Gravelrama XXXV Pics

Well Gravelrama XXXV has come and gone. We had a great time camping and racing there. I thought you might like to see some pictures. From top to bottom we have John Brown from Carlise, Ohio with his racer Six Pak II. He won many trophys over the weekend. Next we have a live shot of the Brute, which is a Wrangler converted into a mini pickup truck. This vehicle was very cool in person. Next up are some rock crawlers which were on display on the midway. Further down is a partial picture of our campsite. My Jeep is the red one on the left. I ended up placing 2nd in the F4 Street Stock class. Maybe next year I can try again for 1st. Last but not least is Bill and Josh Hall's racer Sundance. We spent the better part of the summer getting this racer ready for Gravelrama but we still have some more work to do. If you've never been to Gravelrama I recommend that you attend some year!

No-Weld Cage Kits for CJ, YJ, TJ, Scrambler, and XJ Cherokee

Rock Hard 4x4 Parts offers these "ultimate sport cages" for Jeeps. Pictured is the sport cage for the 87-96 YJ. The great thing about these kits is that they are bolt-in installations, and no welding is needed. This makes it easy for the do-it-yourselfer to install the kit with just hand tools, with no metal fabrication skills required. You do not have to remove any of the factory sport bars to install their units. The kits come un-painted. They have kits specific to each application available for 55-75 CJ5, 76-78 CJ5, 79-83 CJ5, 76-78 CJ7, 79-86 CJ7, 87-96 Wrangler YJ, 97-02 Wrangler TJ, 03-up Wrangler TJ, Scrambler, and Cherokee XJ models.

Talk to me!

Feedback is needed! For the past month or so I have been developing this web log. One of the things I need is your input! If you know of a cool web site related to Jeeps, let me know, I can add it to my links! If you know of a cool new product that just came out for Jeeps, please let me know. If you have found a great deal on parts, I want to add a post, so please tell me about it. If there is an event, a trail you love, anything to do with Jeeps, leave a comment. If you have a picture of your Jeep you would like me to post, that would be great. Contacting me is easy, just leave a comment for me (see below near the bottom of each post; there is a place to leave comments). I want to keep improving this web site, and I need your help! email me directly if you like: klkittel@hotmail.com

Rapid Air Down Valve Stems

This is one of my pet peeves and maybe you can relate to this. When I go running on the sand dunes in my Jeep, it seems like it takes forever to air down my tires. I mean I'm crouching down there for so long that my feet and legs go to sleep. It is really a pain in the butt! Klune-V has a solution. Just install their rapid air down valve stems in your wheels, and you can air down a 33 - 12.50x15 tire from 31 psi to 9 psi in under 20 seconds! There is no longer a need to remove the valve stems, just turn a knob and the pressure is released. Makes a great gift for the serious Jeeper!

Lift Kits for Jeep Liberty KJ

Rock Krawler has Lift Kits available for the '02 thru present Jeep Liberty KJ. The lift kit retains the Liberty's IFS design and features an upper A-arm that is 38% longer. The lift allows the use of 33" tires, or 35 inchers with fender trimming. You get 11.5" of ground clearance with 33" tires. The rear suspension consists of a triangulated 4-link design that provides unrestricted rear axle articulation. Finally, a serious lift kit for the Jeep Liberty!

Jeep 4.6L Stroker 6 Cylinder Long Block

Golen Engine Service offers a 260hp 4.6L replacement long block for the Jeep 4.0/4.2L engines. The replacement long block is rated at 260hp @ 5000 rpm, 295 lb/ft @ 4000 rpm, idles at 600 rpm with a 5200 rpm redline. It has a 9.1:1 compression ratio and can run on 91 octane gas. No modifications are necessary to install this block. With the proper tools, installation can be completed in about 8 hours. What a great way to get more power out of your 6 cylinder Jeep without resorting to installing a SBC. Keep it Jeep!

Replacement Clutch Linkage for Worn or Lifted Jeeps

Speed Direct offers clutch linkage replacement kits for '72 thru '86 CJ's. They have two separate kits, one to replace a worn stock linkage with their high quality replacements which feature rod-bearing ends, and another kit for Jeeps with a 1" - 3" body lift. As you may know, finding clutch linkages for lifted Jeeps can be challenging. The bearing ends in these kits provide very smooth operation and eliminate annoying squeaks and rattles. They require no lubrication, are self cleaning, and provide more degrees of pivot than stockers to allow for frame flex while offroading. This is a great way to update the clutch linkage on your older CJ.

Rear Disc Brake Conversions for Jeeps

The Streetrod Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Castle Rock, CO., has rear disc brake conversion kits available for most Jeep models. Kits start at $279.95 per axle and are available for CJ, YJ, TJ, Wagoneer, and Cherokee with Dana model 35 and 44 axles, as well as AMC model 20 axles. This is a great way to modernize the brakes on your older Jeep.

