeep.

Finally we come to the crown jewel of this years Jeep Easter Safari. The Trailcat. This Wrangler has had it's windshield chopped, it's body lengthened by one foot, fitted with a six speed manual transmission and given Dana 60s in both the front and the rear. Oh yeah, and lets not forget the 707 HP 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI under the hood. Do we need a 707 HP Wrangler? Probably not, but do we want a 707 HP Wrangler? Abso-freaking-lutely!

What ever your thoughts are on these concepts there is one thing that is clear. Jeep knows it's fan base and they do listen. For those of you that may be a bit saddened by the thought that these vehicles will never come to fruition have no worries. Most, if not all, of these concepts could be built in your garage with a little bit of fabrication know how and a Mopar Off Road catalog. That's right every one of these concepts uses parts that are already available. So get out your checkbooks and get buying.

What does FCA have in store for us at the 50th annual Jeep Easter Safari?

I know, I know...

Jeep isn't a European car manufacturer so why would I be writing about it? You ever see that movie Six Degrees of Separation? Jeep is part of Chrysler, which is owned by FCA, which stands for what? Fiat Chrysler of America, so technically they are an Italian car manufacturer. It's thin, but it is holding water... kind of. But we'll go with it anyway.

It is no secret that I am a Jeep person. I park my 2008 Commander in the driveway right next to my W212 E Class. I try and keep abreast of what FCA is doing with my beloved brand and try to stay updated on what is coming down the pipes.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Jeep Easter Safari in Moab, Utah and the 75th anniversary of the Jeep brand in general. Each year at the Easter Safari Jeep unveils it's newest concepts, some of which end up in production or at the very least end up leading to a new production. Last year we got to see the Jeep Chief which was a new take on the original Cherokee, the Jeep Wrangler Africa which is an Overlanders wet dream come true, the Grand Cherokee Overlander, the JK2A Staff Car which is an obvious throwback to Jeep's WWII beginnings, The Red Rock Responder, the Cherokee Canyon Trail, and the Renegade Desert Hawk. All of these, even the Renegade, were nothing short of spectacular, so what could Jeep possibly do to top it this year? We will have to wait until March 19th to find out, but in the mean time Jeep has given us one small teaser to go on.

Is this going to be a 707 HP Wrangler? While it is highly unlikely that we will ever get a Wrangler with the Hellcat drive train, but one can certainly dream. I mean, after all, we are getting a Hellcat driven Grand Cherokee labeled the Trackhawk, so maybe we will. Who knows.

FCA brings the Alfa Romeo 4C's bigger brother, the Quadrifoglio, state side

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio, like any good Italian has all the curves in all the right places.

Last week I wrote about the 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C coming to North America. Now I would like to give a small introduction to the 4C's bigger brother, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. While FCA has not given out much information about this beautiful car, her is what we do know.

At launch it will come standard with a 505 HP 2.9-liter Twin Turbo V6. All 505 horses get sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. After the Qudrifoglio hits showroom floors next year it will be available with a 276 hp 2.0-liter four cylinder with the same six-speed manual transmission. That model will also come standard as rear wheel drive but an all wheel drive option will be available.

As of yet no pricing has been released.

FCA and Alfa Romeo are finally bringing the $c to the states.

As a long time lover of the Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep brand I was skeptical of how Fiat would handle the market over here. I own and drive Jeeps and while I wouldn't consider myself a Jeep purist, I would still hate to have some European company ruin my beloved brand. With the Jeep Renegade aside, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has done a good job of bringing in new customers while still being able to keep (most) of the purist happy.

One thing I was wondering from the very beginning though, was when would we get to see the beautiful and sexy Alfa Romeo 4C over here in the states. In 2014 FCA revealed the North American version of the 4C at the New York Auto Show that would hit show room floors that spring. With only 850 examples coming over for that first run, it was certainly not a car you would see zipping down every highway in America. Sadly it wasn't until this year at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show that I got to see one up close and personal.




The 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C boasts a mid-engine 237 hp turbo 4-cylinder that pushes it's sub 2500 pound body to 60 from 0 in just 4.2 seconds. Power gets to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic which sadly, is the only option. You won't be using this car for road trips or grocery runs due to the lack of cargo space inside but none of that really matters once you sit down inside of it. The contoured seats hug your body, truly making you feel like you are in a cock pit. Sadly, I was not able to drive it but with such a high power to weight ratio I can only imagine that it would accelerate like you are in a cockpit as well.




From the front the Alfa Romeo 4C looks a bit whimsical with it's buggy looking headlights and recognizable Alfa Romeo front grille. From the side and rear though you can really see the Italian design in it's DNA. The body lines that channel the air into the vents located in front of and on top of the rear wheels just scream sports car.




The 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C is available in either a hard top coupe version, or you can opt for the Targa top. The 4C gets a 24 city, 34 highway MPG out of it's 10.5 gallon tank. Pricing starts at $57,495.00. At that price you can get yourself into a fun, sporty, Italian sports car that won't leave your bank account drained.