Recently a letter was submitted to close approximately 1.4 million acres
in Utah's canyonlands. This closure would make area only accessible to
hikers and mountain bikers, closing it to ALL motorized vehicles. The
BLM's new travel plan has already closed a significant percentage of
roads and trails.
Off-road enthusiasts subscribe to the "tread
lightly" mantra. We respect the land and treat it no differently than
the average hiker or mountain biker. Sure, the occasional "rotten egg"
makes his presence known, Unfortunately this is not specific to one
recreation over another. This happens in the "human powered" arena too.
I've had to pick up trash ranging from punctured inner-tubes and energy
bar wrappers to litter filled camp sites. My point is, it happens but the
99% make up for it. We police ourselves because we know it's the
<s1% that can ruin it for all of us. Someone mentions the term
off-roader and often the image the comes to mind for the average person
is Billy Bob in his trucker cap, with a wad of chew filling his lower
lip and driving a lifted full sized Chevy pickup hootin' as he tosses
beer cans out the window. This is not who the average off-roader is.
Sorry if I have offended the Billy Bob's of the world, but that's my
intent.....cut that crap out. But the truth is, the average off-roader
is your neighbor. It's that professional that has been retired for years
but his knee no longer lets him walk for miles and miles to explore,
it's the war wounded vet that lost his leg fighting for your freedom,
it's the father with is son that can't walk due to his Multiple
Sclerosis, it's the family with children that are too young to hike the
same distances as their parents but will when they get old enough.
But I digress. Click on the link below to help keep this beautiful area open to all
outdoor enthusiasts. Write to the companies that have supported this
closure and let them know your thoughts and why this area is important
to you. Please help to keep it open to all the overland travellers, rock
crawlers, motocross and adventure riders, quads, razors, and others.
Sharing
this post isn't enough to get this job done. Share it, then make a few
phone calls, send a few emails and write a couple of letters. Tell your
family and friends about your outback adventures. Get them involved and
active. Help keep our public lands open to more than just the young and
able bodied.
Thank you.
https://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2012/11/14/another-massive-national-monument-pushed-in-utah
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Chinese built Jeeps??
Jeep to build all model lines in China?
Posted Oct 22nd 2012 4:29PMWe're quite used to seeing Jeep knockoffs come out of Asia (e.g. SsangYong Korando generations one through three), but if a new report is to be believed, we may start seeing the fair dinkum being built in Asia once again, too.
According to Bloomberg, Chrysler parent Fiat is in serious negotiations with its Chinese joint venture partner, Guangzhou Automobile Group, over plans to build Jeeps locally. Of course, the brand previously built models in China before Fiat came into its management picture, but now there's talk of possibly assembling more than one model – and possibly the entire brand portfolio – in China. The additional capacity would likely only augment Jeep's US output, not replace it.
Jeep currently builds all of its models in the US, but it has been enjoying rapidly growing overseas sales and is looking to capitalize on its momentum. Bloomberg notes that the marque is targeting sales of 500,000 overseas units, which would represent a three-fold increase over its 2009 numbers. In fact, more than three out of four overseas deliveries for Chrysler brands this year have carried a seven-slot grille. Demand for the Grand Cherokee and Compass models in China are said to be particularly strong.
Source: Autoblog
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Jeep Wrangler Moab & Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
It’s been nearly two months since Jeep announced a special edition, and we were getting a bit worried. Luckily, on Tuesday morning, we were greeted by two new models—the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and the Jeep Wrangler Moab.
The Trailhawk, which was introduced during the 2012 Easter Jeep Safari, will be offered with either a V8 or V6 engine and 18-inch all-terrain tires with Kevlar reinforcement. Jeep’s Quadralift suspension will give the SUV up to 11 inches of ground clearance, while the electronic limited-slip differential can bring all the engine’s torque to one wheel if necessary. The ELSD will be helped by the available two-speed transfer case.
Visually, Trailhawk badges, tow hooks, black surround headlights and unique gray accents will set the car apart from standard Grand Cherokees. A black hood decal will diminish reflections from the sun, which Jeep says can help the driver in some off-road situations. Paint options include white, black, gray, “steel” and a deep cherry red.