Heavy Duty Steel Tube Rock Crawler Fenders for TJ

Smittybilt Automotive has recently introduced these heavy-duty steel-tube rock crawler fenders for the 97-05 Jeep Wrangler TJ's. These fenders are constructed from .120" wall tube and 1/8" steel plate and feature a full inner-fender liner. They are bolt-on, no drilling required. You've seen these cool fenders in the magazines, now you can buy them without fabricating them yourself.

Muddy Buddys Jeep Cruise-In this Sunday, Aug 14th

The Muddy Buddys Jeep Wrangler Club of Dayton, Ohio will hold an all-breeds Jeep Cruise-In sponsored by Dave Dennis Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and 4wd Hardware, in the Woodman Plaza parking lot behind Smokin BBQ in Kettering, Ohio on Sunday, August 14th, from 12 - 8pm. Try some of the best BBQ in town and check out the baddest Jeeps in the Dayton area. More info can be found on the Muddy Buddy upcoming events page.

Hemi Conversion Kits for TJ

Need more power for your Wrangler TJ? Hemi conversion kits are now available. I have found at least two sources for these kits. American Expedition Vehicles out of Missoula, MT offers a 5.7L hemi conversion kit that will allow you to retain factory guages, emissions, diagnostics, and creature comforts such as air conditioning and cruise control. Once completed, the Jeep will remain dealer serviceable and comes with a one-year 12,000 mile warranty from Dodge on the engine and transmission. The transmission that they use with this conversion is the 5-45RFE 5-speed automatic that is also used in other Chrysler vehicles. There is a very informative FAQ that will answer most common questions associated with the conversion.

Another source for the 5.7L hemi conversion kit is Tera Manufacturing. Their comprehensive, user-friendly kit features a no-cut plug-in wiring harness, engine mounts, and an aluminum radiator.They have a pdf document available for downloading that provides complete info on the kit and the conversion process.

Although the price of converting a Wrangler TJ to the 5.7L Hemi is a bit pricey, I predict that these Jeeps will be highly collectable in the years to come with pristine examples of the Rubicon and Unlimited models commanding top resale dollar due to the high demand from hard-core Jeep enthusiasts.

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster feedster:bf5adac14774502a8d35cb560499e4f3

Protection for TJ Radiators

One vulnerability of the Wrangler TJ is that it has a plastic radiator. The bottom of these radiators is subject to damage by sticks and other trail hazards. One small hole in your radiator and your fun for the day is over. Rusty's Offroad in Rainbow City, Al has a solution. They have designed this radiator skid plate made of 1/8" steel with black powdercoating. The skid is a complete bolt-on, with no cutting or fabricating required. Priced at $60, this is a cheap way to have piece-of-mind while out on the trail that you will make it home at the end of the day.

Restoration Guide for Willys Pickups, Wagons, Jeepsters

If you are a fan of the 1946-1964 Jeep Utility Vehicles, which includes the Willys Pickups, Wagons, and Jeepsters, then you need this information. Willys America of Cazadero, CA, offers this unique Restoration Guide and Parts manual fot the Willys Utility Vehicles. The restoration guide has a neat "repower" section which discusses the best choices of engines for an engine swap; axle swaps, transmissions, steering box conversions, suspension swaps and upgrades, plus much more. This is 2 catalogs in one as it also includes a parts catalog listing all the parts you would ever need to restore these classic vehicles including body panels and even reproduction pickup beds. For $15.00 plus shipping this catalog will be sent out within one business day. If you are restoring or considering modifying a Willys Utility Vehicle yourself then this catalog is a must-read and also an excellent value! Check out the restoration process section of their web site for some very interesting photos of these vehicles being restored.

All Things Jeep Has it All

All Things Jeep has a massive collection of Jeep accessories and gift items available on their website. "Life is good" T shirts, "Silly boys, Jeeps are for Girls" tees, signs, bumper stickers, hats, key chains, watches, books, toys, everything they offer is geared towards the Jeep enthusiast. There are many items here that can't be found elsewhere. Check it out!

Last of a Great Breed Dash Plaques

This is a rare item that many have never seen before. Apparently these were used on the late '86 CJ's that were made to commemorate the last of the CJ models. I found these dash plaques at Collins Brothers Jeep in Wylie, TX. They also have decal kits for the CJ Scramblers and Renegades.

Wretched Excess

Ok, so this isn't cheap or on sale, but I thought it was interesting. If you have a special need, Back Country Journal offers 4 and 6 door conversions for Wranglers. Conversions start at a hefty $17,500 and are available in many configurations, styles and option packages. With a couple of these cool Jeeps in your stable you could start your own Jeep tour business!