The interior will have black leather and suede seats with red accent stitching and Mopar floor mats.
The Jeep Wrangler Moab is based on the Wrangler Sahara and is offered with 17-inch Rubicon wheels and the same Kevlar reinforced tires as those offered on the Trailhawk. A Trac-Loc anti-spin rear differential is standard with an electronic rear locking differential being optional. Rock rails and winch-grade bumpers are also available.
The Moab gets a power dome hood, black fuel-filler door and taillight guards. Other black accents include the wheel arches, grille badge and Moab decals on the hood. The soft-top is standard while a three-piece removable hardtop is optional.
Interior upgrades include leather seats with black stitching, a Moab-embossed instrument panel, Mopar mats and some gray accent trim. The Moab Jeep comes in two- and four-door models.
Both Jeeps will be in showrooms in October.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Jeep Hints at IFS and Diesel for 2016
According to the guys at The Motor Report, Jeep is hinting at a independent front suspension and diesel power plant for the prospective model change in mid-year 2015. Find the article source link below.
The global head of Jeep has given the strongest indication yet that the brand’s iconic Wrangler off-roader will continue to use a body-on frame construction.
Speaking with TMR, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said that off-road capability was paramount for the Wrangler, the ruggedness of a ladder-frame chassis remaining integral to the Wrangler’s mountain-climbing prowess.
“To maintain the capability of that vehicle is fundamental, and as you know it'd be very difficult to create that level of capability if you departed too much from body-on frame,” Manley told TMR.
“The Wrangler has to be the extreme capable vehicle in our brand, so I think body-on-frame is the way to go with Wrangler. Certainly for the next generation.“Afterward, we'll see where technology takes us.”
The current JK generation Wrangler has been on sale since 2007, and won’t be replaced until mid-2015 at the earliest.
Currently in its third generation, the Wrangler’s fundamental building blocks have changed little over the past 25 years, and the Wrangler can trace its roots right back to the Jeep CJ - a civilianised version of the WW2-era Jeep.
What may change with the next generation, however, is the Wrangler’s suspension layout.
Since its inception, the Wrangler has persisted with live axles at both front and rear - great for off-roading, but not so hot for on-road refinement.
According to Manley, Jeep’s experience with independent front and rear suspensions in its other models shows that it’s possible to retain a high degree of off-road traction without using live axles.
However, with the Wrangler being Jeep’s off-road flagship, Manley says that no matter what technology is used, the Wrangler must maintain its go-anywhere ability.
The Wrangler will also be made more fuel-efficient, in a bid to meet ever-tightening emissions legislation.
“For me, the biggest area where we have to develop Wrangler next, is that given the capability we want, is how do you improve its fuel efficiency,” Manley said.“It's loved for what it can do today, but it has to survive in a different world in the future. So that'll be a huge focus for us.“How can we use technology, how can we save weight. How can we do those things that create more fuel economy in the vehicle.”
Asked whether Jeep would follow in the footsteps of other manufacturers and replace naturally-aspirated petrol engines with smaller-capacity turbocharged engines, Manley hinted at what may come.
“Potentially. As you know, petrol turbo in extreme off-road circumstances doesn't actually help you because the turbo's not with you, so we have to make sure that we have the right torque to deliver the capability," he said.“That's why diesel is great for something like Wrangler.”
While the Wrangler is currently available in Australia with a VM Motori supplied 147kW/410Nm 2.8 litre turbodiesel, North American Wrangler fans may need to wait until the JK is replaced before they can get their hands on an oil-burner.
Manley confirmed that while Jeep will be reintroducing diesel powertrains for the US market at the start of 2013 with the Grand Cherokee, there are no current plans for a diesel Wrangler in the United States.
Source: | Aug 13, 2012 The Motor Report
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Del Albright: SAVING "MAYBERRY" IN RURAL AMERICA
Del Albright: SAVING "MAYBERRY" IN RURAL AMERICA: "MAYBERRY" SHOULD NOT DIE! Saving small town rural America is a three-step process that we can all help with. Our rural USA and economy ...
Friday, August 3, 2012
2013 Wrangler Spring Assisted Top
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIC3NfzPsHw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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